SELF-DIRECTED COMMUNITY:
BYLAWS OF THE
BACK TO HEALTH AND LIVING COMMUNITY
CREATED FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE DR. DEAN ORNISH
PROGRAM FOR REVERSING HEART DISEASE.
GRADUATES FROM UNITED HOSPITAL
CLARKSBURG WV
February 28, 2003
"Experience is not what happens to you, it is
what you do with what happens to you."
By: Aldous Huxley.
For more than twenty years, Dr. Dean Ornish and
colleagues at the Preventive Medicine Research Institute have
demonstrated through a number of clinical trials, that intensive
lifestyle modification can effectively slow, stop, or reverse the
progression of coronary artery disease.
As early as 1977, Dr. Ornish’s research
evaluating the impact of comprehensive lifestyle practices was
generating compelling data. Results from Dr. Ornish’s latest
research, the Multicenter Lifestyle Demonstration Project
reinforced the Program’s clinical efficacy and demonstrated its
tremendous cost-savings potential through avoidance of invasive
procedures and adverse events. (American Journal of Cardiology,
1998: 82: 72T-76T)
The research data has attracted growing interest
from health insurance and managed care organizations seeking proven
clinical programs that improve member health and reduce health care
costs. Approximately forty health plans have committed to Program
reimbursement as a defined benefit or on a case-by-case basis.
In 1998, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield became
the first insurance company in the country to both pay for and
provide the Ornish Program to its members. In spring 2002, Dr. Dean
Ornish and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield created Lifestyle
Advantage to increase access to the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for
Reversing Heart Disease. (From the Lifestyle Advantage Manual)
BACK TO HEALTH AND LIVING COMMUNITY
BYLAWS - January, 2003
Rev. B, February 27, 2003
Article 1. Definitions and Purpose
| WHAT IS A SELF DIRECTED
COMMUNITY? The definition of SELF is "by means of ones self", the
definition of DIRECTED is "subject to regulation", the definition of
COMMUNITY is a "unified body of individuals having a common specific
goal". |
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| OUR GOAL,
therefore, is to establish a self directed community for a group
of people with the common goal of reversing heart disease, and each
member subscribing fully and faithfully to the permanent lifestyle
changes as set forth in the scientifically proven "Program for Reversing
Heart Disease", authored by Dr. Dean Ornish.
OUR BEGINNING: We began our self directed community in January
2003. All members are continuing participants in and alumni of the "Dr.
Dean Ornish Program" as presented at the United Hospital Center in
Clarksburg, West Virginia. Our voluntary technical consultants are the
staff of the hospital’s "Health Connection". Our weekly meeting are held
at the First Baptist Church of Nutter Fort, in Harrison County, West
Virginia.
OUR MISSION is to serve as a catalyst for bringing our members
into healing communities around the core component of the program. To
become mentors for others with heart disease. To serve as a maintenance
program for sustaining the Dean Ornish lifestyle. To enhance the quality
of life and to demonstrate how this knowledge is the source of healing
on the physical, emotional and spiritual level of each individual.
Following and embodying the principles of nonjudgmental acceptance and
the interpersonal values of group support. (Listening with empathy and
compassion, speaking about things one cares about)
OUR OBJECTIVE is to support a collective shift in thinking
about heart disease and the development of the Ornish Lifestyle at the
grass roots level. A shift in the collective thinking of the nation in
the former basis of the knowledge of heart disease to include lifestyle
change as a treatment option for reversing heart disease.
NAME of the Self Directed Community hereinafter shall be
called Back To Health And Living Community, or BHLC. |
Page 1 of 4
Article 2. Officers
| THE OFFICERS
of the BHLC shall be the President: the Vice President; the
Secretary: and the Treasurer. Term of office shall be one year
beginning in January of each year. The election of officers shall be
by nomination and by second of the nomination. If more than one
nomination is presented then the BHLC shall vote upon the office.
PRESIDENT: The president shall be ex-0fficio of all
committees. He shall when present preside at all meetings of the
BHLC.
VICE-PRESIDENT: The
vice president in the absence or at the request of the President,
shall preside at meetings of the BHLC.
SECRETARY: The Secretary shall record and keep the minutes
of the proceedings of the BHLC, to keep and maintain the list of
members, to carry on the correspondence of the BHLC.
TREASURER: The Treasurer shall receive and bank all monies
for the BHLC, to keep proper accounts of all receipts and
disbursements and to report upon the state of the treasury whenever
called upon by the President or a committee.
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Article 3. Committees
| COMMITTEES shall be
established as needed by the BHLC and assigned by the President.
PROGRAMS COMMITTEE: The Program Committee shall
arrange for meetings or activities of the BHLC. Three members
shall serve on the committee on a voluntary basis.
PUBLICITY COMMITTEE: The Publicity Committee shall
look after any publicity required by the BHLC in connection with
the activities of the BHLC. Three members shall serve on the
committee on a voluntary basis.
SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE: The Special Events Committee
shall have jurisdiction over all special events conducted by the
BHLC. Three members shall serve on the committee on a voluntary
basis.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: The Membership Committee shall
contact graduates of the Ornish Programs to invite them to BHLC
meetings. The committee shall maintain communication with the
staff at United Hospital Center’s Health Connection for names of
new graduates. |
Article 4. Meetings
| WEEKLY MEETINGS:
Weekly meeting of the BHLC shall consist of : (1)
Exercise, (2) Stress Management, (3) Group Support, and (4)
Dinner.
MONTHLY BUSINESS MEETING: A monthly business
meeting shall be held on the 3rd week of each
month. The time shall be one hour before the BHLC meeting.
The order of business shall be as follows:
Minutes of the previous meeting. 2. Business arising out
of the Minutes. 3. Correspondence. 4. Reports of Standing
Committees. 5. Unfinished business. 6. New business. |
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Article 5. Membership
| MEMBERSHIP: Any
person graduating or stratified from an Ornish program is
eligible to become members of the Back to Health and Living
Community. The term of membership is for the life of the
member, unless voluntary termination of membership.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: Family or Friends of members
of a BHLC that actively support the goals of the BHLC can
become an associate member and participate with the
community at Dinners and Special Events.
DUES: Dues are set at $60.00 per year, or paid at
$5.00 per month per member. Dues are optional for members
with hardships. |
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Article 6. Amending By-Laws
| The By-Laws of the
Community may be rescinded, altered or added to but only by
"Extraordinary Resolution" of the Community. These revisions
will be binding by a 75% vote from the membership in
attendance. A one month notice shall be shall be given to
all members before any Bylaws revisions shall be voted upon. |
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Non-Profit Status
| The BHLC shall be
carried out without the purpose of gain for its members and
any profits or other accretions to the BHLC shall only be
used in promoting it s objects. No member shall receive
remuneration for his or her services. No part of the income,
profits or accretions of the BHLC is payable to or otherwise
available for the personal benefit of any proprietor, or
member of the BHLC Community.
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Auditing
| The books and accounts
of the Back to Health and Living Community shall be audited
a least once each year by a duly qualified accountant or by
two members of the Community. |
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Confidentiality
| Each member’s medical
information is the property of the BHLC: therefore, all
records must remain in the custody of the BHLC at all times.
Medical information is not released by any member of the
BHLC staff without a member’s prior written consent. All
group discussions are considered confidential and any
information disclosed during the group discussions is not to
be discussed out side of the group. |
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Disclaimer
| Information obtained
from the BHLC meetings is not intended as a substitute for
professional care. You should consult your healthcare
provider, with any problems. The BHLC does not offer medical
advice. In no event shall the BHLC be liable for any direct,
indirect , special, punitive, incidental, exemplary or
consequential damages, personal injury, or any damages
whatsoever. The BHLC exercise and stress management programs
are established programs, and are used by each participant
at his or her own risk, with out any liability to BHLC
officers or BHLC members. |
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Officers Signatures and Date:
| President: Date: .
Vice President: Date: .
Secretary: Date: .
Treasurer: Date: . |
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