ICASE Constitution

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Article I - Name

The name of this organization, founded in 1961, shall be the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education, hereinafter referred to as ICASE. ICASE was chartered as a subdivision of the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), a division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), on April 13, 1992.

Article II – Mission

Mission Statement:

ICASE is organized to serve and represent special education administrators in Indiana.

The ICASE mission promotes professional leadership that will result in quality services to children and youth. Decisions and actions taken by the organization will be guided by this mission and the ICASE Strategic Plan.

Article III – Not for Profit Status

In May 2003, the IRS notified the treasurer that ICASE had been reclassified from a 501c.3 to a 501c.6 status. On April 20, 2005 the members of the ICASE Executive Board accepted the CASE, Inc. proposal to act as the holding agent with 501c.3 status for tax deductible donations to the ICASE Porter Scholarship Fund.

Article IV -ICASE Membership

Section 1 – Unified (CEC, CASE, ICASE)

Unified membership is open to a current or former director, assistant director, supervisor, coordinator, state consultant, university faculty or other administrator in the field of special education in public agencies in Indiana who hold membership in CEC, CASE and ICASE

Benefits: A Unified Member is granted all privileges of membership including, but not limited to:

(a) Voting

(b) Holding office

(d) Serving as roundtable representative to the Executive Board

(e) Serving on committees and sub-committees

(f) Serving as an Executive Standing Committee chair or co-chair

(g) Serving as sub committee chair or co-chair

(h) Receiving general information from the organization

(i) Attending ICASE activities

Section 2 – Corporate

Corporate Membership is open to any school corporation, special education district, institution of higher education, state operated special education facility, the Division of Exceptional Learners, or State agencies that provide special education services. The entity shall appoint as its representative the person who currently serves as its Director of Special Education. The Director of Special Education must be a Unified Member which includes membership in both CEC and CASE.

The Director, who holds Unified Membership, may choose additional individuals within the organization to join into a Corporate Membership. The organization may substitute members into the Corporate Membership if a current member leaves and is replaced during the membership year.

Benefits: The Director is granted all privileges of Unified Membership (see Article IV, Section 1). The additional members are granted the following privileges including:

(a) Roundtable membership

(b) Serving on committees and sub-committees

(d) Receiving general information from the organization

(e) Attending ICASE activities

Corporate Members who are not the director may not vote, hold office, chair or co-chair Executive Standing Committees or serve as a roundtable representative to the Executive Board.

Section 3 – SINGLE

Single Membership is open to any current or former director, assistant director, supervisor, coordinator, state consultant, university faculty or other administrator in the field of special education in public agencies in Indiana who has chosen not to affiliate with CEC and CASE.

Benefits: A Single Member is granted the following privileges including:

(a) Roundtable membership

(b) Serving on committees and sub-committees

(d) Receiving general information from the organization

(e) Attending ICASE activities

Single members may not vote, hold office, chair or co-chair Executive Standing Committees, or serve as a roundtable representative.

Section 4 - ASSOCIATE

Associate Membership is open to any professionally trained individual employed by an educational agency not eligible for unified, corporate or single membership status that includes:

(a) Private schools

(b) Anyone with an interest in special education leadership

Benefits: An Associate Member is granted the following privileges including:

(a) Roundtable Membership

(b) Serving on sub-committees

(d) Attending ICASE activities

Associate members may not vote, hold office, chair or co-chair Executive Standing Committees, or serve as a roundtable representative to the Executive Board.

Section 5 - HONORARY

Honorary Membership may be accorded to former unified members who have retired or otherwise changed positions or who have made outstanding contributions to the field of special education. Honorary membership is granted upon the recommendation of the Executive Board.

Benefits: An honorary member is granted the following privileges including:

(a) Free ICASE membership

(b) Roundtable membership

(d) Serving as sub committee chair or co-chair

(e) Receiving general information from the organization

(f) Attending ICASE activities

Honorary members may not vote, hold office, chair or co-chair Executive

Standing Committees or serve as a Roundtable Representative.

Section 6 - PATRON

Patron Membership is open to those individuals who work in public or private sector, or organizations and agencies concerned with the education of individuals with disabilities. A patron membership allows support of ICASE through a membership commitment. Various levels of patron membership may be specified by the Membership and Fiscal Management Committee, each with varying degrees of benefits.

Benefits: At a minimum, a patron member may attend ICASE activities and receive mailings but is not granted the right to vote, hold office, serve on committees or become a Roundtable member.

Article V - Membership Year/Dues

The ICASE membership year is July 1 through June 30 of the succeeding year. Dues for all membership categories are set and approved by the Executive Board and are due by September 1. Affiliate organization dues for CEC and CASE division memberships are paid directly to CEC by the professional seeking unified membership status.

Article VI – Meetings

ICASE shall convene at least two business meetings annually open to all members. ICASE meeting dates shall be determined by the Executive Board. All members shall be notified in advance of all business meetings. The Executive Board reserves the right to poll the Unified Membership via electronic or conventional mail or through Roundtables at times other than business meetings.

Article VII – Officers and Executive Board

Section 1 - Officers

Officers of ICASE shall be as follows: President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President. Officers must be members in good standing of both CEC, CASE and ICASE at the time of nomination and election and remain so throughout the term of office.

Officers shall be elected at the Spring Business Meeting. The President-elect shall serve for one (1) year and shall assume the office of President at the end of that term. The President shall move to the office of Immediate Past President upon the completion of his or her term as President. Beginning with the Spring 2008 election, the Secretary and the Treasurer shall serve three-year terms of office. The terms of office shall be concurrent with the fiscal year.

Subsection 1.1 - Duties

Duties of the officers are as follow:

The President serves a one year term beginning on July 1of each year following the spring elections. Duties include:

(a) Advances the ICASE mission and annual goals as articulated in the Strategic Plan for the term;

(b) Oversees the implementation of the Strategic Plan;

(d) Approves the agenda for such meetings;

(e) Serves as the public voice of ICASE and/or assigns a designee;

(f) Collaborates with state agencies and other state associations

(g) Attends CASE Board of Directors meetings

(h) Recommends Executive Standing Committee chairpersons for approval by the Executive Board.

(i) Annually appoints representatives or liaisons to statewide committees or other professional organizations

(j) Approves the docket upon the recommendation of the Executive Board

(k) Authorizes an odd-year formal independent audit with a written report to the Executive Board.

(l) Serves as a member of the Professional Development Committee and approves the annual conference programs and any other professional development activities.

(m) Prepares the agenda for any full membership business meetings

(n) Mentors the President-elect

(o) Serves as an ad hoc member of any and all committees and subcommittees.

(p) Assumes leadership of new director training and mentoring activities.

The President-Elect serves a one year term beginning on July 1of each year following the spring elections. Duties include:

(a) Assists the President in addressing the mission and goals of the organizations;

(b) Serves in the absence of both the President and Immediate Past President;

(e) Supports and facilitates communication with Roundtables;

(f) Serves as a member of the Legislative Committee;

(g) Mentors new roundtable reps and conducts an orientation meeting.

The Secretary serves a three year term beginning on July 1, 2008 and, thereafter, July 1 of the beginning of each three year cycle. Duties include:

(a) Serves in the absence of the President, Immediate Past President, and President-Elect;

(b) Records minutes of all meetings of the full membership and the Executive Board;

(d) Maintains the archives; serves as historian;

(e) Maintains a system for documenting attendance at ICASE sponsored professional growth activities;

(f) Serves as parliamentarian;

(g) Serves as a member of the Membership and Fiscal Management Committee;

(h) Mentors incoming secretary

The Treasurer serves a three year term beginning on July 1, 2009 and, thereafter, July 1 of the beginning of each three year cycle. Duties include:

(a) Recommends a Deputy Treasurer from the Unified Membership to the Executive Board and delegates duties as appropriate (Deputy Treasurer serves as a member of the Professional Development Committee);

(b) Prepares and recommends annual budget to the Executive Board for approval;

(d) Disburses funds in accordance with the decisions of the full membership and/or the Executive Board;

(e) Manages all fiscally related activities including direct billing and establishing credit;

(f) Prepares and distributes monthly written financial reports for the membership and/or the Executive Board;

(g) Complies with financial bonding practices as recommended through the auditing process;

(h) Prepares and distributes an annual end of the fiscal year written report and maintains financial history according to IRS code;

(i) Prepares and files forms required by the Internal Revenue Service consistent with the 501c.6 status;

(j) Prepares and maintains an official membership roster consistent with Article IV;

(k) Ensures an even-year informal audit through the Membership and Fiscal Management Committee;

(l) Coordinates scholarship fund management with CASE for not for profit purposes;

(n) Serves as a member of the Membership and Fiscal Management Committee;

(o) Mentors incoming Treasurer.

The Immediate Past President serves a one year term beginning on July 1 of each year following the spring elections. Duties include:

(a) Serves in the absence of the President;

(b) Coordinates an annual review of the constitution and strategic plan with the officers; recommends changes to the Executive Board and to the full membership;

(d) Serves as a member of the legislative committee;

(e) Chairs a meeting of the Past Presidents' Council at least one time annually;

(f) Attends the CASE Board of Directors meetings as the voting representative or appoints a designee;

(g) Maintains the ICASE Policies and Procedures Manual;

(h) At the end of the term, as a final duty, submits the CASE annual report by the established due date;

(i) Mentors the President.

Section 2 - Executive Board

The Executive Board shall be composed of the above named officers, the chairs of all Executive Standing Committees, and one representative from each Roundtable.

Roundtable representatives, who must be Unified Members, shall be selected by their respective Roundtables to serve a three (3) year term. Each Roundtable shall select an alternate Roundtable representative to serve in the absence of the Roundtable representative. The primary functions of the Roundtable representatives are to ensure two-way communication between the membership and the Executive Board and to promote the mission of the organization.

Subsection 2.1 - Duties

Duties of the Executive Board include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Advances the mission and goals of the organization;

(b) Approves revisions to the Constitution of the organization;

(c) Drafts policies and/or position statements consistent with the ICASE mission and constitution to be presented to the membership to be considered for adoption;

(d) Establishes and approves awards to be presented by the organization;

(e) Provides fiscal oversight of the organization;

(f) Provides a communication link with members of the roundtables, state agencies and other organizations

(g) Provides leadership relative to current legislative issues of interest to the organization;

(h) Determines Roundtable boundaries in consultation with members of the affected Roundtables;

(i) Establishes contractual relationships;

(j) Approves membership recruitment activities;

(k) Receives the recommended slate of officers as submitted through the Nomination Process and establishes procedures for balloting and accepting nominees from the floor;

(l) Reviews and approves changes in the ICASE Policies and Procedures Manual;

(m) Acts in the best interest of the membership.

Subsection 2.2 - Vacancies

In case of a vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect shall assume the responsibilities as President of ICASE.

A vacancy in the offices of the President-Elect, or Treasurer, or Secretary shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Board until an election at the next regularly scheduled business meeting.

A vacancy in the office of Immediate Past President shall be filled to complete the term by appointment of the Executive Board from the Past Presidents’ Council.

Should a Roundtable representative no longer qualify for membership or resign his or her position, the alternate Roundtable representative shall assume the responsibility of the position. The Roundtable shall select a new alternate at the next scheduled Roundtable meeting.

Article IX-Roundtables

Roundtables are a creation of ICASE established to assist with communication and support for all members. The Roundtable boundaries are determined by the Executive Board. Roundtable membership is a benefit of any level of ICASE membership with the exception of Patron membership. Each Roundtable is responsible for planning a topical based on a rotation schedule established by the Professional Development Committee. All Roundtables may conduct additional topicals approved by the Executive Board. 50% of the profit will be retained by ICASE. The remaining profit will be equally divided among those Roundtables who sponsor approved topicals during the fiscal year.

Article X - Past Presidents’ Council

The Past Presidents' Council shall be chaired by the Immediate Past President and the Council shall be composed of past presidents of ICASE. The Council shall be responsible for assisting the President and Executive Board in an advisory capacity and may be assigned special projects as needed.

Article XI - Committees

Two types of Committees, Standing and Special, may be established to further execute the interests of ICASE.

Section 1 - Executive Standing Committees

Executive Standing Committees shall be as follows:

(a) Membership and Fiscal Management

(b) Professional Development

Using the Unified Membership roster, the President shall appoint any open chair positions for the Executive Standing Committees for a three year staggered term. Each committee will select a co-chair. Each Roundtable shall select a representative (and alternate) to serve on this committee. The committee will include the designated ICASE officer (See duties of officers). Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, the Legislative and Research Chair will serve until June 30, 2008, the Membership and Fiscal Management Chair will serve until June 30, 2009 and the Professional Development Committee Chair will serve until June 30, 2010.

Subsection 1.1 Membership and Fiscal Management Committee:

The Membership and Fiscal Management Committee shall be comprised of a Chair, the Secretary, Treasurer, and a representative from each round table. The Chair may also serve as the designated roundtable representative.

Responsibilities will include oversight of:

(a) The Annual Budget

(b) Informal audit

(d) Recommendations for scholarship recipients to the Executive Board

(e) Marketing and membership services/benefits

(f) Member recruitment

(g) Recognitions and remembrances

Subsection 1.2 Professional Development Committee:

The Professional Development Committee shall be comprised of the Chair, the President and Deputy Treasurer, and a representative from each round table (the chair can also serve as the roundtable representative).

Responsibilities will include oversight of:

(a) Planning and Coordinating the two annual conferences

(b) Coordinating rotating schedule of Round table Topicals

(d) Other professional development activities and resources

Subsection 1.3 - Legislative/Research Committee

The Legislative Committee shall be comprised of a Chair, the President-elect , Past President and a representative from each round table (the chair can also serve as the roundtable representative).

The Committee shall be responsible for:

(a) Developing a comprehensive legislative agenda consistent with ICASE policies and position statements;

(b) Researching and reviewing current issues and trends in education;

(d) Coordinating policy development with CASE, as well as other organizations and agencies

(e) Coordinate legislative activities with Legislative Liaison

The Legislative Committee shall present to the Executive Board the comprehensive legislative agenda. This agenda will be disseminated upon the direction of the President and/or Executive Board to the membership and to those organizations and agencies necessary to further the mission of ICASE.

With the approval of the Executive Board, a Legislative Liaison may be retained to assist the Legislative Chairperson.

Section 2 - Special Committees

Special committees may be established as needed, either by the President, the Executive Board, or by a majority vote of the members present at a business meeting.

Unless otherwise noted in this document, chairpersons of the committees will be appointed from the unified membership roster by the President, and members of the committees shall be selected by the Chairperson from any level of membership and approved by the Executive Board. Chairpersons shall encourage representation from each Roundtable. Other agencies or individuals may be invited by the President or committee chairperson to participate on the committee in an advisory or consultative capacity.

Subsection 2.1 Nominating Committee:

The Immediate Past President shall convene and chair a special nominating committee comprised of the President-elect and one unified member elected by the unified members of each round table. The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for:

(a) preparing a slate of officer candidates (slate may include single candidates for each office or multiple candidates) who have agreed to serve if elected;

(b) presenting said slate of officer candidates to the Executive Board at least 30 days prior to the 2^nd Annual Meeting; and

The Executive Board shall receive the recommended slate of officers and establish procedures for balloting and accepting nominees from the floor. These procedures will be presented electronically or in print to the unified membership prior to the election.

Article XII - Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in "Robert's Parliamentary Law" and the latest edition of "Robert's Rules of Order, Revised" shall govern ICASE, in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the articles of this constitution.

Article XIII – Quorum

A quorum for the Annual Meeting and all other full membership business meetings shall be twenty-five (25) percent of the eligible unified membership. Unified members will be determined by the Treasurer based on those members who have paid their annual CEC, CASE and ICASE dues. Voting of unified members through roundtables or by conventional or electronic mail will adhere to the 25% quorum provision and a simple majority of all respondents will rule.

A quorum for an Executive Board meeting shall be fifty-one (51) percent or greater of the members of the Board.

Article XIV - Dissolution

Upon dissolution of ICASE, the Executive Board shall, after paying or making provision of the payment of all liabilities, dispose of all the assets exclusively for the purpose of ICASE in such manner, or to such organizations, the purposes of which are to serve the needs of exceptional children. Under no circumstances shall any of the property or assets be distributed to any officer, member, employee, or subsidiary of ICASE.

Article XV - Removal of Officers

An officer of ICASE not fulfilling the functions of his or her office may be removed from said office by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

Article XVI - Maintenance of Membership

ICASE shall maintain a paid membership of at least fifteen (15) persons, who are fully unified with both international CEC and its CASE division.

Article XVII- Amendments

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the unified members present and voting at any business meeting, provided the membership has been notified of the intention to revise at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to such a meeting.

Position statements and policies adopted by the Executive Board shall be presented to the membership. All position statements and policies will be decided by a simple majority vote of unified members present.

Amended: February 13, 1992 - Indianapolis

Amended: September 23, 1993 - Terre Haute

Amended; February 24, 1994 - Indianapolis

Amended: September 29, 1994 - Lafayette

Amended: February 28, 1995 - Indianapolis

Amended: September 29, 1995 - Nashville

Amended: March 7, 1996 - Indianapolis

Amended: September 26, 1997 - Terre Haute

Amended: September 25, 1998 - Nashville

Amended: February 15, 2002 - Indianapolis

Amended: February 20, 2004 - Indianapolis

Revised: September 28, 2007 – French Lick