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| SPAN Ohio Bylaws | | Print | |
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Article 1: Name
The name of the coalition shall be Single-Payer Action Network Ohio (SPAN Ohio), hereafter referred to as SPAN Ohio.
Article 2: Purpose
SPAN Ohio is a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations in Ohio that seeks fundamental health care reform in our state and country so that every resident is guaranteed full and comprehensive coverage for illness or injury, including work-related illness or injury. Under the plan we advocate, all medically necessary services are covered, including primary care and prevention, inpatient care, outpatient care, emergency care, prescriptions, durable medical equipment, long term care, mental health services, the full scope of dental services (other than cosmetic dentistry), substance abuse treatment services, chiropractic services, and basic vision care and vision correction (other than laser vision correction for cosmetic purposes). We advocate the establishment of a public fund that would pay all health care bills without co-payments or deductibles. The plan we call for is sometimes referred to as a single-payer health care system.
Article 3: Structure
a. State Council: The State Council shall meet at least quarterly and shall guide the work of the coalition. The State Council shall be composed of the following: (1) one representative elected from each recognized SPAN Ohio chapter, (2) the SPAN Ohio Executive Committee; (3) the seven regional coordinators; (4) representatives from each of the following constituencies: labor, health care community, community organizations, faith groups, business community, and other organizations and individuals not fitting into the preceding five constituencies. An equal number of seats shall be set aside for each constituency and in the event a constituency does not fill its allotted number, seats shall remain open for that constituency until that number is filled by vote of State Council members who represent that constituency. Members of the State Council elected to serve on the Council in more than one capacity (for example, as regional coordinator and constituency representative) shall have only one vote. Members of the State Council shall be elected for a one-year term at the annual meeting of single-payer supporters referred to in Article 5, at which time the seven regions shall caucus for the purpose of electing regional coordinators, after which the constituencies shall caucus for the purpose of electing their representatives, with no more than one representative coming from any one organization. The State Council shall be empowered to establish additional constituencies, if necessary, preserving parity among all constituencies. Members of the State Council may be represented by alternates of their choosing at State Council meetings and such alternates shall be accorded full voice and vote. State Council meetings shall be open to all supporters of SPAN.
b. Quorum: A quorum of 34% of State Council members shall be required to conduct business, and decisions shall be by simple majority of those present and voting.
c. Executive Committee: At its first meeting following the annual General Meeting referred to in Article 5, the State Council shall elect an Executive Committee whose function shall be primarily administrative, with major decisions to be made by the State Council. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the SPAN Ohio secretary, the SPAN Ohio treasurer, and five Executive Committee members elected at-large. The five members elected at-large shall, by virtue of their election, be members of the SPAN Ohio State Council. The State Council shall fill the vacancy at the meeting when it is created or at the first State Council meeting after the vacancy occurs.
d. Secretary: The Secretary shall be elected by the State Council at its first meeting following the annual General Meeting referred to in Article 5. The Secretary shall keep records, conduct correspondence, and keep the State Council informed of SPAN Ohio activities and developments.
e. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be elected by the State Council at its first meeting following the annual General Meeting referred to in Article 5. The Treasurer shall receive all contributions, pay all expenses, maintain records of all financial activity, and give financial reports to State Council meetings. Payment of ordinary administrative expenses shall not require prior approval by the State Council, but payment shall not be issued to anyone absent written documentation supporting the expenditure, such as an invoice or paid receipt bearing the date of the purchase, a description of the item or service purchased, and the reason for the purchase.
f. Finance Committee: A Finance Committee of three shall be elected by the State Council from among its members, excluding Executive Committee members, at its first meeting following the annual General Meeting referred to in Article 5. The Finance Committee members shall audit the Treasurer's books and records at year's end and report their findings to the State Council at its first meeting of the year. However, nothing shall preclude the Finance Committee from conducting more frequent audits should it deem it prudent to do so.
g. Special Committees: The State Council may establish special committees as needed.
Article 4: Chapters
a. Formation of Chapters: It shall be the objective of SPAN OHIO to constitute chapters wherever possible in regions throughout Ohio. A chapter shall consist of a minimum of 20 people who endorse the objective of achieving single-payer health care in Ohio. Each chapter shall have its own bylaws, which must be consistent with the bylaws of SPAN Ohio. Upon application, the State Council shall vote on recognizing all new chapters. Each recognized chapter shall, on an annual basis, elect one person to represent it on the State Council.
b. Dissolution of Chapters: Upon motion of a regional coordinator or any member of the Executive Committee, the State Council may at an in-person meeting of the Council vote to rescind the recognition of any chapter, providing that the regional coordinator or Executive Committee member is able to show that the said chapter is: • no longer viable; or • no longer implementing its bylaws; or • no longer implementing the bylaws or policies of SPAN Ohio; or • recommended for dissolution by one or more of the chapter's officers for reasons they submit.
Before the State Council votes on such motion, the officers and representative of the said chapter shall be given at least two weeks notice that such a motion will be acted upon and given the opportunity to speak before the motion is put to a vote. If the State Council votes to rescind recognition of any chapter, that chapter shall no longer have a representative on the State Council.
c. Suspension of Chapters: Where circumstances arise when, in the judgment of the Executive Committee, it is essential for SPAN Ohio to act expeditiously in advance of a State Council meeting, the Executive Committee is authorized to suspend a SPAN Ohio chapter. Such action is reviewable by the State Council which may vote to ratify or reverse it, with officers and representative of the said chapter given at least two weeks notice in advance of the vote and having the opportunity to speak before the vote is taken.
Article 5: General Meetings
SPAN Ohio shall convene an annual meeting in Columbus in the month of April open to all Ohio supporters of a single-payer health care system, and in addition the State Council shall be authorized to call special general meetings when in its judgment they are warranted. The purpose of General Meetings shall be to provide Ohio single-payer supporters with an update on SPAN Ohio's activities, programs, and campaigns, and to encourage their input, suggestions and evaluations with respect to SPAN Ohio's work. The annual General Meeting shall also serve as the occasion for convening caucuses of the seven regions for the purpose of electing regional coordinators, and caucuses of the respective constituencies for the purpose of electing members from each constituency to the State Council, as described in Article 3(a). An agenda will be made available two weeks in advance of the General Meeting. A member of the Executive Committee shall chair the General Meeting.
Any issue felt to be of significant enough import by at least two (2) chapters shall be placed on the agenda and put to a vote at the next General Meeting. All individual supporters of SPAN Ohio at the state and chapter level who attend the General Meeting shall have the opportunity to vote on the form and content of the legislative bill or initiative petition proposing a single-payer health care system in the State of Ohio. In the event of a vote, one vote shall be cast by each person present at the General Meeting.
Article 6: Vacancies Among Regional Coordinators
In the event a Regional Coordinator during the course of her or his term is unable or unwilling to serve further, the SPAN Ohio Executive Committee shall designate a temporary replacement who shall serve as coordinator of the respective region until the next succeeding State Council meeting, at which time those present from that region shall caucus and elect their Regional Coordinator. Notice of such impending election shall be included in the proposed agenda sent to State Council members at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which the election is to be held.
Article 7: Amendments to the Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the State Council. Notice of proposed changes to the bylaws must be mailed to State Council members at least two weeks in advance of the State Council meeting at which the amendments are to be voted upon.
Bylaws as adopted 6/21/03 and amended 8/16/03, 10/11/03, 12/4/04, 7/9/05, 6/2/07 and 12/15/07.
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"Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane."
–Martin Luther King, Jr.
Single-Payer Action Network Ohio
3227 West 25th Street
Cleveland, OH 44109 (216) 736.4766