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Win-Pac By-laws

  1. NAME

    1. Winchester Special Education Parents Advisory Council (hereinafter the "WIN-PAC")

  2. AUTHORITY

    1. The WIN-PAC is formed pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of Chapter 71B of the Massachusetts General Laws.  This authority is also codified in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR), 603 CMR 28.07(4).

  3. PURPOSE

    1. The purpose of the WIN-PAC is to:

      1. Provide education, resources, and information to parents/guardians and the broader community on special education issues and services.

      2. To establish a better understanding of, respect for, and support of special education throughout the community.

      3. To promote communication, understanding, acceptance, and inclusion within the community.

      4. Facilitate communication and the free exchange of information and ideas between and among the residents of the Town of Winchester, the Winchester School Committee, the administration and staff of the Winchester School Department and the parents/guardians of children with special needs.

  4. Function

      1. Advise the Winchester School Committee on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities.

      2. Meet regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the Winchester School District's special education programs.

        1. Participate in the development and review of the Three Year Program Plan prior to submission to the Massachusetts Department of Education.

      3. Take such other or additional action as the WIN-PAC shall deem necessary or appropriate regarding the special needs of students and special education in the Town of Winchester.

  5. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

    1. Qualifications – Any person who is a Winchester resident and qualifies as one of the following shall be eligible for general membership in the WIN-PAC:

      1. the parent or legal guardian of a person with special needs between the ages of zero (0) and twenty two (22); or

      2. a person not less than fourteen (14) years of age who is eligible to receive special education services from the Town of Winchester; or

      3. another interested party;

    2. General members who do not have children receiving Special Education services and who would like to be included in the WIN-PAC mailings should contact the WIN-PAC at info@winchesterpac.org with their request. They will be added to the WIN-PAC’s direct mailing list and will receive mailings directly from WIN-PAC.  Parents/guardians of children receiving Special Education services may opt into the WIN-PAC’s direct mailing list by contacting the WIN-PAC at info@winchesterpac.org. All information will be kept private and used only for WIN-PAC purposes.

  6. VOTING MEMBERSHIP

    1. Officers – The WIN-PAC Officers shall include one or more of a Chair,  Vice-Chair or Co-chair, Communications Chair, Events Chair, Technology Chair, and Marketing Chair (herein referred to collectively sometimes as the "Officers"). Any member of the WIN-PAC shall be qualified to be an Officer.

    2. Duties – All Officers shall use their offices to cause the WIN-PACto further the purposes and functions stated in Articles 3 and 4 of these By-Laws. In addition, each Officer shall have the duties set forth below.

      1. Duties of the Chair/Co-Chair – The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the WIN-PACat which the Chair shall be present and shall have the power to set the agenda (which may be amended at any time) for regular meetings and shall perform such other functions as the WIN-PAC shall determine.

      2. Duties of the Vice-Chair – The Vice-Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in his or her absence or as requested by the Chair or other Officer, and shall perform such other functions as the WIN-PAC shall determine.

      3. Duties of the Communications Chair - The Communications Chair shall provide input into communications in respect of providing information to members, increasing awareness of the WIN-PAC, and extending its impact in the community. Vacancy – If a vacancy shall occur for any reason, the remaining Officers, if any, shall appoint a successor who shall serve in such capacity until the members shall elect a successor at the next meeting of the WIN-PACCouncil. If there are no remaining Officers, the WIN-PACCouncil member of longest standing shall assume the duties of Chairperson until the members shall elect a successor at the next meeting of the WIN-PAC.

      4. Resignation – Any officer shall have the right to resign his or her office at any time for any reason by written notice to the Secretary. Such resignation shall become effective upon the date the same shall be received by the Secretary. An interim successor shall be appointed or determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of this Article 6.

      5. Election of Officers – The members shall elect the Officers by a majority at the regular meeting of the WIN-PAC in the spring of each year, or at an appropriate time, to hold office for one year and until their successors are elected. Nomination of Officers may be made and seconded by any member in attendance. If a vacancy shall occur in any office for any reason, the members shall nominate and elect a successor at the next meeting of the WIN-PAC.

      6. Removal of Officers – The members shall have the right to remove any Officer of the Council at any time for any just cause, including, but not limited to, the failure of such Officer to perform the duties of such office. Such removal may be made at meeting upon the motion of any member provided the motion is adopted by not less than a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at such meeting. If the Officer against whom such vote is taken is then presiding over such meeting, such Officer shall give control of the meeting over to another Officer present for the purpose of taking and recording such vote. If no other Officer is present, then such Officer shall give control of the meeting to the Council member of longest standing among the members present. If any such Officer shall be removed pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5 of this Article IV, the members shall forthwith elect his or her successor.

      7. Multiple Offices – Nothing contained in this Article V shall be construed to limit or prohibit one member from holding more than one office of the WIN-PAC.

      8. Additional Officers - With a two-thirds majority vote of the Officers, the PAC may designate additional officers and shall define the duties and authorities for those officers. Additional officers may be dissolved by a two-thirds majority vote of the Officers.

  7. MEETING REQUIREMENTS

    1. All meetings of the WIN-PAC shall be open to the public, provided, however, that the Officers may meet in executive session as the Officers shall deem necessary or appropriate to discuss matters which are of a sensitive or confidential nature. A quorum for the transaction of business shall exist at any meeting of the WIN-PAC at which not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the Officers are in attendance. Action on any matter brought before a meeting of the WIN-PAC at which a quorum shall be present shall be decided by vote of a majority of the members present unless a two thirds (2/3) majority is required pursuant to the provisions of

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