Healing Minds Bylaws

PREAMBLE

“Never doubt that a small group of dedicated citizens can change the world; it’s all that ever has.”

- Margaret Mead

Healing Minds is a non-profit organization committed to helping individuals identify, cope, overcome, and heal mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, bi-polar, mood disorders, post traumatic stress syndrome, and numerous others. Healing Minds is devoted to supporting and financially assisting individuals and families seeking quality mental healthcare for proper diagnosis, counseling and/or psychotherapy, and medically related prescriptions. Our organization will provide a resource center with informational packets, books, supplies, and other reserves to educate anyone interested in understanding more about mental sicknesses. Healing Minds will also eventually serve as an activity outlet by hosting game nights, community events, fundraisers, support groups, and other measures dedicated to help and heal those affected. We believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to live fulfilling lives free of hardships and pain caused by mental illness and obtain the coping skills necessary to make their lives blossom.

Article I: Name

Section 1. This organization shall be called Healing Minds.

Article II: Purpose

Section 1. The recent trend and occurrence in mental illness has overtaken the minds and lives of Americans. Up until the last few decades, science has taken a great interest in understanding the complicated interaction of brain chemicals, causing detrimental mental illnesses for many individuals. The feeling of isolation, abandonment, and an overwhelming existence are all too often sensations experienced by an individual suffering from a mental illness. Healing Minds serves as an organization to lend support, whether emotional, financial, social, etc. to ensure no individual goes through the terrible journey alone. We also provide a variety of resources to educate, assist, and inform people of their options to help their lives progress.

Some form of mental illness affects over 19 million Americans during the course of their lives. Mental illness, often referred to as “cancer of the mind”, has emerged as the new common illness spreading rapidly across the nation. Depression, bi-polar, anxiety, etc. are plaguing the minds of society, yet help to heal--by means of therapy and medications-- remains incredibly costly and difficult to obtain. We need change. People need help and most importantly a place to feel and remain safe, secure, and be provided with coping mechanisms to make the days a little less painful and hopeless. Recognizing the need to aid the millions affected by mental illnesses, we have created a non-profit to begin mending the minds, hearts, and lives of those with mental illness.

Healing Minds will represent all individuals, friends, and family members who desire assistance in conquering mental illness. Through our resource center, skilled professionals, volunteers and financial program, every individual will understand their own personal options for everyday living and the struggle to get well.

Section 2. Healing Minds affirms to the following beliefs and practices:

• We affirm all individuals should have access to affordable, quality health care, including related therapies and prescriptions.
• We believe that every individual should have free access to a crisis center in rough situations and that no one should go through an emergency alone or without professional help.
• We believe that there is strength in numbers and by educating and informing all members of the community people will better understand the severity of mental illness.
• We believe that no one should be denied professional help, such as therapy or prescriptions, due to financial constraints.
• We believe that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
• We believe that all individuals should have free access to educate themselves about their illness and how it affects their lives. They should also be provided with the resources necessary to cope and live in their everyday life.

Article III: Executive Directors

Section 1. Healing Minds will be run by three Executive Directors, all serving specific roles to ensure individuals with mental illness are being helped to the best of their ability. The Executive Directors will appoint all Executive Board members and may add or terminate the membership of an individual at their discretion. The Executive Directors shall be responsible for the administration, conduct and all affairs related to the organization. The Executive Board shall provide guidelines and direction for the organization and the Executive Directors. The Executive Directors shall be required to submit weekly reports and updates for the specific workweek. The report should be sent to all other Executive Directors by Sunday at midnight. The Executive Directors shall meet for a minimum of one hour each week. The Executive Directors shall be the chief executive officers and shall have general supervision of the overall organization.

Section 2. The names and duties of each Executive Director.

1. Executive Director 1: Raechelle Ann Turner, will spearhead all fundraising efforts, be the official spokesperson of Healing Minds, and provide necessary direction of Healing Minds. She will also serve as the political director, publicity co-director, and act as liaison to all other non-profits and organizations. She will also organize volunteers and any grassroots field work as well as coordinate Healing Minds events.
2. Executive Director 2: Ashley Marie Haugen, will perform all accounting practices and keep the financial records and books up to date. She will be responsible for filing quarterly taxes, record and file expense reports, report monthly account information, log all expenses and deposits, payroll, and the financial books. She will also serve as publicity co-director, administrative director, and State of Washington liaison for the DSHS, and crisis centers.

Article IV: Executive Board

Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of executive directors and individuals appointed thereafter. Make-up of the Healing Minds Executive Board will consist of 15 members. In the event of a tie, the current topic shall be tabled for 48-hours. All Executive Board members will be contacted by the Executive Directors and will be requested to vote via e-mail or telephone if necessary within the 48-hour time frame on the current issue. The Executive Board shall approve the annual budget and plan.

Section 2. Duties, responsibilities and obligations of the Executive Board include:

1. The Executive Board will consist of 15 positions, comprised of community members, skilled professionals, politicians, and dedicated interested individuals.
2. Executive Board members will be appointed sporadically for the first two years of development until all positions are full. Thereafter, the executive directors will convene in December of the selected year and fill vacancies as needed.
3. Executive Board members must volunteer a minimum of 20 hours a year, and attend at least 50% of the quarterly executive board meetings.
4. Executive Board members will be appointed by one of the executive directors and affirmed by the other two.
5. Executive Board members will serve one-year terms, with evaluation by each executive director at the end of their term. Upon agreement, the executive board members will then either serve another year or resign from Healing Minds.
6. Executive Board members will be required to serve on one Healing Minds committee.
7. The Executive Board will meet once a month at an agreed upon time and place with two weeks written notice given by one of the Executive Directors. Additional meetings can be called at any Executive Board member or Executive Director’s request at any time. A quorum shall consist of 40% of the Executive Board members.
8. The Executive Board will assist with the execution of the fundraising plan.
9. Vacancies at any Executive Board office shall be appointed and agreed upon by the Executive Directors.

Article V: Fiscal Year

Section 1. Healing Minds’ fiscal year shall be from January 1st to December 31st.

Article VI: Books and Records

Section 1. Healing Minds shall keep accurate and complete financial books and records of all account activity, government documents and minutes of Executive Board, Executive Directors and membership meetings. Until further agreed upon by the current Executive Director and Executive Adminstrator, Raechelle Turner and Ashley Haugen will be taking care of all financial records, including opening and closing of checking/saving accounts, purchases, deposits, reimbursements, payments, and any and all other transactions. Please also see Resolution of Authority.

Article VII: Parliamentary Authority

Section 1. The organization shall be conducted according to the most current publication of Roberts Rules of Order.