Constituent Advisory Council (CAC)

Purpose of the CAC
The Center’s Constituent Advisory Committee (CAC) has two general purposes:

to ascertain and represent the interests of people served and affected by Center programs and activities.
to provide input to Center staff on the development, implementation, and progress of the Center’s five-year plan.

CAC Members
Back row: Ellen Goudeau, Chair; Tammy Tiner; Bettye Bullock; Beth Panter; Penny Seay; and Gail Wright
Front row: Opal Irvin; Pam Willson; Joanna Cordry; and Donna Williams, Vice Chair
Not pictured: Leslie Bledsoe; Susie Junek; Mary Faithfull; John Sanford; and Lydia Sanford

CAC members

Operational Guidelines (Approved October 2007)
I. Membership
CAC membership is guided by requirements contained in The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

The CAC should include:

individuals with developmental disabilities and related disabilities,
family members of individuals with developmental disabilities,
a representative of the State Protection and Advocacy system,
a representative of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities,
a representative of a self-advocacy organization, and
representatives of organizations that may include parent training and information centers assisted under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, entities carrying out activities authorized under the Assistive Technology Act, and relevant State agencies or other community groups concerned with the welfare of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

A majority of the members of the CAC should be individuals with developmental disabilities or family members of individuals with disabilities.
The CAC should reflect the racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of the State.

CAC members and Center staff may recommend for consideration additional CAC members whose interests, expertise, and/or life experience would enhance the goals and activities of the Center.

CAC members and Center staff may recommend for consideration Advisory/Liaison members as needed for specific input on a given topic. Such members shall be selected for their expertise and knowledge in providing linkages with agencies, both public and private, and organizations of and for people with disabilities.

II. Membership Roles and Responsibilities

Collaborate with other CAC members and Center staff to identify resources and linkages that may enhance Center goals and activities.
Collaborate with other CAC members and Center staff to identify unmet needs and interests of people with disabilities as they relate to the mission, goals, and activities of the Center.
Participate in an annual review of Center activities and progress in meeting the goals of the Center.
Provide input on the development of the Center’s five-year plan.
Attend meetings of the CAC.

III. Membership Term
Membership shall be for a three-year term. Members may serve two terms. An additional term is possible if the Chair agrees to grant an extension.

IV. Membership Expenses
Members will be reimbursed for expenses to attend meetings in accordance with Center grant guidelines and the rules and regulations of the Texas A&M University.

V. CAC Chair and Vice-Chair

A Chair and Vice-Chair will be appointed from the membership of the CAC. The Chair should be a self-advocate or a family member of a self-advocate. The Chair and Vice-Chair will be appointed for a three-year term and may be re-appointed for one additional term.
The Chair will work with Center staff to set times and locations for CAC meetings and to develop the agenda for meetings of the CAC.
The Chair will conduct the meetings of the CAC. The Vice-Chair will conduct meetings when the Chair is unable to attend.
To the extent possible, the Chair or Vice-Chair will represent the Center on the AUCD Council on Consumer Affairs (COCA), including attending COCA meetings during the AUCD Annual meeting. Expenses for representing the Center and attending meetings will be reimbursed in accordance with Center grant guidelines and the rules and regulations of Texas A&M University. If a personal assistant accompanies the Chair or Vice-Chair in the conduct of Center business, the expenses of the personal assistant will be reimbursed in accordance with Center grant guidelines and the rules and regulations of Texas A&M University.
The Chair and Vice-Chair may be provided a small honorarium in recognition of their contributions to the CAC in accordance with Center grant guidelines and the rules and regulations of Texas A&M University.

VI. Meetings of the CAC
The CAC will meet as often as necessary to conduct its business but no less than twice during each grant year. Once a year a portion of the meeting will be an annual business meeting where terms are reviewed, new members are welcomed, and outgoing members are recognized. The annual meeting will also be the official review of the Center’s five-year plan.

VII. Staff Support
Staff support will be allocated to assure timely distribution of minutes of all meetings of the CAC, publishing of a roster of members, issuing notices and agendas for all meetings, scheduling and making arrangements for regular and special meetings, and providing other necessary clerical and support services.