About the Religion and Spirituality Division

The Religion & Spirituality Division of the AAIDD (American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, formerly the AAMR, American Association on Mental Retardation) is an interfaith, interdisciplinary association of professional ordained and lay people who journey with persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

Our Mission

Our Mission is to share resources which foster opportunities for spiritual growth for persons with developmental disabilities while respecting their religious identity.

Our Goals:

Why?

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have spiritual and religious interests, needs, and gifts, but too often do not have the opportunity to express those parts of their lives. Agencies may overlook the importance of spirituality for their consumers, or not be able to help them be involved in religious congregations and other spiritual activities. Congregations of many religions often fail to welcome and include people with disabilities in their worship services and programs. It is the responsibility of both support agencies and religious organizations to work together to help provide the opportunity for spiritual and religious expression, depending on the choice of each person

Religion and Spirituality Division Leadership

President (2006-2007)

Nella Uitvlugt

Executive Committee:

Newletter:

About Rev. Jeanne Lloyd

The Rev. Jeanne Lloyd currently serves All Soul's Unitarian Universalist Church in Greenfield, Massachusetts, as its Parish Minister, and the Unitarian Universalist Society: East in Manchester, Connecticut as its Affiliate Community Minister. She is ordained by the Unitarian Universalist Society: East in Manchester, CT (affiliate church), and the Universalist Church of West Hartford, CT, and in final fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association in Boston, MA. As a minister whose specialty is in the area of community ministry, Rev. Jeanne facilitates a process whereby all people and congregations/organizations are encouraged to contribute their gifts and resources to build stronger communities.

Rev. Jeanne is President of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Religion & Spirituality Division. Locally, she serves on "Focus on Canton," an interfaith coalition that works together to meet citizen needs in the town of Canton, and also serves as Secretary on Canton United Fund, an affiliate of the United Way, distributing funds for projects that support the community. She is also a member of the Canton Chamber of Commerce & the Avon-Canton Rotary.

Rev. Jeanne is also certified by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Religion & Spirituality Division as a pastoral care giver and uses art as a form of therapeutic self-expression for people with intellectual disabilities.

Covenant: The By-Laws of the AAIDD Religion & Spirituality Division

A "Covenant" is a bond entered voluntarily by two or more parties, in which each
pledges him or herself to do something for the other.1

This "Covenant" is a bond entered voluntarily between and among the members of the
Religion & Spirituality Division of the American Association on Mental
Retardation (AAMR). Guided by the Religion & Spirituality Division Mission
Statement, and the rules of membership of AAMR, we pledge ourselves to addressing and
meeting the needs of people to be a member of a religious community, whether they are
disabled or temporarily able-bodied.

This Covenant describes both the role and function of the officers of the Religion
& Spirituality Division. Some description of officers, like the President, are
defined by the laws and by-laws of the national office of AAMR. Others offices and
roles, like past-President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, Certification Committee
Chair, Newsletter Editor, and Book Exhibit Coordinator, are particular to the
Religion & Spirituality Division itself, and are not defined by the national
office of AAMR.

The President, Past-President, Exec. Secretary, Treasurer, Certification Comm.
Chair, Newsletter Editor, and Book Exhibit Coordinator will be the "Executive
Committee" of the Religion & Spirituality Division. They will meet at least once
before and once after the national annual meeting of AAMR. These will be open-door
meetings, and minutes from these meetings will be published in the Religion &
Spirituality Division newsletter.

President

The President holds a term of two years. If the President is unable to fulfill the
term, then a special election will be held to fill in the rest of the term.

The Presidential election is coordinated by the national office of AAMR, and
nominations usually come from within the division.

The responsibilities of the President are as follows:To represent the issues and
concerns of the Religion & Spirituality Division with the members of the national
office of AAMR.

  1. To represent the issues and concerns of the Religion & Spirituality
    Division with the members of the national office of AAMR.
  2. To coordinate and be liaison with the representatives of the Religion &
    Spirituality Division within the regions.
  3. To communicate with and among the members of the Religion & Spirituality
    Division nationally.
  4. To participate in the planning of the national annual meetings of AAMR. This
    includes participating in the planning meetings prior to the meetings, including
    conference phone calls;
    • to issue the call for papers for the annual meeting;
    • to select the papers for the annual meeting, and place them in the
      appropriate categories;
    • to coordinate the Religion & Spirituality Division retreat;
    • to coordinate the Religion & Spirituality Division dinner;
    • to coordinate the times of "Prayer and Meditation" at the annual
      meeting;
    • to chair the Religion & Spirituality Division business meetings;
    • to attend the evaluation of the annual meeting.
  6. To write a "President's Column" in each Religion & Spirituality Division
    newsletter.
  7. To represent the Religion & Spirituality Division at other
    disability-related meetings, e.g., the NCCC Task Force on Disability, National
    Organization on Disability meetings; COMISS meetings. The President may choose to
    send someone else in his or her stead.
  8. To be chair and take part in the Executive Committee of the Religion &
    Spirituality Division (AAMR-RSD). He or she alone has the prerogative of calling a
    special meeting.
  9. To approve all financial transactions of AAMR-RSD, coordinated with the work of
    the President.
  10. Should an officer resign, then the President will either assume the
    responsibilities of that office, or designate someone else for that role and
    function, until a new officer is voted upon and installed at the next Business
    Meeting.

Past-President

The term of Past-President is for two years after his or her term as President.
(Along with the two year term as President, that person will serve on the Executive
Committee for four years.)

The function of the Past-President is as follows:

  1. To help in the selection of papers to be presented at the AAMR national
    meeting.
  2. To serve on the Certification Committee of the Religion & Spirituality
    Division-AAMR.
  3. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Religion & Spirituality
    Division.

Executive Secretary

The term of Executive Secretary is for four years.

The election is to be held within and among the members of AAMR-Religion &
Spirituality Division. Nominations will be collected during the year, and an election
will be held at one of the Business Meetings of the Religion & Spirituality
Division. If the Exec. Secretary is unable to fulfill a term, a special election will
be held at the next Business Meeting at the annual meeting of AAMR.

The function of the Executive Secretary is as follows:

  1. To record the minutes of the Business Meetings of AAMR-RSD, held during the
    annual meeting of the Religion & Spirituality Division.
  2. To publish those minutes in the fall volume of the AAMR-RSD Newsletter.
  3. To serve on the Executive Committee of the AAMR-RSD, and to maintain notes of
    these meetings, to be published in the AAMR-RSD newsletter.
  4. To maintain the history of the AAMR-RSD, including all the past minutes of
    previous Business Meetings of AAMR-RSD. This will most likely involve communication
    with the AAMR national office.
  5. To help the President write the yearly review of the AAMR-RSD to be presented
    to the national office of AAMR.
  6. To maintain correspondences and solicitation of inquiries as to the work of
    AAMR-RSD.
  7. To help in the planning of the annual meetings of AAMR as a member of the
    Executive Committee.
  8. To maintain mailing list for all correspondences, in coordination with the
    Newsletter Edito

Treasurer

The term of Treasurer is for four years.

The election is to be held within and among the members of the AAMR-Religion &
Spirituality Division. Nominations will be collected during the year, and an election
will be held at one of the Business Meetings of the Religion & Spirituality
Division. If the Treasurer is unable to fulfill a term, a special election will be
held at the next Business Meeting at the annual meeting of AAMR.

The function of the Treasurer is as follows:

  1. To receive and put in the bank all money that has been made out to the
    AAMR-RSD.
  2. To pay all bills incurred by the AAMR-RSD. Approval by the President for all
    bill payments is required. Both the receiving of payments, and billing will be done
    through the national office of AAMR and their banking procedures.
  3. To present a Treasurer's Report at the business meeting of the Division.
  4. To maintain contact with the Treasurer of the nation office of AAMR.
  5. 5. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Division.
  6. To help on the planning of the national meeting of AAMR as a member of the
    executive committee.
  7. To help in raising funds for the Division.

Newsletter Editor

The Editor is elected by the members of the Religion and Spirituality Division for
a term of four years. The Executive Committee will ask for names of people who are
interested in this position, and present these names at one of the business meetings
of the Division.

The function of the Editor is as follows:

  1. To publish three times per year the newsletter of the Religion and Spirituality
    Division. This involves:
    • soliciting articles for the Newsletter.
    • soliciting news items and a calendar of events.
    • editing the newsletter.
    • publishing the newsletter (through Bethesda Lutheran Homes).
    • mailing the newsletter.
  3. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Division.

Book Exhibit Coordinator

The Coordinator is elected by the members of the Religion and Spirituality
Division for a term of four years. The Executive Committee will ask for names of
people who are interested in this position and will present these names at one of the
business meetings the Division.

The function of the Coordinator is:

  1. To solicit publishers to contribute to the Book Exhibit.
  2. To coordinate the financial charges for the exhibit.
  3. To send the exhibit to those Division members, and other interested parties,
    who would like to display the exhibit.
  4. To coordinate volunteers to be at the exhibit when it is being displayed at the
    annual meeting of AAMR.
  5. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Division.

Certification Committee

The Certification Committee is composed of eight members elected by the members of
the Religion and Spirituality Division. The Division's immediate past president is an
ex officio member of the committee. Committee members are elected for three years
terms and may serve two successive terms. Nominations will be collected during the
year, and two or three members on a rotating basis will be elected each year at the
annual business meeting of the Division. If a committee member other than the chair
is unable to fulfill his/her term, the unexpired term will be filled at the election
in the next Division business meeting.

The chair is elected by the members of the Division for a term of three years. If
the chair is unable to fulfill the term, the President of the Division will appoint
another committee member to fulfill the term of the chair. The duties of the chair
are as follows:

  1. To coordinate the process of the certification of candidates, including:
    • receiving and reviewing all applicant documents;
    • assigning a presenter for each candidate;
    • scheduling each candidate's meeting with the committee;
    • insuring that all documentation relative to the certification process is
      accomplished and on file.
  3. To publicize and promote the certification process within the Division and
    other agencies.
  4. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Division.

1 This definition of "covenant" comes from F.L. Cross and E. A.
Livingstone, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 2nd Edition (Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 1978).

Covenant: The By-Laws of the AAIDD Religion & Spirituality Division

A "Covenant" is a bond entered voluntarily by two or more parties, in which each
pledges him or herself to do something for the other.1

This "Covenant" is a bond entered voluntarily between and among the members of the
Religion & Spirituality Division of the American Association on Mental
Retardation (AAMR). Guided by the Religion & Spirituality Division Mission
Statement, and the rules of membership of AAMR, we pledge ourselves to addressing and
meeting the needs of people to be a member of a religious community, whether they are
disabled or temporarily able-bodied.

This Covenant describes both the role and function of the officers of the Religion
& Spirituality Division. Some description of officers, like the President, are
defined by the laws and by-laws of the national office of AAMR. Others offices and
roles, like past-President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, Certification Committee
Chair, Newsletter Editor, and Book Exhibit Coordinator, are particular to the
Religion & Spirituality Division itself, and are not defined by the national
office of AAMR.

The President, Past-President, Exec. Secretary, Treasurer, Certification Comm.
Chair, Newsletter Editor, and Book Exhibit Coordinator will be the "Executive
Committee" of the Religion & Spirituality Division. They will meet at least once
before and once after the national annual meeting of AAMR. These will be open-door
meetings, and minutes from these meetings will be published in the Religion &
Spirituality Division newsletter.

President

The President holds a term of two years. If the President is unable to fulfill the
term, then a special election will be held to fill in the rest of the term.

The Presidential election is coordinated by the national office of AAMR, and
nominations usually come from within the division.

The responsibilities of the President are as follows:To represent the issues and
concerns of the Religion & Spirituality Division with the members of the national
office of AAMR.

  1. To represent the issues and concerns of the Religion & Spirituality
    Division with the members of the national office of AAMR.
  2. To coordinate and be liaison with the representatives of the Religion &
    Spirituality Division within the regions.
  3. To communicate with and among the members of the Religion & Spirituality
    Division nationally.
  4. To participate in the planning of the national annual meetings of AAMR. This
    includes participating in the planning meetings prior to the meetings, including
    conference phone calls;
    • to issue the call for papers for the annual meeting;
    • to select the papers for the annual meeting, and place them in the
      appropriate categories;
    • to coordinate the Religion & Spirituality Division retreat;
    • to coordinate the Religion & Spirituality Division dinner;
    • to coordinate the times of "Prayer and Meditation" at the annual
      meeting;
    • to chair the Religion & Spirituality Division business meetings;
    • to attend the evaluation of the annual meeting.
  6. To write a "President's Column" in each Religion & Spirituality Division
    newsletter.
  7. To represent the Religion & Spirituality Division at other
    disability-related meetings, e.g., the NCCC Task Force on Disability, National
    Organization on Disability meetings; COMISS meetings. The President may choose to
    send someone else in his or her stead.
  8. To be chair and take part in the Executive Committee of the Religion &
    Spirituality Division (AAMR-RSD). He or she alone has the prerogative of calling a
    special meeting.
  9. To approve all financial transactions of AAMR-RSD, coordinated with the work of
    the President.
  10. Should an officer resign, then the President will either assume the
    responsibilities of that office, or designate someone else for that role and
    function, until a new officer is voted upon and installed at the next Business
    Meeting.

Past-President

The term of Past-President is for two years after his or her term as President.
(Along with the two year term as President, that person will serve on the Executive
Committee for four years.)

The function of the Past-President is as follows:

  1. To help in the selection of papers to be presented at the AAMR national
    meeting.
  2. To serve on the Certification Committee of the Religion & Spirituality
    Division-AAMR.
  3. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Religion & Spirituality
    Division.

Executive Secretary

The term of Executive Secretary is for four years.

The election is to be held within and among the members of AAMR-Religion &
Spirituality Division. Nominations will be collected during the year, and an election
will be held at one of the Business Meetings of the Religion & Spirituality
Division. If the Exec. Secretary is unable to fulfill a term, a special election will
be held at the next Business Meeting at the annual meeting of AAMR.

The function of the Executive Secretary is as follows:

  1. To record the minutes of the Business Meetings of AAMR-RSD, held during the
    annual meeting of the Religion & Spirituality Division.
  2. To publish those minutes in the fall volume of the AAMR-RSD Newsletter.
  3. To serve on the Executive Committee of the AAMR-RSD, and to maintain notes of
    these meetings, to be published in the AAMR-RSD newsletter.
  4. To maintain the history of the AAMR-RSD, including all the past minutes of
    previous Business Meetings of AAMR-RSD. This will most likely involve communication
    with the AAMR national office.
  5. To help the President write the yearly review of the AAMR-RSD to be presented
    to the national office of AAMR.
  6. To maintain correspondences and solicitation of inquiries as to the work of
    AAMR-RSD.
  7. To help in the planning of the annual meetings of AAMR as a member of the
    Executive Committee.
  8. To maintain mailing list for all correspondences, in coordination with the
    Newsletter Edito

Treasurer

The term of Treasurer is for four years.

The election is to be held within and among the members of the AAMR-Religion &
Spirituality Division. Nominations will be collected during the year, and an election
will be held at one of the Business Meetings of the Religion & Spirituality
Division. If the Treasurer is unable to fulfill a term, a special election will be
held at the next Business Meeting at the annual meeting of AAMR.

The function of the Treasurer is as follows:

  1. To receive and put in the bank all money that has been made out to the
    AAMR-RSD.
  2. To pay all bills incurred by the AAMR-RSD. Approval by the President for all
    bill payments is required. Both the receiving of payments, and billing will be done
    through the national office of AAMR and their banking procedures.
  3. To present a Treasurer's Report at the business meeting of the Division.
  4. To maintain contact with the Treasurer of the nation office of AAMR.
  5. 5. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Division.
  6. To help on the planning of the national meeting of AAMR as a member of the
    executive committee.
  7. To help in raising funds for the Division.

Newsletter Editor

The Editor is elected by the members of the Religion and Spirituality Division for
a term of four years. The Executive Committee will ask for names of people who are
interested in this position, and present these names at one of the business meetings
of the Division.

The function of the Editor is as follows:

  1. To publish three times per year the newsletter of the Religion and Spirituality
    Division. This involves:
    • soliciting articles for the Newsletter.
    • soliciting news items and a calendar of events.
    • editing the newsletter.
    • publishing the newsletter (through Bethesda Lutheran Homes).
    • mailing the newsletter.
  3. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Division.

Book Exhibit Coordinator

The Coordinator is elected by the members of the Religion and Spirituality
Division for a term of four years. The Executive Committee will ask for names of
people who are interested in this position and will present these names at one of the
business meetings the Division.

The function of the Coordinator is:

  1. To solicit publishers to contribute to the Book Exhibit.
  2. To coordinate the financial charges for the exhibit.
  3. To send the exhibit to those Division members, and other interested parties,
    who would like to display the exhibit.
  4. To coordinate volunteers to be at the exhibit when it is being displayed at the
    annual meeting of AAMR.
  5. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Division.

Certification Committee

The Certification Committee is composed of eight members elected by the members of
the Religion and Spirituality Division. The Division's immediate past president is an
ex officio member of the committee. Committee members are elected for three years
terms and may serve two successive terms. Nominations will be collected during the
year, and two or three members on a rotating basis will be elected each year at the
annual business meeting of the Division. If a committee member other than the chair
is unable to fulfill his/her term, the unexpired term will be filled at the election
in the next Division business meeting.

The chair is elected by the members of the Division for a term of three years. If
the chair is unable to fulfill the term, the President of the Division will appoint
another committee member to fulfill the term of the chair. The duties of the chair
are as follows:

  1. To coordinate the process of the certification of candidates, including:
    • receiving and reviewing all applicant documents;
    • assigning a presenter for each candidate;
    • scheduling each candidate's meeting with the committee;
    • insuring that all documentation relative to the certification process is
      accomplished and on file.
  3. To publicize and promote the certification process within the Division and
    other agencies.
  4. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Division.

1 This definition of "covenant" comes from F.L. Cross and E. A.
Livingstone, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 2nd Edition (Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 1978).

A "Covenant" is a bond entered voluntarily by two or more parties, in which each
pledges him or herself to do something for the other.1

This "Covenant" is a bond entered voluntarily between and among the members of the
Religion & Spirituality Division of the American Association on Mental
Retardation (AAMR). Guided by the Religion & Spirituality Division Mission
Statement, and the rules of membership of AAMR, we pledge ourselves to addressing and
meeting the needs of people to be a member of a religious community, whether they are
disabled or temporarily able-bodied.

This Covenant describes both the role and function of the officers of the Religion
& Spirituality Division. Some description of officers, like the President, are
defined by the laws and by-laws of the national office of AAMR. Others offices and
roles, like past-President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, Certification Committee
Chair, Newsletter Editor, and Book Exhibit Coordinator, are particular to the
Religion & Spirituality Division itself, and are not defined by the national
office of AAMR.

The President, Past-President, Exec. Secretary, Treasurer, Certification Comm.
Chair, Newsletter Editor, and Book Exhibit Coordinator will be the "Executive
Committee" of the Religion & Spirituality Division. They will meet at least once
before and once after the national annual meeting of AAMR. These will be open-door
meetings, and minutes from these meetings will be published in the Religion &
Spirituality Division newsletter.

President

The President holds a term of two years. If the President is unable to fulfill the
term, then a special election will be held to fill in the rest of the term.

The Presidential election is coordinated by the national office of AAMR, and
nominations usually come from within the division.

The responsibilities of the President are as follows:To represent the issues and
concerns of the Religion & Spirituality Division with the members of the national
office of AAMR.

  1. To represent the issues and concerns of the Religion & Spirituality
    Division with the members of the national office of AAMR.
  2. To coordinate and be liaison with the representatives of the Religion &
    Spirituality Division within the regions.
  3. To communicate with and among the members of the Religion & Spirituality
    Division nationally.
  4. To participate in the planning of the national annual meetings of AAMR. This
    includes participating in the planning meetings prior to the meetings, including
    conference phone calls;
    • to issue the call for papers for the annual meeting;
    • to select the papers for the annual meeting, and place them in the
      appropriate categories;
    • to coordinate the Religion & Spirituality Division retreat;
    • to coordinate the Religion & Spirituality Division dinner;
    • to coordinate the times of "Prayer and Meditation" at the annual
      meeting;
    • to chair the Religion & Spirituality Division business meetings;
    • to attend the evaluation of the annual meeting.
  6. To write a "President's Column" in each Religion & Spirituality Division
    newsletter.
  7. To represent the Religion & Spirituality Division at other
    disability-related meetings, e.g., the NCCC Task Force on Disability, National
    Organization on Disability meetings; COMISS meetings. The President may choose to
    send someone else in his or her stead.
  8. To be chair and take part in the Executive Committee of the Religion &
    Spirituality Division (AAMR-RSD). He or she alone has the prerogative of calling a
    special meeting.
  9. To approve all financial transactions of AAMR-RSD, coordinated with the work of
    the President.
  10. Should an officer resign, then the President will either assume the
    responsibilities of that office, or designate someone else for that role and
    function, until a new officer is voted upon and installed at the next Business
    Meeting.

Past-President

The term of Past-President is for two years after his or her term as President.
(Along with the two year term as President, that person will serve on the Executive
Committee for four years.)

The function of the Past-President is as follows:

  1. To help in the selection of papers to be presented at the AAMR national
    meeting.
  2. To serve on the Certification Committee of the Religion & Spirituality
    Division-AAMR.
  3. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Religion & Spirituality
    Division.

Executive Secretary

The term of Executive Secretary is for four years.

The election is to be held within and among the members of AAMR-Religion &
Spirituality Division. Nominations will be collected during the year, and an election
will be held at one of the Business Meetings of the Religion & Spirituality
Division. If the Exec. Secretary is unable to fulfill a term, a special election will
be held at the next Business Meeting at the annual meeting of AAMR.

The function of the Executive Secretary is as follows:

  1. To record the minutes of the Business Meetings of AAMR-RSD, held during the
    annual meeting of the Religion & Spirituality Division.
  2. To publish those minutes in the fall volume of the AAMR-RSD Newsletter.
  3. To serve on the Executive Committee of the AAMR-RSD, and to maintain notes of
    these meetings, to be published in the AAMR-RSD newsletter.
  4. To maintain the history of the AAMR-RSD, including all the past minutes of
    previous Business Meetings of AAMR-RSD. This will most likely involve communication
    with the AAMR national office.
  5. To help the President write the yearly review of the AAMR-RSD to be presented
    to the national office of AAMR.
  6. To maintain correspondences and solicitation of inquiries as to the work of
    AAMR-RSD.
  7. To help in the planning of the annual meetings of AAMR as a member of the
    Executive Committee.
  8. To maintain mailing list for all correspondences, in coordination with the
    Newsletter Edito

Treasurer

The term of Treasurer is for four years.

The election is to be held within and among the members of the AAMR-Religion &
Spirituality Division. Nominations will be collected during the year, and an election
will be held at one of the Business Meetings of the Religion & Spirituality
Division. If the Treasurer is unable to fulfill a term, a special election will be
held at the next Business Meeting at the annual meeting of AAMR.

The function of the Treasurer is as follows:

  1. To receive and put in the bank all money that has been made out to the
    AAMR-RSD.
  2. To pay all bills incurred by the AAMR-RSD. Approval by the President for all
    bill payments is required. Both the receiving of payments, and billing will be done
    through the national office of AAMR and their banking procedures.
  3. To present a Treasurer's Report at the business meeting of the Division.
  4. To maintain contact with the Treasurer of the nation office of AAMR.
  5. 5. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Division.
  6. To help on the planning of the national meeting of AAMR as a member of the
    executive committee.
  7. To help in raising funds for the Division.

Newsletter Editor

The Editor is elected by the members of the Religion and Spirituality Division for
a term of four years. The Executive Committee will ask for names of people who are
interested in this position, and present these names at one of the business meetings
of the Division.

The function of the Editor is as follows:

  1. To publish three times per year the newsletter of the Religion and Spirituality
    Division. This involves:
    • soliciting articles for the Newsletter.
    • soliciting news items and a calendar of events.
    • editing the newsletter.
    • publishing the newsletter (through Bethesda Lutheran Homes).
    • mailing the newsletter.
  3. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Division.

Book Exhibit Coordinator

The Coordinator is elected by the members of the Religion and Spirituality
Division for a term of four years. The Executive Committee will ask for names of
people who are interested in this position and will present these names at one of the
business meetings the Division.

The function of the Coordinator is:

  1. To solicit publishers to contribute to the Book Exhibit.
  2. To coordinate the financial charges for the exhibit.
  3. To send the exhibit to those Division members, and other interested parties,
    who would like to display the exhibit.
  4. To coordinate volunteers to be at the exhibit when it is being displayed at the
    annual meeting of AAMR.
  5. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Division.

Certification Committee

The Certification Committee is composed of eight members elected by the members of
the Religion and Spirituality Division. The Division's immediate past president is an
ex officio member of the committee. Committee members are elected for three years
terms and may serve two successive terms. Nominations will be collected during the
year, and two or three members on a rotating basis will be elected each year at the
annual business meeting of the Division. If a committee member other than the chair
is unable to fulfill his/her term, the unexpired term will be filled at the election
in the next Division business meeting.

The chair is elected by the members of the Division for a term of three years. If
the chair is unable to fulfill the term, the President of the Division will appoint
another committee member to fulfill the term of the chair. The duties of the chair
are as follows:

  1. To coordinate the process of the certification of candidates, including:
    • receiving and reviewing all applicant documents;
    • assigning a presenter for each candidate;
    • scheduling each candidate's meeting with the committee;
    • insuring that all documentation relative to the certification process is
      accomplished and on file.
  3. To publicize and promote the certification process within the Division and
    other agencies.
  4. To serve on the Executive Committee of the Division.

1 This definition of "covenant" comes from F.L. Cross and E. A.
Livingstone, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 2nd Edition (Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 1978).

Religion and Spirituality Division Activities

Annual Conference of the AAIDD

Proposals for presentations and workshops must be submitted via the Call for Proposals process at www.aaidd.org

Read more about the Religion & Spirituality Conference activities.

Certification Process

The certification process is for chaplains and lay persons working in ministries with people with imental retardatio and other developmental disabilities.

Read more about the Certification Process.

Quarterly Newsletter

The newsletter has resources, educational opportunities, shared ideas and inquiries, short articles, etc. The Newsletter includes resources related to ministries with people with all forms of disabilities.

Read past issues of the newsletter online and find out how to get a subscription.

Cooperative Resource Exhibit

Held each year at the AAIDD Conference, is also available for display at other workshops and conferences. More information and a listing of the resources in Cooperative Resource Exhibit available here.

Resource Listing (2002 Ed.)

The 170-page Resource Listing (updated periodically) entitled On the Road to Congregational Inclusion: Dimensions of Faith and Congregational Ministries with Persons with Developmental Disabilities and Their Families, published by The Boggs Center of New Jersey.

Journal of Religion, Disability, and Health

Members of the AAIDD can receive a 33% discount on subscriptions to this Haworth Press Journal.

More info coming soon...

Networking

National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry (formerly NAPMR); the Religion and Disability Program of the National Organization on Disability (NOD); the National Council of Churches Committee on Disabilities; the Christian Council for Persons with Disabilities; the Journal of Religion, Disability and Health published by the Haworth Press; the Congress on Ministries in Specialized Settings (COMISS); and other national and regional organizations involved in religion and disabilities.