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CIS Operational Rules

October 15, 1989

Section I: Mission
The Council for Interdisciplinary Service (hereinafter referred to as the Council), is established as an integral unit of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (hereinafter referred to as the Association). The mission of the Council is to perform the following functions as a means of helping to meet the special needs, problems and potential of person with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities:

  1. Provide a forum and other resources for collectively examining and advancing the interdisciplinary mission and program of:
    1. Training
    2. Service
    3. Research
    4. Community program development
  2. Define and promote the concept of interdisciplinary:
    1. Training
    2. Service
    3. Research
    4. Community program development
  3. Advise the Executive Board of the Association on matters pertaining to interdisciplinary:
    1. Training
    2. Service
    3. Research
    4. Community program development

Section II: Functions
The Council shall perform the following functions:

  1. Provide the Board of Directors of the Association, through its officers, with an interdisciplinary perspective and present recommendations of the Interdisciplinary Council to the Executive Board.
  2. Carry responsibility for planning and implementing interdisciplinary programs at seminars and workshops and general meetings of the Association.
  3. Establish committees as needed to carry out the various functions of the Council, avoiding duplication with the committees of the Association.
  4. Work cooperatively with the Association's standing and ad-hoc committees, assisting them in recruiting Council members whose backgrounds suit the respective committee tasks.
  5. Provide consultation, on request, to member units of the Association on aspects of the interdisciplinary mission and program consistent with the Council policies and resources.

Section III. Composition
The Council's composition shall be as follows: Two (2) delegates shall represent each of the designated disciplines. Each discipline which is represented in at least 50% of all University Centers for Excellence in good standing shall have two representatives. In special circumstances, disciplines not meeting the above criterion may be added by a 2/3 vote of the delegates at a Council meeting.

Section IV. Delegate Tenure
The delegate's tenure shall be for a three year term. The terms of the two (2) delegates from each discipline shall be overlapping. Term of office begins following the fall AUCD national meeting.

Section V. Delegate Elections
Elections of delegates to the Council shall be as follows:

  1. The Council Chair will be responsible for sending a communication in February to the delegates of each discipline where elections are to be held.
  2. Nominations for delegates will be solicited from each discipline by the delegates. The time of nomination will be March. Each slate shall include more than one candidate wherever feasible.
  3. Mail ballots will be prepared by the delegates and distributed in early April. The election process should be completed by May 1.
  4. The outgoing delegate is eligible to be renominated for another term.
  5. If a delegate vacancy occurs, the discipline shall elect a second member to complete that term. A special election can be held to fill a vacancy.
  6. The vote of discipline within a UCEDD will be cast as a unit determined by a majority of the faculty in that discipline.
  7. The candidate receiving a plurality of the votes cast will be the discipline delegate.
  8. The individual elected will be notified and the results of the election will be submitted to the Council secretary and the Association office.

Section VI. Delegate Duties

  1. Represent the individual discipline on the interdisciplinary council.
  2. Develop ongoing communications among the discipline.
  3. Establish an interdisciplinary network among the individual disciplines whom they are representing.
  4. Coordinate all elections within their discipline.
  5. Provide input for the AUCD meetings/programs.

Section VII. Officer Elections
All current Council members are eligible to be nominated to serve as officers. The Council of delegates shall elect the following officers: Chair-Elect, Secretary, two (2) Members-At-Large. Terms of office shall begin immediately following the fall AAUAP meeting. Elections of officers to the Council shall be as follows:

  1. Election for officers will be held in the Spring. The Council Chair will be responsible for sending a communication in February to all delegates.
  2. Nominations for open officer vacancies will be solicited. The time of nomination will be March. Each slate shall include more than one candidate wherever feasible.
  3. Mail ballots will be prepared by the Chair and distributed in early April. The election process should be completed by May 1.
  4. An outgoing officer cannot succeed his/her own office.
  5. A Chair-Elect will serve a one-year term and be elected at the end of the second year of the Chair's three (3) year term. The Chair-Elect will then assume the Chair's position for a three year term.

Terms of Office:

  1. A Chair for a three (3) year term.
  2. A Chair-Elect for a one (1) year term.
  3. A Secretary for three (3) year term.
  4. Two (2) Members-At-Large from the general membership of the Council for a three (3) year term.
  5. Delegates to serve on the Association Executive Board will be the Chair and Member-At-Large who receives the largest number of votes from the two Delegates-At-Large elected by the delegates. The Chair and elected Member-At-Large will serve on the Board for a term of three (3) years each.
  6. Officers shall vacate their position as discipline delegates.

Section VIII. Council Steering Committee

  1. The Council Steering Committee shall be composed of the Chair, the Past-Chair, the Secretary, and the two (2) Members-At-Large. The Chair-Elect will serve for one year prior to becoming Chair.
  2. The Steering Committee is empowered to conduct the business of the Council consistent with the bylaws and other policies set forth by the delegates and the Association.

Section IX. Officers Duties
The Council Chair shall:

  1. Plan and conduct all meetings of the delegates and all meetings of the Steering Committee.
  2. Develop and disseminate and agenda of the delegates and all meetings of the Steering Committee.Be responsible for advancing the functions of the Council as set forth in these bylaws and policies enacted by the delegates.
  3. Report to the Interdisciplinary Council the business of the Association Executive Board.
  4. Call special meetings of the Council when issues of the sufficient magnitude require such and no less than a month's notice of the meeting agenda, site, and date has been given the delegates.
  5. In the absence of the Chair, the Member-At-Large serving on the Board shall conduct the meeting and act as functional chair.

The Chair Elect shall:

  1. Assist in planning the Interdisciplinary Council program for the fall AUCD meeting.
  2. Perform all special duties as outlined by the Council Steering Committee.

The Council Secretary shall:

  1. Keep minutes of all meetings of the Council and Steering Committee.
  2. Perform all duties usually pertinent to that office.
  3. Send copies of all minutes to all Council delegates, the President, and the Executive Director of the Association. All minutes an documents related to Interdisciplinary Council business will be maintained in a file at the central office.

The Members-At-Large shall:

  1. Serve on the Interdisciplinary Steering Committee.
  2. Perform all special tasks as directed by Interdisciplinary Council action, including yearly program planning and future Council planning.

Section X. Vote
Each Council member present will have one vote at a meeting of the Council.

Section XI. Quorum
A quorum to conduct business shall consist of representation by seven (7) of the Council's members. Amendments to these bylaws will be adopted if approved by a majority of the delegates at the fall meeting of the Council, provided notice of the proposed change is distributed no less than a month in advance to all delegates.