Renaissance Gardens at Riderwood
FAMILY COUNCIL
Bylaws
- Applicability
These Bylaws provide for the governance and operation of the Renaissance Gardens at Riderwood Family Council (hereinafter referred to as “Council”). Renaissance Gardens at Riderwood is an assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility located in Prince George’s County, Maryland on the campus of Riderwood Village, an Erickson Continuing Care Retirement Community. The Council is an organization of family members and other individuals associated with residents of Renaissance Gardens at Riderwood. The right to form and hold a family council independent of the management and staff of a nursing home is provided by the 1987 Federal Nursing Home Reform Act.
- Purpose
The purpose of the Council is to provide a structure for families, as a consumer group, to (a) discuss and take actions related to improving the care, well-being, and happiness of all residents of Renaissance Gardens at Riderwood and (b) provide a forum for families to learn more about Riderwood Village, Renaissance Gardens at Riderwood, the long-term health care system, and concerns of other families.
III. Membership
Council membership shall be restricted to qualified individuals. Qualified individuals include: (a) relatives of a resident; (b) the legal guardian of a resident; and (c) individuals appointed by a resident, or if the individual is incapable of appointing an individual, individuals appointed by a relative of a resident. A qualified individual shall immediately become a member of the Council (hereinafter referred to as “Member”) by submitting a membership application. Membership shall remain in force until terminated by the member.
IV. Officers
There shall be three officers of the Council: (a) Chair and (b) two Vice Chairs. Each officer shall be a Member and serve without compensation.
Officers shall be nominated and elected during the December Council meeting for a term of one year. A vacancy in any office shall be filled by election for the remainder of the term. Newly-elected officers shall take office immediately upon election. An elected officer may be removed from office by the Council.
Unless there is only one candidate for an office the election of officers shall be by ballot vote. If no candidate gets a majority on the first ballot, the candidate getting the least number of votes shall be eliminated. The voting shall continue until one candidate gets a majority.
V. Meetings
Council meetings shall be held in the Rose Court Garden Room at Renaissance Gardens at 7:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month or at such other time or place designated by the Chair. Notice shall be given to each Member by electronic or regular mail at least seven days prior to a Council meeting. The notice shall include an agenda.
Council meetings shall be open to (a) Members and (b) non-members who have been invited by the Chair. The presence of Members associated with ten or more residents shall constitute a quorum. A quorum shall be required to conduct business.
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary procedure at Council meetings. The votes of a simple majority of the Members present and voting in person, subject to the limitation that only one indivisible vote may be cast with respect to each resident, shall decide any question.
VI. Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended by the Council, subject to the requirement that the text of a proposed amendment shall be (a) introduced by a Member at the previous Council meeting and (b) included with the agenda of the Council meeting during which the amendment is to be considered.
Amended December 1, 2004