CORTLAND UNITED TEACHERS

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Spring 2007

ARTICLE I:  NAME

This organization shall be know as Cortland United Teachers.

ARTICLE II:  PURPOSES

The purposes of this organization shall be:

  • To advance and support the standards of its members’ profession;
  • To secure the conditions necessary to provide the greatest rewards for its members in their work environment;
  • To promote the participation of its members in the operational decisions affecting their employment;
  • To promote the welfare and well-being of its members;
  • To promote mutual assistance and cooperation with other organizations with which it is associated;
  • To promote the aims and objectives of the New York State United Teachers and its national affiliates;
  • To expose and fight all forms of racism and discrimination;
  • To promote the unity and strength of its members;
  • To promote a positive community image.

ARTICLE III:  AFFILIATIONS

This organization shall affiliate with the New York State United Teachers and its national affiliates.

ARTICLE IV:  MEMBERSHIP

Active membership in this organization shall be open to any person whose title is delineated in the collective bargaining agreement with the employer.

  • Special membership, either retired, part-time or sustaining:
    • Special membership shall be open to previous employees who wish to sustain their union membership. 
    • Sustaining membership shall be open to any person whose position has been eliminated by the District or to any person who has been involuntarily terminated and has litigation, grievance, or other similar proceedings in progress.  Such sustaining membership shall terminate upon resolution of such litigation or other proceedings.
    • Special members are prohibited from holding office or voting on union matters.

3.   Active membership shall be obtained only through payment of all required dues.

ARTICLE V:  DUES

  1. Annual dues of the Cortland United Teachers shall be assessed as follows:
    • For active members dues shall be the affiliate per capita dues plus the local Union dues.
    • Dues for special membership shall be the affiliate per capita dues.
  • Dues changes shall be determined as follows:
    • Local dues will increase annually the same percentage rate as the salary increase percentage rate.

ARTICLE VI:  OFFICERS

  1. The officers of the Cortland United Teachers shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Treasurer, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary Web Secretary, and such others as the Executive Committee may determine.  These Officers shall be elected, every two years, by the Union and shall assume the duties of the office by July 1.

  1. Duties of the President
    • Be chief executive officer of C.U.T.
    •  Administer all affairs and execute all policies of the organization.
    • Preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and general membership.
    • Represent the organization with all external groups.
    • Appoint and establish the function and chairpersons of all committees (except Nominating) with the approval of the Executive Committee.
    • Shall be a member ex officio of all committees except the Nominating committee.
    • Shall be an active voting member of negotiations.
    • Call regular and special meetings of the Executive Committee and general membership
    • Shall serve as a delegate to the Representative Assembly, AFT, Quest and any other national affiliate meetings.
    • The President or presiding officer shall be entitled to vote at any Union meeting ONLY in the case of a tie.
    • Fulfill such other duties as the office requires and as are consistent with these bylaws.
  1. Duties of the Vice President
  • Shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the President in the president’s absence as so delegated by the President, and shall perform such other duties as the President may designate.
  • Preside as chairperson of the Grievance Committee.
  1. Duties of the Corresponding Secretary, Web Secretary, Recording Secretary and Treasurer
  • Shall perform those duties usual to those officers and such other duties as may be required by the President or Executive Committee.
  1. Other Elected Positions
    • Building Representatives shall include at least one representative from each elementary building (five) and an equal number from the junior-senior high school (five), one representative from the Nurses, and one representative from the Teaching Assistants .
    • Representatives elected by their constituencies , and all other elected positions  shall be elected every two years, by the Union and shall assume the duties of office by July 1
    • Other elected positions include Representative Assembly Delegates, NYSUT Retirement Delegates, ED11 Delegates, and alternates for those positions.

 

ARTICLE VII:  VACANCIES

Section 1:   Succession

In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall succeed to the Presidency.

Section 2:  Appointments

If any other office or elected position becomes vacant, it shall be filled by the President with approval of the Executive Committee until the next election is held by the general membership.

Section 3:  Special Elections

In the event of a dual vacancy in the office of President and in the office of Vice President a special election shall be held to fill both vacancies.

ARTICLE VIII:  REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

Any officer or member of a standing committee who fails to conduct himself or herself in a manner befitting the position may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the Union members. 

ARTICLE IX:  COMMITTEES

All committees shall be made up of regular members in good standing of the Union.  All committees shall keep written records of business transacted, which will be filed by chairperson of the committee with the President in June.  This report shall include goals for next year.

Section 1:  Executive Committee

    • The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Union, the Building Representatives from each school, one representative from the Nurses, one representative from the Teaching Assistants, and one designated representative of the retired teachers.  The President of the Union shall be chairperson of this committee.  The chairpersons of the standing committees are ex-facto members of the Executive Committee and may attend the Executive Committee meetings but may not vote.
    • The Executive Committee shall direct the general management of the affairs of the Union, shall transact necessary Union business meetings, and shall handle such other business as may be referred to it by the Union.  The Executive Committee shall appoint an accountant to examine the Treasurer’s books yearly.  The Executive Committee shall review issues for negotiations before submission to the District negotiation team.  The Executive Committee, together with the negotiating team will set parameters for the team.  The Negotiating Team will give updates at each Executive Committee monthly meeting during negotiations.  Regular meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the President or by a majority of the committee members.

Section 2:  Nominating Committee – Volunteers will be recommended by the Building Representatives and approved by the Executive Committee

    • The Nominating Committee shall consist of one member from each elementary school, two members from the junior high school and two members from the senior high school.  This committee shall inform the membership thirty days prior to the April meeting (Executive or General) that petitions of nomination for President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Delegate and Alternate to the Representative Assembly, Web Secretary, Retirement, ED 11 and five (5) Negotiators will be accepted.  The Nominating Committee shall collect all petitions of nominations and present the slate of candidates at the April meeting (Executive or General).  This same committee shall prepare the ballot and submit it to the membership for action at the May meeting (Executive or General), at which time all elections shall take place.  At the May meeting the chairperson of the Nominating Committee shall conduct the election.  Absentee ballots will be provided upon request.  Ballots will be sent to members on leave of absence.  The ballots will be stored with the Union records for one year.

    • At the committees discretion the decision to vote using the membership mailboxes will be allowed as long as time is set aside at the election meeting to provide additional time for any member who prefers to vote in private.

 

 

Section 3:  Standing Committees

Standing Committees shall include the Executive Committee, Nominating Committee, Negotiating Committee and the following:

Internal Audit Committee

Scholarship

Banquet

Newsletter

Constitution

Professional Advancement

Flower and Gift

Public Relations

Grievance

Hospitality

Legislative, Welfare, Retirement

Vote/Cope

ARTICLE X:  MEETINGS

Section 1:

Regular Meetings shall be called by the President.  If less than five members attend the General Meetings, these meetings may be discontinued until such time as interest is renewed in these meetings.

Section 2:  Meetings for elections

The purpose of the May meeting (Executive or General) shall be the election of officers and any special elections.

Section 3:  Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by any of the following:

  • The President of the Union
  • A majority request of the Executive Committee
  • A written petition of 25 members of the Union

Section 4:  Member Privileges

The privilege of holding office, making motions, debating and voting shall be limited to regular members of the Union whose dues are not in arrears.

Section 5:  Quorum

At a regular meeting, the members present shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE XI:  AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members by secret ballot provided notice of the amendment has been given in writing 10 days prior to the date of said vote.  Absentee ballots will be sent to members on leave of absences.

ARTICLE XII:  PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised shall govern this Union on all points not herein provided.

 

ARTICLE XIII:  PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

Section 1:  Every member in good standing of this organization shall have equal rights and privileges to nominate candidates to hold office, to vote in elections or referendum, to attend membership meetings, to participate in deliberations, and to vote upon the business of the organization.

Section 2:  This organization shall show no discrimination toward any individual or group of individuals on the basis of sex, creed, color, race, national origin, sexual orientation or political activities and beliefs.

BO/njg

cwa 1141

4/3/2007