Constitution of
CLARION UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA’S CHAPTER
of the
STUDENT COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
within the
PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN

ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Clarion University of Pennsylvania Chapter of the
Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC). This chapter is affiliated with the
Pennsylvania Association of the Council for Exceptional Children.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this chapter shall be to advance the education of individuals with exceptionalities
and to promote related educational, scientific, and charitable purposes. This chapter shall also
promote the education and training of students in Special Education at Clarion University of
Pennsylvania. Specifically, the chapter intends to assist and provide support to the Pennsylvania
Council for Exceptional Children (PACEC) in all its efforts on behalf of persons with
exceptionalities, and to participate in all appropriate governance activities of CEC subject to the
general supervision and control of CEC.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Qualifications
All students and faculty, interested in individuals with exceptionalities, at Clarion University of
Pennsylvania, shall be entitled to membership in this organization upon payment of annual dues.
Each member shall attend four meetings; participate in five activities, one fundraiser, and ten
hours of community service per semester. Missed meetings can be made up at an auxiliary
meeting IF the member has notified the Executive Board at least one day before the meeting.
Each member shall pay dues of five dollars per academic year. Please note that paying your dues
does not constitute a certificate of participation unless all other requirements have been met,
however, dues are mandatory in order to receive a certificate.
Section 2. Minimum Membership Requirement
The chapter shall maintain a minimum of fifteen (15) paid members who shall meet the
membership qualifications established by CEC.
Section 3. Membership Term
The policy pertaining to the membership year shall be consistent with the policy of the Council
for Exceptional Children.

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ARTICLE IV
ORGANIZATION
Section 1. Relationship to The Council for Exceptional Children
The Clarion University Chapter shall be affiliated with the Pennsylvania Association of the
Council for Exceptional Children.
Section 2. Fiscal Year and Administrative Term
The fiscal year and administrative term of office shall be June 1st to May 31st.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. Elected Positions
The officers of this chapter shall be duly elected by the membership and consist of:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.

A president
A vice-president
A secretary
A treasurer
One or two community service representative(s)
One or two public relations representative(s)
Two of the elective officers will volunteer to be on the Arc of Clarion and Venango
Counties, Inc. board as student members.

Section 2. Prerequisite to Nomination and Election
All officers must be members in good standing of SCEC at the time of their nomination and
election and remain so throughout the duration of their term of office. Those members who are
nominated for the president’s office shall have no less than one year of membership with SCEC.
Section 3. Election of Officers
The officers of the chapter shall be elected by the members. The nominee for each position
receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. The election shall be held during the
second-to-last meeting of the spring semester.
Section 4. Term of Office
Each term of office shall be one year and shall coincide with the chapter’s fiscal/administrative
year.
Section 5. Succession
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A. The vice president shall automatically succeed to the presidency at the expiration of the
president's term of office.
B. An elected officer cannot succeed himself in the same office until the expiration of one
administrative year, provided that this shall not apply in the case of an officer selected to fill
any portion of an unexpired term.

Section 6. Vacancies
A. If a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the vice president shall serve as acting president
for the remainder of the term of office.
B. A vacancy occurring in any office except president shall be filled by an appointment of the
president, with the approval of the Executive Committee. The member appointed will serve
only until the end of the current administrative year or until replaced by a duly elected
successor.
Section 7. Duties of Officers
A. The powers and duties of the president shall be:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

To serve as chief executive of the chapter with the powers and duties usually belonging
to such a position;
To serve as presiding officer at general meetings of the chapter and at meetings of the
chapter Executive Committee;
To serve as an ex-officio member of all committees;
To countersign all contracts and other instruments of the chapter except checks; and
To prepare the annual report as required by the state/provincial unit.

B. The powers and duties of the vice president shall be:
1.

2.
3.

To serve in the place of, and with the authority of, the president in case of the
president's absence, disability, resignation, or inability to discharge duties at the time of
student teaching;
To serve as program chair of the chapter, responsible for planning and developing
programs for chapter meetings; and
To serve as fundraising chair.

C. The powers and duties of the secretary shall be:
1.
2.
3.
4.

To keep a record of the proceedings of each meeting;
To carry on the correspondence of the chapter as directed by the president;
To keep accurate lists of Executive Committee and committee members;
To have available copies of the Constitution and Bylaws and minutes at all meetings of
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5.

the Executive Committee and other official meetings conducted by the unit; and
To assume custody of all records except those specifically assigned to others.

D. The powers and duties of the treasurer shall be:
1. To serve as custodian of the funds of the chapter;
2. To pay expenses approved by the Executive Committee and on authorization of the
president and to keep an itemized account of receipts and expenditures;
3. To make an annual report of the financial status of the chapter to the Executive Committee
and at the annual business meeting; and
4. To prepare and submit an annual budget for approval by the Executive Committee at the
annual business meeting.
E. The powers and duties of the community service representative(s) shall be:
1. To be responsible for organizing community service events to allow our members ample
volunteer experiences; and
2. To record volunteer hours completed by SCEC and our members.
F. The powers and duties of the public relations representative(s) shall be:
1. To create and modify bulletin boards on a bi-monthly basis assigned to the SCEC; and
2. To inform the Special Education Department, as well as, Clarion University of
Pennsylvania’s campus of meetings, events, activities, presentations, and professional
development workshops sponsored by SCEC.
Section 8. Removal from Office
A. A petition for removal of an officer shall be signed by at least five members of the chapter
and submitted in writing to the president. If the president is the subject of the petition, it
shall be presented to the vice president.
B. The president (vice president) shall, within seven days, notify each Executive Committee
member of the receipt of such a petition, solicit relevant evidence from all parties concerned,
and call a meeting of the Executive Committee to consider the matter within fifteen days
following receipt of the petition.
C. At the Executive Committee meeting, an opportunity shall be made available to all
interested parties to present any relevant evidence. A two-thirds majority vote of the
members present, provided there is a quorum, is necessary for the removal of the officer.
Removal from office is effective immediately.
D. The officer being considered for removal shall be provided with the results of the Executive
Committee action in writing within seven days.
ARTICLE VI
CHAPTER ADVISOR
Section 1. Appointed Position
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The officers and the special education faculty shall appoint a Professional CEC member to serve
as chapter advisor.
Section 2. Prerequisite to Appointment
The advisor must be a Professional member in good standing of the Council for Exceptional
Children, be available to provide time and energy to aid the chapter, and indicate dedication to
CEC and the future of special education.
Section 3. Duties of the Advisor
Guidelines for the chapter advisor include the following:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.

Serve the students in an advisory, non-voting capacity;
Develop and nurture leadership skills;
Offer suggestions, not directives;
Model professional attitudes and behaviors;
Attend chapter meetings and events;
Provide continuity for the chapter and with the state/provincial association; and
Be an advocate for student concerns.

Section 4. Term of Appointment
The chapter advisor will serve a three year term. If a vacancy occurs, the persons responsible for
the appointment will seek another advisor.
ARTICLE VII
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. Composition
The executive committee shall consist of the officers of the chapter, the immediate past
president, and the chairs of the standing committees. The chapter shall have a faculty advisor
who shall serve as an ex-officio member of the executive committee in an advisory, non-voting
capacity.
Section 2. Duties
The duties of the executive committee shall be:
A.
B.
C.

To formulate and propose policies for the chapter;
To fill vacancies; and
To make recommendations to the chapter.
ARTICLE VIII
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COMMITTEES
Section 1. Types of Standing Committees
Committees will be chosen based on activities and events SCEC does throughout the year.
Section 2. Appointment of Committee Chairs
The president, with the approval of the members, shall appoint the chairs of the standing
committees.
Section 3. Appointment of Committee Members
Committee members shall be appointed by the chairs subject to approval by the president. All
committees shall have no less than two members in addition to the chair. The chairs and
members of committees shall through the duration of the event and/or activity.
ARTICLE IX
MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting
There shall be an annual meeting of the chapter.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the president with the consent of the executive committee.
Section 3. Quorum
Ten (10) of the membership shall constitute a quorum at a regular or a specially-called meeting.

ARTICLE X
DURATION AND DISSOLUTION
The duration of the chapter shall be perpetual unless the officers of the chapter unanimously
determine that it should be dissolved. Upon the dissolution and final liquidation of the chapter,
the officers shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the debts and liabilities
of the chapter, distribute all of its assets to either:
1.
2.

Contribute them to the Pennsylvania Association of the Council for Exceptional Children
for its use in advancing the education of exceptional children; or
Contribute them to the Council for Exceptional Children, a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c) (3)
organization, to apply to one or more of its programs including:
A. the Yes I Can! Awards Program for its use in recognizing the achievements of students
who have excelled despite their disability;
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B.

C.
D.

the “Kayte M. Fearn CEC Ethnic Diversity Scholarship” which annually provides a
cash scholarship to a CEC student member from an ethnic background who is pursuing
a degree in special education;
the “In Remembrance Of…” Fund in honor of an individual to support the activities
and programs of The Council; and/or
the “General Council Fund” supporting the activities and programs of The Council.

ARTICLE XI
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, latest edition, shall be used as a guide by this chapter in
carrying out its parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the membership
present, provided there is a quorum. Such amendment or amendments shall have been submitted
in writing to the executive committee. Within 30 days of the date received, it shall be submitted
to the membership in writing. The membership shall have received the proposed amendment or
amendments at least 14 days prior to the meeting.

______________________________________________________
Clarion University of Pennsylvania’s SCEC 9-30-11

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