BY-LAWS

of the

MENDOCINO COUNTY

PCCY Child Abuse Prevention Commission


Article I. NAME

The name of this body shall be the Mendocino County Policy Council on Children and Youth (PCCY) Child Abuse Prevention Commission (the “Commission”).

Article II. AUTHORITY

The authority for the formation and operations of the Commission is set forth in Section 18982 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors established the Commission on February 12, 2002.

Article III. MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Commission is to provide leadership through advocating for and coordination of Mendocino County’s community efforts to prevent and respond to child abuse.

Article IV. GOALS

The goals of the Commission are:
A. To provide a forum for interagency cooperation and coordination in the prevention, detection, treatment, and legal processing of child abuse cases;
B. To promote public awareness of the abuse and neglect of children and the resources available for prevention, intervention and treatment;
C. To encourage and facilitate training of professionals in the detection, treatment, and prevention of child abuse and neglect;
D. To recommend improvements in services to families and victims; and
E. To encourage and facilitate community support for child abuse and neglect programs.

Article V. DUTIES

The duties of the Commission shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. Promoting public awareness of child abuse and neglect and the resources available for prevention, intervention and treatment through public forums and awareness campaigns.
B. Identifying and addressing gaps in services for child abuse and neglect situations through on-going needs assessment.
C. Identifying and/or coordinating the provision of training opportunities.
D. Promoting collaboration and countywide planning for the provision of child abuse and neglect prevention services to children and youth.
E. Facilitating the expansion of treatment services to victims of child abuse and neglect and their families in Mendocino County.

Article VI. MEMBERSHIP

A. Composition
The Commission shall be comprised of the members of the PCCY, serving a dual membership.

B. Appointments
Appointments to the Commission shall be made through the PCCY. Members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

C. Attendance
Attendance shall be governed by the following:
1. Members shall be expected to attend all meetings of the Commission.
2. Members shall be expected to attend the entire meeting.
3. In the absence of a member who represents a group or agency, for three meetings in a calendar year, s/he may be removed from membership and another nomination sought from the appropriate group or agency.
4. In the absence of a member who is specified in State law for three meetings in a calendar year, a note shall be sent to that individual and to the Board of Supervisors.
5. A member may send a representative to a Commission meeting in his/her absence. However, that individual does not make up for the member’s absence nor may that individual vote on behalf of the member.

Article VII. OFFICERS

A. Chairperson
The officers of the Commission shall include a Chairperson.
1. The term of office shall be for a one-year period, January – December.
2. The Chairperson shall be the same person elected by the PCCY to serve as chairperson.
3. The responsibility of the Chairperson is to facilitate the meetings of the Commission and to sign correspondence on behalf of the Commission.
4. In the absence of the Chairperson at a meeting, the Commission shall select someone to facilitate that meeting by consensus or by vote.

B. Other Officers
The Commission, by a majority vote, may authorize the creation and appointment of any other officers deemed necessary to Commission business.

C. Convener
The Director of Social Services will be the “Convener.”
1. The Convener shall be responsible for ensuring the conduct of effective meetings, communication necessary to accomplish goals and tasks, and compliance with the State regulations.
2. The Convener shall develop the Commission agenda, in consultation with the Chairperson and as directed by the Commission.
3. The Convener shall make arrangements for giving notice of meetings, minute-taking, and record-keeping.
4. The Convener shall keep track of membership and attendance and shall carry out the responsibilities of these by-laws, as directed by the Commission.

Article VIII. MEETINGS

A. Frequency and Time
The meetings of the Commission shall be held on a regular basis and at least quarterly, at an hour, day, and place determined by the Commission.

B. Minutes
Minutes shall be recorded of regular meetings of the Commission. These minutes shall be sent to Commission members, and anyone requesting copies. Copies of the minutes of the previous meeting shall be available at the next regular meeting of the Commission.

C. Agenda
Items to be considered for regular meetings of the Commission shall be sent to the Convener. The agenda for a regular meeting of the Commission shall be sent to members in a timely manner. The agenda shall be posted according to State law. Copies of the agenda shall be available at each regular meeting of the Commission.

D. Public Testimony
The meetings of the Commission are open public forums.

Article IX. COMMITTEES

Membership of committees and working groups need not be from the Commission but may be representatives of the agencies or members of the community.

A. Ad-Hoc Committees
The Commission, by majority vote, may establish time-limited, ad-hoc committees to perform tasks in support of the business of the Commission.

B. Standing Committees
1. In accordance with the intent of the State and the goals of the Commission, the Commission shall establish committees as necessary to address topics and tasks which focus on the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

2. Standing Committees shall include, but are not limited to:
a. Public awareness committee
b. Service improvement committee
c. Training committee

3. Standing Committees shall be governed as follows:
a. The Commission may determine the need for a committee and, by majority vote, shall establish the committee.
b. Selection of a committee chairperson may be by the committee, with approval by the Commission, or by the Commission.
c. Every committee shall have a designated liaison who is a Commission member.
d. Each committee, subject to acceptance and adoption by the Commission, shall develop an official purpose/definition.
e. Committees shall provide monthly written reports/notes/summaries in a prescribed format to the Commission.
f. A committee chair, or Commission liaison, shall submit specific agenda items to the Convener when a committee needs input from the Commission, wants to check in on a project, or requests action of the Commission.

C. Affiliated Committees
1. In accordance with the intent of the State and the goals of the Commission, the Commission shall identify other councils and working groups which are focused on the prevention of child abuse and neglect and shall seek to integrate with and support the efforts of these councils and working groups whenever possible.

2. Affiliated Committees shall be governed as follows:
a. The Commission, by majority vote, shall establish committee affiliation. A committee may request to be affiliated with the Commission and the Commission may decide to accept it or not.
b. Selection of a committee or working group chairperson shall be by the committee.
c. Every committee shall have a designated liaison who is a Commission member.
d. An official purpose/definition shall be developed by each committee.
e. A committee chair, or Commission liaison, shall submit specific agenda items to the Convener when a committee needs input from the Commission, wants to check in on a project, or requests action of the Commission.

Article X. TASKS

A. Strategic Plan
The Commission shall develop and implement a strategic plan that addresses the prevention of child abuse and neglect in the County.

B. Public Awareness Forum
The Commission shall assure and/or participate in, either solely or in conjunction with others, the organization of at least one annual public forum on the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

C. Needs Assessment
The Commission shall work with the PCCY to perform on-going needs assessment regarding the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Mendocino County.

Article XI. PARLIAMENTARY RULES

A. Conduct of Meetings
The meetings of the Commission shall be conducted in accordance with relaxed Robert’s Rules of Order and the Brown Act.

B. Quorum
A quorum shall be a simple majority of the total seated members. No decisions requiring votes of the Commission shall be conducted without a quorum present.

C. Majority Vote
Fifty-one percent (51%) of the Commission members, present and voting, shall constitute a majority vote, provided there is a quorum.

Article XII. ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT

A. Adoption
These By-Laws shall become effective immediately upon approval by the majority of the total membership of the Commission and approval by the Board of Supervisors.

B. Amendment
These By-Laws are subject to amendment in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of a quorum of the Commission and subsequent approval by the Board of Supervisors, provided that 15 days prior to the Commission meeting, the full Commission is notified of the language of such change(s), and of the time, date and place of the intended voting on such change(s).


HISTORY
1. Approved by the PCCY Child Abuse Prevention Commission on July 26, 2002.
2. Adopted by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors on September 24, 2002.

Webpage updated on 10/20/2005