NYSARC, Inc. is one corporation having fifty-five chapters which is governed by a Board of Governors. The Board currently consists of 127 members representing each of NYSARC, Inc., chapters. Chapters’ membership on the Board is determined according to the local membership of each chapter. Thus, for its first 300 members, or major fraction thereof, each chapter receives one Board of Governor member. A second Board member is allotted to chapters with total membership up to 1,000 and an additional member is awarded for each 1,000 chapter members, or major fraction thereof, until a chapter has reached the limit of six Board members.

The Board of Governors meet at least three times a year, but more often if deemed necessary. Board meetings occur two days during the annual fall convention, the day after the convention and for two days in the spring.

The Board of Governors is charged with the management of NYSARC, Inc., its assets, property and business. It also determines NYSARC, Inc., position on key public policy issues. Among, the important public policy documents approved by the Board is NYSARC, Inc.'s, annual legislative platform. Final approval of the platform, however, is not complete until it is formally adopted by NYSARC, Inc.'s, Delegate Assembly.

The Delegate Assembly is the largest decision-making body within NYSARC, Inc. It is intended to provide a forum for input on board policy issues by the grassroots of NYSARC, Inc. In response to a request by at least three chapters, the Delegate Assembly also has the authority to revise, alter or rescind any action by the Board through a two-thirds vote.

Each chapter is awarded Delegates according to its membership; specifically, one Delegate for each fifty members. The Delegate Assembly meets once a year at NYSARC, Inc., annual convention.

In recognition of the limited frequency with which the Board of Governors meet, NYSARC, Inc., constitution has established an Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Governors consists of all the elected officers of NYSARC, Inc., the immediate past president and four other members of the Board representing each of the four regions. In the event that less than two of the Executive Committee is a parent or blood relative of an individual residing in a developmental center or is a representative of a developmental center chapter, additional members, who are such parents or blood relatives and/or representatives of a developmental center chapter shall be elected to the Executive Committee so that there shall be a minimum of two such individuals. For a listing of the current members, click here.

There are twenty-one standing committees which act in an advisory role to the Board of Governors. Committee action is guided through the formulation of annual goals. Special committees are established to deal with areas such as legislation, guardianship, education, community residential services, developmental centers, prevention and public information.