Appalachian Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators Constitution
Article I-Name
Article II-Affiliations
Article III - Purpose and Goals
Article IV – Membership
Article V - Elected Officers and Duties
Article VI - Organization
Article VII – Meetings
Article VIII - Nominations and Elections
Article IX – Referendum
Article X - Ratification of the Constitution
Article XI - Amendments to the Constitution
Article XII - Dissolution of AAMTE
Article XIII - Internal Revenue Code
The name of this non-profit association shall be Appalachian Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, hereinafter referred to as AAMTE.
AAMTE may affiliate with other organizations, subject to the approval of a majority of those AAMTE members voting. The voting process will be initiated when a ballot is sent to all active members. The ballot shall be accompanied by statements explaining the possible consequences of supporting affiliation and non-affiliation. It will conclude when the results are presented to the President after all the ballots that have been received by a specified deadline have been counted and certified as correct by two members of the Board of Directors.
Article III - Purpose and Goals
The general purpose of AAMTE is to promote all aspects of the improvement of mathematics teacher education in central Appalachia with special attention paid to the Appalachian regions of Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Specifically, its goals are to:
A. Encourage, support, and publicize quality programs for prospective
mathematics teachers at all levels.B. Facilitate communication among mathematics teacher educators at the elementary, secondary, community college, college and university levels.
C. Facilitate collaboration among mathematics teacher educators who are members of different educational administrative units, such as departments of mathematics and departments of education.D. Promote and publicize quality professional development for teachers of mathematics at all levels.
E. Work collaboratively with other associations and organizations concerned with the preparation and professional development of mathematics teachers.
F. Provide leadership opportunities for mathematics teacher educators in a broader mathematics education community;
G. Work cooperatively with local, state, and regional agencies to enhance the mathematical, pedagogical, and clinical preparation of prospective teachers of mathematics at all levels.
H. Encourage research related to mathematics teacher education, especially research which identifies factors that contribute to improving the preparation and professional development of mathematics teachers at all levels in Appalachia.
Section 1: Types of Membership
A. Active Membership shall be open to all individuals who reside and/or work in central Appalachia and who are interested in the purpose and goals of AAMTE as stated in Article III. A person shall become an Active Member in good standing upon receipt of a completed application and designated dues.
B. Student Membership shall be open to all individuals who are interested in the purpose and goals of AAMTE as stated in Article III, who are currently enrolled as a student in a college or university in central Appalachia. A student shall become a Student Member in good standing upon receipt of a completed application and designated dues.
Any AAMTE member who becomes a member prior to September 20, 2004 will be designated a charter member on all official lists of membership.
Section 2: Privileges of Members
A. Active Members shall be accorded all rights and privileges normally provided members of educational and professional associations including the right to vote, hold office, receive publications and announcements, and participate in conferences and meetings.
B. Student Members shall have all the same rights and privileges as active members except the right to hold office.
Section 3: Termination of Membership
A. A member may resign by addressing a letter of resignation to the Board of Directors and submitting it to the Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt or upon a date specified in the letter of resignation.
B. Membership shall be terminated upon the non-payment of dues. If dues have not been received within six months of September 1, membership shall be terminated.
Article V - Elected Officers and Duties
Section 1: Officers
The elected officers of AAMTE shall consist of President, Secretary, Treasurer, President-Elect or Immediate Past President and six Members-At-Large. The six Members-At-Large may never be chosen from a single state and must be representative of the following institutions or categories: Four-year College or University, Two-year College, 5-12 Mathematics Teacher, Mathematician, Mathematics Educator involved with field experiences, and State or Regional Administrator.
Section 2: Duties of President
The President shall ensure that the affairs of the AAMTE are conducted in accordance with this Constitution, Bylaws, and policies of the AAMTE; shall be the presiding officer at the annual business meeting, Board of Directors meetings and any special meetings; shall call special meetings as provided for in Section VII-2 of this Constitution; shall coordinate the activities of standing committees; and shall provide leadership for the attainment of the goals of the AAMTE.
Section 3: Duties of President-Elect
The President-Elect shall serve as assistant to the President and assume the office of President in the year following her/his election. The President-Elect, with the consent of the Board of Directors, shall assume the Presidency during his/her term of office upon the incapacity or unavailability of the President.
Section 4: Duties of Immediate Past President
The Immediate Past President shall serve as a resource person to the President during the year following the Immediate Past President’s term of office as President of AAMTE. The Immediate Past President, with the consent of the Board of Directors, shall reassume the Presidency during the year following her/his term as President upon the incapacity or unavailability of the President.
Section 5: Secretary
The Secretary shall record and maintain a file of the minutes of official meetings of the Association and its Board of Directors, shall be responsible for the correspondence of the Association, and shall notify members in writing when they are within 30 days of having their membership terminated.
Section 6: Treasurer
The Treasurer shall ensure that all revenues and expenditures of AAMTE be in conformity with the Constitution, Bylaws, and policies of the AAMTE; shall be responsible for maintaining records of all monies received and paid in the name of the Association; shall maintain a current and accurate membership list; shall provide the secretary with a list of members who are delinquent on their dues; shall maintain the Association’s non-profit status; shall transact the financial affairs of the Association upon recommendation of the Board of Directors; and shall prepare financial reports to be presented at the meetings of the Board of Directors and prepare an annual report to be presented at the AAMTE annual business meeting.
Section 7: Members-at-Large
The Members-at-Large shall assume those responsibilities determined by the President.
Section 8: Term of Office
The term of office for the President-Elect and Immediate Past President shall be one year. The terms of office for all other elected officers of AAMTE and Members-at-Large shall be two years. Except during the first year after the AAMTE Constitution has been ratified, the secretary will only serve one year. The Immediate Past President will serve in the first year of the President's term and the President-Elect shall serve in the second year of the President's term. Elected officers of AAMTE and the Members-at-Large shall assume office at the end of the annual meeting at which their election is announced. An officer, other than the President, or the Members-at-Large may serve no more than two terms in a specific office. The President may serve only one term in that office. Except during the first year after the AAMTE Constitution has been ratified, three of the Members-at-Large will be elected each year. During the first year all six of the Members-at-Large will be elected with the understanding that three of them will only serve one year.
Section 1: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers and Members-at-Large and shall be the policy-making body of AAMTE.
Section 2: Standing Committees
There shall be standing committees of AAMTE as provided in the Bylaws of the Association. Standing committee members and chairpersons shall be appointed by the President of AAMTE with the approval of the Board of Directors for one year terms.
The Nominations and Election Committee shall be a standing committee of the Association.
Section 3: Representatives to Affiliated Organizations
The Board of Directors shall appoint a different member in good standing to be the representative to each of the organizations to which AAMTE is affiliated. The representative must also be a member of the affiliated organization. The term of the representative shall be one year.
Section 4: Vacancies
When a vacancy on the Board of Directors occurs, the remaining Board of Directors shall designate an individual to fill the position for the remainder of the term of office for all Board members other than the President. Other vacancies will be filled in the same manner specified for the original appointment.
Section 1: Annual Business Meeting
AAMTE shall hold an Annual Business Meeting as specified in the Bylaws of the Association. This meeting will be open to all members.
Section 2: Special Meetings
Special Meetings of the Association shall be called by the President at the direction of the Board of Directors or upon petition of 20% of the membership.
Section 3: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall hold meetings as necessary.
Section 4: Parliamentary Procedure
Roberts’ Rules of Order Newly Revised shall prevail at all Association meetings, except as provided for in the Bylaws.
Section 5: Quorum
Quorum for the Annual Business Meeting and/or Special Meetings of the Association shall be the members present. The membership shall be notified of the time and place of a meeting at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting or any special meeting.
The presence of a majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at Board of Directors meetings.
Article VIII - Nominations and Elections
Section 1: Nominations and Election Committee
The President shall appoint and the Board of Directors shall approvea Nominations and Election Committee as specified in Article VI.
Section 2: Elections
Members of the Board of Directors shall be elected by ballot of the membership prior to the annual meeting.
They will assume office at the end of the Annual Business Meeting at which their election is announced.
All formal actions taken by the Board of Directors shall be subject to a referendum of the membership in the following manner.
Section 1: Reconsideration
Upon presentation to the Board of Directors of a petition bearing the signatures of a minimum of 10% of the voting members, the Board of Directors shall, at a meeting called within a reasonable time, reconsider its formal action as specified by the petitioners.
Section 2: Referendum
If, after reconsideration, the Board of Directors reaffirms its action, that action shall be subject to a mail ballot of the membership within 30 days of the reconsideration. If a majority of the regular members of AAMTE who vote reject the Board of Directors action, that action shall become null and void.
Article X - Ratification of the Constitution
This Constitution is ratified when it is approved by 60% of the Active Members in good standing who vote.
Article XI - Amendments to the Constitution
This Constitution may be amended by the following procedure.
A. Any member(s) may propose amendments.
B. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Board of Directors 60 days prior to the annual business meeting. A proposed amendment endorsed by 20% of the Members present at the Annual Business Meeting shall be considered at the meeting.
C. The Board of Directors shall present for discussion all proposed Constitutional amendments at the Annual Business Meeting. Proposed Constitutional amendments receiving a majority vote of the Members present at the Annual Meeting shall be submitted to the membership for ratification by ballot within 60 days of the Annual Business Meeting and shall take effect when approved by a two-thirds majority of those Members in good standing who vote.
Article XII - Dissolution of AAMTE
This Association may be dissolved only at an Annual Business Meeting. Notification of the intention to dissolve the Association shall be sent to all members in good standing prior to the meeting. The resolution for dissolution shall be discussed at the Annual Business Meeting. If the resolution to dissolve the Association is approved by more than 50%of the Members in good standing who vote at the Annual Business meeting, then AAMTE shall be dissolved.
Upon any such dissolution of the Association, all its property remaining after satisfaction of all its obligations shall be distributed to one or more nonprofit funds, foundations, or corporations which is organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes and has established its tax-exempt status under Section 501(C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The determination of how to distribute the funds will be determined at the meeting at which the dissolution of AAMTE is decided.
Article XIII - Internal Revenue Code
This association qualifies for 501(c) (3) status under the Internal Revenue Code. As such, this association is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax as an organization described in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.)