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Policy Council

Policy Council is a formal governing body made up of parents, past parents, and community representatives.  Through monthly meetings, Policy Council empowers its members to have a direct voice in program policy.  The Council gives Head Start parents the opportunity to make decisions that affect their children’s growth and development.

2007

Executive Committee

Androscoggin Head Start’s 2007 Policy Council Executive Committee:  (Back, left to right) Trinette Ward, Chairperson and Lynn Bulmer, Treasurer; (Front, left to right) Candice Northrup, Secretary and Christine O’Donnell, Vice Chair.

Center Representatives

Position Duties

Representative and Alternate

There shall be one Parent Representative and one Alternated for each Family Service Advocate and Home Visitor.  Representatives shall be elected/selected prior to the October meeting of Policy Council by their parent group.  Alternates may vote only if their Representative is not in attendance.  It is the Representative's responsibility to notify alt6ernate of their absence.  The term of office for all Policy Council Representatives shall run from the first Policy Council meeting in October through the evening before the October meeting of the next year.  No person shall serve on Policy Council more than three (3) years in a voting capacity.  The three years do not have to be consecutive.

Executive Committee

Each year members of Policy Council elect a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.  The following are the roles and responsibilities of these positions:

Chairperson

• Conduct the meeting.  Keep the meeting moving.  Keep speakers on the subject.

• Appoint and disband committees.

• Sign all legal documents.

• Vote only in the event of a tie.

• Transition the group from mealtime to the meeting by asking invited guests to leave for Closed Session portion of the agenda and return for Open Session.

• Serve on the Board of Directors, which meets every other month.

• Call special Policy Council meetings, if needed.

Vice-Chairperson

• In absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chair will perform the duties above.

• Take attendance of those present at the meeting.

• Send warning of termination in writing if two (2) unexcused Policy Council meetings have been missed.  Send termination notices after three (3) unexcused meetings have been missed.

• Lead Closed Session for Personnel issues.

Secretary

• Work with the agency stenographer on keeping accurate minutes of all meetings.

• Prepare all correspondence and articles (newsletters, updates) for Policy Council meetings.

• Maintain all records and sign all minutes.

Treasurer

• Keep records of all transactions regarding Policy Council accounts.

• Disburse funds as directed by Policy Council (two signatures are required).

• Report at each meeting regarding the status of the Policy Council accounts.

• Report at each meeting regarding the state of Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care's monthly financial reports.

All officers shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the Policy Council.  Elections shall be held at the November meeting.  Officers shall assume their office upon adjournment of the November meeting.