LACEC Board Information

Members present: Donna, Cindy, Bridgette, Colleen, Jackie, Larry, Bonnie, Karen, Camille, Tiffani and Jailee.

1.0 Call to order at 10:46 AM

2.0 Minutes- Motion by Larry to delay voting on acceptance of minutes till the next board meeting due to members not having a corrected copy of the previous minutes. Karen seconds.
Recommended that Cindy have the corrected copy of the previous board minutes sent electronically to all board members so that the minutes can be approved prior to the new board taking over in July.

3.0 Treasurer’s Report- given by Donna in Ashlie’s absence. $42,604.53 in savings, $7,919.44 Super Conference account (start up money), $32,417.98 state account and $98,659.00 CDs.

4.0 Standing Committee reports-

4.1 Membership-Bridgette reports that membership supplies for the Autism Conference display table have arrived. The membership items will be given out at the Autism Conference in New Orleans. Bridgette reports that as of May 31, 2009 the CEC membership is at 553 members. In addition, Bridgette requests that bumper stickers or cling decals be purchased to go out in the next newsletter in order to promote membership. Vinyl stickers can be purchased for $1.00 with limited colors and lettering. Paper stickers and cling decals for about $.46. Committee recommends ordering bumper stickers in black and white. They also recommend that a slogan be created and voted on by board members. One possible slogan: Real Educators belong to the Council for Exceptional Children. Recommendation: Bridgette send an email to all board members to request suggestions for the bumper sticker slogan. Then an electronic vote can be done to select the winning slogan. Karen can then do another electronic vote to approve the bumper sticker budget item after the slogan is selected.

4.2 Newsletter-Gerlinde absent. No report sent. However, discussion ensued regarding the most strategic time to send out newsletters for the remainder of the year. Donna indicates that due to budget constraints, Gerlinde will be unable to do two additional large newsletters and stay within the budget. Donna indicates that one more large newsletter can be published or 2 smaller downsized newsletters can be published. Recommendation from board members: Publish two smaller newsletters to be sent out in early fall and December.

4.3 Government Relations- Larry reports that he met with Congressman Bastian, Congressman Alexander and a representative for Congressman Melancon regarding the full funding issues for IDEA. Currently, with ARRA (stimulus) funding, there is about 32% full funding for students with disabilities. When ARRA monies are gone, the funding will return to 16%. Larry reports that JAVITS is out of the Obama budget. At the briefing on Capital Hill, restraint and seclusion were discussed. CEC and CCBD recommends that restraint and seclusion be used only in emergency situations. Need to have a written policy regarding use.

4.4 Publicity/Awards- Bonnie reports that the deadline for all awards for this year will be October 31, 2009 in order to give school systems adequate time to prepare entries. The winners will be chosen at the beginning of December so that plaques can be ordered and checks written prior to January 1, 2010.

4.5 Constitution- Jackie reports that all changes approved from last ballot have been made to the Constitution. The updated Constitution needs to replace the previous Constitution on the LA CEC web page. Changes include Article IV- administration and fiscal years changed and VII- prerequisites and removal of office have new wording added. The updated Constitution takes effect July 1, 2009. Jackie also reports that the Finance and Audit Committee met at National. Audit indicates that national monies are steady but there are more negatives this year. The National Office is moving to a new location approximately five miles from the current location. Jackie reports there is a decrease in National membership at this time
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4.6 Finance- Donna presented the Finance report earlier during the Treasurer’s report.

4.7 Scholarship/minigrant - Barbara absent. No report given.

4.8 Multi cultural - Wanda absent. No report given.

4.9 Technology - Camille reports that no changes on made on the website yet. Technology codes will be passed to Karen to give to new Technology chair.

4.10 Student CEC - Colleen reports that she would like to keep the same student board as the previous year. Colleen turns the time to Tiffani for the CEC Student report. Tiffani has several suggestions from the CEC student board. 1. At the state convention, need a more organized method for student volunteers to sign in. Executive board recommends that the student board work on improving the sign in method for the conference to be held in January 2010. Tiffani suggests that out reach to student systems be beefed up and that some poster sessions for the Jan. conference be given by graduate/doctorate students to present papers and research.

4.12 Ad Hoc - Sassy was absent. No report given.

4.13 Nominations - Bill was absent but sent report by Donna. 66 election ballots were returned. Election results: Camille Yates (Vice President) and Marcy Johnson (Secretary). All four propositions passed as changes.

5.0 Super Conference 29

5.1 Hotels: now have contracts with five hotels and the Cajun Dome.

5.2 Theme: voted on by members. 2010 theme - All Students Win,
Super Conference 2010.

5.3 Call for papers needs to be sent out by August, if possible. Karen will contact Paul about this. Contract for state speakers needs to be updated. The CEC conference is scheduled for January 25th and 26th 2010. Set up will be on Sunday the 24th.

5.4 Vendors: Paul needs to forward vendor info to Camille, as the information needs to go out in the very near future. For non profit organizations a table will be $50.00 and a booth will be $300.00.

5.5 Materials: Need prices on screens and cord wraps. Need to replace two broken screens.

6.0 Old Business

6.1. Leadership Training: to be held the last week of July. If Paul can not attend, then Camille will go in his place. Paul will need to register by Tuesday, June 23, 2009.

6.2. Honorary Board Member Discussion: Honorary Board Member criteria- must have served on the CEC Executive board as an active member for ten(10) consecutive years and then retired from active board membership. The Honorary Board Member will continue on with the CEC Executive Board in an advisory role. However, they can return to active membership at a later date at the request of the Board President. Honorary Board Members have no voting rights. Honorary Board member will be a permanent appointment unless the person chooses to resign from the position. Karen made the motion to create a CEC Advisory Honorary Board Member position. Seconded by Donna. Passed unanimously.

6.3 Other Discussions - no other discussions presented.

7.0 New Business

7.1 Appointment of Honorary Board Members: Cindy made a motion to appoint Jackie as an Honorary Board member. Seconded by Jackie. Passed unanimously.

7.2 Introduction to 2009-10 President: Karen officially take over as President on July 1, 2009. Cindy passes the President’s gavel to Karen. Donna presents Cindy with a plaque as the retiring CEC Board President and thanks her for all of her hard work during the past year. Karen gave her presidential remarks to the board.

7.3 Other Topics of Discussion: Next board meeting will be August 1, 2009 at ULL at 10:30 AM. Karen will check on football schedules at ULL and LSU and meeting dates for the following months will be determined at the August meeting. Donna made the motion to adjourn, Jackie seconded.