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Bylaws

GARRETT COUNTY

DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES COALITION

BYLAWS

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the Garrett County Drug-Free Communities Coalition is the reduction and prevention of substance use disorder. This is accomplished by promoting/implementing youth substance use disorder prevention strategies, adding or improving treatment and recovery opportunities, and encouraging healthy lifestyles.

VISION: A safe and drug-free Garrett County.

ARTICLE I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the GARRETT COUNTY DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES COALITION, hereafter referred to as the “DFCC.”

ARTICLE II: Objectives

The objectives of the DFCC are as follows:

A. Monitor, review, and make recommendations on the allocation of publicly-funded prevention, treatment, and recovery services within the County.

B. Determine the needs of the County substance use disorder treatment system, which includes people with co-occurring mental health disorders.

C. Promote educational awareness of substance use disorder issues and early intervention in those areas.

D. Review and make recommendations on alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention, treatment, recovery, and enforcement requests affecting Garrett County.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Structure

A. The Membership of the DFCC shall determine its own governing structure.

  1. Members of the DFCC shall be representative of the community, including substance use disorder recovery populations and the agencies that serve the population of those with substance use disorder and their families.

  1. The voting members of the DFCC shall include at least the following:

    1. The Garrett County Health Officer, or designee;

    2. The Director of the Garrett County Department of Social Services, or designee;

    3. The Regional Director of the Department of Juvenile Services, or designee;

    4. The Regional Director of the Division of Parole and Probation, or designee;

    5. The State’s Attorney for Garrett County, or designee;

    6. The District Public Defender for Garrett County, or designee;

    7. The Sheriff of Garrett County, or designee;

    8. The President of the Garrett County Board of Education, or designee;

    9. A representative of the Board of Commissioners for Garrett County, or designee;

    10. The Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Garrett County, or designee;

    11. The Administrative Judge of the District Court for District 12, or designee;

    12. Appointees of the Board of Commissioners for Garrett County, as follows:

      1. at least one recipient of addictions treatment;

      2. at least two substance use disorder providers, at least one with experience providing services to persons with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders;

      3. at least one substance use disorder prevention provider;

      4. at least one person knowledgeable and active on substance use disorder issues; and

      5. at least one person knowledgeable about treatment of substance use disorder in Garrett County, from civic organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, health care professional organizations, and/or the clergy.

    1. at least one Garrett County resident under 18 years of age;

    2. at least one parent;

    3. at least one media representative;

    4. at least one representative of the clergy; and

    5. at least one representative from the business community.

  1. Representation listed above as numbers 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 can be satisfied by the appointments of the Board of Commissioners in number 12 above. If this does not occur, the members of the DFCC shall receive from the Nominating Committee its recommendation of persons to fill these vacancies. At the next meeting, additional nominations can be received from the floor and the members shall then elect these representatives by a majority vote.

  1. The membership of the DFCC can vote at any time to add voting and/or non-voting representation to the DFCC, but this vote shall be by two-thirds of the quorum present at the time of the vote.

Section 2: Terms

A. The term of an appointed member is 4 years.

B. At the end of a term, a member may be reappointed to serve or a successor may be appointed.

Section 3: Proxy voting

A. In anticipation of relevant discussion at the meetings, prior to voting on issues, no proxy votes will be allowed.

B. Members of the DFCC may participate in a meeting by means of a conference by telephone or any telecommunications equipment whereby all persons participating in the meetings can hear or see each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section 1: Officers

The officers of the DFCC shall be chairperson, first vice-chairperson, second vice-chairperson, and secretary.

Section 2: Term

The chairperson will serve a two-year term. The first vice-chairperson will serve a two-year term and succeed the chairperson. The second vice-chairperson will be elected, serve a two-year term, and succeed the first vice-chairperson. The secretary will serve a two-year term.

Section 3: Nomination and Election

  1. The officers shall be elected biennially by the membership. The election process should occur during the final quarter of every other calendar year.

  1. The Nominating Committee will submit to the DFCC, at the meeting prior to the meeting at which elections will be held, a slate of candidates for the following positions:

    1. Chairperson;

    2. First Vice-Chairperson;

    3. Second Vice-Chairperson; and

4. Secretary.

  1. After opening the election to nominations from the floor, officers shall be elected by a simple majority vote.

Section 4: Duties

Robert’s Rules of Order shall determine the duties of officers.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

Section 1: Frequency

Meetings shall be held no less than six times per year, at times and places determined by the DFCC. Special meetings may be called by the Executive Board, if necessary.

Section 2: Minutes

Minutes of the previous meeting and agenda for the upcoming meeting may be emailed to members prior to each meeting.

Section 3: Voting

A quorum is required to vote on a motion. A quorum shall consist of one-third of the voting members.

Section 4: Conduct

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of the meetings. Any member of the DFCC who identifies themselves as being in conflict on any vote must declare this conflict and excuse themselves from the voting process.

ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES

Section 1: Formation

The DFCC chairperson shall be empowered to appoint any committee as needed and to draw in non-member consultants as appropriate to serve on such committees.

Section 2: Nominating Committee

A. Membership: At least three (3) members at large to be appointed by the DFCC chairperson. The committee shall elect its own chairperson.

B. The nominating committee will present nominations for officers or members to the DFCC at the meeting previous to voting at any meeting when vacancies need to be filled.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended at any official meeting of the DFCC by two-thirds of the voting members present. A copy of proposed Bylaws revisions shall be submitted to the DFCC members, in writing, at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting where a vote to amend them is scheduled to occur.

Adopted with revisions:

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Chairperson, Garrett County DFCC