CORTLAND HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, February 27, 1891.

THE CORTLAND HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

Formed February 23, 1801—Constitution And By-Laws— Officers And Other Matters in Detail.

   A meeting was held in the Court House February 13, 1891, to discuss the propriety of establishing a hospital in Cortland, Hon. Stratton S. Knox presiding, Major A. Sager secretary. Mrs. J. H. Hoose, after stating the object of the meeting, announced that the sum of $1,000 had been contributed by citizens to the hospital fund. A general discussion of the project was participated in by a number of public spirited gentlemen, and Mrs. F. O. Hyatt stated that provision had been made for accommodating four or five patients with a competent attendant and resident physicians had volunteered their services. So much encouragement had been received that a resolution was adopted to take action for organization and Mrs. J. H. Hoose, Mrs. F. O. Hyatt, Mrs. Alice Ettling, Rev. J. A. Robinson and Hon. S. S. Knox, were chosen a committee to prepare constitution and by-laws and report at a subsequent meeting to be called by the chairman. The meeting then adjourned.

   On Monday evening the adjourned meeting convened at the parlors of the Y. M. C. A., organized by selecting Dr. F. O. Hyatt chairman. Secretary Sager announced his inability to be present, after reading the minutes of the last meeting, and Rev. J. A. Robinson was chosen to act in his stead. The committee through their chairman, Mrs. J. H. Hoose, reported the following constitution and by-laws for the government of the Association, which with few slight modifications were unanimously adopted:

CONSTITUTION.

   Article 1. Sec. 1. Name and Object.—The name of this society shall be "Cortland Hospital Association."

   Sec. 2. The object of this Association shall be to establish, equip, maintain, and conduct in the village of Cortland, a hospital for sick and injured persons under such regulations as may hereafter be prescribed by the laws of the Association.

   Sec. 3. The object of the Association shall be carried out by a Board of Managers as hereinafter provided for.

   Article 2. Sec. l. Membership.—All persons who may desire to join in the work of the Association shall become and continue to be annual members of the Association by paying to the Association annually two dollars in advance.

   Sec. 2. Any person may become a life member, or may, instead, have the privilege of naming a life member, upon contributing the sum of twenty-five dollars at any one time.

   Sec. 3. Honorary life membership may be conferred by vote of the. Association, upon the recommendation of the Board of Managers.

   Articles. Sec. 1. Board of Managers.— Members of the Board of Managers shall be elected by the Association at its annual meeting, from the membership thereof, and shall consist of women elected as follows:

   (1) Not more than two from the membership of each church in the village; (2) Not to exceed six who are not members of any church of the village.

   Sec. 2. The members of this Board chosen at the first election shall classify themselves by lot into three parts or classes. The first class shall hold office until the annual election in 1892. The second class shall hold office until the annual election in 1893. The third class shall hold office until the annual election in 1894. And annually the vacancies so occurring shall be filled by the election of one-third of the Board, to hold office for three years or until their successors have been chosen and have accepted the office.

   Sec. 3. Vacancies in the Board of Managers, occurring otherwise than by expiration of term, shall be filled by the remaining members of the Board of Managers for the unexpired terms.

   Sec. 4. The officers of the Board of Managers shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, all of whom shall be members of the Board of Managers. On the Wednesday following the annual meeting of the Association, the Board of Managers shall meet and elect said officers by ballot by a majority vote of the members of the Board present at this meeting. Said officers shall hold office for one year, or until their successors have been chosen and have accepted their election. All vacancies in these offices may be filled in the same manner as an original election, at any regular or special meeting of the Board. The Board shall also have power to elect from its members such other officers as it may deem necessary.

   Sec. 5. The officers of the Board of Managers shall be also the like officers of the Association.

   Sec. 6. No member of the Board of Managers shall receive or be allowed any salary or compensation whatever for her work in behalf of the Association.

   Sec. 1. Advisory Board.—The Association at its annual meeting shall elect nine men as an Advisory Board, with whom, or any of whom, the Board of Managers may consult from time to time as to matters pertaining to the hospital.

   Sec. 2. The chairman of the Advisory Board shall appoint three of its members as Examiners whose duty shall be to examine the books of the Secretary and Treasurer quarterly, and oftener if required by the Board of Managers; and these Examiners shall report to the Board of Managers the result of their investigations. They shall also present a written report to the Association at its annual meeting.

   Sec. 3. The Advisory Board may be present at the meetings of the Board of Managers, but shall have no vote in the proceedings.

   Sec. 4. The Advisory Board shall meet with the Board of Managers semi-annually, and at such other times as the Board of Managers may deem necessary.

   Sec. 1. Medical and Surgical Staff.—The medical and surgical staff shall consist of the duly licensed physicians of Cortland.

   Sec. 2. No compensation shall be paid by the Association for medical and surgical services.

   Article 4. Sec. 1. Meetings of the Association.—The annual meeting of the Association shall be held on the first Monday in February, at such time of day and in such place as may be designated by the Board of Managers. Previous notice shall be given by publication thereof for two weeks in all of the village newspapers. At this meeting there shall be elected one-third of the Board of Managers and the Advisory Board; and the annual reports of the Secretary, Treasurer and Examiners shall be read. Such other reports of officers shall be made, as shall be called for by such meeting.

   Sec. 2. Special meetings of the Association may be called by the Board of Managers in like manner as the annual meeting.

   Article 5. Amendments.—This constitution may be amended at any meeting of the Association, provided such amendment shall have been proposed in writing to the Board of Managers at a regular meeting, and shall have been offered for publication to all of the village newspapers for two weeks previous to the meeting of the Association.

BY-LAWS.

   Article I. Powers of the Board of Managers.—The Board of Managers shall have entire charge of the funds and other property of the Association; it shall have power to make contracts, and to rent real estate for the benefit of the Association; and it shall devise and adopt measures for carrying out the object of the Association.

   Article II. Meetings of the Board of Managers.
   Sec. 1. The Board of Managers shall hold regular meetings on the first Monday of each month.

   Sec. 2. Special meetings may be called (1) by the President, or (2) in her absence by the Vice President, or (3) in the absence of both of these officers, by the Secretary on the written request of these Managers. Notices for all special meetings shall state for what purpose the meeting is called, and each member of the Board shall be notified at least two days previous thereto.

   Sec. 3. Ten Managers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business at any meeting of the Board. But a smaller number can adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is obtained.

   Sec. 4. The following shall be the order of business at all meetings:

   1. Calling of the roll.

   2. Reading the minutes of previous meeting.

   3. Reports of committees.

   4. Reports of officers.

   5. Unfinished business.

   6. Miscellaneous business.

   7. Filling vacancies in the Board and in other offices.

   8. Adjournment.

   Sec. 5. At each regular meeting, each tardy member of the Board shall be fined five cents, and each absent member ten cents, unless she present to the President satisfactory excuse for her tardiness or absence.

   Sec. 6. If a Manager fail to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the Board, unless she is excused by a vote of the Board, the Board may by vote declare her office vacant.

   Article III. Duties of officers.
   Sec. 1. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Board of Managers and of the Association; she shall be a member ex-officio of all committees, excepting the Finance Committee, and shall have a general supervision of the affairs of the Association.

   Sec. 2. When the office of President shall be vacant, or when the President shall be absent, the Vice-President shall succeed to all rights and duties.

   Sec. 3. The Secretary shall keep a faithful record of the proceedings at the meetings of the Board of Managers and of the Association. She shall also prepare a written report stating the general work of the Association, to be read at the general meeting of the Association. She shall offer for publication to the village newspapers the notices of the annual and special meetings of the Association and of the regular meetings of the Board of managers, and shall notify the members of the Board of Managers and of the Advisory Board, and the officers of their election. She shall keep a register of honorary, life, and annual memberships; receive the money for memberships and give receipts for the same; collect all moneys due the Association, and pay over to the Treasurer at each regular meeting of the Board the moneys in her possession, taking a receipt for the same. She shall prepare and submit monthly the Medical Record to the Board of Managers. She shall also attend to the correspondence of the Association unless it be otherwise provided for.

   Sec. 4. The Treasurer shall open an account, in the name of the Association, in one or more of the banks in Cortland, to be selected by the Executive Committee, and shall deposit all moneys therein immediately upon receiving. She shall keep proper check and account books, showing the condition of the funds of the Association. At each regular meeting of the Board of Managers, she shall present a written statement of the condition of the treasury, and at the annual meeting of the Association she shall make a detailed report of the receipts and expenditures of the previous year. She shall give a receipt for all moneys received from the Secretary. The Treasurer shall not pay out any of the funds of the Association except for bills audited by the Finance Committee, and upon her own signature and that of the President.

   Sec. 5. The Secretary and Treasurer shall submit their books quarterly to the Examiners, and said books shall always be open to inspection upon demand.

   Article IV. Duties of Medical and Surgical Staff .

   Sec. 1. The medical and surgical staff shall make and amend rules for its guidance and for the welfare of the patients. Copies of these rules shall be filed with the Secretary of the Board of Managers.

   Sec. 2. This staff shall keep, or cause to be kept, medical minutes of all cases coming under its care. Said minutes shall be reported monthly to the Secretary of the Board of Managers, and from these reports the Secretary shall make up a Medical Record, which shall be submitted monthly to the Board of Managers.

   Article V. Standing Committees.

   Sec. 1. At its first meeting, after the annual meeting of the Association, the Board of Managers shall appoint from its members the following standing committees:

   On Finance; on Supplies; on Service; on Inspection; and on Executive Committee.

   Sec. 2. The Committee on Finance shall consist of four members to whom all bills against the Association shall be submitted monthly by the several committees. This committee shall audit said bills upon presentation, and report the same to the Treasurer.

   Sec. 3. The Committee on Supplies shall consist of five members, including the President, ex-officio, whose duty it shall be to provide for the purchasing of all necessary supplies required by the matron, and to see that the orders for extra food, medicines and supplies on the part of the medical staff be promptly obtained and distributed.

   Sec. 4. The Committee on Service shall consist of five members, including the President ex-officio, whose duty it shall be to hire a matron, nurses and help as required, provided this action receives the approval of the Board of Managers. This committee shall also prepare regulations to govern the matron, nurses and help in the discharge of their duties. Said regulations shall be submitted to the Board of Managers for its approval. This committee shall see that the rules relating to the management of the Hospital are carried into effect and that the matron, nurses and help discharge their duties so that everything may be done to promote the comfort of the patients. This committee shall also advise with and assist the matron in any case of difficulty. It shall be also the duty of this committee to keep a book of minutes and to enter therein the day and time of each visit, and such observations as may be deemed necessary, which book shall be submitted to the Board of Managers on demand.

   Sec. 5. The Committee on Inspection shall consist of five members, including the President ex-officio, whose duty it shall be to see that cleanliness is observed in the bedding, and to inspect the sanitary condition of the house generally. The Hospital shall be visited for this purpose twice in each week. This committee shall keep an inventory of the linen, furniture, and other personal property, adding each new purchase as made. At the expiration of its term, the committee with the matron, shall examine the property under its care, to note the losses, wear and tear, etc. This committee shall keep a book of minutes relating to all the objects of its appointment, which book shall be laid before the Board of Managers on demand.

   Sec. 6. The Executive Committee shall consist of five members, including the President and Vice-President. This committee shall exercise general control of all the affairs of the Hospital between the meetings of the Board of Managers.

   Sec. 7. Each of said committees may be charged with such other powers and duties as the Board of Managers shall deem proper. Said Board may provide for other committees as necessity requires.

   Article VI. Endowment of a Bed.—Any person or association my endow a free bed by the annual payment of one hundred and fifty dollars, and have the right of nominating to the Executive Committee the patient who may occupy said free bed, and select the attending physician, provided the regulations of the Association and of its proper officers are complied with, and provided that said patient shall not occupy said bed for a longer period than three months without permission of the Executive Committee.

   Article VII. Admission of Patients.

   Sec. 1. The Hospital shall be open to all sick and injured persons, excepting such persons as are hereinafter provided for.

   Sec. 2. No person with contagious disease will be admitted.

   Sec. 3. Patients will be admitted by the matron on a certificate of admission signed by one of the medical staff and endorsed by a member of the Executive Committee.

   Sec. 4. Persons who are seriously injured shall be admitted unconditionally at any time by the matron; but they shall be subject to the other provisions of these By-Laws for treatment.

   Sec. 5. Patients shall not remain in the Hospital longer than six weeks, unless upon recommendations of the attending physician and with the approval of the Executive Committee.

   Sec. 6. Patients will be required to leave as soon as discharged by the attending physician.

   Sec. 7. A charge for board, medical and surgical treatment, pharmacy costs and nursing shall be made to all such patients as are able to pay; prices to be fixed by the Board of Managers. These charges must be paid weekly in advance unless otherwise directed.

   Article VIII. Amendments.—These By-Laws may be amended or added to by a majority of all the Board of Managers at any regular meeting, provided notice in writing , stating the alteration proposed, has been given at the regular meeting next preceding, and that a copy of the same has been mailed one week thereafter to each member of the Board who was not present at the meeting when such notice was given.

BOARD OF MANAGERS.

   The following ladies were chosen in conformity to Article 3, Section 1, of the constitution as a Board of Managers:

   Mrs. Mary E. Doud, Mrs. Dorr C. Smith, Mrs. Frank Place, Mrs. Addison E. Buck, Mrs. James S.Squires, Mrs. C. Fred Thompson, Mrs. Lawrence J.

Fitzgerald, Mrs. Hugh Duffey, Mrs. William H. Clark, Mrs. Alice Ettling, Mrs. James H. Hoose, Mrs. Jerome Squires, Mrs. Newton Cone, Mrs. P. Kratzer, Mrs. Albert H. Watkins, Mrs. Caleb B. Hitchcock, Mrs. F. O. Hyatt, Mrs. George I. Pruden, Mrs. I. Whiteson, and Miss Louise Hunter.

   The gentlemen of the advisory board are Rev. J. A. Robinson, Messrs. C. P. Walrad, H. L. Gleason, C. F. Wickwire, G. W. Bradford, A. Sager. G. L. Warren, Samuel L. Holden and James R. Schermerhorn.

   By a unanimous vote Hon. J. J. Belden and vice-president G. F. Edgell of the E. C. & N. railroad were placed on the list as honorary life members. After which the meeting adjourned.