KANSAS SUBDIVISION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
ARTICLE I – NAME
Section 1
The name of this organization shall be the Kansas Subdivision for Early
Childhood of the Division for Early Childhood of the International Council
for Exceptional Children.
Section 2
The Kansas Subdivision for Early Childhood shall be recognized as an affiliate
of the Kansas Federation of the International Council for Exceptional Children.
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ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
Section 1
The Kansas Subdivision for Early Childhood is organized exclusively for
charitable, religious, educational and scientific purposes, including for
such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify
as exempt organizations under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future Untied States
Internal Revenue Law).
Section 2
The primary purposes of the organization shall be to promote the education
of infants and young children with exceptional needs and to encourage and
promote professional growth and research as a means of better understanding
the unique needs related to young exceptional children.
Section 3
No part of the net earnings of the association shall inure to the benefit
of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private
persons, except that the association shall be authorized and empowered to
pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and
distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in article II, Section
1 hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the association
shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence
legislation and the association shall not participate in, or intervene in
(including the publishing and distribution of statements) any political
campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Section 4
Upon the dissolution of the association, the Executive Board shall, after
paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of
the association, disposes of all of the assets of the association exclusively
for the purpose of the association in such manner, or to such organization
or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational,
religious or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt
organization or organizations under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United
States Internal Revenue Law), as the Executive Board shall determine. Any
such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed by the Court of Common
Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the association 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.
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ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
The division shall maintain a minimum of twenty (20) paid members in good
standing who shall compose the membership meeting qualifications established
by the CEC Delegate Assembly and as may have been supplemented by the International
Division for Early Childhood.
Section 2
All members of the Kansas Division for Early Childhood shall be members
of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the International Division
for Early Childhood.
Section 3
Policies pertaining to rights and privileges of various categories of membership
shall be consistent with the policies of the CEC.
Section 4
The policy pertaining to the membership year shall be consistent with the
policy of CEC, and the period of membership for each subdivision member
shall coincide with his/her membership in CEC.
Section 5
Membership shall consist of regular and student members.
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ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
Section 1
The officers of this organization shall be a president, an immediate past-president,
a president-elect who shall succeed the president, a vice-president who
shall succeed the president-elect, a secretary, and a treasurer.
Section 2
The terms of officers shall be as follows: president, immediate past-president,
president-elect, and vice president – one year, secretary and treasurer – two
consecutive years.
Section 3
The fiscal and administrative term of office shall be July 1 – June
30.
Section 4
- A
vacancy in the office of president shall be filled by automatic succession
of the president-elect to the office.
- A
vacancy in the office of president-elect shall be filled by automatic
succession
of the vice-president to the office.
- A
vacancy in any of the offices, except president and president-elect,
shall be declared and filled by action of the Executive Board 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
An elected officer cannot succeed him/herself in the same office. However,
the officer may be reelected to the same office after the expiration of
one year. An officer selected to fill any portion of an unexpired
term may be elected to the same office immediately following the appointed
term.
Section 6
Individuals nominated for office must currently be members of the Council
for Exceptional Children, the International Division for Early Childhood,
and the Kansas Subdivision for Early Childhood throughout their term of
office. Failure to maintain such membership shall result in immediate
removal from office.
Section 7
Procedures for removal from office will be as follows:
-
A
petition for removal of a Kansas Subdivision for Early Childhood 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.
- The
president (or president-elect) shall, within seven days, notify each
Executive Board member in writing of the receipt of such a petition,
solicit relevant evidence from all parties concerned, and convene a special
meeting of the Executive Board to consider the matter within thirty days
following receipt of the petition.
- At
the Executive Board meeting, an opportunity shall be made available
to all interested parties to present any relevant evidence.
- The
Executive Board shall then forward the petition and relevant
documentation, with or without recommendations, to the general membership.
A ballot is to be enclosed and members are to be asked to vote on the
retention/removal of the officer.
- A
ballot must be returned to the president (president-elect) within thirty
(30) days. A two-thirds majority vote of voting members is necessary
for the removal of the officer.
- Removal
from office is effective immediately. The officer being considered
for removal shall be provided with the results of the Executive Board
action in writing within seven days.
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ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1
The president, president-elect, vice-president, immediate past president,
secretary, treasurer, chairpersons of standing committees, historian, student
representative, and ex-officio members shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 2
The historian, student representative, ex-officio members, and chairpersons
of standing committees shall be appointed by the president with the approval
of the Executive Board.
Section 3
Members attending any legally called Executive Board meeting shall constitute
a quorum.
Section 4
The Executive board shall meet at least once a year. Meetings of
the Executive Board shall be called by the president or by petition of three
members of the Board, by individual notification of the members at least
seven days prior to meeting.
Section 5
All members of the Executive Board shall be members of the International
Division for Early Childhood and the Kansas Subdivision for Early Childhood.
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ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES
Section 1
Standing committees shall include:
-
Membership
- Publications
- Nominations
and Elections
- Children
Action Network
- Finance
and Operations
- Awards
Section 2
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. Chairpersons of
these committees are not members of the Executive Board.
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ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS
Section 1
A minimum of one annual business meeting shall be held.
Section 2
The Executive Board shall have the authority to conduct regional meetings,
conventions or conference in addition to the annual meeting.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS
Section 1
Constitutional amendments may be made in the following manner:
-
This
constitution may be amended by a mail vote and the item must pass by
a two-thirds majority of the members voting.
- Proposed
amendments to the constitution must be petitioned by ten (10) active
members and circulated by mail to the active membership within eight
(8) months thereafter, subject to a vote at or before the annual business
meeting. All amendments must be submitted to the president.
Adopted March 6, 1982, Manhattan, KS.
Revised September 25, 1992
Further Revised February 28, 2003
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Changes made:
Article V – Executive Board Section
- —added
ex-officio members
- —added
ex-officio members
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
All members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of this subdivision.
ARTICLE II – NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS
Section 1
The cost and procedures for newsletter subscriptions shall be determined
by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE III – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1
The duties of the officers shall be such as are implied by their respective
titles and such as are specified by these bylaws.
Section 2
The president shall:
- be
the chief executive officer of the subdivision.
- call
and preside at the annual business meeting.
- call
and preside at meetings of the Executive Board.
- recommend
chairpersons of committees with the exception of the
Nominations
and Election, Finance and Operations, Awards and
Publications.
- be
an ex-officio member of all committees with the exception of the
Nominations
and Elections Committee.
- represent
the subdivision in coordinating efforts with other agencies.
- provide
leadership to general policy-making and carry out directions of the
membership.
- make
an annual report to the Kansas Federation of the Council for
Exceptional
Children and the International Division for Early Childhood.
- serve
on the Federation convention program committee and arrange for
appropriate
sessions for the subdivision.
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Section 3
The president-elect shall:
- serve
in the place of the president with the president’s authority
in case of
absence
or disability of the president.
- develop
the program and make necessary arrangements for the annual
subdivision
conference according to the policies and directives of the
Executive
Board, prepare a draft of the complete convention program for
approval
by the Executive Board and present an evaluation and report of
the
conference at the close of the conference.
Section 4
The vice-president shall:
- serve
in the president’s place and with the president’s authority
in case of
absence
or disability of the president and the president-elect.
- assume
designated responsibilities which will provide training for
advancement
to the office of president-elect and president.
- serve
as the editor of the newsletter and as chairperson of the Publications
Committee.
- initiate
preparations for subsequent conferences as necessary.
Section 5
The secretary shall:
- keep
a record of all proceedings of the annual business meeting and the
meetings
of the Executive Board.
- keep
a record of all correspondence as necessary for the operation of the
organization.
- be
responsible for activities related to amendments to the subdivision
constitution
and bylaws.
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Section 6
The treasurer shall:
- make
an annual report of the financial status of the subdivision to the
Executive
Board and at the annual business meeting.
- prepare
and submit an annual budget for approval by the Executive Board
to
be presented at the annual business meeting.
- authorize
all expenditures.
- chair
the Finance and Operations Committee.
- serve
on the Finance and Operations Committee an additional year.
Section 7
The past-president shall:
- chair
the Nominations and Elections Committee.
- chair
the Awards Committee.
- assist
in conference planning and other activities to provide continuity for
the subdivision.
Section 8
The historian shall:
- maintain
the archives of the organization.
- compile
materials and photographs to record the activities of the current
year.
Section 9
The student representative shall:
- provide
liaison between the student members and the Executive Board.
- assist
Membership Chair in recruitment of and service to student
members.
- plan
student directed session(s) at the annual subdivision conference.
- assist
president-elect with planning poster session at the annual
subdivision conference.
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ARTICLE IV – COMMITTEES
Section 1
The president, with the approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint
the chairperson of the following standing committees: Membership
and Children Action Network. The immediate past president shall serve
as chairperson of the Nominations and Elections Committee and Awards Committee. The
vice-president shall serve as chairperson of the Publications Committee. The
treasurer shall serve as chairperson of the Finance and Operations Committee.
Section 2
Committee members shall be appointed by the chairperson subject to approval
by the Executive Board.
Section 3
The Membership, Publications, Children Action Network, Finance and Operations,
and Awards Committees shall have no less than two members in addition to
the chairperson. The chairperson and members shall serve three (3)
year terms. One third, or the nearest fraction thereof, of the membership
shall be appointed each year.
Section 4
The Nominations and Elections Committee shall have four members in addition
to the chairperson, representing a broad geographical and professional selection. The
chairperson and members shall serve one (1) year terms.
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Section 5
All standing committees reporting at the annual meeting shall first report
to the Executive Board.
Section 6
The Nominations and Elections Committee procedure shall be to:
- solicit
recommendations for nominations from the entire membership prior
to December 1.
- nominate
at least one (1) candidate for vice-president annually; for
secretary
on even numbered years; for treasurer on odd numbered years.
- in
case of vacancies at election time in the offices of president-elect
and
vice-president,
nominate candidates for president and president-elect.
- submit
the report, signed by all members of the committee, to the
president
eight (8) weeks prior to the annual business meeting.
- give
attention to regional balance.
The president shall announce the report to the membership six (6) weeks
prior to the annual business meeting.
Other nominations may be made by any group of ten (10) active members signing
a nomination petition. Such nominations shall be presented to the
president eight (8) weeks prior to the annual business meeting and shall
be announced to the membership
At the same time the report of the Nominations and Elections Committee
is announced.
Ballots shall be sent to all active members six (6) weeks prior to the
annual business meeting and shall be voted upon by mail and returned to
the committee chairperson two weeks prior to the annual business meeting. Those
receiving a simple plurality shall be elected.
Results of the election shall be announced to the membership.
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Section 7
The Membership Committee shall:
- formulate
plans to be approved by the Executive Board for membership
recruitment
and growth of the subdivision.
- keep
records of membership.
- keep
a written record of the activities conducted to maintain and increase
membership.
Section 8
The Publications Committee shall:
- be
chaired by the vice-president as newsletter editor.
- publish
a minimum of two newsletters each year. (More newsletters shall
be
published if and when it seems advisable).
Section 9
The Children Action Network Committee shall:
- develop
a legislative program under the direction of the Executive Board.
- disseminate
information pertinent to the national and state legislative
programs.
The chairperson of the Children Action Network Committee shall serve as
the subdivision’s representative and liaison with other state advocacy
groups relevant to children with special needs.
Section 10
The Finance and Operations Committee shall:
- develop
the annual budget for recommendations to the Executive Board
- recommend
procedures and policies for financial reimbursements, e.g.,
mileage.
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Section 11
The Awards Committee shall:
- recommend
policies and procedures for awards to be made by the
subdivision.
- elicit
recommendations for awardees from the membership.
- recommend
those persons who will receive annual awards to theExecutive
Board for approval.
- contact
nominees/awardees and complete form, summarize information
into
presentation format, and order awards from Salina business, Stardust
Trophy.
- present
awards.
ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1
The Executive Board shall:
- conduct
all appropriate executive business of the subdivision.
- recommend
policies and program for the subdivision to the annual
business
meeting.
- advise
on the annual subdivision budget.
- formulate
such administrative policies and assume such other
responsibilities as are appropriate.
ARTICLE VI – ANNUAL MEETING
Section 1
The annual business meeting shall consist of:
- report
of subdivision activities and other matters of concern by the
president.
- minutes
of the previous meeting.
- report
by the treasurer.
- approval
of the budget and program for the coming year.
- report
of all committees.
- report
of the Federation activities that concern the subdivision.
- other
matters which are of interest and concern of the subdivision.
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ARTICLE VII– PARLIAMENTARY RULES
Section 1
The rules of parliamentary practice comprised in Robert’s Rules of
Order, newly revised,
shall govern the proceedings of this subdivision subject to the special
rules which have been or may be adopted.
ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS
Section 1
The bylaws may be amended by a mail vote and passed by a simple majority
vote.
ARTICLE VII – DISSOLUTION
Section 1
In the event of dissolution of this subdivision, the Executive Board shall,
after payment of all liabilities of the subdivision, dispose of all the
assets of the subdivision by:
- following
specific procedures as determined by the international division,
or,
if no such procedures are mandated
- forwarding
them to the Council for Exceptional Children (a nonprofit
corporation)
with a request that they be retained in a non-interest bearing
account
and made available to the subdivision should it ever be
reorganized, or
- contributing
them to the Foundation for Exceptional Children (a
nonprofit,
tax exempt public foundation) which operates to advance
the education
of exceptional children, or
- contributing
them to a local, non-profit organization or activity, the
purpose
of which is to serve the needs of exceptional infants and young
children.
Revised June 19, 1987.
Revised June 25, 1990.
Further Revised February 28, 2003.
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Changes made:
Article III – Duties of Officers,
Section
9, added c and d
Article IV – Committees,
Section 11, added d and e
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