ESPD+Constitution

** ORGANIZATION  **
 * EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTORS **

** MISSION STATEMENT  **


 * The mission of the Educational Service Unit Special Education Directors Organization is to assist ESUs in providing leadership and support for schools to improve teaching and learning for all students. **

** CONSTITUTION  **


 * ARTICLE I NAME **
 * The name of the organization shall be Educational Service Unit Special Education Directors Organization (ESpD). **


 * ARTICLE II PURPOSE **
 * It shall be the purpose to provide support and coordination for ESU personnel whose primary role is to provide services to a diverse population of students, as mandated by law. **


 * ARTICLE III. OBJECTIVES **


 * ** Develop a statewide system of support among the Educational Service Units  **
 * ** Collaborate with the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and other appropriate agencies or organizations  **


 * ** Provide professional development activities related to serving diverse populations of students  **


 * ** Serve in a leadership role in planning coordinated professional development efforts at the regional and state levels  **


 * ** Assist in the assessment of professional development needs  **
 * ** Develop a plan for allocation of resources for professional development in collaboration with NDE  **


 * ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP **
 * Section 1. Membership **
 * Membership is open to all ESU personnel whose primary role is to administer and supervise special education programs. **


 * Section 2. Special Membership **
 * Nebraska Department of Education designated personnel may serve in an advisory role. **


 * Section 3. Voting Rights **
 * Each ESU shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted for a vote of the membership. When the membership is polled for a specific issue, the majority shall prevail for those issues under discussion at ESPD meetings. A majority of those present must endorse any action to be taken on any issue. **


 * ARTICLE V. MEETINGS **
 * Section 1. Schedule **
 * The meeting schedule for the next academic year shall be finalized at the last statewide meeting of the academic year. ESpD meetings can be scheduled at any time of the year. **


 * Section 2. Quorum **
 * Fifty-one percent of the ESU’s present at a scheduled meeting shall constitute a quorum for conducting the business of the organization. **


 * ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS **
 * Section 1. Chairperson **
 * The position of Chairperson shall hold a two year term and shall be filled by the Recorder after his/her two year term. **


 * A. Duties of Chairperson **


 * ** Serves on theESUPDO leadership committee  **
 * ** Schedules, calls and presides over ESpDmeetings  **
 * ** Sets the agenda for meetings  **
 * ** Serves as chairperson for the liaison committee  **
 * ** Serves as spokesperson for ESpD  **
 * ** Calls special meetings as necessary  **
 * ** Manages the budget and approves all claims  **
 * ** Reports budget to NDE and other parties asneeded  **
 * ** Participate in ESU Coordinating Council meetings as necessary  **


 * B. Term of Office **
 * The term of officeshall be for two years andwill follow thePDOyear in office. **


 * Section 2. Recorder **
 * The Recorder shall beelected every two years by the ESPDmembership through anomination process. The Recorder will succeed as Chairperson after the second year as Recorder. **


 * A. Duties of the Recorder **


 * ** Serves on the ESUPDO leadership committee  **
 * ** Records, distributes and maintains minutes for all meetings  **
 * ** Fills in for Chairperson as needed  **
 * ** Serves as parliamentarian  **
 * ** Shall assume the duties of the Chairperson if the chair is unable to complete his/her tenure  **
 * ** Maintains a complete and updated record of membership (including Chairperson and Recorder terms, membership e-mail and liaison committee terms)  **


 * ** Participate in ESU Coordinating Council meetings as necessary  **


 * B. Term of Office **
 * Term of office is four years (two years as Recorder, third and fourth year as Chairperson). **


 * ARTICLE VII. STANDING COMMITTEE **
 * Section 1. Liaison Committee **
 * The purpose of the Liaison Committee is to collaborate with those agencies and organization in areas of mutual interest. **


 * A. Membership **
 * TheLiaison Committeewill consist of four ESPDmembers with the chairperson of ESPDserving as the committee teamchair. Members of this committee will be nominated by the membership and whenever possible will represent a balanced geographical array of themembership. This committeealong with the ESPDChairperson will collaborate directly withNDE and other organizations. **


 * B. Duties **

** Major duties will be to (a) identify and develop consensus of the membership on issues relevant to ESPD and (b) tocollaborate actively withESPD partners, i,e., NDE, NASES, etc.  **


 * C. Term of Office The term of office for Liaison Committee members will be two years. **


 * ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS **
 * Proposed amendments to this constitution may be introduced at any regular meeting of ESPD at which a majority is present. Proposed amendments shall be voted on at the next regular meetings following their introduction. A vote of two­ thirds of the members present shall be required to adopt any proposed amendments. **


 * ESPD Constitution Adopted: **
 * January 24, 2002 **


 * Revised: September 14, 2004 **
 * Revised: November 7, 2013 **