MoALPHA Bylaws
BY-LAWS of MISSOURI ASSOCIATION of LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES
The Missouri Association of Local Public Health Agencies (MoALPHA), having been created by vote of the Membership on May 4, 1994, does hereby establish these By-Laws for its guidance and operation.
MoALPHA’s mission is to support communication among local, state and federal public health agencies; provide educational and networking opportunities for the public health workforce; and advocate for the health of all Missouri residents.
MEMBERSHIP
The Membership shall consist of four types: Sustaining, Associate, Contributing partner, and Retired Administrator.
The Sustaining member shall be a Local Public Health Agency that pays annual dues on a population based schedule and will be entitled to all rights and benefits of full membership, including the right to hold office, chair committees, and vote on the basis of one vote per agency.
The Associate member shall be a Local Public health Agency that pays annual dues of a fixed, reduced amount. They may attend meetings, receive information and newsletters, and provide input. Associate members may not hold office, chair committees, or vote. A request for Associate membership shall be made in writing to the Chair, shall require approval by the Board, and shall be limited to one year.
The Contributing Partner member shall be an educational institution, a not-for-profit organization, or a health, public health, environmental or any other business with an interest that coincides with the mission of MoALPHA. They may attend meetings, receive all member information, newsletters and email notices, and provide input. Contributing members may not hold office, chair committees or vote. A request for Contributing Partner membership shall be made in writing to the Chair, shall require approval by the Board, and shall be for one calendar year. The Missouri Department of Health is not eligible for membership.
The Retired Administrator member shall be an individual who has retired from service as administrator of a Missouri Local Public Health Agency. Annual dues for Retired Administrators will be established by the Board. Retired Administrator Members may not hold office, chair committees or vote.
MEETINGS
There shall be a minimum of one membership meeting each year. Additional meetings will be scheduled as needed. The Board shall set dates and times of these meetings.
The Chair may call special meetings at the request of a majority of the Board. Notice and agenda of regular meetings and minutes of previous meetings shall be sent to the Membership in a timely manner.
A quorum shall consist of a minimum of 20% of sustaining members.
OFFICERS
The officers shall consist of the Chair, Chair-Elect, Immediate Past Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Chair shall supervise the activities of MoALPHA, its officers and employees, and shall preside at meetings of the association and the Board.
The Chair-Elect shall assist the Chair in the performance of duties, shall preside in the absence of the Chair, and upon death, resignation, or removal, shall succeed the Chair for the unexpired term. The Chair-Elect shall address By-Laws issues and bring proposed changes before the Membership as necessary.
The Immediate Past Chair shall serve as the Chair for the Nominating Committee.
The Secretary or designee shall be responsible for keeping an accurate and complete record of all proceedings of the Board and the Membership. Upon death, resignation, or removal of both the Chair and Chair-Elect, shall succeed the Chair for the unexpired term.
The Treasurer shall deal with the fiscal matters of MoALPHA and present at each fall meeting, a written report setting forth receipts, disbursements, balances and the annual budget. Upon death, resignation, or removal of the Chair, Chair-Elect, and Secretary, shall succeed the Chair for the unexpired term.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- The Board of Directors consists of the five officers (Chair, Chair-Elect, Immediate Past Chair, Treasurer and Secretary), and the Chairs of all standing committees, (except the Chair of MALBOH, an ex officio member) and the Regional Representatives (two representatives from Regions A and C and one representative from all other regions).
- Each Representative from Regions A and C must be from a different Local Public Health Agency.
- A Regional Representative may also hold another office on the Executive Board such as Chair, Chair-Elect, etc.
- Regional Representatives will be elected by their respective Regions will serve a term of 2 years and may serve consecutive terms.
- Officers, Regional Representatives and Committee Chairs must be Local Public Health Agency Administrators, Directors, Assistant Administrators or Assistant Directors.
The Board shall be empowered to conduct the routine business of MoALPHA between membership meetings and any other business as delegated by the Membership. A quorum will consist of at least 51% of the current Board members and must include either the Chair-Elect or Immediate Past Chair in the absence of the Chair.
The Board may meet as often as necessary but no less than three times a year. In the event that the Board cannot physically meet, decisions of the Board can be made through electronic means.
ELECTIONS
The officers shall be elected for a two-year term at the Fall Membership meeting. The terms of the Chair and Chair-Elect will begin in odd-numbered years, and the terms of the Secretary and Treasurer will begin in even-numbered years.
Vacancies occurring between Fall Membership meetings shall be filled by appointment of the Board. Appointees to vacated elective office shall serve until the next Fall Membership meeting, at which time an election will be held to finish out the unexpired term. Regional Representative vacancies will be filled by an election in the respective region and the newly elected Regional Representative shall serve out the unexpired term.
FISCAL
MoALPHA shall be a 501-C6 not-for-profit organization whose fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.
The funds of MoALPHA shall be deposited in a bank or banks insured by the federal government. The Treasurer shall pay bills as authorized by the Executive Board. Three members of the Board and the Executive Director shall be authorized to sign MoALPHA checks. There shall be a two signatures requirement for all checks.
DUES
Sustaining members shall pay annual dues on a population-based schedule and first year membership may be prorated. Associate members, Contributing Partner Members and Retired Administrator Members shall pay annual dues on a fixed, reduced amount. These rate structures shall be established by the Board.
COMMITTEES
The Board shall establish such committees and task forces as deemed necessary for the conduct of MoALPHA business. The Board shall appoint Committee Chairs who will serve a term of two years and may serve consecutive terms. Standing committees and responsibilities shall be:
- Nominating To develop a slate of officers prior to each Fall meeting. The Immediate Past Chair shall chair the Nominating Committee.
- DHSS/Liaison/Collaboration To facilitate discussion and foster collaboration between the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and MoALPHA membership.
- Legislative To work with the Chair and Executive Director to research, advocate, and solicit membership support for the needed legislation and to testify when appropriate.
- Public Health Workforce Development To assist the Executive Director in planning and implementing educational activities for members.
- Awards To review all Award nominations and select awardees. The Immediate Past Chair shall chair the Awards Committee.
- Ex Officio Committee: Missouri Association of Local Boards of Health to serve mutual interests of the members of local public health governing and advisory bodies in the areas of training, professional networking, and policy analysis.
STAFF
The Executive Board may employ or otherwise engage an Executive Director and other staff members or consultants as necessary to carry on the work of MoALPHA.ANNUAL AWARDS
SELECTION: The MoALPHA chair at each year’s Fall meeting will appoint the Awards Committee during the business meeting. The Awards Committee will be chaired by the Immediate Past Chair, and will review all nominations that were submitted at least 60 days prior to the scheduled MoALPHA Fall Meeting. Multiple awards may be made each year. The Awards Committee shall determine the recipient(s) and the Executive Director will then order the awards materials to be presented to the recipient(s). The Chair-Elect shall be responsible for preparing a press release and other appropriate informational materials to publicize the award.
NOMINATIONS: Any agency that is a current Sustaining member of MoALPHA may submit nominations for any MoALPHA award. Nominations should be submitted through the administrator or board of the agency to the MoALPHA Executive Director or Chair. Nominations will be accepted up to 60 days prior to the scheduled MoALPHA Fall Meeting. Nominations for the Mentor Award should be submitted using the Annual Mentor Award nomination form.
PRESENTATION: The MoALPHA Chair and the Executive Director will present the award(s) to the recipients or their representatives at the Fall meeting dinner.
MENTOR AWARD:
Purpose: An important factor in sustaining a strong and effective local public health agency presence in the State of Missouri has been the vision, leadership and support provided by certain dedicated individuals. These outstanding public health professionals serve as role models and inspire and invigorate public health colleagues statewide. They also influence citizens and elected officials by providing by example a positive view of public health. This award is intended to recognize these tireless architects, builders and promoters of local public health.
Eligibility: Any past or current public health practitioner who has worked in the field of public health for at least 5 years is eligible to be nominated for this award. This eligibility is not limited to those associated with local public health agencies, however, nominees from other sectors should have a clear connection with local public health and should have, or have had, demonstrable leadership and mentoring roles relating to local public health agencies.
LEGISLATIVE FRIEND OF PUBLIC HEALTH AWARD
Purpose: Strong legislative proponents and local elected officials are essential to the effectiveness of the public health system and the viability of local public health agencies. This award serves to recognize a Legislator or local elected official who has worked to improve public health by sponsoring or supporting legislation and/or budget initiatives or supported local policies or health departments that strengthen the public health system in Missouri.
Eligibility: Any current or past member of the Missouri House of Representatives or the Missouri Senate, any staff member of a legislator, or any local elected official is eligible to be nominated for this award.
EXCELLENCE IN COLLABORATION AWARD:
Purpose: This award honors a person or agency that has worked collaboratively with MoALPHA or its members to achieve public health goals that could not have been reached otherwise.
SPECIAL AWARD:
Purpose: A Special Award may be given to honor any person who has contributed to the betterment of local public health in Missouri, upon the approval of the Awards Committee and the Board.
BY-LAWS
Amendments to these By-Laws may be recommended by Board members and/or MoALPHA members and the By-Laws amended by a majority vote of the MoALPHA Membership by electronic and/or mailed ballot by a majority of those voting provided that notice of such amendments have been e-mailed and/or mailed to the MoALPHA Membership not less than 30 days before the date specified for the return of the ballot.