BYLAWS

WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND DISABILITY

 

ARTICLE 1

 

This document shall be known as the Bylaws of the Washington Association on Postsecondary Education and Disability (WAPED) as provided in Article 8 of the Constitution of the Association.
 

ARTICLE 2 – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – Types of Membership

  1. Professional Membership.
    Professional membership shall be open to those persons engaged in the administration of or individuals interested in the provision of services enhancing postsecondary educational opportunities for persons or students with disabilities. Members who join the Association as professional members shall be entitled to continue their professional membership regardless of change in employment and/or responsibility. Professional members are entitled to be a candidate for elective office, vote, have access to the listserv and pay reduced fees for conference registration.
  2. Associate Membership.
    Any person expressing an interest in the purpose and general aims of the Association may be eligible for associate membership. An associate member shall not be a candidate for elective office or vote. Associate members have access to the email list, may serve as committee members, and pay reduced fees for conference registration.
  3. Institutional Membership.
    Institutional membership is open to any four (4) professional members designated by the same postsecondary institution. Institutional members have the same rights and privileges as professional members.
  4. Emeritus Membership.
    Emeritus membership is open to a person who was member in good standing of WAPED for at least 10 years and who, while retired from active service in the disability support profession, continues an interest in the field and wishes to remain an active WAPED member. This membership category carries all the benefits associated with Professional or Institutional membership with the exceptions of voting rights and eligibility to serve on the WAPED Board of Directors; payment of a membership fee for this category is waived by WAPED. Any retired member who wishes to serve on the board or retain her/his voting rights would need to join as a Professional member and pay the associated fee.

Section 2 – Application for Membership

The Membership Committee Chairperson shall make available application forms for membership in the Association.

Section 3 – Terms of Membership.

The term of membership shall be September 1 to August 31.

Section 4 – Dues.

Dues of the Association shall be set by the Board with the approval of the membership.

Section 5 – Payment of Dues.

Payment of dues shall be made to the Treasurer of the Association. Checks shall be made payable to WAPED. Payments shall be due September 1 of each year. A member shall become inactive for nonpayment of dues sixty (60) days after the due date and shall lose all membership privileges until such time as dues are paid in full.

ARTICLE 3 – OFFICERS OF WAPED

Section 1 – Officers and Terms of Office

The officers of the Association shall be the President, the President Elect, the Immediate Past President, the Treasurer and the Secretary.

  1. Secretary and Treasurer will hold office for two (2) years; all other officers shall hold office for one (1) year from the Annual Spring Conference (mid April) to the Annual Spring Conference the following year.
  2. The President Elect shall automatically assume the Presidency at the conclusion of the business meeting at the Annual Spring Conference of the year following being elected.
  3. The outgoing President shall automatically assume the responsibilities as Immediate Past President at the conclusion of the business meeting at the Annual Spring Conference of the year following assuming the Presidency.
  4. The Officers shall be elected from professional or institutional members in good standing or associate members nominated ref. Article 2, Section 1, B.
  5. In case of resignation, a vote of “no confidence” by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors, or death of any officer, the President, with the Board’s approval, shall appoint a member of the Association in good standing to serve the remainder of the term of office ref. Article 3, Section 1, D. Office vacancies shall be filled according to the guidelines set forth in the Constitution, Article 7, Sections 1-5.

Section 2 – Duties of the Officers

  1. The President shall be the chief elected officer of the Association

    2. The President shall:

    1. Preside at all general meetings of the Association
    2. Shall chair and preside at meetings of the Board.
    3. Appoint members of all committees and appoint the chair of the Public Relations Committee and any ad hoc committees with concurrence of the Board.
    4. Shall be an ex officio member of all committees.
    5. Shall be responsible for calling all general membership meetings of the Association.
    6. Shall serve as the chair of the Awards Committee.
  2. The President-Elect shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or incapacity of the President. Upon the expiration of the President’s term office, the President Elect shall automatically assume the Presidency. The President Elect shall serve as chair of the Conference Committee.
  3. The Immediate Past President shall serve as the chair of Nominations Committee.
  4. The Treasurer shall represent the Association in assuring the receipt and expenditure of the funds of the Association are in accordance with General Accepted Accounting Practices and shall be under such bond as determined by the Board. The Treasurer shall notify members of dues owed.
  5. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all business meetings of the Association and the Board. The Secretary shall serve as the chair of the Membership Committee.

Section 3 – Nominations of Officers

The Nominations Committee shall be composed of the Immediate Past President, who will serve as chair, and at least two (2) additional members of the Association in good standing.

  1. The Nominations Committee shall be charged with preparing a slate of at least two (2) nominees for each elected position on the Board to be voted upon at the business meeting at the Annual Spring Conference of the Association.
  2. Prior to the Annual Spring Conference, the Nominations Committee shall solicit names of prospective nominees from the membership. The Committee shall confirm the acceptance of the nomination by the candidates, that they are members of the Association in good standing, and have paid their membership dues in full no less than 90 days prior to the election date.
  3. The Nominations Committee shall place on the ballot the names of nominees by petition and those nominated by the Committee.
  4. The Nominations Committee shall have procedures for nominations from the floor at the business meeting of the Annual Spring Conference. Each nominee from the floor must be accompanied by a written or verbal acceptance by the nominee.
  5. Nominees may only be included on the ballot for one office per election year.

Section 4 – Elections

  1. The election of Officers and Board members shall be conducted at the business meeting at the Annual Spring Conference under the supervision and direction of the Chair of the Nominations Committee. The time and date of the election shall be published in the Annual Spring Conference program.
  2. Nominees who have received a simple majority of the ballots cast shall be declared elected to their respective positions at the conclusion of the election process at the business meeting at the Annual Spring Conference.
  3. If no nominee for a given position receives a simple majority of the votes cast, the Nominations Committee shall prepare a second (runoff) ballot consisting of at least one more nominee than required for the position(s) to be filled. The members in attendance shall then vote by secret ballot until one nominee has received a simple majority.

ARTICLE 4 – BOARD

Section 1 – Composition of the Board.

The Board shall be composed of the officers of the Association and five (5) Board Members at large, two (2) from the community and technical colleges and two (2) from the four year colleges and universities. It is recommended that there be one (1) member from a community college, one (1) from a technical college, one (1) from a four year private college, and (1) from a four year public college, and one (1) from the membership who has knowledge and expertise with emerging technologies related to individuals with disabilities when feasible on the Board.

  1. The members of the Board shall serve for a period of two (2) years, unless otherwise specified, from the end of the Annual Spring Conference through the next two Spring Conferences. One each of two-year and four-year representatives will be elected in even numbered years. One each of two-year, four-year, and the technical adviser will be elected in odd numbered years.
  2. In the case of a resignation, a vote of “no confidence” by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors, or death of any Board member, the President shall appoint a successor to serve the remainder of the term with the concurrence of the Board, ref. Article 3, Section 1, E. Office vacancies shall be filled according to the guidelines set forth in the Constitution, Article 7, Sections 1-5.
  3. Members at large shall serve the membership as outlined in Article 4, Section 2 – Functions of the Board. Also they shall perform any duties as assigned by the officers of the association. The technology advisor shall provide knowledge and expertise to assist the Association in utilization of technologies such as but not limited to maintenance of an electronic listserv, maintenance of Association web page, and the dissemination of information regarding technologies for individuals with disabilities.

Section 2 – Functions of the Board.

The Board shall be the administrative entity of the Association and its functions shall be as follows:

  1. To formulate and recommend policies to the membership for consideration and action.
  2. To formulate policies appropriate for Board action and direct the execution thereof subject to review by the membership.
  3. To plan and implement the actions necessary to accomplish the legislative decisions of the membership.
  4. To plan, direct, or otherwise carry out the purpose of the Association, ref. Article 2, Constitution.

Section 3 – Meeting of the Board

The Board shall meet at least two (2) times annually, one of which shall be at the time and place of the Annual Spring Conference. The Board must have a quorum of voting members present to conduct business.

Section 4 – Quorum

A quorum shall be one half the voting members of the Board plus one.

Section 5 – Reports of the Elected Officers.

The President of the Association shall submit a written report at the Annual Spring Conference. The Treasurer shall submit written reports at each Association meeting.

ARTICLE 5 – COMMITTEES

Section 1 – Committees

Standing committees may be created by the Board for the promotion of the purposes of the Association and shall consist of members in good standing. Their number, composition, responsibilities, method of selection and tenure shall be in accordance with these Bylaws.

Section 2 – Standing Committees.

The President shall appoint an appropriate number of members to each committee or as otherwise directed by these Bylaws to carry out the function of the committee. The committees shall perform such functions as may be prescribed by the Board or such functions prescribed by these Bylaws. Members of standing committees shall serve for one (I) year, from the Annual Spring Conference to the following Annual Spring Conference. The following are the Standing Committees of the Association:

  1. Membership Committee The Membership Committee shall be responsible for the major membership activities of the Association. The Association Secretary shall chair this committee.
  2. Nominations Committee The Nominations Committee shall be responsible for conducting the nominations and election procedures, ref. Article 3, Section 4. The Immediate Past President shall chair this committee.
  3. Conference Committee The Conference Committee shall be responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing, activities necessary to conduct the Annual Spring Conference. The President Elect shall chair this committee. Other conferences may be planned and carried out at the direction of the Board.
  4. Public Relations Committee The Public Relations Committee shall be responsible for initiating, coordinating, and implementing information exchange among the Board, the membership, and other organizations and agencies involved in the education and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The chair shall be a Board member or ex officio member of the Board.
  5. Awards Committee The Awards Committee shall consist of the President and at least four other members who will be responsible for coordinating and implementing the activities necessary for nominations of persons or organizations for awards at the Annual Spring Conference. This committee will also be responsible for planning the presentation and delivery of awards to the recipients.

Section 3 – Ad Hoc Committees

The President may appoint other committees as may be deemed appropriate. Such committees shall be constituted and served until the task is completed and such results and reports as directed by the President shall be completed and submitted to the Board.

ARTICLE 6 – PROPERTY OF THE STATE ASSOCIATION

Section 1 – Dissolution of the Association.

All property of the Association shall be subject to the control and management of the Board. Upon dissolution of the Association, none of its property shall be distributed to any of its members. All such property shall be transferred to such other organization or organizations as the Board shall determine to have purposes and activities most nearly consonant to those of the Association, provided that such other organizations shall be exempt under Section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding provisions of the Internal Revenue Laws.

Section 2 – Appropriations and Expenses.

All appropriations and expenditures of the Association shall be subject to control outlined in the Bylaws.

  1. Appropriations of Association Funds.A ll appropriations of Association funds shall be made by the Board. The President of the Association is granted discretionary authority to spend up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) in a given fiscal year for the purposes of conducting the business of the Association.
  2. Expenses. The expenses incurred in the conduct of the affairs of the Association shall be paid by the Treasurer or designated member.
  3. Committee Expenses. All expenditures of committees, authorized by the Association shall be paid from funds appropriated thereof, and any liability incurred by any committee in excess of the funds appropriated thereof shall not be the personal liability of the person or persons responsible for incurring or authorizing such liability.
  4. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year shall be the period beginning July 1st and ending June 30th of the following year.
  5. Audit. The books and fiscal records of the Association shall be internally audited by a group of three (3) members of the Association chosen by the membership biannually.

ARTICLE 7 – AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS

Section 1 – Initiation.

Amendments to or other changes in these Bylaws may be initiated in the following ways:

  1. The Board may propose amendments or changes.
  2. The President may appoint a committee to consider revising the bylaws in general or amending particular sections.
  3. Three (3) members of the Association in good standing may submit to the Board proposed amendments. Such proposals shall be submitted to the President and should be accompanied with a brief written rationale for the proposed changes and signed by those making the proposal.
  4. The President shall have such proposals included in the agenda of the next scheduled meeting of the Board. The Board may append the proposals and shall determine if the proposal shall be submitted to the membership at the next business meeting of the Association. If the Board decides not to submit such proposals to the membership, a written response shall be sent to those making the proposals including the reason for the decision.

Section 2 – Adoption.

These Bylaws may be amended in the following manner:

  1. The Board shall mail all changes proposed under Section 1 of this article with an explanation and recommendation of the Board.
  2. The vote may be by mail or at the next business meeting of the Association at the discretion of the Board. The proposed changes shall be mailed to the membership with thirty (30) days to vote or thirty (30) days in advance of the next business meeting of the membership.
  3. An affirmative vote by a two thirds majority of the ballots returned or cast shall be required for adoption of amendments.

ARTICLE 8 – AWARDS

Section 1 – Types of Awards.

  1. The President’s Award. This award is for outstanding achievement on behalf of people with disabilities. It is presented to an individual or an organization whose activity in the preceding years has made a major contribution to the education of people with disabilities on a state wide basis. Persons/organizations eligible to receive this award would be, for example,
    1. a member of the state legislature who has made a major contribution to the passage of legislation which increases educational opportunities for people with disabilities,
    2. an employer whose efforts provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities and inspire others to do likewise,
    3. a member of a profession or other group whose zeal for disability issues has heightened interest and enlarged the contribution of that profession or group, and/or,
    4. a person with a disability whose example has inspired others and caused a statewide impact upon disability issues.
  2. Outstanding Member/Educator Award. This award brings recognition to a member of WAPED who has made significant contributions toward providing and improving access to higher education at their institution as well as in their community and Washington state. The recipient will be evaluated on his/her leadership, knowledge, creativity, and management skills in developing and providing services to students with disabilities in higher education. Potential nominees include disability services directors, coordinators or programs for students with disabilities, accommodation providers, etc., in a postsecondary setting.
  3. The Ben Webinger Meritorious Service Award. This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated years of service and leadership to WAPED through any segment or combination of Association activities or life. Emphasis is placed on length of service, level of service, and evidence of outstanding service and leadership to WAPED. Potential nominees might include a member with a sustained membership in WAPED (required) who has provided outstanding membership efforts and leadership for a period of several years. An exception to the membership requirement may be made for individuals who are no longer members but who may have made substantial contributions to WAPED in its formative years (1979 1995) prior to the implementation of these awards.
  4. Achievement Award. This is an award for technical and/or professional achievement in promoting awareness and development in issues of education of persons with disabilities. This award may be presented to a person or organization that has, in preceding years, made a major contribution of importance to increasing knowledge and awareness of disability issues in education or has developed techniques or methods in the application of such knowledge in higher education.

Section 2 – Awards Selection.

  1. The President shall appoint a committee to receive nominations from the membership.
  2. Nomination forms will be mailed out to the membership for selection. Only members in good standing can submit a nomination. No member of the committee will be eligible to receive an award.

Section 3 – Awards Presentation.

Presentation of awards will be made at the Annual Spring Conference.

Signed by: the WAPED President, the Immediate Past President, the President-Elect, the Secretary, and the Treasurer.
Amended 04-17-2014
Revised 06-29-2015
Typos/formatting corrected 04-18-2017