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BYLAWS OF THE OHIO SOCIETY FOR HEALTHCARE CONSUMER ADVOCACY
(Herein referred to as OSHCA)
ARTICLE I. - MISSION, OBJECTIVES AND GOVERNANCE
A. Mission The Society promotes the advancement of healthcare consumer advocacy by providing leadership, education and support to our membership and by serving as a resource to professionals and consumers across the healthcare continuum.
B. Objectives 1. To promote continuing education in order to improve healthcare services.
2. To enhance the healthcare consumer advocate’s skill as liaison between the
consumer and healthcare providers.
3. To exchange information, ideas and experiences.
4. To increase community awareness regarding consumer rights and advocacy in
healthcare.
C. Governance
1. OSHCA will conduct the business of the society in accordance with the bylaws ratified by its members . It is understood that OSHCA will act in accordance with the rules, regulations and guidelines set forth by the Ohio Hospital Association.
2. These bylaws may be amended at any scheduled meeting with two-thirds majority vote of those members present and voting. Thirty days prior to the scheduled meeting, a written copy of any proposed amendment change will be provided to all society members.
3. In all matters of business, Robert’s Rules of Order (the current edition) will be the official governing protocol followed where it does not conflict with any protocol set in place by the Ohio Hospital Association.
4. Voting on all issues, other than bylaw amendments or revisions, will beconducted in a manner consistent with the content and intent of the bylaws. Voting may take place by voice vote at a regular meeting or by mail vote. A simple majority of voting members present will carry the vote.
5. OSHCA will be governed by a Board of Directors formed of officers andrepresentatives of the defined geographic areas of the state of Ohio. Thefollowing description defines the elected officers and outlines their expressed responsibilities.
President - The President shall preside at all meetings of OSHCA. The President shall, at the Annual Meeting, present a report and summary of the work and progress of the Society during the preceding year. The President shall appoint all special committees and shall serve as the official spokesperson for OSHCA in representing the position of the Association. The President, with the approval of the board, may determine and assign additional responsibilities to members of the board as deemed necessary. The President shall set forth the agenda for each scheduled meeting.
President-Elect - The President-Elect shall remain knowledgeable on all aspects of the Society’s governance, policies, and issue positions so that in the event that it should become necessary, she/he can and will assume the responsibilities of President. She/he will function in a consultant/advisory capacity to the President, as requested. The President-Elect shall serve as the Chairperson of the Education Committee.
Past-President - The Past-President shall be a voting member of the Board of Directors and shall serve as an advisor. The Past-President shall serve as a consultant, offering information related to history as it might relate to current association business and to provide consistency in all matters of business from one regime to another. The Past-President shall also serve as the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee.
Secretary/Treasurer - The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the OSHCA and of the Board Meetings and compose all official correspondence of the Society. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be the official liaison monitoring the financial interests of OSHCA with OHA.
District Representative - One District Representative shall be elected for each of the four designated geographic areas in the state of Ohio. The District Representative shall represent the membership of their geographic area at all board meetings. They shall provide reports at all scheduled meetings and represent their constituency at all board votes.
6. Any unexpired terms of office shall be filled through an appointment by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE II. - DESIGNATED GEOGRAPHIC AREA
The OSHCA shall serve the members within the state of Ohio. The state shall be divided into four units as determined by the OHA: Central, Northeast, Northwest and Southwest.
ARTICLE III. - MEMBERSHIP
A. Eligibility
Active membership in the society shall be available to those individuals who are active in the field of healthcare consumer advocacy who are eligible for personal membership in the Ohio Hospital Association. Active members have full voting privileges and may be elected/appointed to serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
Associate membership in the society shall be available to those individuals actively engaged in services related to advocates who are eligible for personal membership in the Ohio Hospital Association.
B. Establishment of Membership
Membership in the society shall become effective upon formal application to the society, payment of dues specified by the Ohio Hospital Association for membership in the affiliated society.
C. Transfer of Membership
Membership in the society shall not be transferable to another person. A member who changes organizational affiliation shall retain membership during the full term for which dues have been paid.
D. Termination of Membership
Resignation: A member may at any time file a resignation from the society in writing with the Board of Directors. There will be no refund of dues to any member that resigns from the society.
Action of the Board of Directors: The Board of Directors of the society may suspend or expel any member for cause at the end of the period for which dues have been paid after giving such member the opportunity to have a hearing. Any member suspended or expelled may be reinstated by the affirmative vote of the majority of the members of the OSHCA Board of Directors present and voting.
Loss of eligibility: Membership of any person who, because of change of position, is no longer eligible for membership in the society, shall be automatically terminated at the end of the term for which dues have been paid. In most cases they may qualify, upon reallocation, as an associate member.
ARTICLE IV. - MEETINGS
All matters put before the membership for consideration shall be resolved through a voting process following Robert’s Rules of Order. Robert’s Rules of Order will be the formal protocol followed in all official OSHCA business.
A. Types of Meetings
1. Membership Meeting - The Membership Meeting shall be conducted annually. The President and/or Board of Directors shall determine when and where this meeting will be held. All members shall be notified at least 30 days in advance of this annual meeting.
2. Committee Meetings - Committee Meetings shall be determined by the chairperson of the committee. These meetings may be conducted in person or by telephone conference call at the discretion of the chairperson.
3. Board Meetings - Board meetings shall be held each year as determined by the President.
4. Special Meetings - Special meetings may be called by the President or requested by members of the society. An emergency meeting may be called and construed as business or action of the society when an attempt is made to notify all members (in good standing) of the meeting. This attempt may be made by mail, fax or telephone. At least one fourth (1/4) of the members (in good standing) must be present at this meeting.
B. Meeting Structure
1. Board of Directors’ Meetings - All board meeting agendas shall include at a
minimum: Call to Order, Approval of Previous Meeting’s Minutes, Treasurer’s
Report, President’s Report (if necessary), District Reports, Committee Reports,
Old Business, New Business and Adjournment.
2. The agenda for committee meetings may be formal or informal and shall be
managed at the discretion of the chairperson.
3. The Fall Conference shall serve as the annual meeting.
ARTICLE V. - OFFICERS
A. OSHCA will be governed by the following elected officers: President, President-Elect, Past-President (non-voting), Secretary/Treasurer, and four (4) District Representatives. These officers will be elected by approval of a single slate of candidates presented to all members either by a majority of the active members, by voice vote at the annual membership meeting, or by mail vote prior to the annual membership meeting. The person serving as President-Elect, President and Past-President will serve a consecutive one-year term in each office; the remaining board members and officers shall serve a two (2) year term of office. All terms of office shall begin January 1.
B. The President may appoint additional OSHCA members to serve on the Board of Directors, as appropriate, to serve identified needs. Such positions may include, but shall not be limited to, the newsletter editor and the chairs of standing or special project committees. The OSHCA President in accordance with the by-laws shall appoint positions. These appointed positions shall not have voting privileges as board members. The Board of Directors has the authority to limit the length of service of these special appointments.
C. Nominations for a Nominating Committee will conduct Board of Director positions headed by the Past-President. Any active OSHCA member whose dues are in current standing may offer names for consideration by the committee. Eligibility for nomination and election to a board position shall be limited to members of the OSHCA who have paid their annual dues as appropriate. The election process is as follows:
1. There is a call for nominations to active members of OSHCA no more than 120
days or no less than 90 days prior to the annual membership meeting.
2. Nominees submit their intent to become a candidate (nomination biography) to
the Nominating Committee Chairman.
3. The nominating committee determines a single slate based on the nominees.
4. The single slate is mailed to active members for consideration and approval by mail/fax vote no less than 30 days prior to the annual membership meeting.
5. The new slate is presented to the membership at the annual membership meeting.
ARTICLE VI. - COMMITTEES
A. Committees will be determined by the OSHCA President in consultation with the board officers and will be established to reflect the current needs/issues of the society in accordance with the by-laws.
B. Standing Committees (i.e., Education, Nominating, Membership/Marketing, Communication Committees) and Ad Hoc Committees (i.e., Bylaws Committee, Planning for National Convention Committee) may be formed according to the needs of OSHCA and its members. Committees will be established to manage specialized activities and will be established according to the OSHCA by-laws.
C. The Board of Directors may define the scope of responsibilities of committees and further, may issue guidelines for committee procedures and processes to ensure that committee activities and the method by which they are pursued, remain consistent with OSHCA’s bylaws.
D. Committee Structure - Every attempt shall be made to ensure that at least one representative from each geographic area serves on committees. Meetings are held at the discretion of the chairman. Meetings may be held in person or by telephone conference call (to be arranged by OHA).
ARTICLE VII. - RATIFICATION, REVISIONS AND/OR AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended at any scheduled meeting with two-thirds majority vote of those members present and voting. Thirty days prior to the scheduled meeting, a written copy of any proposed amendment change will be provided to all society members
The President in consultation with the board of directors may make the exception of calling for an e mail, mail or fax vote for amendments or revisions to the bylaws. In this case, the proposed amendment change or revision shall be presented to the members in writing no less than twice, including the call for a vote. The proposed change to the amendment will be adopted upon the approval by two thirds of the vote of the eligible members voting.
ARTICLE VIII. - DISSOLUTION
In the event that there is any change in the structure of the society or its relationships, the President will call a special meeting of the membership. The current intent of the bylaws will continue to govern until such time as a change has been determined.
9/98
12/07
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