HomeMy WebLinkAboutPHAB Revised By-LawsPage 1
Advisory Board
By-Laws
Mission Statement:
To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.
BY-LAWS
Article I
NAME AND ADDRESS
The name of this body shall be the Deschutes County Public Health Advisory Board (“the Board”).
The permanent address for the Board will be 2577 NE Courtney Drive, Bend, Oregon 97701. The
Advisory Board shall carry out the responsibilities of the following mandated board: ORS 431.412 (5)
public health advisory board.
Article II
PURPOSE
The Public Health Advisory Board is established to enhance community relations with Deschutes
County Health Services to increase public knowledge about public health issues and assist in the
betterment of services provided by DCHS. The Board also advises the Board of County
Commissioners concerning matters of public health and the operation of the public health system.
Article III
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Advisory Board’s responsibilities include providing advice, leadership and guidance in support of
the Health Services Department’s mission.
The Board shall:
A. Advocate for a strong public health system.
B. Participate in ensuring that the Department operates in accordance with applicable federal, state
and local laws and regulations.
Deschutes County Heatlh Services
Public Health Advisory Board By-Laws
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C. Work cooperatively with the Addictions & Mental Health Advisory Board and other
Department advisory groups to promote service integration, Department benefit and
accountability as well as operational efficiency and effectiveness.
D. Promote the services and educational opportunities provided by the Department within the
community.
E. Participate in developing and endorsing the priorities and services provided or sponsored by the
Department.
F. Participate in planning and reviewing the Department operating budget throughout the year as
well as in endorsing the annual priorities and budget.
G. Participate in planning, measuring, and evaluating the Department’s progress in meeting its
annual and long-term programmatic and financial goals.
H. Assist and provide input to the Department regarding funding and grant decisions.
I. Advocate for the resources necessary to assure the provision of essential public health
functions.
J. Participate in informing, educating and empowering people about health issues.
K. Advocate for the monitoring of health status indicators that will help to identify and solve
community health problems.
L. Annually review the Department’s Strategic Plan and determine the Advisory Board’s focus,
projects, priorities and progress based on the Strategic Plan.
M. Advise the Board of County Commissioners and the County Administrator on the performance
of the local public health system.
Article IV
MEETINGS
Section I. Regular Meetings:
Board meetings will be held, at minimum, once per calendar quarter. The Board Chairperson, in
consultation with the Department Director, may call other meetings as necessary. Meetings will be
held in a conference room accessible to Board members and the general public.
Section II. Special Meetings or Work Sessions:
Special meetings and work sessions may be called by the Board Chairperson. Public law requires that
members of the Advisory Board and the press receive written notice at least 24 hours prior to holding
such a meeting.
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Section III Quorum:
A majority of the board members, including those actually in actual attendance as well as those
attending by proxy, shall constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of any and all business of
the Board.
Section IV Minutes:
The Board shall cause minutes of all meetings to be prepared and approved in accordance with Oregon
Public Meetings law. Health Services Department staff shall prepare, maintain and have available
minutes of the Advisory Board meetings, including, without limitation, a recording of all motions and
subsequent actions. Announced conflicts of interest shall be noted.
Section V. Voting:
Each Advisory Board member shall have one vote. Any matter coming before the board shall be
decided by a majority of members, either physically present or by proxy, and voting. The Chairperson
shall refrain from voting except to break a tie. While personal attendance is always preferred, each
member is entitled to one vote. Proxy voting is permitted upon any issue which has been included in
the notice of the meeting. Members who are physically present are limited to not more than one absent
member’s proxy, in addition to their own vote. Members who choose to vote by proxy shall notify the
Advisory Board chair, Advisory Board secretary, and or the Advisory Board member to whom the
proxy is assigned via email prior to the meeting. Such votes will be documented in meeting minutes. If
the matter is not voted on at the meeting for which is was noticed, then all proxies for such matter shall
be deemed to have expired.
Section VI. Notice of Meetings:
All members shall be given notice of time, date, location and agenda for the meeting via email at least
seven (7) days before a regular Advisory Board meeting. This notice shall be mailed by regular postal
service to members who have no access to email.
Notice will be provided for other members of the public who have requested in writing that they be
given copies of the official meeting notices. Meetings are public, where deliberations of the Advisory
Board will take place, and opportunities for public comment will be provided.
Article V
MEMBERSHIP
Section I. Qualifications & Representation:
The membership of the Board shall provide a balanced representation of the geographic and social
diversity of the County and shall be comprised of lay citizens, health professionals and others with a
sincere interest in advocating for a strong public health system. The Board shall be composed of at
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least nine (9) and not more than fifteen (15) individuals. These persons shall be qualified by interest,
training, or experience to review and make recommendations for the development and implementation
of policies and procedures with regard to the statutory duties and services of Deschutes County Health
Services. At least one member of the Board must be a physician.
The membership should attempt to reflect the varying age, gender, ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic,
and professional interests in the County. Members shall serve without remuneration.
Section II. Nominations:
The Advisory Board shall make nominations for membership on the Advisory Board to the Deschutes
County Board of Commissioners for approval and appointment
Section III. Ex-Officio Members:
In addition to the appointed Advisory Board members, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
shall appoint, from among themselves, one member to serve as liaison to the Advisory Board who is
expected but not required to attend at least two (2) Advisory Board meetings each calendar year.
Additionally, the Director of the Health Services Department and the County Health Officer will be
Ex-officio members of the Board. Ex-officio members do not have voting rights. The Board may
appoint other Ex-officio members as appropriate.
.
Section IV. Attendance:
Advisory Board members shall endeavor to attend all meetings in person. Three (3) consecutive
unexcused absences shall constitute grounds for removal.
Section V. Removal:
Any member may be removed whenever the best interests of the Health Services Department or the
Board will be served. The member whose removal is placed in issue shall be given prior notice of
his/her proposed removal and a reasonable opportunity to appear and be heard at a meeting of the
Board. A member may be removed pursuant to this section by not less than two-thirds (⅔) of the total
number of members then serving on the Board, or by majority vote of the Board of County
Commissioners.
Grounds for removal from the Board include without limitation, taking a position that is in conflict
with the mission of the Board and/or Health Services Department and obtaining three (3) consecutive
absences from Board meetings without prior notification to the Board Chair.
Article VI
TERMS OF OFFICE AND VACANCIES
Section I. Term and Length of Service:
Board members shall serve staggered terms of office and be assigned a position number with
expiration date to assure even rotation. A full term is three (3) years. The Founding Board will be
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assigned initial terms of 1, 2, or 3 years by the Board of County Commissioners in order to initiate
staggered rotation.
After a Founding member finishes his or her initial term, they may apply for nomination for a second
term. A member appointed to serve the unexpired term of another member shall begin their
membership on the first day of the month immediately following the date it is approved. Regular
terms shall begin and expire on February September 1. A member may not initiate a new term on the
board if the member has already served for 8 years or more.
Section II. Vacancies:
A vacancy occurs when a Board member’s term expires, or when a Board member moves out of the
service area, dies, resigns, or is removed from the Board. When a vacancy occurs on the Board, the
nominating committee shall select a replacement to complete the unexpired term and recommend
appointment of such replacement to the Board by the Board of County Commissioners.
Article VII
OFFICERS
Section I. Officers:
The Board shall elect a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary each to serve a onetwo-year term
which can be renewed for a second third year upon consent of the Board and acceptance of the
nominee. In Addition, The Vice-Chairperson shall be eligible for election to the Chair after
Chairperson’s term ends.
Section II. Elections:
Elections of new officers shall take place prior to the end of the calendar year with the new term
beginning at the Board’s first regular meeting the followingin FebruaryJanuary. Terms will begin and
end January 1, unless the election took place after such date, in which case the term will begin
immediately or when feasible. In the event that nominations for Officer positions are not received by
the scheduled election, a six (6) month extension will be offered to the current officer. In the event
that only one nominee is available for an Officer position, the Board may elect that nominee through
consensus.
Section III. Duties:
Duties of the officers are as follows:
1. Chairperson:
a. Shall prepare the agenda with the Director’s assistance
b. Shall conduct the meeting in accordance with parliamentary procedure and comply with
the rules and regulations of County and State with regard to public meetings.
c. May call special meetings of the Board as are necessary.
d. Shall serve as an Ex-Officio member of all committees.
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2. Vice-Chairperson:
a. Shall assist the Chairperson as needed.
b. Shall serve as Chairperson during such time as the Chairperson is absent or unable to
serve.
3. Secretary:
a. Shall maintain all minutes of Board proceedings.
b. Shall perform additional duties that may from time to time be prescribed by the Board.
Article VIII
COMMITTEES
Section I. Standing Committees:
The Board shall appoint standing committees and their membership at its discretion. Membership may
include Board members, staff, and other community members at the discretion of the Board.
Section II. Executive Committee:
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and
Health Services Department Director. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to act on
behalf of the entire Board for matters of routine business, but shall report to the entire Board its actions
as reflected in carefully maintained minutes. The Health Services Department Director shall be a non-
voting member of the Executive Committee.
Section III. Ad-Hoc Committees:
Ad-Hoc Committees may be established by the Board as needed and may consist of additional
individuals from the community chosen for their expertise and knowledge and concern about a specific
issue or a field of endeavor. Once an Ad-Hoc Committee has completed all assigned tasks and
reported same to the Board it shall expire.
Section IV. Public Meetings:
All Committee meetings shall be open to the public..
Article IX
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No Board member shall be an employee of Deschutes County Health Services Department or an
immediate family member of an employee. An exception is allowed for individuals who serve in an
on-call, temporary, or limited duration capacity with the Department.
Article X
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Meetings shall be conducted using the general guidelines of Robert’s Rules of Order.
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Article XI
ADOPTION, AMENDMENT
The Public Health Advisory Board shall review, revise, and recommend approval and adoption of
these By-Laws. After Board approval, the By-Laws shall be delivered to the Board of County
Commissioners for final approval and formal adoption.
Commissioners.
Adopted this __________day of __________
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
______________________ Tammy Baney, Chair
______________________________Anthony DeBoneDennis R. Luke, Vice Chair
______________________________Alan UngerAlan Unger, Commissioner
ATTEST:
_________________
Recording Secretary
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Reviewed By Legal: December 23, 2009