Members and Bylaws

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the Committee will be the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities Advisory Committee hereinafter referred to as the CAC. The CAC will function as the officially designated 'Consumer Advisory Committee' established in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act 2000) for the Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED) of West Virginia University (WVU).

MISSION

The mission of the West Virginia University (WVU) Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED) Advisory Committee (CAC) is to advise the WVU CED regarding civil rights, needs and services for people with disabilities and their families to assure their full inclusion.

ARTICLE II

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities Advisory Committee (CAC) will be responsible for performing the following tasks:

  1. Provides input on the development and completion of activities reflected in the WVU CED's five (5) year plan. This is achieved using workgroups for each designated area of interest.
  2. Reviews and comments annually on the Center's plan and program activities to assess goal attainment.
  3. Participates in activities designed to inform the public about the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities.
  4. Identifies local and state needs.
  5. Monitors programs and services to ensure cultural competency.
  6. Supports and contributes to development activities of the Center.
  7. Participates in problem resolution of Center participant complaints/concerns about a Center service or product, by serving on the Complaint Resolution Workgroup, when requested and appointed by the Chair.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

  1. A. Members of the CAC must be West Virginia citizens. The CAC will be composed of sixteen (16) members; although expert resources from various disciplines or agencies can be asked to serve on a time limited ad hoc basis, as needed. The majority of members will be individuals with a developmental disability and/or their family members. Upon request, the Center will provide individual accommodation to support full participation of all members. The CAC shall be comprised of members representing, but not limited to, the following categories:
    1. Individuals with developmental and other disabilities.
    2. Family members of individuals with developmental disabilities.
    3. Self-Advocacy Organization Representative, as defined by the DD Act.
    4. West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council.
    5. West Virginia Advocates.
    6. People First of West Virginia.
    7. Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities, Division of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
    8. One appointee, selected by the WVU CED Director, that is based on identified local and state need.
  2. The CAC will strive to reflect the racial, ethnic and geographical diversity of the state.
  3. Term. Membership terms for people with developmental disabilities and other disabilities and family members are for three (3) years. Terms will be staggered so one third of the CAC membership will be selected each year. Members are eligible to be reappointed once by the CED Director to serve a total of two (2) consecutive terms. Under no circumstance may a member with developmental disabilities and other disabilities and family members serve longer than six (6) consecutive years. Self-advocate or family members can seek reappointment, after having served the maximum of 6 consecutive years (2 terms) after a one year hiatus (non-participation), the former member is eligible to reapply for membership.
  4. At the first meeting after the approval and implementation of these By-laws, the Director shall appoint a new CAC whose initial terms shall commence immediately and consist of one, two or three years each, in such manner that the terms of one-third of the CAC shall expire each year. The terms of individuals or family members, holding seats on the CAC at the time of the approval of these By-laws will be deemed to expire upon the appointment of the new CAC, with the exception of those who were appointed less than two (2) years ago. Thereafter, the CAC membership will be appointed as stated previously in this article.

ARTICLE IV

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

It is important for the good and proper functioning of the CAC that the members understand their individual responsibilities as CAC members. The members of the CAC will strive to exhibit the following behaviors:

  1. Understanding the CED purpose and having conviction in the importance of the Center's wide range of activities.
  2. Understanding the importance of a good Center image, as reflected by the CED's Advisory Committee members themselves.
  3. Understanding the separation in function between members and staff, and working cooperatively with the Center Director and support staff.
  4. Attending all Committee meetings unless valid reasons prevent attendance.
  5. Carrying out all assignments promptly and to the best of one's ability.
  6. Each member has an equal responsibility to raise for discussion issues that affect the Center and the disability community.
  7. If representing CED at a conference or community activity, the member will report on it at the following meeting.
  8. Participate in the CED Advisory Committee Orientation.

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

  1. The CAC meets at least two times per year. Additional meetings may be called by the Center Director in consultation with the Chairperson of the CAC.
  2. Members are expected to attend meetings. Any member who does not attend two consecutive meetings will be contacted to assure they will be able to fulfill their responsibilities.
  3. For the purpose of determining attendance at a CAC meeting, attendance may be either in person, telephonic or by electronic or other means that allows the various members of the CAC to be heard by, and speak to, each other in real time.

ARTICLE VI

STANDING SUBCOMMITTEES

  1. Nomination
    1. A Nomination Subcommittee will be appointed by the CAC Chair and recommendations for appointments for people with developmental disabilities and other disabilities and family members will be solicited from the community.
    2. This standing Subcommittee, which provides for the continuance of the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities Advisory Committee (CAC) by soliciting nominees for consideration of appointment to the CAC, and similarly to provide for nominations of officers, as provided in Article III and Article VII of the By-Laws.
    3. This Nominating Subcommittee is charged to annually or as often as necessary solicit nominations of new members for appointment to the CAC. The Nominating Subcommittee will develop a slate of nominees, with nominee resume and letters of interest for consideration by the CAC. The Nominating Subcommittee will be provided CAC participant term limits and retirements of the existing Advisory, and take action as needed to secure nominations from the public with attention to racial, ethnic, geographical and other issues of diversity.
    4. A slate of nominees will be offered to the full CAC for vote, based on recommendations of the Nomination Subcommittee. The CAC members will be appointed by the CED Director, following a nomination process, and vote by the CAC.
  2. Communication
    1. This standing Subcommittee is responsible for information distribution related to status of the Center, and related disability issues.
    2. This Subcommittee participates in preparation of information used for public and professional informing, with assistance from the CED Dissemination/Public Relations Manager.
    3. All information released to the public must adhere to WVU rules and regulations and meet WVU communications guidelines.
    4. The Subcommittee may not release documents that have not been approved by the CED Director, as documented by signature.

ARTICLE VII

ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON'S ROLE

  1. The Chairperson will be elected by the Advisory Committee membership.
  2. The Chairperson shall be a person with a disability or family member.
  3. The term of the Chairperson is for two (2) years. A Chairperson is eligible to serve a total of two (2) consecutive terms. Under no circumstance may a member serve as Chairperson longer than four (4) consecutive years.
  4. The Chairperson will receive a formal letter of appointment issued by the CED Director which details the role, and term limits.
  5. The members will also select a Vice-Chairperson to serve and fulfill functions of the Chairperson, in his/her absence.
  6. The term of the Vice-Chairperson is for (2) years. A Vice-Chairperson is eligible to serve a total of two (2) consecutive terms. Under no circumstance may a member serve as Vice-Chairperson longer than four (4) consecutive years. The Vice-Chairperson will also serve as the Council on Community Advocacy (COCA) Representative, in absence of the Chair.
  7. The duties of the Chairperson are as follows:
    1. Participate in the development of CAC meeting agenda including asking CAC members for items for meeting discussion.
    2. Convenes the CAC meetings and conducts the meeting in such a manner to encourage full membership participation.
    3. Responsible for keeping the meetings on task, keeping track of time and for ensuring CAC members have an opportunity to address the meeting agenda.
    4. Establish ad hoc workgroups to develop information or resources for attention of the full CAC.
    5. If both the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson vacate the position, a participant member will be appointed temporarily to fill the position of Chairperson, by the Center Director.
    6. Serve as the Council on Community Advocacy (COCA) Representative.

ARTICLE VIII

ROLE OF CED

  1. Assist the CAC in carrying out duties and completion of action items.
  2. Ensure availability of professional clerical support for the preparation and distribution of CAC meeting minutes.
  3. Assure CAC listserv is available for CAC use.
  4. Assure all members receive CAC Operational Tool Kit, containing DD Act, module from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) on CAC role – responsibilities, minutes of every meeting, membership list, etc.
  5. All new members will be provided CAC Orientation.
  6. Members will be offered support, e.g., mentor services.

ARTICLE IX

RULES OF PROCEDURE

Meetings will be conducted using consensus building and majority vote for decision making. A quorum shall be constituted by the attendance of at least a majority. Vacant positions of the committee shall not be counted in establishing a quorum.

ARTICLE X

CONSUMER REIMBURSEMENT

Only members with developmental disabilities and other disabilities and family members are eligible for full reimbursement for their attendance, including time (honorarium), hotel accommodations and mileage. The honorarium will be established at the discretion of WVU CED, in consultation, with the West Virginia Advocates and the Developmental Disabilities Council to assure consistent reimbursement for consumer participation across the three (3) developmental disability agencies.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS

  1. The authority to interpret these By-laws shall be vested in a CAC workgroup.
  2. These By-laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new By-laws may be adopted by the CAC. The CAC may take said actions at any meeting at which a quorum is present but only by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members present, regardless of the actual number of members present at such meeting.
  3. Recommended By-law modifications will be distributed in advance of meetings to allow for review and consideration by the members, at least 30 days prior to vote.