Brownsville ATPE Local Unit Bylaws
ARTICLE I: NAME
Section 1: Name
The organization shall be known as the: Brownsville Association of Texas Professional Educators
Local Unit Name
Association of Texas Professional Educators (hereinafter referred to as: Brownsville ATPE).
Section 2: Purpose
The local unit is organized for the following purposes: To further education as a service and as a profession through support of public schools in the: Brownsville ISD; to promote activities, services, and training for educators; and to develop and maintain high standards of professional ethics among all professional educators.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Definitions
Where used herein, the term “member” means: Those persons who have paid the prescribed state and local unit ATPE membership dues for the current membership year and who have not otherwise had their membership suspended.
Section 2: Membership
Any educator or person interested in public education who believes in and will support the purposes of this organization shall be eligible for membership.
Section 3: Membership Year
The membership year shall run concurrently with the state membership year as established in the ATPE State Bylaws, Article III, Section 3. Currently, the state membership year runs Aug. 1 through July 31 of the following year.
Section 4: Charter Procedures
Each local unit will submit a copy of its duly adopted bylaws and its officer list, upon amendment, to the ATPE state office.
Section 5: Classes of Members
The association shall have seven (7) classes of members. The classes and their qualifications are:
a) Professional. Those educators who are employed in Texas in a certain capacity (as defined yearly by the Board of Directors) by a public school district, institution of higher education, Regional Education Service Center, State Board for Educator Certification, or the Texas Education Agency, or who are life members of the state association.
b) Associate. Those paraprofessional and support persons who are employed in Texas in a certain capacity (as defined yearly by the Board of Directors) by a public school district, institution of higher education, Regional Education Service Center, State Board for Educator
Certification, or the Texas Education Agency.
c) Administrator: Educators who are employed in Texas by a public school district as a principal, assistant/area/deputy superintendent, or superintendent, and whose position requires certification by the State Board for Educator Certification.
d) Student Teacher. Those students enrolled in a teacher education program in an accredited college or university
or an alternative certification program, who will be engaged in student teaching and/or field experience in Texas during the membership year.
e) Retired. Those persons who are retired from an active position in the public education profession after working
in public education for at least ten (10) years and who receive, have received, or are eligible to receive a benefit from a recognized pension program.
f ) Public. Those persons other than the foregoing who are interested in public education.
g) College Student. Individuals enrolled in an accredited college or university, or alternative certification program, who will not be involved in the student teaching experience.
ARTICLE III: OFFICERS
Section 1: Officers
The officers of the local unit shall be a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, immediate past president, and other officers deemed necessary and elected by the local unit. No two elected offices may be held simultaneously bythe same person. All officers shall be members of ATPE.
Section 2: Executive Committee
The officers shall collectively constitute the Executive Committee, having the duties as hereinafter prescribed. A
majority of the total Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 3: Election and Term of Office
The local unit Executive Committee shall appoint a Nomination/Election Committee to receive nominations of candidates for all offices except immediate past president, or the Executive Committee may serve as the Nomination/ Election Committee. The president shall automatically succeed to the office of immediate past president. An election may be conducted by mail, email, or other means established by the Nomination/Election Committee or Executive Committee, provided the election process, as described by these bylaws, is followed. Nominations must be requested from the local membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled election date. Only nominations received at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the election shall be included by the Nomination/ Election Committee or Executive Committee on the list of the nominated candidates. Additionally, nominations may be submitted from the floor at the local election site,
or via write-in candidates in mail or email elections. A ten (10) day notice of the Nomination/Election Committee’s list of nominated candidates shall be given to the local unit members. The officers of the local unit shall be elected by a majority vote of the delegates present and voting during the election meeting, or by a majority vote of the delegates voting by mail or email. Each officer shall hold office until
his or her successor has been duly elected and has qualified.
Section 4: Removal of Officers
Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting at any local unit meeting, provided a notification indicating that there will be a vote on whether or not to remove an officer has been given to all members at least thirty (30) days in advance.
Section 5: Vacancies
A vacancy in the office of president shall be filled by succession of the vice president to the office of president for the remainder of the term. If the local unit does not have a vice president, the vacancy can be filled by another officer for the remainder of the term. A vacancy in any other office may be filled by the Executive Committee for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section 6: Terms
All officer terms of the local unit shall run concurrently with the state ATPE officer terms as established in the ATPE State Bylaws, Article IV, Section 6. Currently, state officer terms run Aug. 1 through July 31 of the following year.
Section 7: Duties of Officers
Officers shall have and shall exercise the following duties:
a) President. The president shall preside at all meetings. In general he/she shall perform all duties incidental to the office of president and other duties as may be necessary for the growth of the local unit. The president will select and certify to the secretary of ATPE the names of the local unit state convention delegates and alternates no fewer than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the state convention. The president shall submit a copy of the local unit’s duly adopted bylaws and its officer list, upon amendment, to the ATPE state office.
b) Vice President. In the absence of the president, the vice president shall perform the duties of the president. When so acting, he/she shall have all the powers of and be subject to all restrictions upon the president. The vice president shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the president.
c) Secretary. The secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings and activities of the local unit and shall give all notices to members in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws.
d) Treasurer. The treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for monies, dues from and payable to any source whatsoever, and deposit all such monies in a financial institution as determined by the Executive Committee. He/she shall keep the Executive Committee and the members apprised of the financial condition of the local unit.
e) Immediate Past President. The immediate past president shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee and shall perform other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him/her by the president.
ARTICLE IV: LOCAL UNIT
Section 1: Local Dues
All members of the local unit shall pay $10 local dues in addition to the prescribed state association dues. No part of the net earnings of the local unit shall inure to the benefit of any private individual, except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for ATPE that affect one or more of its purposes.
Section 2: Local Functions
The functions of the local unit shall be:
a) To enroll members in the association.
b) To select delegates to the ATPE House of Delegates as provided by established local unit and state association procedures.
c) To promote activities consistent with the purpose of ATPE.
Section 3: Meetings
Local units shall conduct at least one meeting per year on a date and at a time to be determined by the local unit Executive Committee.
Section 4: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall run concurrently with the state ATPE fiscal year as established in the ATPE State Bylaws, Article XIV, Section 1. Currently, the state fiscal year runs Aug. 1 through July 31 of the following year.
Section 5: Dissolution
Upon termination or dissolution of the local unit, whether mandated by action of the Board of Directors or through voluntary action taken by the local unit, any assets of the local unit (including monies, physical assets, and records) lawfully available for dissolution shall become property of the state association and shall promptly be returned to the state office.
ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES
Section 1: Standing Committees
Local units may establish one or more of the following
standing committees:
(a) Bylaws
(b) Legislative
(c) Membership
(d) Nomination/Election
(e) Resolutions
Section 2: Duties of Standing Committees
The standing committees shall have the following duties
and responsibilities:
a) Bylaws. To recommend appropriate amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and/or bylaws of the local unit or state association and to forward a copy of the local unit bylaws to the local unit president to forward to the state office each time they are amended.
b) Legislative. To promote legislation endorsed (or opposed) by the local unit or state association and to coordinate appropriate activities involving legislation, such as monitoring legislative issues that would affect local unit members.
c) Membership. To promote the growth of the local unit through the use of state ATPE recruitment information, development of local materials, and implementation of recruitment programs on the campus and district levels.
d) Nomination/Election. To receive nominations for officers and recommend, for approval by the Executive Committee, election rules to govern the nomination and election of officers; such rules shall be presented to the Executive Committee prior to the date necessary to give notice as provided in Article III, Section 3, to govern local unit elections. And to recommend, for approval by the Executive Committee, rules to govern the selection of delegates, if applicable.
e) Resolutions. To review and/or propose resolutions to be considered by the local unit and the ATPE House of Delegates.
Section 3: Appointment
The membership of standing committees shall be appointed by the president from among local unit members in such numbers as deemed appropriate.
ARTICLE VI: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1: Procedure
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the proceedings of the local unit shall adhere to standards of procedure established in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, as the current edition now provides, or as it may be hereafter updated.
Section 2: Charter Standards
The local unit shall adhere to any and all charter affiliation standards that currently are adopted, or that may be adopted in the future, by the state House of Delegates and/ or Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
Section 1: Authority to Amend
The local unit shall solicit from its members any proposed bylaws amendments no later than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendments would be considered. Members must submit their proposed bylaws amendments no later than twenty (20) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendments would be considered. These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed, and new bylaws may be adopted by a three-fifths (3/5) vote of the members present and voting at a local unit meeting, provided proper notice of the intention to alter, amend, or repeal these bylaws or to adopt new bylaws at such meeting has been given to all members at least ten (10) days in advance of the meeting at which the proposed amendments would be considered.
Section 1: Name
The organization shall be known as the: Brownsville Association of Texas Professional Educators
Local Unit Name
Association of Texas Professional Educators (hereinafter referred to as: Brownsville ATPE).
Section 2: Purpose
The local unit is organized for the following purposes: To further education as a service and as a profession through support of public schools in the: Brownsville ISD; to promote activities, services, and training for educators; and to develop and maintain high standards of professional ethics among all professional educators.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Definitions
Where used herein, the term “member” means: Those persons who have paid the prescribed state and local unit ATPE membership dues for the current membership year and who have not otherwise had their membership suspended.
Section 2: Membership
Any educator or person interested in public education who believes in and will support the purposes of this organization shall be eligible for membership.
Section 3: Membership Year
The membership year shall run concurrently with the state membership year as established in the ATPE State Bylaws, Article III, Section 3. Currently, the state membership year runs Aug. 1 through July 31 of the following year.
Section 4: Charter Procedures
Each local unit will submit a copy of its duly adopted bylaws and its officer list, upon amendment, to the ATPE state office.
Section 5: Classes of Members
The association shall have seven (7) classes of members. The classes and their qualifications are:
a) Professional. Those educators who are employed in Texas in a certain capacity (as defined yearly by the Board of Directors) by a public school district, institution of higher education, Regional Education Service Center, State Board for Educator Certification, or the Texas Education Agency, or who are life members of the state association.
b) Associate. Those paraprofessional and support persons who are employed in Texas in a certain capacity (as defined yearly by the Board of Directors) by a public school district, institution of higher education, Regional Education Service Center, State Board for Educator
Certification, or the Texas Education Agency.
c) Administrator: Educators who are employed in Texas by a public school district as a principal, assistant/area/deputy superintendent, or superintendent, and whose position requires certification by the State Board for Educator Certification.
d) Student Teacher. Those students enrolled in a teacher education program in an accredited college or university
or an alternative certification program, who will be engaged in student teaching and/or field experience in Texas during the membership year.
e) Retired. Those persons who are retired from an active position in the public education profession after working
in public education for at least ten (10) years and who receive, have received, or are eligible to receive a benefit from a recognized pension program.
f ) Public. Those persons other than the foregoing who are interested in public education.
g) College Student. Individuals enrolled in an accredited college or university, or alternative certification program, who will not be involved in the student teaching experience.
ARTICLE III: OFFICERS
Section 1: Officers
The officers of the local unit shall be a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, immediate past president, and other officers deemed necessary and elected by the local unit. No two elected offices may be held simultaneously bythe same person. All officers shall be members of ATPE.
Section 2: Executive Committee
The officers shall collectively constitute the Executive Committee, having the duties as hereinafter prescribed. A
majority of the total Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 3: Election and Term of Office
The local unit Executive Committee shall appoint a Nomination/Election Committee to receive nominations of candidates for all offices except immediate past president, or the Executive Committee may serve as the Nomination/ Election Committee. The president shall automatically succeed to the office of immediate past president. An election may be conducted by mail, email, or other means established by the Nomination/Election Committee or Executive Committee, provided the election process, as described by these bylaws, is followed. Nominations must be requested from the local membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled election date. Only nominations received at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the election shall be included by the Nomination/ Election Committee or Executive Committee on the list of the nominated candidates. Additionally, nominations may be submitted from the floor at the local election site,
or via write-in candidates in mail or email elections. A ten (10) day notice of the Nomination/Election Committee’s list of nominated candidates shall be given to the local unit members. The officers of the local unit shall be elected by a majority vote of the delegates present and voting during the election meeting, or by a majority vote of the delegates voting by mail or email. Each officer shall hold office until
his or her successor has been duly elected and has qualified.
Section 4: Removal of Officers
Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting at any local unit meeting, provided a notification indicating that there will be a vote on whether or not to remove an officer has been given to all members at least thirty (30) days in advance.
Section 5: Vacancies
A vacancy in the office of president shall be filled by succession of the vice president to the office of president for the remainder of the term. If the local unit does not have a vice president, the vacancy can be filled by another officer for the remainder of the term. A vacancy in any other office may be filled by the Executive Committee for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section 6: Terms
All officer terms of the local unit shall run concurrently with the state ATPE officer terms as established in the ATPE State Bylaws, Article IV, Section 6. Currently, state officer terms run Aug. 1 through July 31 of the following year.
Section 7: Duties of Officers
Officers shall have and shall exercise the following duties:
a) President. The president shall preside at all meetings. In general he/she shall perform all duties incidental to the office of president and other duties as may be necessary for the growth of the local unit. The president will select and certify to the secretary of ATPE the names of the local unit state convention delegates and alternates no fewer than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the state convention. The president shall submit a copy of the local unit’s duly adopted bylaws and its officer list, upon amendment, to the ATPE state office.
b) Vice President. In the absence of the president, the vice president shall perform the duties of the president. When so acting, he/she shall have all the powers of and be subject to all restrictions upon the president. The vice president shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the president.
c) Secretary. The secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings and activities of the local unit and shall give all notices to members in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws.
d) Treasurer. The treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for monies, dues from and payable to any source whatsoever, and deposit all such monies in a financial institution as determined by the Executive Committee. He/she shall keep the Executive Committee and the members apprised of the financial condition of the local unit.
e) Immediate Past President. The immediate past president shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee and shall perform other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him/her by the president.
ARTICLE IV: LOCAL UNIT
Section 1: Local Dues
All members of the local unit shall pay $10 local dues in addition to the prescribed state association dues. No part of the net earnings of the local unit shall inure to the benefit of any private individual, except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for ATPE that affect one or more of its purposes.
Section 2: Local Functions
The functions of the local unit shall be:
a) To enroll members in the association.
b) To select delegates to the ATPE House of Delegates as provided by established local unit and state association procedures.
c) To promote activities consistent with the purpose of ATPE.
Section 3: Meetings
Local units shall conduct at least one meeting per year on a date and at a time to be determined by the local unit Executive Committee.
Section 4: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall run concurrently with the state ATPE fiscal year as established in the ATPE State Bylaws, Article XIV, Section 1. Currently, the state fiscal year runs Aug. 1 through July 31 of the following year.
Section 5: Dissolution
Upon termination or dissolution of the local unit, whether mandated by action of the Board of Directors or through voluntary action taken by the local unit, any assets of the local unit (including monies, physical assets, and records) lawfully available for dissolution shall become property of the state association and shall promptly be returned to the state office.
ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES
Section 1: Standing Committees
Local units may establish one or more of the following
standing committees:
(a) Bylaws
(b) Legislative
(c) Membership
(d) Nomination/Election
(e) Resolutions
Section 2: Duties of Standing Committees
The standing committees shall have the following duties
and responsibilities:
a) Bylaws. To recommend appropriate amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and/or bylaws of the local unit or state association and to forward a copy of the local unit bylaws to the local unit president to forward to the state office each time they are amended.
b) Legislative. To promote legislation endorsed (or opposed) by the local unit or state association and to coordinate appropriate activities involving legislation, such as monitoring legislative issues that would affect local unit members.
c) Membership. To promote the growth of the local unit through the use of state ATPE recruitment information, development of local materials, and implementation of recruitment programs on the campus and district levels.
d) Nomination/Election. To receive nominations for officers and recommend, for approval by the Executive Committee, election rules to govern the nomination and election of officers; such rules shall be presented to the Executive Committee prior to the date necessary to give notice as provided in Article III, Section 3, to govern local unit elections. And to recommend, for approval by the Executive Committee, rules to govern the selection of delegates, if applicable.
e) Resolutions. To review and/or propose resolutions to be considered by the local unit and the ATPE House of Delegates.
Section 3: Appointment
The membership of standing committees shall be appointed by the president from among local unit members in such numbers as deemed appropriate.
ARTICLE VI: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 1: Procedure
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the proceedings of the local unit shall adhere to standards of procedure established in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, as the current edition now provides, or as it may be hereafter updated.
Section 2: Charter Standards
The local unit shall adhere to any and all charter affiliation standards that currently are adopted, or that may be adopted in the future, by the state House of Delegates and/ or Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
Section 1: Authority to Amend
The local unit shall solicit from its members any proposed bylaws amendments no later than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendments would be considered. Members must submit their proposed bylaws amendments no later than twenty (20) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendments would be considered. These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed, and new bylaws may be adopted by a three-fifths (3/5) vote of the members present and voting at a local unit meeting, provided proper notice of the intention to alter, amend, or repeal these bylaws or to adopt new bylaws at such meeting has been given to all members at least ten (10) days in advance of the meeting at which the proposed amendments would be considered.