Bylaws
BYLAWS
OF THE ALASKA COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Qualifications
Membership shall consist of professional personnel and other persons interested in the education of children and youth with exceptionalities.
Section 2: Minimum Membership Requirement
The state unit shall maintain a minimum of one hundred (100) paid members who shall meet the membership qualifications established by the CEC Board of Directors, unless exempted by special action of the CEC Board of Directors.
Section 3: Unified Membership
The state unit’s membership shall consist of all members of the Council for Exceptional Children affiliated with this state. The state unit may not accept enrollments for state membership only.
Section 4: Membership Term
The policy pertaining to the membership year shall be consistent with the policy of the Council for Exceptional Children.
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
Section 1: Fiscal Year and Administrative Term shall be January 1 through December 31.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP DUES
Section 1: Payment of Dues
Annual dues to the Council shall be payable before the end of the individual’s membership year, which is based on the month the individual member joined the CEC. Members whose dues are not paid by the last day of their membership year shall be dropped from membership of the organization.
Section 2: Special Assessments
Special assessments on Premier and Professional membership may be levied by a majority vote of those present at the Board of Directors meeting when this matter is considered, provided there is a quorum.
ARTICLE IV
Board of Directors
Section 1: Composition of the Board of Directors
The Directors of this state unit shall consist of a President, Past President, Vice President (president elect), Secretary, and Treasurer. In addition the Board directors shall also include 6 Regional Directors representing the following Alaska Regions: Seat A: Southeast Alaska, Seat B: South Central Region, Seat C: MatSu Region, Seat D: Interior Region Seat E: North Slope/West Coast Rural Region and Seat F: Kenai Penisula/Aluetians
The President and Vice-President shall serve as unit Representatives to the CEC Representative Assembly.
Section 2: Election of Officers and Board Members
A. All officers shall follow the succession guidelines as outlined in Section 4. The Secretary and Regional Directors shall be elected by the general membership of the Alaska CEC via mail or electronic ballot.
B. The Board of Directors shall determine the method of ballot voting to ensure that all members have the opportunity to vote. Call for nominations shall be made by October 1 and a final slate of candidates shall be presented and available to the membership by November 1. Voting shall be completed no later than December 1 and the results will be announced by December 15.
C. All officers must be members in good standing of the Council for Exceptional Children at the time of their nomination and election and remain so throughout the duration of their term of office.
Section 3: Term of Office
The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall serve one-year terms. In addition the Board shall consist of Regional Directors as outlined: Southeast Alaska, South Central Region, MatSu Region, Interior Region, the North Slope/West Coast Rural Region and Kenai/Aluetians Region. Each Regional Director shall serve one-year terms. Terms of office shall coincide with the fiscal year and administrative term of office. The representatives to the CEC Representative Assembly shall each serve a two-year term, which shall be staggered.
Section 4: Term Limits/Succession
A.
The Vice-President shall automatically succeed to the presidency at the expiration of the President’s term of office.
B.
The Treasurer shall automatically succeed to the Vice-President position at the expiration of the Vice-President’s term of office.
C.
The Secretary shall automatically succeed to the Treasurer position at the expiration of the Treasurer’s term of office.
D.
Regional Directors may only be elected for two consecutive (one year) terms.
Section 5: Vacancies
A.
If a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the vice-president shall serve as acting president for the remainder of the term of office and shall become president at the beginning of the new term.
B.
A vacancy occurring in any office except president shall be filled by an appointment of the president, with the approval of the Executive Committee. The member appointed will serve only until the end of the current administrative year or until replaced by a duly elected successor.
Section 6: Duties of Officers
A.
The powers and duties of the president shall be:
1.
To serve as chief executive officer of the state unit with the powers and duties usually belonging to such a position.
2.
Act as spokesperson on behalf of the Alaska CEC.
3.
To give leadership to general policymaking and carry out the directives of the membership.
4.
To call and preside at meetings of the Executive Committee, Board of Director Meetings, the annual meeting, and all other unit sponsored meetings.
5.
To recommend chairs of ad-hoc committees, with the approval of the Executive Committee;
6.
To serve as an ex-officio nonvoting member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
7.
To prepare and submit an annual set of assurances to the Council for Exceptional Children by January 1.
8.
To assume the responsibilities of one of the state unit representatives to the CEC Representative Assembly.
B.
The powers and duties of the Vice-President shall be:
1.
To serve in the place of, and with the authority of, the president in case of the president's absence or inability to serve.
2.
To serve as chair of the Program Committee.
3.
To plan other meetings according to the policies and directives of the Executive Committee.
4.
To serve as a state unit representatives to the CEC Representative Assembly
5.
To assist the President in all duties and responsibilities.
6. To Serve as Chair of the Constitution & Bylaws Committee.
C. The powers and duties of the treasurer shall be:
1.
To serve as custodian of the funds of the state unit.
2. To pay expenses approved by the Board of Directors.
3. To present monthly financial reports to the Board of Directors as well as an annual
report to the general membership.
4. To act as chair of the Finance Committee.
5. To prepare and submit an annual budget for approval and adoption by the Board of
Directors.
6. To maintain all financial receipts and records of all monies collected and expended to
the Finance Committee for auditing.
7. To transfer all monies and records to the new treasurer within 30 days after
installation.
D. The powers and duties of the secretary shall be:
1.
To keep a record of the proceedings of each meeting of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and general membership meetings.
2.
To send out agendas and minutes of past meetings to all meeting participants.
3.
To carry on correspondence as necessary for the operation of the state unit.
4.
To assume custody of all records except those specifically assigned to other.
5.
To keep accurate lists of all members and their elected or appointed positions.
6.
To have available copies of the Constitution and Bylaws and minutes at all meetings.
7.
To maintain all records and assure adequate backup copies.
8.
To transfer all records to the new secretary in a timely manner.
9.
Maintain website information as provided by the Board of Directors and membership.
10.
To serve as the Chair of the Membership Committee.
E). The powers and duties of the representatives to the CEC Representative Assembly shall be:
1.
To represent the state unit at meetings of the CEC Representative Assembly and to participate in balloting and other activities necessary to the functioning of the Representative Assembly.
2.
To report regularly to the state unit Board of Directors and general membership on activities of the CEC Representative Assembly and CEC.
3.
To communicate issues and concerns from the state unit to the CEC Representative Assembly.
4.
To inform the state unit about the disposition of CEC Representative Assembly issues and advice forwarded to the CEC Board of Directors.
5.
To take other specific direction from the state unit concerning the activities of the CEC Representative Assembly.
6.
To serve as Chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee.
Section 7: Removal from Office
A.
Removal from Office Due to Absences from Meetings
1.
Any Board member who is absent for two consecutive or four meetings in one year without an excuse shall be terminated.
B.
Petition for Removal of an Officer
1.
A petition for removal of an officer shall be signed by at least five members of the state unit and submitted in writing to the president. If the president is the subject of the petition, it shall be presented to the vice-president.
2.
The president (vice- president) shall, within seven days, notify each Executive Committee member in writing of the receipt of such a petition, solicit relevant evidence from all parties concerned, and call a special meeting of the Executive Committee to consider the matter within 30 days following receipt of the petition.
3.
At the Executive Committee meeting, an opportunity shall be made available to all interested parties to present any relevant evidence. A two-thirds majority vote of the members present, provided there is a quorum, is necessary for the removal of the officer. Removal from office is effective immediately.
4.
The officer being considered for removal shall be provided with the results of the Executive Committee action in writing within seven days upon receipt of written notification of removal, the officer concerned shall have fifteen days to submit to the President or to the Vice-President written notice of appeal.
5.
Within seven days following receipt of a valid written notice of appeal, the president (or vice-president) shall, in writing, call for the appointment and meeting of an Appeal Board. The Appeal Board shall consist of five members in good standing of the state unit appointed by the Executive Committee and five members in good standing of the state unit selected by the appealing officer. No member of the Appeal Board, with the exception of the Chair, will be a current officer, Board member, or committee chair of the state unit. The president (vice-president) shall serve as the nonvoting Chair of the Appeal Board. If the appealing officer is unable to select the members willing to serve, the decision of the Executive Committee will stand.
6.
At the meeting of the Appeal Board, an opportunity shall be made available to all interested parties to present any relevant evidence. A two-thirds majority vote of the members present is necessary to overturn the Executive Committee’s decision and reinstate the removed officer. Reinstatement is effective immediately.
7.
The officer whose appeal has been considered shall be provided with the results of the Appeal Board action in writing within seven days. This action is final.
ARTICLE V
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1: Composition
The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the state unit: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and the immediate Past President. One-half of the membership of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2: Duties of the Executive Committee
The duties of the Executive Committee shall be:
A.
To serve as the state unit’s administrative policy-making body.
B.
To act upon such official recommendations and petitions as may be received
C.
To review the activities of all committees.
D.
To approve a draft of an annual budget for adoption by the Board of Directors.
E.
To recommend policies and programs to the membership at its annual meeting.
F.
To determine the publications that should be issued.
G.
To select the site of the annual meeting sponsored by the state unit
H.
To assume such other responsibilities as are, or as shall be, assigned through the Constitution and Bylaws or legislated by the membership.
ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEES
Section 1: Standing Committees
Standing committees shall be Finance, Membership, Policy and Advocacy, Program, Nominations and Elections, Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 2: Appointment of Committee Chairs
The chairs of the standing committees shall be determined as follows:
A.
The treasurer shall serve as chair of the Finance Committee.
B.
The secretary shall serve as the chair of the Membership Committee and the Program Committee.
C. The Vice-President shall serve as the chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee and
the Constitution and Bylaws committee.
D. The immediate past president shall serve as chair of the Nominations and Elections
Committee.
Section 3: Appointment of Committee Members
Committee members shall be appointed by the chairs, subject to approval by the president. All committees shall have no less than two members in addition to the chair.
Section 4: Duties of Committees
A.
The duties of the Finance Committee shall be:
1.
To prepare and submit an annual budget for adoption by the Board of Directors and the general membership.
2.
To develop plans for raising funds.
3.
To audit the treasurer’s report.
B.
The duties of the Membership Committee shall be:
1.
To maintain a current record of members and to provide all officers and committee chairs with this list upon request.
2.
To maintain an active program for the recruitment of new members and renewal of members.
3.
To support CEC Headquarters in its follow-up of membership renewals and member recruitment and retention programs.
C.
The duties of the Policy and Advocacy Committee shall be:
1.
To develop a political action program under the direction of the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors.
2.
To disseminate information pertinent to international and state public policy.
3.
To support CEC Headquarters in its policy and advocacy efforts and campaigns.
D.
The Duties of the Program Committee shall be:
1.
To develop the program for the annual meeting.
2.
To develop and advise the Board of Directors of other programs and events in the State.
E.
The Duties of the Nominations and Elections Committee shall be:
1.
To prepare annually a slate of candidates for secretary and the 5 Regional Directors and to present the slate to the membership as prescribed in the election section. Only those persons who are members in good standing of the Council may be nominated.
F. The duties of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall be:
1.
To receive and review all proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws to refer with recommendations to the Board of Directors.
2.
To biannually review the constitution and bylaws of the Alaska CEC and call to the attention of the Executive Committee any changes which may be needed.
Section 5: Ad Hoc Committees
Ad hoc committees may be established and their functions assigned at the discretion of the president. Such establishment must clearly indicate the purpose and length of service of the committee.
ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS
Section 1: Board of Director Meetings
There shall be a monthly Board of Directors meeting. In addition the Executive Committee shall have a face-to-face meeting two times per year one of which one will be held in conjunction with a statewide industry conference. The dates of the monthly meetings and the face-to-face meetings can be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors. One-half of the membership of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2: Annual Membership Meeting
There shall be an annual meeting of the state unit prior to the industry conference in February.
Section 3: Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the president or any member of the Board of Directors with the consent of the Executive Committee.
Section 4: Quorum
Fifty-one (51%) percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum at a regular or specially called meeting.
ARTICLE VIII
DURATION AND DISSOLUTION
The duration of the state unit shall be perpetual unless the officers of the state unit unanimously determine that it should be dissolved. The officers shall inform the membership that the unit is to be dissolved. Upon the dissolution and final liquidation of the state unit, the officers shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the debts and liabilities of the state unit, distribute all of its assets to either:
A. Contribute them to an agreed upon state unit of the Council for Exceptional
Children for its use in advancing the education of exceptional children.
B. Contribute them to the Council for Exceptional Children, a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, to apply to one or more of its programs including:
1. The Yes I Can! Awards Program for its use in recognizing the achievements of students who have excelled despite their disability.
2. The “Kayte M. Fearn CEC Ethnic Diversity Scholarship” which annually provides a cash scholarship to a CEC student member from an ethnic background who is pursuing a degree in special education.
3. The “In Remembrance Of...” Fund in honor of an individual to support the activities and programs of The Council.
4. The “General Council Fund” supporting the activities and programs of The Council.
ARTICLE IX
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
The rules of parliamentary practice in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, latest edition, shall govern the proceedings of this state unit subject to the special rules which have been or may be adopted.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Submission of Proposed Amendments
Any proposed amendment to this Constitution and Bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee for review.
Section 2: Review by Executive Committee
The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall refer all proposed amendments with recommendations to the Executive Committee.
Section 3: Referral to Board of Directors
All proposed amendments presented to the Executive Committee shall be submitted to the membership for comment not less than 30 days prior to any meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 4: Final Action
Any proposed amendment shall become a part of this Constitution and Bylaws by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast at any legally constituted meeting of the Board of Directors.
These bylaws have been duly adopted by the Executive Committee of the Alaska Council for Exceptional Children this 12th day of July, of the year 2010.
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Jeanne M. Ladd – President Date
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Joanne Healy – Vice President Da