Rehabilitation Services Chapter ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

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1 Rehabilitation Services Chapter ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CHAPTER ELECTED COMMITTEE OF BLIND VENDORS TABLE OF CONTENTS Organization General Communications Function Elections Meetings SLA Responsibilities To The Elected Committee Organization. A statewide Elected Committee of Blind Vendors shall be elected biennially. Membership to the will consist of one committee member and one alternate committee member elected from each BEP representative's region. Only permanently assigned vendors from each BEP representative's region may elect and serve as a committee or alternate member. The alternate committee member shall serve in the absence of the committee member. February 23, Amended: Filed March 6, 2017; effective April 20, General Communication. The chairperson of the will develop in advance an agenda for regularly scheduled meetings of the committee. The agenda shall identify items for discussion requested by licensed vendor(s), licensee(s), the SLA or other individuals requesting an audience with the committee. The developed agenda should contain sufficient information on identified agenda items to adequately brief committee members on the issues to be discussed and /or presented. Supp. 6/30/

2 Chapter Rehabilitation Services February 23, Function. (1) The elected committee shall be responsible for performing all functions and obligations imposed pursuant to these rules and regulations. (2) The elected committee shall actively participate with the SLA in major administrative decisions affecting overall planning, administration, and management of BEP. (3) The elected committee shall receive and transmit to the SLA all vendor suggestions, issues, and complaints. The elected committee shall serve as advocates on behalf of all vendors. (4) The elected committee shall actively participate with the SLA in the development and administration of a systematic process for the transfer and promotion of vendors. (5) The elected committee shall actively participate with the SLA in the development of training and retraining programs for vendors. (6) The elected committee shall sponsor statewide meetings and instructional conferences for vendors and licensees. The SLA will provide assistance for such activities. (7) The elected committee shall actively participate with the SLA in the development and formulation of BEP budget requirements. In addition, the SLA shall prepare and file with the elected committee annual and quarterly reports setting forth revenues received from all sources, program expenses, and changes in fund balances for periods covered by such reports. (8) At the SLA's request, the committee may make recommendations for personnel to fill the BEP director, assistant director, and field operations specialist positions, or other positions that may be established within the BEP state office. Supp. 6/30/

3 Rehabilitation Services Chapter (9) Elected committee members and alternates attending an authorized committee or subcommittee meeting shall be reimbursed according to state and ADRS travel policy. The SLA will pay from the set-aside fund an income replacement fee of $50 per day to committee members attending an authorized committee or subcommittee meeting. Alternate committee members serving in the absence of a committee member will be reimbursed in the same manner. (10) The elected committee will provide all vendors and licensees a copy of the minutes or other information presented at each quarterly meeting within 30 days, upon request. February 23, Amended: Filed March 9, 2004; effective April 13, Elections. (1) A statewide will be elected biennially. Membership on the Elected Committee of Blind Vendors will consist of one committee and one alternate member elected by permanently assigned vendors from each BEP representative's region. Any permanently assigned vendor may be elected to serve on the committee. A committee member and one alternate member will be elected at a local region meeting by vendors present and voting on or before July 31 of each year according to the following schedule: Even Year Odd Year Birmingham North - Region 3 Birmingham South - Region 4 Decatur East - Region 2 Decatur West - Region 1 Mobile East - Region 12 Mobile West - Region 11 Troy/Montgomery - Region 9 Montgomery East - Region 8 Talladega - Region 7 Anniston - Region 6 Tuscaloosa - Region 5 Dothan - Region 10 (2) The names of the elected and alternate committee member from each local region shall be submitted to the BEP director, in writing, no later than July 31 of each year. BEP representatives shall conduct and certify the election of committee members. Supp. 6/30/

4 Chapter Rehabilitation Services (3) In cases where BEP representative fails to submit the names of a committee or an alternate member to the BEP director by July 31 in each year, the BEP director will notify the committee chairperson. The Elected Committee of Blind Vendors shall have the authority to appoint a permanently assigned vendor as a committee or an alternate member from that region until an election can be conducted. (4) Biennially the elected committee shall elect a chairperson, vice chairperson, parliamentarian, and secretary from among the elected committee members. Newly elected committee persons shall take office at the close of the elected committee meeting at the first (1 st ) quarterly meeting of the fiscal year of each year. The chairperson may appoint such subcommittees and special committees as deemed necessary to carry out the functions of the elected committee or SLA. The committee shall determine what rules, if any, will govern its meetings. During the joint meeting of outgoing and newly elected committee members, plans shall be made for an orderly transition. (5) Should an elected committee or alternate member relocate to a region other than the one from which they were elected, said vendor shall resign from the elected committee. (6) Should a vacancy for an elected committee member occur during his/her term of office, the alternate member shall serve the remainder of his/her term. Should a vacancy for an alternate member occur during his/her term of office, the SLA shall notify vendors from the designated local region. Vendors from the designated local region shall elect a replacement at a called or regularly scheduled meeting. The name of the replacement member shall be submitted in writing to the chairperson. February 23, Amended: Filed September 3, 2004; effective October 8, Amended: Filed March 6, 2017; effective April 20, Meetings. Regular meetings shall be held quarterly at a time and place to be determined by the committee. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or by a majority of committee members provided that a five-day notice is given to all committee members. This five-day notice shall not Supp. 6/30/

5 Rehabilitation Services Chapter apply in emergencies where the committee, by consensus, agrees to a special called meeting. Expenses for special meetings may be paid from the set-aside fund. February 23, SLA Responsibilities To The Elected Committee. (1) In order to ensure accuracy in seniority, the SLA shall provide the secretary of the elected committee a list of all vendors and their seniority. (2) In cases where negotiations are necessary with respect to rule changes and/or the development of policies or procedures, the SLA will provide all written material to the elected committee at least ten days prior to any scheduled meeting for the purpose of allowing appropriate committee participation. Such information shall be provided in an accessible format; i.e., large print, Braille, audiotape or computer disks. (3) The SLA shall provide an opportunity for elected committee members to initiate matters for consideration in the administration of the program. (4) The SLA shall prepare and file with the elected committee annual and quarterly financial reports, describing revenues received from all sources, program expenses, and changes in fund(s) balance(s) for the periods covered. Reports shall be prepared in writing and presented to the elected committee. (5) The SLA shall generate and submit to the elected committee, in writing, a quarterly report identifying all facilities and their locations that are operated by temporary vendors. All facilities not operated by a blind licensee will be noted. (6) The SLA has ultimate responsibility for the administration of BEP. Should the SLA not adopt the views and positions of the elected committee, it will notify the committee, in writing, of the decision(s) reached, and/or action(s) taken and the reason(s) therefore. In the spirit of active participation when the SLA must make a decision not directly Supp. 6/30/

6 Chapter Rehabilitation Services addressed by the BEP General Rules, the SLA will consult with the executive officers of the Elected Committee, when possible. February 23, Amended: Filed March 6, 2017; effective April 20, Supp. 6/30/