Bylaws

 

Division of Visual and Performing Arts Education

     

BYLAWS OF THE DIVISION OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION (DARTS) OF THE COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN

 

ARTICLE I. NAME, INCORPORATION, AND OFFICE

 

Section 1. Name and State of Incorporation. The name of this organization shall be the Division of Visual and Performing Arts Education (DARTS) of the Council for Exceptional Children (herein the "division" or “DARTS”). The division was incorporated under the laws of Washington, D.C. on July 20, 2015.

 

Section 2. Principal Office. The principal office of the division shall be at 4200 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 106 – Box 303, Washington, DC 20016. 

 

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE 

 

Section 1. Purpose. The primary purpose of this division shall be to advance the education of individuals with exceptionalities. We accomplish this through research, collaboration, professional development, and advocacy.

 

Section 2. Secondary Purpose. The secondary purposes shall be:

  • To advocate for arts education for individuals with exceptionalities. 
  • To elevate DARTS in the professional community. 
  • To foster collaboration between special education and arts education. 
  • To advance research of arts education for individuals with exceptionalities.

 

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP 

 

Section 1. Qualifications. Membership shall consist of professional personnel and other persons interested in the education of children and youth with exceptionalities who are current members of CEC and DARTS and whose dues are paid.

 

Section 2. Minimum Membership Requirements. The division shall maintain a membership of at least 1% of the total CEC membership established by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) unless exempted by the Board of Directors of CEC.

 

Section 3. Unified Membership. All members of this division must hold concurrent membership in the Council for Exceptional Children. The division may not accept enrollments for division membership only. 

 

Section 4. Annual Business Meeting. An annual business meeting of the division shall be held each year either virtually or in-person, as determined by the Board of Directors. The meeting shall be open to all members.      

 

Section 5. Quorum. A minimum of 10 voting members at a duly called meeting of the DARTS membership will constitute a quorum, and the vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the members.

 

Section 6. Voting Rights of Members. Members of DARTS shall be entitled to vote on matters submitted for action. Voting may occur virtually or in-person at any duly called meeting of the members, or by electronic ballot, or other electronic means authorized by the Board of Directors, provided that such method permits verification of the member’s identity and a record of the vote.

 

ARTICLE IV. ORGANIZATION 

 

Section 1. Relationship to the Council for Exceptional Children. The division shall be affiliated with The Council for Exceptional Children.

 

Section 2. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the division shall be January 1 to December 31.

 

ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

 

Section 1. Authority and Duties. The property, affairs, and business of the division shall be managed by its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall:

  • Serve as the division's administrative and policy-making body.

  • Act upon recommendations and petitions as received.

  • Adopt an annual budget.

  • Determine the publications that should be issued.

  • Select the site of the meetings sponsored by the division.

  • Ensure delivery to the division’s members the services, benefits, and products that the division advertises.

 

Section 2. Composition. As defined in these bylaws, the elected members of the Board of Directors are the officers of the division. They include President, President-Elect who shall succeed the President, a Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Chair, Student Chair, and two Representatives to the Representative Assembly. All elected members of the Board of Directors shall have voting rights. 

 

Section 3. Meetings of the Board of Directors. Meetings are called by the President. Meetings may be held virtually or in-person. A majority of directors forms a quorum; a majority of votes is required to carry a matter where a quorum is present. Proxy voting by directors is not permitted. Directors may take any action without a meeting if a consent in the form of a record, setting forth the action taken, is executed by a quorum. Meetings should be held quarterly at minimum. Non-voting members of the Board of Directors shall share information and make recommendations on items related to their roles, the scope of their committees' assignments, and the members they represent. 

 

Section 4. Prerequisite to Nomination, Election, and Appointment. All directors must be members in good standing of the Council for Exceptional Children and this division at the time of their nomination, election, or appointment and remain so throughout their term of office.

 

Section 5. Vacancies. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled automatically by the President-Elect, who shall assume the office of President for the remainder of the unexpired term. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors shall be declared and filled by election or appointment at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Any individual selected to fill a vacancy shall serve only for the remainder of the unexpired term of the position being filled.

 

Section 6. Duties and Terms of Directors. 

 

A. Duties and Terms of the President (2-year term)

  • Serves as the chief executive officer and spokesperson of the division.

  • Leads general policy making and carries out the directives of the membership.

  • Calls and presides over all meetings of the membership and Board of Directors.

  • Ensures the DARTS website is up to date with relevant event, officer and general information for members.

  • Regularly communicates with the membership.

  • Appoints committee chairs and serves their charge.

  • Serves as point of contact to CEC headquarters, reporting needs and updates as necessary, including Board of Director roster updates.

  • Mentors President-Elect and ensures an orderly transition of duties at the end of term.

  • Leads effective transition to a new board annually.

  • Submits the annual set of assurances to CEC.

  • Develops the division’s program for the CEC annual convention.

  • Attends or designates attendance at CEC virtual Townhalls.

     

B. Duties and Terms of the President-Elect (2-year term)

  • Works closely with the President on ensuring implementation of the strategic goals.

  • Attends or designates attendance at CEC virtual Townhalls.

  • Serves as chair of the awards committee and leads the awardee selection process. 

 

C. Duties and Terms of the Past-President (2-year term)

  • Serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors.

  • Ensures an orderly transition of duties at the end of their term of office. 

  • Serves as a point of reference to policies, practices and historical context for the board.

  • Serves as chair of the Elections Committee and oversee the election process according to the procedures outlined in these bylaws.

     

D. Duties and Terms of the Treasurer (2-year term)

  • Maintains federal and state nonprofit status and Board of Directors insurance. 

  • Manages and oversees the financial affairs of the division. 

  • Presents the annual budget to the board for approval. 

  • Creates, maintains, and provides updates on budget details and provides financial reports to the Board of Directors. 

  • Manages all spending and strategic savings accounts on behalf of the division. 

  • Ensures financial compliance with the state, including the completion of the IRS form 990.

  • Ensures an orderly transition of duties at the end of their term of office. 

 

E. Duties and Terms of the Secretary (2-year term)

  • Coordinates with the President to plan for the annual business meeting.

  • Records, prepares, and maintains a record of approved minutes for board and membership meetings.

  • Maintains custody of the organization’s records, including these bylaws. 

 

F. Duties and Terms of the Membership Chair (2-year term)

  • Reviews membership data, tracks trends, and reports findings to the board.

  • Develops and executes membership recruitment and retention efforts through engagement.

  • Supports CEC in member recruitment and retention programs.

  • Supports the onboarding/welcoming of new members through outreach and welcome letters.

 

G. Duties and Terms of the Student Chair (1-year term)

  • Engages the student members of the division and encourages active involvement. 

  • Represents the student members of the division at meetings of the Board of Directors

 

H. Duties and Terms of the Representatives to Representative Assembly (2-year term)

  • Attends as the DARTS representatives at the annual meeting of the Representative Assembly at the CEC convention.

  • Provides input to the CEC Board on positions it is considering on issues related to the field and profession, strategic direction, policy initiatives, and other similar issues.

  • Reports regularly to the Board of Directors on activities of the Representative Assembly.

  • Communicates division issues to the Representative Assembly.

     

Section 8. Procedures for Elections. The directors of the division shall be nominated and elected by the membership. Voting shall take place by electronic ballot. Procedures for nominations and elections shall be established by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The call for nominations will be sent to the membership by the Elections Committee and include information about the elections process and nominating guidelines. The Elections Committee will distribute the ballot and announce the selected candidates. 

 

Section 10. Term of Office. The administrative terms of office shall begin and end at the CEC Convention. The newly elected directors shall assume their duties at end of business of the convention. The President, President-Elect, and Past-President shall each serve two years in succession. The Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Chair shall each serve two years. The Secretary and Membership Chair will be elected in even years and begin the term of office at the following CEC Convention. The Treasurer and President-Elect will be elected in odd years and begin the term of office at the following CEC Convention. The Student Chair shall serve a one-year term. The two Representatives to Representative Assembly shall each serve two year terms and be elected on opposing years (even and odd). 

 

Section 11. Removal from Office. Any director may be removed for dereliction of duty by a majority of the voting members where a quorum is present or by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. 

 

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES 

The Board of Directors has established various committees to carry out the primary functions of the division. Committee chairs are appointed by the President. Membership in committees is open to any interested member of DARTS. Interested members should contact the committee chair or President. The rules in these Bylaws governing the Board of Directors also apply to committees of the Board of Directors. 

 

Section 1.  Standing Committees. Elections, Awards, Publications, Professional Engagement, State Ambassadors, and Founder’s Circle shall be the standing committees.

 

Section 2. Elections Committee. The Elections Committee shall have four members in addition to the chair. The members shall serve one-year terms. The Past President shall serve as the chair and follow the election procedures outlined in these bylaws. 

 

Section 3. Awards Committee. The Awards Committee shall have three members in addition to the Founder’s Circle Chair and the President-Elect. The committee shall establish the process for reviewing the nominations. The members shall serve one-year terms. The President-Elect shall serve as the committee chair. 

 

Section 4.  Publications Committee. The Publications Committee shall be composed of the journal editorial board, the journal editor(s), and the journal editorial team. The Publications Chair shall be a representative from the Publications Committee. The Publications Chair will report to the Board of Directors on the publications of the Journal of the Arts and Special Education (JASE) and regularly engage the membership with news about the journal. The Publications Chair may advise on any other divisional publication endeavors. The Publications Chair will be an appointed representative to the Board of Directors (non-voting) and serve a one-year term.

 

Section 5. Professional Engagement Committee. The Professional Engagement Chair is responsible for identifying and recommending relevant and targeted professional development content, presenters, programs and/or other professional learning opportunities for the division’s membership to the Units Board of Directors. The chair ensures professional development opportunities are highlighted in communications with the membership. The chair will develop a plan for membership engagement and may convene a committee to carry out this charge. The Professional Engagement Chair will be an appointed representative to the Board of Directors (non-voting) and serve a one-year term. 

 

Section 6. State Ambassadors Committee. The State Ambassadors Chair shall convene the State Ambassadors, update State Ambassador information on the website, and recruit new ambassadors to serve. The State Ambassadors Chair will regularly update the membership on division related opportunities and activities. The State Ambassadors Chair will be an appointed representative to the Board of Directors (non-voting) and serve a one-year term.

 

Section 7. Founder’s Circle Committee. The purpose of the Founder’s Circle Committee shall be to honor the history and legacy of the division. Any member who has served DARTS on the Board of Directors or who has been recognized as a Lifetime DARTS awardee may participate in the Founder’s Circle Committee. The Founder’s Circle Chair will be a representative to the Board of Directors (non-voting) and the awards committee and serve a one-year term. 

 

Section 8. Ad Hoc Committees. Ad hoc committees may be established and their functions assigned at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Such establishment must clearly indicate the purpose and length of service of the committee.

 

ARTICLE VII. DURATION AND DISSOLUTION 

To the extent permitted under applicable law, the duration of the division shall be perpetual unless the Board of Directors unanimously determine that it should be dissolved. The board shall inform the membership that the division is to be dissolved. Upon the dissolution and final liquidation of the division, the Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the debts and liabilities of the division, distribute its assets to the Council for Exceptional Children, a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, to apply to one or more of its programs.

 

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS 

 

Section 1. Submission of Proposed Amendments. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors for review.

 

Section 2. Referral to the Membership. All proposed amendments submitted to the Board of Directors shall be submitted to the membership not less than 30 days prior to calling a vote.

 

Section 3. Final Action. The Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. 

 

DARTS August 6, 2015, UPDATED December 2018.UPDATED March 2026

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Last Updated:  12 May, 2026

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