Minutes from the Student Council for Exceptional Children Leadership Conference held at the Days INN in Bardstown Kentucky on June 21, 2003.

In attendance were state officers: Rachel Hanger, Amanda Hetzel, Lauren Hoard (WKU), Scott Combs, Tabbie Sprague, Karla Lambdin (Cumberland), Kim Hastings, Stacy Moore (Murray), and Aaron Wallace (Brescia).

The meeting began with introductions. Everyone introduced him or herself and explained the positions they held in their local chapters. Madam President Amanda Hetzel explained the agenda of the day. The president shared with the
group the new bylaws that have come into effect because of the restructuring of SCEC.

Among the topics discussed were: National SCEC is no longer acknowledged as an International Executive Board, but instead replaced by a Standing Committee.

Each person elected to the committee will hold a position for one year.
On the national level, we are now known as the Student Member Standing
Committee on Students. State chapters are no longer responsible for giving annual reports to the national level, but are instead responsible for sharing news with the state advisor.

The group voted to decide whether to stay known as the Student Council
for Exceptional Children, or be known as KY Student Member Standing
Committee on students. Scott Combs motioned that we stay known as KYSCEC, while
Aaron Wallace seconded the motion.

Motion was carried by the KYSCEC to stay
known as the Student Council for Exceptional Children.

Dr. Ferguson (WKU) talked about how to obtain new membership and
encouraged the group to start a Pioneer Mentorship program. This program will
enable each student chapter to be given guidance and knowledge from an
experienced member. Each chapter will be given a mentor from the Pioneer group who
will help recruit new members and serve as a mentor. The main purpose of
this program will be to open new lines of communication between the
professional chapter and the student chapter. Representatives from Brescia and
Murray were opposed to the idea if a Pioneer is not in the area. Representatives
from Cumberland supported the idea. The motion was carried to table the
discussion and meet with the Pioneer group and negotiate face to face.

The next topic was Alternate Certification. Within this topic was the
subject of including teachers who are getting their second degree in special
education or graduate students as members of the student chapter. The idea is to
expand membership, and help them become part of the chapter. A representative
from Murray suggested SCEC offer a website dedicated to them, with
alternative meeting dates, and updates just for them. It could link to http://www.kysec.com.
 

It was decided that graduate students or alternative certification
students may participate in the student council for exceptional children on the
professional level with full benefits, which includes the right to vote
and hold office.

Amanda and Rachel from Western Kentucky University discussed the idea of
incorporating a statewide quiz bowl and Congressional Cup. Previously
WKU has held an annual quiz bowl for local high school special education
students that is equivalent to general education Academic Team.

The WKU chapter is trying to expand Quiz Bowl to other regions of the state. The chapter wants
other universities to become involved in the activity. The representatives
from WKU explained the rules and regulations of Quiz Bowl and explained how to
get a quiz bowl started in their area.

The different chapters discussed activities that each university was
participating. Murray shared fund raising news and how to attract new
membership.

Elections were held for the 2003 -2004 KY SCEC executive board. The
role of governor has been eliminated due to the new bylaws. Amanda and Rachel
explained the roles and responsibilities of each of the offices.
Elections were held ad the 2003 -2004 officers are:

President: Tabitha Sprague (Cumberland)
Vice President: Aaron Wallace (Brescia)
Secretary Stacey Moore (Murray)
Treasurer: Carrie Davis (WKU)
Membership: Scott Combs (Cumberland)
CAN Coordinator: Lauren Hoard (WKU)