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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
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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
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.
.
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.
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
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.
.
Section 1.7
Prorating of Dues
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
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
The membership year shall be from September 1 through August 31 of
the following year.
Section 1.10
Transfer of Dues
Individual membership dues shall not be transferred.
Article II
Rights and Privileges of Members
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
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
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
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
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
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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
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
To be elected to the Representative Council, an individual must be a member in
good standing.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Election for officers shall follow the guidelines as listed in Article IX of
these Bylaws.
Section 5.5 Terms of Office
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
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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
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
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
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
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.
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
This is the Legislative body of NEA; therefore, delegates represent the views
and concerns of GEA and UEA members.
Section 7.2 Qualifications
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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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
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)
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
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
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
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
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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
Section
9.5 Challenges to Election Results
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
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
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Section
10.1 General Membership Meetings
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
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
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
a. The President, with the advice and
consent of the Executive Board, shall appoint the Negotiations team to represent GEA.
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