Bylaws
These are the
bylaws that govern the operations of FASLTA. They are arranged in the following
Articles:
Article I Name
Article II Objectives
Article III Affiliation
Article IV Membership
Article V Meetings
Article VI Executive Board
Article VII Officers
Article VIII Duties of Officers
Article IX Committees
Article X Duties of the Committees
Article XI Official Publication
Article XII Financial Activities
Article III Amendments
Article XIV Dissolution of Organization
Article
I Name
1. The Organization shall be known as Florida American Sign Language Teachers
Association(FASLTA).
Article
II Objectives
1. To develop a closer relationship between teachers of American Sign Language
and Deaf Studies and American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) by
providing input on standards and procedures in the field of ASL/Deaf Studies
instruction.
2. To encourage teachers of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies to pursue
ASLTA certification.
3. To promote the use of American Sign Language as a second/foreign language
and encourage respect for Deaf people, their community, and their unique culture.
4. To provide an effective avenue for the exchange of information regarding
theories, methods, and materials in the instruction of ASL.
5. To develop and maintain a statewide directory of certified and non-certified
FASLTA members.
6. To encourage the development of affiliated local chapters.
Article
III Affiliation
1. The Organization shall be a cooperating member of the national ASLTA.
Article
IV Membership
1. Membership:
Membership in FASLTA shall be open to teachers of ASL and Deaf Studies and
any individuals supporting the objectives of FASLTA. There shall be two categories
of membership:
a. Voting members - a voting member is a paid-up
member and is (was/will be) an instructor of ASL/Deaf Studies with full voting
privileges. Voting members may serve as an Officer or a Chair.
b. Supporting members - a supporting member is
a paid-up member and is not an instructor of ASL/Deaf Studies with no voting
privileges. Supporting members may serve on a committee but may not be an Officer
or a Chair.
2. Membership Dues:
a. Recommendations for individual membership
dues in FASLTA shall be determined by the Executive Board. Recommendations are
subject to approval of the majority of the membership at the annual business
meeting.
b. Annual dues shall be paid in September of
each school year. Pro-rated dues are available for new members only. Dues for
supporting members shall be three-fourths of the amount determined for voting
members.
Article
V Meetings
1. General Meetings:
The general membership business meeting shall be held annually at the site
and dates of the annual conference.
2. Executive Board meetings:
The Executive Board shall meet at least annually.
3. Reference for parliamentary authority:
Robert's Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all meetings.
4. Parliamentarian:
The President, at her/his discretion, may appoint a Parliamentarian to advise
the organization on parliamentary procedures.
5. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President or the Executive
Board.
6. Notice of each meeting shall be given in writing, and state the location,
date, and hour of the meeting at least fourteen (14) days in advance.
7. At any meeting, a quorum shall consist of a majority of all voting members
present.
Article
VI Executive Board
1. Members of the Executive Board:
The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, three (3) Directors, Past
President, and Editor/Webmaster shall constitute the Executive Board, and shall
be responsible for business matters of the organization between annual business
meetings.
2. At each board meeting, a majority shall constitute a quorum and votes. All
Executive Board meetings are open to any voting or supporting member.
3. The Executive Board shall have the authority to fill any vacancy on the
board that may occur between annual business meetings of FASLTA with the exception
of the office of President, which shall be filled by the Vice President according
to Article VII, section 6, item b.
Article
VII Officers
1. Officers:
The Officers to be elected, and who shall serve until their successors are
duly elected, shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and
three (3) Directors. All Officers shall be members of the national ASLTA in
good standing.
2. Election:
The Officers of FASLTA shall be elected every two (2) years by secret ballot
at the annual business meeting in odd-numbered years.
3. Term of Officers:
No Officer shall hold the same office for more than three (3) consecutive terms.
4. Nominations:
Recommendations for the Officers shall be made by a Nominations Committee.
Nominations shall be accepted from voting members at the floor of the annual
business meeting.
5. Past President:
The immediate Past President shall serve in an ex officio capacity to the Executive
Board.
6. Vacancies of the Office
a. If there is a vacancy in any office before
the next annual business meeting of FASLTA, the Executive Board shall have the
authority to fill the vacancy until the next regular election of officers.
b. Should the President vacate the office for
any reason, the Vice President shall move up to fill the capacity, then the
Executive Board shall appoint someone to fill the vacancy of President-Elect.
Article
VIII Duties of Officers
1. Duties of President:
The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and/or the
Executive Board. She/He shall have general overview of the affairs of the organization.
2. Duties of Vice President:
The Vice President shall serve in the absence of the President. She/He shall
succeed to the office of President should that office become vacant prior to
the expiration of the term of office of the President. She/He shall succeed
to the office of President automatically in the election in which the current
President does not remain incumbent. The Vice President shall be responsible
for professional development workshops including the annual conference.
3. Duties of the Secretary:
The Secretary shall keep minutes of the organization and of the Executive Board
meetings, and shall handle FASLTA correspondence and inquires as designated
by the President.
4. Duties of the Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall maintain records and shall monitor the financial affairs
of the organization. She/He shall present a financial report in writing at
the annual business meeting. The report shall be made available to the membership
at the meeting and in the newsletter.
5. Duties of the Director:
The Director shall be responsible for various tasks assigned at the direction
of the President including chairing committees.
Article
IX Committees
1. Types of Committees:
There shall be two (2) types of committees: 1) Standing; and 2) Ad Hoc. The
chairpersons and members of all committees shall be appointed by the President,
with approval by a majority of the Executive Board, however, the President
may authorize committee chairpersons to select the other members of their respective
committees. Committee chairpersons must be voting members in good standing.
Supporting members in good standing may serve as committee members. A committee
shall consist of a minimum of two (2) members in good standing.
2. Permanent Standing Committees:
The standing committees shall include, but not be limited to, the following;
a. Bylaws
b. Professional Development
c. Certification and Maintenance
3. Ad Hoc committees:
Ad Hoc committees may be appointed by the President in order to address a specific
organizational need. Ad Hoc committees may include, but are not limited to;
Fundraising, Nominations, Legislative, Conference Host, Membership, or Grievance.
Article
X Duties of the Committees
1. Bylaws:
The purpose of the Bylaws Committee shall be to receive and recommend amendments
to the bylaws of the organization. Suggestions for amendments to the bylaws
may come from within the Bylaws Committee, from the membership of FASLTA, or
from the Executive Board. The Bylaws Committee will prepare amendments for
vote by the FASLTA membership. Amendments are voted on during the annual business
meeting. At least a two-thirds affirmative vote of the voting members present
is necessary to effect each recommended amendment. A series of changes may
be grouped together for a single vote. Members not attending the annual business
meeting may vote by absentee ballot.
2. Professional Development:
The Vice President shall be the chair of the Professional Development Committee.
She/He shall be responsible for planning at least two(2) workshops including
the annual conference and shall work with the ad hoc Conference Host Committee.
3. Certification and Maintenance:
This committee shall keep records of all certified members, workshop attendees,
and distribute certification of completion or documents of participation.
Article
XI Official Publication
1. The President, with the approval of a majority of the Executive Board, shall
designate a publication/website as the Official Publication/Website of the
organization. This publication/website will remain the Official Publication/Website
until such time as another is designated by the same procedure. Furthermore,
the President, with the approval of a majority of the Executive Board, shall
have the authority to appoint an Editor/Webmaster of the Official Publication/Website.
2. The Editor/Webmaster shall be a voting member in good standing and shall
attend all general and Executive Board meetings. She/He shall have voting rights
at the Executive Board meetings. She/He shall prepare and send out the Official
Publication at least two (2) times a year and update the Official Website at
least six (6) times a year in a timely fashion.
Article
XII Financial Affairs
1. No officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind
the FASLTA by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render
it liable pecuniary (financially) in any amount for any purpose, unless expressly
authorized by the Executive Board.
2. All checks, drafts, and other orders for the payment of money out of the
funds of FASLTA, and all notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the FASLTA,
shall be signed on behalf of the FASLTA by the Treasurer in amounts up to $300.00.
A second signature from a member of the Executive Board shall be required on
any amount above $300.00.
3. The Executive Board may accept on behalf of FASLTA any contribution, gift,
or device for the general purpose or for any special purpose of FASLTA with
the notification to the membership.
Article
XIII Amendments
1. The bylaws of FASLTA may be amended or repealed by an affirmative vote of
two-thirds of the voting members present at the annual business meeting. Absentee
ballots shall count towards the two-thirds requirement.
2. The Executive Board shall have the authority to make changes of no substance
to the bylaws in order to comply with the national ASLTA bylaws.
Article
XIV Dissolution of Organization
1. Upon dissolution of this organization, its assets remaining after payment
of, or provisions for payment of, all debts and liabilities of this organization
shall be donated to the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA).
Revised and passed at the FASLTA annual business meeting January 17, 2004.