Bylaws for Accessibility & Rehab Patient Family Advisory Council
The Accessibility & Rehab Patient Family Advisory Council will work in partnership with Children’s Mercy staff members to advocate on behalf of patients and families for the best quality of care. The council will collaboratively work to improve the accessibility for patients and families hospital-wide and to advocate for improvements to the Rehabilitation Medicine clinics.
Application process
In order to achieve a diverse representation and work towards our mission the Council has created an application process for potential members. The Patient Family Advisory Council Chair will interview all new applications and email PFAC members their recommendation prior to the next meeting. When necessary the Chair will seek additional input from PFAC members and staff about potential candidate’s acceptance to the PFAC. New member bios will be shared with the PFAC members via email prior to inviting candidate to the first meeting.
Size
The council will strive for membership of no less than 10 and no more than 21 patient/family members at any given time. We will strive to have proportionate representation from each clinic listed in the “Terms” section. Children’s Mercy staff are non-voting members.
Terms
Commit to serve on the Accessibility & Rehab Patient Family Advisory Council for a minimum of 2 years. Terms begin at approval of application. Members will consist of patients or their family members who have ever received services at Children’s Mercy Spinal Differences clinic, Muscle Nerve clinic or the General Rehab clinic.
Attendance
Consistent and active attendance is vital to the purpose of the Council. Each member is strongly encouraged to attend and participate in all PFAC meetings and conference calls. Council members are required to attend 50% of the meetings within a 12 month period either in-person or Teams video conference. It will be assumed all members will be in attendance. If a member cannot attend, out of courtesy for the group he/she will notify the staff facilitator as soon as possible via email.
Meetings are subject to be canceled or rescheduled if a majority of members are unavailable. A minimum of 50% either in person or electronically (or a combination) is required to vote on issues. All decisions that require a vote need a simple majority to pass.
Officer Elections
Council members can nominate themselves or other members for leadership roles. Elections will be held every June as terms will be limited to a year with a one-time renewal option.
Chair
Organize and lead meetings, including defining agenda and action items. The Chair will be the PFAC representative at official meetings when needed.
Secretary
Support the Chair in his/her duties including serving as acting Chair during the Chair’s absence, record minutes, track the member volunteer hours associated with this PFAC and submit them to staff facilitator.
Member Expectations
The council will serve as an action oriented group, with expectations of time investment outside of the meetings. However, it is important to note that this council will not meet the needs and capacity of a Support group.
Members will:
- Serve as an advisory resource to administration and staff.
- Advocate for education, and clinical programs to improve the quality and accessibility of care.
- Assist in the development and review of educational materials.
- Respectfully listen and tactfully discuss ideas, issues and concerns.
- Respect the privacy and confidentiality of council members, their families and all staff.
- Actively participate with expectations of time investment outside of the meetings.
Any articles of these bylaws may be added, deleted, or amended by majority of the vote of at least 2/3 of the council.