NDASCD - Constitution

Constitution and Bylaws
North Dakota Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Revised: December 1978, October 1985, August 1995; Adopted October 1995; Revised November 2002

Constitution

Article I – Name and Affiliation

The name of this organization shall be the North Dakota Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, an educational, non-profit organization and an affiliate of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum development, and herein referred to as the Association.

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of the Association shall be the improvement of curriculum and the support of varied programs designed to promote educational change and the professional growth of its members and others concerned with education in North Dakota.
We strive to provide and develop leadership in curriculum and instruction for enhancing the quality of lifelong learning by:

a.	Promoting an ever-improving educational program for the children of North Dakota.
b.	Developing and exercising leadership in supervision and curriculum development.
c.	Assisting in defining and improving the quality and techniques of supervision;
d.	Promoting a continuing program of professional growth and development for supervisors and curriculum workers;
e.	Providing opportunities for supervisors, curriculum workers, principals, teachers, and other persons actively engaged in efforts to improve the teaching-learning situation to participate cooperatively in the development and exchange of supervisory techniques and curriculum ideas and materials throughout North Dakota.
f.	Identifying, considering, and studying problems of supervision, instruction, and the curriculum development in their broad aspects, cutting across grade, subject, and position lines;
g.	Encouraging, planning and promoting cooperative curriculum study, development, research, and evaluation for the solution of educational problems.
h.	Developing means for cooperation and coordination between professional, state, and community agencies whose work has implications for the total educational program of North Dakota and the schools; and
i.	Providing opportunity for the affiliate to be represented and to participate in the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and to acquaint all educators with the program and materials of the Association.

Article III - Membership

Any individual interested in the improvement of education is eligible for active membership in the North Dakota Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development upon the payment of affiliate dues. An active member shall be eligible to vote, hold office, and participate in the deliberations of the affiliate. All members shall be encouraged to join and participate in the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Any interested, full-time student in any institution of higher learning shall be entitled to student membership upon payment of annual dues. Student members shall be entitled to all benefits and privileges of regular members except the right to hold office.
A special membership may be extended to institutions or individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions or provided outstanding services to the Association. Any member may suggest a candidate for this honor by submitting a written summation of their extraordinary contributions. A favorable majority of the Board of Directors is necessary for the granting of this honor. Upon acceptance by the Board for special membership, NDASCD dues are waived for the first year. To continue to be a member of the NDASCD, dues must be paid as usual after that first year. Special members shall be entitled to all benefits and privileges of regular members and may hold office after the initial year of membership, following the usual criteria for office holders.

Article IV - Nondiscrimination Policy

This organization fully supports a policy of equal opportunity and will not discriminate in member eligibility on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. This organization will neither accept invitations from, nor participate in, any activity or organization that does not support an equal opportunity or nondiscrimination policy.

Article V - Diverse Membership

In order to support our belief that diversity strengthens society, the affiliate shall actively seek members who represent diversity in gender, age, job role, ethnicity, geographic location, and viewpoint.

Article VI - Affiliate Membership Year

Members of the affiliate and any persons who are members of ASCD wishing to join the affiliate may elect to pay dues

a.	on an anniversary basis through ASCD's Joint Dues Solicitation Program, or
b.	directly to the affiliate for the period July 1 - June 30.

Article VII - Dues

The annual dues shall be established at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Article VIII - Officers

     The officers of the Association shall be a president (two-year term), president-elect (two-year term), immediate past president (two-year term), secretary and treasurer (may be combined position of secretary/treasurer at the discretion of the Executive Board and an Executive director). All officers may serve up to three consecutive two-year terms. The secretary/treasurer position(s) may be appointed rather than elected position(s) at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
     The Executive director shall be appointed by Executive Board, and shall hold office at the pleasure of Board of Directors. The Executive Director shall be evaluated annually by the Board of Directors and duties and goals shall be established for the upcoming year. The executive Director shall not serve with voting power and shall perform such other duties as may be designated by Board of Directors.
     A member must be a paid-up ASCD member for one year prior to assuming office of affiliate president or serving on the ASCD. The term of office for affiliate officers and representatives to the ASCD shall be from July 1 to June 30.
Representatives shall serve terms of three years and may serve up to three consecutive terms, from July 1 - June 30.

Article IX - Board of Directors

     The governance of the affiliate shall be vested in the Board of Directors as the policy-making body of the Association. The Board of Directors shall have the power to represent and act for the Association in the interim between meetings of the membership of the Association.
     The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers of the Association plus representation from K-12 and college levels and from the superintendency and State Department of Education - the total not to exceed 18 members. Every effort should be made to ensure that the Board of Directors is a diverse group representative of the educational communities of the affiliate's geographic area. All Board members appointed to assist in the work of the association shall be named by the president with the approval of the current Board.
     The Executive Board shall be made of the officers. Duties of the Executive Board may include, but are not limited to (1) executing emergency business of the NDASCD between Board meetings, (2) recommending dues, (3) appointing a nominating committee, (4) reviewing the constitution and reporting on its status to the Board of Directors for recommended changes, (5) calling meetings of the NDASCD, (6) reviewing committees appointed by the president and determining their duties, (7) other duties as shall be determined by the Board of Directors and/or general membership.
     The Executive Board is comprised of the officers of the organization. Members of the Board of Directors must be members in good standing of the affiliate.
     The Representatives shall be representative of K - 12 and college levels. Every effort should be made to ensure that the Board of Directors is a diverse group representative of the educational communities and the affiliate's geographic area.
Individuals who have been elected or selected to serve in an ASCD position, and are not presently serving on the Board of Directors, may serve in a non-voting capacity at the discretion of the Board of Directors. This practice is encouraged to maintain a close relationship between ASCD and the affiliate.

Article X - ASCD Leadership Council Representatives

(effective 3/10/03)

The president of the affiliate shall serve as a guaranteed representative to the ASCD Leadership Council. In addition, one other guaranteed representative shall be appointed by the Executive Board to serve on the ASCD Leadership Council. One proportional representative shall serve for each 5000 ASCD members in the affiliate geographic region. At any time additional members of the ASCD Leadership Council are authorized, the Executive Board of the affiliate shall arrange for the election of the additional member(s). All elected members and guaranteed representatives of the affiliate to the ASCD Leadership Council must be paid up members of ASCD for the year preceding their election.
The president shall serve during his/her term in office. Other guaranteed and proportional representatives will serve for a term of three years. Members of the ASCD Leadership Council must be members in good standing of ASCD for the year prior to their selection.

Article XI - Committees

Committees shall be appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Executive Board and specifically charged in writing with their responsibilities. The charge shall be consistent with the purpose of the affiliate. The president shall provide guidance and assistance in the development of committee activities.

Article XII - Annual Meeting

The affiliate shall hold an annual meeting. Special meetings may be called by the Board of Directors.

Article XIII - Amendments

The constitution may be amended (1) at the annual meeting by a favorable vote of a 2/3 majority of the members present and voting, provided copies of proposed amendments have been in the hands of the members one month prior to the meeting; or (2) at any time through a mail ballot by a favorable vote of 2/3 of the members replying, provided copies of the proposed amendments have been in the hands of the members one month prior to the date that ballots are mailed to members.

Article XIV - Bylaws

Details of the activities of the affiliate shall be regulated by the Bylaws. These may be amended (1) at the annual meeting by a favorable vote of a majority of the members present and voting, or (2) at any time through a mail ballot by a favorable vote of a majority of the members replying.

Article XV - Bonding

The president and treasurer will be covered by a position schedule (fidelity insurance) bond, procured at affiliate expense, in an amount sufficient to provide adequate protection of association assets.

Article XVI - Nominating Committee

The officers shall appoint a nominating committee no less than three months prior to the scheduled election, and shall immediately notify affiliate members of the names of the members of this committee. The nominating committee shall present a slate of at least two nominees for all Board of Director positions to be filled at the next election, held at the business meeting during the annual meeting. The Association recognizes the value of a balance among its major membership groups. The nominating committee shall consider all groups when submitting nominations. These nominees shall be representative of the membership of the affiliate in job role and geographic location.

Article XVII - Constitutional Revision

The officers shall review the provisions for the Constitution every five years and report its finding to the Board of Directors. If the Constitution has need of major revision, the Board of Directors may authorize the officers to establish a constitutional revision committee. The constitutional revision committee shall present proposed constitutional revisions to the officers. After review, the officers will submit the proposed revisions to the Board of Directors for acceptance. If accepted, the revised constitution must be submitted to the membership for approval. The revised constitution must be approved by a 2/3 majority of the members voting, either by mail ballot or a general membership meeting. Active members of the Association shall have received a notice of such proposed action at least 30 days prior to the date on which such a vote is taken.

Article XVIII - Assets upon Liquidation

No part of the net income, revenue, and grants of the affiliate shall inure to the benefit of any member, officer, or any private individual (except reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered in connection with one or more of its purposed), and no member or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any part of the assets of the Association on its liquidation. The assets of the Association, after payment of debts and obligations, shall be transferred to an organization with federal tax exemption for charitable and educational uses and purposes similar to those of this Association, which exempt organization shall be designated by the final Board of Directors of the affiliate.

Bylaws

Article I - Dues

Dues shall be set annually by the Executive Board of the Association for student and general membership.

Article II - Business Year

The fiscal year and the membership year for those NDASCD members who are not members of ASCD shall be from July 1 to June 30.

Article III - Meetings

The Association shall hold an annual business meeting in the fall of the year. One meeting shall be held each year for the purpose of presenting timely information about supervision, instruction, curriculum, or other issues of importance.
Other meetings may be held at the discretion of the officers or Board of Directors. Upon written petition of not less than 20% of the current membership, the Board of Directors shall call a meeting within 60 days of the presentation of the petition. Notices of meetings called under these terms shall include an agenda. The membership shall be notified not less than 30 days prior to each meeting and told the time and the place of the meeting.

Article IV - Duties of Elected Officers

Officers

ASCD representatives shall represent the Association on all issues before ASCD, clarify for the affiliate Executive Board the rationale for positions taken by ASCD, and assist the officers and other members of the Executive Board in forming policies and plans and in executing those plans necessary for the effective functioning of the affiliate.

The President shall act as presiding officer at regular and called meetings of the affiliate; shall (with the advice of the Board of Directors) direct the activities of the organization; shall call special meetings; shall appoint committees necessary for the work of the affiliate; shall represent the affiliate at all professional meetings; and shall serve as chair of the Board of Directors and officers. The president shall be a representative to ASCD’s Leadership Council. The president, or designee, shall attend the ASCD regional meeting.

The president elect shall become acquainted with the responsibilities and duties of the president. The president-elect shall attend the Affiliate Leadership Conference sponsored by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

The immediate past president shall serve as chair of the elections committee and as the presiding officer if the president is absent or unable to perform required duties. In case of resignations of or the death of the president, the immediate past-president shall succeed to the office of president and shall serve until the next regular election of officers or until a successor has been elected.

The secretary shall record the procedures of all business, officers’ and Board of Directors’ meetings. The minutes should be read and approved at the next business meeting, dated, and signed by both the president and the secretary, and bound in a book. Within 30 days after the close of the term of office, the secretary shall submit the record to the incoming secretary and president.

The treasurer shall receive all monies from any source. Funds shall be deposited in a bank and the president and secretary shall be notified of such action. An accurate record of all receipts and expenditures shall be kept and a report of same shall be made at each regular meeting. A file of all bills, receipts, returned checks, and bank statements shall be maintained. The treasurer shall surrender records for examination by an auditing committee at the close of the said term of office or upon demand by the Board of Directors. Upon taking office, the treasurer shall be supplied by the affiliate with adequate record books, and shall submit all record books to the incoming president and treasurer within 30 days after the close of the term of office.

Directors

The Board of Directors shall attend all meetings, complete assigned tasks, and communicate identified general information to the constituent members that they represent. The Board of Directors may ask for the resignation of fellow Board members if they fail to attend at least 75% of all Board meetings and 75% of all conference calls. Directors and officers shall divide the general work of the organization needed to be done to maintain the growth and strength of the organization.

Article V - Elections

Officers and directors shall be elected at the regular annual meeting of the Association.
When a slate of officers is to be presented, additional nominations by the membership may be added to the slate at the annual meeting. Terms of office shall run from July 1 - June 30.

Article VI - Committees

The officers shall appoint a three-person nominating committee no less than 3 months prior to the annual business meeting. The officers shall immediately notify the Association of the names of the members of this committee. The nominating committee shall present a slate of at least 2 nominees for all offices to be filled at the next election. This slate shall be presented to the officers not less than 10 days prior to the annual meeting. These names shall appear on the election ballot.
The president, with the advice and consent of the officers, shall appoint any other committees deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of the Association.

Article VII - Quorums

A majority of the members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at meetings of the Association and at meetings of the Board of Directors.

Article VIII - Expenditures

Association funds shall be dispersed only by authority of the Board of Directors of the Association.

Article IX - Parliamentary Procedures

Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall be the authority governing all matters of parliamentary procedure not otherwise specified in the Constitution of these Bylaws, and shall be followed by the Association in the conducting of business. Decision-making shall be by consensus unless an alternative type of voting procedure is called for through a formal request.