The Coalition for Seniors’ and Nursing Home
Residents’ Rights
“Standing Up for You”
By-Laws
2020
Residents’ Rights
“Standing Up for You”
By-Laws
2020
I. Meetings of the Board
1)Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held twice per year;
2)Special meetings may be held at the call of the President, or be called at the request, in writing, of three (3) members of the Board of Directors;
3)Notice of special meetings shall be given to all members of the board at least one (1) week prior to such meetings, either orally or in writing;
4)Executive meetings shall be held prior to a meeting of the Board of Directors or as required.
5)Meetings of the Board of Directors where government has enacted legislation such as the Emergency Measures Act may be conducted by virtual meetings.
II Quorum
The quorum required for holding Board, Executive or Committee meetings shall be 50% of those members.
III Conduct of Meetings
Meetings shall be conducted according to procedures outlined in Bourinot’s Rules of Order.
IV Voting
1)Each of those present at a general meeting, excluding the Executive Director and the President of the Coalition shall be permitted one vote. Decisions shall be made by a majority of those voting. Tie votes are broken by the President;
2)Exception to Article IV (1): Constitution and By-Law Amendments (Constitution Article XI);
3)A secret ballot shall be taken at the request of any member.
V Election of Executive Committee
1)The Executive Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting;
2)A slate of officers shall be presented by the Nominating Committee; nominations may be made from the floor;
3)Any vacancies which occur shall be temporarily filled by the Board of Directors for the remainder of the unfulfilled term.
VI Term of Office
There shall be no time restriction to hold a term of office.
VII Banking and Signing Officers
1)The Board shall operate a bank account with the President, 1st Vice-President, and Treasurer as signing officers. The Executive Director shall also be a signing officer;
2)Two (2) signatures shall be required on all cheques.
VIII Year of Operation
The year of operation shall be 01 October – 30 September.
IX Duties of Board Members
(a)To become informed on all matters which come under the Board’s operation;
(b)To attend Board and Annual meetings;
(c)To have a working knowledge of parliamentary procedure;
(d)To share in the Board’s tasks and responsibilities;
(e)Any organization represented on the Board that is absent from two meetings without just cause may lose its status on the Board.
X Duties of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the following: President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice-President, 3rd Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past President.
(b) The Vice-Presidents, in the absence of the President, shall carry on the duties pertaining to the office of the President in order of their standing:
(c) The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records for the Coalition:
(d) The Secretary shall:
(e) The Past President shall assist the Executive and Board of the Coalition, as required:
XI Board of Directors
Duties include:
1)Promote the work of the Coalition within their respective regions;
2)Assist in advocating policy change;
3)Assist in fund raising;
4)Maintain open communication among regions;
XII Executive Director
The Executive Director shall assist the Board in its overall operation:
XIII Committees
The Coalition shall be assisted in its work by the following standing committees:
1) Nominating Committee;
2) Financial/Fundraising Committee;
3) Communication/Membership Committee.
Other committees may be formed as deemed necessary. The Terms of Reference of committees shall be determined by the Board of Directors, be made available to the membership, and be reviewed regularly. Each committee shall appoint its own Chairperson unless specified otherwise.
XIV Remuneration
The Executive Director, Members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, whether elected or appointed, shall serve without remuneration. Such persons may, however, be reimbursed for authorized expenses incurred on behalf of the Coalition.
XV New Positions and Services
The Board may, at its discretion, create new positions.
XVI Annual Report
1)A written Annual Report of the Coalition shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting by the President;
2)A reviewed financial statement and proposed budget shall be presented for approval to the Annual General Meeting by the Treasurer;
3)The financial reviewer shall be appointed yearly at the Annual Meeting for the upcoming year;
4)An approved copy of the Annual Report and reviewed Financial Statements shall be on file with the Secretary and Executive Director;
5)A brief report shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting by the Chairs of the Standing Committees.
Adopted as amended - Annual meeting October 16, 2020
President_____________________ Executive Director _____________________
Secretary ____________________
1)Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held twice per year;
2)Special meetings may be held at the call of the President, or be called at the request, in writing, of three (3) members of the Board of Directors;
3)Notice of special meetings shall be given to all members of the board at least one (1) week prior to such meetings, either orally or in writing;
4)Executive meetings shall be held prior to a meeting of the Board of Directors or as required.
5)Meetings of the Board of Directors where government has enacted legislation such as the Emergency Measures Act may be conducted by virtual meetings.
II Quorum
The quorum required for holding Board, Executive or Committee meetings shall be 50% of those members.
III Conduct of Meetings
Meetings shall be conducted according to procedures outlined in Bourinot’s Rules of Order.
IV Voting
1)Each of those present at a general meeting, excluding the Executive Director and the President of the Coalition shall be permitted one vote. Decisions shall be made by a majority of those voting. Tie votes are broken by the President;
2)Exception to Article IV (1): Constitution and By-Law Amendments (Constitution Article XI);
3)A secret ballot shall be taken at the request of any member.
V Election of Executive Committee
1)The Executive Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting;
2)A slate of officers shall be presented by the Nominating Committee; nominations may be made from the floor;
3)Any vacancies which occur shall be temporarily filled by the Board of Directors for the remainder of the unfulfilled term.
VI Term of Office
There shall be no time restriction to hold a term of office.
VII Banking and Signing Officers
1)The Board shall operate a bank account with the President, 1st Vice-President, and Treasurer as signing officers. The Executive Director shall also be a signing officer;
2)Two (2) signatures shall be required on all cheques.
VIII Year of Operation
The year of operation shall be 01 October – 30 September.
IX Duties of Board Members
(a)To become informed on all matters which come under the Board’s operation;
(b)To attend Board and Annual meetings;
(c)To have a working knowledge of parliamentary procedure;
(d)To share in the Board’s tasks and responsibilities;
(e)Any organization represented on the Board that is absent from two meetings without just cause may lose its status on the Board.
X Duties of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the following: President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice-President, 3rd Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past President.
- The President shall be responsible to oversee the work of the Coalition with respect to the mandate established by the Coalition:
- Chair the Board of Directors, Executive, and Annual General Meetings;
- Act an ex-officio member of all committees;
- Represent the Coalition;
- Mediates any disputes arising in the organization;
- Ensure the interests of the Coalition are promoted.
(b) The Vice-Presidents, in the absence of the President, shall carry on the duties pertaining to the office of the President in order of their standing:
- The 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President and the 3rd Vice-President shall assist the President in the governance of the Coalition;
- Represent the President in the affairs of the Coalition when the President is unable to act.
(c) The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records for the Coalition:
- Issue cheques and keep an accurate record of all financial transactions of the Coalition;
- Present financial reports to Board, Executive, Annual and General Meetings;
- Prepare and present annual budget for Coalition;
- Assist with fund raising.
(d) The Secretary shall:
- Maintain written records of the Coalition;
- Act as a clerk to the Executive, Board and Annual General
- Maintain the Minute Book.
(e) The Past President shall assist the Executive and Board of the Coalition, as required:
- Chair the Nominating Committee;
- Advise and support the President as and when required;
- Any other duties as assigned by the President.
XI Board of Directors
Duties include:
1)Promote the work of the Coalition within their respective regions;
2)Assist in advocating policy change;
3)Assist in fund raising;
4)Maintain open communication among regions;
XII Executive Director
The Executive Director shall assist the Board in its overall operation:
- Maintain membership lists;
- Communicate all relevant media information to all members, groups and individuals;
- Prepare media releases and letters on behalf of the Coalition, with the approval of the President;
- Act as spokesperson to media for the Coalition;
- Deal with correspondence as required by the Executive and Board of Directors;
- Coordinate preparation of Annual Report;
- Give notice of Executive, Annual General and Board meetings;
- Review and circulate minutes of proceedings and other relevant information.
- Maintain contact with leaders of government, groups or individuals with interests in the Coalition;
XIII Committees
The Coalition shall be assisted in its work by the following standing committees:
1) Nominating Committee;
2) Financial/Fundraising Committee;
3) Communication/Membership Committee.
Other committees may be formed as deemed necessary. The Terms of Reference of committees shall be determined by the Board of Directors, be made available to the membership, and be reviewed regularly. Each committee shall appoint its own Chairperson unless specified otherwise.
XIV Remuneration
The Executive Director, Members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, whether elected or appointed, shall serve without remuneration. Such persons may, however, be reimbursed for authorized expenses incurred on behalf of the Coalition.
XV New Positions and Services
The Board may, at its discretion, create new positions.
XVI Annual Report
1)A written Annual Report of the Coalition shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting by the President;
2)A reviewed financial statement and proposed budget shall be presented for approval to the Annual General Meeting by the Treasurer;
3)The financial reviewer shall be appointed yearly at the Annual Meeting for the upcoming year;
4)An approved copy of the Annual Report and reviewed Financial Statements shall be on file with the Secretary and Executive Director;
5)A brief report shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting by the Chairs of the Standing Committees.
Adopted as amended - Annual meeting October 16, 2020
President_____________________ Executive Director _____________________
Secretary ____________________
