Bylaws of Minnesota AHEAD

BY-LAWS OF THE MINNESOTA
ASSOCIATION ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND DISABILITY

MISSION

The Minnesota Association of Higher Education and Disability is an organization of professionals committed to full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities. The organization is dedicated to serving as a resource in promoting excellence through networking among professionals, dissemination of information, and providing or promoting professional development opportunities.

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Minnesota Association on Higher Education and Disability (MN AHEAD).

ARTICLE II: STRUCTURE

The Minnesota Association on Higher Education and Disability (hereafter referred to as the Association) is created as a volunteer professional organization directed by a volunteer Advisory Board. The Advisory Board 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: PURPOSE

SECTION 1. The purpose of the Association shall be to serve as an organization providing education and professional development, and to:

  1. Serve as a source of expertise for information on disability, disability awareness, disability rights, and any other information as it relates to higher education by:
    1. Providing networking opportunities to members, such as listservs, blogs, meetings and conferences
    2. Delivering training via meetings, newsletters, workshops, conferences, and training programs
  2. Provide vehicles to strengthen the professionalism, expertise, and competency of those working in higher education with students with disabilities through:
    1. Encouraging the development and expansion of a communications network primarily for those persons professionally involved in programs and services for students with disabilities
    2. Providing members with opportunities for training in order to educate the public and public officials in the areas of disability, disability rights and awareness
  3. Promote the equal rights and opportunities of college and university students with disabilities

SECTION 2. The Association does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, gender, marital status, disability or sexual orientation.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. Membership shall be open and available to any interested person who supports the Association's mission and who is committed to the full participation in higher education by persons with disabilities.

SECTION 2. The membership and dues year shall be January 1 through December 31.

SECTION 3. Officers on the Advisory Board must also hold membership in the National Association on Higher Education and Disability.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

SECTION 1. Meetings of the Advisory Board occur monthly.

  1. A quorum of the Board, for conducting business, will be constituted by a majority
  2. Input of the Board, including actions requiring a vote, may be solicited by fax or email

SECTION 2. All meetings of the Board shall be open to the Association's membership unless closed by majority vote to enter Executive Session.

SECTION 3. Notice of pending meetings of the Board shall take place in sufficient time to allow participation by the membership.

SECTION 4. An update of the Association's business will take place at each annual conference for the purpose of reporting financial and other information to the membership.

  1. A quorum at such meetings will be represented by those in attendance.
  2. Decision on any votes taken during this meeting will be represented by a majority of the votes

ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY

SECTION I. The executive authority of the Association shall be vested in the Advisory Board, which shall be comprised of elected officers and committee chairs empowered to all things permitted by law and to exercise all authority within the purposes stated in the by-laws.

SECTION 2. The Officers of the Association shall be the President and President-Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Advisory Board shall also include Monthly Meeting Chair(s), Conference Chair(s), and other special project Chairs (for example, Scholarship Committee Chair or Public Relations Chair).

  1. President and President-Elect shall call and preside at meetings of the Advisory Board and oversee the Board and organization proceedings
  2. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall serve as the fiscal officer of the Association and shall be responsible for the fiscal planning, management reporting of its financial records and policies, and maintenance of the membership roster. The Treasurer will monitor the financial status of the Association by reviewing income and expense reports. The Treasurer will process membership applications, monitor payment of annual dues by members and maintain a mailing list of members who pay dues. The Treasurer shall serve as ex-officio member of any committee where financial oversight and consultation are appropriate
  3. Secretary: The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the minutes of the Association, meetings of the Advisory Board, and others as directed by the Co-Chairs. The Secretary shall be responsible for producing an electronic communication for distribution via the listserv at least three times annually
  4. Conference Chair: The Conference Planner shall be responsible for planning and organizing the Association's annual conference
  5. Meeting Chair: The Meeting Planner shall be responsible for planning and organizing the topics and speakers for the Association's regular meetings
  6. Technology Chair: The Technology Chair will develop and maintain the MN AHEAD website and blog

SECTION 3. Any member in good standing of the Association may express a willingness to serve on the Advisory Board. Officers and Committee Chairs shall be elected from existing members of the Association.

SECTION 4. Officers shall be and must remain active, voting members of both MN AHEAD and AHEAD. Chairs must be and remain active members of MN AHEAD.

SECTION 5. Officers and Committee Chairs shall commit to a term of two years, and may serve multiple terms. Terms on the Advisory Board are reviewed annually.

SECTION 6. Any Officer or Chair may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Association President. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if no time is specified, at the time of acceptance by the Advisory Board.

SECTION 7. In the event of unexpected vacancy, the Advisory Board shall solicit and appoint a replacement.

SECTION 8. Attendance at meetings is expected; notice of need to be absent shall be submitted to the President.

SECTION 9. No member of the Advisory Board shall serve for compensation but may be reimbursed for actual, reasonable expenses incurred on official Association business.

ARTICLE VII: FINANCE

SECTION 1. The Advisory Board shall be responsible for maintaining the fiscal integrity of the Association. The Treasurer shall serve as the financial officer of the Association.

SECTION 2. Income shall be derived from sources consistent with the purpose and mission of the Association.

SECTION 3. The fiscal year shall be January 1 - December 31.

SECTION 4. The financial and accounting systems of the Association shall be audited at the close of the fiscal year in a manner prescribed by the Advisory Board.

ARTICLE VIII: CONFLICT OF INTEREST

SECTION 1. No Officer or Committee Chair shall deliberately use his or her position, or the knowledge gained there from, in such a manner that a conflict between the interest of the Association or any of its affiliates and his or her personal interest arises.

ARTICLE IX: REMOVAL

SECTION 1. Officers and Committee Chairs may be removed from the Advisory Board, with cause, by a two-thirds majority of the members voting.

Updated: October 3, 2011

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