Bylaws

The name of the association shall be the Pembroke Teachers Association, hereinafter referred to as the “Association”.

We, the members of this Association, in order to fulfill our responsibilities to society and to our profession, do hereby adopt the following:

Section 1. General Objectives

A. To maintain and improve the quality of education,

B. To uphold high professional standards and to advance the socioeconomic well-being of educators.

Section 2. Specific Objectives

The Executive Board is authorized and directed to establish specific objectives within the framework of the general objectives in Section 1. These

specific objectives shall be reviewed annually, revised if necessary, and published.

Section 3. Scholarship

The Association will provide a scholarship for three Pembroke seniors representative of each elementary school planning further education. The amount of this scholarship is to be voted annually.

Section 1. Active Members

A. Active members are those:

1. Who are engaged in work of a professional nature in the field of education, and

2. Who hold membership in the local affiliated association if such membership is available, and

3. Who, as new applicants for membership, hold a baccalaureate degree or higher and a certificate of eligibility to hold same from a proper certifying authority, where required, or are qualified and certified by the Division of Vocational Education in the Massachusetts Department of Education, or

B. Other employees of the school committees of other governing boards of educational institution who hold membership, if such membership is available to them, but limited to paraprofessionals, school nurses, secretaries and clerks (instructional), and secretaries and clerks (office) and school custodians.

Section 2. Active members

Active members of the Association shall also be members of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Plymouth County Education Association, and the National Education Association.

Section 3. Active membership

Active membership shall be continuous until a member leaves, resigns from the Association, or fails to pay membership dues.

Section 4. Associate Members

Associate members are those other persons interested in the advancement of the cause of education, but who are not eligible for active membership. Application for said membership shall be made in writing with the understanding that the applicant will pay membership dues.

Section 5. Retired members

Retired members are those former active or associate members who, upon retirement, apply to the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Retired personnel will become life members of the local association, exempt from dues, and will be so notified.

Section 6. Honorary Membership

Honorary membership may be conferred by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board or general meeting of the membership. Honorary members of the association are exempt from dues.

Section 7. Adherence to the Code of Ethics

Adherence to the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession shall be a condition of continuing membership. According to procedures adopted by the membership, the Executive Board may suspend from membership or expel any member who has been found in violation of the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession.

Section 8. Voting Privileges

Only active members as defined in sections 1 and 2 of this Article III shall have the privilege of voting and holding office in the Association.

Section 9. Membership Year

The membership year shall be from July 1 to June 30. A member joining through a local association may elect to be a continuing member. Membership shall then be continued from year to year until death, retirement, or the member cancels the election with a sixty day notice in writing. The current membership lists will be updated by December 31st of each year.

Section 10. Changes in officers or By-laws

Every local association shall submit to the Massachusetts Teachers Association annually prior to July 1, a list of its officers and their addresses as well as a copy of the By-laws with any changes or amendments made in the preceding year.

Section 1. Elected Officers

The elected officers of a local association shall be the President, Vice President (s), a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

Section 2. Powers and Duties of Officers

A. The President

1. The President shall preside over meetings of the Executive Board and the general membership.

2. The President may appoint the Chairman and members of standing committees and special committees.

3. The President shall be the Executive Officer of the Association except when it employs an Executive Secretary. (The Executive Secretary is defined as the person who carries out the policies of the Association).

B. Vice President

1. The Vice President (s) shall perform the functions usually attributed to that office.

2. He/she shall meet regularly with the Committee Chairmen to discuss committee activities.

3. He/she shall prepare committee progress reports for the Execute Board.

4. He/she may be called upon to preside when the presidency becomes vacant and shall perform the functions usually attributed to this office.

5. He/she shall keep a record of dates of all scheduled committee meetings.

6. He/she will be responsible for notifying all members of said committee (s) of time and place of meeting (s) or cancellations

C. Secretary

1.The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board and of the general membership meetings.

2.He/she shall maintain official files, and shall assist the President with the Association correspondence.

3.The Secretary shall maintain all communications.

D. Treasurer

1. The Treasurer shall hold the funds of the Association and disburse them in accordance with budgeted authorization.

2. He/she shall bill the membership for all annual dues, collect dues and membership information through the membership committee in each building, and transmit amounts due the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Education Association.

3.He/she shall maintain a roll of the members.

4.He/she shall keep an accurate account of the receipts and disbursements, and shall report to each meeting of the general membership. Payments shall be made in Accordance with an agreed upon schedule and shall be completed not later than sixty days in arrears of the final date in said plan.

5.All disbursements over $250 shall be countersigned by the President of the Association.

6.He/she shall prepare an annual financial statement for publication to members as directed by the Executive Board.

7.He/she shall keep the President and the Executive Board informed of the financial condition of the Association and assist the Executive Board in the drafting of the annual budget.

8.He/she may be bonded.

E. Sick Leave Bank Coordinator

1. He/she shall coordinate membership and represent teachers in all sick leave bank matters.

2.He/she will be responsible for making financial recommendations to the School Committee under the advisement of the executive board.

3.This position shall be appointed by the President.

F. Chairman of the Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee

1. Shall process all level two or higher grievances.

2. Shall maintain regular contact with building representatives.

3. He/she shall be available for consult to building representatives for level one grievances.

H. Appointed Positions

These positions shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board and shall serve at the discretion of the appointing authority.

Section 3. Terms and Succession

A. President may be elected for more than two concurrent terms.

B. The term of all officers will be two years.

Section 4. New Officers

A. Shall be installed on or before July of each calendar year.

Section 1. The Executive Board

The Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers, the immediate past President, standing Committee Chairpersons, and the elected building representatives. It shall be the executive authority of the Association.

Section 2. Powers and Duties of the Executive Board

A. Within policies established by the general membership, the Executive Board shall be responsible for the management of the Association and shall carry out policies of the Association.

B. It shall report its transactions to the general membership and suggest policies for consideration by them.

C. It shall adopt an annual budget for the operations of the Association. The accounts of the Association may be audited annually.

D. The President is hereby authorized to instruct the Treasurer to make necessary expenditures not to exceed $250.00. Over that amount, the expenditure must be approved by the membership of the Association.

E. Donations, contributions to funds, and stipends to funds shall be voted annually.

F. It shall establish committees and adopt policies governing them.

G. Whenever a majority of the Executive Board shall agree that an officer is incapacitated or has been grossly negligent in his/her duties as defined by these by-laws it shall recommend immediately to the membership that the office be declared vacant. If the general membership so votes by a two-thirds majority to uphold the Executive Board recommendation, it shall immediately elect a replacement.

Section 1. No person shall be admitted to or be continued as an active member in the Association who is not also an active member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, National Education Association, and Plymouth County Education Association.

Section 2. Applications for affiliation to the Massachusetts Teachers Association or the National Education Association shall be made in writing by the President or the Secretary of the organization seeking admission. This application shall be accompanied by a list of the officers and their address, and by a copy of the bylaws, which shall be subject to the approval of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

Section 3. Every local association shall submit annually to the Massachusetts Teachers Association (prior to July 1).

A. A list of its officers and their addresses.

B. The names and addresses of all members on an official enrollment form furnished by the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

C. A statement setting forth amendments or changes in its bylaws during the preceding year.

Section 4. Eligible associations shall be admitted by a majority vote by the Executive Board of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Effective July 1, 1974, as a condition of eligibility, all local associations shall include in their bylaws a provision for a combination of local, state, and National Education Association memberships.

Section 1. Electing Faculty Representatives

In each public school in Pembroke, faculty members who are members in good standing of the Association shall elect for a term of two years two faculty representatives in each building. Members of the Education Support Personnel bargaining unit who are members in good standing of the Association shall elect for a term of two years two stewards. If a new bargaining unit, organizes under the Association, new unit members who are in good standing of the Association shall elect for a term of two years one representative unless otherwise voted by the majority of members in the bargaining unit.

A. Elections shall be held during the annual elections. (They shall be held in April)

Section 2. Building Representative Responsibilities

A. Building Representatives shall attend the regular meeting of the general membership unless they are excused by the President prior to said meeting.

B. After two unexcused absences, the President may declare the seat vacant, and call for an election to fill the remainder of their position.

C. By a two thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board a member who has two (2) or more unexcused absences may be dismissed from their position.

D. The President shall designate the Nominations and Elections Committee to conduct such a special election.

E. Local dues are to be paid by the Association provided Faculty Representative attends 5/9 of scheduled Executive Board Meetings.

F. Building Representatives shall serve on the P.R. & R. Committee.

G. Building Representatives may process all level one grievances.

Section 3. Association Communications

The Faculty Representatives shall be responsible for distributing Association communications to the members in their buildings, for keeping their members informed, and shall further act as liaison from members in their buildings to the Executive Board.

Section 1. Massachusetts Teachers Association Annual Meeting

A. Any active member is eligible to be a candidate to the Annual Meeting.

B. Each candidate must be nominated and elected according to regulations set by the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

C. Each local affiliated association shall be entitled to representation by two delegated and one additional delegate for every fifty members over fifty. Or major fraction thereof, based on the official members established by the Executive Committee as of March.

D. The local association shall submit to the Massachusetts Teachers Association a list of names and addresses of such delegates.

E. The local association will vote annually to reimburse delegates of reasonable travel and accommodation expenses while attending the Massachusetts Annual Meeting of Delegates.

Section 1. Executive Board Meetings

The Executive Board shall meet at least monthly during the school year on a schedule to be determined by the Executive Board.

Section 2. General Membership Meetings

There shall be at least two general membership meetings each year, whose dates shall be determined by the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall prepare a tentative agenda for each meeting and shall circulate it to all members so that the members will have time to discuss it prior to the meeting.

Section 3. Special Meetings

Special meetings of the general membership may be held at the call of the President or upon written request to the Executive Board from five percent (5%) of the membership.

Section 4. Quorum

The majority of the members shall be a quorum for the Executive Board and Committees. A quorum for general membership meetings shall be twenty percent (20%) of the members.

Section 1. Organization

There will be the following standing committees having the function outlined below:

A. They shall have members selected to represent different groups in the Association and appointed for one year.

B. Each committee, with the approval of the Executive Board, may organize from the membership of the Association special sub-committees and task forces for specific activities.

Section 2. Meetings

Each standing committee shall meeting regularly according to a calendar developed by the Executive Board. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman.

Section 3. Reports

Each committee shall appoint a secretary who shall record the activities of the committee. The Chairman shall report any action items to general membership meetings. He/she shall prepare an annual written report which the Executive Secretary shall file as part of the records of the Association.

Section 4 Titles and Duties

A. Negotiating Team

1. Shall negotiate with the School Committee on hours, wages, and working conditions, including the instructional programs for all personnel in each bargaining unit. The team shall consist of a chairperson voted on annually by the membership, and at least one person from each building, a nurse and a specialist. With the exception of the chairperson, the remaining team members shall be appointed by the President.

2. The elected stewards of the Education Support Personnel Unit shall appoint, subject to the approval of the President, up to four (4) members in good standing to serve on the Education Support Personnel Unit negotiation team.

3. The President shall appoint a Negotiation Team to represent any future bargaining units represented by the PTA.

4. With the aid of the appropriate committees, it shall prepare proposals to be approved by the general membership prior to being placed before the School Committee.

5. Upon reaching tentative agreement on all matters under negotiation, the team shall prepare and submit said agreement with their recommendations, to the Association membership for ratification. Members will be provided with a copy of proposed changes before ratification, and be given sufficient time to make a decision for ratification. If necessary, even twenty-four hours may be considered sufficient. The vote will be by secret ballot.

6. Attendance is subject to the same rules and regulations as those found under Article 5, section 2.

7. Each member of the negotiating committee will be notified in advance of every Professional Rights and Responsibilities meeting and will make every effort to attend.

8. The membership of the Association will be polled before negotiations begin to assess priorities for each new contract.

B. Committee on Public Relations

Shall develop public understanding for purposes and programs of the Association, the values of public education and, in cooperation with the administration, the educational philosophy and programs of the schools. It shall develop procedures by which the Association can work cooperatively with parents in public, fraternal and social organizations through all available channels of communication. Duties (may include but not be limited to):

1. Fundraising i.e. yard sales, raffles, community fund raisers

2. Social event planning

3. Coat Drive (December Parent Conferences)

4. Canned Food Drive

5. Newsletter

6. WebMaster

7. Parent Organizations Liaison (per building)

C. Membership Committee

Shall organize and conduct local, state, and national membership enrollment among non-members and inform members of the policies, programs, services and accomplishments of the Association. It further shall develop and conduct year-long programs for the orientation of new teacher to the community, the school system and the Association. Duties:

1. Service Award Banquet (PCEA, MTA, and NEA) He/she will be responsible for arranging the PCEA Awards Banquet.

2. Newspaper Press for PTA, PCEA Award winners,

3. Keep Association members updated on Local and State Legislative action

4. American Education Week (November-Service Appreciation Day)

5. Teacher Appreciation Week/Day (May)

D. Nomination and Election Committee (No officers may serve)

1. The Nominations and Election Committee shall consist of at least one representative from each school.

2. The members of the committee shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Executive Board.

3. The nominations procedure for candidates seeking elective office shall be determined by the Nominations and Elections Committee.

4. The committee shall be responsible for securing candidates for each of the elective officers.

5. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall be responsible for conducting annual elections and for meeting the requirements of special elections.

i. During January, meet to draw up new nomination forms, distribute to membership and collect.

ii. Make personal contact with members to fill any vacancy.

iii. Draw up the slate to present to the Executive Board before the April Executive Board meeting.

iv. Present slate for vote at General Association meeting.

6. All elections must be conducted by secret ballot.

7. To be elected, the candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast.

8. All elections shall be conducted during April

E. Schedule and Social Affairs Committee

Shall organize activities as may serve the needs of the members and promote fellowship within the Association.

F. Political Education Committee

1. Shall have broad concern for local, state, and national legislation affecting the interests of schools, teachers, and the Association.

2. Shall encourage members to exercise their political and civic rights, and keep members informed about new legislation.

3. Whenever possible, will attend legislative conferences and trainings.

G. Special Committees

Each year the President may appoint such other special committees as may be necessary, and shall discharge them upon completion of their duties.

H. Scholarship Committee

1. The Scholarship Committee should consist of one member from each school who will be appointed by the President.

2. Shall review scholarship applications and determine recipients based on Executive Board approved guidelines.

I. Professional Leave Committee

1. Shall meet with the Superintendent to establish and/or review guidelines for professional leave. This shall be done at the beginning of each school year.

2. Shall review professional leave requests as per the guidelines established at the beginning of the school year. Duties:

i. Go over guidelines

ii. Committee members should be available in each school as resource to teachers.

iii. Encourage PTA members to use process to get Professional Leave.

J. Sick Leave Bank Committee

1. The Sick Leave Bank Committee should consist of one or more member(s) who will be appointed by the President.

The following members will have all dues paid by the Association:

A. President

B. Vice President (s)

C. Secretary

D. Treasurer

E. Negotiation Chair (s)

F. PR & R Chair(s)

2. Building and Other representatives referenced in Article VII, Section 1 will have local dues paid.

3. Yearly stipends for any or all positions may be recommended by the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall prepare in writing, and submit designated amounts to the general membership at least two weeks before the General Association meeting in April. The vote to authorize said stipends will be by secret ballot.

4. Compensation shall be made to elected positions when the member attends 75% of Executive Board Meetings and 75% of the General Association meeting. The Executive Board may consider extenuating circumstances.

5. Compensation shall be made to appointed positions provided the appointee fulfills duties as described in the By-Laws.

Section 1. Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall be the authority of the Association.

Section 2. The membership year and the business year shall be July 1 to June 30 each year.

The bylaws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting at any regular meeting of the Association provided that copies of the proposed amendments have been sent to all members of the Association at least two calendar weeks in advance of the General Membership meeting. The following is required by the National Education Association bylaws, as of September, 1975.

H. Standards of Local Affiliates.

A. Each affiliate shall apply the “one person, one vote” principle for representation on its governing bodies, except that the affiliate shall guarantee ethnic minority representation at least proportionate to its ethnic minority membership. Where an all-inclusive affiliate exists, it shall provide proportionate representation between its classroom teacher members and its administrator members.

B. Each affiliate shall conduct all elections with open nominations and a secret ballot.

II. Allocations of Delegates to the National Education Association Representative Assembly.

Delegates shall be elected for a term not to exceed three years.

III. Dues Transmittal and Enforcement Procedures (passed by the Representative Assembly in Los Angles, 1975)

A. “…Local affiliates shall have the full responsibility for transmitting State Association dues to state affiliates on a contractual basis”

B. “A local affiliate shall transmit to a state affiliate, and a state affiliate shall transmit to the Association, at least forty percent (40%) of the Association dues receivable for the year by March 15, and at least two thirds (66 2/3%) of the Association dues receivable for the year by June 1; the percentage is to be based upon the last membership count prior to January 15, and upon a membership year beginning September 1, unless the contracted transmittal schedule stipulate otherwise.

C. If a state affiliate informs the National Education Association in writing that a local affiliate has failed to transmit dues to the Association in accordance with the dates set forth, and such information is verified by the Executive Director, the delegates of that local shall not be seated in the National Education Association Representative Assembly at the annual meeting. In this event, the delegates of the state affiliate shall be seated.

IV. Definitions

1. Ethnic Minority Members, as defined by the National Education Association, shall mean those persons designated as ethnic minorities by statistics published by the United States Bureau of the Census. This designation shall specifically include Black, Mexican American, (Chicano), other Spanish speaking groups, Asian American and Indian.

2. A Classroom Teacher, as defined by the National Education Association shall mean any person who is certified, where required, and who spends a major part of his/her time in direct contact with students, or who performs allied work which placed him on a local salary schedule for teachers.

3. An Educational Position Member, as defined by the national Education Association, is one who does not meet the definition of a classroom teacher member. A nonclassroom teacher may be one who has designated him or herself as a non classroom teacher. An individual self-designated as a non-classroom teacher member shall remain so for governance purposes at local, state, and national levels unless the individual notifies the state association that his/her education position has changed.

Revised 2009