If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Purpose, Mission, Bylaws, Goals & Objectives
Purpose, Mission, Bylaws, Goals & Objectives
* Purpose * Mission Statement * Bylaws * Goals & Objectives Purpose The National Foster Parent Association is the only national organization which strives to support foster parents, and remains a consistently strong voice on behalf of all children. * To bring together foster parents, agency representatives and community people who wish to work together to improve the foster care system and enhance the lives of all children and families * To promote mutual coordination, cooperation and communication among foster parents, Foster Parent Associations, child care agencies and other child advocates. * To encourage the recruitment and retention of foster parents. * To inform the membership and general public of current issues regarding foster care. Membership in the NFPA is open to anyone interested in improving the foster care system and enhancing the lives of children and families. Mission Statement The NFPA strengthens foster families through nationally focused legislative advocacy, training and education, publications, and networking among foster parents, state and local foster parent associations, and child welfare organizations. The purpose of NFPA is: To bring together foster parents, agency representatives and community people who wish to work together to improve the foster care system and enhance the lives of all children and families. To promote mutual coordination, cooperation and communication among foster parents, Foster Parent Associations, child care agencies and other child advocates. To encourage the recruitment and retention of foster parents. To inform the membership and general public of current issues regarding foster care. The National Foster Parent Association, a nonprofit, volunteer organization, is the only national organization which strives to support foster parents and remains a consistently strong voice on behalf of all children. The Association works to advance the professional role of foster parents and speaks out in order to protect the children they serve. By advocation for improvement in the child welfare system, the NFPA helps to ensure that foster homes remain the best possible alternative for children needing foster care placement. Association programs and activities offer friendship, support and the opportunity to share knowledge and experiences. In addition to the Annual Training conference, held each Spring and attended by over 1,000 foster and adoptive parents, child agency staff and others interested in the well-being of children, the NFPA provides keynote speakers, workshop facilitators, and hosts local conferences. Membership in the NFPA is open to anyone interested in improving the foster care system and enhancing the lives of children and families. NATIONAL FOSTER PARENT ASSOCIATION BYLAWS ARTICLE I -- NAME The name of the corporation shall be National Foster Parent Association, sometimes referred to in these bylaws as the Association. ARTICLE II -- MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1. "FOSTER PARENT" DEFINED. A "foster parent" shall be defined for purposes of these bylaws as a person licensed or recognized by a child-placing agency to care for children in a family home, non-institutional in character. SECTION 2. TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP. 1. REGULAR MEMBERSHIP. Revised May 15, 2003 Regular membership shall be available to all foster parents, child welfare personnel and other individuals concerned with the welfare of children in the foster care system. Regular members shall have the right to vote on all matters brought to the members of the Association, and each shall receive all information and mailings about national activities of the Association. Regular membership is obtained by registering with the NFPA and upon payment of established dues. 2. ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIP. Revised April 7, 2000 1. NFPA AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP. Affiliate membership shall be available to all local, county, regional, state or other types of foster parent associations. The benefits of this membership include auditing meetings and receiving mailings, for local affiliates, one representative vote on the Council of Local Affiliates; for state affiliates, one representative vote on the Council of State Affiliates ? each an advisory council to the NFPA Board of Directors. This membership does not include corporate voting rights or individual membership enrollment for members of affiliate organizations. 2. SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIP Supporting organizational membership shall be available to organizations or agencies wishing to support the purposes and efforts of this Association. The benefits of this membership include auditing meetings and receiving mailings. This membership does not include voting rights or individual membership enrollment for members of the supporting organization or agency. 3. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP. Honorary memberships may be awarded from time to time by the Association. Recipients of honorary memberships shall have full regular membership privileges, including right to vote on all matters brought to the members of the Association, and each shall receive all information and mailings about national activities of the Association. Revised May 9, 1997 SECTION 3. DUES. Revised May 15, 2003 Annual dues for all types of membership will be determined and set by the Board of Directors of the Association and ratified by the members at the annual training conference. SECTION 4. MEMBERSHIP YEAR. All regular, supporting and affiliate memberships shall be for a period of twelve consecutive months commencing with the month of enrollment. ARTICLE III -- OFFICERS AND DUTIES SECTION 1. ENUMERATION AND QUALIFICATIONS. The elected officers of the Association shall be a President, ten (10) Regional Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, and a Secretary. Each officer must be a foster parent at the time of election to office and a paid-up member in good standing of the National Foster Parent Association at the time of nomination and while serving on the NFPA Board of Directors. Presidential nominees must have served on the NFPA Board of Directors. The ten Regional Vice-Presidents must reside, and be nominated by a member residing in their respective regions when nominated and /or while serving as a board member. The respective geographic regions are as follows: Revised May 2, 2002 Region 1 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont; Region 2 New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands; Region 3 District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia; Region 4 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee; Region 5 Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin; Region 6 Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas; Region 7 Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska; Region 8 Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota; Region 9 Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, Wake Island; Region 10 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington SECTION 2. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS. Each outgoing officer must forward all records of the office to the incoming officer within thirty (30) days after the last day in office. 1. PRESIDENT. The president shall be the chief executive officer, whose duties and responsibilities include: 1. Preside at all regular, special or called meetings of the Board, Executive Committee and the general membership. 1. 2. Be responsible for the general management and supervision of the affairs and operation of the association. 3. Have the authority to appoint the chairmen of all-standing committees and ad hoc committees as needed by the Association, except the Nominating Committee. (The president cannot be appointed chairperson of any committee). 4. Be a member ex-officio with a vote on all the committees except the Nominating Committee. 5. With the elected Treasurer, sign all contracts on obligations authorized by the Board of Directors. 6. Cast the deciding vote in the event of any tied issue at the Board of Directors or general membership meetings. 7. Officially and publicly represent the National Association. 8. Perform such other duties as provided by these bylaws or as commonly appertain to the office of president. 9. The Past President shall agree to remain as a non-voting advisory member of the Board of Directors for a period not to exceed two years. Revised May 2, 1985 2. EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT. 1. The executive vice-president is a regional vice-president and shall be elected by the ten regional vice-presidents. The executive vice-president assumes the office of President in the event of vacancy or absence of the NFPA President. 1. 2. The executive vice-president shall have one year of board experience before becoming eligible for election to this office. Revised May 2, 2002 3. REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT. The regional vice-president shall: 1. Chair the respective regional meeting(s). 1. 2. Represent the interests of the foster parents within the respective region. 3. Upon request, assist in the development and growth of local foster parent associations. 4. Perform such other duties as provided by these bylaws or as commonly appertain to the office of Vice President. 4. SECRETARY. Revised May 15, 2003 The secretary shall: 1. Keep all the records of the Board of Directors' meetings and general membership meetings. 1. 2. Submit to the President, members of the Board and those others the President might designate, a copy of minutes taken. 3. Be prepared, on call, to inform the President of the number of members in good standing at Board, Executive Committee and general membership meetings. 4. Perform such other duties as provided by these bylaws or as commonly appertain to the office of Secretary 5. TREASURER. The treasurer shall: 1. Be responsible for collecting and safeguarding all the funds of the Association. 1. 2. Be responsible for all disbursement of national funds as authorized by the Board of Directors. 3. Submit all financial records to the Board of Directors for audit on call. 4. Make regular reports to the general membership at the annual meetings. 5. Be properly bonded at the discretion of the Board of Directors. SECTION 3. NOMINATION AND ELECTION. 1. NOMINATION COMMITTEE. 1. There shall be a Nominating Committee of ten (10) members, one from each of the regions as described in Article III, Section 1. Members of the Nominating Committee and their alternates shall be elected for a two-year term in the same years as the regional Vice Presidents in the respective regions, by the members attending the regional meetings held at the annual training conference. Revised April 10, 1993 2. ELECTION PROCESS. The election of the national officers shall be by a ballot sent to the total regular membership. The election of regional Vice-presidents shall be by a ballot sent to the NFPA members of that specific region. The President and Treasurer of NFPA and regional Vice-presidents from Regions 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 shall be elected in even-numbered years. The Secretary of NFPA and regional Vice-presidents from Regions 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 shall be elected in odd-numbered years. The Secretary or president's designee shall send a ballot for election of officers to each regular member. The candidate for each office receiving the plurality of votes cast shall be elected to that office. Revised May 15, 2003 3. TERM OF OFFICE. The term of office for elected officers of the Association shall be for two years beginning on the last day of the election year conference and ends the last day of the 2nd annual conference thereafter. In no event shall the transition take place after June 1. No officer shall be elected for more than two consecutive terms. Revised May 9, 1997 ARTICLE IV -- BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES AND ADVISORY COUNCILS SECTION 1. The authority of the Association shall be invested in the Board of Directors, which shall be responsible for the management and property of the Association. The Board of Directors shall consist of the following members 1. President, ten (10) Regional Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer; Revised May 2, 2002 1. 2. Chairpersons of the standing committees; 3. Chair, Council of State Affiliates; Revised April 30, 1993 4. Chair, Council of Local Affiliates. SECTION 2. REGIONAL ADVISORS. There shall be ten (10) regional advisors, one designated by each regional Vice-President, to serve the Vice-President and the board in an advisory capacity. The regional advisors shall be from the child welfare profession. SECTION 3. STANDING COMMITTEES. 1. The Board of Directors shall establish such Standing Committees as deemed necessary to further the goals of the Association and carry out the objectives of the board in performing its duties. 1. 2. Establishment of such Standing Committees shall be on a motion, seconded and carried by a majority of the board. 3. The authority of each Standing Committee terminates and the committee dissolves every two years beginning May 31, 1980. (Provisions of Article III, Section 3C will apply. SECTION 4. All members of the Board of Directors must be members of the National Foster Parent Association. The majority of the Board of Directors' members voting on any issue must be foster parents. 1. Membership requirement 1. Any NFPA Board member whose dues are in arrears for 45 days or more will be removed from office on the board. If the position was elected by the membership, the full board will appoint a replacement to fill the remainder of the term. If the position was an appointed one, the president will appoint another person to fill the remainder of the term; and if the position has a vice-chair (Council of Local/State Affiliates), the vice-chair will assume the vacant position for the remainder of the term of office. Revised May 4, 2000 SECTION 5. The Board of Directors shall hold its regular meeting at the annual training conference, or at the call of the President. A written notice of the time and place of all meetings of the board shall be mailed to each member by the Secretary not less than twenty (20) days prior to the date of the meeting. The board shall also meet at the call of any member having the written request of four (4) additional members. Revised May 4, 2002 1. ATTENDANCE. An NFPA Board member may be removed from office for unexcused absence, as defined in the Policy and Procedure Manual. Revised May 4, 2000 1. SECTION 6. The Board of Directors may, without meeting in person, transact business by voting upon proposed resolutions sent to them by the Secretary with the approval of the President. Revised May 15, 2003 SECTION 7. Duties of the Board of Directors shall be: 1. To interpret and enforce the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws of the Association. 2. To promote by attitude and action constructive social action needed to bring about changes and improvements in child welfare systems and legislation pertaining to all children and families. 3. To act as an information center and research body regarding constitutional matters, finance, education and legislative actions and to disseminate such information. 4. To provide a vehicle for communication among foster parents, local foster parent associations, and child welfare agencies. 5. To cooperate with other organizations which have similar objectives in whole or in part to those of this Association. 6. To elect a National Foster Parent Association member to fill any unexpired or vacant office, except the office of President which is provided for in Article III, Section 2- B-2. 7. To formulate such rules and regulations as in the opinion of the Board of Directors are essential to the interests and objective of the Association. SECTION 8. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Executive Committee of the Association shall consist of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Vice-president, and one member-at-large to be selected from the board by the members of the board. Revised May 2, 2002 The executive authority of the Association shall be vested in the executive committee. The executive committee shall be responsible for the management and property of the Association, and will report as directed to the Board of Directors. SECTION 9. QUORUM The Board of Directors shall have a quorum when one-half (1/2) plus one of its members are present. SECTION 10. COUNCIL OF STATE AFFILIATES Revised May 2, 2002 There shall be a Council of State Affiliates who shall serve as an advisory council to the Board of Directors. The council shall consist of one (1) representative from each affiliated state member, said representative to be designated in writing to the Secretary annually. The representative shall be a regular member of the National Foster Parent Association. SECTION 11. COUNCIL OF LOCAL AFFILIATES. Revised April 30, 1993 There shall be a Council of Local Affiliates which shall serve as an advisory council to the Board of Directors. The Council shall consist of one (1) representative from each affiliated local member, said representative to be designated in writing to the Secretary annually. The representative shall be a regular member of the National Foster Parent Association. SECTION 12. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER AT LARGE Revised May 2, 2002 The NFPA Board will elect one board member in good standing of NFPA to serve on the NFPA Executive Committee as Member at Large. The Member at Large must have one year of board experience before becoming eligible to be elected to this office. The election will be held every year. Each individual will serve one year. ARTICLE V -- MEETINGS SECTION 1. The members of the Association shall meet at least once annually at such location and time as the Board of Directors shall determine. SECTION 2. Notice of meetings and the agenda shall be sent to the members by the Secretary at least 30 days prior to the meeting. Revised May 2, 2002 SECTION 3. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order Revised. SECTION 4. Except as otherwise specially provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws, those members of the Association who are present at the call of any meeting of the members and who are entitled pursuant to these bylaws to vote at such meetings, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business thereat. Except as otherwise specially provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these bylaws, a majority of those members present and entitled to vote shall carry the question at any meeting of the members of the Association. Members of the Association shall not be permitted to vote by proxy at any meeting of the members. SECTION 5. MEETINGS Revised May 2, 2002 Members of the Association may, without meeting together, transact business by mail by voting upon proposed resolutions mailed to them by the Secretary with the approval of the President. If within 40 days thereafter a majority of the members vote in favor of such resolution, said resolution shall be deemed carried; otherwise it shall fail. ARTICLE VI -- AMENDMENT SECTION 1. The by-laws of this Association may be added to, or repealed, in whole or in part, by a majority vote of the members present at any regular or special meeting, provided however, that written notice of intention to add to amend or repeal the bylaws in whole or in part has been given each member at least 30 days prior to the scheduled meeting. SECTION 2. Proposed bylaws amendments must be submitted in writing to the president, in accordance with policy, 90 days prior to the annual membership meeting. Revised May 15,2003 ARTICLE VII -- POLICY SECTION 1. The Association shall be self-governing, nonprofit, nonpartisan and nonsectarian, and shall not discriminate against any person on account of sex, race, creed, religion or national origin. SECTION 2. The Association shall solicit and receive funds for the accomplishment and furtherance of these bylaws. SECTION 3. The Association shall not engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are contrary to law or to the primary purposes for which this Association was formed. SECTION 4. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the association shall be January 1 to December 31. January 1999 NFPA Goals and Objectives Training of Foster Parents in Parenting Skills NFPA will promote mandatory parenting skills training for all foster parents in the United States. NFPA will promote training for and implementation of the team approach in foster care. The Establishment of a Model Recruitment Plan NFPA will promote a model recruitment plan for effective recruitment, development and retention of skilled foster family homes. The Legal Rights of Foster Parents NFPA will promote a legal standing for foster parents. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
PopInJay wrote: Purpose, Mission, Bylaws, Goals & Objectives |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Fat fool of Bellville: Stupid is as stupid does | Kenneth McVay OBC | Solutions | 0 | January 25th 05 04:30 PM |