ARTICLE I – Name

The name of the organization shall be the "Gladwin County Human Services Coordinating Body", hereafter referred to as the HSCB.

ARTICLE II – Purpose

The Human Services Coordinating Body shall promote the welfare of the community through the joint planning, collaboration, and promotion of human services, with an emphasis on prevention. The activities of the HSCB are designed to promote the following goals:

To make existing human services more effective through interagency support and collaboration.

To allow for the expansion of existing human service projects which have demonstrated effectiveness.

To establish additional human service programs based on:

Needs assessments.

Thorough review and analysis of programming alternatives.

Pooling of resources.

A community systems approach to programming.

To review, on a periodic basis, human service programs to evaluate their effectiveness and efficiency.

To facilitate change in the contributing environmental risk factors and funding levels by engaging relevant policy makers, organizations, and the community.

To provide a basis for safeguarding existing programs in difficult economic times.

ARTICLE III – Membership

The membership of the HSCB shall consist of the Directors (or their designees) of the non-profit human service agencies in Gladwin County, or which serve Gladwin County, at minimum one at-large member who may represent for-profit organizations, and such other community members as the HSCB deems appropriate.

Members of the HSCB should possess:

A willingness and commitment to attend and participate in the meetings of the coordinating body. A member should not miss two consecutive regular meetings without good cause. HSCB members should review resource material before each meeting and be prepared to share ideas regarding the issues to be presented. When a member cannot attend a meeting, an alternate, briefed on the opinions of the member, can be designated to represent the member.

A willingness and commitment to either participate in or assign staff to the committees of the HSCB. Coordinated leadership requires that staff of various community organizations work in a collaborative manner to address community issues. This requires a commitment to designate some resources of the organization when the expertise of the organization is needed.

A dedication to a vision of improving the lives of the citizens of our communities. Inherent in the idea of a leadership is that the members desire to lead others in positive ways to better the community.

An ability to work as part of a team. The HSCB is a diverse group of people from many backgrounds with differing ideas and opinions. Members should respect this diversity and yet make a commitment to work in a cohesive manner.

A willingness and commitment to bring issues that have an impact on the community in multiple ways to the agenda of the HSCB. True coordination requires that people share not only their concerns, but also, their excellent ideas with others. When ideas are shared openly, creative processes will allow for resolution giving maximum benefit to the community.

Membership on the HSCB shall continue as long as a person retains their position as the designated representative of their agency or constituent group. In the event that vacancies occur on the HSCB, the chairperson will notify the Executive Committee, and/or full HSCB who shall make recommendations for filling the vacant position. The HSCB will then vote on a replacement for the vacancy.

Members who miss meetings consistently shall be contacted to ascertain their interest in continuing their membership. The chairperson will notify the Executive Committee, and/or full HSCB who shall make recommendations for continuing this membership. The HSCB will then vote on the recommendation.

ARTICLE IV – VOTING

Each member agency/organization shall have one vote. A 2/3 majority of the voting members present shall be required to approve the expenditure of funds. Members of the HSCB or committees of the HSCB shall abstain from voting when a conflict of interest is present.

ARTICLE V – Meetings

Regular meetings of the HSCB shall be held at least bi-monthly. Meetings may be called by the chairperson, or two other members.

Officers of the organization shall be the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Executive Committee Representatives.

These offices shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present and will serve one year from the date of election.

ARTICLE VII – Elections

Elections shall be held in December of each year, with one year terms to begin in January of each year.

ARTICLE VIII – Officers Duties

The Chairperson shall:

Serve as a leader of the organization

Preside at meetings of the organization

Appoint members of committees

Preside at meetings of the Executive Committee

The Vice-Chairperson shall:

Serve as leader of the organization in the absence of the Chairperson

Preside at meetings of the organization in the Chairperson’s absence

Actively participate in meeting of the Executive Committee

Preside at meetings of the Executive Committee in the Chairperson’s absence

Assume responsibilities of the Chairperson if the Chairperson cannot continue duties.

The Executive Committee Representatives shall:

Actively participate in the functions of the Executive Committee

ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES

Executive Committee:

An Executive Committee may be formed if deemed necessary by a majority of the HSCB. The Executive Committee shall be made up of the Chairperson, Vice Chair, and three members of the HSCB, who shall be known as the Executive Committee Representatives. The Executive Committee shall meet between meetings of the HSCB. The duties of the Executive Committee shall include:

Review requests for membership on the HSCB and make recommendations to the HSCB for action on the requests.

Review recommendations for the continuation or dissolution of membership and make recommendations to the HSCB for action on continuing or dissolving membership.

Work with staff to plan meeting objectives and agenda.

Request and obtain annual reports from work groups and initiatives set up under the auspices of the HSCB.

Act on requests for grant endorsements when time does not permit waiting for the next HSCB meeting.

Other activities deemed appropriate by the HSCB.

Ad-Hoc Committees:

The chairperson shall appoint committees of the membership to meet the needs of the HSCB as they are identified.

ARTICLE X – Changes in the By-Laws

Recommendations to change or amend these by-laws may be made by any member of the HSCB. Such changes or amendments shall not be approved at the same meeting they recommended.

Consensus: The HSCB values the recognition of, and respect for, every group member’s ideas, opinions and suggestions. Therefore, the HSCB shall operate under a consensus model for decision making. The consensus model:

Requires that each member of the group agree on the point being discussed before it becomes an actual part of the group decision.

Recognizes that not every point will meet with everyone’s complete approval.

Recognizes that unanimity is not the goal. It is not necessary that every person be satisfied, but that at least every person’s ideas are thoroughly reviewed. This facilitates reaching a decision that is supported by all members.

Robert’s Rules of Order shall be followed in all cases where consensus is not effective, and where Roberts’ Rules of Order do not conflict with the HSCB’s operating standards.

Conflict: The HSCB values and encourages the injection of new perspectives. The HSCB recognizes that in collaborative decision making, areas of conflict and disagreement may arise. The HSCB believes that who is right or wrong is not of concern. The exchange of perspectives and points of view—not the selling of them—is the issue. Therefore, the HSCB shall address areas of conflict and disagreement by implementation of a Skillful Discussions model:

Areas of Conflict and Disagreement shall be addressed within the HSCB meeting by:

Exploring impasses.

Identifying the areas of agreement.

Clarifying the points of disagreement.

-Exploring the Facts: What is the data and what does it tell us?

-Exploring Methods: How should we do what we need to do?

-Reviewing Goals: What is our objective?

-Reviewing Values: Why do we think it must be done a particular way – what do we, as the HSCB believe in?

Reaching group consensus that the HSCB can move ahead on the areas of agreement.

Continuing to address the points of disagreement as the project develops.

2. When areas of conflict and disagreement cannot be resolved or impede the process within
the HSCB, the assistance of a consultant or mediator shall be obtained.

D. Official Signatures shall only be those of agency heads. Two signatories shall be identified by the HSCB, either of whose signatures shall be sufficient to represent the HSCB on documents.