Granite Education Association

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ARTICLE I   Membership Classes of Membership Revocation or Denial of Membership Reinstatement of an Expelled, Revoked, or Suspended Member Membership Dues Other Membership Dues  Collections of Member Dues Prorating of Dues Delinquencies of Dues Membership Year Transfer of Dues   ARTICLE II   Rights and Privileges of Members General Rights and Privileges Voting Obligations of Membership   ARTICLE III   Representative Council Purpose Composition Speaker of the Representative Council Election and Terms Office Qualification Duties and Responsibilities Representative Council Meetings Vacancy, Resignation, or Removal Procedures   ARTICLE IV Executive Board Purpose Composition Qualifications Elections Terms of Office Duties and Responsibilities Executive Board Meetings Vacancy, Resignation, or Removal Procedures   ARTICLE V  Officers Purposes Offices Qualifications Elections Term of Office Duties and Responsibilities Vacancy, Resignation, or Removal Procedures

ARTICLE VI  Professional Staff Definitions and Composition Hiring Duties and Responsibilities Termination of Services   ARTICLE VII  Delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly Purpose Qualifications Election and Term of Office Duties and Responsibilities Negligence of Duties   ARTICLE VIII  Committees and Task Forces Standing Committees Structure, Functions, and Duties of Committees Task Forces and Other Committees Joint District Committees and Task Forces Governing Documents Committee (GDC) Budget Committee   ARTICLE IX  Elections Committee Timeline Balloting Election Procedures Challenges to Election Results Special Elections   ARTICLE X   General Meetings General Membership Meetings Rules of Order Quorum   ARTICLE XI  Negotiations Team Ratification of Negotiated Agreement Communications   ARTICLE XII   Affiliations     ARTICLE XIII  Amendment Amendements to the By-laws

 Preamble 

This document serves as Granite Education Association’s (GEA) Constitution and Bylaws.  The organizations listed may be referenced in this document by the acronym following their registered name: National Education Association (NEA), Utah Education Association (UEA), United Education Profession (UEP) and Granite School District (GSD).  UEP is comprised of NEA, UEA, and GEA.

Article I Membership

Section 1.1 Classes of Membership

a. Active Members 

A person may become an active member of the Association who meets the following criteria:

(1) Has an earned bachelor’s or higher degree from an institution of higher education, is employed half-time or more by Granite School District, and is paid on a professional salary schedule or is elected to local, state or national office; and

(2) Pays the annual dues and fees established by the Representative Council; and

(3) Be a member of the UEP.

b. Reserve Members

    A person may become a reserve member who:

(1) Is employed less than full-time by Granite School District and is paid on the professional salary schedule; or

(2) Serves as a teaching intern on a partial salary; or

(3) Is a former active member of the Association and is currently on leave; and

(4) Be a member of the UEP; and

(5) Pays the annual dues and fees established by the Representative Council.

(6) The dues shall be commensurate with the guidelines established by NEA and UEA.

c. Life Members

(1) All past presidents of the Association are members for life. The Executive   Board, upon recommendation of the Representative Council, may designate other individuals or classes of individuals as life members.

(2) Any person who was an active member or reserve member of the Association at the time of retirement shall automatically become an honorary life member of the Association.

(3) The Executive Board shall determine the benefits of an honorary life membership.

d. Retired members

(1) The Executive Board shall determine the benefits of retired membership.

(2) A person who qualifies to be an active or reserve member cannot be a retired member.

e. Staff Members

(1) Any person who is employed by the Association in a professional staff position may become a staff member of the association upon payment of one-half of the dues of the active members.

(2) The Executive Board shall determine the benefits of a staff membership.

f. Student Members

(1) Any person enrolled in or preparing for a program of study in an accredited institution of higher education, which qualifies the student for a career in education, shall become a student member upon payment of the dues required for student membership.

(2) Any person eligible for active or reserve membership shall not be eligible for student membership.

(3) The Executive Board shall determine the benefits of a student membership.

g. The Association shall not deny membership, nor shall the rights and privileges of membership be infringed in any way because of age, gender, race, color, ethnic group, marital status, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation.

Section 1.2 Revocation or Denial of Membership    (back Up)

a. The Executive Board may expel, suspend, deny, or revoke the membership of any member who engages in conduct that violates the Code of Ethics of the Educational Profession or whose conduct is injurious to the Association or the education profession.

b. The Executive Board shall give written notice to a member whose expulsion, suspension, denial, or revocation is under consideration. Such notice shall be sent by certified mail, certificate of mailing, or personal delivery to the member’s last known mailing or street address.

c. Written notice shall give reasonable detail as to the basis upon which suspension, revocation, or expulsion is to be considered.

d. Written notice shall state that the member shall have twenty (20) working days from the time of delivery of the notice to request a hearing before the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall set the date and time of such hearing, if one is requested.

(1) If no hearing is requested within the time period set, then the expulsion, suspension, denial, or revocation shall be automatically effective with no further action from the Executive Board.

(2) If a hearing is requested, the member whose expulsion, suspension, denial, or revocation is being considered shall appear before the Executive Board and may present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and be represented by counsel.

(3) After the hearing, the Executive Board shall give the member a written determination stating its findings in the member’s case and the factual basis for those findings. The notice shall state the terms and conditions of any expulsion, suspension, denial, or revocation of the member’s membership. Certified mail, certificate of mailing, or personal delivery to the member’s last known address shall give the notice.

e. A right of appeal shall be possible to the Representative Council’s Appeals Board, which shall consist of the Speaker of the Representative Council and nine (9) members selected by the Representative Council.  The member shall have twenty (20) days following the receipt of the expulsion, suspension, denial, or revocation of a membership ruling from the Board.

(1) If an appeal is requested, the member whose expulsion, suspension, denial, or revocation is being considered shall appear before the Representative Council’s Appeals Board and may present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and be represented by counsel.

(2) After the appeal, the Representative Council’s Appeal Board shall give the member a written determination stating its findings in the member’s case and the factual basis for those findings.  The notice shall state the terms and conditions of any expulsion, suspension, denial, or revocation of the member’s membership.  Certified mail, certificate of mailing, or personal delivery to the member’s last known address shall give the notice.

Section 1.3  Reinstatement of an Expelled, Revoked, or Suspended Member    (back Up)

The Executive Board shall reinstate the membership of any expelled, revoked, or suspended member in the following manner:

a. Upon the successful completion of the terms of any suspension, the Executive Board shall examine the member’s compliance to such terms and shall issue a written notification reinstating the member’s benefits.

b. Any expelled or revoked member may apply for reinstatement of membership by filing a written request to the Executive Board, which shall have twenty (20) working days from receipt of such application, to determine reinstatement or denial of reinstatement.

c. Any reinstatement request shall be subject to the policies of the Executive Board.

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Section 1.4 Membership Dues

The Representative Council shall set the dues for active members upon the recommendation of the Executive Board. The setting of dues by the Representative Council shall not preclude the setting of any subsequent or corresponding fees by that assembly.

Section 1.5 Other Membership Dues      (back Up)

a. Reserve Member Dues

(1) The dues for reserve members who work half-time or less are one-half of dues of active membership.

(2) Dues for reserve members hired to work more than half-time but less than full-time shall be the full dues of the active membership.

b. Life Members

(1) Life members who are past presidents of the Association shall not pay GEA dues.

(2) Other life members shall pay dues as determined by the Representative Council.

c. Retired Members shall not be subject to dues for three years after their retirement. Three years after retirement, retired members shall pay dues as determined by the Representative Council.

d. Staff Members shall pay one-half the yearly or prorated dues of active members as set by the Representative Council.

e. Student Members shall pay dues as determined by the Representative Council under the guidelines of UEA and NEA.

Section 1.6  Collections of Member Dues    (back Up)

a. Active, reserve, and staff members may have their dues deducted monthly from their paychecks. Dues deductions shall continue automatically from one membership year to the next unless the member gives written notification to the Association.

b. Active, reserve, and staff members may pay their full annual dues in advance by cash or check.

(1) Dues payment shall be made on or before September 10 of each membership year.

(2) Failure of any cash-paying member to pay prior to September 10 shall result in the member’s dues being deducted monthly from the member’s paycheck.

c.  Other Membership Dues

(1) Retired Member’s dues shall be billed to the member at the beginning of the third full membership year after the member’s retirement according to the policies of the Executive Board.

(2) Student Members shall pay their dues upon the completion of the application of membership in the Association.

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Section 1.7 Prorating of Dues    (back Up)

a. Any person, who joins the Association as an active or reserve member during the course of the membership year, shall become enrolled by paying the amount of the annual dues proportional to the remainder of the membership year. These members may participate in the payroll deduction plan or may pay their dues as cash paying members.

b. Previous members, in good standing, of the Association may rejoin under prorated dues only once.  Any subsequent re-enrollment shall require payment of a full year of dues at time of enrollment.

c. The GEA shall not be obligated to represent, pay attorney fees, pay court costs, or other costs for an educator regarding an incident that occurs before that educator joins the Association.

d. Any active or reserve member, whose membership has been terminated, shall not receive a refund for any dues paid prior to the date of termination. The member who prepaid the full year’s dues shall be granted a pro-rated refund for the remainder of the membership year.  Any refund of dues shall be calculated on a full membership month.

e. No refunds of dues shall be made to retired or student members.

Section 1.8  Delinquencies of Dues      (back Up)

a. Annual dues of active or reserve cash paying members shall be delinquent after September 10 of the membership year.  When a member’s dues are delinquent, the Association shall proceed according to the policy set in Section 1.6.b.(2)

b. Any member in violation of Section 1.6.b.(2) shall be subject to immediate notice of membership suspension as per the procedures set forth in these Bylaws.

Section 1.9 Membership Year     (back Up)

The membership year shall be from September 1 through August 31 of the following year.

Section 1.10 Transfer of Dues     (back Up)

Individual membership dues shall not be transferred.

Article II Rights and Privileges of Members

Section 2.1 General Rights and Privileges      (back Up)

Members of the Association shall have the following rights and privileges:

a. Receive notice of and attend all GEA meetings.

b. Make motions and pass resolutions in the general membership meetings.

c. Bring any GEA related concerns to the Representative Council for consideration.

d. Run for elected office and hold positions on the standing committees, task forces, and joint GEA/GSD committees.

e. Vote for candidates running for elected positions in GEA.

f. Ratify the negotiated agreement between GEA and GSD.

Section 2.2 Voting    (back Up)

a. The right to vote is vested in the active members of the Association and other classes of membership as determined by the Executive Board or Representative Council.

b. Proxy voting is prohibited. 

Sections 2.3 Obligations of Membership     (back Up)

Members shall:

a. Adhere to the Code of Ethics of the United Education Profession.

b. Support the general purpose of the Association as stated in the Articles of Incorporation.

Article III – Representative Council

Section 3.1 Purpose      (back Up)

The Representative Council is the policy making body of the Association and has all the rights, powers, and responsibilities as granted by the Bylaws.

Section 3.2 Composition     (back Up)

The Representative Council shall be composed of duly elected representative(s) from each member unit and the Executive Board.  The elected representative shall be known as the Association Representative (AR).

Section 3.3 Speaker of the Representative Council        (back Up)

a. The Representative Council shall elect from its members a Speaker of the Representative Council each September.

b. The Speaker shall have been a member of the Representative Council for at least one full year.

c. The term of office shall be one year from September to September.

d. The term limit shall be three (3) one year terms.

e. The duties and responsibilities shall be to:

(1) Chair the Representative Council’s Appeal Board.

(2) Chair a Representative Council Meeting when a conflict of interest or incapacitation will not allow the officers to conduct the meeting.

(3) Fulfill other duties and responsibilities as determined by the Executive Board Policies.

Section 3.4 Election and Terms Office      (back Up)

Each member unit elects by secret ballot, cast by GEA members from their unit, at least one representative in the following manner:

a. Each member unit shall elect one representative to the council for each twenty-five (25) members or major fraction thereof.

b. Each unit elects at least one alternate representative.  Multi-track year round schools shall elect an alternate from a different track.

c. The term of office for an AR shall run from July 1 until June 30 of the following year.

d. There shall be no limit on the number of one-year terms an individual may serve as an AR.  Nevertheless, each member unit is encouraged to involve others as members of the Representative Council.

Section 3.5 Qualification     (back Up)

To be elected to the Representative Council, an individual must be a member in good standing.

Section 3.6 Duties and Responsibilities     (back Up)

The ARs shall:

a. Attend all meetings of the Representative Council or send an alternate.

b. Speak for their local unit members.

c. Inform their members about GEA activities and actions.

d. Determine the goals and programs of the Association.

e. Be an advocate for the Association and help in maintaining and promoting membership at their unit.

f. Be a delegate to the UEA House of Delegates.

g. Be vested with the powers not delegated to the Executive Board, the officers, or other groups in the Association.

Section 3.7 Representative Council Meetings    (back Up)

a. The Representative Council meets in session monthly or more often if necessary. The President or the Executive Board’s designee shall call and conduct these meetings.  Except as noted in Section 3.3.e.(3).

b. A quorum shall be the members that are present at the beginning of the meeting and shall be considered in effect until adjournment.

c. The time, place, and agenda shall be given to council members at least 5 days prior to the meeting.  The President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, sets the agenda.   Any member of the Representative Council may petition the above parties for items to be placed on the agenda.

d. Any council member may petition the President or Executive Board to hold a special meeting.  At least twenty percent (20%) of the Representative Council must sign the petition in order to hold the special meeting.

e. The Executive Board may cancel meetings as deemed necessary.  Any council member may petition the President or Executive Board to cancel a meeting.  At least twenty percent (20%) of the Representative Council must sign the petition in order to cancel the meeting.

Section 3.8 Vacancy, Resignation, or Removal Procedures     (back Up)

a. The local membership unit shall elect a new representative in case of a vacancy.

b. A letter of resignation notifies the Executive Board and the local membership unit when a representative is unable to continue in office.

c. A representative, for reasons of continued absence, negligence of duty, or unethical conduct, may be removed from office by:

(1) A majority vote of the members of the local membership unit, or

(2) A majority vote of the Representative Council when a motion to remove is considered.

Article IV – Executive Board

Section 4.1 Purpose    (back Up)

The Executive Board shall act as the Board of Directors of the Association and is responsible for carrying out the business of the Association as directed by the Representative Council.  The Executive Board shall serve as the UniServ Council.

Section 4.2 Composition   (back Up)

a. The Executive Board is composed of the officers, the UEA Director for the Granite UniServ, and nine elected board members.  The nine board members shall consist of:          

(1) One representative for ethnic minorities,

(2) One representative for secondary schools,

(3) One representative for elementary schools,

(4) One representative for the education specialists, and

(5) Five at-large members.

b. No member shall hold more than one seat on the GEA Executive Board simultaneously. 

c. Ex officio (non-voting) members may be appointed at the discretion of the Executive Board or the Representative Council.

Section 4.3 Qualifications     (back Up)

Board members shall have been members in good standing of the UEP for at least two years prior to nomination and remain members of the UEP during their term of office.

Section 4.4 Elections    (back Up)

a. Election for representative and at-large board members shall follow the guidelines as listed in Article IX of these Bylaws. 

b. Elections for representative and at-large board members shall be staggered with the general membership electing three board members each year.

c. Elections for the UEA Board of Director shall follow the UEA Bylaws.

Section 4.5 Terms of Office    (back Up) 

a. The at-large and representative board members shall be elected for a term of three years.

b. At-large and representative board members shall not be elected to any one seat for more than two terms.

c. No board member, as a representative or at-large board member, shall serve more than a total of three terms.

d. The seat for the UEA Director shall not be term-limited by these Bylaws but shall be governed by the UEA Bylaws.

e. A shortened term is not considered a term of office when determining term limits.

f. The determination of terms served shall include any and all Executive Board terms served as a member of GEA.

Section 4.6 Duties and Responsibilities     (back Up)

The elected members of the Executive Board shall:

a. Manage the business of the Association under the direction of the Representative Council.

b. Act as a liaison to an assigned group of membership units and work closely with the representatives from those units in assisting and informing the members.

c. Attend the meetings of the Executive Board and Representative Council and other meetings as assigned.

d. Attend the annual retreat to establish an action plan for each year.

e. Be a liaison to at least one standing committee.

f. Be a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly (may only be a NEA-RA delegate if elected by the general membership as per the NEA Constitution).

g. Oversee the financial affairs of the GEA including, but not limited to, the approval of an annual budget to be adopted by the Representative Council.

h. Approve all expenditures and investments.

i. Hire, evaluate, determine the amount of their financial and benefit package, and, if necessary, terminate the professional staff of the Association.

j. Approve all committee members and their chairs.

k. Approve the recommendations of the President for members of the negotiations team and its spokesperson.

l. Recommend policies for consideration by the Representative Council.

m. Represent the Association in negotiating with the Granite School Board or their representatives.  Within guidelines established by the Representative Council, the Executive Board may make decisions binding the Association.  The Executive Board may delegate its power to negotiate to a committee or to other representatives.

n. Fulfill other duties as assigned by the Representative Council and/or President.

Section 4.7 Executive Board Meetings    (back Up)

a. The Executive Board shall meet at least twice monthly.

b. The time, place, and agenda shall be given to Executive Board members at least 5 days prior to the meeting.  The President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, sets the agenda. Any member of the Executive Board may petition the President to add items to the agenda.

c. The President, or the president’s designee, shall call and conduct Executive Board meetings. 

d. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the Executive Board members including an officer.

Section 4.8 Vacancy, Resignation, or Removal Procedures      (back Up)

a. Vacancies on the Executive Board shall be filled as follows:

(1) The Representative Council shall be notified at least two weeks prior to the next Representative Council meeting.

(2) The vacancy shall be filled by an election of the Representative Council.

(3) The newly elected Executive Board member shall serve until June 14. 

(4) A new board member shall be elected in the next general election to fill the remaining term of the vacant position. 

(5) A special election shall be held if more than two members of the Executive Board are not elected by the general membership.

b. An Executive Board member who is unable to continue in office shall submit a letter of resignation to the President and Executive Board.

c. An Executive Board member, for reason of continued absence, negligence of duty, or unethical conduct may be:

(1) Censured or reprimanded by the other Executive Board members or officer(s) of the Association, or;

(2) Recommended to the Representative Council for removal from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board and removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Representative Council, or;

(3) Removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Representative Council.

Article V Officers

Section 5.1 Purpose     (back Up)

The Association officers shall direct the affairs of the Association by carrying out the programs and policies as determined by the Executive Board and the Representative Council.

Section 5.2 Offices     (back Up)

a. The officers of the Association shall be a president and a vice-president.

b. The Executive Board can establish other officers and their duties with the approval of the Representative Council by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.

Section 5.3 Qualifications      (back Up)

Any officer shall have been a member in good standing for at least two years prior to nomination and remain members of the UEP for their terms of office.

Section 5.4 Elections      (back Up)

Election for officers shall follow the guidelines as listed in Article IX of these Bylaws.

Section 5.5 Terms of Office      (back Up)

a.       The terms of office for the officers shall be two consecutive years beginning on June 15 following the election.

b.      An individual shall not be elected to more than two terms as President. 

c.       An individual shall not be elected to more than two terms as Vice President.

d.      If a person is appointed or elected to fill an officer vacancy, that time shall not count against the two-term maximum.

Section 5.6 Duties and Responsibilities      (back Up)

a. The President of the Association is the chief executive officer of the Association and shall:

(1) Be the official spokesperson of the Association; and

(2) Preside at all meetings of the Association; and

(3) Prepare the agenda and conduct the meetings of the Executive Board and the Representative Council; and

(4) Direct the affairs of the Association by administrating the programs and policies as determined by the Executive Board and/or the Representative Council; and

(5) Maintain the fiscal integrity of the Association by:

(a) Being the chair of the budget committee; and

(b) Providing the budget committee with proposed budgets, ideas for expenditure of funds, information regarding investment of savings; and

(c) Being subject to independent audit and review as directed by the Executive Board for any financial function delegated to the President.

(6) Appoint chairpersons and members of all committees with the advice and consent of the Executive Board; and

(7) Be a delegate to the UEA House of Delegates, the NEA Representative Assembly, and represent GEA at meetings of the groups to which GEA is affiliated; and

(8) Facilitate communication between the Executive Board and the professional staff; and

(9) Perform all other duties customarily attributed to the office of Association President.

b. The Vice-President shall assist the President in the direction of the affairs of the Association and shall:

(1) Be responsible for coordinating and reporting to the President, Executive Board, and the Representative Council the activities of the committees and task forces of the Association; and

(2) Be a delegate to the UEA House of Delegates, the NEA Representative Assembly, and represent GEA at meetings of the groups to which GEA is affiliated; and

(3) Perform other duties as assigned by the President and/or the Executive Board; and

(4) Assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President.

Section 5.7 Vacancy, Resignation, or Removal Procedures     (back Up)

a.      When the President is unable to continue in office:

(1) The Vice-President becomes the interim President until a special election can be held.

(2) The Executive Board shall appoint an interim Vice-President, from their ranks, until a special election can be held.

b. When the Vice-President is unable to continue in office, the Executive Board shall appoint from their ranks, an interim Vice-President until a special election can be held.

c. When all officers are unable to continue in office, the Executive Board shall appoint, from their ranks, the necessary officers to continue the operation of the Association until a special election can be held. 

d. An Officer, for reasons of continued absence, negligence of duty, or unethical conduct may be:

(1) Censured or reprimanded by the other officer(s) of the Association; and/or

(2) Recommended to the Representative Council for removal from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board and removed from office by a two- thirds (2/3) vote of the Representative Council; or

(3) Removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Representative Council.

Article VI Professional Staff

Section 6.1 Definitions and Composition    (back Up)

The professional staff is the full or part-time employees of the Association.  The positions shall consist of, but not be limited to:  Executive Director, Associate Executive Director, when membership is sufficient, and Office Staff.

Section 6.2 Hiring      (back Up)

a. The Executive Director and Associate Executive Director shall be employees of the Executive Board.

b. The Executive Board shall hire the Executive Director and Associate Executive Director as directed by their policies.

c. The professional staff shall receive remuneration as determined by the Executive Board.

Section 6.3 Duties and Responsibilities     (back Up)

The Executive Director shall:

a. Supervise and coordinate daily administrative activities of the Association according to the programs and policies as determined by the Executive Board and/or the Representative Council.

b. Employ all Association office staff with assistance of the President and approval of the Executive Board.

c. Maintain the fiscal integrity of the Association by:

(1) Being a member of the Budget Committee; and

(2) Providing advice and assistance for those responsible for budget development, expenditure of funds, and investment savings; and

(3) Purchase materials, supplies, equipment, and services; and

(4) Be subject to independent audit and review as directed by the Executive Board for any financial function delegated to the Executive Director.

Section 6.4 Termination of Services     (back Up)

a. The employment contract shall provide for termination of the services of the professional staff during the term of the contract for cause found to exist by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board.

b. Employment contracts shall be for one year unless determined otherwise by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board. 

Article VII Delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly

Section 7.1 Purpose     (back Up)

This is the Legislative body of NEA; therefore, delegates represent the views and concerns of GEA and UEA members.

Section 7.2 Qualifications     (back Up)

a. Delegates shall be members in good standing at least from the beginning of the current membership year.

b. GEA Officers and Executive Board members, as part of their offices, are delegates.

Section 7.3 Election and Term of Office      (back Up)

a. Election shall take place on the final general election ballot.

b. This is a one-year position.

c. There shall be no limit on the number of one-year terms an individual may serve as a NEA Representative Assembly delegate.  Nevertheless, an effort shall be made to involve others as delegates. 

d. Those candidates, not elected as delegates, shall be put on a successor list in order of the number of votes received and any vacancies shall be filled in that order. 

e. In order to comply with the NEA Constitution, all delegates to the NEA-RA must be elected in a general membership election. 

Section 7.4 Duties and Responsibilities      (back Up)

Since GEA is funding each delegate for transportation, hotel, and meals, it is expected that each delegate shall:

a. Attend pre-convention meetings as set by UEA and/or GEA; and

b. Represent GEA membership at the NEA Representative Assembly (NEA-RA); and

c. Actively participate and vote on NEA-RA floor action; and

d. Carry out assignments of the caucus as assigned by the Chair or designee of the chair; and

e. Attend all state caucus meetings at the NEA-RA; and

f. Vote in NEA leadership elections, on all proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws, and any other ballot issues.

Section 7.5 Negligence of Duties     (back Up)

The Executive Board may request reimbursement for part or all funding received by an NEA-RA delegate if they do not fulfill their required obligations.

Article VIII Committees and Task Forces

Section 8.1 Standing Committees     (back Up)

The standing committees of the Association shall be comprised of the committees listed below.  The Executive Board shall specify the duties and purpose of the standing committees.  These committees continue from year to year.

a. Political Action (G-PAC)

b. Communications and Public Relations Committee (CPR)

c. Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee (PR&R)

d. Negotiations Development Committee (NEG-DEV)

e. Instruction and Professional Development (IPD)

f. Membership committee

g. Human & Civil Rights (HCR)

h. Governing Documents Committee (GDC)

i. Budget Committee

j. Elections Committee

k. Specialist Committee     

Section 8.2 Structure, Functions, and Duties of Committees     (back Up)

a. The Representative Council, Executive Board, and any member in good standing may recommend members for standing committees.

b. The President shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, the chairs and Executive Board Liaison for the standing committees.

c. The Executive Board shall approve all committee members.

d. Each standing committee shall meet regularly and may hold special meetings at the call of the chair or the call of the Executive Board.

e. Each committee shall set yearly goals.

f. Each committee shall submit any budget requests to the budget committee by September 15.

g. The chair or liaison shall file a monthly report to the Executive Board summarizing each meeting. 

h. A written annual report shall be submitted to the Executive Board including, but not limited to, attendance, minutes, and members for next year, achievement of goals, etc. The Executive Board shall summarize these reports and present them to the Representative Council.

Section 8.3 Task Forces and Other Committees    (back Up)

The President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, may create other committees and task forces as necessary.  Appointments shall be made in accordance with Section 8.2.b.

Section 8.4 Joint District Committees and Task Forces     (back Up)

The President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, shall appoint persons to be members of joint district committees and task forces unless those committee members are elected. Those appointed to a committee or task force shall report to the Executive Board.

Section 8.5 Governing Documents Committee (GDC)     (back Up)

a. The Governing Documents Committee shall consist of seven members.  At least four of the members shall be appointed by the Representative Council and shall not be members of the Executive Board.  Other appointments shall be made in accordance with Section 8.2.b.

b. The GDC shall meet a minimum of three times during the year to update and maintain the governing documents of the Association.

c. The GDC shall provide an updated version of the Association Documents at least yearly.

d. The chair of the GDC or the chair’s designee shall report to the President, Executive Board, and the Representative Council on all action taken by the committee.

Section 8.6 Budget Committee     (back Up)

a. The function of the committee is to maintain the fiscal integrity of the Association by developing and maintaining the budget of the Association and by educating the Executive Board and Representative Council regarding the budget.

b. The Budget Committee shall consist of seven members:  The President, Vice-President, three executive board members, and two members from the Representative Council.  The Executive Director and the Associate Executive Director are ex-officio members of the committee.

c. The President shall be the chair of the Budget Committee.

d. The fiscal year of the Association shall be from September 1 to August 31.

e. The following shall be listed on all Association accounts:  The Officers of the Association, the Executive Director, and the Associate Executive Director. 

f. All Association checks must have two signatures.  Checks must be signed by the President and one of the individuals listed in Section 8.6.e.  In the event of the President’s absence, two of the individuals listed in Section 8.6.e may sign the check.

g. Individuals designated to sign checks and office personnel who handle funds shall be eligible to be bonded.

Article IX  Elections

Section 9.1  Committee     (back Up)

a. The President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, shall annually appoint an Elections Committee in accordance with Section 8.2.b.

b. The duties of the Elections Committee shall be to secure nominations and hold elections.

c. Members of the committee shall consist of individuals not running for office that year.

d. There shall be a minimum of three members on the committee.

Section 9.2  Timeline     (back Up)

a. The Elections Committee, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, shall establish timelines for the primary and general elections.  Consideration for year-round calendars shall be given when establishing the timelines.

b. February 1 shall be the filing deadline for any GEA office.

c. If there are no candidates for the office of President or Vice President and/or not enough candidates for Executive Board or delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly, the Executive Board, in consultation with the Elections Committee, shall select at least two candidates for each open position.

d. Primary elections shall be held within a reasonable time following the February AR meeting and no later than one week before the March AR meeting.

e. General elections shall be held within a reasonable time following the March AR meeting and no later than one week before the April AR meeting.

f. Ballots shall be returned by 5:30 pm on the designated day.

Section 9.3 Balloting        (back Up)

a. Elections shall be conducted by secret ballot of all members.

b. Order of names on the ballots shall be determined by a random drawing conducted by the Elections Committee.

c. Space for write-in candidates shall be provided on all ballots.

d. Names of all candidates for at-large delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly shall appear on the general ballot only.

Section 9.4  Election Procedures     (back Up)

a. Each AR shall be responsible for counting his/her school’s ballots and for certifying the accuracy of the results with at least one other Association member at that school on the ballot return form.

b. Each AR, or their designee, shall be responsible for delivering all secured ballots by 5:30 pm on the designated day or by 5:00 pm on days before the designated day to the GEA office.  The AR may call in the results, provided that the ballots are delivered the next working day.

c. Candidates may have an observer present when ballots are counted.

d. Final tabulation of results from individual schools shall be completed and verified by the Elections Committee and results reported to the President of the Association and candidates as soon as possible.

e. The Elections Committee shall submit an official written report to the general membership within one week of both the primary and general elections.

f. Those candidates receiving insufficient votes to be elected delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly shall be designated successor delegates.

g. The Executive Board shall determine the disposition of the ballots at their next regular meeting.

Section 9.5 Challenges to Election Results     (back Up)

a. Any Association member may challenge or call for a recount. 

b. Any challenges or charges of wrongdoing must be received in writing in the GEA office within one week following the official report of the results of the election in question.

c. Specifics should be outlined in detail and a preferred form of redress included.

d. Investigation shall be conducted by the chair of the Elections Committee under the direction of the Executive Board.

e. An official written report of the investigation shall be given to the Representative Council.

Section 9.6 Special Elections     (back Up)

a. Special elections shall be held under the direction of the Elections Committee.

b. Special elections shall only be held from September through January unless otherwise directed by the Representative Council; otherwise they shall be held as a part of the next regularly scheduled general elections.

c. Special elections shall follow the general election procedures outlined in this article, as closely as possible.

Article X     General Meetings    

Section 10.1 General Membership Meetings    (back Up)

a. The President, Executive Board, Representative Council, or 10% of the members submitting a signed petition to the Executive Board may call general membership meetings.

b. Members are to be notified of any general meeting at least 5 days in advance with an agenda.

c. If a vote is to be taken, voter information must accompany said notification.

Section 10.2 Rules of Order     (back Up)

Robert’s Rules of Order Revised (latest edition) shall be the parliamentary authority for GEA on all questions not covered by the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, Bylaws, or such standing rules as may be adopted.

Section 10.3 Quorum     (back Up)

A quorum shall be the members that are present at the beginning of the meeting and shall be considered in effect until adjournment.

Article XI Negotiations

Section 11.1 Team     (back Up)

a. The President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, shall appoint the Negotiations team to represent GEA.

b. All members of the team shall be members in good standing of the Association.

c. While not mandatory, the President shall try to make the team representative of the membership of the Association.

d. The team shall represent the Executive Board and shall operate under the guidelines and procedures established by the Executive Board.

Section 11.2 Ratification of Negotiated Agreement     (back Up)

a. If a tentative agreement is reached by the Association and the Board of Education at least fifteen (15) working days before the end of the traditional school year, the tentative negotiated agreement shall be ratified in the following manner:

(1) The Executive Board shall review and take action on the tentative negotiated agreement.

(2) The recommendation of the Executive Board shall be submitted to the Representative Council for its action in a meeting to be held as soon as practical following the Executive Board meeting.

(3) The recommendations of the Executive Board and the Representative Council shall be submitted to the general membership meeting to be held as soon as practical following the Representative Council meeting.

(4) Ballots shall be distributed through the Association Representatives for voting in the schools.  The ballots shall be returned to the Association office for counting within five working days following the general membership meeting.

b. If a tentative negotiated settlement is reached after the times set forth in Section 11.2.a, the tentative negotiated agreement shall be ratified in the same manner as outlined in Section 11.2.a. beginning no later than the first work week of the new traditional school year.

c. In the event that a settlement has not been reached by the first work week of the new traditional school year, the ratification process, as set forth in 11.2.a, shall begin as soon as practical after the tentative negotiated settlement has been reached.

Section 11.3 Communications     (back Up)

a. The President, with advice and consent of the Executive Board, shall select one member of the negotiation team to be the spokesperson for the team.

(1) The spokesperson shall keep the GEA Officers and Executive Board informed as often as necessary. 

(2) The Executive Board shall receive updates at every meeting during the negotiation process from the spokesperson or designee. 

(3) The spokesperson shall consult with the President after every negotiation session.   

(4) The President and the spokesperson shall coordinate to respond to inquiries and to issue statements regarding negotiations.

b. The Executive Board shall arrange any other communications to members and others as they deem necessary.

Article XII Affiliations      (back Up)

GEA shall affiliate with the National Education Association and the Utah Education Association.  GEA shall affiliate with any other organizations as deemed appropriate by the Executive Board.

Article XIII Amendment      (back Up)

a. Any member has the right to submit a Bylaw change to the Governing Documents Committee

b. Bylaw changes shall be submitted to the Governing Documents Committee (GDC). 

    c. The committee shall review the changes for language and compatibility with the GEA governing documents. 

d. The review and ratification shall follow these procedures: 

(1) The committee shall forward these changes to the Executive Board for review.

(2) The Executive Board shall forward the changes and their recommendation(s) to the Representative Council, at least two weeks prior to their presentation at a Representative Council meeting.

(3) The Representative Council members shall take the changes for review to the general membership.

e. The Bylaws shall be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at any regular meeting or special session of the Representative Council.

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