Charlotte Area CFIDS/FMS Support Group
ByLaws
Meeting Protocol
1. No Member or attendee shall use the meeting and it's members as a means
of selling products and services. It is permissible to provide information of
such but not as the primary objective of either the discussion or presentation.
For example, a provider of healthcare may present information that would benefit
a CFIDS or FMS patient but not for the purpose of profitable gain.
Support Group Administrative Committee Members
1. All prospective committee members must first attend 75% (16 out of 24)
meetings during a 2-year period and be a member in good standing (paid dues, if
any are assessed). This is to ensure that:
a) the health of the prospective committee member is up to the level required to
volunteer for this job. AND
b) a general knowledge of the dynamics of THIS GROUP has been acquired.
EXCEPTION: If unanimous by current committee, a non-PWC or a PWC transferring
from another support group (i.e.; out of state) may have the number of meetings
required shortened due to either being a non-PWC or having spent the 2 years as
a member-in-good-standing of another support group (preferably CFS, MCS or FMS).
Note: Unresolved anger towards the illness can also occur in the beginning of
the illness hence the 2-year waiting period for perspective committee members.
2. Due to the nature of the illness, all conflicts arising between committee
members will be resolved in the following manner:
a. The first assumption will be that the conflicting committee members must meet
face-to-face (with or without committee members present to review the conflict
in terms of misunderstanding.
3. Terms of Office
a. 1 calendar year, automatically renewable unless committee member resigns.
4. If a support group member is interested in volunteering in some manner and
in becoming a member of the committee, they may attend committee meetings
subject to committee approval. However, until they qualify for committee
membership, they will not be allowed to participate in voting.