LUZERNE/WYOMING COUNTIES ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING BY-LAWS. The name of this Council shall be the Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Area

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1 1 LUZERNE/WYOMING COUNTIES ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING BY-LAWS ARTICLE I. NAME The name of this Council shall be the Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board, hereinafter referred to as the Advisory Board. ARTICLE II. LEGAL AUTHORITY The Advisory Board is required by both Section 2208-A of the Administrative Code of 1929 (71 PS Section 581-8) and by the Older Americans Act of U.S.C. Section 3026 (a) (6) (G), and Federal Regulations issued pursuant thereto at 45 CFR Section (1980), including all amendments thereto. ARTICLE III. PURPOSE The purposes of the Advisory Board are as follows: 1. To approve the Agency s Plan for Programs on Aging for Luzerne and Wyoming Counties and all amendments thereto, including but not limited to the budget of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and the allocations of resources. 2. To periodically review the progress of the AAA in achieving the stated goals and objectives, including the monitoring and review of specific services and programs. 3. To conduct such public hearings as may be required by law or which the Advisory Board deems necessary or advisable. 4. To make recommendations to the appropriate officials for the appointment of senior citizens and other lay and professional leaders in the field of

2 2 aging from Luzerne and Wyoming Counties to be represented on local, regional, state and national advisory councils, committees, boards, task forces and organizations relevant to the aging. 5. To advocate changes in State and Federal policies, local priorities, and funding and to serve as advocates for all matters relating to the needs of older citizens. 6. To enhance public understanding of the aged, unmet needs, existing services, and new programs needed and to encourage adequate financial support of essential services. 7. To approve as part of the total Agency Plan the staffing plan of the AAA. The Advisory Board has the right to review and participate in the selection process and recommend the appointment or termination of the Executive Director. The Advisory Board has the right to review and recommend the selection of the executive staff positions, namely Director of Social Services, Director of Community Services, and Director of Administrative Services. The Advisory Board also reserves the right to request that the Luzerne County Council/Wyoming County Commissioners discharge any employee of the Area Agency on Aging, subject to the policy and guidelines of the Pa. State Civil Service Commission, Pa. Department of Aging, Luzerne County Council and the Board of Commissioners of Wyoming County. 8. To provide advice to the Executive Director of the Area Agency on Aging regarding the following:

3 3 a. The reliability of data relating to the characteristics of the population and needs of older people. b. The accuracy and completeness of the inventory of community resources. c. The preparation of an AAA budget and the allocation of other resources. d. The overall development and monitoring of the Area Agency on Aging Plan. 9. To resolve policy disagreement for and within the Area Agency on Aging within the context of the Agency Area Plan. 10. To prepare and recommend approval of the statement of responsibilities and by-laws for the Advisory Board. 11. To review and approve, prior to appointment, nominations to other AAA, sponsored councils, where such review and approval is either required by law or regulation, or is requested by the Executive Director of the AAA. The final appointing authority is the Executive Director of the AAA, acting on behalf of the Luzerne County Council and Wyoming County Commissioners. 12. To review and approve policies and procedures, including programmatic and financial, of other AAA sponsored councils, where such review is required by law or regulations, or is requested by the Executive Director of the AAA.

4 4 ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP The members of the Advisory Board shall be appointed by the Luzerne County Commissioners, subject to the following guidelines: 1. All members must reside within Luzerne or Wyoming Counties. 2. Membership shall be limited to a minimum of fifteen (15) but no more than thirty (30) members. Members shall be comprised as follows: a. At least 51% must be persons aged 60 or older, including minority individuals who are participants or who are eligible to participate in AAA programs. b. Representatives of the general public. c. One or more representatives of older persons. d. One or more local elected officials. Members shall be selected who will help enhance the leadership role of the AAA in developing Aging programs and services and who will best represent and advocate for senior citizens. 3. Citizens from diverse economic, geographic, and private sectors shall be represented. 4. No current employee of the Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Area Agency on Aging may be appointed to the Advisory Board. Former employees may be appointed to the Advisory Board after a period of two (2) years. 5. Newly appointed will serve until December 31 st of the year of appointment and will be reappointed in January.

5 5 Advisory Board members may be reappointed to a one (1), two (2), or three (3) year term and may be reappointed for additional terms. Onethird (1/3) of the terms of the members shall expire each year. 6. In order to fill vacant seats for Wyoming County on the Advisory Board, a Nominating Committee, a standing committee, consisting of at least three (3) Advisory Board members, shall bring their recommendations to the Advisory Board for consideration for appointment to Advisory Board. In order to be appointed to the Advisory Board, all potential Luzerne County members must first fill out an Application for Appointment to Luzerne County Council. The Luzerne County Councilshall be the appointing authority. 7. Members shall be expected to attend and participate in meetings, serve on committees and be an advocate for the elderly. Regular attendance and participation shall be a major factor in determining reappointment to another term on the Advisory Board. Members who miss three (3) consecutive unexcused meetings may be subject to dismissal from the Advisory Board. 8. Honorary Life Membership may be awarded by Luzerne County Council to members of the Advisory Board who have served over an extended period of time and have given extraordinary service. This award will be considered by the Nominating Committee and a recommendation made to the Advisory Board for approval.

6 6 9. The term of membership shall commence on the date of appointment by the Luzerne County Council. ARTICLE V. MEETINGS 1. The Advisory Board shall determine its own times and places for regular meetings, which will be open to the general public. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or at the request of one third (1/3) of the membership. 2. A quorum shall consist of one third (1/3) of the members of the Advisory Board. 3. The Advisory Board shall meet at least six (6) times a year. ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS 1. The Advisory Board shall have the following officers: Chairperson; Vice-Chairperson; Secretary. 2. The Nominating Committee appointed to select nominees for appointment to the Advisory Board shall also serve as the Nominating Committee for officers of the Advisory Board. They shall submit a list of nominees at the October meeting at which time nominations from the floor are permitted. The Advisory Board shall elect its officers at the December meeting. 3. The officers shall be elected to terms of one year. An officer may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. 4. The officers shall have the powers and perform the duties customarily attached to their respective offices or as may be assigned to them by the Advisory Board and the Executive Director.

7 7 5. The Chairperson of the Advisory Board, with guidance from the Executive Director, shall have the authority to appoint the members and the Chairperson of all committees. 6. Secretarial services for the Advisory Board shall be provided by the Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of the Area Agency on Aging, and the minutes shall be prepared through the Administrative Assistant or an appointed clerical staff and shall be approved by the Advisory Board Members and signed by the Advisory Board Secretary at the following Advisory Board Meeting. 7. The terms of office shall commence on January 1 of each year. ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES 1. Standing committees shall include: a. Advocacy/Legislative Committee b. Community Services Committee c. Executive Committee d. Nominating Committee e. Planning Committee The term of membership on a standing committee shall be limited to the term of office of the appointing chairperson. 2. The Chairperson shall establish other committees as needed or upon a recommendation by one third (1/3) of the Advisory Board membership. 3. The Chairperson and members of all committees shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Advisory Board. Members, if not appointed to a

8 8 committee, may volunteer to serve on a specified committee. Committee membership does not have to consist exclusively of Advisory Board members. Each committee shall have at least one staff advisor assigned by the Executive Director. 4. The Executive Committee shall consist of up to nine (9) individuals selected by the Advisory Board Chairperson. Members of the Executive Committee shall include representatives of communities and diverse groups. The Executive Committee may exercise those powers delegated to it by the Advisory Board, but must carry out the mandates and policies established by the Advisory Board. The Chairperson of the Advisory Board shall be included on the Executive Committee and shall also serve as the Chairperson of the Executive Committee. 5. In emergency situations, where it may not be feasible to call an emergency meeting of the Advisory Board, the Executive Committee is empowered to act on behalf of the Advisory Board, but its decisions must be presented at the next regular meeting of the Advisory Board. 6. A quorum shall consist of one third (l/3) of the members of the Executive Committee. ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS These By-Laws may be amended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Advisory Board members present at a scheduled public meeting, provided that the

9 9 text of the proposed amendment shall have been sent to all members at least ten (10) days in advance of the scheduled public meeting. ARTICLE IX. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 1. Non-Advisory Board members may be allowed to address the Advisory Board for a period not to exceed five (5) minutes, which may be extended at the discretion of the Chairperson, on matters directly relating to agenda items. In order to avail themselves of this privilege, non-advisory Board members must register in advance of the meeting with the Chairperson, who has the final authority to grant or refuse the request based on its relevance to the agenda and the time available for discussion. 2. The members of the Advisory Board may, at the time of any disturbance which would render the ordinary conduct of the meeting unfeasible and when order cannot be restored, authorize the Chairperson by majority vote to enforce such rules and regulations to the extent necessary to restore order. ARTICLE X. INTERESTS OF ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS No member of the Advisory Board may participate in any decision which affects his/her personal interest or the interest of any corporation, agency, partnership or association in which he/she is, directly or indirectly, affiliated.

10 10 ARTICLE XI. LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS The rules contained in Robert s Rules of Order shall govern the Council in all cases in which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the BY-LAWS or the special rules of order of this Advisory Board. The activities of the Advisory Board, as outlined in these By-Laws, are subject to all pertinent Federal, State and Local laws and/or regulations. (Revised December 20, 2012)