(amended 2006)
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of the organization shall be the Massena Federation of Teachers.
ARTICLE II
Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the professional status of the members, to further their intellectual, economic, social and civic growth, and to improve the quality of education.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Membership shall be open to all teachers of Massena Central Schools, and as a local of the New York State United Teachers, subjects itself to the regulations for membership imposed by said group.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 1: The officers of the Federation shall be a president, a vice-president, a treasurer, a secretary, and such other officers as the Federation may determine. All of the officers shall be elected in May by a paper ballot vote of the membership.
Section 2: The president shall appoint a combination committee of one member from each of the elementary schools, two members from the Senior High School (one from schools 100 and 200 and one member from schools 300 and 400), and two members from the Junior High School. This committee shall present a slate of officers. This proposed list of candidates shall be posted in each building one week prior to the date of the election.
Section 3: All members running for a Union Office must inform the Elections Chairperson of their decision 45 days before the election. The Elections Chairperson must inform the entire membership of the candidates running for office 40 days before the election.
ARTICLE V
Delegates
Section 1: The two delegates to the Representative Assembly from the Massena Federation of Teachers shall be the president and another member chosen by election. An alternate for each delegate will be also chosen by election.
Section 2: Alternate delegates shall be elected to serve for a term of two
years. The alternated
delegates shall serve in the order in which elected.
ARTICLE VI
Executive Committee
Section 1: The Executive Committee of the Massena Federation Teachers will consist of three representatives from the high school, two from the junior high school and one each from the elementary schools. A non-voting representative of retired teachers will be a member of the Executive Committee.
Section 2: Terms of office will be three years except for the first term after the adoption of this provision. The first term will be one year for high school representative, two years for junior high representatives and three years for elementary representatives. The first term of the retired teacher representative shall be two years.
Section 3: The executive committee shall direct the general management of the affairs of the Federation, shall act as the liaison group between teachers and Superintendent, and/or Board of Education in matters of common interest, and shall promote the professional growth of the Federation.
Section 4: The Executive Council shall hold at least six meetings during the year. A majority of the elected officers and area representatives shall constitute a quorum.
Section 5: Special meetings of the executive committee may be called by the president or by a majority of the committee members.
Section 6: The executive committee shall create such special committees as may be required to promote the objectives and interests of the Federation.
Section 7: The executive committee shall provide for an annual audit of the books at the close of the treasurer's term of office.
ARTICLE VII
Meetings:
Section 1: The annual meeting shall be held at the regular Executive Council meeting in May. It shall be advertised as such one month in advance. Attendance is open for all members, as are all Executive Council Meetings.
Issue shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Candidates for Office
2. Discussion and Adoption of the Proposed Budget
3. Committee Reports
4. Officer's Reports
The proposed budget shall be posted in each building at least one week prior to the meeting. Members shall have the opportunity to bring questions and concerns about the budget to the meeting in person or via the building representative. Voting on the budget shall be done in the buildings on the day following the meeting.
Section 2: Special general meetings may be called by any of the following:
A. The president of the Federation
B. A majority of the executive committee
C. A written petition of 15 members of the Federation.
The purpose of the meeting will be presented at the time the meeting is announced.
Section 3: The privilege of holding office, making motions, debating and voting shall be limited to members of the Federation whose dues are not in arrears.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments:
This constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of those present and voting at any meeting of the Federation provided notice of this amendment has been given in writing at a previous Federation or Executive committee meeting, and posted in each building at least two weeks before being voted upon.