CONSTITUTION OF THE
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND DISABILITY
Article I. NAME The name of the organization shall be the Michigan Association of Higher Education and Disability (Mi-AHEAD); affiliate of the Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD).
Article II. PURPOSE The purpose of the Michigan Association of Higher Education and Disability (herein referred to as the Association) shall be to:
A. Provide a vehicle that will strengthen the professionalism, expertise, competency and resultant effectiveness of personnel working with students with disabilities, faculty and staff in higher education through:
1. The development and expansion of a communications network for members professionally involved in ensuring opportunities for students with disabilities in higher education with other interested parties;
2. Serve as a mechanism to facilitate the collection, networking, evaluation, and dissemination of information for persons professionally involved in ensuring opportunities for students with disabilities in higher education;
3. Promote professional development in the areas of research, evaluation, programmatic or resource planning and training for members.
B. Promote equity and opportunities for students with disabilities in higher education through:
1. Coordinating students with agencies working with persons with disabilities;
2. Advocating for legislation that benefits persons with disabilities;
3. Providing the community with information on the status, needs, and concerns of persons with disabilities;
4. Providing reasonable accommodations.
Article III. MEMBERSHIP
Type of Membership
A. A member shall be any individual who is working or has worked or has an interest in working with persons with disabilities in higher education to assure and/or enhance their opportunities;
B. Each member shall have paid current annual dues, is entitled to one vote, and is eligible to hold office.
Article IV. OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section 1. Officers and Terms of Office
A. The officers of the Association shall be the President, the Presidentelect, Past President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, the Webmaster, the Four Year Institutional Representative, and the Two Year Institutional Representative. The collective group of officers will constitute the Executive Board.
B. The term of office of any elected officer of the Association shall be for a period of two (2) years and shall begin July 1, following the election.
C. Upon completion of their term of office, the President-elect shall become President of the Association and the President shall become the immediate Past President and shall be seated on the Executive Board.
D. The Executive Board shall convene on a monthly basis except for August and December and shall be responsible for the yearly planning of the annual Association meeting. Each officer will be responsible to attend at least seven (7) meetings per year. F. The Executive Board shall have full authority to conduct the business of the Association. The exercise of such authority must remain within the provisions of this constitution and not conflict with decisions, actions, or policies established by the Association.
Section 2. Duties of Officers
A. The President shall preside at all meetings and perform such other duties pertinent to that office. The President shall be Chairperson of the Executive Board and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall appoint the Chairpersons of all standing committees subject to confirmation of the Executive Board.
B. The President-elect, in the temporary absence of the President, shall execute the duties of the President. The President-elect shall be the standing committee coordinator, and shall coordinate and direct as appropriate the functions of all standing committees as directed by the President.
C. The Treasurer shall be responsible for receiving and disbursing all money under policies approved by the Association. The Treasurer 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 the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall submit an annual report to the Association. The Treasurer shall be additionally responsible for the maintenance of Association membership records.
D. The Secretary shall have both recording and correspondence responsibility and such additional duties as may be directed by the Executive Board.
E. The Two Year Institutional Representative and Four Year Institutional Representative are elected to assure the representation of membership needs and issues of their specific constituencies. The representatives shall serve on committees, or serve additional duties as may be directed by the Executive Board.
F. The Webmaster shall be responsible for updating and maintaining the Mi-AHEAD website including website content, web-based membership database administration, and web hosting services. The Webmaster shall also assume ownership and moderator duties of the Mi-AHEAD listserv as well as such additional duties that may be directed by the Executive Board.
Section 3. Vacancy of Officers. In the event of the vacancy in the office of the President, the President-elect shall assume the duties of the President. All other Executive Board vacancies that occur shall be replaced by appointment of the Executive Board for the duration of the term. Section 4. Nomination and Election of Officers
A. There shall be established a Nomination and Election Committee as a special committee consisting of no less than the President and the President-elect. The members of the Nomination and Election Committee will not be candidates for any office while a member of the committee.
B. The Nomination and Election Committee shall call for nominations from the membership of possible candidates to be placed on the nomination ballot for the position of President-elect, Treasurer, Secretary and Two and Four Year Representatives and shall screen and select appropriate candidates from among these nominees.
C. The Nomination and Election Committee shall conduct the election of officers by secret ballot by the members present at the annual Association meeting. A majority vote of those eligible members is required. In the event of a tie, the election shall be decided by the flip of a coin. In no case will proxy voting be allowed.
Article V. FINANCE
Section 1. The fiscal year of the Association shall be from July 1 to June 30.
Section 2. Income shall be derived from membership dues and conference fees or any way that the Executive Board may approve.
Section 3. Dues shall be assessed and collected yearly. The membership shall be notified of a proposal to increase the dues of the Association at least thirty (30) days before a vote is taken. A majority vote of those eligible members responding is required.
Section 4. The Executive Board will review the financial status of the accounts no less than bi-annually.
Article VI. COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Association shall establish such standing and ad hoc committees as may be needed to conduct its activities. The Chairperson of each committee will be appointed by the President and subject to confirmation by the Executive Board.
Article VII. AMENDMENTS
Section I. Proposals to amend this Constitution may be initiated by the Executive Board or any individual who is a member of the Association. The proposal to amend must be received by the Secretary and presented to the Executive Board at least sixty (60) days before action is expected.
Section 2. The membership shall be informed by the Secretary of a proposal to amend the Constitution of the Association at least thirty (from the voting members) (30) days before a vote. A majority of the votes collected is required for adoption.