Bylaws of the
Chesterfield Support Staff Association
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Article 1
Articles of Agreement
The name of the Association, the objects for which it is established and the nature of the affairs to be transacted by it, and the principal location of the Association shall be set forth in the Articles of Agreement, as from time to time amended, and these Bylaws provided however that the Association shall in any event remain affiliated with NEA-New Hampshire and the National Education Association. The powers of the Association and its officers and Executive Board, and all matters concerning the conduct and regulation of the affairs of the Association, shall be subject to such provisions in regard thereto, if any, as are set forth in such Articles of Agreement, and such Articles of Agreement are hereby made a part of these Bylaws.
Article II
Membership
Section 1 – Members
A. Membership in the Association shall be open to all support
personnel employed in the public school of Chesterfield.
B. Active membership shall be continuous until the member leaves
the school system, resigns from the Association, or fails to pay
membership dues.
Section 2 – Revocation of Membership
According to procedures adopted by the membership, the Executive Board may suspend from membership any member or censure or levy a fine against any member who shall have violated the ethics of the education profession; or violated any rule of the Association, or convicted in a court learned in the law of a crime involving moral turpitude; and may reinstate a member who has been previously suspended or expelled from the Association.
Section 3
Each voting member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members.
Section 4
Those members entitled to vote at meetings of the members may do so in accordance with the rules of the Association.
Section 5
The Executive Board, by majority vote of all the members of the Board, may suspend or expel a member for any cause. Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the secretary.
Section 6 – Membership Year
The membership year shall be September 1st through August 31st.
Section 7 – Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall be July 1st through June 30th.
Article III
Officers
The officers of the Association shall consist of two Co-Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
Article IV
Executive Board
Section 1
The Executive Board shall consist of the officers and two members elected at large. It shall be the executive authority of the Association.
Section 2
Whenever a majority of the Executive Board shall agree that an officer has been grossly negligent of the duties defined by the Bylaws or is incapacitated, they shall recommend to the membership that the office be declared vacant. If the membership so votes by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, it shall immediately elect a replacement to fill the unexpired term.
Article V
Resignation
The Association shall be unified with the National Education Association under the rules and the NEA-New Hampshire under its rules. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article XV below, this article shall not be subject to amendment.
Article VI
Meetings
Section 1 – Executive Board
The Executive Board shall meet at the call of the Co-Presidents, or at the request of three members of the Board.
Section 2 – General Membership Meetings
The Executive Board shall arrange meetings of the general membership as deemed necessary, provided that there shall be not less than one (1) general membership meeting each year. By petition signed by one-fifth of the membership a general membership meeting may be called.
Article VII
Quorum
Section 1 – Executive Board
A majority of its members shall be a quorum.
Section 2 – General Membership Meetings
A super majority shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3 – Professional Development Funding
To use up to $2500 of the professional development funds for group professional development (including materials) will require a yes vote from a simple majority of the membership.
Article VIII
Power of Officers
Section 1 – Co-Presidents
The Co-Presidents shall preside over meetings of the Executive Board, appoint chairpersons and members of standing committees, appoint special committees, and be ex-officio members of all standing committees. The Co-Presidents shall represent the Association before the public either personally or through delegates, and shall perform all other functions usually attributed to this office.
Section 2 – Secretary
The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board and general membership meetings, shall maintain official files, and assist the Co-Presidents with Association correspondence.
Section 3 – Treasurer
The Treasurer shall hold the funds of the Association and disburse them upon authorization by the Executive Board; shall collect the dues, and submit to the NEA-New Hampshire the amounts due the NEA-New Hampshire and the National Education Association; shall maintain a roll of the members; shall keep accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements; shall prepare an annual financial statement for publication to members as directed by the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall keep the Co-Presidents and the Executive Board informed of the financial condition of the Association. The Treasurer shall prepare a proposed budget for the following membership year.
Section 4 – Terms and Succession
The Officers shall serve as follows:
Co-President – 2 — staggered 2 year terms
Secretary – 1 year
Treasurer – 1 year
Article IX
Power of the Executive Board
Section 1
The Executive Board shall be responsible for the management of the Association, approve all expenditures, carry out policies established by the membership, report its transactions to the members, and suggest policies for consideration by the members.
Section 2
The Executive Board shall represent the Association in negotiating personnel policies with the governing and appropriating bodies of the school system. Within policies established by the members it may make decisions binding the Association in these matters. The Board may delegate its power to negotiate and to adjudicate grievances to another committee or representative.
Article X
Standing Committees
Section 1 – Titles and Duties
A. The Negotiating Committee, under the supervision of the ExecutiveBoard, may represent the Association in all negotiations. The committee will prepare negotiations, proposals and rationale based upon the assessment of membership concerns, and other related working condition factors. The Committee may seek the assistance, with Executive approval, of an outside consultant.
B. The Grievance Committee shall recommend to the Executive Board policies for the adjudication of grievances. The Committee shall advocate for all grievants by investigating complaints and processing grievances through the appropriate procedures. Further, the Committee shall make a recommendation to the Executive Board for final disposition of all unsettled grievances. The Committee shall also develop a continuing program for educating the members with regard to their rights and responsibilities.
C. The Committee on Instruction and Professional Development shall explore and develop action programs to raise and maintain standards for certification, employment and assignment; to improve opportunities for pre-service, continuing, and in-service professional education; and to create and maintain rapport between the Association and neighboring or closely related institutions of higher education. It shall exercise professional concern in programs involving student teachers or relating to the concept of professional autonomy.
Section 2 – Relation to the Executive Board
The Executive Board shall make recommendations for committee appointments at its regular meeting in June, and for filling all unexpired terms as vacancies occur.
Article XI
Special Committees
Each year the Co-Presidents may appoint a Committee on Elections, an Audit Committee, a Membership Committee and such other committees as may be necessary, and shall discharge them upon completion of their duties. These committees shall operate according to rules approved by the Executive Board. No officer of the Association shall serve on either the Elections Committee or the Audit Committee.
Article XII
Elections
Section 1 – Nominations
The active members of the Association, during either the months of May or June, may nominate candidates for Co-President, Secretary and Treasurer. All nominations shall be submitted to the Co-Presidents.
Section 2 – Balloting
At the meeting of the members held in June, members shall vote for officers by ballot or voice vote. Election results will be tabulated and announced at this meeting in accordance with procedures developed and approved by the Executive Board. New officers shall be installed at the close of the meeting.
Article XIII
Authority
The Executive Board shall be in the final authority as to the interpretation of these Bylaws, subject only to the membership’s authority to amend these Bylaws. Robert’s Rules of Order may be consulted as parliamentary authority for the Association on questions not covered by these Bylaws and any such standing rules as the Executive Board may adopt.
Article XIV
Dues
The Executive Board may by resolution establish rates of annual dues for the various classes of membership.
Article XV
Amendment
These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote at any regular meeting of the members, provided that copies have been made available to members two calendar weeks in advance of the meeting, and provided further that such amendments are consistent with the constitution and bylaws of the NEA-New Hampshire and the National Education Association.
Article XVI
Disposition of Assets
In the event the Association is dissolved, its assets will be placed in the Trusteeship of the NEA-New Hampshire until such time as another association is organized.
Article XVII
Awards and Recognition
The Kate Stohr Memorial Award was established in 2014 by this association in honor of an esteemed inclusionary aide who served the needs of Chesterfield School students for many years. It is to be given annually to a member of the Chesterfield School graduating 8th grade class who exemplifies the qualities of Kate’s character. The task of selecting the recipient of this award rests solely with association members. During early May, an award rubric and 8th grade class list will be distributed to each association member in order to cast their ballot. The ballots will be submitted to the association secretary for tallying. The student receiving the majority of votes will be declared the award recipient. In the event of a tie, another vote will be taken to determine the final candidate. An award certificate will be presented at the June graduation ceremony by a member of the association. The presenter’s name needs to be submitted to the administrative assistant of the principal by June 1st in order to prepare the graduation programs. In addition to receiving the award certificate, the recipient’s name will be added to the award plaque that hangs in the front hallway of Chesterfield School.