Appendix F: Bylaws

The name of this consumer-run organization shall be:
American Older Adult Mental Health Consumer Association - AOAMHCA

Purpose:
To bring together concerned persons to develop accessible, affordable and age appropriate mental health services.

(Need to decide on what state we will incorporate in.)
Repeat all of the objectives that were approved for the organization as reflected in the mission statement.

Precede with statement: Objectives will include but are not limited to:

Membership
Membership shall be open to any individual, family or organization that supports the purpose and functions of this association. Membership will be recognized by registration therein.

Different categories of membership will include:
Individual
Contributing
Sustaining
Supporting

Annual dues will be assessed at different rates for each member category as established by the board. A portion of the membership fee will be allocated to the state affiliate if one exists. The membership fee will be waived for those individuals who are unable to pay.

Each category of membership has one vote.

Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held as designated by the Board, but not less than once annually.

Quorum
A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of those present or voting by proxy.

Board of Directors
The initial board of directors shall consist of up to two people from each state participating in the May 2000 organizational founding meeting. No more than two representatives may be elected from each state. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of no less than 2/3 primary consumers, the remainder will be secondary consumers.

Term of Office
The initial board members will serve a two-year term. During this time the board will recommend a plan for board membership and elections for adoption at the annual meeting. Vacancies which occur during the initial two-year period will be filled based on a majority vote of the executive committee. A board member may be removed for cause by 2/3 vote of the board

The definition of primary consumer is a person 60 years and older who has a diagnosis of mental disorder.

The definition of a secondary consumer is a primary caregiver as designated by an older person with a mental disorder.

The Executive Committee will be elected by the board from its membership.
The executive committee shall consist of President, First Vice President, Second Vice President (serves as the registrar), Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer.

Duties of the executive committee members:

President shall:
Preside at all meetings of the AOAMHCA
Appoint standing and special committees with approval of the membership and fill vacancies as needed.
Serve as the official spokesperson for the AOAMHCA.

The First Vice President shall
Preside at all meetings of the AOAMHCA when the president is unable.
Provide leadership to the standing and special committees.

The Second Vice President will be in charge of maintaining membership status.

Recording Secretary
Notify members of all meetings
Maintain and distribute minutes of meetings to the membership
Preserve the records of the organization

Corresponding Secretary
Conducts all general correspondence, letters and transactions.

Treasurer
Collect, receive and disperse all funds in accordance with accounting procedures.
Report to the membership on the financial standing of the organization as requested by the board.

Assistant Treasurer
Assists treasurer with all treasurer duties as needed.

Quorum of the Executive Committee
Shall consist of a simple majority of all members participating at each meeting.

The board shall appoint standing and ad hoc committees as needed.

Vacancies which occur during the initial two-year period will be filled based on a majority vote of the executive committee.

Standing Committees will be established by the executive committee and may include but are not limited to

• Bylaws
• Membership
• Consumer Run Agency Outreach
• State Planning
• Educational
• Funding
• Nominating
• Newsletter
• Policy

The group recommends that a board of directors be elected immediately from the members present. The group recommends that Hikmah and John poll the participants to identify a nominating committee. The nominating committee will meet immediately to identify a slate of officers for election to the executive committee by 11:00 a.m. on May 14.

These by laws will be voted on at the May 14 meeting. Amendments to these By laws will made by 2/3 vote of the board. Three weeks notice is required.

It is recommended that when future changes to the by laws or board members are made, efforts will be made to achieve representation for every state.

Motion: To accept these bylaws in principle.

In Favor: 16         Against: 0

Motion accepted unanimously.

Nominating Committee (for Executive Committee)
Hikmah
Josselyn
Jesse
Sylvia
Barbara

Question: Can the nominating committee nominate candidates for the Executive Committee from its own members?

Yes: 11         No: 4

Resolved: Nominating committee can nominate candidates for the Executive Committee from its own members