CEC | Proposed Amendment to the CEC Constitution and Bylaws

PROPOSED CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS AMENDMENTS: COMMITTEES, WORKGROUPS, OTHER ADVISORY GROUPS

In 2000 the Council adopted a more timely and streamlined governance structure and processes to enhance CEC’s leadership in proactively addressing current and emerging issues and needs in the field and organization. Workgroups and advisory groups, to address issues requiring specialized expertise within a specified period of time, were an integral feature of this new nimble governance strategy.

In 2001, the Board of Directors charged the Committee on Committees to review the CEC committee structure and recommend changes to better align the committees with this new governance direction. This report resulted in a reduction of the number of standing committees and an increased use of workgroups and advisory groups to achieve CEC’s strategic goals and objectives. The greater use of workgroups, in conjunction with committees, has resulted in a need to clarify and revise CEC’s policies governing the establishment and optimal functioning of committees, standing committees, ad hoc committees, workgroups and other advisory groups.

Workgroup on Committees, Workgroups and Other Advisory Groups

The Board of Directors established the Workgroup on Committees, Workgroups, and Other Advisory Groups to (1) clarify the purposes of CEC’s various committees, workgroups, task forces, and advisory groups relative to the Board of Directors and other governance entities; (2) determine how current policy, procedure, and practice supports and aligns with current governance decision-making and strategy; (3) recommend policy, procedures, and/or guidelines for the establishment, functioning and management of such groups; and (4) review proposed revisions to the Committee Handbook to ensure that the revisions reflect CEC’s current governance philosophy and policy.

In carrying out its charge, the Workgroup surveyed past and current President-Elects, and committee/workgroup chairpersons and staff liaisons. In addition, the Workgroup conducted a comprehensive review of CEC’s policies, including the constitution and bylaws. Based on careful consideration of the survey findings and policy review, the Workgroup has proposed:

Streamlining and clarifying the purposes and functioning of committees, workgroups, and other advisory groups, including distinguishing between committees established by the constitution and bylaws and those established by the Board of Directors; as well as the elimination of non-frequently used Board-established groups such as taskforces and ad hoc groups.

Clarification of the guidelines for reporting to the Board of Directors and the Board’s responsibility to these groups.

Clarification of the liaison role and oversight responsibilities of the President-Elect relative to committees, standing committees, workgroups, and other advisory groups.

Specification of the process and conditions for providing financial support to committees, workgroups and other groups.

Specification of procedures for the functioning and reporting of committees, workgroups and other groups.

Policies and procedures to encourage and support opportunities for broad member involvement on committees, workgroups and other advisory groups.

Proposed Constitution and Bylaws Amendments

The Workgroup recommendations would entail changes to CEC’s policies, including provisions within the constitution and bylaws that relate to committees, workgroups and other types of advisory groups. Following discussion of the Workgroup’s Interim Report (July 2008), the Board of Directors during its July 17, 2008 Meeting approved a motion to provide notice to the general CEC membership of the proposed amendments to the CEC Constitution and Bylaws (Article V, Section 5; Article VI, Section 7; Article VII, Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6; Article VIII, Section2; Article IX, Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4; and Article XI, Sections 2 and 3).

The intent of the proposed amendments to the CEC Constitution and Bylaws related to committees, workgroups and other advisory groups is to clarify the role of groups and more closely align them with the Council’s governance strategy and strategic direction. Specifically, the proposed amendments clarify the kinds of advisory (i.e., standing committees, committees, workgroup, and other advisory groups) the Council will utilize to achieve its governance aims. Standing committees would be committees established by the constitution and bylaws and committees would be those established by the Board of Directors. This change would require adding “standing” to all references of the Nominations Committee, Elections Committee and Finance and Audit Committee in the constitution and bylaws. Other proposed amendments clarify the role of the President-Elect relative to committees, workgroups and other advisory groups as well as other clarifying amendments.

The specific proposed amendments to the constitution and bylaws follow. Members interested in commenting on the proposed amendment should send their comments by September 26, 2008 to the attention of President Susan A. Fowler, at president@cec.sped.org or The Council for Exceptional Children, Suite 300, 1110 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201-5704.