ILLINOIS COUNCIL FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING

BY-LAWS - Revised November 2007

ARTICLE I: NAME

The Organization shall be called the Illinois Council for Continuing Education and Training (ICCET).

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The Organization shall strengthen Illinois community college continuing and community education activities and provide a strong network for the exchange of information and best practices on continuing professional education, community services, personal enrichment courses and promote lifelong learning among members and the communities the membership serves.

ARTICLE III: AFFILIATIONS

The Organization shall be affiliated with the Illinois Council of Community College Administrators (ICCCA) as a constituent charter commission. Upon affiliation, the Organization shall become known as the Illinois Council for Continuing Education and Training and shall make changes in its By-Laws necessary to be in compliance therewith. The Organization shall be affiliated with the National Council for Continuing Education and Training (NCCET), which is affiliated with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The Organization shall have a member appointed as State Liaison to represent it with the National Council for Continuing Education and Training.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to staff of the Illinois public community college system who are involved with continuing professional education, community service programs, and personal enrichment courses, except those who are eligible for membership in the Illinois Presidents’ Council.  Staff shall be defined by each public community college.  All members in good standing shall be eligible to attend all membership meetings, speak and debate at membership meetings, vote in all Organization business, hold office and serve as chair or as a member on committees, and receive publications of the Organization. No member may act by proxy for any other member on any matter.

Membership is available for $25 annually for individual membership or $100 per institution up to six members. Institutions having more than six members may purchase additional memberships for $25 per each additional person. In the event of staff turnover, transfer of membership can be requested by contacting the Chair of the Membership Committee.  Upon request, the outgoing person's membership can be transferred to the newly named staff of that institution at no additional fee for the balance of the membership year. The Board of the Organization reserves the right to recommend changes to the annual membership dues. Changes will be presented to the membership for approval. The membership year begins July 1 and ends June 30.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS/ELECTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

SECTION A: Officers

The officers of the Organization shall be the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Chair.

SECTION B: Elections

A President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Membership Chair shall be elected at the annual fall meeting. Elections shall be by a majority vote of those members present and voting. Terms of office shall begin January 1 following the year in which they are elected, and shall serve throughout such calendar year and until their successors have been elected and assume office. The President-Elect shall be elected to a two year term with one year as President-Elect and the second year as President.

SECTION C: RESPONSIBILITIES

Office of President

The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Organization. Subject to the direction and control of the Executive Board, the President shall see that the resolutions and directives of the Executive Board are carried into effect, except in those instances in which that responsibility is assigned to some other person by the Executive Board. The President shall be responsible for overall planning and coordination of Organization meetings, other events as needed, and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The President may not succeed himself/herself.

If the President vacates office before the term of office is completed, the President-Elect shall assume the office of President for the remainder of the term.

Office of President-Elect

The President-Elect shall assist the President in the discharge of such duties as the President may direct and chair the Nomination Committee.  In the absence of the President, or in the event or inability or refusal to act, the President-Elect shall perform the duties of the President. When so acting, the President-Elect shall perform the duties of the President having all powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.  The President-Elect shall serve as the State Liaison to NCCET and shall represent ICCET in all matters with the NCCET  Regional Director.

If the President-Elect vacates office before the term of office is completed, the President, with ratification by the Executive Board, shall appoint an acting President-Elect from Organization members. An election shall be held at the next Organization meeting to elect a President-Elect to complete the term of office.

Office of Secretary

The Secretary shall record the official minutes of all meetings, provide adequate notice of upcoming meetings and perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as assigned by the President or the Executive Board. In addition, the Secretary shall deliver to the incoming Secretary all books and properties belonging to the Organization at the expiration of the elected term of office.

If the Secretary vacates office before the term of office is completed, the President, with ratification by the Executive Board, shall appoint an acting Secretary from Organization members. An election shall be held at the next Organization meeting to elect a Secretary to complete the term of office.

Office of Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be the principal accounting and financial officer for the Organization. The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining current, accurate and adequate books of account of the Organization and shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as assigned by the President and the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of all funds of the Organization and be responsible for the receipt and disbursement of the funds. The Treasurer shall deliver to the incoming Treasurer all records, accounting of monies and properties belonging to the organization at the expiration of the elected term of office.

If the Treasurer vacates office before the term of office is completed, the President, with ratification by the Executive Board, shall appoint an acting Treasurer from Organization members. An election shall be held at the next Organization meeting to elect a Treasurer to complete the term of office.

Office of Membership Chair

The Membership Chair shall maintain member records, create and distribute the membership directory, solicit membership applications and renewals, and receive dues. Dues shall be transferred to the Treasurer as soon as possible after receipt. The Membership Chair shall guide and direct the Membership Committee.

If the Membership Chair vacates office before the term of office is completed, the President, with ratification by the Executive Board, shall appoint an acting Membership Chair from Organization members. An election shall be held at the next Organization meeting to elect a Membership Chair to complete the term of office.

Office of the Immediate Past-President

The Immediate Past-President shall assist the President in the planning and coordination of Organization meetings and attend regular meetings of ICCCA to represent the interests of ICCET.

ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board of the Organization shall consist of the five duly elected officers, the Immediate Past-President, a representative of the Illinois Community College Board staff, and chairs of the Professional Development Committee and Communication/Marketing Committee.  The Illinois Community College Board staff shall assist the President and other Executive Board members in the discharge of their duties and represent the Organization at the state-level. The staff shall be appointed by the President and CEO of the Illinois Community College Board.  Any elected or appointed officer or committee member may be removed from office or committee when it is the judgment of the Executive Board that the best interests of the Organization are served thereby. Removal shall be effective immediately following a majority vote of the members of the Executive Board exclusive of the officer/committee member whose removal is being considered.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

Membership, Professional Development, and Communication/Marketing shall be standing committees of the Organization. The Chair of the Membership Committee shall be the duly elected Membership Chair. The chairs of the Professional Development Committee and Communication/Marketing Committee shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Executive Board or delegated to the committee to select a chair.  Ad hoc committees may be established by the Organization as needed. The President, in consultation with the Executive Board, shall have the authority to appoint committee chairs and committee members necessary to carry out organization business.

ARTICLE VIII: FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Organization shall begin on January 1 and end on the following December 31.

ARTICLE IX: MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

The Organization shall hold an annual membership meeting for the purpose of electing officers and conducting organizational business.   The Organization shall hold  additional meetings as necessary at which it shall address issues of interest and concern to membership.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended by a simple majority vote of all members voting at any regular meeting or, in special circumstances as deemed by the President, by fax and/or the internet, provided that written notice has been made in advance of the vote.

Originally ratified: April 21, 1982