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NEW JERSEY PARTNERS: BY-LAWS November15, 2006 ARTICLE I: Purpose/Mission New Jersey Partners: Aging, Mental Health and Substance Abuse with hereafter referred to as “NJ Partners,” has been established to build awareness of the unique mental health and substance abuse issues of the older adult, to promote education and leadership among stakeholders, and to make a positive impact on service delivery systems.
Membership shall be open to all who wish to participate in support of the NJ Partners’ mission as stated in Article I. A. Categories of membership are as follows: Organizational membership covers any number of people from the same organization. The fee is $35 per year. Professional membership includes individuals currently working in the fields of aging, mental health and/or substance abuse. The fee is $25 per year. Associate membership applies to retirees, consumers and caregivers at a fee of $10 per year and with full membership status. B. The membership year is the calendar year from January 1 to December 31. Membership is considered valid upon payment of dues by January 31. New members who join after July 1 will be considered voting members through the subsequent year. Renewing membership, regardless of when received, is valid only for the current year. ARTICLE III: Meetings A. Membership meetings shall be held a minimum of four (4) times per year, with a rotation of meeting sites around the state at designated times, places and dates. B. The annual meeting shall be held each June. During the annual meeting, election of officers will occur and reports on the status of the organization will be presented. The Nominating Committee will prepare the slate of officers and circulate it to the membership at least two weeks in advance of the annual meeting. Nominations may also be accepted from the floor.
A. Only paid members are eligible to vote. Organizational members are entitled to a limit of two (2) voting members per organization. Professional and Associate members are entitled to one vote each. In the absence of a quorum a poll will be taken. B One third of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of voting and conducting the business of the organization. Article V: Officers Officers shall include two Co-chairpersons, a Treasurer, and a Recorder. Terms of office will be effective on July 1. Officers will serve for two (2) years and may be re-elected for an additional term. A. Co-Chairpersons will be elected to serve a two-year term. One Co- chair will be elected at each annual meeting and will serve concurrently with the Co- Chair elected on the previous year. The Co-Chairs will alternate presiding over meetings and will serve as representatives of the organization. B. The Recorder is elected on even numbered years and serves a two-year term. The Recorder will keep the minutes of each meeting and circulate meeting announcements to the membership C. The Treasurer is elected on odd numbered years and serves a two-year term. The Treasurer will keep appropriate records and report regularly to the membership. The Treasurer will receive all membership dues, will receive all other receivables, and will issue all payments. Executive Committee pre-approval shall be required for expenditures between $50 and $200, as well as for larger outlays involving catering or printing. Pre-approval by the membership shall otherwise be required, where expenditures exceed $200. The Treasurer may establish petty cash funds for committees on approval of the Executive Committee. A report of such expenditures, along with receipts, shall be submitted to the Treasurer and will be included in the report to the membership. ARTICLE VI : Standing Committees Standing committees will be formed at the annual meeting and shall carry out the important duties of the organization. Committee members will serve terms of one year. Each committee will appoint a coordinator who will convene meetings and report to the membership at each Partners business meeting. The standing committees are as follows: B. The Program Committee shall consist of six (6) members, including at least one representative from the Executive committee. The committee shall be responsible for the yearly calendar of meetings and other events and for arranging program content and the location of each meeting. Members will serve for an initial year, with the option to continue. C. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members who will prepare a slate of officers to be circulated at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting. The nominating committee will also be responsible for identifying members for each standing committee. D. The Membership Committee shall consist of three (3) members who will be responsible for keeping a record of paid memberships, will notify members when renewals are due, and follow up on lapsed memberships as appropriate. The Committee will provide attending and non-members with information and encourage their membership. Committee members will prepare and provide new members with an informational packet. The Committee will also notify the Partner’s website manager of additions to and deletions from the membership list. ARTICLE VII: Ad Hoc Committees Ad hoc committees will be appointed as deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee. Such committees may be responsible for planning conferences, workshops, special events, and other responsibilities as assigned. ARTICLE VII: Amendments The by-laws may be amended or repealed by affirmative vote of a quorum of the membership at a meeting called for that purpose. Proposed amendments must be presented to the membership at least two weeks prior to the meeting called for that purpose. ARTICLE VIII: Dissolution Upon dissolution of the New Jersey Partners, Inc., the remaining assets will be used exclusively for tax-exempt organizations such as charitable, faith-based, educational and/or scientific that address aging, mental health and/or substance abuse, as per vote of the membership. |