Ritenour NEA Bylaws

Preamble

We the members of the Ritenour National Education Association, in order to promote and advance the cause of education for all individuals, promote professional excellence among educators, gain recognition of the basic importance of the teacher in the learning process, protect the rights of educators and advance their interest and welfare, secure professional autonomy, unite educators for effective citizenship, promote and protect human and civil rights and obtain for its members the benefits of an independent, united teaching profession, do hereby adopt the following Bylaws.

Article I Name

The name of this organization shall be RITENOUR NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (RNEA)

Article II Goals and Objectives

The goals of the Association shall be as stated in the Preamble. The Association shall have all power necessary and proper to take action for the attainment of these goals; all within the meaning of Section A501 C5 of the Internal Revenue Code. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be construed to prevent the Association from pursuing objectives which are consistent with the stated goals of the Association.

Article III Membership

Section 1 Classes of Membership

A. Active Membership in this Association shall be open to any certified personnel who works directly with students and/or supports student learning, and who is not a member of any administrative unit of the education profession, and who does not evaluate teachers for the purpose of obtaining or maintaining tenure.

Active membership shall be open to any person employed in the Ritenour School District or on a limited leave of absence from professional educational work. Active members shall hold a baccalaureate or higher degree or the regular teaching vocational, or technical certificate required for their employment. Active membership is limited to persons who support the principals and goals of the Association and who maintain membership in the Missouri National Education Association and the National Education Association where eligible.

B. Membership shall also be open to those who meet these requirements but are on a limited leave of absence from professional education work. Retired membership will be open to any person that was eligible for active membership prior to retirement.

Section 2 Rights and Responsibilities

A.  The Association will not deny membership to individuals on the basis of race, creed, national origin, or sex.

B.  All members will be eligible to receive special services, to obtain assistance in the protection of professional and civil rights, and to receive reports and publications of the Association.

C.  Membership will be continuous unless terminated for cause.

D.  Any members who change professional or occupational position will be transferred to the class of membership applicable to their new position.

E.  No member may be censured, suspended, or expelled without a due process hearing, which will include an appropriate appellate procedure.

Section 3 Membership Year

The membership and fiscal year shall be from September 1 through August 31.  All rights of membership shall be continued for a member through September 30 provided the individual is still eligible for the appropriate membership class.

Section 4 Dues

A.  The general membership shall, at the annual business meeting, consider the proposed budget and approve it at the subsequent election.  Dues shall be determined by dividing the most recent year's membership into the total budget and rounding upward to the nearest dollar.  The fiscal year of the Association shall be September 1 through August 31.

B.  Any member joining for the first time may in the first year be enrolled in full standing for that portion of the year remaining by paying, in one or more installments as determined by the RNEA president, a fee representing such a portion of the annual dues as is proportional to the number of months s/he is a member.  The preceding provision on prorated dues shall be followed in collecting dues of affiliates if permitted by the affiliates constitution and Bylaws.

Section 5 Dues Transmittal and Enforcement Procedures

A.  The Association shall enter into a contract with the Missouri NEA governing the transmittal of Missouri NEA dues and National Education Association dues to the Missouri NEA.

B.  The Association shall transmit dues to the Missouri NEA as stated in Article II, Section 4 of the Missouri NEA's Bylaws.

C.  If the Association has failed to transmit dues in accordance with Missouri NEA Bylaws, Article III, Section 4, the Association shall have no right to participate in the Missouri NEA Representative Assembly other than to elect officers and vote on dues increases.

Section 6 Property Interest of Members

All rights, title, and interest, both legal and equitable, of a member in and to the property of the Association shall end upon the termination of membership.

Article IV Officers

Section 1 Officers

The officers of the Association shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

Section 2 Duties and Power of the Officers

A.  President
The President shall preside over meetings of the Executive Board, appoint the chairperson and members o standing committees, appoint special committees, serve as ex-officio member of all committees, shall represent the local at governance district meetings, and shall be the executive officer of the Association.  The President shall represent the Association before the public either personally or through delegates, and shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.  The President, when elected, shall also be elected as a delegate to the state and national Representative Assembly.  The President will receive a stipend of $1000 for each one year term.  The stipend will be paid at the end of the school year.

B.  Vice-President
The Vice-President or designee shall serve as the Executive Board's representative at the Board of Education meetings, shall represent the local at governance district meetings, and shall report to the Association President at his or her request.  The Vice-President shall be responsible for programs for general meetings.  The Vice-President shall receive a stipend of $500 for each one year term.  The stipend will be paid at the end of the school year.

C.  Secretary
The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board including attendance and any other Association business meetings, shall maintain official files, and shall assist the President with Association correspondence.  The Secretary will receive a stipend of $200 for each 1 year term.  The stipend will be paid at the end of the school year.

D.  Treasurer
The Treasurer shall hold the funds of the Association and disburse them upon authorization of the Executive Board.  The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of dues and shall follow any membership plan authorized by the Executive Board.  The Treasurer shall transmit amounts due to the MNEA.  The Treasurer shall keep accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements and shall report to each meeting of the Executive Board.  He or she shall prepare an annual financial statement for publication to members as directed by the Executive Board.  Montly financial reports shall be given to the Executive Board and the Treasurer shall assist the Executive Board in the initial drafting of the annual budget.  The Treasurer shall also be responsible for transmitting PAC funds in a timely manner.  The Treasurer will receive a stipend of $200 for each 1 year term.  The stipend will be paid at the end of the school year.

Section 3 Qualifications for Officers

All candidates for office of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall have been active members of the Association immediately preceding the election.  All officers shall maintain membership in the Association.

Section 4 Election of Officers

A.  Officers of the Association shall be elected for a one year term.  Officers may serve up to four consecutive terms in the same position.

B.  Officers shall be elected by open nomination and secret ballot and all elections shall be in accordance with the one-person, one-vote principle.

C.  Election of officers shall be in the spring prior to the end of the school yhear.  Officers shall take office following the election at the end of the school year.

Article V Executive Board

Section 1 Executive Board

The Executive Board shall consist of the officers and building representatives.

Section 2 Executive Board Duties

The Executive Board shall be responsible for the management of the Association, approval of all expenditures, carrying out policies established by the general membership, reporting its transactions to the members, suggesting policies for consideration by the general membership, and approving all appointments.

Section 3 Executive Board Meetings

The Executive Board shall meet once a month on a day to be determined by the Executive Board. Special meetings may be called by the President, or at the request of three members of the board. The Executive Board shall arrange at least one meeting of the members each year.

Section 4 Vacancies

Vacancies in the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer shall be filled by the Executive Board.

Section 5 Powers of the Executive Board

A.  The Executive Board shall approve a proposed budget, act on reports of committees, approve resolutions and other policy statements.

B.  Powers not delegated to the officers or other groups in this Association shall be vested in the Executive Board.

Article VI Building Representatives

Section 1 Appointment

One Building Representative may be appointed to the Executive Board for each 10 (ten) members or major fraction thereof. There shall be at least one Representative from each building.

Section 2 Qualifications

Candidates for Building Representative shall be members of the Missouri National Education Association (MNEA) and the National Education Association (NEA) and shall maintain their membership in good standing during their term of service.

Section 3 Duties

The Buidling Representatives shall be responsible for disseminating Association information and gathering input from building members.

Section 4 Elections

In each school building, the Association members in good standing shall elect for a term of 1 year one Building Representative for each ten (10) members or major fraction thereof. There shall be at least one Building Representative from each building. Where more thant one Building Representative is elected, one shall be designated the Senior Building Representative and their terms shall be staggered. Elections shall be held in April, and representatives shall take their seat in the May meeting of the Representative Assembly.

Section 5 Powers

A.  To approve the budget

B.  To set the dues for the RNEA Association

C.  To act on reports of committees

D.  To approve resolutions and other policy statements

E.  To adopt procedures to monitor adherence to the Code Of Ethics of the Education Profession and adopt procedures to be followed in censuring, suspending, and expelling members for cause or in reinstating members.

F.  The Assembly may adopt rules governing the conduct of the meetings as are consistent with the Bylaws.

G.  The Assembly shall be the final judge of the qualifications and election of officers and building representatives.

H.  Powers not delegated to the Executive Committee, the officers, or other groups in the Association shall be vested in the Representative Assembly.

Article VII Removal From Office

Officers and Executive Board members serve the Associaion in a position of trust and confidence at the pleasure of and for the benefit of the general membership.  Officers may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members i.e., the genreal membership for officers or their respective faculty in the case of faculty representatives.

Revomval of an officer may be initiated by a petition of 20 percent (20%) of the general membersip or of ther faculty respectively.  The ballot for removal will read...

"We, the undersigned, direct that an election shall be conducted to determine if (name of officer or building representative) shall continue to serve as officer or building representative (name of officer or building representative) or shall be removed from office.
Please check YES________________ or NO__________________"

Vacancies shall be filled by election of the Executive Board.

Article VIII Negotiations Team

Section 1

The Negotiations Team shall consist of five (5) members. Members of the Team and the chief negotiator shall be recommended by the Negotiations Committee and shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 2

The Negotiations Team shall have the authority to bargain in good faith, including the right to modify proposals and make concessions on behalf of the Association, subject only to ratification of the entire contract by the membership. The Negotiations team shall be responsible for representing the bargaining unit at the bargaining table and shall have the authority to reach on-the-spot tentative agreements on any or all items.

Section 3

The Negotiations Team shall refer the final tentative agreement package to the Representative Assembly. The team does not have the authority to deal directly with the Association membership.

Section 4

It shall be the responsibility of the Team to report to the Negotions Committee and to meet with the Committee to recieive direction and guidance. The Team shall recommend positions and courses of action to the Negotions Committee. The Team shall meet periodically with the Executive Committee and the Chairperson of the Negotiations Committee.

It shall be the responsibility of the Team to develop negotiation updates and reports for the general membership.

Article IX Quorum

A majority of its members shall be a quorum for the Executive Board and Committees. In meetings, the quorum will be the number of members present at the time.

Article X Delegates to State and National Conventions

Section 1 President's or President's Designee Role

A. The President or the Association shall be a delegate to the conventions of all affiliated organizations with expenses paid in full or in part.

B. The President of the Association shall be chairperson of all delegations.

Section 2 Election of Delegates

A. State delgates shall be elected at large annually, for a one year term with delegates having specific alternatives.  RNEA members' names shall be placed on the ballot upon request.  The Association, as specified in the budget, shall reimburse convention expenses for all state and national delegates.

B. Delegates shall attend regular and special meetings of the state affiliation.

C. The NEA sahll enter into a reciprocal contractual agreement between the NEA Local and the National Education Association as stated in NEA Constitution Article VIII; Affiliates and Special Interest Groups, and Bylaws 8-13-17.

D. The Ritenour NEA shall affiliate with the Missouri NEA as regulated in Article VII of the Missouri NEA Bylaws.

E. Delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly shall be elected in compliance with Article III of the NEA Constitution and Bylaw 3.

F. Delegates to the Missouri NEA Representative Assembly shall be elected in compliance with Article II of the Missouri NEA Bylaws.

G. The Association shall take such steps as are legally permissible to achieve ethnic-minority representation at least proportionate to its ethnic minority membership on elective and appointive bodies.

Article XI Standing Committees

Section 1 Committees

There shall be the following standing committees carrying the specific functions outlined below: Legistlative/PAC Committee, Negotiations Team, Public Relations Committee, Membership Committee, Executive Committee, Grievance Committee, Scholarship COmmittee, Bylaws Committee, Special Services Committee, and Minority Affairs Committee.

Section 2 Structure

The Executive Board shall appoint the chairperson and members of each committee for one year.  A vice-chairperson shall be elected from each committee.  The duties of the chairperson and vice-chairperson are as outlined by Robert's Rules of Order and prescribed by the Executive Board.  Each committee may, with the approval of the Executive Board, organize specifid subcommittees and task forces for specific activities not designated by the Bylaws.  No committee shall take any action without the prior approval of the Executive Board.  All Committee chairpersons upon appointment shall attend Executive Board meetings, upon request of the President of the Executive Board.

Section 3 Meetings

Each standing committee shall meet regularly according to a calendar developed by the Executive Board and may hold special meetings at the call of the chairperson, or upon request of any three members.  The representative seat of any member who is absent more than two (2) unexcused times shall be declared vacant by the chairperson.

Section 4 Reports

Each committee shall choose a secretary who shall keep a continuing record of activities.  Upon approval of the minutes of each previous meeting, the committee secretary shall forward an original copy to the Association Secretary to be placed in Association files for future reference.  If the committee secretary keeps a duplicate set of files, they shall be turned over to the Association at the end of the school year.

Section 5 Titles and Duties

A. The Legislative/PAC Committee shall have broad concern for local, state, and national legislation affecting the interest of schools and teachers.  It shall encourage members to exercise their civic and political rights and keep them informed about legislation.  It shall lobby local, state, and federal officials on behalf of education, and may raise money on behalf of candidates and causes with the approval of the Executive Board.

B. The Negotiations Team shall negotiate with the Ritenour Board of Education or its duly appointed representatives on hours, wages, and working conditions, fringe benefits, and instructional programs.  With the aid of appropriate standing committees, it shall prepare negotion proposals to be approved by the Executive Board prior to being placed before the RItenour Board of education on all matters in negotiation with approval of the Executive Board.  The team shall prepare and submit its report and reocmmendation to all teachers for ratification vote.  The procedures for ratifying a negotiation agreement shall be developed by the Executive Board prior to negotiation.

Membership shall consist of no more than five persons including the Association President and Secretary.  One member shall be chosen by the team to serve as the chairperson and another member as secretary.  The President of the Association shall not be the Negotiation Team Chairperson.  The chairperson shall call all team meetings to order, prepare an agenda for each meeting, and shall be responsible for periodic reports to the Executive Board concerning the activities of the team.

C. The Membership Committee shall organize and conduct unified local, state, and national membership enrollment among non-members and inform members of the policies, programs, services, and accomplishments of the Association.  It shall also develop and conduct year long programs for the orientation of new teachers to the community, the school system, and the Association.  The Membership Chair will receive a stipend of $200 for each 1 year term.  The stipend will be paid at the end of the school year.

D. The Executive Committee shall meet monthly before Executive Board meetings to formulate recommendations for consideration by the Executive Board, formulate a budget to be presented to the Executive Board for consideration, and take actions as directed by the Executive Board.  The Executive Committee consists of officers and chairs of the Grievance, Bylaws, Negotiations, and PAC.

E. The Grievance Committee shall develop Association positions on all matters pertaining to rights of Association members such as: academic freedom leave, administrative discipline and dismissal, and grievance procedures and shall compile data for support of such positions on all matters pertaining to responsibilities of Association members such as: adequate school calendar, additional professional training, and administrative evaluation.  The Committee shall advise the Executive Board in cases of censure, suspension, or expulsion of members.  It shall develop a program of orientation to rights and responsibilites for members of the Association.  The Committee shall consist of one (1) member per building plus a chairperson.

F. The Scholarship Committee shall meet and provide scholarships to graduating Ritenour High School students who plan to pursue a career in the educational field through the Hope Charitable Fund.

G. The Bylaws Committee shall meet to revise and update the bylaws as necessary.

H. The Special Services Committee shall provide information regarding benefits provided through Missouri NEA and the National Education Association.  It shall also act as a screening committee to insurance salespeople who periodically seek endorsement by the RNEA.

I. The Minority Affairs Committee shall promote greater understanding among all factions either racial, ethnic, or religious within the RNEA or the Ritenour Community as a whole.  It shall also seek to encourage greater participation within RNEA by minority members.

Section 6 Relation to Executive Board

The Executive Board shall appoint members of the standing committees at the regular meeting in August, fill all unexpected terms as vacancies occur, and shall plan for an organization committee conference each year.  It shall require and assist committtees to define their immediate and long-range objectives through priorities set by member involvement.  Chairpersons should organize subcommittees whenever necessary.

Section 7 Relation to State and National Association

The standing committees shall seek to undstand and relate to the objectives and programs of corresponding units of state and national associations and shall counsel with them.

Article XII Special Committees

Each year the President shall appoint special committees deemed necessary and shall discharge them upon completion of their duties.  These committees shall operate according to the rules approved by the Executive Board.

Article XIII Elections

Section 1 Nominations

A. The members of the Association may file for election by contacting the election chair by March 15.  They may file for the office of President, Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer.  They may only run for one position.  Filing for office shall consist of a written notice stating the office desired.

B. The Executive Board will publish the names of the nominees and may submit to the members brief information on each candidate.

Section 2 Voting

All voting shall take place in the individual school buildings.  Voting on officers, amendments, and any designated issue shall be with open nomination and secret ballot.

Article XIV Affiliation and Election of Delegates

Section 1

The Ritenour NEA shall enter a reciprocal contractual agreement between the Ritenour NEA Local and the National Education Association as stated in the NEA Constitution.

Section 2

The Ritenour NEA shall affiliate with the Missouri NEA as regulated in the Missouri NEA Bylaws.

Section 3

Delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly shall be elected in compliance with the Missouri NEA Bylaws and the NEA Constitution.

Section 4

Delegates to the Missouri NEA Representative Assembly shall be elected in compliance with the Missouri NEA Bylaws.

Section 5

The Association shall take all reasonable steps to assure that elective and appointive bodies shall have ethnic minority representation, at least proportionate to the local school district ethnic minority population.

Article XV Authority

Robert's Rules Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for the Association on all questions not covered by the Bylaws and such standing rules as the Representative Assembly may adopt.

Article XVI Amendment

These Bylaws may be amended by majority vote at any regular meeting of the Executive Board provided that proposed amendments have been previously studied by the Board and that copies have been sent to members of the Board at least two calendar weeks in advance of the meeting in which the proposed amendments are voted on.  Members of the Executive Board should make the proposed amendments available to the general membership for input.  Voting on all proposed amendments shall be by written ballot.



Amended November 29, 1994

Amended February 18, 2003

Amended February 9, 2004

Amended March 4, 2009