Bylaws
ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE
- SECTION 1. The name of this organization is the Association on Higher Education And Disability in Texas (AHEAD in Texas). AHEAD in Texas was established in 1992 and incorporated in the State of Texas as a non-profit corporation in 2000. AHEAD in Texas is an affiliate of the Association on Higher Education And Disability, formerly known as the Association on Handicapped Student Service Programs in Post-Secondary Education. AHEAD in Texas (hereafter known as the Affiliate) shall educate, train and communicate with professionals of various educational agencies serving students with disabilities attending any public or private post-secondary institution in the State of Texas. Ahead in Texas does not discriminate against any individual with regard to race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or any other constitutionally or statutorily impermissible reason. This policy extends to all programs and activities supported by AHEAD in Texas.
- SECTION 2. The purpose of the Affiliate shall be to serve as a non-profit organization providing expertise and information on disability issues, rights of persons with disabilities, educational and professional development opportunities to higher education disability service providers and other professionals/interested parties, promoting coordination between agencies, associations and organizations for the purpose of promoting opportunity and advocacy for college and university students with disabilities and supporting legislation that benefits higher education and students with disabilities.
- SECTION 3. The official language of the Affiliate is English. Requests for other languages, such as American Sign Language, will be evaluated and met when possible.
ARTICLE II: STRUCTURE
AHEAD in Texas (hereafter referred to as the Association) is created as a volunteer professional organization directed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will be composed of elected officers whose responsibility will be to carry out the mission of the Association through policy formation, the execution of fiduciary responsibility, and maintenance and growth of the organization.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
- SECTION 1. Membership shall be open and available to any interested person according to membership and dues categories as established by the Board of Directors and contained in the By-laws with rights and responsibilities contained therein.
- SECTION 2. Membership levels:
1. Professional - Higher Education:
Directors/Coordinators/Counselors/Staff of Disability Services at 2 and 4
year public and private colleges and universities. This membership level has full voting privileges and is eligible to hold office.
2. Professional - Other:
Directors/Coordinators/Counselors/Case Managers of other agencies/professional organizations providing services to and promoting access or advocating for post-secondary students with disabilities. This membership level is not eligible to hold office and has no voting privileges.
3. Advocate
Family members of students with disabilities, former Professional-
Higher Education members, support staff at any agency/professional
organization/post-secondary institution. This membership level is not eligible to hold office and has no voting privileges.
4. Student
Individuals enrolled as full-time students in an undergraduate or graduate program at an institution of higher learning. This membership level is not eligible to hold office and has no voting privileges.
- SECTION 3. The membership/dues year shall run from January 1 - December 31.
ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY
- SECTION 1. Executive Authority shall be vested in the Board of Directors, composed of elected Officers. The Board of Directors is empowered to do all things permitted by law and to exercise all authority within the purposes stated in the Bylaws contained herein.
- SECTION 2. The officers of the Affiliate shall be the President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past-President and Communications-Membership Officer.
- SECTION 3. All officers shall be elected at-large from the active and eligible voting members of the Affiliate by a date set by the Board of Directors.
- SECTION 4. The term of office of President, President-Elect, and Immediate Past-President shall be for a period of one year. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President without prejudice to the ensuing term of office. All other vacancies shall be filled by presidential appointment and approved by a majority of the officers.
- SECTION 5. The terms of all officers will begin April 1 of the year following election.
- SECTION 6. The officers shall have full authority to conduct the affairs of the Affiliate between meetings of the Board of Directors.
- SECTION 7. Such authority must remain within the provisions of and not conflict with the bylaws, decisions, actions or policies established by the Affiliate.
- SECTION 8. Nomination and elections of Officers will be in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS
o SECTION l. The officers of the board shall be the President, President Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer and the Communications-Membership Officer. Duties of the Officers of the Board shall be delineated in the Board Policy and Procedure Manual.
ARTICLE VI: FINANCE
- SECTION 1. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for maintaining the fiscal integrity of the Affiliate and for ensuring financial stability and growth.
- SECTION 2. Income shall be derived from sources consistent with the purpose and mission of the Affiliate.
- SECTION 3. The fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.
- SECTION 4. The Treasurer will serve as the chief financial officer of the Affiliate.
- SECTION 5. Affiliate funds shall be invested in instruments which are insured and/or are of a type and level of risk approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall review periodically the types of instruments and the level of risk allowed for investments.
- SECTION 6. The financial and accounting records of the Affiliate will be compiled into a summary report at the close of the fiscal year in a manner prescribed by the Board of Directors.
- SECTION 7. All financial transactions, fees and references made thereto will be in U.S. funds.
ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES
- SECTION 1. An elected officer may be impeached by the Board of Directors for actions that are seriously negligent, fraudulent, illegal, and/or unethical within the duties of the respective office.
- SECTION 2. Impeachment procedures will be delineated in the Board Policy and Procedure Manual.
ARTICLE VIII: IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL
- SECTION 1. An elected officer may be impeached by the Board of Directors for actions that are seriously negligent, fraudulent, illegal, and/or unethical within the duties of the respective office.
- SECTION 2. Impeachment procedures will be delineated in the Board Policy and Procedure Manual.
ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS
- SECTION 1. The most current edition of Robert's Rule of Order shall be the parliamentary guidelines for proceedings of the Affiliate whenever it does not conflict with the Bylaws.
Revised November 10, 2006
