Constitution and Bylaws of the Missouri Association on Higher Education and Disability

The name of this organization shall be the Missouri Association on Higher Education and Disability.

For the purposes of this constitution, the term "student with a disability" shall be defined as the condition of any person who (a) has a physical or mental characteristic which may in specific situations substantially affect one or more of such person's life activities, (b) has a record of such characteristic, or (c) is regarded as having such characteristic.

The purpose of the Missouri Association on Higher Education and Disability (hereinafter referred to as Missouri's AHEAD) shall be to:

Provide a vehicle which will strengthen the professionalism, expertise, and competency of personnel working with students with disabilities through:

Encouraging the development and expansion of a communications network primarily for those persons professionally involved in programs for students with disabilities;

Developing the capability to make timely and meaningful responses to issues and concerns affecting the educational resources or environment of students with disabilities; and

Serving as a mechanism to facilitate the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of information for persons professionally involved in programs for persons with disabilities.

Promote the equal rights and opportunities of postsecondary students and graduates with disabilities.

Promote coordination among agencies working with postsecondary students with disabilities.

Encourage and support legislation for the benefit of postsecondary students with disabilities.

Provided further, Missouri's AHEAD is organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes.

Section 1. Types of Memberships

Membership in Missouri AHEAD will be of four types:

Active Professional

Other Professional

Student

Retired

Section 2. Active Professional Membership

An active professional member shall be any individual working in a Missouri postsecondary educational institution to enhance postsecondary educational opportunities for students with disabilities.

Each active professional member must pay annual dues

Each active professional member is entitled to one vote

Each active professional member is eligible to hold office

Section 3. Other Professional Membership

An other professional member shall be any individual working in Missouri in a setting other than a postsecondary educational institution to enhance educational opportunities for students with disabilities.

Each other professional member must pay annual dues

Each other professional member is entitled to one vote

Section 4. Student Membership

A student member shall be any individual who is enrolled in a graduate program preparing them for a career to enhance postsecondary educational opportunities for students with disabilities.

Each student member must pay annual dues

Each student member is entitled to one vote

Section 5. Retired Membership

A retired member shall be any individual who is retired from the profession of working to enhance educational opportunities for students with disabilities.

Each retired member must pay annual dues

Each retired member is entitled to one vote

Section 1. Officers and Terms of Office

The officers of Missouri's AHEAD shall be the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer, and the Secretary.

All officers shall be elected at large from the active members of Missouri's AHEAD.

The term of office of each elected officer of Missouri's AHEAD shall be for a period of two (2) years, with the exception of the Treasurer who shall serve four (4) years, and shall begin January 1 following the election. Any officer can serve tow (2) consecutive terms, if elected. The Treasurer will be elected in odd number years (every four years) and the Secretary and Vice President will be elected in even number years (every two years).

In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall assume the duties of President, without prejudice to his/her ensuing term of office. All other vacancies shall be filled as they occur, in the method of original selection.

Section 2. Duties of Officers

The President shall preside at all meetings of Missouri's AHEAD and perform such other duties as pertain to that office. The President shall be the Chairperson of the Executive Council and shall be an ex officio member of all committees. The President shall appoint the Chairpersons of all standing committees.

The Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall have all the powers and shall perform all the duties of the President without prejudice to his/her subsequent term of office as President. The Vice President shall be Missouri's AHEAD standing committee coordinator, and in such capacity shall coordinate and direct as appropriate the functions of all standing committees as directed by the President.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for receiving and disbursing all monies of the Missouri's AHEAD under policies approved by Missouri's AHEAD. He/she shall keep adequate and appropriate records of such receipts and disbursements. The Treasurer shall perform the duties customary to the office and such additional duties as may be directed by Missouri's AHEAD. The Treasurer shall submit an annual report to the Executive Council.

The Secretary shall have both recording and correspondence responsibility and such additional duties as may be directed by the Executive Council.

Section 3. The Executive Council

The Executive Council shall have full authority to conduct the affairs of Missouri's AHEAD during the interim period between meetings. Such authority must remain within the provisions of this constitution and not conflict with decisions, actions, or policies established by Missouri's AHEAD.

The Executive Council shall be comprised of the elected officers, the immediate Past President, and the Chairperson of each standing committee.

Section 4. Nomination and Election of Officers

There shall be established a Nomination and Election Committee as a special committee consisting of no less than three (3) members appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Executive Council.

The Nomination and Election Committee shall poll the membership for the names of possible candidates to be placed on the nomination ballot for positions and shall screen and select appropriate candidates from among these nominees. No person nominated and accepted as a candidate shall be placed in nomination for another office during the current selection.

The Nomination and Election Committee shall conduct the election of officers by secret ballot by mail. A majority vote of those eligible members responding is required.

Section 1.

The fiscal year of Missouri's AHEAD shall be from January 1 to December 31.

Section 2.

Income shall be derived from membership dues and such other resources as the Executive Council may approve.

Section 3.

Dues shall be assessed and collected in such amount and in such manner as may be prescribed by Missouri's AHEAD. Any proposal to increase the dues of the Association shall be made available to the total membership by the Secretary at least thirty (30) days before expected action. No vote shall be taken until at least thirty (30) days have passed. The vote may be by 1) a duly called meeting of Missouri's AHEAD, or 2) by mail. In the first instance, a majority vote of those eligible members registered and physically present during the ballot is required. In the second instance, a majority vote of those eligible members responding is required. In no case will proxy voting be allowed.

Section 4.

The books of Missouri's AHEAD shall be audited at the conclusion of each fiscal year in a manner prescribed by the Executive Council.

Section 1. Appointment to the Committees

Missouri's AHEAD shall establish such standing committees and special committees as may be needed to conduct its activities. The Chairperson of each committee will be selected by the President.

Section 2. Standing Committees

The President with concurrence of the Executive Council shall establish, maintain, or dissolve such standing committees as per the provisions of Article VI, Section 1.

Section 3. Special Committees

The President and/or Executive Council may establish special committees as necessary. Such committees will operate within the purpose and philosophy of Missouri's AHEAD and shall be specifically charged, and automatically dismissed upon completion of their task.

Section 4.

Each committee shall make an annual written report of its activities and status to the Executive Council on or before the date of the annual meeting, and shall report at other times as requested by the Executive Council.

Section 1. Initiation

Proposals to amend this Constitution may be initiated by the Executive Council, unanimous recommendations of a standing committee, or any one member qualifying for Active Professional membership under Article IV.

Section 2.

If a proposal to amend is initiated by an individual member, it shall be accompanied by a petition signed by at least ten (10) Active Professional members. The proposal to amend must be received by the Secretary at least fifty (50) days before action is expected. The Secretary shall make such proposed amendments available to the total membership at least thirty (30) days before expected action and no vote shall be taken until at least thirty (30) days has passed.

Section 3. Approval

The Constitution may be amended by 1) a duly called meeting of the Missouri's AHEAD, or 2) by mail. In the first instance, a majority vote of those eligible members registered and physically present during the ballot is required. In the second instance, a majority vote of these eligible members responding is required. In no case will proxy voting be allowed.

This constitution shall be implemented and go into effect immediately by two-thirds vote of the voting members present at the meeting.