About AHEAD in Texas
The mission of AHEAD in Texas is to provide leadership to professionals working with students with disabilities at post-secondary institutions in Texas.
The organization provides leadership by fostering educational and professional development opportunities, as well as professional networking for regional professionals serving students with disabilities at institutions of higher education, and other professionals engaged in serving people, especially students, with disabilities. Members of AHEAD in Texas include current and former disability service providers as well as others interested in disability-related issues such as vocational rehabilitation counselors, other higher education staff members, students, advocates, and parents.
AHEAD in Texas was created for professionals in Texas but membership is open and available to disability service providers in neighboring states including Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
History
The origins of AHEAD in Texas can be traced back to 1992 with the first annual conference that was held at St. Philip’s College in San Antonio. Rhonda Rapp, charter member and first president of the organization, was integral in establishing the organization. According to Mrs. Rapp, she came back from the AHEAD conference with the idea of starting a state organization as a service for those who could not afford to attend the national conference. Together with the assistance of Patricia Candia of St. Phillips College in San Antonio, the first conference took place in 1992 with Jane Jarrow as the keynote speaker. From this conference and funds from a failed attempt to establish a similar organization in the Austin area, AHEAD in Texas was founded.
Following the first conference, a committee was formed to galvanize the organization. Initial members included Rhonda Rapp, Patricia Candia, Sandi Patton, Kerry Tate, Eileen Cross, Margie Skyles, Kay Carroll, and Diana Stiles. For two years, this group served as the first officers of AHEAD in Texas and a constitution and bylaws were written.
Important developments for AHEAD in Texas include:
Bylaws
ARTICLE 1: NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1
The name of this organization is the Association on Higher Education And Disability in Texas (AHEAD in Texas). AHEAD in Texas was established in 1992 and incorporated in the State of Texas as a non-profit corporation in 2000. AHEAD in Texas is an affiliate of the International Association on Higher Education And Disability, formerly known as the Association on Handicapped Student Service Programs in Post-Secondary Education. AHEAD in Texas (hereafter known as the Affiliate) shall educate, train and communicate with professionals of various educational agencies serving students with disabilities attending any public or private post-secondary institution in the State of Texas.
AHEAD in Texas does not discriminate against any individual with regard to race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other constitutionally or statutorily impermissible reason. This policy extends to all programs and activities supported by AHEAD in Texas.
Section 2
The purpose of the Affiliate shall be to serve as a non-profit organization providing expertise and information on disability issues, rights of persons with disabilities, educational and professional development opportunities to higher education disability service providers and other professionals/interested parties, promoting coordination between agencies, associations and organizations for the purpose of promoting opportunity and advocacy for college and university students with disabilities and supporting legislation that benefits higher education and students with disabilities.
ARTICLE II: STRUCTURE
AHEAD in Texas (hereafter referred to as the Affiliate) is created as a volunteer professional organization directed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will be composed of elected officers whose responsibility will be to carry out the mission of the Affiliate through policy formation, the execution of fiduciary responsibility, and maintenance and growth of the organization.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
Membership shall be open and available to any interested person according to membership and dues categories as established by the Board of Directors and contained in the bylaws with rights and responsibilities contained therein.
Section 2
Membership levels:
1. Institutional Memberships:
a. Institutional Silver ($200): This membership level includes up to THREE PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS who are eligible to hold office and have full voting privileges.
b. Institutional Gold ($320): This membership level includes up to FIVE PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS who are eligible to hold office and have full voting privileges.
c. Institutional Platinum ($540): This membership level includes up to NINE PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS who are eligible to hold office and have full voting privileges.
2. Full Professional Membership ($85)
Directors/Coordinators/Counselors/Staff of Disability Services at 2 and 4 year public and private colleges and universities. In addition, professionals of other agencies/professional organizations providing services to and promoting access or advocating for post-secondary students with disabilities can also serve as professional members. This membership level is eligible to hold office and has full voting privileges.
3. Associate ($45)
Former professional members, administrative/support staff at any agency/professional organization/post-secondary institution, advocates or family members of students with disabilities. This membership level is not transferable, not eligible to hold office and has no voting privileges.
4. Emeritus Professional ($20)
Individuals retired from positions in higher education who were previous members of AHEAD in Texas. This membership level is not transferrable, not eligible to hold office and has no voting privileges.
5. Student ($20)
Individuals enrolled as full-time students in an undergraduate or graduate program at an institution of higher learning. This membership level is not transferable, not eligible to hold office and has no voting privileges.
Section 3
The membership/dues year shall run from January 1 – December 31.
ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY
Section 1
Executive Authority shall be vested in the Board of Directors, composed of elected Officers. The Board of Directors is empowered to do all things permitted by law and to exercise all authority within the purposes stated in the bylaws contained herein
Section 2
The officers of the Affiliate shall consists of Directors. This will include the Director of Governance, Director of Professional Development, Director of Finance, Director of Membership, Directors-at-Large, and Director Emeritus. Duties of the Board of Directors are outlined in the AHEAD in Texas Affiliate Officers document.
Section 3
The Director of Governance, Director of Professional Development, Director of Finance, Director of Membership, Directors-at-Large shall be elected at-large from the active and eligible voting members of the Affiliate by a date set by the Board of Directors. The Director Emeritus shall be appointed annually by the Board from the pool of existing past Officers. The terms of all officers will begin June 1. Nomination and elections of Board Members will follow procedures established by the Board of Directors.
Section 4
The term of office for the Director of Governance, Director of Professional Development, Director of Finance, Director of Membership, and Director-at-Large shall be for two (2) years. The term of office for the Director Emeritus shall be for one (1) year. In the event of a vacancy in any office, the Director Emeritus shall assume those duties without prejudice to the ensuing term of office. All other midterm vacancies shall be filled by Board of Director appointment and approved by a majority
Section 5
The officers shall have full authority to conduct the affairs of the Affiliate between meetings of the Board of Directors.
Section 6
Such authority must remain within the provisions of and not conflict with the bylaws, decisions, actions or policies established by the Affiliate.
ARTICLE V: FINANCE
Section 1
The Board of Directors shall be responsible for maintaining the fiscal integrity of the Affiliate and for ensuring financial stability and growth. The Director of Finance will serve as the chief financial officer of the Affiliate.
Section 2
Income shall be derived from sources consistent with the purpose and mission of the Affiliate. Affiliate funds shall be invested in instruments which are insured and/or are of a type and level of risk approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall review periodically the types of instruments and the level of risk allowed for investments. All financial transactions, fees and references made thereto will be in U.S. funds.
Section 3
The financial and accounting records of the Affiliate will be compiled into a summary report at the close of the fiscal year in a manner prescribed by the Board of Directors. The fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.
ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES
Section 1
The Affiliate Board of Directors, shall establish, maintain, and dissolve such standing and ad hoc committees as may be needed to conduct its business and activities. Chairs of each committee will be selected and appointed by the Board of Directors. The listing of established committees and councils is outlined in the AHEAD in Texas Committees document.
Section 2
Chairs of standing and ad hoc committees may be expected to attend Board meetings and report on activities of their respective committees. Committee chairs function in an adjunct and advisory manner to the board and do not have voting privileges on Board matters.
ARTICLE VII: IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL
An elected officer may be impeached by the Board of Directors for actions that are seriously negligent, fraudulent, illegal, and/or unethical within the duties of the respective office. Impeachment procedures will be delineated in the Board Policy and Procedure Manual.
ARTICLE VIII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The most current edition of Robert’s Rule of Order shall be the Parliamentary guidelines for proceedings of the Affiliate whenever it does not conflict with Constitution and /or these bylaws.
ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS
Section 1
Amendments or other changes in these bylaws may be initiated in the following ways:
- The Board of Directors may propose amendments.
- Any active voting member may submit, in writing, a proposed amendment to the Board of Directors.
Section 2
The Board of Directors will consider the proposed amendment(s) upon approval of a simple majority of the Board of Directors; the amendment shall be made available to the entire membership for vote. Upon two-thirds approval of those voting from the general membership the amendment shall become part of these bylaws.
Approved April 2025