Board of Directors 2006-2007

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Constitution of the Attleboro Education Association
(1977)
Revised May 1982
Revised May 1985
Revised May 1988
Revised May 1990
Revised May 1995

*Revised May 2004

Constitution of the Attleboro Education Association, Inc

ARTICLE I - NAME

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES

ARTICLE III - AFFILIATION

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

ARTICLE VI - ELECTIONS

ARTICLE VII - REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS, QUORUMS, PROCEDURES

ARTICLE IX - FINANCE

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

ARTICLE XI - INTERNAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

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ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be the ATTLEBORO EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, INC., hereafter referred to as the �Association�

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES
We, the members of the Association in order to fulfill our responsibilities to society and to our profession and to represent the membership and the agency fee payers of the Attleboro Public School system in negotiations with the Attleboro School Committee as provided in chapter 150E of the Acts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as of 1974 do hereby adopt the following

Section 1: General Objectives
A. To maintain and improve the quality of education for all.
B. To uphold high professional standards and to advance the socioeconomic well-being of educators..

Section 2: Specific Objectives
The Board of Directors is authorized and directed to establish specific objectives within the framework of the General Objectives in Section 1, above. These specific objectives shall be reviewed at the request of the President, revised, if necessary, and any changes published.

ARTICLE III – AFFILIATION
The Association shall be affiliated with the Bristol County Educators� Association (BCEA), the Massachusetts Teachers� Association (MTA), and the National Education Association (NEA)

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

A. A. ACTIVE MEMBERS are those:

* who are engaged in the work of a professional nature in the field of education and included in RECOGNITION, ARTICLE 2, of the AGREEMENT WITH SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF ATTLEBORO AND ATTLEBORO EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, September 1, 2002 - August 31, 2005 and as amended by subsequent agreements.

* who, as new applicants for membership after August 31, 1965 hold a baccalaureate degree or higher and a certificate of eligibility to hold same from a proper certifying authority where required, or are qualified and certified as teachers by the Division of Vocational Education in the Massachusetts Department of Education; or

B. Other employees of the School Committee or other governing boards of educational institutions who hold memberships, if such membership is available to them.


Section 2

ACTIVE MEMBERS of the Association shall also be members of the Bristol County Educators� Association, the Massachusetts Teachers� Association and the National Education Association.

Section 3

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP shall be continuous until the member leaves the district or resigns from the Association thus becoming an Agency Fee Payer or retires.

Section 4 - Associate Members

Associate Members are those other persons interested in the advancement of the cause of education, who are not eligible for Active Membership. Applications for said membership shall be made in writing

Section 5 - Retired Members

Retired Members are those former Active or Associate Members who upon retirement apply to the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Massachusetts Teachers� Association for individual membership

Section 6 - Honorary Membership

Honorary Membership may be conferred by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors or a general meeting of the membership.


Section 7

Adherence to the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession shall be a condition of continuing membership.

According to procedures adopted by the membership, the Executive Board may suspend from membership or expel any member who has been found in violation of the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession. Should this occur, the individual will become an Agency Fee member.

Section 8

Only ACTIVE MEMBERS as defined in Sections 1 and 2 of this ARTICLE shall have the privilege of voting and holding Office in the Association.

Section 9

The membership year shall be from July 1 to June 30. A member joining the Association is a continuing member. Membership is continued from year to year until the member leaves, retires, or becomes an agency fee payer. The current membership lists will be updated by December 31 of each year.


ARTICLE V – OFFICERS

The Officers of the Association shall be a President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Health Care Analyst and an Assistant Treasurer.

Section 2

The Association will establish a schedule of compensation for the Officers as listed below:

Original	Title	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05
PRESIDENT - $2,000 Per Year	Pres	$3,700.45	$3,811.46	$3,925.81	$4,043.58
1st VICE PRESIDENT - $1,000 Per Year	1st VP	$2,193.20	$2,259.00	$2,326.77	$2,396.57
2nd VICE PRESIDENT = $1,000 Per Year	2nd VP	$2,193.20	$2,259.00	$2,326.77	$2,396.57
TREASURER - $800 Per Year	Treas	$1,247.00	$1,248.41	$1,322.94	$2,396.57
SECRETARY - $400 Per Year	Secy,	$ 669.48	$ 689.56	$ 724.04	$ 760.24
ASSISTANT TREASURER - $400 Per Year	A. Treas	$ 690.75	$ 711.47	$ 732.82	$ 754.80
Health Care Analyst	------------	--------------	--------------	--------------	$1,000.00

These figures will be increased, annually by the same percentage increase as is negotiated for the membership, in the A.E.A. /SCHOOL COMMITTEE Contract.

Section 3

There shall be a Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the �Board�, which shall consist of the Officers, Representative(s), to the Bristol County Educators� Association, the Faculty Representatives from all schools and the Chairpersons of those Committees listed in ARTICLE II of the BY-LAWS.

Section 4

Faculty Representatives, representative(s) to the Bristol County Educators� Association and the Committee Chairpersons not previously having a payment stipulated, and who do not receive compensation for other duties, shall receive the amount equal to two and one-half times the local dues, after attending eighty percent (80%) of the called meetings.


ARTICLE VI – ELECTIONS

Section 1

Commencing with the May, 2005 election, the Officers of the Association shall be elected by secret ballot, for a term of two (2) years, or until their successors have been installed. The nomination period for the Officers of the Association shall be for a period of 30 days prior to the posting of the ballot.

Candidates for office shall be nominated by a Nominations Committee, which shall make known the names of the nominees not less than ten (10) school days preceding the Annual Election. Said Election shall be held on the first Tuesday in May, with balloting being conducted in the individual schools. Provisions will be made on the ballot for write in candidates.

Should the regular election result in no elected nominee for the Health Care Analyst office, the Board shall appoint one no later than the second meeting of the fiscal year.

Section 2

Commencing in 2005, The terms of the Officers shall begin on September 1, following their installation at the Annual Meeting.

Section 3

The Faculty Representatives, hereinafter referred to as the �Representatives�, will be elected annually before the end of the first week of school, by the faculty of each school in accordance with the following allotment:
1-15 Active Members: One (1) Representative
16-20 Active Members: Two (2) Representatives
31-45 Active Members: Three (3) Representatives
46-60 Active Members: Four (4) Representatives
61-75 Active Members: Five (5) Representatives

Section 4

Voting is open to ACTIVE MEMBERS only, with no member having more than one (1) vote.

Section 5

In the event of a tied election, there will be a runoff election between the two (2) candidates who have the most votes. In the event of a contested election, there will be a runoff election between the two (2) candidates who have the most votes. The Runoff Election will be held at the Annual Meeting.

Section 6

Unless otherwise provided in the Constitution or By-Laws, following the disability resignation or removal of any Officer or Representative, the Board, by majority vote, shall fill the vacancy.

Section 7

Commencing in 2004, the Delegates to the MTA Annual Meeting and the NEA Annual meeting shall be elected by secret ballot.

Nominations for the Officers of the Association shall be for a period of 30 days prior to the posting of the ballot. Candidates for office shall be nominated by a Nominations Committee, which shall make known the names of the nominees not less than ten (10) school days preceding the Annual Election. Said Election shall be held on the first Tuesday in April, with balloting being conducted in the individual schools. Provisions will be made on the ballot for write in candidates.

Section 8

Composition of the Nominations and Elections Committee shall be as follows:
A. The Board of Directors shall appoint the chairperson for a two-year term.
B. The Nominations and Elections Committee will be composed of those appointed by the chairperson of that committee.
C. No member of the Nominations and Election Committee may be a member of the Board or a Candidate in the election.


ARTICLE VII – REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
If any Officer or Representative fails to perform any of the duties devolving upon him/her, he/she shall be notified by the President of his/her negligence. This is to be considered a warning that if the situation does not improve after thirty (30) days, the Board will invoke ARTICLE VI, Section 6, at the next regular meeting of the Board. If the Officer in question is the President then he/she will be notified by a two-thirds vote of the Board.


ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS, QUORUMS, AND PROCEDURES

Section 1

A regular General Meeting of the entire Active Membership will be held annually on the third Tuesday in May, at which time the newly elected Officers will be installed. Fifteen Percent (15%) of the total ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the General Meeting.

Section 2

Sufficient notice, or not less than one (1) week, must be given concerning the agenda of the Regular General Meeting. In case of necessity, the date of the meeting may be changed by majority vote of the Board.

Section 3

Special General Meetings of the Association shall be called by the Secretary, at the request of the President, or upon the petition of ten percent (10%) of the ACTIVE MEMBERS; provided that such call can be made not less than three (3) school days before the date of the requested meeting. Such call, stating the purpose(s) of any such Special General Meeting must be made in writing to the Representative who will then inform the ACTIVE MEMBERS. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the total ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a Special General Meeting.

Section 4

A Special General Meeting of the Association shall be called by the Secretary, at the request of the President, for the purpose of acting upon the recommendations of the President and/or the Negotiations Committee in regard to the status of the CONTRACT. Sufficient notice of not less than forty-eight (48) hours must be given prior to the meeting.

Proposals under consideration will be made available to the membership at the time of the call of the meeting. Such meeting shall not be held on property owned by the City of Attleboro. Further, such meeting shall be held at a reasonable hour. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the total ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at this Special General Meeting.

Section 5

Regular Meetings of the Board shall be held on the first Tuesday of each month during the school year- except for the month of September when said Board Meeting will be held on the second Tuesday following Labor Day. Should school not be in session on said dates, the Regular Board Meeting shall be held on the subsequent Tuesday. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Board Meeting.

Section 6

Special Meetings of the Board shall be called by the Secretary, at the request of the President, or upon the request of five (5) members of the Board.

Section 7

The Order of Business for all Regular and Special Meetings shall be determined by the President.

Section 8

ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER, REVISED, when not inconsistent with the BY-LAWS and CONSTITUTION, shall govern the proceedings of the Association.



ARTICLE IX – FINANCE

Section 1

The Association shall be self-supporting and expenses incurred shall be met by the Treasury. Annual dues, the amount of which to be determined by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board, together with revenues obtained from fund-raising activities and other resources, with the exception of the Twenty-Five Week Club funds, shall constitute the sources of the Treasury.

Section 2

All expenses incurred in fund-raising activities must be met with funds received from the same. All funds realized through such activities must be transmitted to the Treasurer within one (1) week after their conclusion, together with a detailed report.
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Section 3

The business of the Association shall be governed with a budget, which shall be subject to a majority vote of the Board. The budget shall be submitted by the Treasurer no later than the regular October Meeting of the Board.
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Section 4

No obligation shall be incurred in an amount exceeding the funds in the Treasury, and no expenditures shall be made, nor obligation incurred, unless covered by an appropriation approved by the Board. Expenses incurred in the interim between the installation of Officers and the adoption of a new budget will be met by the remaining appropriations of the previous year�s budget.

Section 5

The accounts of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer and the Association will be audited in May by the Auditing Committee, prior to the May General Meeting. The Auditing Committee shall have all necessary information to perform their duties no later that May 1.

Section 6

The Association shall pay the annual dues assessed by the State Association.



ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS

The CONSTITUTION and the BY-LAWS may be amended or revised only at a General Meeting of the ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting, provided that the proposed amendment(s) or revision(s) shall have been appended to the call for a meeting – notice of which shall have been given no less than one (1) week in advance.


ARTICLE XI – INTERNAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

The Board shall consider complaints received in writing concerning actions taken by the Association, from any member of the bargaining unit within thirty (30) days. The decision of the Board will be final.

A quorum is defined only for the purpose of this article to be two-thirds of the Elected Faculty Representatives and Officers of the Association.

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BY-LAWS of the Attleboro Education Association
(1977)
Revised May 1982
Revised May 1985
Revised May 1988
Revised May 1990

*Revised May 2004

By-LAWS

ARTICLE I - DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT

ARTICLE II - DUTIES OF THE 1ST VICE-PRESIDENT

ARTICLE III - DUTIES OF THE 2ND VICE-PRESIDENT

ARTICLE IV - SECRETARY

ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF THE TREASURER

ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF THE ASSISTANT TREASURER

ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES

ARTICLE IX - PUBLICATIONS

ARTICLE X - REPORTS

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ARTICLE I – DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT

The PRESIDENT shall
* preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Board;
* supervise all plans and affairs for the efficient work of the Association;
* countersign all checks drawn by the Association;
* submit an Annual Report at the May General Meeting;
* be a member ex-officio of all committees, except the Nominations and Elections Committee and perform such objectives of the Association;
* attend, as a voting delegate, the MTA Annual Meeting;
* appoint representatives to the Bristol County Educators� Association Board of Directors;
* appoint members and the Chairpersons of Committees;
* attend 80% of all regularly scheduled School Committee Meetings, and advise the Board of Proceedings of such meetings.



ARTICLE II – DUTIES OF THE 1st VICE-PRESIDENT

The 1ST VICE PRESIDENT shall
* assist the President;
* serve as Chairperson of the Negotiations Team;
* attend as a voting delegate, the MTA Annual Meeting;


ARTICLE III – DUTIES OF THE 2nd VICE-PRESIDENT

The 2ND VICE PRESIDENT shall
* serve as Chairperson of the Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee;
* attend, as a voting delegate, the MTA Annual Meeting.


ARTICLE IV – DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY

The SECRETARY shall
* conduct the correspondence of the Association;
* preserve its documents;
* provide the State Association with such information as is necessary;
* keep a full and accurate record of the minutes of all meetings of the Association;
* call Special Meetings when so directed;
* prepare and distribute, with adequate notice, the agenda for all meetings of the Association;
* maintain a list of Officers and the entire membership together with their addresses;
* shall be responsible for any such duties that usually devolve upon a secretary

ARTICLE V – DUTIES OF THE TREASURER

The TREASURER shall
* sign all checks and pay all bills contracted by the Association, or expenses upon receipt of sufficient documentation;
* collect all dues;
* have custody of the cash, securities and books of accounts – said books and accounts to be at all times open to inspection of the Board;
* prepare a monthly balance sheet showing the condition of the Association, including but not limited to
o Money Market Funds
o MTA/NEA Encumbered funds
o Office Reimbursements
o Tax Liabilities
o All debits and credits;
* present a written statement of the financial condition of the Association at each Regular General Meeting and each Regular Meeting of the Board;
* deposit all Association funds in possession to the credit of the Association in the bank or banks prescribed by the Board within seven days of receipt;
* shall be bonded in such sum as the Board may determine.

ARTICLE VI – DUTIES OF THE ASSISTANT TREASURER

The ASSISTANT TREASURER shall
* be the Chairperson of the Twenty-Five Week Club;
* maintain a master list of members;
* shall inform the Board each April of the Amount available for scholarships in order that the Board may, at that time, determine the number to be awarded, the amounts thereof, and any conditions the Board may consider appropriate; such scholarships not to total less than One Thousand Dollars ($1000).


ARTICLE VII – DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1
It shall be the duty of the BOARD to
* have entire control of the Association, except when ACTIVE MEMBERS are in session;
* determine any incidental changes in the compensation allocated for the Officers of the Association;
* determine the amount of annual dues;
* approve or reject appointments made by the President;
* fill, temporarily, any vacancies occurring with its own body or among Officers;
* take charge of the funds in the Treasury,
* direct the expenditure of the same as may be required to carry on the work of the Association;
* carry forward such measures as will best promote the efficient operation of the Association and the professional growth of its members.
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Section 1b

Committee Chairpersons will be considered Members of the BOARD of the Association and shall not serve as Faculty Representatives. No Officer shall be compensated as a Chairperson of a Committee.

Section 2

The BOARD may create Committees to perform such duties as may be assigned to them and, at its discretion, may continue such Committees.

Section 3

The BOARD shall establish policies governing all Committees, provided that such policies are not inconsistent with the BY-LAWS and the CONSTITUTION.


ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES

Section 1

Members of the Committees authorized by the Board shall be appointed by the President.

Section 2

The Committees not required by these BY-LAWS, shall be subject to action by the Board, in accordance with ARTICLE VII, Section 2 of these BY-LAWS, the Chairperson of the Committees shall submit, for the approval of the BOARD, a program of the work, stating plans and objectives by October 15.

Section 3

There shall be an Auditing Committee, composed of three (3) ACTIVE MEMBERS, responsible for the annual examination of the accounts of the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, in accordance with ARTICLE IX, Section 5 of the CONSTITUTION. This Committee shall be appointed no later than the January Board Meeting.

Every third year, an outside or independent audit will be held. In this year, the Auditing Committee will be responsible for preparing and providing the financial records to be audited.

Section 4

There shall be a Legislative Committee, the Chairperson to be appointed by the President. This Committee shall be responsible for keeping the Association abreast of all pending legislation, on all levels, affecting education. It shall, subject to the Board�s approval, make known the Association�s position on such legislation by communicating same to the Legislative Branches of the State and Federal government.

Section 5

There shall be a Membership Committee, responsible for sending a letter to all new teachers, informing them of the Association�s purpose, programs, and benefits.

Section 6

There shall be a Nominations and Elections Committee, composed of three (3) members, whose responsibilities include:

FOR SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS
* to notify each building to secure Faculty Representatives for the September election;
* to secure the agreement of these individuals; and
* to make known the names of these nominees not less than the first day of school.

It shall also be the duty of this Committee:
* to prepare and distribute the ballots;
* to count the ballots, under the supervision of the Board.
FOR APRIL ELECTIONS
* to secure names to be proposed for delegates to the MTA Annual Meeting and the NEA Annual Meeting for the April election;
* to secure the agreement of these individuals;
* to make known the names of these nominees not less than ten (10) school days preceding the April Election;
* to prepare and distribute the ballots;
* to count the ballots, under the supervision of the Board.
FOR MAY ELECTIONS
* to secure names to be proposed for each Office of the Association for the May election;
* to secure the agreement of these individuals;
* to make known the names of these nominees not less than ten (10) school days preceding the Annual Election;
* to prepare and distribute the ballots;
* to count the ballots, under the supervision of the Board.

No elected officer shall be a member of the Nominating Committee.

See Article VI, Elections Section 8 for additional clarifications and restrictions of this committee

Section 7

There shall be a Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee, chaired by the 2nd Vice President and composed of not more than seven (7) members,
* responsible for maintaining two-way communications with the Attleboro School Committee, on matters of professional concern to the Association;
* to advise the Association of local, State, and/or National issues related to professional rights and negotiations;
* to remain abreast of professional standards;
* to receive grievances from ACTIVE MEMBERS when established administrative channels do not exist, and to forward such grievances, with suggested solutions, to the proper authorities.

At least one (1) member of this Committee along with the President should attend all regularly scheduled School Committee Meetings, and advise, along with the President, the other Committee members of the Board of Proceedings of such meetings.

(Regularly scheduled School Committee meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of the months of September through June and on the third Monday in the months of July and August. There may be exceptions to this, if a regularly scheduled meeting falls on a Monday holiday.


Section 8a

There shall be an INTERNAL PUBLIC RELATIONS Committee. This Committee shall be responsible for the effective dissemination of the accomplishments and activities of the Association. The Chairperson will be responsible for the publication of the �NEWSLINE�

Section 8b

There shall be an EXTERNAL PUBLIC RELATIONS Committee. This Committee shall bring news of the Association Activities to the attention of the public, to promote good will.


Section 9

There shall be a Social Hospitality Committee composed of not more than three (3) members, responsible for coordinating all social events planned by the Board; and to serve, with the Officers, as hosts and hostesses at social meetings of the Association. This Committee shall also be responsible for recreational activities.

Section 10

There shall be a Negotiations Committee, chaired by the 1st Vice President, responsible for meeting with and negotiating a fair and equitable professional agreement between the Attleboro Education Association, Inc. and the Attleboro School Committee.


The Negotiations Committee shall solicit suggestions from the membership prior to the commencement of Negotiations.

The Negotiations Committee Chairperson will provide the membership with periodic reports on the status of negotiations.

Section 11

There shall be a Good and Welfare Committee responsible for sending appropriate messages to members at times of illness or bereavement, according to the directions adopted by the Board;


Section 12 – COMPENSATION
The Chairpersons of Committees will be compensated at the rates listed below, with the approval of the President and the Board of Directors, after attending eighty percent (80%) of the called meetings, unless Chairpersons and other members of committees currently hold other offices for which they receive a stipend. In that instance, they will receive the higher of the two stipends.

COMMITTEE	COMPENSATION
Auditing	$100.00
Legislation	$100.00
Membership	$150.00
Nominations	$100.00
Public Relations (Internal)	$200.00
Public Relations (External)	$100.00
Social and Hospitality	$100.00
Good and Welfare	$100.00
Negotiations	Members of the Negotiating Team shall be compensated by an amount equal to their membership dues

ARTICLE IX – PUBLICATION

The Association shall support a publication, which shall be accountable to and governed by the Board.

ARTICLE X – REPORTS

At the May General Meeting, the President, Treasurer and Chairpersons of Committees shall submit their Annual Reports, which shall be distributed in a packet to those members present. The publication and distribution of those reports shall be in accordance with the policy adopted by the Board.