ABOUT REDES

HISTORY

REDES, since 1996, has been offering Networking meetings, has maintained up to date a bilingual social service providers list, has developed culturally and linguistically competent trainings and has actively advocated for the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate services for the rapidly growing Latino community in Oregon.

CURRENT GOALS

As it is well known, mainstream trainings seldom offer the cultural perspective of the issues in discussion, and do not offer the opportunity for Spanish Speaking service providers to learn the topic in the language of the individuals and families they are serving. REDES has offered these opportunities in all trainings, understanding that they are a crucial part of the learning and the provision of QUALITY services.

COMMITTEES

STEERING COMMITTEE:

The responsibilities of the REDES Steering Committee shall be:
1) To carry out the functions and activities of the group including providing leadership for all REDES sponsored activities and events.
2) Ensure that all REDES meetings, activities and events conform to the rules specified in the REDES by-laws.
3) To assist the group to make decisions in the event consensus cannot be reached.
4) Designate additional committees and work groups as needed.
5) Assure membership linkage to other organizations that directly impact REDES mission.
6) Other responsibilities: Membership outreach, letter of support, contract reports, budget management.

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CULTURAL COMPETENCY-BEST PRACTICES COMMITTEE:

The responsibilities of the REDES Cultural Competency-Best Practices Committee shall be:
1) Provide advocacy for the Latino community.
2) Complete a literature review of existing best practices in culturally and linguistically appropriate alcohol and drug and mental health treatment services to the Latino community.

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TRAINING DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

This committee shall be charged with:
1) Developing at least 4 training opportunities for REDES members and the community at large. The trainings shall be in the areas of mental health, addictions, intra-familial violence and related services and focus on:
a. Supporting skill building in the area of direct and indirect service provision to Latino communities
b. Building the awareness of service providers and agencies with regards to the unique needs, interests and cultural values of the Latino communities.
c. Supporting agencies and direct service providers with information, trainings and workshops which support and enhance their abilities to provide culturally and linguistically competent services to the Latino population.

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NETWORKING, RESOURCES AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE:

This committee shall be charged with:
1) Assuring networking opportunities for REDES members.
2) Continue to review, maintain and update as needed, the REDES list of culturally and linguistically appropriate Mental Health, Addiction, Intra-family violence, Wellness and other related service providers to the Latino community.
3) Assuring the REDES list of culturally and linguistically appropriate service providers is easily accessible to the community at large.
4) Working with contractors and other individuals as needed to develop, design, and implement the REDES web site.
5) Monitoring the web site to ensure it is up to date with accurate and current information.
6) Actively researching resources and other additional information on an on-going basis that would be relevant to the REDES web site.

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FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE:

This committee shall engage in the development and implementation of fundraising activities designed to support REDES trainings, events and activities.

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BYLAWS:

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be REDES Network of Mental Health and Related Service Providers for Latinos* (from now on referred to in this document as REDES)

ARTICLE II: OFFICE

The main office of REDES is located at 2325 E. Burnside, Suite 200. Portland, Oregon 97214. Phone: 503-235-8057 Ext. 2. Fax: 503-235-5455. Email: REDES@qwest.net

ARTICLE III: PURPOSE AND MISSION

The Mission of REDES is to promote networking, and to offer support and advocacy for culturally and linguistically competent clinical work among those providing mental health and related services to the Latino community. Mental Health and related services include all those social service or academic fields that help to enhance the emotional/social well being of a person or family. These services include but not limited to, Therapeutic or counseling services; Services for those diagnosed with Chronic Mental Illnesses; Psychiatric services; Drug, alcohol or other addiction services; Developmental Disabilities; Family Violence services; Dual diagnosis services; Services to overcome impact of any kind of interfamilial abuse; Services to those who have abused (including sexually offending, physically abusive and socially violent behaviors), Aging Services.

The Purpose of REDES shall be to:

A) Assist Practitioners and the community at large with referrals to linguistically and culturally specific and appropriate mental health, addiction or family violence prevention services for the Latino population.

B) Assist Practitioners in supporting clients to access and utilize culturally and linguistically appropriate family violence, addictions and mental health services

C) Provide opportunities for networking among professional colleagues who provide linguistically and culturally specific mental health, family violence and addictions services to Latino consumers.

D) Provide opportunities for practitioners to receive case consultation, which addresses the unique and specific challenges of working with culturally and linguistically diverse Latino populations.

E) Provide and/or arrange training for REDES members and the community at large which is specifically targeted to support clinical work with the Hispanic population, and promote professional development among service providers.

F) Provide supportive information to clinicians with regards to advocating for Latino clients receiving services through their agency.

G) Assist clinicians to obtain support from their agency/organization in order to provide high quality, culturally and linguistically competent services.

H) Provide information with regards open positions in the fields of mental health, domestic violence or addictions specifically working with Latino populations.

I) Advocate for the needs of Latino populations at the County, State and Local levels by actively participating in planning initiatives, advisory committees and other governmental decision making bodies whose decisions have a direct impact on services to the Latino population.

J) Serve as a support and resource for the Latino community at large and clinicians serving Latino clients in the area of addictions, mental health and domestic violence via the development of a resource directory and a web page.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1: COMPOSITION OF REDES

REDES shall be composed of:
A) All community based mental health, addictions, family violence and related services representatives who are providing services to the Latino Community and have registered as REDES members. Registration process involves agreeing to the by-laws.
B) All individuals providers are eligible to become members of REDES keeping in mind the focus is on the unique challenges faced by providing addictions, mental health, intra-family violence and related services to the Latino population.

SECTION 2: MEMBERSHIP TERM

A) Member’s term shall commence when they register as a REDES member.
B) Membership shall be until such time as the member or the organization decides to terminate his/her membership.
C) Individuals may re-apply by sending a letter in writing to the chair.

SECTION 3: TERMINATION:

REDES can terminate membership based on the following criteria:
A) Failing to uphold REDES bylaws.
B) Failing to uphold professional ethical standards as defined by each discipline professional board.

SECTION 4: COMPENSATION

Members shall receive no direct compensation for their participation with REDES.

SECTION 5: RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MEMBERS OF REDES

Members of REDES have the following responsibilities:
A) Attend meetings as planned.
B) Actively participate at meetings.
C) Actively participate in subcommittees as needed.
D) Stay informed as to the purpose, plans and progress of REDES.
E) Keep the group informed with regards to any changes in contact information and data that apply to them and the resource list.
F) Consider all viewpoints; listen with respect and attention to all the information before making a motion or voting.
G) Be respectful of all members at all times.
H) Bring to the REDES network meetings key advocacy concerns both within the community and within agencies as well as suggestions for trainings needed in the professional arena. Members may also bring other issues or themes that may be related to REDES mission.
I) Provide support to REDES sponsored events, conferences, training, etc. as needed
J) Volunteer to actively participate on REDES Committees
K) Volunteer and/or nominate others for Steering Committee Positions

SECTION 6: MEETINGS

REDES general meetings and Steering Committee meetings shall take place on a monthly basis at a location to be announced. Members of REDES shall receive notice of these meeting at least one week prior.

SECTION 7: DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY

All REDES ideas to further develop the organization and implement its mission, purpose and goals shall be developed in Specific Committee meetings. Committee shall bring these ideas to the Steering Committee for Approval before the assigned Committee implements them.

Steering Committee has the decision-making authority for the organization and will use consensus as a decidion making method. The Steering Committee has the power to decide which decisions will include the membership at large.

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

SECTION 1: STEERING COMMITTEE

A) Composition:
REDES Steering Committee shall be composed of:
A) One elected chair
B) Vice-chair
C) Secretary
D) Treasurer
E) One Mental Health Provider to the Latino Community
F) One Domestic Violence service provider to the Latino Community
G) One Addictions provider to the Latino Community
H) Two members at large who provide services to the Latino Community

Members of the Steering Committee may have as many as two of the above roles.

B) Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the REDES Steering Committee shall be:
A) Be actively participants of the Sttering Committee meetings.
B) To carry out the functions and activities of the group including providing leadership for all REDES sponsored subcommittees, activities, events.
C) Ensure that all REDES meetings, activities and events conform to the rules specified in these by-laws.
D) Have the decision making power for the organization.
E) Designate additional committees and work groups as needed.
F) Assure membership linkage to other organizations that directly impact REDES mission. Such as but not limited to:
a. Latino Network
b. Hispanic Roundtable
c. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Advisory Board (CAMHSA)
d. Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC)
G) Committee to serve for a periods of two years.

SECTION 2: SUBCOMMITTEES

A) Subcommittees:
Redes will maintain 3 active subcommittees:
a. Cultural Competency – Best Practice committee. (Advocacy role)
b. Training Development Committee. (Support role)
c. Networking, resources and communications committee (Networking role)
B) Composition
Each committee shall have:
a. A chair that is a member of the Steering Committee.
b. One representative from each of the following areas:
A. Mental Health
B. Family violence
C. Addictions.
c. Any other interested members.
C) Responsibility:
Implements the goals developed each year by the committee members approved by the steering committee.

ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS

SECTION 1: OFFICERS

The Officers of REDES shall be the members of the steering committee.

SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICERS

A) CHAIR
Create agenda and facilitate meetings, aby the by-laws, bring the steering committee to consensus when decisions need to be made, work with committees to carry out assigned tasks, call special meetings as needed.

B) VICECHAIR
To fill in when the Chair is not available.

C) SECRETARY
Will take minutes of general and steering committee meetings, and distribute all minutes to REDES members; keep an accurate roster of members, maintain records of minutes, agendas and materials circulated. Work with the Chairs to carry out the official correspondence of the organization.

D) TREASURER
1. Must maintain an accurate record of funds dispersed and funds available.
2. Have signature rights at the bank with the Chair. Allow for the dispersal of funds as approved by Steering Committee.
3. Must behave in a professional and honest manner.

SECTION 3: TERM OF OFFICE

Each officer shall serve a one-year term and can be re-elected.

SECTION 4: ELECTIONS

In the April meeting of every year will be dedicated to electing officers.

Nominations for Chair will be taken between the March and April meeting. Each candidate for chair shall write a no more than 100 words speech detailing his or her reason for running for the position. These narratives will be published to all members by email or mail, prior April meeting announcing April meeting date as the deadline for voting. All candidates will be present at the April meeting. Active members present at the meeting can turn their written secret ballot at the end of the meting. Those no present will mail their secret ballot by same day. Two volunteers from among the group who are not running for Chair positions will count the ballots at the end of this meeting day and announce final numbers to all members with winner name.

Individuals interested in the additional officer positions will volunteer or be nominated at the meeting. They will give a no more than 3-minute speech. Members present at the April meeting will discuss and decide as group which candidates will be best match for Steering Committee responsibilities.

ARTICLE VII: COPORATE INDEMNITY OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Upon dissolution of the corporation, all debts shall be paid in full. If any money remains, then this money shall be given to The Latino Network. No officer of the corporation can be sued for any reasons.

ARTICLE VIII: REVISION AND AMENDMENTS

The steering committee will present the bylaws for revision every two years. However, if members have any proposed amendment to these by-laws in between the revision time, they shall first be introduced in writing to the steering committee. The steering committee will determine the process to review the proposed amendments. This process may or not consider forming a By-laws ad-hoc work group.

The final product of proposed amendments will then be drafted into the by-laws and revised copies sent to members in draft format. The amendments shall be approved by at least 60% of members who responded.