Proposed By-law Changes for 2023 – Part 2
Tony Minestra
DePaul College Prep
Credentials Committee Chair
IACAC Past President
The 2022-2023 Credentials Committee presents the following updates to our by-laws. These updates continue to address the changes within our association as we move forward. As in years previous, the Credentials Committee also makes sure that Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) adheres to guiding principles of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). The proposed by-law changes will be voted on electronically after the Annual Membership Meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. Ballots will be sent to all eligible voting members electronically on Wednesday, April 26th immediately following the Annual Membership Meeting. Voting will be open until Thursday, April 27th at 10:00 am. If a member cannot vote electronically within that timeframe, they may request a proxy ballot by April 21st by emailing past-president@iacac.org.
I would like to thank the members of the Credentials Committee who have given their time and expertise in working with the following updates and changes to provide for the by-laws that will continue to allow future leadership and members to adapt to the changes and growth within the association.
PROPOSED BY-LAW CHANGES
Amend purposes section to replace the word guidance with counseling and add and/or guardians.
Old Language:
The purposes for which this corporation is organized are: exclusively educational to promote the highest professional standards in guidance and to maintain maximum communication of best practices pertaining to postsecondary admissions at primary, secondary, and postsecondary levels empowering members to serve the interests of students, parents and primary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions. These best practices are maintained and promoted through the Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission (GEPCA) of the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
New Language:
The purposes for which this corporation is organized are: exclusively educational to promote the highest professional standards in guidance counseling and to maintain maximum communication of best practices pertaining to postsecondary admissions at primary, secondary, and postsecondary levels empowering members to serve the interests of students, parents and/or guardians, and primary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions. These best practices are maintained and promoted through the Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission (GEPCA) of the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
Rationale: Reflects current terminology within our field and acknowledges that we often work with guardians as well as parents.
Amend Article IV. Executive Board Section 2. Cabinet.
Old Language:
The IACAC Cabinet is comprised of the President, President-elect, Most Recent Active Past President, Secretary, Secretary-elect, Treasurer, Treasurer-elect and Most Recent Active Past Treasurer. Each cabinet member shall be elected from the voting membership of IACAC. The Manager of Operations shall serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Cabinet.
New Language:
The IACAC Cabinet is comprised of the President, President-elect, Most Recent Active Past President, Secretary, Secretary-elect, Treasurer, Treasurer-elect and Most Recent Active Past Treasurer. Each cabinet member shall be elected from the voting membership of IACAC. The Manager of Operations Executive Director shall serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Cabinet.
Rationale: Updated to reflect current staffing title.
Amend Article V. Cabinet and Board Directors. Section 1. Duties of Cabinet Officers.
Old Language
D. Secretary.
The Secretary shall review the minutes of the Annual Membership meeting, all other general membership meetings, and the Executive Board meetings. The Secretary shall automatically succeed to the office of the Most Recent Active Past Secretary upon completion of their term.
New Language:
D. Secretary.
The Secretary shall review the minutes of the Annual Membership meeting, all other general membership meetings, and the Executive Board meetings. The Secretary shall automatically succeed to the office of the Most Recent Active Past Secretary upon completion of their term.
Rationale: After further consultation on this addition from February, we determined this should not be added until we add the third year’s role for the Secretary. Therefore we are recommending removing it and re-adding it in 2024.
Amend Article VI. Nominations and Elections. Section 4. Voting and Election.
Add C.
New Language:
C. Any action that is required to be taken at an annual or special meeting of the members may be taken without an actual meeting using a ballot proctored via mail, e-mail, or other electronic means such that all members entitled to vote will have the opportunity to vote, and the number of votes cast meets quorum. Voting must remain open for at least five days from the date the ballot is delivered unless it is required by law to stay open longer. Within 5 days of the ballot closing, the results should be announced to the membership in writing.
Rationale: This explains and allows for electronic votes and for all eligible voting members to vote, not just those in attendance at our Annual Conference.
Amend Article VII. Board Teams and Committees. Section 1. Board Teams. A. & C.
Old Language:
A. Member Relations Team will oversee the work of the following committees: Admission Practices, Government Relations, Membership, and Professional Connections.
C. Professional Development Team will oversee the work of the following committees: District Seminars, High
School Counselor Professional Development, Inclusion, Access and Success, Mentorship, Middle Management Institute, New
Counselor Institute, Summer Tours and Transfer Advisory.
New Language:
A. Member Relations Team will oversee the work of the following committees: Admission Practices, Government Relations, Membership, and Professional Connections, and Special Interest Groups.
C. Professional Development Team will oversee the work of the following committees: District Seminars, Education and Ethics, Elevate, High School Counselor Professional Development, Inclusion, Access and Success, Mentorship, Middle Management Institute, New Counselor Institute, Summer Tours and Transfer Advisory.
Rationale: Special Interest Groups and Elevate are now standing committees so needed to be added. We’re proposing a name change for the Admission Practices Committee given changes within NACAC’s structure. A new name will allow this committee to re-imagine the work they will do as it relates to education and ethics.
Amend Article VII. Board Teams and Committees. Section 2. Standing Committees.
Remove A. Admission Practices
Add Education and Ethics, Elevate, Special Interest Groups in alpha order.
Re-alpha order.
Rationale: Aligns with current committees.
Amend Article XI. Amendments.
Old Language:
These By-Laws may be amended at the annual or any general membership meeting of IACAC by a vote of three-fourths of the voting members attending, provided that notice of any proposed amendment has been sent to each voting member at least two weeks prior to the date of said meeting.
New Language:
These By-Laws may be amended at the annual or any general membership meeting of IACAC by a vote of three-fourths of the voting members attending who cast ballots, provided that notice of any proposed amendment has been sent to each voting member at least two weeks prior to the date of said meeting or vote.
Rationale: With the practice of electronic voting a standard in IACAC, we want to ensure all eligible voting members have the opportunity to do so.
