BYLAWS

1.0. Statement of Purpose
The Special Interest Research Group on Aging and Intellectual Disabilities (SIRGAID) is a duly authorized special interest research group within the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities. The SIRGAID has as its general purpose the planning, coordinating and conducting of activities relevant to all aspects of aging and intellectual disabilities consistent with the purposes and means of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities. It functions within the BYLAWS of the IASSID.

The mission of the SIRGAID is to:
1. Provide a focus for the worldwide exchange and dissemination of research and practice, as well as networking, in the field of aging and intellectual disability. Aging is meant in a broad sense, encompassing lifespan developmental issues as well as those related to old age. A wide variety of professional groups are potential contributors and no specific profession is considered to have predominance in this respect.
2. Promote cross-national, multidisciplinary collaboration in the area of aging and intellectual disability. The ultimate aim of the group is to improve the quality of life and services for people with intellectual disabilities, their carers, and their families.
3. Provide a framework for the collation of information relating to the research interests, expertise, and publications of group members. Within the overall process of collaboration, the views and contributions of nonprofessionals, including people with intellectual disabilities and their families and friends, are a fundamental component, and will be given respectful consideration.

In furtherance of its mission, the SIRGAID will:
1.1. Abide by the intent, spirit, letter, and regulations established by the Council of the IASSID for special interest research groups (SIRGs) as outlined in the Articles of Incorporation of the IASSID.
1.2. Serve as a medium for deliberation; for exchange of ideas, knowledge, skills and experiences; and for compilation and dissemination of information.
1.3. Organize international and regional congresses, conferences, and seminars.
1.4. Encourage research in the field of aging and intellectual disabilities, including causes, prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, therapy, management, advocacy, education, and social habilitation of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families.
1.5. Produce and distribute publications about the scientific study of aging and intellectual disabilities and of the services and supports to such persons and their families.
1.6. Foster, encourage, and promote membership in the various professional disciplines and national organizations concerned with the scientific study of aging and intellectual disabilities.
1.7. Collaborate with national organizations concerned with the scientific study of aging and intellectual disabilities.
1.8. Promote cooperation with the other associations or organizations directly or closely related with the scientific study of aging and intellectual disabilities.
1.9 Provide information, consultation, and advice to international, national, and other governmental and non-governmental bodies related to the aging of persons with intellectual disabilities.
1.10 Coordinate its activities with other SIRGs and bodies of the IASSID as applicable.
1.11 Apply for and administer intramural and extramural funds related to its purpose and mission.

2.0. Organization and Administration
2.1 The SIRGAID shall have an Executive Committee and Steering Committee as its governance.
2.2 SIRGAID members with voting rights shall elect or designate a Steering Committee composed of at least 25 members representative of the regions of the world. The Steering Committee shall include members of the SIRGAID with strong interest in the welfare of the SIRGAID and the chairs of the local organizing committees of the SIRGAID's annual roundtable (who shall automatically become members following the roundtable for at least five years).
2.3 The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the administrative affairs of the SIRGAID. It shall be composed of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer, who are elected by SIRGAID members with voting rights; the immediate past Chair of the Executive Committee; the SIRGAID representative on the IASSID Council; and three other members who are nominated by the Steering Committee. The elected officers should be drawn from the Steering Committee.
2.4. Officers and Steering Committee members must be individual members of the IASSID.
2.5 The Executive Committee shall set the terms of office and composition of the Executive and Steering Committees. Officers or members of the Steering Committee may be removed for cause and after a vote of the Executive and Steering Committees.
2.6 The Executive Committee may create subcommittees, standing committees, ad hoc committees or work groups as it sees fit. Formal designation shall be made by the Chair, upon consultation with the Steering Committee.
2.7 All members of the IASSID are eligible to join the SIRGAID. Non-members of the IASSID may affiliate with the SIRGAID upon application to the SIRGAID Secretary.
2.8 The SIRGAID shall hold, as a minimum, an annual meeting (or more often as desired). At least two months advance notice of such a meeting must be given to members of the SIRGAID and the IASSID Council. These notices may be given by letter, facsimile, email, newsletter, or may be placed in any IASSID publication.
2.9 At least one member of the Executive Committee of the SIRGAID shall be designated to attend the quadrennial meeting of the IASSID General Assembly.
2.10 The Executive Committee shall nominate from the Steering Committee one member to represent the SIRGAID on the IASSID Council, in accord with the by-laws of the IASSID. The nomination will be presented to the Steering Committee for confirmation or approval. The SIRGAID Council representative shall attend all Council meetings during his or her term. The Executive Committee Chair of the SIRGAID may designate an alternate SIRGAID member to attend a Council meeting, if the designated member is unable to do so.
2.11 The Executive Committee shall nominate representatives to IASSID committees and to other organizations as required.
2.11 The SIRGAID is required to maintain a statement of Purpose and Bylaws on file with the IASSID, which should be updated as necessary.

3.0 Members
Membership in the SIRGAID consists of:
3.1 Full members are members of the SIRGAID and IASSID. Such members shall pay dues, be eligible to be officers or members of the Steering Committee, and have full voting rights.
3.2 Associate members are members of the SIRGAID, but not members of the IASSID. Such members shall not be eligible to be officers or members of the Steering Committee, shall pay dues, and shall have limited voting rights as set by the Executive Committee.
3.3 Student members are members of the SIRGAID and student members of the IASSID. Student members are not eligible to be officers or members of the Steering Committee, shall pay dues, and shall have limited voting rights as set by the Executive Committee.
3.4 Affiliate members are members of the SIRGAID but not members of the IASSID. Affiliate members do not pay dues, are not eligible to be officers or members of the Steering Committee, and shall have no voting rights.
3.5 Emeritus members are retired persons who have been previously active in IASSID and or the SIRGAID and who want to remain active in the SIRGAID. They do not have to pay dues.
3.6 The SIRGAID will maintain and regularly update membership registers, noting the name and mailing address of members. The SIRGAID Secretary will be responsible for maintaining the membership register and for filing it annually (on March 1st of each year) with the Secretary of the IASSID.
3.7 The membership of the SIRGAID is inclusive, not exclusive. Any active IASSID member is eligible for membership. Persons who are not members of the IASSID may be admitted to membership at the discretion of the SIRGAID Executive Committee, in consultation with the Steering Committee and the members.
3.8 The SIRGAID shall, upon authorization by the Executive Committee, collect an annual membership fee to cover operational expenses and set charges for attendance at SIRGAID functions, such as workshops or seminars. The Executive Committee, in consultation with the Steering Committee, shall have the authority to waive annual membership fees.
3.9 Only those members whose membership has been officially recorded prior to the date of the SIRGAID annual meeting (defined as the time the meeting is called to order) will be entitled to vote on matters relating to the SIRGAID at that meeting.
3.10 Only members of IASSID shall be eligible to hold elected or designated office, be members of the Steering Committee or otherwise participate in the governing structure of the SIRGAID. The SIRGAID Executive Committee, in consultation with the Steering Committee, may designate non-members of the IASSID as ad hoc committee or workgroup chairs or members.
3.11 The SIRGAID Secretary will notify the IASSID Secretary of the names of all of its members.

4.0 Responsibilities
4.1 The SIRGAID shall plan and conduct activities appropriate to its mission. These activities might include, but not be limited to conferences, roundtables, workshops, and dissemination of publications and newsletters.
4.2 The SIRGAID may conduct its official business, including issues that need approval by vote, by electronic mail. An issue shall pass if voted in by at least 20% of the voting members.
4.3 The SIRGAID shall provide the IASSID Council with an annual report of activities. This report must be submitted no later than March 1st of each year.
4.4 At the SIRGAID annual general meeting, the Executive Committee, in consultation with the Steering Committee and the members, will nominate one of its members as its representative to the Assembly of IASSID.
4.5 At the SIRGAID annual general meeting, the Executive Committee will nominate one of the members of the Steering Committee as SIRGAID representative to the Council of IASSID.
4.6 The Executive Committee Chair shall be responsible for coordinating the SIRGAID activities with the Council and the officers of the IASSID. The Vice Chair shall assume these responsibilities in the absence of the Chair. The Chair or Vice Chair shall chair the Executive and Steering Committee meetings.
4.7 The Secretary shall maintain the SIRGAID records and membership register and file reports to the IASSID Secretary as required.
4.8 The Treasurer shall maintain all currency accounts of the SIRGAID, file annual (and requested) financial statements with the SIRGAID and the Treasurer of the IASSID, and maintain responsibility for the accounting and accuracy of all funds held by and for the SIRGAID. The Treasurer shall prepare and ensure delivery of financial statements for the annual meeting.
4.9 The designated Council member shall represent the SIRGAID at all IASSID Council meetings and, in consultation with the Executive Committee, vote on matters of import to the SIRGAID at Council meetings.
4.10 The designated Assembly member shall represent the SIRGAID at all IASSID Assembly meetings and, in consultation with the Executive Committee, vote on matters of import to the SIRGAID at the General Assembly meetings.

5.0 Fiscal and Legal Status
5.1 The SIRGAID is responsible for any financial arrangements or debts incurred by the SIRGAID.
5.2 The SIRGAID may, in consultation with the IASSID Treasurer, open a currency account to administer funds procured through fees, donations or extramural grants. When such an account is held, the SIRGAID Treasurer shall administer it. The Chair and Vice Chair shall authorize all payments or disbursements from the SIRGAID account (or accounts) and the SIRGAID Treasurer shall issue the check. The SIRGAID Treasurer shall submit a statement of accounts annually to the IASSID Treasurer, as decided by the IASSID Treasurer.
5.3 The SIRGAID may pay honoraria, fees, and/or travel expenses associated with obtaining the service of lecturers or presenters at its meetings, special events, conferences, or the IASSID quadrennial congress. Such remuneration can be provided to SIRGAID members when appropriate and approved by the Executive Committee.
5.4 The SIRGAID may authorize reimbursement of full or partial expenses associated with the maintenance of each office, or with official travel to meetings of the SIRGAID, for officers or other members designated and authorized to represent the SIRGAID as prescribed by the rules of the SIRGAID.
5.5 The SIRGAID may request funds from the IASSID when the request is
consistent with IASSID rules and operating procedures.
5.6 The SIRGAID may be dissolved only by the vote of the membership or by the IASSID Council for cause. All assets of the SIRGAID, on dissolution, shall become the property of the IASSID. The IASSID shall not be responsible for the payments of any debt incurred by the dissolved SIRGAID in excess of the assets remaining.

By-laws adopted June 11, 2001 in Bettange-sur-Mess, Luxembourg.