North Texas Laryngectomy Society Charter

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Mission Statement: The mission of the North Texas Laryngectomy Society is to support individual members and their families, who have undergone a laryngectomy or survived an alternate form of head & neck cancer by providing support for their survivorship needs through rehabilitation, education, financial assistance and community outreach.

The North Texas Laryngectomy Society By-Laws


​As ratified January 6, 2012
Revised January 5, 2018
Revised, September 7th, 2019
 
 
Article I - Name 
 
The name of this organization shall be the North Texas Laryngectomy Society and is also referred to as the NTLS.
 
Article II - Purpose 
 
The purpose of this organization shall be as follows:
  1. To stimulate, support and improve the relations among persons who have been diagnosed with head & neck cancer.
  2. To encourage and maintain an exchange of ideas and methods for the learning and teaching of rehabilitative methods for functional deficits associated with head & neck cancer.
  3. To publish and disseminate helpful information for the better rehabilitation of those who have functional deficits associated with head & neck cancer implications.
 
Article III - Relationship with Other Organizations 
 
The NTLS, an independent association, is pledged to cooperate with organizations such as the Texas Laryngectomy Association, the International Association of Laryngectomees, The American Cancer Society, its Divisions and Units, and all other medical organizations as appropriate.
 
Article IV - Membership 
 
Section A - Eligibility 
 
Members shall consist of cancer patients of Texas Healthcare, PLLC; Otolaryngology & Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, the Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas as well as referred participants. Membership will not be denied to interested head & neck cancer patients, provided such individuals submit a membership form designated by the NTLS. A membership fee of $10 shall be collected annually, although no person shall be denied membership for an inability to pay.
  1. NTLS members as well as spouses shall comprise the voting body of the NTLS.
  2. H&N cancer patients, significant others, speech professionals and health care professionals who reside in remote areas that do not support a distinct Head & Neck Support Foundation, may join the NTLS as Members-at-Large and will be assessed annual dues at the standard rate.  
 
Section B - Dues 



  1. Annual dues for the calendar year beginning January 1 for Individual Members and are $10/year. No patient of Texas Healthcare, PLLC or Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas shall be denied membership for inability to pay dues. 
  2. Dues for Members-at-Large, who are not patients of Texas Health Care, PLLC or Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas but live in areas not supported by an alternate Head & Neck Cancer Foundation are subject to the $10 annual membership fee.
  3. Annual dues are due and payable before the February Meeting each year and should be received by the Second Officer of NTLS by completion of the second monthly meeting each year. On or about February 1, the Second Officer will notify members of their status and make an effort to collect in an effort to support club activities.
 
Section C - Charter Standards 
 
At the beginning of each calendar year, Charter Standards will be sent to each member and, in order to become a qualified member, in addition to the payment of annual dues and submission of current membership information form, the members must acknowledge and accept the Charter Standards in writing. The Charter Standards shall be as follows:



  1. Members shall observe and comply with the provisions of the Bylaws of the NTLS and with such resolutions as may be made from time to time by the Society’s Officers.
  2. Each member shall be respectful of other members/families during NTLS functions.
  3. Each member shall cooperate with rehabilitative efforts designed to optimize the functional outcomes of every patient, even if not an individual need for that member.
  4. Each member, whenever possible, shall assist with transportation for patients to NTLS activities as possible. 
  5. Each member shall strive for participation in one of the following member committees:
        a. NTLS Fundraising Committee
        b. NTLS Social Committee
        c. NTLS Outreach Committee


Section D - Meetings of Members 



  1. The Annual Meeting of the members of the NTLS shall be held in September of each year, at the standard NTLS meeting date/time.
  2. The President shall give to each member organization not less than forty-five days written notice of each stated meeting of the membership. The notice shall state the time and place of the meeting and, in general terms, the purpose of the meeting.
  3. Copies of proposed changes in Bylaws, slates for the election of Officers, and proposed changes in Charter Standards will be mailed to members no less than 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting. 
  4. There shall be no voting by proxy.
 
Article V-Officers and Advisory Board


Section A – Officers, Advisory Board and Duties 


The Officers of the NTLS shall be President, Treasurer, First Officer and Second Officer. The President shall be a head & neck cancer survivor, the First Officer will be a Speech Language Pathologist and the Treasurer & Second Officer may be a head & neck cancer survivor or immediate family member.


1.    President: The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association and shall:
a.    Preside at all regular meetings of the NTLS.
b.    Preside over all meetings of the Officers.
c.    Call emergency or special meetings of the Officers or any Committee as necessary.
d.    Serve as ex-officio member of all committees of the NTLS, for the year in office plus the following year.
e.    Serve as Vice Chairman of the Annual Meeting Committee.
f.     Accept resignations of any Officers, Chairmen and Members of Committees, and notify the Officers of all vacancies.
g.    Serve as official spokesman for the NTLS as needed.
h.    Serve as the primary contact between NTLS and SLP staff.
i.     Contact NTLS members via telephone to notify of upcoming meetings/events.
j.     Send reminder emails to NTLS members regarding meetings and upcoming events.
k.    Communicate with SLP staff regarding interests/concerns of the NTLS membership.
l.     Assist SLP staff and NTLS officers in event coordination, as needed.
m.   Organize fundraising efforts, in collaboration with the Second Officer, as needed.
n.    Make initial welcome call to all new NTLS members.
o.    Coordinate with the Second Officer regarding NTLS activities.



2.    Treasurer: The Treasurer Shall:

a.   Keep, or cause to be kept, a book or books setting forth a true record of the receipts, expenditures, assets, liabilities, losses and gains of the NTLS.
b.  Render a statement of the financial condition of the NTLS at the annual meeting in September.
c.  Collect and acknowledge in writing all contributions, donations, etc. to the Association.
d.  Coordinate records and tax filings with Accounting Firm
e.  Ensure Appropriate Tax Filings
f.   Budget for the upcoming fiscal year
g.  This budget shall be a line item budget,
h.  This budget shall be presented to the entire Membership at the annual meeting in May for discussion and approval.

                                                                                                                           

3.    First Officer: the First Officer shall:
a.    Perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President.
b.    Oversee the financial affairs of the NTLS.
c.    Serve as Chairman of the Annual Meeting Committee.
d.    Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
e.    Oversee and determine all NTLS meeting content, rehabilitative goals and information dissemination.
f.     Provide the President, Treasurer and Second Officer any/all necessary information to complete their determined responsibilities.
g.    Give all required notices of all Meetings/NTLS activities.
h.    Publish and maintain the official membership roll of the NTLS.
i.     Have custody of all monies, valuable papers and documents of the NTLS.
j.     Expend the funds of the NTLS as directed by the membership, taking proper vouchers for such expenditures.



4.     Second Officer: The Second Officer Shall:

a.   Maintain official minutes of all NTLS general meeting and board meetings, including advisory counsel meetings.
b.   Coordinate hospital visits for NTLS
c.   Coordinate support-based phone calls for NTLS members and families.
d.   Coordinate social events for NTLS
e.   Coordinate fund-raising events for NTLS in collaboration with the First Officer.
f.   Coordinate car pooling as needed for NTLS events.
g.  Coordinates with NTLS Officers and Committee heads, as needed, for upcoming NTLS events.


The Advisory Board

The Advisory Board shall consist of Professionals with a direct interest or knowledge base that contributes significantly to the interests of either Head & Neck Cancer Survivorship or NTLS business management. There shall be at least 4 and not more than 10 advisory board members. All Advisory Board membership shall be voluntary, uncompensated positions. The officers will vote on approval for all advisory board appointments. The role of every advisory board member shall be the same and share equal weight in the board decisions.

The advisory board shall meet once per year. This meeting will be arranged and held within 60 days of the January Annual Membership Meeting and will be scheduled according to the availability of the Board Membership. At least one NTLS officer must also be present for Advisory Board meeting with the responsibility of representing and reporting to the officers not in attendance.

NTLS officers may request additional Advisory Board audiences for specific and stated purposes. The audiences may be held via telephone, email address or other alternate means to interpersonal meeting. At least 50% of the Advisory Board must be present/available for these additional audiences.
 
Once installed, an Advisory Board Member shall remain on the Advisory Board without need for reappointment. An appointment may be resigned at any time by the Board Member with 60 days written notice to NTLS officers. NTLS officers have the right to withdraw an Advisory Board Appointment for cause and following a majority vote by the officers. Any Board Appointment withdrawal made by NTLS officers will be immediate following written, dated notification.




Advisory Board Member Shall:

1.     Provide insight and guidance to the NTLS officers in accordance with their individual professional training and expertise.
2.     An Advisory Board Member is prohibited from acting in a manner that allows for personal profitability or gain through influence, either direct or implied, of NTLS.


Section B - Election of Officers 

1. Election Procedure
The Officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting, from a slate of nominees previously determined, which shall have been mailed to the individual members at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting. Additional nominations of eligible members shall be permitted from the floor at the meeting, before the election.

2. Term of Office

1. The Officers shall assume office the day they are installed and shall hold office for one year.
2. In the event that an officer is unable to fulfill their term of duty, an interim appointee will be designated by the First Officer.
3. Any Officer may choose to run for 2 additional one-year terms. NTLS membership can approve re-election of an officer exceeding the term limits if no opposition, alternate and viable candidates exist.


Section C - Removal from Office 

Any Officer may be removed from office by an appropriate resolution approved by a two-thirds vote of all members.
 
Article VI- Financial Assistance Grants
 
The NTLS will make financial assistance available to all head & neck cancer survivors regardless of race, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation or national origin, who are uninsured, underinsured or have experienced a catastrophic event and lack adequate resources to pay for medically necessary supplies or services, provided they are a member of NTLS with a completed financial assistance application that has been approved for assistance by the officers as having met the requirements for financial assistance as set forth in Attachment A. 
 
Financial Assistance Grants may be used to directly purchase or pay for supplies and services. They may ONLY be paid directly to the beneficiary with receipt submission for reimbursement.
 
Financial Assistance Grants are subject to a sliding fee scale co-payment. The co-payment will be the responsibility of the grant beneficiary.
 
Supplies owned by the NTLS may be dispensed, as needed, to head & neck cancer survivors without requiring approval for financial assistance on a one-time basis. On-going supply provisions will require an approved financial assistance application.
 
 
Article VII - Association Honors 

 
A person who has rendered outstanding service to the NTLS may, on the nomination of any Officer, be elected to receive the Founder’s Award for Outstanding Service to NTLS at any stated Annual Meeting.
 
Article VIII - Parliamentary Authority 
 
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the NTLS in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Association may adopt.
                                                                                                  
Article IX – Amendments
 
Amendments to these Bylaws may be made at any Annual Meeting with a two-thirds majority of present member voters.
 
Article X – Dissolution
 
In the event of dissolution of the NTLS, all funds and assets shall be distributed by grants to qualified non-profit organizations to the extent they have participated in and supported NTLS programs and objectives.