Policies of Governance (By-Laws)

 

 

1. The Commission shall elect a chair and vice-chair. They shall be elected by a majority of those present* at the first meeting of the year, in each odd-numbered year. Nominations for such positions shall be received at said meeting and the election shall be conducted immediately thereafter. A quorum of a majority of commissioners shall be necessary to conduct said elections. Should a quorum not be present at the first meeting of said year, the election shall be conducted at the next regularly-scheduled meeting at which such quorum is present.
2. A vacancy in the office of chair or vice-chair shall be filled, for the remainder of the unexpired term, by a member of the Commission elected by a majority of the Commission members present at the next regularly-scheduled Commission meeting, in the manner set forth above in No. 1.

II. Duties of Officers

1. The chair shall:

   a. Preside at and conduct all meetings of the Commission.

   b. Work closely with the Executive Director in the exercise of all powers granted to the Commission contained in 42 Pa. C.S.A. Section 5153.

   c. Direct the preparation of requests for appropriations for the Commission and the use of the funds made available to the Commission, in consultation with the Budget and Management Committee and Commission members.

   d. Act as an ex-officio member of all committees.

   e. Have the power to direct activities of the staff and to make necessary decisions to advance the business of the Commission. Such decisions shall be subject to review at the next regularly scheduled meeting or special meeting of the Commission.

2. The vice-chair shall act as assistant to the chair and perform such duties as may be assigned by the chair and shall possess all the powers and perform all the duties of the chair in the absence or disability of the officer to act.

III. Meetings

1. The Commission shall meet quarterly. The schedule of meetings for the year shall be determined at the last meeting of the Commission in the preceding year.
2. Special meetings may also be called by the chair when the same are deemed necessary. Reasonable notice of the agenda, date, time, manner, and place of said special meetings shall be given.
3. Each member present at any meeting og the Commission shall be entitled to one vote. There shall be no voting by proxy at any meetings of the Commission.
4. The conduct of such meetings shall be subject to the provisions of 42 Pa. C.S.A. Section 2152 (d.).

IV. Membership

1. The composition of the Commission shall be established and maintained as provided for in 42 Pa. C.S.A. Section 2152 (a) through (c).
2. Commission members shall participate as a member of at least one committee of the Commission.
3. The chair shall send an annual report to each appointing authority setting forth the record of attendance and committee participation of the Commission member appointed by that authority. This report shall also advise the appointing authority of the expiration of the term of each member appointed by that authority.

V. Legal Counsel

1. The Commission shall employ the services of legal counsel to advise the Commission members and the Executive Director on all matters of a legal nature concerning the Commission's activities.
2. Legal counsel shall be selected by a majority vote of the Commission members. The lenght of service of said counsel shall be at the pleasure of the Commission and in consultation with the Executive Director.

VI. Executive Director

1. The Commission shall employ the services of an Executive Driector and Deputy Executive Director. Their duties shall be as set forth in the job descriptions attached hereto and made apart hereog and shall perform other duties as directed by the chair.
2. The Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director shall be selected by a majority vote of the Commission members. the length of service of the Executive Driector and Deputy Executive Director shall be at the pleasure of the Commission. The Budget and Management Committee shall conduct a performance evaluation of the Executive Driector and Deputy Executive Director annually.

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*For purposes of this policy statement, the term "present" shall mean participation in a meeting by personal attendance, telephonic communication, or video conference.