ABOUT US

BYLAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS OF
THE CONNECTICUT CHARTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY
OF HEALTHCARE CENTRAL SERVICE PERSONNEL

ARTICLE I:  NAME
The name of the organization shall be the Connecticut Central Service Association, hereafter referred to as the “CCSA”.

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the CCSA shall be to:

1. Bring about the close co-operation among hospital Central Service personnel in order to promote efficiency in Central Service management.
2. Encourage and assist members to develop their knowledge and increase their effectiveness in the field of Central Service.
3. Provide a medium for the interchange of ideas and dissemination of material relative to Central Service.
4. Promote recognition of this service group, as being professional and aware of responsibility for both hospital and public safety and welfare.
5. Organize as a non-profit, educational association, in which any income or earnings will be used to benefit the overall organization.
6. Develop a professional relationship with other related health care associations for mutual benefit.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section A. Regular Membership:

1. Shall include those who are directly involved in the field of healthcare Central Service.
2. Shall have full voting privileges in any actions requiring the vote of the membership.
3. Shall be eligible to hold office.
4. Shall be eligible to hold position of chairperson of standing committees.
5. Shall be effective upon receipt of dues.
6. Shall be eligible to attend association functions, including the annual meeting / products fair, at regular member rates, as determined by the executive board.

Section B. Life membership:

1. Shall be granted to those individuals who have been active members of the chapter and have retired from the field of Central Service.
2. Shall have no voting privileges.
3. Shall be eligible for appointment to committees.
4. Shall have free membership in the chapter.
5. Shall receive all mailings of the chapter, if requested.
6. Shall be assessed regular member rates to attend association functions, including the annual meeting / products fair.

Section C. Associate Membership:

1. Shall be opened to any individual who represents a service, or provides goods that are used in the Central Service department.
2. Shall be effective upon receipt of required dues, due in January.
3. Shall not have a vote or any say in the CCSA official business.
4. May be appointed or asked to serve as advisor to CCSA standing or special committees.
5. Shall be allowed to attend all educational meetings and conferences for the same rate as regular members.

Section D. Resignation:

Any member may resign at any time but a refund of membership dues shall not be granted.

Section E. Termination:

Shall be resignation or by vote of the executive board for non compliance with pertinent provisions of the By-laws or regulations of the association.

ARTICLE IV: REPRESENTATIVES TO THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR HEALTHCARE CENTRAL SERVICE PERSONNEL

Section A. Representation:

1. The CCSA president shall be representative to the ASHCSP Council of Affiliated Chapters.
2. The president may, if necessary, appoint another regular member to serve as ASHCSP representative.
3. The CCSA will financially assist the President or president’s designee, and one executive board member to attend the annual meeting of the ASHCSP. Expenditures will not exceed $2,400.00 and may be revised annually. The President and / or board  representative(s) should attempt to obtain some reimbursement from his or her hospital.

Section B. Purpose:

To provide a forum that encourages affiliated chapters to participate in Society activities, communicate matters pertaining to Central Service, and assist the Society in projects of benefit to all Central Service professionals.

Section C. Duties:

It shall be the responsibility of the affiliated council representative to insure liaison between the American society for Healthcare Personnel and the CCSA.

1. Promote activities of the ASHCSP, cooperate with city and regional associations by assisting with and participating in meetings of concern to hospital CS personnel.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

Section A. Business and /or educational:

A minimum of ten meetings shall be conducted per year for CCSA members and guests.

Section B. Special Meetings:

CCSA members shall be encouraged to attend any outside educational meetings and share same with this organization.

Section C. Warned Meetings:

1. Shall be held for the purpose of expending CCSA funds in excess of $1000.00, except monies predetermined for expenditure in the by-laws.
2. A notice will be sent to all members in writing by the Corresponding Secretary no later than two weeks prior to the meeting.

Section D. Board:

1. Shall be held quarterly for the purpose of planning a business meeting and the operational needs of the organization.

ARTICLE VI: OFFICERES OF THE CONNECTICUT CENTRAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION

Section A. Nominations:

Ballot shall be solicited from the CCSA membership by mail in June of election year.

Section B. Eligibility:

The President and President-elect of the CCSA shall be an active regular
member of the CCSA and a member of the ASHCSP.

1. In the event the hospital does not pay for ASHCSP membership, the CCSA will pay for membership for their term of office.

Section C. Titles:

The officers of the CCSA shall be called President, President Elect, Communications Officer and Financial Officer.

Section D. Elections:

Shall be held at the September meeting every two years with the duties of the incumbents completed at the annual December meeting.

Section E. Terms of Office:

Shall be held for two years beginning in January.  Any officer who does not remain an active member, attending a majority of meetings per year, or is not performing the duties of the office, shall be subjected to termination according to Article III, Section E.

Section F. Duties of the President:

1. Presides at all meetings.
2. Appoints committee chairpersons and officers when vacancies occur. Appointees shall complete their services at the annual meeting in December.
3. Presents one CCSA Progress Report, which shall be kept in the CCSA file and sent to the ASHCSP prior to their annual meeting.
4. Review and update CCSA objectives annually, and approve all expenditures.
5. Prepares mailings for the annual membership drive.
6. Ex-officio member of all standing and special committees, assisting them when requested.
7. Prepares agenda for business meetings.
8. Serves as representative to the ASHCSP
9. Receives nominations to form ballot in June of election year.
10. Shall serve as member/advisor to the executive board for one year following elected term in office.

Section G. Duties of the President Elect:

1. Duties appointed by the President, and serve as  the Programs Coordinator.
2. Assume presidential duties in the absence of the President.
3. Serve as the Program Chairperson.
4. Submits estimated expenditures for educational programs.
5. Assists the President in coordination of standing and special committees.
6. Records minutes of each business meeting.

Section H. Duties of the Communications Officer:

1. Mails minutes of each business meeting. Maintains mailing list
2. Collect and record annual membership dues; forwards funds to the Financial Officer.
3. Member of the Newsletter Committee.
4. Assists President and President-Elect in development and mailing of official CCSA correspondence.

Section I. Duties of the Financial Officer:

1. Collect and record all income, including annual membership dues.
2. Aid in assembly of the membership roll.  Sends out membership cards for current year, billing as necessary for delinquent dues.
3. Report transactions at regular meetings for attachments to official minutes of the association.
4. Report monthly to the President on financial status of the treasury.
5. Responsible for payment of services rendered to the association.
6. Responsible for keeping accurate and complete records of all financial transactions of the CCSA.
7. Provides annual financial report to the membership.
8. Financial Officer’s records and financial transactions shall be subject to audit annually.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

Section A. Standing committees:

1. Program and Education Committeea.

a. Shall provide for the continuing education of all members of the CCSA with the President-Elect as chairperson.

b. Shall plan for the annual Products Fair and Seminar.

c. Shall be responsible for the awareness and acquisition of educational tapes and material.

2. Scholarship Committee

a. Recommend scholarship(s) to be sponsored by the CCSA; may be revised annually.

b. Develop method of review and selection of candidates.

c. Work with the Research and Development Committee on fund raising activities to support scholarships.

Note:  Scholarship Committee is a new venture.  Additional duties and/or revision of those proposed may be advisable – input requested.

3. Research and Development Committee

a. Shall conduct research into concerns of the areas related to Central Service.

b. Develop and present findings to the CCSA membership.

c. Fund raising. A mechanism to support financial endeavors of the CCSA.

4. Newsletter Committee

a. Shall be responsible for editing, printing, and mailing of the CCSA newsletter.

b. One member of committee may attend CCSA seminars and programs at no cost for the purpose of writing an article of review for the newsletter.

ARTICLE VIII: AFFILIATION AGREEMENT WITH THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR HEALTHCARE CENTRAL SERVICE PERSONNEL

Section A. Objectives:

1. Establish liaison between CCSA and ASHCSP.
2. To develop effective hospital Central Service departments.
3. Work toward the provision of effective education programs for hospital Central Service personnel.

Section B. Parties:

The affiliation agreement was initiated by the local chapter (CCSA) and agreed to by the Connecticut Hospital Association and the ASHCSP of the AHA (American Hospital Association), November 1971.

Section C. Requirements of Affiliation:

1. CCSA membership in ASHCSP is encouraged.
2. The President and President Elect of the CCSA will be ASHCSP members.
3. Common membership is not compulsory for all members.
4. CCSA may not affiliate with two national organizations simultaneously.

ARTICLE IX: DUES

Section A. Rate of Dues:

Annual dues of the CCSA will be reviewed and established by a majority vote of the executive board.

No dues will be accepted after March 31, unless otherwise specified.  Exceptions will be made only for person(s) hired after the closing date.

Section B. Dues Delinquency:

Members who have not paid their dues by the end of March will be notified of possible termination of membership.  The fiscal year of the CCSA is January 1 to December 31.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

The by-laws are subject to review annually in January and may be amended in whole or part at any meeting by a two thirds vote of members present in voting, providing the proposed amendments shall have been approved by the Board of Directors and provided also that the written notice of change shall have been given to all members at least ten days previous to the meeting.