PREAMBLE
Indiana AHEAD is a statewide, not-for-profit organization comprised of professionals in post-secondary education in the service of students with disabilities.
We, the Disability Service Providers of postsecondary educational institutions of Indiana, provide ongoing training and support for its members. These bylaws are established by Indiana AHEAD, that we may enhance education, training, and support for disability service providers and services, and professionals to students with disabilities.
ARTICLE I: NAME AND AFFILIATE
SECTION I. NAME
This organization of disability service providers shall be called the Indiana Association on Higher Education and Disability or Indiana AHEAD.
SECTION II. AFFILIATE
The Indiana Association on Higher Education and Disability will be an affiliate of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) is an international, multicultural organization of professionals committed to full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities. The Association is a vital resource promoting excellence through leadership, education, communication, and training.
ARTICLE II: MISSION AND VISION
SECTION I. MISSION
To provide professional support and development to postsecondary disability service providers in the State of Indiana and to other individuals and organizations who are committed to the principles of equal access and opportunity for all qualified students with disabilities to become full participants in higher education and in society at large.
SECTION II. VISION
To promote opportunities and affect change in the State of Indiana that will be beneficial to qualified postsecondary students with disabilities.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION I. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
Membership in Indiana AHEAD shall consist of disability service providers in postsecondary education and the community. The organization will have three (3) classes of members designated as "Professional," "Emeritus," and "Emerging Professional."
Professional Member:
Shall be any person working to enhance higher education opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Emeritus Member:
Shall be any person who formerly worked to enhance higher education opportunities for individuals with disabilities who is currently retired or not employed on a full-time basis within the field of higher education disability services.
Emerging Professional Member:
Shall be any person enrolled in a higher education program who has an interest in promoting the purpose of the organization and enhancing opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the higher education setting.
SECTION II. MEMBERSHIP DUES
Individual Membership Dues:
Professional Membership: $30 per year
Emeritus Membership: $25 per year
Emerging Professional Membership: $20 per year
Institutional Membership Dues:
Institution with 5 staff members: $120
Institution with 10 staff members: $240
Institution with 15 or more staff members: $360
SECTION III. ELIGIBILITY
Any person who shall, upon application, show active employment, affiliation, or matriculation, and provide payment of dues, may become a member of the appropriate membership class.
Membership shall be open and available to any professional who supports Indiana AHEAD's mission and, as such, is committed to the full participation in higher education by persons with disabilities, according to dues categories as established by the Executive Board.
The Indiana AHEAD is an equal opportunity organization and does not discriminate in its membership with regard to disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, relation, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or political affiliation.
SECTION IV. VOTING
All elected and appointed officers shall be eligible voting members. Professional and Emeritus members shall be entitled to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the membership. Student membership does not include voting rights.
Mail or Electronic Voting: Voting may be conducted by mail or electronic means in such a manner as the Executive Board shall determine. Election shall be a majority of votes, provided that at least one-fourth (1/4) of the members entitled to vote shall cast a vote.
SECTION IV. RESIGNATION
Any member may voluntarily terminate membership at any time, by written resolution delivered to the Secretary, but such resignation shall not relieve the resigning member of any obligation for dues, assessments, or other charges previously accrued but unpaid.
SECTION V. DISCONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP
The Executive Board may, by majority resolution, suspend or expel a member whenever in their judgment the best interest of Indiana AHEAD shall be served by such removal.
SECTION VI. REINSTATEMENT
Any member, upon written request, and by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Executive Board, may be reinstated upon such terms as the Executive Board may deem appropriate.
ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
SECTION I. GENERAL POWERS
The affairs of the organization shall be managed by its Executive Board, except for functions and powers reserved to the members.
SECTION II. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The officers of the organization shall consist of a President, a President-Elect, a Secretary, Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect, Communication Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, Educational Resource Coordinator, and Past President (year after presidency).
SECTION III. RECORDS
The Executive Board will keep correct records of accounts and minutes of the proceedings of its members and Executive Board. Pertinent records of the organization may upon reasonable written notice to the custodian thereof, be inspected by any member, or an agent or attorney, for any proper purpose and at any reasonable time.
SECTION IV. STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
The organization will keep and adhere to standard operational procedures related to officer responsibilities and organization processes.
SECTION V. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the organization shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December in each year.
SECTION VI. BUSINESS MEETINGS
Business Meetings of the organization’s members shall be held at the annual conference or at other times as called by the President, or Executive Board designee.
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
Indiana AHEAD will hold a meeting annually. Robert's Rules of Order shall govern Indiana AHEAD meetings in all cases in which they are applicable and consistent with these Bylaws or any rules of order the Board may adopt.
Additional special meetings may be called by the Executive Board to address issues that affect Indiana AHEAD and its members. Any member may propose to the Executive Board the calling of a special meeting, and the Board will then determine by resolution or by vote of the membership whether a special meeting is warranted.
SECTION I. ANNUAL MEETINGS
Annual meetings of the Members shall be held for the purpose of conducting such business as may come before the meeting. The Executive Board shall by resolution determine the date, time, and place of such a meeting and shall give notice to all members.
SECTION II. SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings of the Members may be called by the Executive Board or by written request of at least ten percent (10%) of the members entitled to vote.
SECTION III. QUORUM
The presence of one-fourth (1/4) of voting members shall constitute a quorum at such meetings. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the members, no official business can be conducted.
SECTION IV. PROXIES
Proxy voting shall not be allowed at any meeting of the Members.
SECTION V. MANNER OF ACTION
A majority of votes by the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is met shall be necessary for the adoption of the matter to be voted upon.
ARTICLE VI: GOVERNANCE
SECTION I: GOVERNANCE BY EXECUTIVE BOARD
Executive authority of Indiana AHEAD shall rest with the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall use the Bylaws contained herein as the ultimate authority for the Association.
SECTION II. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Executive Board shall be responsible for the execution of all business affairs of the Association and shall convene a minimum of two times per year to conduct such business. The Executive Board shall be accountable to the membership for its actions. It shall seek input from the membership on major decisions and shall give a report of its activities at the annual business meeting. The Executive Board shall fill vacancies on the Board, as necessary, on an interim basis until the next regularly scheduled election. The Board shall have the authority to dismiss officers and standing committee chairpersons who do not fulfill their responsibilities as specified in Article VIII, Section 1 of these Bylaws. The Board shall be responsible for scheduling the date and location of the annual business meeting and conference(s), for establishing registration fees, for planning the agenda for the business meeting, and for providing direction for and review of the planning for all Indiana AHEAD programs and activities. The Executive Board shall present goals to the membership via the Indiana AHEAD listserv; the Executive Board should note the potential effects of the annual goals on the Indiana AHEAD budget, where relevant.
ARTICLE VII: EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS
The Executive Board shall consist of the offices of President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Treasurer-elect, and Communication Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, Educational Resource Coordinator, and Past President (year after presidency).
Nominations, appointments, and elections of officers shall take place annually at the annual conference spring meeting in accordance with procedures established and approved by the membership.
Additional members of the Executive Board shall be determined by the Executive Board and may include positions such as standing committee chairpersons, individuals representing specific areas of the region and/or types of institutions of higher education, or other such positions as deemed necessary by the Executive Board. These positions shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board. Terms and responsibilities shall be described as the positions are created.
SECTION I. PRESIDENT
The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Association and shall supervise and direct all of its business, professional and educational affairs. The President shall preside at the meetings of the membership and of the Executive Board; may sign, with the Treasurer, any contracts or other instruments which the Executive Board has authorized to be executed; may appoint standing and ad-hoc committees as needed to carry out the work of the Association; shall serve as official liaison with the national office of AHEAD; prepare and preside over the annual conference and business meetings; and in general shall perform all duties associated with the office of the President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Executive Board. The President’s name will be included on both the organization saving and checking accounts. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. At the commencement of the term year, the President shall distribute pertinent electronic documents from the Indiana AHEAD officers and chairs of the previous term to the new Indiana AHEAD officers and chairs. As the Affiliate Representative to the national AHEAD organization, if the President cannot represent the organization at the national AHEAD conference, then the President-Elect, or the Immediate Past President shall serve as the representative. The President shall serve a term of two years.
SECTION II. PRESIDENT-ELECT
The President-Elect shall support the President in his/her duties. The President-Elect shall serve a term of two years and is to be elected the year subsequent to the Treasurer- Elect to facilitate a smooth transition within officers. At the completion of this term, the President-Elect will assume the duties of President for the next term. In the event the President is absent or unable, for any reason, to perform the duties of President, the President-Elect shall perform these duties and have the full authority of the office of President until such time as the President is able to resume those duties.
SECTION III. PAST PRESIDENT
The Immediate Past President while not a voting member of the executive board is to act as a consultant to the President as needed. The Immediate Past President will serve a minimum of a one-year term.
SECTION IV. TREASURER
The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Indiana AHEAD; receive and provide receipts for monies due and payable to the organization from all sources; deposit monies in bank, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be determined by Officers. The Treasurer shall have responsibility for disbursing all funds of the organization. The Treasurer shall keep adequate and appropriate records of receipts and disbursements. The Treasurer shall serve as membership coordinator due to the collection of annual dues. The Treasurer shall serve as ex-officio member of any committee where financial oversight and consultation are appropriate. The Treasurer shall serve a term of two years.
SECTION V. TREASURER-ELECT
The Treasurer-Elect shall support the Treasurer in his/her duties. At the completion of this term, the Treasurer-Elect will assume the duties of Treasurer for the next term. In the event the Treasurer is absent or unable, for any reason, to perform the duties of Treasurer, the Treasurer-Elect shall perform these duties and have the full authority of the office of Treasurer until such time as the Treasurer is able to resume those duties. The Treasurer-Elect shall serve a term of two years. The Treasurer-Elect shall serve a term of two years and is to be elected the year subsequent to the President -Elect to facilitate a smooth transition within officers.
SECTION VI. SECRETARY
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings and conference calls. The Secretary shall distribute minutes of the meetings to the Executive Board in a timely fashion. The Secretary will be responsible for all official correspondence of the organization. The Secretary shall coordinate the silent auction or other conference fundraiser. The Secretary shall serve a term of one year.
SECTION VII. COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR
The Communication Coordinator shall maintain the content on the national affiliate website, including the publication of conference materials. The Communication Coordinator shall maintain the Indiana AHEAD email and database lists. The Communication Coordinator shall send announcements to the membership and maintain content on social media venues, as needed. The Communication Coordinator shall serve a term of one year.
SECTION VIII. MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
The Membership Coordinator shall have charge to manage membership of the organization. The Membership Coordinator shall maintain the Membership database and Listserv. The Membership Coordinator shall send information on membership, as needed. The Membership Coordinator shall be the Chair of the Membership Committee. The Membership Coordinator shall serve a term of one year.
SECTION IX. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES COORDINATOR
The Educational Resources Coordinator shall have charge to develop educational resources for membership of the organization. The Educational Resources Coordinator shall assess from membership needed educational content and provide communication on materials, as needed. The Educational Resources Coordinator shall be the Chair of the Educational Resources Committee. The Educational Resources Coordinator shall serve a term of one year.
ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES
The president, with the approval of the Executive Board, shall name standing and ad hoc committees as deemed necessary to conduct the business of Indiana AHEAD. All such committees shall operate within the purpose and mission of the Indiana AHEAD as contained in Article II of this document. They shall be specifically charged as to their purpose and function. Standing committees shall remain in operation at the discretion of the Executive Board. Ad hoc committees shall be dismissed upon completion of their assigned tasks.
SECTION I. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
It shall be the duty of the Membership Committee to recruit potential members; prepare annual membership renewal letters to current members; identify new member's special interest areas to the appropriate committee chairpersons; coordinate closely with the Treasurer in maintaining a current and accurate membership roster; prepare and distribute a membership directory to members annually; and perform other duties relating to membership as assigned by the Executive Board.
SECTION II. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
It shall be the duty of the Education Resources Committee to recommend to the Executive Board resources designed to educate Indiana AHEAD members and other interested persons in the education community on current issues and information affecting students with disabilities in higher education. This committee shall assume primary responsibility for planning and executing educational resources and activities for Indiana AHEAD members to utilize in their spaces.
ARTICLE IX: ANNUAL DUES
The members shall determine the amount of the dues payable to the organization. Such determination shall be by a resolution approved by a majority of members present and voting at a duly called meeting, or by a majority of those responding by mail, or electronic means provided that a majority of the members eligible to vote shall respond.
Notice of a proposal to increase the dues shall be given to the members at least thirty (30) days before any meeting at which such proposal shall be presented, or ballots are solicited by mail or electronic means.
Dues include a discount in the cost of attending the annua IN AHEAD Conference.
ARTICLE X: NON-PROFIT STATUS
SECTION I. PURPOSE
The purposes for which Indiana AHEAD is organized are exclusively educational within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, this organization shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue law.
SECTION II. INCOME
Income shall be derived from the dues, gifts, contributions, and such other sources as the Executive Board may approve, consistent with the purpose of the organization and exemption under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the Indiana Nonprofit Corporation Code or under the provisions of these by-laws, a notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
SECTION III. DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution of Indiana AHEAD, its assets remaining after payment or provision of payments of all debts and liabilities shall be distributed to AHEAD for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by a court of competent jurisdiction in the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
SECTION IV. INTEREST
The interest of any member in the property of the organization ceases with the termination of their membership.
SECTION V. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No member of the Indiana AHEAD Executive Board shall derive any personal profit or gain, directly or indirectly, by reason of their participation in Indiana AHEAD. Each individual shall disclose to Indiana AHEAD any personal interest which they may have in any matter pending before the organization and shall refrain from participation in any decision on such matter. Any member of Indiana AHEAD’s Executive Board shall refrain from obtaining any list of Indiana AHEAD clients for personal or private solicitation purposes at any time during the term of their affiliation.
ARTICLE XI: BYLAWS
SECTION I. AMENDMENTS
Amendments to the Bylaws pertaining to Structure, Purpose, and Executive Board may be initiated only by a member of the Executive Board. Upon approval of a majority vote at a meeting of the Executive Board, the amendment shall become part of these Bylaws.
SECTION II. ELIGIBILITY
Amendments to the Bylaws pertaining to matters other than those listed above in Section I may be initiated by any active voting member upon written presentation to the Executive Board.
Upon a majority vote of the Executive Board, the amendment shall become part of the Bylaws.
Amendments Added: March 2016, December 2017, August 2018, July 2019, December 2021