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OF THE MAINE SUBDIVISION OF THE DIVISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD OF THE COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN |
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OF THE MAINE SUBDIVISION OF THE DIVISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD OF THE COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN |
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this organization shall be The Maine Subdivision of the Division for Early Childhood of The Council for Exceptional Children.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE AND GOALS
Section 1. Purpose
The primary purpose of this subdivision shall be to advance the growth and development of young children with exceptionalities, birth to 8 years, and their families and to promote related educational, scientific, and charitable purposes. Specifically, the subdivision intends to assist and provide support to The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) in all its efforts on behalf of persons with exceptionalities, and to participate in all appropriate governance activities of CEC subject to the general supervision and control of CEC.
Section 2. Goals
- Interdisciplinary collaboration and communication among organizations, practitioners and family members.
- Innovations in research and development of new knowledge;
- Dissemination and use of information about research, resources, best practices and current issues; and
- Professional development through an array of activities and strategies.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Unified Membership
The subdivision membership shall consist of members of The Council for Exceptional Children and the Division for Early Childhood of the Maine Federation with which the subdivision is affiliated. The subdivision may not accept enrollments for subdivision membership only.
Section 2. Minimum Membership Requirements
The subdivision shall maintain a minimum of 15 paid members who shall meet the membership qualifications established by the CEC Delegate Assembly.
Section 3. Membership Term
The policy pertaining to the membership year shall be consistent with the policy of The Council for Exceptional Children.
Section 4. Subdivision Fees
The subdivision may collect fees for specific activities or services at differential rates for members versus non-members. The privileges of membership cannot be withheld from members due to non-payment of these fees.
ARTICLE IV
ORGANIZATION
Section 1. Relationship to The Council for Exceptional Children
This subdivision shall be recognized as an official subdivision of the Division for Early Childhood, shall be affiliated with the Maine Federation, and thus of The Council for Exceptional Children.
Section 2. Fiscal and Administrative Term
The fiscal year and administrative term of office shall be July 1 through June 30.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. Elected Positions
The officers of this subdivision shall be (a) president, (b) president-elect, (c) secretary, and (d) treasurer.
Section 2. Prerequisite to Nomination and Election
All officers must be members in good standing of The Council for Exceptional Children, the Division for Early Childhood and thus the subdivision at the time of their nomination and election and remain so throughout their term of office.
Section 3. Succession
An elected officer cannot succeed himself in the same office until after the expiration of one administrative year, provided that this shall not apply in the case of an officer selected to fill any portion of an unexpired term.
Section 4. Vacancies
A vacancy in the office of president shall be filled by automatic succession of the president elect to the office. A vacancy in any of the offices, except president, shall be declared and filled by action of the Executive Committee upon recommendation by the president, and such person(s) shall serve only until the end of the current administrative year or until replaced by a duly elected successor.
Section 5. Duties of Officers
A. The powers and duties of the president shall be:
1. To serve as the chief executive officer of the subdivision with the powers and duties usually belonging to such a position;
2. To give leadership to general policy making and carry out the directives of the membership;
3. To call and preside at the annual business meeting and all meetings of the Executive Committee;
4. To recommend chairs of standing committees with the exception of the nominations and elections committee;
5. To be an ex-officio non-voting member of all committees with the exception of the nominations and elections committee;
6. To recommend to the Executive Committee the types of ad hoc committees and other appointive bodies needed;
7. To represent the subdivision in coordinating efforts with other units of CEC and other organizations;
8. To prepare an annual report as required by The Council for Exceptional Children, the federation, and the division.
B. The powers and duties of the president elect shall be:
1. To serve in the place of and with the authority of the president in case of the president's absence or inability to serve;
2. To serve as the subdivision's representative on the program planning committee for the annual federation meetings held during his/her term of office;
3. To develop the program and plan other meetings according to the policies and directives of the Executive Committee.
C. The powers and duties of the secretary shall be:
1. To keep a careful record of the proceedings of the annual business meeting and the meetings of the Executive Committee;
2. To carry on correspondence as necessary for the operation of the subdivision;
3. To assume custody of all records except those specifically assigned to others;
4. To keep accurate lists of Executive Committee and committee members;
5. To transfer all records to the new secretary at the time of installation.
D. The powers and duties of the treasurer shall be:
1. To serve as custodian of the funds of the subdivision;
2. To authorize and pay all expenditures;
3. To make an annual report of the financial status of the subdivision to the Executive Committee and at the annual business meeting;
4. To prepare and submit an annual budget for approval by the Executive Committee at the annual business meeting;
5. To transfer all monies and records to the new treasurer within 15 days after installation.
Section 6. Election of Officers
The officers of the subdivision shall be elected by the membership from those members in good standing. Nominations may also be made from the floor. The election shall be held during the annual meeting.
Section 7. Term of Office
Each term shall be one year, unless stated otherwise and shall coincide with the fiscal/ administrative year, July 1 through June 30.
Section 8. Removal from Office
A. A petition for removal of an officer shall be signed by at least five members of the subdivision and submitted in writing to the president. If the president is the subject of the petition, it shall be submitted to the president elect.
B. The president (or president elect) shall, within seven days, notify each Executive Committee member in writing of the receipt of such a petition, solicit relevant evidence from all parties concerned, and call a special meeting of the Executive Committee to consider the matter within 30 days following receipt of the petition.
C. At the Executive Committee meeting, an opportunity shall be made available to all interested parties to present any relevant evidence; a two-thirds majority vote of the members present, provided there is a quorum, is necessary for removal of the officer. Removal from office is effective immediately.
D. The officer being considered for removal shall be provided with the results of the Executive Committee action in writing within seven days.
ARTICLE VI
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. Composition
The Executive Committee shall consist of the president, president elect, immediate past president, secretary, treasurer, the subdivision representative to the federation's governing board, and chairs of standing committees.
Section 2. Duties of the Executive Committee
The duties of the Executive Committee shall be:
A. To formulate and propose policies for the subdivision;
B. To fill vacancies; and
C. To make recommendations to the subdivision.
ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS
Section 1. Meetings
A minimum of one annual business meeting shall be held.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the president with the consent of the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Quorum
Eight of the membership shall constitute a quorum at a regular or specially-called meeting.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing Committees
Standing committees shall include (a) membership, (b) publication, (c) advocacy, and (d) professional development.
Section 2. Ad Hoc Committees
Ad hoc committees may be established and their functions assigned at the discretion of the president. Such establishment must clearly indicate the purpose and length of service of the committee.
Section 3. Appointment of Committee Chairs
The president, with the approval of the Executive Committee, shall appoint the chairs of the standing committees. The president elect shall serve as chair of the professional development committee.
Section 4. Appointment of Committee Members
Committee members shall be appointed by the chair, subject to approval by the president.
Section 5. Duties of Committees
A. The duties of the membership committee shall be:
1. To maintain a current record of members and to provide all officers and committee chairs with such a list;
2. To maintain an active program for the recruitment of new members;
3. To support Council headquarters in its follow-up of membership renewals;
4. To keep a written record of the activities conducted to maintain and increase membership.
B. The publications committee shall publish the newsletter.
C. The duties of the advocacy committee shall be:
1. To develop a legislative program under the direction of the Executive Committee;
2. To disseminate information pertinent to national and state/provincial legislative programs.
D. The duties of the professional development committee shall be to participate in planning conferences and training events.
ARTICLE IX
DURATION AND DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution of the Maine DEC Subdivision, the Executive Board shall, after payment of all liabilities of the subdivision, dispose of all assets to a national or state nonprofit organization serving the needs of exceptional infants and young children and their families.
ARTICLE X
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, latest edition, shall be used as a guide by this subdivision in carrying out its parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the membership present, providing there is a quorum. Such amendment or amendments shall have been submitted in writing to the Executive Committee. Within 30 days of the date received, it shall be submitted to the membership in writing. The membership shall have received the proposed amendment or amendments at least 14 days prior to the meeting.
Bylaws may be amended by a mail, email, or voice vote and passed by a simple majority of members voting. Prior notification to members must be given.
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