Council Charter

Council name

The State of Wisconsin, Department of Natural Resources, Disability Advisory Council.

Council purpose

To advise the Department of Natural Resources on matters pertaining to the accessibility of all department programs and services by persons with disabilities.

• To draft recommendations to the department for legislation, administrative rules, or department policy.
• To identify and evaluate needs of persons with disabilities and to communicate them to the department.
• To help to increase public awareness and sensitivity to the needs of persons with disabilities.
• To communicate with individuals and other organizations dedicated to similar purposes.

DNR liaison

The secretary of the department shall appoint a department liaison. The liaison shall be a representative of the department and shall bring to the council issues that require council advice or recommendations. The liaison shall be responsible for reporting activities of the council to the secretary and to inform the council of department policies and procedures.

The liaison shall keep minutes of each meeting and ensure arrangements for meeting locations, press releases and other housekeeping needs. Meeting minutes shall be reviewed by the council chair prior to submission to the secretary.

The liaison shall inform the council of department reactions to council recommendations.

Meeting schedule

The council shall meet to deal with timely, pending and important concerns and will meet at least twice annually but not more than four times per year. At its first meeting of each calendar year, the council shall establish a tentative meeting schedule for that year.

Membership

The council shall consist of nine persons appointed by the department secretary, to three year terms. Each term will be concurrent with the calendar year and will be arranged so that three terms expire at the end of each calendar year.

Council members shall represent a variety of disabilities and geographic areas of the state. Members shall be persons who have disabilities, represent organizations serving persons with disabilities, or have expertise in disability-related areas. At least one member shall qualify to obtain a permit for persons with disabilities as provided in Section 29.09, Wis. Stats.

Officers

At the first meeting of each calendar year, the council shall elect from its members a chairperson and a vice chairperson for a one-year term. The chairperson, or the vice chairperson if the chairperson is absent, shall consult with the department liaison to prepare the agenda and will conduct council meetings.

Member participation

Regular attendance at council meetings is required for all members. Council members may be excused by notifying the chairperson or department liaison in advance. Any council member may lose his or her membership if he or she has frequent unexcused absences.

Members may choose to have non-voting representatives attend council meetings in their place if the need arises.

Alternative ways for members to participate, such as phone conferencing, will be allowable.

Resignations

Any council member may resign by notifying the chairperson in writing.

Decisions

A simple majority of members constitutes a quorum. All members shall have voting privileges. The business of the council shall be conducted by a majority vote of the members present.

Charter amendments

This charter may be modified by the department Secretary. The council may recommend amendments to the secretary.