BYLAWS OF
SCOTT FAMILY NET
a Minnesota Family Service Collaborative and Children’s
Mental Health Collaborative
under the Laws of the State of Minnesota
ARTICLE I.
Identity
These are the Bylaws of Scott Family Net, hereinafter
referred to as “SFN,” a Minnesota Family Service Collaborative, pursuant to
Minn. Stat. §§ 121.8355 and 245.491 authorizing public and private agencies to
come together by mutual agreement to establish a family service collaborative,
a children’s mental health collaborative, or a collaborative formed by a merger
of the two for the purpose of establishing an integrated service system for
children and their families. SFN
was organized pursuant to a Joint Powers Agreement executed in 1996 by the
originating parties (Joint Powers Partners).
ARTICLE II.
Purpose
The purpose of SFN is to improve service integration
of partner provider systems and improve the social, emotional, educational,
economic, and health outcomes of all Scott County children and youth and their
families by mitigating risk factors and enhancing protective factors through
the creation of an integrated service delivery system that provides a continuum
of service interventions available for all children and their families. SFN shall not function as a service provider
but shall perform activities that coordinate supports and services for children
and their families, including, but not limited to, service coordination, access
to information, enhanced referral, informal community resources, and flexible
funding. Nothing in these Bylaws shall
infringe upon the authority or responsibility of the members except as
specifically provided in writing by the respective member(s).
ARTICLE III.
Membership in SFN
Membership in SFN shall be restricted to those
service providers whose service delivery system(s) addresses one or more of the
SFN outcome areas for Scott County children up to age 21 years, as well as
consumers of the services supplied by the service providers making up SFN. The members shall be able to assist and promote
the mission of SFN.
ARTICLE IV.
Joint Powers Partners
Joint Powers Partners function as purchasers of
integrated services and shall exercise revenue authority for SFN. The membership of the Joint Powers Partners
includes the entire membership of each of the SFN Joint Power Partners’ agency
boards.
1. Joint Powers Partner
agencies shall meet the following criteria for partnership in the SFN:
a.
A
governmental or quasi governmental agency, as defined by state statute or rule;
b.
A
service provider whose service delivery system provides services addressing one
or more of the SFN outcome areas for Scott County children up to age 21 years;
c.
The
capacity to facilitate service coordination using the SFN philosophy and
service delivery model; and
d.
The
capacity to participate in each level of governance comprising the organization
of the SFN.
2.
Responsibilities of the Joint Powers Partners shall include:
a.
Authorize
and approve SFN Bylaws, including: purpose; target population; service model;
and SFN Steering Committee membership;
b.
Designate
representation on the SFN Steering Committee;
c.
Authorize
revenue budget contributions to the Integrated Fund and approve the spending
plan;
d.
Oversee
contributions to the Integrated Fund;
e.
Receive
funds via fiscal agent (receipt of grants, contracts, etc.); and
f.
Review
SFN systems performance and client outcomes.
3.
Interested parties
may petition the Steering Committee to become a joint powers partner of SFN
following the membership criteria set forth in Article III.
Such petition shall be presented to current Joint Powers Partners for approval upon recommendation of the Steering Committee.
ARTICLE V.
Qualification, Membership,
and Responsibilities of the Steering Committee
The Steering Committee shall function as the
management entity of SFN to provide the integrated service system.
The Steering Committee shall have design and policy oversight authority
for the integrated service delivery system and integrated fund. The Steering Committee shall exercise
expenditure authority.
1.
Each
of the Joint Powers Partners and each level of governance shall a appoint a
Steering Committee representative, as well as an alternate Steering Committee
representative by any method it chooses for a one (1) year term at its annual
organizational meeting. If a vacancy
occurs due to the resignation of a representative, the respective Joint Powers
Partner shall appoint a new representative to serve out the annual term.
2.
The
composition of the Steering Committee shall equal a total number of up to
fourteen (14) voting members, consisting of appointed representatives of the
Joint Powers Partners, as follows:
-Belle Plaine Public Schools (1)
-Burnsville-Eagan-Savage
Public Schools (1)
-Carver-Scott Education
Cooperative (1)
-CAP Agency (1)
-Jordan Public Schools (1)
-MN River Valley Special
Education Cooperative (1)
-New Prague Public Schools
(1)
-Prior Lake-Savage Public
Schools (1)
-Scott County (4)
-Scott County HRA (1)
-Shakopee Schools (1)
The number of Steering Committee voting members may
be amended from time to time by vote of the Steering Committee members, upon a
change in the composition of the Joint Powers Partners.
3.
There
shall also be advisory voting members who shall consist of Steering Committee
members whose influence is through providing information rather than obligating
the resources of the joint powers partners.
-Joint Powers Partner Board Members (Up to 2)
-Advisors (1)
-SFN-trained Agency Staff (1)
-Consumers (3)
-Local Informal Networks
-Others as approved by the
Steering Committee
4.
The
SFN Executive Assistant, or successor executive/manager/coordinator position,
shall serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Steering Committee.
5.
Interested parties
may petition the Steering Committee to become voting members, or advisory
voting members of SFN following the membership criteria set forth in Article
III.
Steering Committee Meetings
and Voting
1.
The
Steering Committee may hold both regular and special meetings at such place as
a majority of the voting members of the Steering Committee may designate. The September meeting of the Steering
Committee shall be designated as the annual meeting at which time a Chair and
Vice-Chair shall be elected and a schedule of regular meetings
established. The Steering Committee
shall meet at least six (6) times a year.
2.
At
all meetings of the Steering Committee, a majority of the Steering Committee
voting members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A decision reached by consensus among the
Steering Committee voting members present at any meeting at which there is a
quorum shall constitute the act of the Steering Committee, except as otherwise
specifically provided by statute or by these Bylaws. Consensus is defined as agreement by all of the voting
members of the Steering Committee present.
A voting member must be present to vote at a meeting.
3.
Notice
of all meetings of the Steering Committee, stating the time, place and complete
agenda thereof, shall be given by the Chair, unless waived in writing. Such notice shall be in writing to each
member of the Steering Committee at the mail, e-mail or facsimile address of
the member and shall be sent no less than seven (7) days in advance of any
annual or regularly scheduled or any other meeting. The notice of the meeting may be waived before or after any
meeting.
4.
Any
action required by law to be taken at a meeting of the Steering Committee, or
any action which may be taken at a meeting of the Steering Committee, may be
taken without a meeting if consent(s) in writing, setting forth the action so
taken, is signed by all of the Committee members.
ARTICLE VII
Powers and Duties of the
Steering Committee
All of the powers and duties of SFN shall be
exercised by the Steering Committee, including those existing under the common
law and statutes, and the Joint Powers Agreement. Such powers and duties of the Steering Committee shall be
exercised in accordance with the provisions of the Joint Powers Agreement and
shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
·
Maintain
and support an environment consistent with the SFN philosophy;
·
Approve collaborative
purpose, target population and service model;*
·
Establish, review and
monitor the development of an integrated service delivery team;
·
Prepare and distribute
to the members and Joint Powers Partners on or before June 1, of each year, a
proposed operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, showing
anticipated income and operating expenses, including reserves;
·
Establish an
operations budget and negotiate revenue budget with Joint Powers Partner
members;*
·
Employ personnel for
reasonable compensation to perform the services required for proper
administration of the purposes of SFN, including designation of an agency to
hire an SFN executive assistant, manager or coordinator;
·
Contract for such
services for SFN as the Steering Committee deems necessary;
·
Approve fiscal agent
assignment for the integrated fund;
·
Monitor and approve
progress toward collaborative outcomes;*
·
Approve Advisor group
composition;
·
Establish committees
as necessary;
·
Report SFN
information back to local boards and staff;
·
Ensure provision of
SFN orientation & training for all employees;
·
Set expectations
& evaluation for employees related to SFN activities;
·
Promote and advocate
funding for children’s services and supports;*
·
Provide
recommendations to schools, county, private agencies, and state and federal
government regarding children and family legislation;*
·
Create temporary
subcommittees, as needed, to gather information, analyze data, and discuss
ramifications of a specific question, so as to advise the Steering Committee;
·
Elect annually a
Chair and Vice Chair of the Steering Committee;
·
Collect agreed upon
assessments from the Joint Powers Partners, if any;
·
Establish and amend
rules and regulations respecting SFN; and
·
Perform such other
acts as may be delegated to the Steering Committee by the Joint Powers
Agreement, the Joint Powers Partners, these Bylaws or statutes, and to perform
such other acts as may be incidental to or necessary in the performance of the
foregoing.
The above items with an
asterisk (*) indicate functions that are required of the Scott County
Children’s Mental Health Local Coordinating Council that are fulfilled through
the Scott Family Net collaborative in partnership with the Scott County Mental
Health Advisory Council.
ARTICLE VIII
Chair and Vice-Chair of the
Steering Committee
1.
A
Chair and Vice-Chair of the Steering Committee shall be elected annually at the
annual meeting, as indicated above.
Each shall serve until the next annual meeting and until a successor has
been elected and has qualified.
2.
Any
Chair or Vice-Chair may be removed, with or without cause, and replaced by a
two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of the Steering Committee present to vote. The replacement Chair or Vice-Chair so
selected shall serve for the balance of the respective term and until a
successor has been elected and qualified.
3.
The
Chair shall be the chief officer of SFN and shall have powers and duties
including, but not limited to, the duty to preside at all meetings of the
Steering Committee and general supervision over the management of the business
and affairs of SFN. The Chair shall see
that all actions and resolutions of the Steering Committee are carried into
effect, shall execute all contracts and agreements of SFN, except as such
authority may be otherwise delegated by action of the Steering Committee.
4.
In
the absence of the Chair for any reason, or a refusal to act, the Vice Chair
shall perform the duties of the Chair, and when so acting, shall have all the
powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chair.
5.
The
Steering Committee may from time to time elect other such officers and
designate their powers and duties as it, in its discretion, shall find to be
required to manage the affairs of SFN.
Such additional officers must be members of the Joint Powers Partners.
6.
The
Chair and the Vice Chair, and any other elected officers, shall be indemnified
and held harmless by SFN from all costs and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys’ fees, which may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by them in
connection with or arising out of the defense or settlement of any claims,
action, suit, or proceeding brought against them by reason of their being or
having been Chair, Vice Chair or other officer of SFN and each shall be
indemnified and held harmless by SFN against any judgment that may be rendered
against them in such action. Provided,
however, that no Chair or Vice Chair, or other officer, shall be indemnified
with respect to such matters as to which such individual is finally adjudged in
any such action to have been guilty of willful conduct detrimental to the best
interests of SFN or fraudulent conduct.
ARTICLE IX
Amendment
1.
Written
notice of the regular, special, or annual meeting at which a proposed amendment
or amendments to these Bylaws shall be considered shall contain a statement of
the substance of such amendment(s) and shall be given at least fourteen (14)
days prior to such meeting.
2.
An
amendment to these Bylaws shall be adopted upon its receiving an affirmative
vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds (66 2/3) percent of the total voting
members of the Steering Committee at any regular, special, or annual meeting of
the Steering Committee.
ARTICLE X
General Provisions
1.
All
agreements, contracts, deeds and other instruments shall be executed by Chair
and Vice Chair or such other person or persons as may be designated from time
to time by the Steering Committee.
2.
The
Steering Committee may promulgate such rules and regulations, as it deems
reasonable and necessary from time to time governing the administration,
management, and operation of SFN.
The above were adopted as the Bylaws of
SCOTT FAMILY NET, a family service collaborative and children’s mental health
collaborative under the laws of the State of Minnesota by action of the
Steering Committee thereof, at Shakopee, Minnesota, this ___ day of _______,
2001
____________________________
Chair
Attest:
___________________________ ____________________________
Executive
Assistant Vice Chair