By-Laws

Article I Name, Affiliation and Purpose

Section 1. NAME.  The name of the Association shall be the Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (TACES).

Section 2. AFFILIATION.  This association is a division of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA), a state branch of the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES), and a state division of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES). This non-profit Association is organized and governed in accordance with the by-laws of TCA and ACES.

Section 3. PURPOSE.  The general purpose of the Association shall be to strengthen counselor education and supervision. It shall be a means for providing improved communication among members of the Association, for advancing knowledge in the academic fields of the behavioral sciences, and for assisting in the improving of competency both for the members themselves and for those counselors, prospective counselors, and counselor supervisors with whom the members are working or will work. It shall be concerned with knowledge and skills, which touch upon all aspects of the profession of counseling and supervision at all levels. It shall be a potent force toward progress in counselor education and supervision.

 

Article II Membership

Section 1. TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP.  This Association shall consist of four types of membership: Regular, Associate, Student, and Emeritus.

Section 2. PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP.

REGULAR MEMBERS:  Shall have all rights and privileges normally accorded members of a scientific, educational and professional association, including the right to vote and hold office. Associate and student members will have these same rights and privileges except that they may not vote, hold elective office, or initiate action in meetings of the Association.

STUDENT:  To be eligible for student membership, a person shall be actively enrolled in a graduate program of recognized standing which leads to a doctoral or master’s degree in counseling or counseling related services that prepares students in the professional preparation of counselors.

EMERITUS:  A regular member who has been an active member of TACES for a number of years and has a distinguished record of leadership, commitment, and professionalism in TACES may be elevated to emeritus status by majority vote of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee, working with the Awards Committee, will determine those eligible for emeritus status. The Awards Committee will recommend those who should be so distinguished. Emeritus members shall be entitled to all privileges of regular members, but shall be exempt from payment of dues and assessments in accordance with ACES and TCA.

Section 3. PROCEDURE.  The Executive Committee shall prescribe the forms and procedures to be used in applications for membership in accordance with policies established by TACES and TCA.

Section 4. SEVERANCE.  Failure to pay dues as prescribed by the Association shall be interpreted as withdrawal from membership. A member may be dropped from membership for any conduct that tends to injure the Association or that is contrary to or destructive of its objectives according to the By-laws and Code of Ethics of the Association and its affiliates. Complaints brought against members shall be processed according to the TCA By-laws and the TCA Ethics Committee Policy and Procedures for Processing Complaints of Ethical Violations.

Article III Election of Officers

Section 1. NOMINEES.  Each year nominations will be received for the offices to be vacated at the end of the Association year utilizing TCA services. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall call for nominations from the membership in the fall. The Committee will receive and count the nominations ballots and seek permission from the nominees prior to placing their names on the ballot. The proposed slate will be presented a at the Mid-Winter Conference business meeting. Nominations from the floor will be accepted at this time. If more that two candidates are nominated for one office, an election will be held at the Mid-Winter Conference business meeting to finalize the ballot.

Section 2. PRESENTATION OF THE SLATE.  There shall be two candidates for each office presented to the membership for voting after the TACES Mid-Winter Conference. In the event that only one nominee is proposed to be elected, his/her name will automatically be approved as the elected officer.

Section 3. ELECTION PROCEDURES.  The election shall be completed by May 1. Elections will be conducted electronically utilizing TCA services. 

Section 4. ASSUMPTION OF DUTIES.  Officers so elected will assume the duties of their office on July 1, following their elections.

Section 5. VACANCIES IN UNEXPIRED TERMS.  In case of a vacancy in any office, the President shall have the power to fill the vacancy by appointment until the next regular election with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Article IV Officers

Section 1. OFFICIALS.  The officers of the Association shall be a President, President-Elect, Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer, four Board Members-At-Large, the TACES Representative to the TCA Board of Directors, and the Senator to TCA (11 members).


Section 2. TERMS OF OFFICE.  The President, President-Elect, Past-President shall serve one year terms. The Secretary, TACES Board Members-At-Large shall serve two year, alternating terms. The TACES Representative (Director) to the TCA Board and the Senator to TCA shall serve three-year terms. The Secretary, TACES Board Members-At-Large, Representative to the TCA Board and Senator to TCA may not be elected for more than two consecutive terms.

Section 3. THE PRESIDENT.  The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association and chair of the Executive Committee. The President shall appoint committee chairs and consult with them regarding committee membership, unless otherwise specifically provided for in these By-laws or by motion establishing such committees. The President with the approval of the Executive Committee shall appoint the Treasurer of the Association and Graduate Student Representative. The President will hold ex-officio membership on all committees. The President shall appoint an individual, with the approval of the Executive Committee, to complete a one-year term, if an officer should vacate that office. The President will report annually to the Association regarding actions of ACES, SACES and other items of concern to the members. The President will be reimbursed up to $1500 to attend either SACES or ACES conference in a given year.

Section 4. THE PRESIDENT-ELECT.  The President-Elect shall act as President at all Association of Executive Committee meetings in the absence of the President unless a past president is requested by the president to preside. He/she shall succeed to the Presidency at the expiration of the term as President-Elect. The President-Elect shall assume responsibilities as chairperson of the Program Committee. The President-Elect will be reimbursed up to $1500 to attend either SACES or ACES conference in a given year.

Section 5. THE PAST-PRESIDENT.  An individual becomes Past-President upon completion of the term as President. He/she shall perform such other duties as are assigned by the President. The Past-President serves on the Nominations and Elections Committee, Awards Committee and serves as consultant to the Membership Committee.

Section 6. THE TREASURER.  The Treasurer is appointed by the President and shall serve at the direction of the President as a non-voting board member. The Treasurer shall review all reimbursement requests for conformity with fiscal policies and guidelines and review account balances to determine if the budget account balance is sufficient to cover expenditures. He/she shall review and validate monthly statements from TCA. He/she shall oversee all appropriate indebtedness against the association. He/she shall oversee deposit of all appropriate monies (membership, etc.) with TCA and shall oversee and send all appropriate bills to TCA for payment. He/she shall attend all TACES Board Meetings. The Executive Committee from time to time may prescribe methods and procedures for authorizing the expenditure of and the accounting for such funds. The Treasurer shall assume responsibilities as chairperson for the Budget and Finance Committee and shall with the Executive Committee develop a budget for the year.

Section 7. SECRETARY.  The secretary shall maintain the official minutes of all board meetings and General Membership meetings and distribute them to board members prior to the next meeting. The Secretary will assist in conducting the official correspondence of the Association, and issue calls and notices of meeting. The Secretary will serve as a member of the Publications Committee and liaison to the Board.

Section 8. THE THREE BOARD MEMBERS-AT-LARGE.  The Board Members-At-Large shall perform such duties as assigned by the President and serve as consultants to committees designated by the President. One Board Member-At-Large will be a supervisor, one will be a counselor educator, and the third will be a director of guidance in a Texas public school system.

Section 9: THE TACES DIRECTOR TO THE TCA BOARD.  The TACES Director to the TCA Board shall attend all TCA Board meetings and inform the Executive Committee and the membership of actions taken at TCA Board meetings. He/she will bring relevant TACES business items to the TCA Board and complete the required reports to the TCA Board from the Division. He/she shall act as the official TACES spokesperson to the TCA Board and shall seek direction from the TACES Executive Committee, President and/or membership on the stand that TACES would like taken in TCA matters affecting the TACES membership.

Section 10: THE TACES SENATOR TO TCA.  The TACES Senator to TCA shall attend all TCA Senate meetings and inform the Executive Committee and the membership of actions taken at the Senate meetings. He/she shall act as the official TACES spokesperson to the TCA Senate and shall seek direction from the TACES Executive Committee, President and/or membership on the stand that TACES would like taken in TCA matters affecting the TACES membership. The Senator will introduce resolutions to the TCA Senate directed by the TACES Executive Committee and/or membership of TACES.

Section 11. ALTERNATE REPRESENTATION TO TCA BOARD.  In the event the TACES Director or the TACES Senator cannot attend the TCA Board meeting, the president will appoint an alternate.

Section 12. LIMIT OF OFFICES HELD.  No officers can hold more than one elected position on the Executive Committee.

Section 13. MEETING REIMBURSEMENTS.  TACES board members will be reimbursed travel and lodging costs according to TCA by-laws. This includes applicable meals not provided by the Board, and one nights lodging excluding the TCA annual professional growth conference. All expense vouchers will be sent to the treasurer or president for approval.

Article V The Executive Committee

Section 1. FUNCTION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.  The Executive Committee shall be the agency through which the general administration and executive functions of the Association shall be carried out. It shall conduct, manage, and control the business of the Association between official meetings of the Association.

Section 2. MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.  The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the President, President-Elect, Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer, three Board Members-At-Large, the TACES representative to the TCA Board of Directors, and the TACES Senator to TCA.

Section 3. MEETINGS. The Executive Committee shall meet a minimum of three times a year: once in the fall, once at the TCA conference, and once at the TACES Midwinter Conference. Other meetings may be called by the president if deemed necessary.

Article VI Committees

Section 1. STANDING COMMITTEES AND CHAIRS.  There shall be standing committees of the Association with designated chairs, and Association board members will serve as liaison between the committees and the Association board. Standing Committees are as follows:

        Nominations and Elections Committee (chair, Liaison: Past-President)

        Budget and Finance Committee (Chair: Treasurer)

        Program Committee (chair, Liaison: President-Elect)

        Membership Committee (chair, Liaison: Past President)

        Awards Committee (chair, Liaison: Past-President)

        Publications Committee (chair, Liaison: Secretary)

        Legislation (chair, Liaison: Director)

        School Issues (chair, Liaison: Board Member)

        Clinical Issues (chair, Liaison: Board Member)

        Research (chair, Liaison: Director)

 

Section 2. COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS.  The functions of standing committees shall be as follows:

        Nominations and Elections Committee shall be responsible for carrying out nominations and elections procedures in accordance with these By-laws.

        Budget and Finance Committee shall be responsible for the preparation and presentation of the annual budget. It shall also carry out such other duties as assigned by the President.

        Program Committee shall be responsible for the program and arrangements of the mid-winter conference.

        Membership Committee shall actively promote membership in the Association.

        Awards Committee shall actively seek nominations for "Outstanding Counselor Educator" and "Outstanding Counselor Supervisor" awards. The committee shall review nominations for these awards and select award recipients to be honored at the TACES Luncheon during TCA Conference. The Awards Committee will research recipients for Emeritus Membership status and make recommendations to the Executive Committee. The Emeritus members will also be recognized at the TACES Luncheon during the TCA Conference. The Awards Committee will develop nominations of TACES members and/or activities for ACES and TCA awards.

        Publications Committee shall be responsible for the timely publication of the fall, winter, and spring issues of the Association newsletter.

        Legislation Committee shall be responsible for working with the TCA Legislative Committee to promote legislative issues of importance to TACES.

        School Issues Committee shall serve as a liaison between the TCA School Issues, Advocacy, and Public Policy Committee and TACES on issues of importance to TACES.

        Clinician Issues Committee shall serve as a liaison between the TCA Clinician Issues, Advocacy, and Public Policy Committee and TACES on issues of importance to TACES.

        Research Committee shall work with the TCA Research Committee to promote research issues of importance to TACES.

 

Section 3. SPECIAL COMMITTEES.  Special Committees may be authorized by the President or by the Executive Committee. Such committees shall continue for not more than two years unless otherwise specified in the motions establishing or re-charging such committees.

 

Section 4. TERMS OF CHAIRPERSONS.  Chairpersons of all committees shall be members of TACES. Terms will be reviewed yearly and appointments will be made by the President.

 

Article VII Conduct of Business

Section 1. SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS.  The Constitution or By-laws of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) those of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA) and shall govern the proceedings of this Association not otherwise specified in these By-laws.

Section 2. QUORUM REQUIREMENTS.  A quorum for conducting business at scheduled meetings of this Association shall be ten percent of the regular membership.  A quorum for conducting business of the Executive Committee shall be a majority of the authorized membership of the Executive Committee.

 

Article VIII Meetings of the Association

Section 1. BUSINESS YEAR.  The official business year of the Association shall extend from July 1 through June 30.

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETINGS.  Two business meetings of the Association shall be held at times and places to be determined by the Executive Committee. These meetings will usually be held during the annual TCA Professional Growth Conference and the TACES Midwinter Conference.

Section 3. SPECIAL SESSIONS.  The President may, with the approval of the Executive Committee, call additional meetings of the Association when necessary.

 

Article IX Dues

Section 1. DUES.  The Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision may assess membership dues as indicated in Section 2 of this Article.

Section 2. ASSESSMENTS.  Regular, Associate, and Student members of the Association will be assessed annual dues in the amount set by the Executive Committee. Dues shall be payable upon receipt of a dues statement from TCA.

 

Article X Finances

Section 1. BUDGET.  The Executive Committee shall approve or revise the annual budget presented by the Budget and Finance Committee and present it to the membership for adoption at the Fall meeting of the Association.

Section 2. EXPENDITURES.  Upon adoption of a budget, all accounts payable, being duly approved by the President, shall then be sent to the Treasurer who will verify expenditures and send all appropriate bills to TCA for payment.

Section 3. DEBT.  No member of the Association shall cause to be made, in the name of the Association, any debt or contract without proper authorization of the Executive Committee.

Article XI By-laws Amendments

Section 1. AMENDMENTS.  Amendments to these By-laws may be made at a business meeting by a two-thirds affirmative vote. Proposals to amend the By-laws must be submitted in writing to the President of the Association and read at a regular, business meeting of the Association.

Section 2. EMERGENCY AMENDMENTS.  In case of an emergency, the Executive Committee may submit a proposed amendment to the membership for an e-mail vote. Twenty days after the proposed amendment has been posted on the website the polls shall be closed and the vote counted by the Executive Committee. If passed by a majority of the members voting, the amendment shall go into effect.

 

Article XII Parliamentary Procedure

Section 1. ROBERTS RULES OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE REVISED. The business of TACES will be conducted based on Roberts Rules of Parliamentary Procedure revised.

 

Dates of By-Laws Revisions

        August, 1978

        October, 1984

        February, 1991

        November, 1992

        November, 1995

        November, 1996

        February, 2004

        October 2008

        February, 2010