CTA Bylaws

CTA

ORANGE COUNTY CLASSROOM

TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

BYLAWS
2005-2006

Updated

May 12, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Article I - Name of the Association....................................................... 2

Article II – Membership.............................................. 2

Section I – Classes......................................................... 2

Section II - Dues Assessment..................................................... 2

Section III - Suspension / Expulsion...................................... 2

Section IV - Active Membership................................................ 2

Section V - UTF Membership........................................................... 2

Section VI - Representation Eligibility................................................. 3

Article III - Officers - Directors - Representatives – Staff.................. 3

Section I - UTF Membership............................................................ 3

Section II – Officers..................................................................... 3

Section III - Eligibility for Office................................................ 3

Section IV - Term of Office....................................................... 3

Section V - Duties of Office........................................ 4

President....................................................................... 4

1st Vice President........................................................... 5

2nd Vice President........................................................... 5

Secretary................................................................ 5

Treasurer......................................................................... 6

Section VI – Directors............................................................ 6

Section VII – Service Unit Council................................................ 7

Section VIII - Association Representatives...................................... 7

Section IX – Recall................................................................... 7

Section X - Terms of Office...................................................... 7

Article IV - Board of Directors - Representative Council....................... 8

Section I - Board of Directors Members................................ 8

Section II - Board of Directors Duties........................................... 8

Section III - Representative Council Members......................................... 9

Section IV - Representative Council Duties.......................................... 9

Section V - Ethnic Minority Guarantees.................................................. 9

Article V – Committees................................................................. 9

Section I – Appointment.......................................................... 9

Section II - Standing Committees............................................ 9

Article VI - Nominations and Elections................................................ 9

Section I – Nominations........................................................... 9

Section II – Elections.............................................................. 9

Section III - General Elections................................................ 10

Section IV - Special Elections.......................................... 10

Section V - Presidential Delegate Positions.................. 10

Article VII – Meetings............................................................ 10

Section I - General Membership...................................... 10

Section II - Representative Council................................. 11

Section III - Board of Directors.................................................... 11.

Article VIII – Quorum....................................................................... 11

Article IX - Fiscal and Membership Year........................................... 11

Article X – Dues.............................................................. 11

Section I – Dues................................................................... 11

Section II – Pro-Rated Dues............................................. 12

Article XI – Affiliation................................................................. 12

Section I – Organizations........................................................... 12

Section II – Caucuses................................................................ 12

Article XII - Rules for Amending......................................................... 12

Section I – Amending Articles of Incorporation.......................... 12

Section II – Amending Bylaws.................................. 12

Article XIII - Rules of Order.................................................................. 13

The name of this Association shall be: The Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, Inc. In recognition that there is a single teaching profession operating in three or more governance levels and that the professional Association which operates on these levels is united in purposes and characteristics, the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, Inc., is the local affiliate of the Florida Education Association and its national affiliates.

A. Active membership shall be limited to Orange County Classroom teachers who hold a valid certificate. Teacher is defined as any category included in or to be included in the Bargaining Unit represented by the Association or any current officer in the Florida Education Association.

B. Retired dues paying members of CTA-R shall be considered ex officio members of Orange County Classroom Teachers Association with all the rights and privileges granted to CTA-R in these Bylaws and in CTA Policies.

Non-administrative employees in the schools of Orange County who are not eligible for active membership in a local of the national affiliates may, upon payment of dues, enroll as associate members with all the rights and responsibilities of active members except the right to vote, to hold office, or to represent the Association. Associate members may not be eligible for the Association's legal services program.

A person who was an active member and has been granted an Orange County School Board approved leave of absence of one (1) semester, or more may, upon payment of dues, enroll as an associate member with all the rights and responsibilities of active members.

After due notice and hearing, the Board of Directors, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, may suspend or expel any member who shall have violated the Code of Ethics of the teaching profession, or may cancel the membership of any member convicted in a court of a crime involving moral turpitude, and may reinstate a member who has previously been suspended or expelled From the Association. Any suspended or expelled member may appeal action by the Board of Directors to the Representative Council where a majority vote of those present and voting shall sustain or overrule the decision of the Board of Directors.

Active membership shall be continuous until the member leaves the school system, resigns from the Association, or fails to pay membership dues. Members who will have a break in service with school district of 2 months (62 days) or less shall retain local active membership with prior written notice to the Association and continued payment of dues. If a question arises regarding the status of an active member due to changes in the law, the Board will hold in abeyance that Bylaw provision until a legal ruling is obtained.

All members of this Association shall be members of FEA and its national affiliates.

Any teacher not applying for membership within thirty (30) days of initial employment, shall be eligible for Association representation following a thirty (30) day waiting period. Said teacher shall not be eligible for Association representation for incidents occurring prior, and during, the stated waiting period.

Section I: UTF Membership

All officers, directors, representatives, and alternate representatives shall be members of FEA and its national affiliates.

The officers of this Association shall be a President, a First Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. These officers shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Association, and shall serve at the call of the President. The immediate Past President shall remain a full member of the Board of Directors for one year following the end of his/her Presidency.

No member of the Executive Committee of the Association shall be a member of the Orange County Administrative Pool. If he/she is a member of the Administrative Pool before his/her election to office in this Association, he/she must resign his/her membership in the Pool after his/her election.

A. All candidates for office in this Association must have been members of the Association during the school year prior to the date that the term of office begins.

B. All candidates for office of President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be on continuing contract or professional service contract at the time of their candidacy.

C. All candidates for Treasurer shall have served on the Budget and Finance Committee at least one (1) year.

A. The term of local President shall be two years with no officer to serve more than two consecutive terms.

B. At the organizational meeting in May, the newly elected Board of Directors shall elect the appropriate number of members to the Service Unit Council.

C. The President and 1st Vice-President shall be elected during the even-numbered year (starting 1990); 2nd Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected during the odd-numbered year (starting 1991).

In case of a vacancy in the office of President, the First Vice-President shall become President and the Second Vice-President shall become First Vice-President. In case of a vacancy in the office of First Vice-President, the Second Vice-President shall become First Vice-President. The office of Second Vice-President shall then be filled by the Board of Directors from among its immediate past or present ranks by secret ballot. If the offices of the President, First Vice-President, and Second Vice-President become

vacant simultaneously, the remaining members of the Board of Directors shall select one (1) of their number to serve as President Pro Tempore until the Representative Council, by secret ballot, can fill the vacancies for the balance of the terms.

If a vacancy in a Director's position occurs within the first year of the term, an election within that district shall be held by secret ballot. If a vacancy in a director's position otherwise occurs, the position shall be filled for the un-expired term by appointment of the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. In recommending persons to fill vacancies in Director's positions, the President shall not decrease the number of ethnic minority members nor the ratio between elementary and secondary teachers.

All other vacancies in offices of this Association shall be filled for the un-expired term by appointment of the President with the approval of the Board of Directors.

All officers shall be members of both the Board of Directors and Representative Council. They shall perform the duties pertaining to their respective offices and such other duties as may be imposed upon them by the Corporate Charter and by the Bylaws of the Association.

1. Represent the Association as spokesperson on matters of policy or assign, at the President's discretion, responsibility for such representation.

2. Call and preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors, Representative Council, and all other Association meetings.

3. Prepare the program and agenda for the Board of Directors, Representative Council, and all other Association meetings.

4. Deliver an annual report on the Association's activities at the annual membership meeting.

5. Appoint a Parliamentarian for all meetings of the Association at which the President presides.

6. Appoint, except as provided in these Bylaws, all chairpersons of committees, with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors; such chairpersons to serve at the pleasure of the President, except where a term is fixed by these Bylaws.

7. Serve as member ex officio without a vote on all committees authorized by the governing bodies.

8. Give a bond to the Association in a sum to be fixed by the Board of Directors. The premium on said bond shall be paid by the Association.

9. Sign contracts and other instruments connected with Association and professional activities.

12. Recommend to Board of Directors appointments for un-expired vacancies as per Article III, Section IV, D.3.

13. Visit at least one-fourth (1/4) of the schools in each Learning Community, annually.

14. Prepare, with Treasurer, Executive Director, and Budget Committee, a budget for submission to the appropriate policy-making body.

15. Meet regularly with the other officers of the Association and with the Executive Director.

1. Assume the necessary duties of the President in case of absence (or resignation) of the President.

5. Give a bond to the Association in a sum to be fixed by the Board of Directors. The premium on said bond shall be paid by the Association.

1. Assume the necessary duties of the First Vice-President in case of absence of the First Vice-President.

5. Give a bond to the Association in a sum to be fixed by the Board of Directors. The premium on said bond shall be paid by the Association.

1. Keep all minutes of the Association, the Board of Directors, and the Representative Council.

2. Keep an accurate record of attendance at all Board of Directors and Representative Council meetings.

3. Maintain in a permanent file, copies of all minutes and records of the Association.

4. Give a bond to the Association in a sum to be fixed by the Board of Directors. The premium on said bond shall be paid by the Association.

2. Be responsible for preparing the Budgets and monthly financial statements in cooperation with the Executive Director and Bookkeeper.

4. Assure that the books are submitted for annual audit by a licensed accountant at the close of the fiscal year.

5. Give a bond to the Association in a sum to be fixed by the Board of Directors. The premium on said bond shall be paid by the Association.

6. Ensure that all financial records shall remain the property of the Association.

All candidates for directorship in this Association must have been members of the Association during the school year prior to the date that the term of office begins.

1. Each Director shall serve for a term of two (2) years. No Director to serve as a Director for more than two (2) successive terms. All Districts shall be designated by Learning Community. There will be two directors elected from each Learning Community and two at large directors. Directors will be elected in alternate years (A-elected during odd years, B-elected during even years).

2. In case no Director is elected in a Learning Community, an election will be held in that Learning Community from a county wide nomination to fill that vacancy. Seat will be at large and available to all.

3. If no Director is elected in a county wide election, the President will appoint a Director, subject to the approval of the Board, for the remainder of that term.

1. Directors shall be elected by the CTA members within their Learning Communities.

2. Have the responsibility to communicate and/or meet regularly with the Association Representative in his/her Learning Community.

4. It shall be the responsibility of director to notify, in writing, the CTA President and/or Board of Directors of any transfer or re-assignment to a school outside the Learning Community in which he/she was elected.

Section VII: Service Unit Council

A. When the Association is part of a Service Unit Council, representatives to that Council shall be elected by the Board of Directors from among the members of the Board of Directors. The President and Treasurer shall be automatic members of the Council.

B. At the organizational meeting held in May, the newly elected Board of Directors shall elect the appropriate number of members to the Council.

Each school shall elect, by secret ballot, no later than post-planning, one (1) representative for each twenty (20) members or major fraction thereof. Each school shall be guaranteed at least one (1) representative. Each school shall, by secret ballot, elect one (1) alternate representative for each representative elected.

All candidates for the position of Association Representative in this Association must have been members of the Association during the year prior to acceptance of this position. Exception: In case a faculty does not have a member who meets the eligibility, such faculty shall have the right to elect a member who shall have all the rights and privileges accorded other Association Representatives.

Each representative shall serve for a term of one (1) year. In case of vacancy the alternate shall become the representative. If the alternate position is also vacant, the CTA members of that school faculty where such vacancy occurs shall elect, by secret ballot, a representative to fill the un-expired term.

4. Present to the Representative Council the wishes and desires of his/her faculty.

D. Where two (2) or more representatives occur within a school, one shall be elected as chairman to be responsible for the duties listed above.

Any officer, director or representative not performing his/her duties may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors. Said removal may be appealed to the Representative Council where a major vote of those present and voting shall sustain or override the action of the Board of Directors. Any member of the Executive Committee who is also a member of the Orange County Administrative Pool will be subject to the provisions of this section also.

A. All officers and directors shall comprise the membership of the Board of Directors. The FEA Director(s) shall be included as an ex-officio non-voting member of the Board of Directors.

B. A representative of the CTA-R shall be included on the Board of Directors as a non-voting member.

C. A Director(s) of the national affiliates of this district may be included as an ex-officio non-voting member of the Board of Directors.

D. Any officer of FEA from this District may be included as an ex-officio non-voting member of the Board of Directors.

E. No members of the Board of Directors shall hold more than (1) voting position on the Board.

1. Have the duties, responsibilities, and authority for the conduct of the Association in all matters except as stated otherwise in the Corporate Charter or the Bylaws.

2. By two-thirds (2/3) vote authorize within the framework of the adopted budget, the spending of the monies of the Association.

3. Recommend to the Representative Council Goals and a Budget for the following year.

4. Act upon matters of business, which are to be presented at both the Representative Council and the meetings of the Association.

6. Approve the appointment of personnel to offices and directorships if vacancies occur between annual elections, except as stated in Article III, Section IV, B.2.

10. The new Board of Directors shall hold an organizational meeting prior to the last Board meeting in May for the express purpose of electing members to the Service Unit Council and approving appointments as necessary.

Association Representatives and members of the Board of Directors shall comprise the membership of the Representative Council. The membership of Retired CTA may elect one representative who shall be included as an ex-officio member of the Representative Council. Alternates, when not substituting for the representatives and other members of this Association, may have the privilege of the Council floor for discussion but may not make motions or vote.

1. Members from ethnic minorities shall comprise at least twenty percent (20%) of the Board of Directors and Representative Council.

2. The Representative Council shall elect at-large Directors and/or at-large delegates to the Representative Council whenever necessary to insure the ethnic minority guarantee.

Appointment of committees shall be made pursuant to Article III, Section V. A., except that at least one representative of CTA-R may serve as a member of each standing committee.

A. The standing Committees shall include the following: Budget and Finance, Bylaws and Policies, Communications, Contract, Elections and Surveys, Government Relations, Human and Civil Rights, Instruction and Professional Development, Membership, Educational Research and Dissemination, Minority Affairs and Affiliate Relations.

B. Ad Hoc Committees: Special Committees shall be appointed by the President pursuant to Article III, Section V. A.

1. Make formal application to the CTA office no later than two (2) weeks prior to the annual general membership meeting.

2. Nominations of eligible candidates may be made from the floor at the annual general membership meeting.

2. A majority of the votes cast shall determine those elected. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast on the first ballot, the two candidates with the highest number of votes shall be placed on a run-off ballot.

3. Any officer vacancy where there is only one nominee, the elections chair will declare that candidate elected.

4. Any Board vacancy where there in only one nominee, the elections chair will declare that candidate elected.

C. If the Elections and Surveys Committee cannot validate the election results due to suspected election improprieties, the Chairperson of the Election Committee shall notify the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall conduct an investigation and either validate the election results, order a new election, or order a new election and disqualify certain candidates. The decision of the Board of Directors can be appealed to the Representative Council.

1. Be conducted within each school no more than forty (40) days following the annual general membership meeting.

All candidates for the office of President shall simultaneously run for an FEA Delegate position, an NEA Delegate position, and an AFT Delegate position.

A. There shall be one (1) regular meeting of the membership of the Association to be scheduled prior to May 1.

B. Special meetings for a specific purpose shall be called by the President if the need exists or upon the written request of fifty (50) members, or upon the majority vote of the Representative Council or two-thirds (2/3) vote of The Board of Directors.

There shall be one (1) regular meeting of the Representative Council each month except in June and July. These meetings may be county-wide or within the Districts.

Regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held monthly during the school year, or at any other time at the call of the President or at the call of the majority of the Board members.

A quorum of the Representative Council shall be the number of members present at the meeting.