Article IX -- Meetings

The Council must convene at least four meetings a year in locations determined by the Council to be necessary to conduct Council business. The Council must conduct forums or hearings, as appropriate.

Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson upon written request of any seven members of the Council, or after consulting with the Deputy Director of FSD/RSB.

Notice of all regular and special meetings shall be mailed by the Chairperson not less than twenty-one (21) days before the date of the noted meeting. Notice of special meetings shall be provided at the earliest date possible. The notice shall state the time, date and place of the meeting as well as an agenda of items to be considered at such meeting.

No business of the Council shall take place without a quorum present. A quorum shall be constituted by the presence of a majority of the currently occupied seats on the Council.

All meetings shall be called to order by the Chairperson, or, in his or her absence, by the Vice-Chairperson, who shall then preside. Except when inconsistent with the provisions hereof and controlling legislation, regulations and policies governing FSD/RSB, all meetings shall be governed in accordance with the rules set forth in "Robert's Rules of order, newly revised".

Except when explicitly provided to the contrary herein, all voting shall be by voice vote.

Those eligible to vote shall be the duly appointed members of the Council present. No proxies shall be permitted.

All meetings of the Council shall be open unless matters of a confidential nature relating to staff or clients are discussed, as defined by the Sunshine Law. When matters regarding clients or staff are discussed a written release must first be obtained from the affected individual.