CEA Bylaws

CHRISTINA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION BYLAWS

Adopted 4/26/06

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE 1 NAME, AFFILIATION, PURPOSES………………………… .P.3

ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP………………………………………………… P.4

ARTICLE III OFFICERS………….…………………………………….….. P.5-8

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY……………………………. P.9

ARTICLE V ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES………………...… P.10-11

ARTICLE VI AREA GRIEVANCE Directors………..…….…….……… P.12-13

ARTICLE VII EXECUTIVE BOARD…………………………….……… .P.14-15

ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES…...…………………………….…………. P.16-18

ARTICLE IX ELECTION PROCEDURES…………………………………. P.19

ARTICLE X MEETINGS, QUORUM, PARLIMENTARY PROCEDURE. P.20

ARTICLE XI BUDGET, FISCALYEAR, AUDIT…………………………... P.21

ATRICLE XII MEMBERS RIGHT TO FAIR TREATMENT………………. .P.22

ARTICLE XIII INITIATING AND TERMINATING A JOB ACTION………P.23

ARTICLE XIV AMENDMENTS……………………………………………… P.24

ARTICLE XV CONTRACT RATIFICATION………………………………. P.25

ARTICLE I

Name, Affiliation, Purposes

Section 1 - Name

The name of this corporation shall be the Christina Education Association (CEA). The Association shall be affiliated with the Delaware State Education Association (DSEA) and the National Education Association (NEA).

Section 2 - Purpose

The purposes shall be to improve the professional standing and welfare of the teachers in the Christina School District, to encourage and foster the growth of better relations among all Christina School District employees, to further the interests of the education profession, and to promote excellence in education for the children of the district.

Section 3 - Governance

The Association shall be governed by its corporate charter and Bylaws, the CEA Policy Manual, the membership of the Association, and the Executive Board created by said Bylaws.

ARTICLE II

Membership

Section 1 – Membership Year

The membership year shall be the same as DSEA and NEA, September 1st to August 31st.

Section 2 – Membership Categories

The categories of membership, qualification requirements and voting status shall be the same as those stipulated by the DSEA Bylaws. The Association may include more than one employee group in the Christina School District. The decision to create a unified local association shall be made by the Representative Assembly, following notification of the membership that such a decision was being considered.

Section 3 – Membership Dues

Annual CEA dues shall be established by the Representative Assembly together with the next year’s annual budget, prior to the close of each school year. Dues for part-time members (0.5 standing or less) shall be one half (1 / 2) the rate of a full time member.

ARTICLE III

Officers

Section 1 – Executive Board Positions

The elected Executive Officers of the Association shall be the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. The term of office shall be three years (3) beginning September 1st after each election. Officers may stand for reelection. The limit to term of office shall be two elected terms of three years (3). All candidates for elected office will be active members of the Association.

Section 2 – Elections

Each Candidate for Executive Office shall be nominated by filing a petition

with the Association by March 15 of the election year. The petition shall contain at least twenty-five (25) member signatures. In the event no petitions are filed for an office, there will be a special nominating session from the floor of the Representative Assembly.

Elections shall be held on or before May 1st. The person receiving the most votes cast, by

secret ballot made available to all members of the Association, shall be declared elected.

Section 3 – Removal and Due Process

Officers of the Association shall serve their terms as long as they satisfactorily perform the duties of the office. Where officers have been guilty of misconduct or have not completed their duties, such officers may be removed from the office for cause, following proper notice, a hearing and a two-thirds vote (2/3) by the elected members of the Representative Assembly. Then, after proper notice, by a majority vote of the members of the Association.

ARTICLE III

Officers

Section 4 – Responsibilities of the President

The president shall:

Be the chief executive officer, representative and spokesperson for the Association.
Have the responsibility of insuring that members are kept informed and involved in the Association.
Meet Regularly with the Executive Board to plan and implement the programs and policies of the Association.
Preside at the Representative Assembly, Executive Board and all general meetings of the Association.
After consultation with the Executive Board and the approval of the Representative Assembly, appoint all committees, and serve as the ex officio member on all committees.
Be a cosigner with the Treasurer on checks and approver of cash expenditures of the Association.
Be a delegate to the DSEA and NEA Representative Assemblies.
Make certain the Association is in compliance with its Bylaws and policies.
Call, as authorized, special meetings of the Representative Assembly and Executive Board.
When necessary may exercise the authority to appoint a parliamentarian for meetings.

Section 5 – Responsibilities of the Vice President

The Vice President shall:

Assume the duties of the President when he/she is unable to meet the responsibilities of the position as determined by the Representative Assembly.
Be responsible to work with Area Grievance Directors (AGD’s) and Association Representatives (AR’s) to foster their involvement in Association decisions, communications and carrying out Association actions and programs.
Meet regularly with the President and the Executive Board to plan and implement the programs and policies of the Association.
Direct and monitor a local association leadership identification and training program.
Can be a cosigner of checks and approver of cash expenditures with the Treasurer.
Be a delegate to the DSEA and NEA Representative Assemblies.
Shall maintain the official corporate records to be kept on file in the CEA office.
Perform other Association duties as directed by the President.

ARTICLE III

Officers

Section 6 – Responsibilities of the Treasurer

The Treasurer shall:

Be responsible to the Executive Board, Representative Assembly, and the membership for accounting of all funds of the Association. This would also include a written accounting of all receipts and disbursements to the Representative Assembly and Executive Board at each meeting. A copy shall be placed in the Corporate Records. (Refer to Article III, Section 7, Letter E)
Develop, with the Executive board, a proposed operating budget each fiscal each year.
Meet regularly with the Executive Board to plan and implement the programs and policies of the Association.
Be a cosigner, with the President or Vice President, of checks and other cash expenditures of the Association.
Maintain the official financial records of the Association.
Ensure that an annual audit of Association income and expenditures is completed and reported to the Representative Assembly by November 1st. A copy shall be placed in the corporate records
Be a delegate to the DSEA and NEA Representative Assemblies.

Section 7 – Responsibilities of the Secretary

The Secretary shall:

Keep, record, and disseminate minutes of all Representative Assemblies, Executive Board, and general membership meetings deemed necessary by the Executive Board
Serve as a voting member of the Representative Assembly and the Executive Board.
Maintain Association files of special projects and reports, contracts, Bylaws, and correspondence.
Attend Representative Assemblies, Executive Board, and all general meetings of the Association.
Shall maintain the official corporate records to be kept on file in the CEA office.
Perform other such duties as directed by the President.
Be a delegate to the DSEA and NEA Representative Assemblies.
Shall disseminate and manage all professional development materials.

ARTICLE III

Officers

Section 8 – Vacancies

Vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled for the unexpired term by the Vice President.
A vacancy in the office of Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer shall be filled for the unexpired term by election of the Representative Assembly.

ARTICLE IV

Representative Assembly (RA)

Section 1 – Purposes

The Representative Assembly (RA) shall be the corporate board of directors and shall serve as the legislative body of the Association.

Section 2 – Authority / Responsibility of the Representative Assembly

The Representative Assembly (RA) shall:

Adopt the fiscal budget, which shall include the local dues amount for

the fiscal year and any stipends.

Serve as the policy making body of the Association and conduct the ongoing business of the Association.

Approve the Bylaws of the Association.
Carry out the other duties as directed by the Executive Board.

Section 3 – Voting Members of the Representative Assembly (RA)

The membership of each building/work site shall elect Association Representatives (AR’s) to the Representative Assembly (RA).
The Executive Board shall be voting members of the Representative Assembly (RA).
One (1) alternate for each Association Representative (AR) may be elected in the same manner as the Association Representatives. They may attend and participate in the Representative Council, but do not have the right to vote unless they are replacing an elected representative.

Section 4 – Meetings

The Representative Assembly (RA) shall meet monthly during the school year at a regularly scheduled time and place.
The President, with the concurrence of the Executive Board, shall schedule the first meeting and prepare recommendations for future meetings, dates and locations that the Representative Assembly (RA) shall act upon.
Special meetings may be called or a meeting may be canceled by the President, by a majority of the Association Representatives (AR’s) or by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE V

Association Representatives (AR’s)

Section 1 – Selection of Association Representatives (AR’s

Association Representatives (AR’s) shall be elected by the members in

the respective building/worksites.

The process shall include open nominations and secret ballot election.

They will be elected on a ratio of one (1) representative for every twenty (20) members.

Every building/worksite shall have at least one (1) Association Representative (AR). The number of Association Representatives (AR’s) per building/worksite shall be determined by the number of members at the conclusion of the previous academic year.

D. The Executive Board will deal with exceptions on a case-by-case

basis.

They will be and will remain members of the Association while

serving as an Association Representative (AR). Association representatives (AR’s) will serve a term of two (2) years and may be reelected.

F. The elections will be conducted prior to the first Association meeting

of the following academic year.

Section 2 – Responsibilities of the Association Representative (AR)

The Association Representative (AR) shall:

Represent their members by attending the meetings of the Representative Assembly, by participating in the decision-making, and implementing the actions and activities of the Association.
Keep the members informed of Association issues and activities and keep the Association informed of the members’ opinions and ideas.
Promote member involvement in the Association by recruiting new members and individuals for Association activities and programs.
Promote membership involvement in NEA and DSEA Advocacy Fund for Children and Public Education.
Assist members with their problems and concerns in regards to, but not limited to, grievances, improvement plans, observation rebuttals, and professional issues.
Develop a working relationship with administrators in order to effectively represent their members.
Attend all Representative Association meetings. Alternates shall attend in the absence of the Association Representative.
Attend one training (1) per year from a designated list provided the Executive Board.
Develop a working relationship with administrators in order to effectively represent members of the Association.

ARTICLE V

Association Representatives (AR’s)

Section 3 – Recall of Association Representatives

An Association Representative may be recalled for poor performance of duty by two thirds (2/3) vote of the membership of the building/worksite he/she represents.
At the recommendation of the Executive Board, an Association Representative (AR) may be removed by the majority vote of the Representative Assembly (RA).

Section 4 – Vacancies

When a vacancy occurs in an Association Representative (AR) position, an elected alternate will assume the position.
In the event that no elected alternate exists, then nominations will be received and an election held.

ARTICLE VI

Area Grievance Directors (AGD’s)

Section 1 – Purpose

Building/worksites will be clustered together in proportionally equal areas.
Each area’s membership will elect an Area Grievance Directors (AGD’s) to facilitate Association activities and to represent the area on the Executive Board.
Area Grievance Directors (AGD’s) will serve two (2) year terms.
The make-up of each area will be examined every two (2) years by the Executive Board to ensure a balanced representation.
Recommendations for change of area composition will be made by the Executive Board to the Representative Assembly (RA) for approval by majority vote.
Facilitate grievance procedures as per the CEA Flow Chart (see CEA Policy Manual).

Section 2 – Responsibilities of the Area Grievance Directors (AGD’s)

Area Grievance Directors (AGD’s) shall:

Ensure that each building fairly elects an Association Representative (AR).
Communicate with the Association Representatives (AR’s) in their respective area; encourage Association Representative (AR) attendance and participation in Association Meetings.
Assist in implementing and facilitating Association actions and programs with their area.
Serve as a voting member on the Executive Board.

E. Be a delegate to the DSEA Representative Assembly (RA)

F. Certify to the Association / Vice President the names of the

Representatives and alternates (if needed) for the building/worksite.

Each month deliver to the Secretary a written report of the

monthly activities outlining problems and outcomes of issues in

their particular area.

Document all contacts, retain copies of all correspondence, and

keep clear records of any conferences/meetings.

ARTICLE VI

Area Grievance Directors (AGD’s)

Section 3 – Recall of Area Grievance Directors (AGD’s)

Area Grievance Directors (AGD’s) will serve their terms so long as they satisfactorily perform the duties of office.
Area Grievance Directors (AGD’s) may be removed for cause following notice and a hearing before the Representative Assembly (RA). They may be removed after notice, by a majority vote of the Representative Assembly (RA).

Section 4 – Area Grievance Directors (AGD’s) Vacancy

When a vacancy occurs in the Area Grievance Directors (AGD’s) position, the Executive Board will nominate a member to fill the position until the next regularly scheduled election.
The nomination of the Executive Board must be approved by a majority of the Association Representatives (AR’s) served by the Area Director

ARTICLE VII

Executive Board

Section 1 – Purpose

The Executive Board shall be responsible for the implementation of Association actions, and when necessary, be the interim policy making body between meetings of the Representative Assembly (RA).

Section 2 – Membership

The Executive Board shall be composed of elected officers, Area

Grievance Directors (AGD’s), and elected Program Chairs.

The past President shall be a nonvoting member of

the Executive Board for a period of time as determined by the

sitting Executive board.

No member of the CEA may hold more than one position on the CEA Executive Board.
No member of CEA may function as a building representative while

serving on a position of said Executive Board.

Section 3– Responsibilities of the Executive Board

The Executive Board shall:

Implement and coordinate the actions of the Representative Assembly . (RA).

Act as the primary planning body for the Association.
Ensure that the membership and the Representative Assembly (RA) are involved in the planning process.
Make policy decisions in the interim between Representative Assembly (RA) meetings.
Develop and implement a membership involvement program.
Make contingency expenditures when they have not been budgeted.
Approve any expenditure in excess of $250.00.
Ensure that the Association is meeting its responsibilities of incorporation.
Each member of the Executive Board shall chair a designated contract mandated committee as set forth by the President in the policy manual.
Attend all meetings, functions, and activities designed to enhance the

role of CEA in New Castle County and in Delaware as a whole.

ARTICLE VII

Executive Board

Section 4 – Meetings

The Executive Board shall meet monthly.
A schedule of the meetings will be prepared by the President and approved by the Board at its first meeting of the year. Special meetings may be called by the President or by a majority of the Executive Board.
If the president so deems, a parliamentarian shall be present, but

this does not constitute an Executive Board seat.

ARTICLE VIII

Committees

Section 1 – Purpose

The purpose for establishing committees is to involve the membership in the decision making process and the activities of the Association. Accordingly, except for standing committees, the President, with the consultation of the Executive Board and approval of the Representative Assembly (RA), will create or disband special committees with specific goals and charges each year and shall implement strategies/actions to address them.

Section 2 – Committee Charges and Procedures

Committee Directors shall:

Be responsible for ensuring committee members are notified in a timely manner concerning meetings.
Prepare an agenda and ensure minutes are taken at committee meetings.
Provide monthly written reports to the Executive Board and the Representative Assembly (RA).
Ensure that the committee reviews, modifies (if necessary and with permission of the President) and implements the charges.
Attend meetings to provide reports.

Section 3 – Committee Director Elections

Each Candidate for Directorship shall be nominated by filing a petition with the Association by March 15 of the election year. The petition shall contain at least twenty-five (25) member signatures. In the event no petitions are filed for an office, there will be a special nominating session from the floor of the Representative Assembly. A term of office is two years.

Section 4 –Committee Director Vacancy

A vacancy in the office of Committee Director shall be filled for the unexpired term by election of the Representative Assembly.

Advertising for these positions will be announced at a Representative Assembly (RA) and emailed to all members via building representatives.

ARTICLE VIII

Committees

Section 5 –Committees

Political Action
Communications
Membership

D. Negotiations

E. Liaison

Section 6 – Committee Meetings

Each committee shall meet as needed.

Section 7 – Special Committees

Each year the President may appoint special ad hoc committees as may be necessary and shall discharge them upon completion of their duties. All special committees shall report in writing to the President, the local Executive Board, and the Representative Assembly.

Section 8 – Special Duties and Responsibilities of the Committee Directors

Political Action Director

A) Attend all regularly scheduled Board of Education meetings and

submit a written report to the Executive Board.

B) Work with DSEA and with the Christina District delegation to the

state legislature in Dover to keep CEA apprised of political

agendas.

C) Recruit and organize members to endorse the campaign(s) of

recommended candidates.

D) Encourage members to contact elected officials to educate them

about key DSEA issues and to ask them to endorse DSEA's

positions on such key issues.

E) Recruit and organize members to support DSEA positions in the

legislative process at the local, state and national levels.

Communications Director

A) Maintain CEA website.

B) Establish, maintain, and distribute on a regularly scheduled basis

a written dialogue for members of CEA.

ARTICLE VIII

Committees

Membership Director

A) Conduct new teacher meetings in August prior to the opening of

school.

B) Do a roster clean up as per the schedule established by DSEA.

C) Keep building representatives apprised of work site membership

and agency fee payers.

Promote the transition from agency fee payers to full membership

in CEA .

Negotiations Director

A) Chair the negotiations table during contract bargaining.

B) Attend all regularly scheduled Board of Education meetings and

submit a written report to the Executive Board.

C) Additional duties may be assigned by the President due to the

cyclical nature of this committee’s charge.

Liaison Director

A) Conduct all liaison trainings for building committees.

B) Collect from each work site a written liaison report each month

and submit same to the President or his designee.

C) Required to attend all District Liaison Committee meetings

D) Ensure that every work site has a functioning liaison committee

ARTICLE IX

Election Procedures

Section 1 – General Principles

All elections of the Association shall have a member notification and nomination process. Each election involving the membership shall be held by secret ballot.

Section 2 – Election Committee

An election committee shall be appointed by the President with concurrence of the Representative Assembly (RA). Their responsibilities shall be to set up and conduct the all-member elections, insuring compliance with the notification, nominations, timelines, procedures, and the secret ballot requirements.

Section 3 – Election Procedures for Christina Education Association (CEA)

Candidates for office shall submit in person a nomination petition by March 15th to the CEA secretary.
An election is to be held by May 1st.The procedures and guidelines for conducting the election are found in the Christina Education Association Policy Manual.
In the event that no nominating petitions are filed for one of the executive offices, a special nominating session will take place from the Representative Assembly (RA).
In the event that there is no challenger (one candidate) for an office, that candidate shall be declared elected.

Section 4 – Election of DSEA and NEA Delegates to the Representative

Assemblies

Local delegates to the DSEA and NEA Representative Assemblies shall be nominated and elected in accordance with the requirements of the two organizations. Procedures must include open nominations and a secret ballot. In the event that there is no challenger (one candidate) for an office that candidate shall be declared elected.

ARTICLE X

Meetings, Quorum, and Parliamentary Authority

Section 1 – Meetings

Any member of the Association in good standing is entitled to attend any regular or special general meeting of the Association and may be invited by the chairperson to attend any committee meeting. Voting Power shall be restricted to the duly elected delegates.

Section 2 – Quorum

A majority of the elected members will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business for any elected body of the Association.

Section 3 – Parliamentary Authority

The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, with exceptions as provided for in the Bylaws, will be the Parliamentary Authority on procedure in all official meetings of any bodies of the Association. These rules of procedure will not be suspended, added to, or amended except by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members in attendance at any of the business sessions of any properly called body.

ARTICLE XI

Budget, Fiscal Year, Audit

Section 1 – Budget

The budget for the next fiscal year, along with the annual dues amounts, will be adopted by the Representative Assembly (RA) prior to the close of each school year. The Representative Assembly (RA), upon recommendation of the officers and Executive Board, may amend the budget in the fall to address planning / goal needs or a change in dues income.

Section 2 – Stipends

Upon the recommendations of the Executive Board and the approval of the Representative Assembly (RA), stipends will be provided to Officers, Area Directors (AD’s), program chairpersons. These stipends may include provisions for a half time or a full-time release President.

Section 3 – Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall be from September 1st to August 31st.

Section 4 – Audit

An audit shall be completed each year no later than ninety days (90) following the close of thfiscal year. A certified public accountant shall be retained to minimally conduct a review and verification of revenues and expenditures if the Association budget exceeds $25,000.00

ARTICLE XII

Members Right to Fair Treatment

Section 1

Each member of the Association shall have the right to fair treatment in the applications of the Bylaws, rules and regulations of the Association. In the matters relating to the discipline of the Association Members, the essential requirements of due process of law (notice, hearing and judgment based on evidence) will be observed, without, however, requiring the technical formalities in the courts of law.

Section 2

Appeals shall be processed in accordance with the procedures adopted by the DSEA Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIII

Initiating and Terminating a Job Action

A majority of the Executive Board and Representative Assembly (RA) must approve any job action (work stoppage) recommendation before a vote may be submitted to the general membership. A job action will be initiated and terminated by a majority vote of the general membership. The results of the vote shall be made to all members.

ARTICLE XIV

Amendments

Section 1.

The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Representative Assembly provided that the President has received the proposed amendment(s) at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting where the vote will be taken and that the proposed amendment(s) hasbeen distributed to the general membership at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the meeting. Amendments will only be considered at the October and April meetings of the Representative Assembly. (The October and April requirements may be waived for organizational emergencies, but the amendment(s) require a majority vote of the Representative Assembly and the thirty day (30) and fourteen (14) day requirements must be met.) Unless otherwise stated, the amendment(s) shall be effective immediately following the Representative Assembly adoption.

Section 2.

Any By-Law of the Association that relates to the affiliation of the Association with DSEA, and/or NEA may be amended in the manner set forth in Section 1 above, provided that such amendment shall require for enactment an affirmative majority vote of the members present at a Representative Assembly.

ARTICLE XV

Contract Ratification

A contract for terms of employment between the Christina School District and the Association must be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Board before presentation to the membership for approval (or disapproval).
By secret ballot, the membership shall approve a contract by a majority vote.

CEA News Headlines: