Clifton Teachers' Association Constitution and By-Laws 1988 Revision 1988 Revision of the CTA Constitution Article I Name Section 1- The name of this organization shall be the Clifton Teachers' Association Incorporated, hereafter referred to as the Association. Section 2- It shall be incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under Title 15, Section 1-12 of the Revised Statutes of the State of New Jersey. Article II Purposes Section 1- To work for the welfare of school children, the advancement of education, and the improvement of instructional opportunities for all. Section 2- To develop and promote the adoption of such ethical practices, personnel policies, and standards of preparation and participation as mark a profession. Section 3- To secure and maintain salaries, tenure, sound retirement systems, and such improvements in working conditions as will improve the professional growth, morale, and security of Association members and guarantee quality service to each child and the community. Section 4- To unify and strengthen the teaching profession, to enable members to speak with a common voice on all matters of mutual concern, and to represent individual and common interests of members before the Board of Education and other legal authorities. Section 5- To hold property and funds, and to employ a staff, if necessary, for the attainment of these purposes. Article III Membership Section 1- Active Members Active membership in the Clifton Teachers' Association shall be open to all certified teachers and nurses of the Clifton Public School System who agree to abide by the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession. Active membership shall be continuous until the member leaves the school system, resigns from the Association, or fails to pay membership dues. The term certified teacher shall exclude those persons serving in administrative or supervisory capacities. Active members of the Association shall also be members of the Passaic County Education Association, the New Jersey Education Association, and the National Education Association. Section 2- Associate Members a. Retired Personnel- Past members who have retired may, upon payment of dues, apply as associate members and, with the approval of the Delegate Assembly, become associate members. Associate members are entitled to monetary deductions that pertain to group programs and no other benefits or privileges. b. Present Clifton Board of Education Employees- Persons who are presently employed in the Clifton School System who are not eligible to become active members may, upon payment of dues, apply as associate members and with the approval of the Delegate Assembly, become associate members. Associate members are entitled to monetary deductions that pertain to group programs and no other benefits or privileges. Section 3- Honorary Members The Executive Board may name as an honorary member with all the privileges of and active member except the right to vote, to hold office, or to represent the Association, any person who has rendered meritorious service in the cause of education and is not regularly employed in the public schools of Clifton. Honorary members shall be exempt from paying dues. Section 4- Rights of Membership a. Every active member shall have the equal rights and privileges within the organization to nominate candidates for office, to vote in elections or on referenda of the Association; to attend general membership meetings; and to participate in the deliberations and voting upon the business of such meetings. b. Every member shall have the right to meet and assemble fully with other members; to express views at meetings upon candidates in the election of the Association or upon any business properly brought before the meeting and upon any to express any views, arguments or opinions. c. No member shall be fined, suspended, expelled or otherwise disciplined except for nonpayment of dues without being served with specific written charges and given reasonable time in which to prepare a defense, which may be asserted at a full and fair hearing. ARTICLE IV OFFICERS Section 1 - The officers of the Association shall consist of a president, three vice presidents (one from the senior high school, the middle school level and the elementary school level), a corresponding secretary, a recording secretary, and a treasurer. Section 2 - The term of the office of the President shall be two years beginning July 1 of the year in which the President is elected. "All officers shall hold two-year terms of office beginning on July 1 of the year elected. The President, the Treasurer, the Recording Secretary and the Corresponding Secretary shall be elected in years ending in an odd number. The Vice-Presidents shall be elected in years ending in an even number. In the next election, March 1989, the Vice-Presidents will be elected for one-year terms. Section 3 - Whenever a majority of the Executive Board shall agree that an officer is no longer employed in the Clifton School System or is no longer eligible to be an active member of the Association or is incapacitated, or if an officer resigns, the Executive Board shall recommend to the Delegate Assembly that the office shall be declared vacant. If the Assembly votes by a two-thirds majority, it shall immediately elect a replacement to fill the unexpired term. In the event that the office of the President becomes vacant through the above procedure, the vacancy shall be filled as provided in the By-laws. ARTICLE V EXECTIVE BOARD Section 1 - The Executive Board shall consist of the seven officers of the Association. It shall implement policies adopted by the Delegate Assembly. Section 2 - Under personnel policies adopted by the Delegate Assembly and within the annual budget, the Executive Board shall have the power to employ the staff, if necessary, for the efficient management of the Association. ARTICLE VI DELEGATE ASSEMBLY Section 1 - The legislative and policy-forming body of the Association shall be the Delegate Assembly. Section 2 - the Delegate Assembly shall consist of the Executive Board, one or more delegates from each school faculty, and all those who chair standing committees. Section 3 - Any active member of the Association who is not a member of the Delegate Assembly may attend its meeting, may receive permission to speak, but shall sit apart from the voting body and many not vote. ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS Section 1 - Amendments to the Constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the legal votes cast by the active membership of the Association voting in their respective schools provided that written copies of each amendment have been presented and read at two (2) regular meetings of the Delegate Assembly. Copies of proposed amendments shall be supplied to all active members at least ten school days prior to the voting day. Section 2 - Amendments may be proposed by (a) the Delegate Assembly or (b) by a group of active members by petition provided the petition bears the signatures of at least 10% of the active membership and represents at least six schools. 1988 REVISION OF THE CTA BY-LAWS ARTICLE I MEETINGS Section 1 - Executive Board The Executive Board shall meet twice each school month or at the call of the President, or at the written request of any three members of the Board. Section 2 - Delegate Assembly a. Regular - The Delegate Assembly shall meet once each school month. The Executive Board shall prepare the agenda for each meeting and shall circulate it to all members of the Delegate Assembly so that representative have time to discuss it with their faculty members. b. Special - Special meetings of the Delegate Assembly may be held at the call of the President or upon written request to the Executive Board from faculty representatives of five schools. Business to come before special meetings must be stated in the call, which shall be sent in writing to each representative. Section 3 - General Membership a. Regular - The Executive Board shall arrange at least one meeting of the members each year for discussion of professional issues. b. Negotiations - During negotiations years, at least one meeting shall be called prior to a ratification vote to inform members of proposed contract language and terms. Said proposals shall be distributed in writing to each active member in advance of such meeting. c. Special - Special meetings of the general membership may be held at the call of the president or upon written petition, stating the reason(s) for the request, to the Executive Board from 10% of the active membership in at least 5 schools. The meetings shall be held within 10 school days subsequent to the filing of the petition. ARTICLE II QUORUM Section 1 - The members present shall be the quorum for the Delegate Assembly and Executive Board Meetings. Section 2 - The members present shall be the quorum for General Membership meetings. ARTICLE III POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1 - President The President shall preside over meetings of the Executive Board, Delegate Assembly and General Membership, appoint the chairpersons of standing committees, and shall be the executive officer of the Association (except when it employs an executive secretary). The President shall attend the annual NJEA convention at Atlantic City, the expense of which shall be borne by the Association. The President shall represent the Association before the public either personally or through delegates, and shall perform all other functions usually attributed to this office. Section 2 - Three Vice Presidents (High School, Middle School, Elementary) The Vice-Presidents shall assume all the duties of the President during the President's temporary absence or incapacity, the decision as to which Vice-President shall take over shall have been established by the Executive Board at its first meeting in September. The 3 Vice-Presidents, one each from the Senior High School, the Middle Schools, the Elementary Schools, shall be designated by the President to serve as liaison to the Passaic Education Association and to chair one or more of the Standing Committees. Section 3 - Corresponding Secretary The Corresponding Secretary shall receive and send all general correspondence, shall send notice of all regular and special meetings as prescribed in Article I of the By-laws or as requested by the proper officer, shall keep an up-to-date record of names, addressed, and phone numbers of all members, and shall supply copy of same to the President, Membership Chairperson, and the New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company; shall record names, addresses, schools, phone numbers of all delegate Assembly members and send same to members of the Executive Board within one month of their election and to the election and to the Superintendent before the first meeting of each school year. Section 4 - Recording Secretary The Recording Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meeting of the Executive Board and Delegate Assembly, shall maintain official files, shall send a copy of the minutes to all Delegate Assembly and special meetings to each member within two weeks after the meetings, shall have custody of all books and records pertaining to the Association with the exception of the Treasurer's records, shall keep a copy of the Constitution and minutes of the meetings of the current school year available at all times and provide the officers and delegates with same. Section 5 - Treasurer The Treasurer shall hold the funds of the Association in a bank designed by the Association and disburse them upon authorization by the Executive Board or Delegate Assembly. Accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements shall be kept, written reports shall be presented to each meeting of the Delegate Assembly, and an annual financial statement shall be prepared for publication to members as directed by the Executive Board. The President and the Executive Board shall be kept informed of the financial condition of the Association. The Treasurer shall be bonded by the Association; shall assist the Budget Committee in the initial drafting of the annual budget; shall be a member of the Welfare Committee; and shall pay all debts contracted, recognized and authorized by the Association, such debts to be paid by check signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President. Section 6 - Terms and Succession With the exception of the President, whose term shall be two years, all other officers shall serve one year terms, and all officers may be reelected. Whenever the office of the President shall become vacant between elections, the remaining members of the Executive Board shall choose one from among the 3 Vice-Presidents to serve as President of the remainder of the term with the approval of the Delegate Assembly, the vacant Vice President's position being filled as provided in Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution. ARTICLE IV POWER OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD Section 1 - The Executive Board shall be responsible for the management of the Association, approve expenditures, disbursements and allotments as they deem necessary in the operation of the Association which are within the parameters of the budget, carry out policies established by the Delegate Assembly, report its transactions and those of the Assembly to the members, and suggest policies for consideration by the Assembly. Section 2 - The Executive Board shall represent the Association in negotiating personnel policies with the governing and appropriating bodies of the school system. The Board may delegate this power to appropriate committee(s) or representative(s). ARTICLE V POWERS OF THE DELEGATE ASSEMBLY Section 1 - The Delegate Assembly shall approve the budget and all non-budgeted expenditures, set the dues for the Association, act on reports of the committees, approve resolutions and policies, and shall adopt procedures for implementing a code of ethics and those to be followed in censuring, suspending, and expelling members for cause or for reinstating members. It may adopt such rules governing employment of staff, the conduct of the Association and the conduct of meetings as are consistent with this Constitution and By-Laws. It shall be the final judge of the qualifications and election of officers and delegates. Section 2 - Powers not delegated to the Executive Board, the officers, committees or sub-committees in the Association, shall be vested in the Delegate Assembly. ARTICLE VI DELEGATES Section 1 - In each public school in the city of Clifton, faculty members who are members in good standing of this Association shall elect for a term of two years one delegate and one alternate to the Delegate Assembly for each ten members or major fraction thereof. There shall be at least one delegate from each building. Where more than one such delegate is elected, one shall be designed the Building Representative and the terms shall be staggered. Elections shall be held in May and the delegates shall take their seats at the September meeting of the Delegate Assembly. Section 2 - Delegates shall attend the regular meetings of the Delegate Assembly unless they receive prior excuses from the President. After two unexcused absences of a Delegate, the President may declare the seat unfilled and call for a faculty election to fill out the term. The President may designate a member in good standing to organize this special election. Section 3- The delegates, with the Building Representative as chairperson, shall call faculty meetings of the Association members to discuss Association business, shall appoint such faculty committees as the Association may require, shall organize and oversee the subsequent elections of delegates, the enrollment of members in CTA, NJEA, NEA, and PCEA, and two-way Association communication within the building. Section 4 - Delegates and alternates shall have been members of the Clifton Teachers Association for at least one year prior to their election and shall maintain their membership in good standing during their term of service. Section 5 - A delegate may cast one ballot only by personal attendance at meetings or by duly authorized proxy, unless previously authorized by the proper authority to take a poll on the question in the building. Section 6 - The Building Representative shall forward to the Secretary the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the members of the Association in his/her building on or before October 15, and additional members as they enroll, and shall be responsible for the proper transmittal of all questionnaires, polls, etc. to members of the Association. ARTICLE VII DUES The dues of the Association shall be determined annually by vote of the Delegate Assembly at its year-end meeting. A member in good standing shall be one whose due are paid. The fiscal year shall be September 1 to August 31. ARTICLE VIII STANDING COMMITTEES Section 1 - Structure There shall be ten standing committees carrying the specific functions outlined below. A standing committee shall have at least three members. Each committee may, with the approval of the Executive Board, organize from the membership of the association special sub-committees and task forces for specific activities. The Chairperson of each standing committee shall select members to serve on the standing committee from the elementary, middle and high school levels. Section 2 - Meetings Each standing committee shall meet regularly according to a calendar developed by the Executive Board and may hold special meetings at the call of the chairperson. Section 3 - Reports Each committee shall choose a secretary who shall keep a continuing record of activities. Chairpersons shall report upon request to the President or Executive Board and monthly to the Delegate Assembly and shall prepare an annual written report summarizing objectives, action programs, gains and unreached goals which the Executive Board shall distribute to the members and which shall become part of the continuing committee record in the Association files. Section 4 - Titles and Duties a. Negotiations Committee shall explore and prepare action programs as necessary in all areas of teacher welfare, creating sub-committees if necessary with particular responsibilities for salaries, leave, fringe benefits, insurance, credit and investment facilities, and general working conditions. b. Professional Rights and Responsibilities (Grievance) Committee shall explore and prepare action programs for securing satisfactory personnel policies and procedures for the redress of grievances. This committee shall handle grievances in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Association or in agreements binding the Association to a prescribed procedure. c. Public Relations Committee shall seek to develop public understanding of the purposes and programs of the Association, the values and importance of education, and educational philosophy and programs. It shall develop procedures by which the Association can work cooperatively with parents and public in civic, fraternal, and social organizations, and through all available channels of communications. The Chairperson of this committee shall be salaried and shall be responsible for publishing and distributing a monthly newsletter to all members of the Association. d. Membership Committee shall organize and conduct unified local, county, state and national membership among non-members and shall inform members of the policies, programs, and accomplishments of all associations. It shall organize and develop professional library services for the benefit of faculties in each building, particularly for the distribution of free and inexpensive materials from NJEA and NEA and their respective departments, sections, and affiliated professional organizations. It shall develop and conduct programs for the orientation of new teachers to the community, the school systems, and professional organizations. e. Social Committee shall organize such special activities as may serve the needs of the members and promote fellowship within the Association. f. Legislative Committee shall have broad concern for local, county, state and national legislation affecting the interests of the Association. It shall inform members about newly proposed and enacted legislation in the field of education, promote activities leading to the passage of desirable legislation and encourage members to exercise their responsibilities for voting and their rights to participate in political activity. g. Election Committee shall conduct the securing of nominations for all offices and oversee the conducting of all Association elections. It shall report all officer nominations to the Delegate Assembly at the February meeting. In the event of no nominations being submitted, the Committee shall secure a candidate for each office. No officer shall serve on the Election Committee. h. Welfare Committee shall welcome new members; send felicitations or condolences; represent the Association in extending sympathy and comfort and, in the event of death of any member or member of the immediate family, shall notify the Secretary and send a memorial gift or notification. i. Budget Committee shall be responsible for preparing and presenting the Annual Budget for the Association. The Treasurer shall assist the Budget Committee in its deliberations. The Annual Budget shall be presented at the May Delegate Assembly meeting and approved at the June meeting. j. Communications Committee shall be responsible for keeping the members informed as to Association activities and promoting greater participation in same. ARTICLE IX SPECIAL COMMITTEES Each year the President shall appoint an Audit Committee and other such special committees as may be necessary and shall discharge them upon completion of their duties. These committees shall operate according to the rules approved by the Delegate Assembly. No officer shall serve on the Audit Committee. ARTICLE X ELECTIONS Section 1 - Nominations a. The active members of the Association in each building during the month of January may nominate a candidate for President, Vice-President, from the Senior High School, Vice-President from the Junior High Schools, Vice-President from the Elementary Schools, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary and Treasurer. The Building Representative shall deliver all nominations in writing to the Elections Committee before February first. b. The Elections Committee shall report all nominations to the Delegate Assembly at the February meeting. Members of the Assembly may nominate other candidates from the floor. c. The Elections Committee shall publish to the members of the Association brief information on each candidate. d. In the event of no nominations being submitted, the Elections Committee shall secure a candidate for each office. e. No candidate may run for more than one office as verified by the Elections Committee. Section 2 - Balloting a. On the third Tuesday of March, members shall vote for officers by ballot in their respective schools. Vice-Presidents will be elected by the members of their respective levels. Ballots will be counted by the Elections Committee at a place established by the Committee in accordance with procedures developed by the Committee and approved by the Delegate Assembly. b. The Elections Committee shall report the results of the election to the President who shall cause them to be published. New officers shall assume office on July first. Section 3 - Other Elections a. The Elections Committee shall send a reminder to all members in January concerning the elections of Building Representatives. b. The Elections Committee shall handle nominations and balloting for the N.E.A. Representatives. c. The Elections Committee shall conduct the ratification balloting pertaining to proposed contracts. Section 4 - Rules for Ratification The Active members of the Association, during negotiation years, shall vote by secret ballot in their respective schools for the ratification of the proposed contract. Balloting will take place one week after the final ratification-information meeting in accordance with procedures developed by the Elections Committee and approved by the Delegate Assembly. ARTICLE XI AUTHORITY Roberts' rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for the association on all questions not covered by the Constitution and By-Laws and such standing rules as the Delegate Assembly may adopt. ARTICLE XII AMENDMENT These By-Laws may be amended by two-thirds majority vote at any regular meeting of the Delegate Assembly provided that a) proposed amendments have been previously studied by the Executive Board and that copies have been sent to delegates two calendar weeks in advance of the meeting, or b) that the Delegate Assembly has proposed such change at the preceding meeting and distributed copies to delegates at least two weeks before the regular meetings. |