Consumer Council Bylaws

September 7, 2002

NAMI Illinois

CONSUMER COUNCIL

 OPERATING PROCEDURES

Article I: Name and Location

                The name of this organization is the NAMI IL Consumer Council, hereafter referred to as NAMI IL CC. The principal office of this organization shall be determined by the Consumer Council Executive Committee (CC EC).

Article II: General Purpose

The NAMI IL Consumer Council is formed to advance the activities and involvement of the consumer membership of NAMI at the local, state and national levels by actively participating in advocacy issues and program development. This will be achieved by:

·                      Working actively to support the mission of NAMI IL

·                      Working to preserve the respect, dignity and human rights of mental health consumers.

·                      Providing information dissemination and skills training for consumers attending the Annual NAMI IL Convention.

·                      Advising the NAMI IL Board of the perspectives of their consumer members.

·                      Communicating the mission of NAMI IL through active participation in the state-wide consumer movement.

·                      Empowering and educating mental health consumers to address their issues around care, treatment, services, mutual support and consumer rights.

·                       Maintaining a productive and accountable Council.

Article III: NAMI IL Code of Ethics

All consumer council members including officers agree to be familiar with and abide by the NAMI Code of Ethics serving in official capacities. 

Article IV: Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the NAMI IL CC shall begin on the first day of July of each year.

Article V: Membership

Section 1: Selection, Qualification, and Term of Office.

NAMI IL CC shall consist of a voting Representative and a nonvoting Alternate selected as per these operating procedures or other formal process of NAMI IL. It is recommended that the consumers elect the Representatives and Alternates. All Representatives and Alternates must be members in good standing of NAMI, NAMI IL and the local NAMI affiliate and have personally experienced a serious mental illness. Representatives and Alternates shall serve terms consistent with the bylaws of NAMI IL, but it is strongly suggested that the term be two years, if possible.

The NAMI IL CC includes all reps & alts.  Other consumers are free to attend Council meetings and activities but are not on the CC.

Section 2: Credential and Appointment.

NAMI IL shall certify to the NAMI IL Consumer Representative to NAMI IL Board and the Consumer Council Chair (President) in writing at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual NAMI IL Convention the names of the Representative and Alternate. If a Representative and Alternate have not been certified at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Business Meeting at the NAMI IL convention, the NAMI IL President may be contacted by a CC EC member who will offer assistance in selecting a Consumer Representative.  If NAMI IL has not certified a Representative or Alternate thirty (30) days before the NAMI IL Convention, the CC EC shall appoint them until the State certifies in writing those positions.

Section 3: Vacancy , Resignation, and Leave of Absence.

If a Representative fails to respond to two written notices by the CC EC to contact him/her or does not discharge duties assigned within a reasonable time period, the CC EC has the option 1) to contact the NAMI IL President to inquire about the Representative's status or 2) to request a meeting with the Representative to discuss this. The CC EC will give the Representative two weeks written notice by certified mail of the meeting. After the meeting to discuss this issue, the CC EC may vote 1) to recommend the Representative remain in that position, 2) recommend to the State a leave of absence not to exceed three (3) months during which time the Alternate will fulfil the duties of the position, or 3) notify the State President and recommend a replacement be designated, preferably the Alternate. A similar procedure for Alternates will apply except that NAMI IL will fill the vacant position.

All discussions regarding the status of Representatives/ Alternates or Officers of NAMI IL CC are to occur in executive session and not in open meetings.

Representatives or Alternates may resign from the NAMI IL CC by first informing their affiliate then the Consumer Council Chair and the NAMI IL Consumer Rep to Board in writing. In the event of a resignation of a Representative, the State Alternate will assume the position and duties. In the event of a resignation of an Alternate, the particular affiliate will fill the vacant position.

In the event of disability or other circumstance that prevents a member from discharging the duties of the position, the CC EC may grant a leave of absence not to exceed three (3) months. During a leave of absence by a Representative, the affiliate Alternate will assume the Representative's duties.                                                                                                                                                                

Section 4: Duties of the Representatives and Alternates.

The Representatives and Alternates shall have the duties as determined by the CC EC.

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: Meetings and Notice of Meetings.

The Annual Business Meeting of the NAMI IL CC will be held at the Annual NAMI IL Convention. Other regular meetings may be called at the discretion of the CC EC. A written notice will be mailed to each member at least 14 days prior to the date of any regular meeting. Emergency meetings may be called at the discretion of the CC EC Chair or 3 voting members of the CC EC. Emergency meetings shall be called with 72-hour telephone notice.

Section 2: Quorum.

A quorum shall consist of:

(a)                 five members must be present and is necessary to conduct any and all business of the NAMI IL CC. To be present at any meeting one must meet at least one of the following credentials:  1)  Via physical attendance at the place of the meeting, 2).  Via telephone, teleconference; followed by a written statement, within 15 days of voting, or 3).  Via a written and signed proxy authorizing or directing a named individual to act in lie of the member.  Such a proxy shall only be valid if the named individual is present at the meeting through physical attendance.

(b)                 In the event of less than a quorum, the members may adjourn the meeting to another time or use a phone call to establish a quorum as determined by CC EC. Another option would be to use a phone/mail vote to conduct necessary business as determined by the CC EC.

 Section 3: Voting

Only Representatives may vote, provided the assembled voting members represent a quorum. In the absence of the Affiliate Representative, the Affiliate Alternate shall be considered the voting member for that Affiliate. In the absence of the Representative and Alternate, a proxy must present a written letter from the Affiliate President or his/her designee attesting to the proxy's voting status and his/her ability to meet criteria for membership in NAMI IL CC.  Voting necessary to pass a motion will be a majority of all present voting members if a quorum is present.

Article VII: Officers of the Consumer Council

 The Consumer Council Executive Committee (CC EC) shall conduct the business of NAMI IL CC between general meetings.

 Section 1. Officers, Election and Term of Office

The Officers of the Consumer Council are the Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and three At-Large Officers. All Officers are elected by majority vote at the NAMI IL CC Business Meeting if a quorum is present at the Annual Conference. (All Officers must be Representatives, Alternates, Designated Proxy, Past Representatives or Past Alternates, or a consumer who is actively involved, and of the NAMI IL CC in good standing and have personally experienced a serious mental illness). All Officers serve a two-year term except the Representative to the NAMI IL Board, who serves a three-year term. Officers may not serve more than two consecutive terms in any one office. The Consumer Council Representative to the NAMI IL Board may be the Chair, Vice-Chair, or an At-Large Officer, or anyone active on the council. 

Officers. Nominations for election to office will be accepted by the NAMI IL CC Nominating Committee in written form at least sixty (60) days prior to the election by submitting a resume of local, state and/or national NAMI experience and other supporting data with a letter of nomination from 1) the State or Affiliate President or State Executive Director and 2) a NAMI IL CC member. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor, with proper credentials listed above.  Candidates can make their wishes known by submitting the above information and credentials to the Nominating Committee.

Section 2: Removal, Resignation and Leave of Absence of Officers.

If an officer fails to respond to two written notices by the CC EC to contact him/her or does not discharge duties assigned within a reasonable time period, the CC EC has the option to request a meeting with the officer to discuss this. The CC EC will give the Officer two weeks written notice by certified mail of the meeting. After the meeting to discuss this issue, the CC EC may decide by majority vote to 1) continue the officer in that position, 2) grant a temporary leave of absence not to exceed three (3) months during which time a replacement will be appointed by the CC EC, or 3) vote for removal from office of the officer. All discussions concerning the status of an officer of NAMI IL CC are to occur in executive session and not in an open meeting.

An officer may resign from the CC EC by informing the Consumer Council Chair and the NAMI IL Representative to the NAMI IL Board in writing.

In the event of disability or other circumstance that prevents an officer from discharging the duties of the position, the CC EC may grant a leave of absence not to exceed three (3) months.   In the event of removal from office, the motion must be ratified within sixty (60) days by a majority vote of NAMI IL CC.

In the event of a vacancy in any position, the Consumer Council President shall appoint a designee.

Section 3: Voting and Quorum.

The voting officers of the CC EC include the Chair; Vice-Chair, Treasurer, & Secretary and three At-Large Officers. A quorum shall consist of three of the five voting members of the CC EC. The Representative to the NAMI IL Board and Immediate Past Chair are nonvoting members of the CC EC.

Section 4: Duties of the Chair.

The Chair has supervision over the affairs of the NAMI IL CC and presides over CC EC meetings. The Chair is an ex-officio member of all committees, standing and ad hoc, except the CC EC where regular membership is given. The Chair will serve as the official spokesperson for the NAMI IL-CC.

Section 5: Duties of the Vice-Chair and At-Large Officers.

The Vice-Chair and At-Large Officers shall assume all duties assigned by the CC EC. 

Section 6:  Representative to NAMI IL – Every third annual meeting, the CC shall elect one

representative to the Board of NAMI IL for a 3 year term which shall not prevent other consumers seeking NAMI IL board membership-at-large.  He or she shall be a full voting member of that body.  This person shall be elected separately from the CC’s officers, but may also serve as an officer.  A designee shall be appointed, in the event a Representative cannot make the State Board of Directors meeting.

 Section 7.:   National Representation – One representative and an alternate will be elected at

the annual meeting every other year for a two year term to represent the NAMI IL-CC at the NAMI national Consumer Council.  If at all possible, he or she shall attend the annual NAMI conference.  Any member, including officers or members of the EC is eligible. A designee shall be appointed in the event a Representative or Alternate cannot make the National Consumer Council meeting.

Section 8.:  Either position can be elected at an annual meeting or regular meeting using regular election guidelines.

Article VIII: Ex-officio Members of the CC EC                                                            

Section 1 : Election, Duties, Removal and Replacement of the Consumer Council Representative to the NAMI IL Board.

The Representative to the NAMI IL Board is elected by majority vote of NAMI IL CC (if a quorum is present) at the Annual Conference. The Representative to the NAMI IL Board must be a Representative, Alternate, Designated Proxy, Past Representative or Past Alternate and have experienced a serious mental illness. The Representative to the NAMI IL Board serves a three-year term. The Consumer Council Representative to the NAMI IL Board may be the Chair, Vice-Chair or an At-Large Officer.

The Representative to the NAMI IL Board serves as the formal liaison of the NAMI IL CC to the NAMI IL Board of Directors and reports to NAMI IL CC the activities and concerns of the NAMI Board of Directors.

If the Representative to the NAMI IL Board fails to respond to two written notices by the CC EC to contact him/her or does not discharge duties assigned within a reasonable time period, the CC EC has the option to request a meeting with the Representative to the NAMI IL Board to discuss this. The CC EC will give the Representative to the NAMI IL Board two weeks written notice by certified mail of the meeting. After the meeting to discuss the issue, the CC EC may decide by majority vote to 1) continue the Representative to the NAMI IL Board in that position, 2) grant a temporary leave of absence not to exceed three (3) months during which time a replacement will be appointed by the CC EC, or 3) vote for removal from office of the Representative to the NAMI IL Board . All discussions concerning the status of a Representative to the NAMI IL Board of NAMI IL CC are to occur in executive session and not in an open meeting.

The Representative to the NAMI IL Board may resign from CC EC by informing the Consumer Council Chair and the NAMI IL Board President in writing.

In the event of disability or circumstance that prevents the Representative to the NAMI IL Board from discharging the duties of the position, the CC EC may grant a leave of absence not to exceed three (3) months.   In the event of removal from office, the motion must be ratified within sixty (60) days by a majority vote of NAMI IL CC. The CC EC will vote to appoint a replacement for the Representative to the NAMI IL Board in the case of removal or resignation.

Section 2: Duties, Removal and Replacement of the Immediate Past Chair.

The Immediate Past Chair assumes this position upon leaving the office of Chair of NAMI IL CC and maintains the position until the next Chair leaves that position. The Immediate Past Chair is available to provide advice and information on past and present NAMI IL CC matters. The mechanism and grounds for removal and replacement are identical to those of the position of Representative to the NAMI IL Board (See Section 1 ).

Article IX: Committees                                                                                                                     

Section 1. CC EC Committee.

The Consumer Council Executive Committee shall conduct the business of NAMI IL CC between general meetings and consist of the officers listed in Article VII and 2 ex-officio nonvoting members listed in Article VIII.

Section 2. Standing Committees.                                                                                                                                                                                                  

The CC EC may create standing committees as deemed necessary and designate a Chair for that committee. Standing committees include but are not limited to:  Operating Procedures, Finance, Convention, Regional Networking, and Policy.

Nominating Committee:

The president will appoint a representative committee of five at least four months prior to the election to nominate a slate of officers.  The slate will be presented to the CC and/or printed in the newsletter/Stateline prior to the annual meeting.  Further nominations may come from the floor during the annual State meeting as long as the person(s) is/are recommended by their affiliate.  Printed ballots, with room for write ins, will be presented at the annual State meeting.

Section 3. Ad Hoc Committees.

The CC EC may also designate Ad Hoc committees to address important issues as they arise with the expectation that these committees will disband when its work is completed. The CC EC Chair will also designate a Chair for that committee.

Article X: Development Function

The NAMI IL CC recognizes its responsibility to work with the NAMI IL Board Finance and Development Committee to raise funds to support programs and activities of interest to the NAMI IL CC.

Article XI: Amendments

These operating procedures shall be adopted by majority vote and amended by a two-thirds vote cast at any meeting of NAMI IL CC if a quorum is present. Notice of proposed changes

in the Operating Procedures shall be sent with a notice of the next meeting, at which time a vote will be taken.

Article XII: Rules of Procedure

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, newly revised, shall govern this council in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the NAMI–IL bylaws and these NAMI IL CC Operating Procedures as well as any special rules this Council may adopt.  The NAMI IL-CC shall not discriminate among those eligible for membership based upon race, creed, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability, and shall be routinely and specifically enforced whenever any violation is alleged or reported.