IACD's Newly Approved Constitution
Illinois Association for Cultural Diversity Constitution
I. NAME
The name of the organization shall be the Illinois Association for Cultural
Diversity (hereafter, the Association).
II. PURPOSE
The goals of the Association are to:
A. further awareness and understanding of the cultural diversity within and outside of the United States through:
1. networking and professional development opportunities for a community of learners committed to this goal;
2. research and scholarship in cultural diversity;
3. curriculum and instruction development; and
4. leadership in cultural diversity education in the academy and in community groups through the organization of conferences and workshops and the development and publication of appropriate resources.B. to help students, educators, and community members acquire the competencies they need to communicate and interact effectively within our culturally diverse world.
III. MEMBERSHIP
A. Individual
1. Any person living or working in the State of Illinois or adjacent states who is committed to the goals of the Association may become a member.
2. Individual membership is determined through participation in the Association's annual meeting, and/or participation in other Association events and activities.B. Institutional
1. Any educational or community institution located in the State of Illinois or adjacent states committed to the goals of the Association may become a member.
2. Institutional membership is determined through attendance at the annual meeting, participation in other Association events and activities, and payment of institutional dues.
IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A. The Association shall have an Executive Committee with seven members chosen at the time and place and in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws.
B. The Executive Committee shall have all powers not reserved elsewhere in the Constitution or Bylaws to others and shall act for the members on their behalf between annual meetings.
V. NONPARTISAN
The Association as such will take no partisan attitude, nor will it commit its members to any position on political policy.
VI. RATIFICATION
This Constitution and its accompanying Bylaws shall take effect immediately upon ratification by a majority of the qualified voters of the Association.
VII. DISPOSITION AND DISSOLUTION
The time for which this Association shall be organized is perpetual.
If, however, the Association is dissolved, the Executive Committee shall,
after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities
of the Association, dispose of all the assets of the Association exclusively
for the purposes of the Association in such manner, or to such organization
or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational,
or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization
or organizations under section 501 (c) (8) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal
Revenue Law), as the Executive Committee shall determine. Any such assets
not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Circuit Court of McDonough
County, Illinois exclusively for such purposes or to such organization
or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and
operated exclusively for such purpose.
VIII. BYLAWS
Amendments to the Bylaws may be adopted by a majority vote of the members
present at any regular meeting of the Association or by a majority of
votes cast by members in any mail or electronic ballot authorized by the
Executive Committee.
The following Bylaws have been adopted for the government of the Association.
BYLAWS
I. MEMBERSHIP
A. Individual
1. Any interested individual can become a member of the Association upon attendance at an annual meeting of the Association or participation in other Association events and activities by requesting membership status.
2. The Executive Committee shall maintain a database of members comprised of individuals who participated in the last three annual meetings or in other Association activities over the last three years.B. Institutional
1. Institutional membership in the Association is contingent upon the payment of annual dues at one of three levels: contributing ($100), supporting ($250), or sustaining ($500).
2. All institutional members shall have one member on the Council of Institutional Representatives.
3. Contributing membership entitles an institution to the waiver of the annual meeting registration fee for one member of the institution. Supporting membership entitles an institution to the waiver of the annual meeting registration fee for three members of the institution. Sustaining membership entitles an institution to the waiver of the annual meeting registration fee for six members of the institution.
4. The Executive Committee shall maintain a database of institutional members and their representatives to the Council of Institutional Representatives.
II. GOVERNANCE
A. The Association shall have an Executive Committee of seven members.
1. Members shall include:
a. a Director or Co-directors who shall be elected by the Executive Committee;
b. a Fiscal Agent appointed by the institution identified as the Association's principal funding source. The Fiscal Agent shall be responsible to the Executive Committee, to the goals of the Association, and to the original IBHE mandate for the Expanding Cultural Diversity in the Curriculum and in the Classroom Project. The Fiscal Agent may be elected Co-director, but not Director, of the Association;
c. Four members to be elected by the Council of Institutional Representatives;
d. One member to be elected by the membership at large. If membership of the Executive Committee requires it (i.e. a Director rather than Co-directors are chosen), an additional member shall be elected by the membership at-large.2. Terms
a. A three-year term, renewal for a second three years, shall be suggested for the Fiscal Agent, with the institution identified as the Association's principal funding source, making the final determination.
b. Terms of members of the Executive Committee, other than the Fiscal Agent, shall be three years. Members may be re-elected for two consecutive terms.
c. Terms of members of the Executive Committee shall be staggered, with the Fiscal Agent serving three years and other members of the first Executive Committee drawing straws to determine who will serve three-, two-, or one-year terms.
d. Each regular term of office shall coincide with the annual meeting or multiple thereof.
e. Elections shall be held at the annual meeting of the Association and shall be conducted by the Executive Committee. Each member in attendance at the annual meeting shall be given the opportunity to vote for the at-large member/s. Candidates may come from the Nominating Committee or from the floor. Members of the Council of Institutional Representatives shall be given the opportunity to vote for Institutional Representatives. Executive Committee members shall be given the opportunity to vote for Director/Co-directors.
f. If a vacancy on the Executive Committee occurs between annual meetings, the Executive Committee may make an interim appointment.3. Duties of the Executive Committee
a. The Director or Co-directors of the Association shall preside at all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee.
b. The Fiscal Agent shall receive and have custody of the funds of the Association, subject to the rules of the Constitution, Bylaws, and the Executive Committee and shall perform other duties the Executive Committee assigns. The Fiscal Agent shall prepare and keep current a database of the Association members and make it available to all members.
c. The Executive Committee shall have the control and management of the funds of the Association. It may fill Executive Committee vacancies between annual meetings and may adopt any rules or regulations for the conduct of its business consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association or with rules adopted at the annual meeting.
d. The Executive Committee shall determine the time and place of the Association's annual meeting and perform such other duties delegated to it by the Association.
e. The Executive Committee shall meet a minimum of four times a year in person or via teleconferences or conference calls.
f. The Executive Committee shall appoint a three-member Nominating Committee to prepare a slate of candidates for member-at-large and positions on the Executive Committee. It shall prepare a slate of candidates for Council of Institutional Representatives position/s. One member of the Nominating Committee shall be from the Council of Institutional Representatives; and one member shall be from the at-large membership.
g. The Executive Committee shall have primary responsibility for the organization of the programs for the annual meeting of the succeeding year. It may appoint a Program Committee to advise and assist in the organization of the program, one member of which shall be the Fiscal Agent.
h. The Executive Committee may establish additional ad-hoc and standing committees to further the goals of the Association.
i. If an Executive Committee member fails to fulfill his/her responsibilities, the other members of the Committee shall contact him/her and request clarification of his/her position and participation or resignation. Failure to respond or subsequent failure to participate will be assumed a resignation.B. The Association shall have a Council of Institutional Representatives comprised of one representative from each institutional member to serve as an advisory Council to the Executive Committee.
1. The Council shall elect four of its members to serve on the Executive Committee according to the guidelines and timetable for elections set forth in these Bylaws.
2. The Council shall meet as a group during the Association's annual meeting. The Council shall choose one of its members to chair its meetings.
3. Council members shall act as representatives and liaisons of their institutions, work with members of their institutions to insure their active support of the Association's goals, and seek ongoing financial support from their institutions.
III. ANNUAL MEETINGS
A. The annual meeting of the Association shall be held at a time and place determined by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall seek advisory recommendations from the members present at the annual meeting for subsequent places and times.
B. Notice of the annual meeting shall be sent to all members at least 60 days before the meeting.
C. A quorum shall consist of those qualified as members present and voting.
IV. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Unless inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association,
Robert's Rules of Order shall govern policy and procedure.
