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The 2007 Annual TASH Conference in Seattle was the inaugural kick off for the brand new student section. Participating students gathered for an orientation event and business meeting, during which board members were elected. We would like to introduce the TASH Student Section Board members. They are:
President: Rosie Justilien, Florida State University
Executive Vice President: Pavan John Anthony, Washington State University
Vice President for Community Service: Michelle Martorano, Florida State University
Treasurer: Kein Luu, University of Washington
Vice President for Section Activities: Jordan Willis, Florida State University
Secretary: Corrine Nelson, Washington
Want to learn more about becoming a student member? Download these documents to get the answers to your questions!
The Student Section has its own governance guidelines (.doc) and meets monthly to discuss issues important to student members. Here you will find the minutes from the Student Section meetings (all meeting minutes are available in MS Word).
You can become a student member of TASH today! Students interested in getting involved with the student section should contact Rosie Justilien
Start a Student Chapter!
Student Chapter Guidelines
Establishing a Student TASH Chapter is a great way to increase your understanding of the issues related to equality and inclusion for all individuals with disabilities in society and our schools. It will allow you and your peers to come together to share ideas and engage in dialogue around the important issues facing students and adults with disabilities. It is a way to express these values and direction on your campus and/or your region. Here you will find all the materials you will need:
TASH central office staff in Washington, D.C. will be happy to support you in any way as you proceed.
Why Become a TASH Chapter?
TASH is an international advocacy association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and people who work in the disability field, all working toward a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm. Becoming a TASH Student Chapter allows your group to affiliate itself with the most progressive ideas regarding equity, diversity, and quality of life.
A TASH Student Chapter is a unique opportunity to come together with peers and learn from each other as well as from people with disabilities, parents and other family members, advocates, professionals, and researchers who are committed to assuring that all people with disabilities have:
- opportunities to grow up, and learn, with their non-disabled neighbors, friends, sisters and brothers;
- the right to live in homes of their own choosing, individually, or with roommates they choose, with all the supports needed for success;
- the resources and support needed to perform real work in the real world;
- protection from abuse and inhumane treatment;
- access to the richness and variety of communities in which they are challenged, engaged, and valued.
Becoming a TASH Student Chapter helps you to:
- Obtain current research and policies around the issues of school and community inclusion and participation;
- Network with like-minded students, individuals and groups who share your interests and concerns;
- Participate in an international effort to assure disability rights and support people with disabilities and their families;
- Find support among friends and colleagues through regional workshops, chapter meetings, state conferences and other chapter activities;
- Help insure, through collective initiative, the hard-won progress continues and improves;
- Assure that TASH and national TASH leaders hear the voices of local advocates and understand grassroots perspectives.
Advantages of Being a TASH Student Chapter and Supports TASH Central Office Provides
Being a TASH Student Chapter connects you to other Student Chapters across the country and throughout the world who share your values. In addition, becoming a TASH Student Chapter frees you up to do focused work that will make a difference on a discrete mission and philosophy. Here are some of the ways Central Office staff can support your chapter’s activities at no cost:
- Maintain and update membership information for your chapter and other Student Chapters;
- Provide sample publications and membership materials that you can use to recruit members;
- Assistance in setting up a list serve; or group e-list through our website;
- Provide access to updated rosters of current and lapsed members through our website;
- Provide mailing labels;
- Help to identify speakers in any topic area for local events;
- Provide a link to your chapter’s web site or feature information about your chapter on the TASH website;
- Advertise Chapter-sponsored events through our publications and website;
- Contact board members, committee chairs and other leaders in the field to support your local advocacy efforts;
To maintain chapter status, all TASH Chapters are required to:
- Operate in keeping with TASH values as described by TASH’s resolutions.
- Maintain chapter membership of at least ten people who uphold TASH values.
- Maintain a governing body, board, a steering committee, or a similar body of at least five individuals who, at a minimum fulfill the roles of president, secretary, and treasurer. While it is not necessary that these titles be used, members of the board or steering committee should fulfill the roles and functions of these positions.
- All chapter members and especially members of the Student Chapter’s board or steering committee are required to be members of TASH.
- Keep the central office informed about changes in officers, board membership, and chapter activities.
- Disseminate information about TASH and your Student Chapter and promote membership.
- Use funds for legitimate chapter-related purposes only and maintain good records of funds received and spent.
- Provide an annual report to the central office regarding chapter activities and finances and communicate with central office about ways they can support your activities.
In addition, chapters must do two or more of the following every year:
- Maintain communication with Student Chapter members about issues of national, state, and local significance.
- Hold events to raise awareness and interest about issues related to people with disabilities and their families.
- Provide information about disability issues, inclusion, disability rights, accessibility, etc. student peers and members of the community.
- Send at least one designee to attend the TASH annual conference and participate in the Student Section activities.
How are TASH Student Chapters Funded?
- The Student Government Association (SGA) at various institutions allocate funds to student organizations. It is the responsibility of the Student Chapter to find out the procedures followed within their school to receive funds. This is why it is required for chapters to be a recognized student organization (RSO) on their respective campuses.
- Fundraising is the best method to support chapter activities. Sample fundraisers include carwashes, raffles at meetings and conferences (e.g., get donated raffle prizes), pizza sales, babysitting services for children with disabilities, admission fee (nominal): offer special events with Guest Speakers.
- Chapters with more than 20 members are eligible for dues sharing with the central office.
Steps to Establishing a TASH Chapter:
- Along with a faculty advisor, identify at least three students/individuals who are willing to become members of both TASH and the new Student Chapter and are willing to assist in the development of a chapter and will serve as the initial board or steering committee.
- Notify TASH Central Office that you are interested in establishing a TASH Student Chapter.
- Recruit members: To become officially chartered, a Student Chapter must have at least ten members (including the initial board or steering committee). Central office can supply you with membership materials, sample publications, a video or DVD describing TASH’s work, and other resources for recruiting members. As members join, they should complete a membership application and pay dues. All membership information and dues should be sent to central office where records will be maintained.
- When you have at least ten members, complete the form to request the TASH Board to approve your status as a TASH Student Chapter.
- At an early meeting of the board or steering committee, review the model bylaws provided, change to fit your chapter and submit a signed copy of bylaws to central office.
- Please stay in touch with central office staff letting us know how we can best support you!
Steps to Sustain a Chapter
- Recruit students from all majors (not just Special Education).
- Have appropriate officer transition meetings after every chapter election.
- Seek a faculty advisor that will hold professional membership in TASH.
- Hold membership drives year-round to attract incoming students at your college/university.
- Remain in touch with TASH central office.
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