shac manual - North Carolina Healthy Schools

BY-LAWSBy-Laws for a SHAC serve a number of useful purposes. Overallthey clarify purpose, structure and operational procedures, therebyreducing confusion among members. For this reason it is importantto develop and adopt a set of by-laws during the early formation ofthe SHAC. The by-laws provide guidelines for carrying out thebusiness of the SHAC in order to accomplish its purpose. Thefollowing are suggested as guidelines for developing your SHAC’sby-laws:I. NAME AND PURPOSE OF THE SHACThe name is most likely to be straightforward, simplyincorporating the school system’s name (i.e., Ashe CountySchool Health Advisory Council).The purpose statement should reflect the advisory nature ofthe SHAC and the definition of school health. This definitionwill determine the boundaries or scope within which theSHAC will function.The State Board of Education Policy, passed in January of 2003,stated that schools should “establish and maintainlocal School Health Advisory Councils to represent the eightcomponents of a coordinated school health program.”2. MEMBERSHIPThis section should include a description of the SHACcomposition in terms of number of members, communitysectors to be represented, terms of appointment, voting rights,termination, resignation, selection method, attendance, andcriteria for eligibility. Also included are any ex-officio categories.Indicate the availability of a current membership roster from aspecified contact person within the school system.3. MEETINGSThe by-laws may specify frequency, date (i.e., third Wednesdayeach month, 7-9 pm), agenda setting procedures, notification ofmeetings, distribution of agenda and minutes, and location.Robert’s Rules of Order or some equivalent may be used togovern the conduct of each meeting.2-16