For the Family Development and Self-Sufficiency Council within the
Iowa Department of Human Services.

The name of the organization is the Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) Council serving under the Iowa Department of Human Services and the Family Development and Self-Sufficiency Grant Program administered, under contractual agreement by the Iowa Department of Human Rights.

The Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) Council was established within the Department of Human Services pursuant to Iowa Code Section 217.11. The Council's powers and duties are policy-making and advisory with respect to the Family Development and Self-Sufficiency grants administered, under legislative mandate and contractual agreement, by the Department of Human Rights. Council responsibilities are further delineated in subrule 165.2(3) of the Iowa Administrative Code.

The FaDSS Council membership is established by Iowa Code Section 217.11 as follows:

a. The Director of the Iowa Department of Human Services or the Director's designee.

b. The Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health or the Director's designee.

c. The Administrator of the Division of Community Action Agencies of the Department of Human Rights or the Administrator's designee.

d. The Administrator of the Division of Adult, Children, and Family Services of the Department of Human Services or the Administrator's designee.

e. The Dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at Iowa State University or the Dean's designee.

f. The Director of the Department of Education or the Director's designee.

g. The Director of the Public Policy Center (School of Social Work) at the University of Iowa or the Director's designee.

h. The Head of the Department of Design, Family, and Consumer Sciences at the University of Northern Iowa or that person's designee.

i. Two recipients, or former recipients of the Family Investment Program (FIP), selected by the other members of the FaDSS Council.

j. The Director of the Department of Workforce Development or the Director's designee.

k. Two persons representing the business community, selected by the other members of the FaDSS Council.

Each Council member will be asked to provide the Council with the name of an alternate who will attend the meeting when it is not possible for the Council member to attend the scheduled meeting. The alternates will be provided with Council agenda and relevant information. If the alternate is unable to attend the Council member can name a proxy to attend the meeting. The proxy name needs to be submitted to the chair prior to the meeting in writing.

1. Membership Terms
The four Council members representing business and recipients or former recipients of the Family Investment Program (FIP) selected by the other members of the FaDSS Council shall serve three-year terms. Members whose terms expire may be reappointed. Vacancies on the Council shall be filled for a period of three years.

2. Membership Attendance Requirements
Any member of this Council shall be deemed to have submitted a resignation from such membership if the following event occurs:

A. The person, or his/her designated alternate does not attend three or more consecutive regular meetings of the Council.

OR

B. The person, or his/her designated alternate attends less than one-half of the regular meetings of the Council within any period of twelve calendar months beginning on July 1. This paragraph does not apply unless the Council holds at least four regular meetings during such period. This paragraph applies only to such a period beginning on or after the date when the person becomes a member of the Council.

If the member receives no notice and had no knowledge of a regular meeting and gives the Council Chairperson a sworn statement to that effect within ten days after the person learns of the meeting, such meeting shall not be counted for the purpose of this section.

The Council Chairperson may accept or reject such resignation. If the Council Chairperson accepts it, the Council Chairperson shall notify such person in writing that the resignation is accepted pursuant to this section. The Council shall then make another appointment to such office. Such appointment shall be made in the same manner and for the same term as in the case of other vacancies caused by resignation from such office.

In the event that Council members, serving as various department director's/ administrator's designees are not meeting attendance requirements, the Council Chairperson will send a letter to the member and a copy of a letter addressed to the appropriate agency director, asking that a new designee be appointed who would be willing to serve on the FaDSS Council.

A. Selection and Terms of Officers

The officers of the Council are: Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. Council members are elected to these positions by the voting members of the Council.

1. All officers shall be elected for a two-year term.

2. Voting for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, shall be by ballot
during the first Council meeting following July 1 of even numbered years.

3. Nominations may be made from the floor at the time of the election provided the consent of the nominee has been obtained.

4. Officers shall assume office at the first meeting following the election.

5. A vacancy in any elective office shall be filled by Council action.

B. Chairperson

1. The Chairperson shall represent the Council and has the authority to speak on its behalf at public hearings, budget hearings, and sign documents as approved by the Council.

2. The Chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Council and any
other Council sponsored events.

3. The Chairperson shall appoint chairs and members of all committees and resource groups. Each committee or group must have at least two Council persons as members.

4. The Chairperson shall call meetings of the Council at least four times yearly and may call meetings of the Council, or any committee at any time deemed necessary and shall see that the full Council membership is notified of all meetings including the time, place, and proposed agenda. Council meetings are considered public and require timely notice to the communications media as defined in Iowa Code Section 21.4.

5. The Chairperson shall provide leadership to the Council and oversee the orientation of new Council members.

C. Vice-Chairperson

1. The Vice-Chairperson shall, in the absence of the Chairperson, perform the duties of the Chairperson

2. The Vice-Chairperson shall perform other duties as assigned to by the Chairperson or the Council.

The Council shall meet at least four times per year. The Council will establish the schedule of meetings for the up-coming year at the Council meeting held in June of each year. This schedule may be changed as necessitated. In the event of a lack of quorum, the meeting may be postponed or cancelled. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or upon the written request of a majority of Council members. Council meetings are considered public and require timely notice to the media as defined in Iowa Code section 21.4.

A. Telephonic/Electronic Meetings
The Council may conduct business via telephonic/electronic conference in unusual circumstances, when time is of the essence, as long as all requirements for public meeting and participation are met. Action may be taken by the Council in telephonic/electronic conferences by a majority of the members and such action shall be noted in a special memorandum and shall be reported in the minutes of the next meeting.

B. Vote Polling
The Council may conduct business via "vote polling" in unusual circumstances, when time is of the essence, as long as all requirements for public meetings and participation are met. Action may be taken by the Council via vote polling of a majority of the members and such action shall be noted in a special memorandum and shall be reported in the minutes of the next meeting.

C. Meeting Notice
An agenda will be sent to each Council Member and other interested parties at least seven days prior to the meeting. The agenda will also be made available to the media as defined in Iowa Code section 21.4.

D. Open Meetings
All meetings shall be open to the general public, in compliance with the open meetings law. Closed sessions will only be held as necessitated and in compliance with procedures provided by law.

E. Conflict of Interest
In the event of a potential conflict of interest the Council member shall abstain from voting.

F. Member Absence
If a Council Member or designated alternate is unable, for good reason, to attend a meeting, he/she will notify the chairperson or designee.

G. Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the meeting are kept on file in the Office of the Administrator of the Division of Economic Assistance in the Department of Human Services, Hoover State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0114.

The Council will use Robert's Rules of Order as its standard reference guide. In all instances when they are applicable and not inconsistent with these by-laws and any other special rules the Council shall adopt, the rules contained in the current edition of New Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this Council.

A quorum shall consist of two-thirds of the active membership or eligible voters. When a quorum is present in person or by telephonic/electronic means, a position is carried by a majority of the members eligible to vote.

The order of business at regular Council meetings shall be as follows:

1. Call to Order
2. Introductions and Grantee Updates
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes
5. Family Development Alliance Report
6. Committee Reports & Recommendations
7. Staff Reports
8. New Business
9. Old Business
10. Other Updates
11. Adjournment

These by-laws may be amended or changed by a vote of 2/3 of the Council members. There shall be a seven-day notice of any proposed change provided to Council members prior to the vote.