Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Board Operating Guidelines
Article I – Name
Section 101 – The name of the organization shall be the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Board of the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Area (hereinafter referred to as The BOARD) and shall include the Counties of Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset.
Article II – Authorization
Section 201 – The BOARD is organized and exists under the provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), P.L. 105-220 (Hereinafter referred to as WIA).
Article III – Purpose and Responsibilities
Section 301 – The Board shall develop and promote a Workforce Investment vision and appropriate strategies to ensure that individuals attain the skills necessary for employability and to help employers develop the skilled workforce needed for competitiveness in a global economy.
In support of this purpose, the Board shall identify and broker resources within the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Area to include funds made available under WIA.
Section 302 – The BOARD shall promote and implement the provisions of and authorize the disbursement of funds made available under WIA, and inspect and supervise the programmatic application of such funds.
Section 303 – The BOARD shall carry out the specific responsibilities listed below:
303.1 Preparation of Strategic, Comprehensive and Other Plans - The Board shall be responsible for the preparation of plans as required to meet its obligations as provided in the WIA and by the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board.
303.2 Program Oversight – The BOARD will authorize oversight of the programs established by, and in accordance with, federal monitoring procedures and the WIA. In order to accomplish this task, the BOARD shall maintain access to all information that it deems necessary for this purpose.
303.3 Structure of Program Review - The BOARD will provide a structure and format for the review of proposals for all potential service providers within the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Area, including the establishment of guidelines for the approval or disapproval of said proposals based upon designated goals and objectives of the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Board.
303.4 Allocation of Funds – In concert with the LEO-designated Fiscal Agent, The Board shall be responsible for the allocation of all WIA funds received on behalf of the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Area. The Administrative Entity will utilize these funds as necessary for operation of the program.
Article IV – Membership
Section 401 – The BOARD shall consist of members nominated and appointed pursuant to Section 117 of the 1998 Workforce Investment Act.
Section 402 – Members shall be appointed initially to staggered terms (1, 2 or 3 years) and may serve until their successors or the members are re-appointed. Thereafter, appointments shall be made for three-year terms.
Section 403 – A member of the BOARD may be removed from membership by the Chief Local Elected Officials upon failure to attend three consecutive meetings of the WIB without just cause and after being properly notified by the chairperson of the WIB.
Section 404 – A member of the BOARD may be removed from membership by the Chief Local Elected Official whenever that member no longer represents the partner agency for which he/she was appointed.
Section 405 – In the event of a vacancy due to death, resignation or otherwise, such vacancy shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term through appointment by the Chief Local Elected Officials. Said appointment shall be made within 60 days.
Article V – Election of Officers
Section 501 – The BOARD shall elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson selected from among the Private Sector membership of the BOARD. At its initial meeting, the BOARD will select said Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for an initial term not to exceed June 30 of the following year. Thereafter, the officers will be elected at the annual reorganization meeting of the BOARD for a one-year term, said term to commence on July 1st of each year.
Section 502 – At least 30 days prior to the annual reorganization meeting of the BOARD, the Chairperson of the WIB shall designate individuals to serve on a Nominating Committee. The purpose of the Nominating Committee shall be to recommend persons to be elected to office at the annual reorganization meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor.
Section 503 – Officers shall be entitled to serve successive terms.
Section 504 – The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall not be from the same county of the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Area.
Section 505 – Vacancies in office shall be filled as soon as possible by the BOARD at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose.
Section 506 – The duties of the Chairperson shall include:
506.1 To preside at regular and special meetings of the BOARD.
506.2 To establish BOARD committees as necessary, and to appoint committee members as approved by the BOARD.
Section 507 – The Vice-Chairperson shall, in the absence of the Chairperson, preside at regular and special meetings of the BOARD, and discharge the duties of the Chairperson.
Article VI – Voting
Section 601 – Each BOARD member shall have one vote.
Section 602 – All official actions of the BOARD must be passed by a majority vote. Only members are eligible to vote, and this will be done in the form of a roll call vote, written ballot or a show of hands.
Section 603 – A quorum of the BOARD at any regular or special meeting shall be a majority of voting members.
Section 604 – Proxy voting by WIB members is permitted no more than once per program year (July 1-June 30). In order to exercise this option, a Board member shall request a Proxy Form from the office of the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission at least one week before the scheduled Board meeting. The completed Proxy Form must be returned to the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission no later than two (2) working days prior to the scheduled Board meeting.
Article VII – Meetings
Section 701 – The BOARD shall meet quarterly at the call of the chairperson. The final quarterly meeting shall be the annual reorganization meeting and shall be in May of each year.
Section 702 – Special meetings of the BOARD may be held at the call of the Chairperson as deemed necessary.
Section 703 – No less than ten (10) days advance notice shall be given for the call of any BOARD meeting.
Section 704 – All meetings at which official action is taken shall be open to the general public.
Section 705 – Unless otherwise specified, Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all proceedings and meetings of the BOARD.
Article VIII - Committees
Section 801 – The Workforce Investment Board shall have the following five permanent standing Committees:
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Executive Committee |
Welfare to Work |
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CareerLink Committee |
Training Committee |
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Youth Council |
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Section 803 – Unless specified otherwise, membership on the aforementioned committees will be determined by the Chairperson of the BOARD and the committees shall serve in an advisory capacity only. Membership on the aforementioned committees will be determined at on annual basis before the first meeting of the program year. A staff member of the administrative entity will be assigned to work with each respective committee
Section 804 – An Executive Committee shall be responsible for acting on behalf of the BOARD when the BOARD is not in session. The Executive Committee’s authority shall include carrying out the policies of the BOARD in addition to other authorities granted by the BOARD. The Executive Committee will report its activities, if any, to the BOARD at each regular BOARD meeting.
804.1 Membership on the Executive Committee shall be confined to BOARD members and shall consist of one (1) Private Sector member from each county and four (4) Non-Private Sector members. Executive Committee members shall be elected by the BOARD.
804.2 The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the BOARD shall fill two (2) of the available Private Sector seats on the Executive Committee and will automatically assume the roles of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Executive Committee.
804.3 The term of office of each Executive Committee member shall be one (1) year, beginning July 1st of each year and expiring on June 30 of the following year.
804.4 Voting procedures and attendance requirements of the Executive Committee shall be the same as for the BOARD as set forth in Article III.
804.5 A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of at least six (6) members.
804.6 The Executive Committee shall meet in accordance with a schedule adopted annually by its members.
Article IX – Amendments
Section 901 – These operating guidelines shall be subject to amendment and revision by a two-thirds vote of the required quorum. Notice of a proposed change to the Operating Guidelines must be made by mailing such notice, together with the proposed change, to each member of the BOARD at least ten (10) working days before the date of any meeting upon which an amendment appears on the agenda of the meeting.
901.1 Any member of the BOARD may propose an amendment to the agreement.
Article X – Conflict of Interest
Section 1001 – No member of any BOARD under this Act shall cast a vote on the provision of services by that member (or any organization that member directly represents) or vote on any matter which would provide direct financial benefit to that member.
Section 1002 – No member shall participate in the discussion and the voting during that portion of a meeting of the BOARD, or its Committees or Subcommittees, in which a contract, proposal or transaction is considered between the BOARD and the member, or an organization in which the member has a direct or indirect financial interest, unless requested by the Chairperson. Any member so affected shall publicly state reasons for non-participation.
Article XI – Resolution of Non-Concurrence
Section 1101 – In the event of non-concurrence between the BOARD and the Chief Local Elected Officials, on any matter, each group shall designate three (3) representatives to meet and resolve the issue. The decision of these representatives shall be final. If the non-concurrence cannot be resolved, the issue will be referred to the Governor’s office for final resolution.