Evolution of AHEAD in Texas: From Inception to Leadership in Higher Education Accessibility
Discover the rich history of AHEAD in Texas, from its humble beginnings in 1992 to becoming a prominent organization in higher education accessibility. Learn about key milestones, dedicated members, changes in bylaws, and the current board of directors shaping the future of the organization.
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AHEAD IN TEXAS: WIDE OPEN SPACES Thoughts brought to you by Past and Present Board Members
TALKING POINTS History of the Affiliate Board of Directors Today Membership Benefits Current Bylaws Proposed Bylaws and Board of Directors Business Meeting TODAY
HISTORY FROM 1992 As the story goes, Rhonda Rapp (charter member and first president) came back from the national AHEAD conference with the idea of starting a state organization as a service for those who could not afford to attend the national conference. With assistance from Patricia Candia of St. Phillips College in San Antonio, the first conference took place in 1992 with Jane Jarrow as the keynote speaker, and AHEAD in Texas was founded.
CHARTER MEMBERS THANK YOU! Rhonda Rapp first President Patricia Candia Sandi Patton Kerry Tate Eileen Cross Margie Skyles Kay Carroll Diana Stiles For two years, this group served as the first officers of AHEAD in Texas, and a constitution and bylaws were written.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS 2002 2005 2006 2007 2013 2021 2022 2024 Bylaws updated and approved by membership vote; changes included alterations to Board of Directors leadership positions and terms, and approved by membership vote AHEAD in Texas offered online webinars as the Covid pandemic changed the required ways to provide service to our members in spring 2021, continuing in fall 2022 and fall 2023. Revised the conference planning responsibilities to have the BOD take primary conference planning duties from rotating host institutions AHEAD in Texas recognized as the Texas affiliate of the Association of Higher Education and Disabilities - AHEAD Communication & Membership Committee Chairs were combined and changed to an elected officer positions AHEAD in Texas provided an in person conference in San Antonio issuing in a return to conference gatherings. Bylaws and Constitution ratified by member vote ??? Date for the annual conference permanently moved to the spring to facilitate federal income tax filing Creation of Conference Site Planning Committee -- local host volunteers Constitution retired; Bylaws amended and approved by member ballot first conference organized under this plan: April 2008 in San Antonio Terms of Board officers changed to April 1 -March 31
CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS JULY 2023 JUNE 2024 President - Tamara Mancini Immediate Past President - Cynthia Lowery Treasurer - Shawn McNeil Director of Communication and Membership - Laura Marquez Ramsey Director-at-Large - Elvira Smith Secretary - Samantha Johnson
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP Subscription to the AHEAD in Texas Listserv, providing access to professional colleagues, regional resources, and job postings. Registration discounts for the AHEAD in Texas annual conference and pre- conference workshops. Discounts to other workshops subsidized by AHEAD in Texas. CEUs at conferences and events when available. CEU information will be maintained for one year from the date of the conference or event. Scholarship possibility A community of members that share resources and provide answers to your work related questions.
REAL TALK: 2019 - 2024 COVID cancellations 2019 2020 2021 Conference 2022 Pricing and low numbers Conference 2023 Attendance ++ TODAY Continued lack of volunteers
ARTICLEI: NAME ANDPURPOSE SECTION 1 The name of this organization is the Association on Higher Education And Disability in Texas (AHEAD in Texas). AHEAD in Texas was established in 1992 and incorporated in the State of Texas as a non- profit corporation in 2000. AHEAD in Texas is an affiliate of the International Association on Higher Education And Disability, formerly known as the Association on Handicapped Student Service Programs in Post-Secondary Education. AHEAD in Texas (hereafter known as the Affiliate) shall educate, train and communicate with professionals of various educationalagenciesserving studentswithdisabilitiesattending any public or private post-secondary institution in the State of Texas. AHEAD in Texas does not discriminate against any individual with regard to race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other constitutionally or statutorily impermissiblereason.This policy extendsto all programs and activities supported by AHEAD in Texas. CURRENT BYLAWS SECTION 2 The purpose of the Affiliate shall be to serve as a non-profit organization providing expertise and information on disability issues, rights of persons with disabilities, educational and professional development opportunities to higher education disability service providers and other professionals/interested parties, promoting coordination between agencies, associations, and organizations for the purpose of promoting opportunity and advocacy for college and university students with disabilities and supportinglegislation that benefitshigher educationand students with disabilities.
ARTICLE II: STRUCTURE AHEAD in Texas (hereafter referred to as the Affiliate) is created as a volunteer professional organization directed by a volunteer Board of Directors.The Board of Directors will be composed of elected officers whose responsibility will be to carry out the mission of the Affiliate through policy formation,the execution of fiduciary responsibility,and maintenance and growth of the organization. CURRENT BYLAWS ARTICLEIII:MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1 Membership shall be open and available to any interested person according to membership and dues categories as established by the Board of Directors and contained in the bylaws with rights and responsibilities contained therein.
ARTICLEIII:MEMBERSHIP SECTION 2 Membership levels: 1 - Institutional Membership Higher Education Directors/Coordinators/Counselors/Staff of Disability Services at 2 and 4 year public and private colleges and universities.This membership level is eligible to hold office and has full voting privileges.This membership is transferable to another staff member at the same institution if there is a change of staff during the membership year as long as the original membership was paid for by the institution. CURRENT BYLAWS 2 - Professional Higher Education Other Directors/Coordinators/Counselors/Staff of DisabilityServices at 2and 4 year public and private colleges and universities. In addition, Directors/Coordinators/Counselors/Case Managers of other agencies/professional organizations providing services to and promoting access or advocating for post- secondary students with disabilities can also serve as professional members. This membership level is eligible to hold office and has full voting privileges. This membership is transferable (higher ed only). SUGGESTED CHANGE TO SECTION 3 3 - Associate Former professional members, administrative/support staff at any agency/professional organization/post- secondary institution, advocates or family members of students with disabilities.This membership level is not transferable, not eligible to hold office and has no voting privileges. 4 - Emeritus Professional Individual retired from positions in higher education who were previous members of AHEAD inTexas.This membership level is not transferable, not eligible to hold office and has no voting privileges. 5 Student Individuals enrolled as full-time students in an undergraduate or graduate program at an institution of higher learning.This membership level is not transferable, not eligible to hold office, no voting privileges. SECTION 3 The membership/dues year shall run from January 1 December 31.
ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY SECTION 1 Executive Authority shall be vested in the Board of Directors,composed of elected Officers. The Board of Directors is empowered to do all things permitted by law and to exercise all authority within the purposes stated in the bylaws contained herein. CURRENT BYLAWS SECTION 2 The officers of the Affiliate shall be the President,President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past-President, Director of Membership/Communication, and Director-at-Large. *Proposed Revisions
ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY SECTION 3 All officers shall be elected at-large from the active and eligible voting members of the Affiliate by a date set by the Board of Directors. The terms of all officers will begin June 1. Nomination and elections of Officers will be in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors. CURRENT BYLAWS SECTION 4 The term of office for the President,President-Elect,and Immediate Past- President shall be for a period of one (1) year.The term of office for the Treasurer, Secretary, Director of Membership/Communication and Director- at-Large shall be for a period of two (2) years.In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President without prejudice to the ensuing term of office. All other midterm vacancies shall be filled by presidential appointment and approved by a majority of the officers. *Proposed Revisions
ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY SECTION 5 The officers shall have full authority to conduct the affairs of the Affiliate between meetings of the Board of Directors. CURRENT BYLAWS SECTION 6 Such authority must remain within the provisions of and not conflict with the bylaws, decisions, actions or policies established by the Affiliate. ARTICLE V: OFFICERS The officers of the board shall be the President, President Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Membership/Communication,and Director-at-Large.Duties of the Officers of the Board shall be delineated in the Board Policy and Procedure Manual. *Proposed Revisions
ARTICLEVI: FINANCE SECTION 1 The Board of Directors shall be responsible for maintaining the fiscal integrity of the Affiliate and for ensuring financial stability and growth.The Treasurer will serve as the chief financial officer of the Affiliate. CURRENT BYLAWS SECTION 2 Income shall be derived from sources consistent with the purpose and mission of the Affiliate. Affiliate funds shall be invested in instruments which are insured and/or are of a type and level of risk approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall review periodically the types of instruments and the level of risk allowed for investments. All financial transactions, fees and references made thereto will be in U.S. funds. SECTION 3 The financial and accounting records of the Affiliate will be compiled into a summary report at the close of the fiscal year in a manner prescribed by the Board of Directors.The fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.
ARTICLEVII:COMMITTEES SECTION 1 The AffiliatePresident,inconjunction withtheBoardofDirectors,shall CURRENT BYLAWS establish,maintain,anddissolvesuchstandingandadhoccommitteesas may beneededtoconductitsbusinessandactivities.Chairsofeach committee willbeselectedandappointedbythePresident. SECTION 2 Chairs of standing and ad hoc committees may be expected to attend Board meetings and report on activities of their respective committees. Committee chairs function in an adjunct and advisory manner to the board and do not have voting privileges on Board matters.
ARTICLE VIII: IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL An elected officer may be impeached by the Board of Directors for actions that are seriously negligent, fraudulent, illegal, and/or unethical within the duties of the respective office. Impeachment procedures will be delineated in the Board Policy and Procedure Manual. CURRENT BYLAWS ARTICLE IX: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY The most current edition of Robert s Rule of Order shall be the Parliamentary guidelines for proceedings of the Affiliate whenever it does not conflict with Constitution and /or these bylaws.
ARTICLEX:AMENDMENTS SECTION 1 Amendments or other changes in these bylaws may be initiated in the following ways: 1. The President may propose amendments. 2. The Board of Directors may propose amendments. 3. Any active voting member may submit,in writing,a proposed amendment to the Board of Directors. CURRENT BYLAWS SECTION 2 The Board of Directors will consider the proposed amendment(s) upon approval of a simple majority of the Board of Directors;the amendment shall be made available to the entire membership for vote. Upon two- thirds approval of those voting from the general membership the amendment shall become part of these bylaws.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO BYLAWS - 2024 Article IV EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY SECTION 2: The officers of the Affiliate shall be the President,President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past-President, Director of Membership/Communication, and Director-at-Large. SECTION 4: The term of office for the President,President-Elect,and Immediate Past-President shall be for a period of one (1) year.The term of office for the Treasurer, Secretary, Director of Membership/Communication and Director-at- Large shall be for a period of two (2) years.In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President without prejudice to the ensuing term of office. All other midterm vacancies shall be filled by presidential appointment and approved by a majority of the officers.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO BYLAWS - 2024 Article V Officers Instead of President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Membership/Communication,and Director-at-Large The proposal is a BOARD OF DIRECTORS made up of directors: Director of Governance Director of Membership & Communication Director of Finance Director of Professional Development Director at Large Ex-officio member (Immediate Past President)
PROPOSED CHANGES Director of Governance This office is the recording officer of the Affiliate. This office is elected for a two-year term to run in alternate years with the Director of Finance. DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: Takes minutes of all Board or membership meetings and assists in setting agendas. Serve as official liaison of the Affiliate to AHEAD and other organizations or appoint a designee. Ensure adherence of the Affiliate to the Affiliate Bylaws as set forth by the membership. Ensure continuation of AHEAD Affiliate status with the assistance of the Director of Finance. Collects all CEU forms and create Certificates of Attendance for each requester. Copies of CEU certificates will be maintained for one year from the date of the spring conference. Organize, advertise (in the conference registration materials) and market the election of officers according to the Affiliate bylaws; work with AHEAD to set up voting process online; verify that all nominees and voters are members of AHEAD in Texas. Perform other duties as assigned.
PROPOSED CHANGES Director of Membership & Communication This office is the communication liaison between the Affiliate and AHEAD and the general membership. This office is elected for a two-year term to run in the same year as the Director of Professional Development. DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: Serves as the Affiliate communications liaison to AHEAD. Maintain Affiliate member list-serve. Maintain membership database. Receive and respond to all membership inquiries. Recruits, schedules and manages volunteers for the annual Conference. Maintain current database of conference exhibitors/vendors. Organize, advertise (in the conference registration materials), and market available scholarships and stipends to the Affiliate membership. Communicates accessibility needs of conference attendees as each accommodation request is received and collaborates with Director of Professional Development to ensure accessibility. Perform other duties as assigned.
PROPOSED CHANGES Director of Finance This is the chief financial officer of the Affiliate. This office is elected for a two-year term to run in alternate years with the Director of Professional Development. DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: Ensures continuance of banking accounts, including a separate account for Silent Auction/Scholarship funds. Pay liabilities as established by the Affiliate Board to include annual continuance of AHEAD Affiliate status. Prepare and communicate Affiliate documents for any required state or federal filings. Provide monthly updates on the fiscal status of the organization to the Board of Directors. Prepare and assist in the preparation of regulatory filings. Ensure documentation of speakers to include name, SSN, and address for completion of 1099 forms; mail forms by January 31. Maintain all receipts and payment records (reimbursement forms, etc). Generate annual membership dues statements, all sales receipts, and all invoices. Responsible for informing the Board if filing is necessary and acting as liaison with any outside firms contracted to file annual returns. Perform other duties as assigned.
PROPOSED CHANGES Director of Professional Development The Director of Professional Development is elected for a two-year term to run in the same year as the Director of Membership & Communication. DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: Plan and oversee all aspects of the annual conference and regional workshops/webinars. Work with Site Committee and ASL/CART vendors to ensure accessibility for all attendees. Recruits, schedules, and manages Moderators for all Conference sessions. Creates all Conference evaluation forms; collects all evaluation forms; and synthesizes and analyzes all evaluation data; presents evaluation report to the Board. Purchase and award recognition gifts for outgoing officers and other members who have contributed their time and expertise to the Affiliate at the annual conference. Review Bylaws and Board procedural manual annually and present proposed revisions to the Board of Directors. Perform other duties as assigned.
PROPOSED CHANGES Director at Large The Director-at-Large is responsible for all duties assigned by the Board. The Director-at-Large is elected for a two-year term to run in the same year as the Director of Finance. DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: Acts as Parliamentarian of the Affiliate. Responsible for maintaining and updating the Affiliate website. Oversee any committees deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the Affiliate. Solicits exhibitor registrations for the annual Affiliate conference after updating registration form. Responsible for all aspects of the Silent Auction at the annual Affiliate conference. These include creating all item bid sheets, set-up tables, fill-out and send Donation Acknowledgement forms, create a master list of Silent Auction winners. This is in conjunction with the Director of Finance. Perform other duties as assigned.
INCENTIVES Fall Retreat to plan spring conference Board of Directors conference fee and hotel paid What other things would enhance your volunteer experience?
FRIDAYS BUSINESS MEETING Join us! If we go to the membership would this be the proposed change you would like to see? If not, we will need suggestions for the following offices. President-Elect President Secretary Director Membership/Communication What do you want to see from this organization? Where do you want it to go? If you have any questions, want to volunteer, or have ideas - Board members will be available to chat.
