Personnel Council By Laws

I. NAME

This organization shall be known as the New York State Personnel Council. The Council was created by Executive Order issued in 1954.

II. PURPOSES

To provide a duly authorized organization for improving human resources policies, practices and procedures, including merit system administration and the management of personnel; promoting a set of professional ethics and standards of conduct among all human resources professionals; provide a forum for agencies to share information and present common concerns to oversight agencies, and advising elected and appointed state officials on matters of public personnel policy in New York State.

III. MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Council is open to each of the Constitutional departments and those divisions, agencies, public authorities, Public Benefit Corporations and instrumentalities of the State. Each eligible member shall designate one representative who has substantial responsibility for agency human resource management to represent the views of the agency. This representative shall serve as the primary agency contact for all Council matters. An agency may also designate an alternate to act in the absence of the designated representative.

Although each member has only one representative for voting purposes, participation in Council activities by all persons with substantial involvement in human resources is encouraged.

IV. ORGANIZATION

A. Officers:

The officers of the Council shall be those of Chair, Chair-Elect, and Past Chair. On July 1, the Chair-Elect shall automatically succeed the Chair upon expiration of the one-year term of the Chair. Election to the office of Chair-Elect shall be made from among those who have served on the Executive Committee and by the primary representatives described in paragraph one of Part III of these by-laws. The Chair shall be responsible for directing and coordinating Council activities. In the absence of the Chair, the Chair-Elect shall perform these duties. The Past Chair shall be responsible for the transition of responsibilities to the incoming Chair and serves as a consultant to the Chair.

B. Executive Committee:

The Executive Committee shall be comprised of generally 12 to 18 members, including the Chair of the Council, Chair Elect and the Past Chair. No more than six members may be appointed by the Chair. All other Executive Committee members must be elected by the primary members by ballot. The term length for the appointed and elected members will be decided upon prior to the appointment/election and will be for 1 to 3 years, with overlapping terms to ensure continuity. The Executive Committee shall assist the Chair, Chair-Elect, and Past Chair in planning, directing, coordinating and administering the activities of the Council. Executive Committee members serve as Chairs or Co-chairs of the Standing Subcommittees listed in Section IV E.

C. Nominating Committee:

Each April, the chair shall appoint a Nominating Committee for the purpose of screening and recommending to the Council candidates for the positions of Chair-Elect and Executive Committee Members for the coming term. The Nominating Committee shall be a representative group from the current Executive Committee and headed by the Chair.

D. Elections:

Elections for Chair-Elect and Executive Committee shall normally be held in the month of May through a written ballot with the results announced in June. The terms of office will begin on July 1st and be one year for the Chair-Elect and from 1 to 3 years for Executive Committee Members. Election will be by the primary members identified in Section III above.

If the Chair vacates the position with greater than 6 months remaining in the term of office, the Past Chair shall serve the remainder of the Chair’s term. If the Chair vacates with 6 months or fewer remaining in the term, the Chair-Elect will succeed the Chair and continue as Chair for the subsequent term. Special appointments may be made by the Chair as necessary due to the resignation of an Executive Committee Member and will be for the unexpired portion of that term only.

E. Standing Committees:

The Personnel Council shall function through a committee structure. The committees are open to human resource professionals at large and work in conjunction with the Executive Committee to foster the goals of the Council, to research issues, and make recommendations. Standing committees shall normally be established in the following areas:

1. Professional Development and Programs
2. Classification and Compensation
3. Staffing and Testing
4. Benefits
5. Communications
6. Workforce and Succession Management
7. Elections

F. Other Committees:

The Executive Committee may create and abolish committees. The Chair of the Council with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee shall appoint each Committee Chair and Co-Chair. A majority vote of the executive committee shall constitute consent.

V. MEETINGS

A. Executive Committee: will generally be held monthly.

B. General Membership meetings: shall normally be held no fewer than three times annually. The Chair may call special meetings.

VI. BY-LAWS

Changes to the by-laws will be drafted by a subcommittee of the Executive Committee, and after approval of the Executive Committee, will be sent to the primary members (identified in Section III) for a 30 day comment period. All comments will be reviewed by the Executive Committee who may amend or certify the by-laws by a 2/3 vote.