HomeMy WebLinkAbout18843 - BHRAB Bylaws Final 11 8 16
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KITTITAS COUNTY
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY ADVISORY BOARD
BYLAWS
I. ADVISORY BOARD AUTHORIZATION & COMPOSITION:
A. The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) have established an advisory
committee for the county Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder program. The board will
henceforth be referenced to as the Behavioral Health and Recovery Advisory Board (BHRAB)
as authorized by Kittitas Board of County Commissioners Resolution 2016-063.
B. The county programs shall be advised by a committee consisting of seven (7) members appointed
by the BOCC, with the additional stipulation that:
1. Members shall be appointed for three-year terms with the terms of one third of the
members expiring each year plus one on the first year.
2. A member whose term expires may be re-appointed.
3. The BHRAB shall actively seek consumer representation.
4. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the BOCC.
II. ADVISORY BOARD DUTIES -- The Kittitas County BHRAB shall;
A. Develop, communicate, and present the county BHRAB Biennial Plan including:
1. Reviewing and assessing community and consumer needs, services, resources, priorities,
facilities and special problems related to Substance Use Disorder program needs in Kittitas
County.
2. Reviewing and assessing community and consumer needs, services, resources, priorities,
facilities and special problems related to Mental Health program needs in Kittitas County.
3. Establishing priorities on the basis of this assessment and recommending the allocation of
available county and state funds to be in alignment with the plan.
B. Receive public, consumer, and provider comments.
C. Advise the BOCC on ensuring community Behavioral Health and Recovery services, which shall
include the fullest and most feasible utilization of services.
D. Inform the BOCC of specific needs in Kittitas County not being met by existing programs and
recommend specific program development to alleviate such needs.
E. Review the BHRAB’s bylaws bi-annually during alternating annual meetings.
F. The Chair of the BHRAB shall appoint a Nominating Sub-Committee, consisting of three members
no later than the September meeting. The Nominating Sub-Committee shall nominate officers to
be elected at the annual meeting. The slate of candidates nominated shall be presented to the
members of the BHRAB at the November board meeting and shall be emailed to any member not
present at that meeting. Nominations may also be received from the floor at the annual meeting.
III. ADVISORY BOARD PROCEDURAL MATTERS -- The following procedures shall be followed by the
BHRAB:
A. A quorum shall consist of fifty percent (50%) of the current membership of the BHRAB and a
quorum shall be required to transact business at any regular or special meeting.
B. A full agenda of the business to be conducted shall be emailed to all BHRAB members prior to any
regular or special meetings with the understanding that items may be acted on only by vote of the
BHRAB which are on the agenda.
C. Meetings shall take place every other month on the 2nd Monday beginning in January, unless
cancelled by the Chair, on a date and time to be established by the members.
D. Special meetings may be called at the request of the Chair, the BOCC, or at the written request of
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four or more members of the BHRAB. Notice of all special meetings, along with an agenda,
noticed to the County website one week in advance of the meeting date.
E. The annual meeting shall take place in November.
F. Three (3) unexcused absences from meetings per calendar year by any member may cause the
BHRAB to recommend to the BOCC that the member be dropped from the BHRAB.
G. The BOCC shall be notified of members who resign. The BOCC shall fill such vacancies as soon as
the BHRAB recommends a suitable replacement. The term of the appointment will be for the
duration of the vacancy.
H. Prospective members of the BHRAB shall submit the county application for appointment. County
staff shall bring applications forth to the BHRAB for review and recommendation for appointment
by the BOCC.
I. No BHRAB member shall have a contract with Kittitas County or the Greater Columbia
Behavioral Health Organization to provide services, nor shall any BHRAB member be an officer,
member, or employee of an agency contracting with Kittitas County to provide such services.
Subcontractors who receive funds from agencies under contract with Kittitas County shall not be
similarly barred from membership, unless the funds originate from the county.
J. All members shall fully disclose to the BHRAB at an open public meeting all matters of financial
interest and other matters relating to appearance of fairness and conflict of interest concerns. The
Chair, after review by the, shall decide all related issues, including the necessity or desirability to
excuse any member from discussions and/or voting on particular issues.
IV. ADVISORY BOARD OFFICERS -- Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting of the BHRAB for a
term of one (1) year from January through December, or until their succes sors are elected, and shall
include the following, with duties and functions as set forth:
A. Chair:
1. The Chair shall be initially elected for the remainder of the calendar year at the first
BHRAB meeting with all initial members present. Afterwards, the Chair shall be elected at
the annual meeting, provided that a first year BHRAB member may not be nominated for
Chair.
2. The Chair shall preside at meetings of the BHRAB, serve as Chair of the Executive
Committee, serve as a member ex-officio of all sub-committees and perform such other
duties as are assigned by the BOCC.
3. The Chair shall establish and appoint members to sub-committees.
B. Vice-Chair:
The Vice-Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in case of the Chair’s absence or
disability or during any vacancy in the office of Chair.
C. Executive Committee:
1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chair, Vice-Chair, and one (1) member-at-
large elected at the annual meeting. A quorum of 50% of Executive Committee members
shall be required to take action at an Executive Committee meeting.
2. The Executive Committee shall represent the BHRAB in matters of business, which arise
during the period between meetings. Such matters shall be reported and the action taken
ratified by the BHRAB at the next meeting. The Executive Committee shall also perform
such other duties as may be assigned by the BHRAB.
3. The Executive Committee may make recommendations to the BHRAB on:
a. Changes in bylaws and procedures.
b. Meeting agenda with proposed motions.
4. The Executive Committee may make recommendations to the BOCC on:
a. Applications from prospective members.
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b. Issues which cannot wait for board meetings.
5. The Executive Committee may receive:
a. Membership applications.
6. The Executive Committee shall report to the Board on:
a. Recommendations made to the BOCC.
b. Minutes of Executive Committee meetings.
7. The Executive Committee shall conduct business through:
a. Meetings called by the Committee Chair or majority of the committee.
b. A telephone poll conducted by the Chair and authorized unanimously by
Committee members.
VI. COUNTY COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
The County Coordinators or Designees shall carry out their duties under the direction of the contracts
with the Greater Columbia Behavioral Health Organization and under the general supervision of the
Washington State Department of Behavioral Health and Recovery;
A. The County Coordinator or designee shall:
1. Attend all BHRAB meetings;
2. Provide a monthly report to the BHRAB about the status of the programs, sub-contractors,
and the statewide program;
3. Work with county staff to finalize the agenda for each meeting;
4. Request formal and informal feedback from the BHRAB, as appropriate;
VII. AMENDMENTS:
A. The bylaws may be suggested at a regular meeting of the BHRAB provided that:
1. Proposed amendments have been read at one meeting prior to voting;
2. Proposed amendments have been submitted in writing to the members prior to the first
reading; and
3. Two-thirds of the members of the BHRAB members vote in favor of implementation of any
amendment.
B. Final approval of bylaw amendments is made by the Board of County Commissioners.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S APPROVAL:
_______________________________ ________________________
Paul Jewell, Chair, Kittitas County Board of Date
Commissioners
_______________________________
Laura Osiadacz, Kittitas County Commissioner
_______________________________
Obie O’Brien, Kittitas County Commissioner