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CIS Operational Rules

November 3, 2004

The Council on Interdisciplinary Services (hereinafter referred to as the CIS) is established as an integral unit of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (hereinafter referred as the Association).

Section I. Mission
The mission of the Council on Interdisciplinary Service is to:

  1. Identify the mutual needs and issues of UCEDDs providing Services
  2. Promote collaborative actions across the network in order to improve the quality and effectiveness of Service delivery.

Services may include a variety of direct Services, supports, and assistance for individuals with disabilities and/or other related disorders or special health care needs and their families. Services may be provided by professionals, paraprofessionals, direct care workers, students, or other personnel. These Services could be related to a wide array of areas, such as education, childcare, health, employment, housing, transportation, recreation, independence and other areas. Included in the category of Services are both direct clinical Services and community-based client consults/contacts.

Goals of the CIS are to:

  • Serve as an assembly and forum that provides for the identification and discussion of issues pertaining to Services and Service delivery.
  • Function as a representative voice for Service providers, and disciplines seeking to improve Services and Service delivery systems, within the UCEDD network.
  • Contribute the expertise and perspective of the Council to address strategic priorities of the Network and its Board influence the development and implementation of local, state and national regulations and policies affecting Services and supports.
  • Share resources and exemplary Service programs developed and used by UCEDDs across the nation.
  • Influence Service development such that Services are based on best-practice and/or research.
  • Collaborate with consumers and families who are the participants and reasons for Services, as full partners to improve the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of Services and Service delivery systems to affirm AUCD's principles of self-determination, family-centered care, and cultural competence in disability Servicesand supports throughout the life span.

Section II. Functions
The CIS shall perform the following functions:

  1. Provide the Board of Directors of the Association, through its officers, with the perspective and present recommendations of the CIS. Initiate and maintain responsibility for planning and implementing programs on Services and Service provision at seminars and workshops and general meetings of the Association.
  2. Establish committees as needed to carry out the various functions of the CIS, avoiding duplication with the committees and other councils of the Association.
  3. Work cooperatively with Association's standing and ad-hoc committees, assisting them in recruiting CIS delegates whose backgrounds suit the respective committee tasks.
  4. Provide consultation, on request, to member units of the Association on aspects regarding Service/Services in accordance with CIS policies and resources.

Section III. Composition
The CIS's composition shall be as follows:

  1. The Council on Interdisciplinary Service shall be composed of representatives from each University Center for Excellence in good standing, designated by that Center Director as "the Interdisciplinary Exemplary Service Director". If no such position exists, a designee who best represents the overall Interdisciplinary Service interests of that Center shall be designated to the Council by the program's Director.
  2. The delegate will be a member of the CIS for as long as they hold the position of the Interdisciplinary Exemplary Service Director at the home Center; or as long as they are the designee.

Section IV. Delegate Duties

  1. Represent their UCEDD and offer their discipline and Service perspective on the CIS.
  2. Delegates will be responsible for participating in the CIS listserv, for participating in conference calls, and attending the AUCD Annual Meeting (whenever possible).
  3. Provide input for the AUCD meetings/programs.

Section V. Officer Elections

  1. All current CIS delegates are eligible to be nominated to serve as officers.
  2. The CIS shall elect the following officers: Chair, Chair-Elect, Secretary, and Past Chair. Terms of office shall begin immediately following the fall AUCD meeting.
  3. Elections of officers to the CIS shall be as follows:
    1. Election for officers will be held in the spring. The CIS 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.
    3. Each slate shall include more than one candidate wherever feasible.
    4. Mail ballots will be prepared by the Chair and distributed in early April. The election process should be completed by May 1.
    5. An outgoing officer cannot succeed his/her own office.
    6. 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.
  4. 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. A Past Chair for a three (3) year term.
  5. The CIS Chair will serve on the AUCD Board of Directors for a term of three (3) years.

Section VI. CIS Steering Committee

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

Section VII. Officers' Duties
The CIS Chair shall:

  1. Plan and conduct all meetings of the delegates and all meetings of the Steering Committee.
  2. Develop and disseminate the agenda of the member meetings and all meetings of the Steering Committee.
  3. Be responsible for advancing the functions of the CIS as set forth in these bylaws and policies enacted by the delegates.
  4. Serve on the Association Board of Directors
  5. Report to the CIS the business of the Association Board of Directors.
  6. Call special meetings of the CIS 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.
  7. In the absence of the Chair, the Chair-Elect shall conduct the meeting and act as functional chair.

The Chair-Elect shall:

  1. Assist in planning the Interdisciplinary Symposium program for the fall AUCD meeting.
  2. Perform all special duties as outlined by the CIS Steering Committee.
  3. Take over the responsibilities of Chair if the Chair should become temporarily or permanently incapacitated or no longer be employed at a UCEDD.

The CIS Secretary shall:

  1. Keep minutes of all meetings of the CIS and Steering Committee.
  2. Perform all duties usually pertinent to that office.
  3. Send copies of all minutes to all CIS delegates, the AUCD Board President, and the Executive Director of the Association. All minutes and documents related to CIS business will be maintained in a file at the central office.
  4. Maintain the CIS web page and listserv and communicate with the Central Office regarding same.

The Past Chair shall:

  1. Participate in the Steering Committee.
  2. Provide advisement to the Council Chair and Chair-Elect;
  3. Perform duties as assigned.

Section VIII. Vote

  1. At the Annual Meeting, each CIS delegate present will have one vote at a meeting of the CIS.
  2. Electronic voting is permitted. Each CIS delegate will have one vote.

Section IX. Quorum
A quorum to conduct business shall consist of representation by seven (7) of the CIS's delegates.

Section X. Amendments
Amendments to these bylaws will be adopted if approved by a majority of the duly designated delegates of the CIS, provided notice of the proposed change is distributed no less than a month in advance to all delegates.