BEA Constitution

(printable Docs version)

ARTICLE I: Name

Section 1: The name of the organization shall be "The Bartlesville Education Association," herein after referred to as BEA.

ARTICLE II: Affiliation

Section 1: This association shall be affiliated with the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) and the National Education Association (NEA), thus forming the United Teaching Profession (UTP).

ARTICLE III: Purpose

Section 1: The aim of this association shall be to strive constantly for the improvement of Bartlesville Public Schools and to foster common goals and a spirit of fellowship among educators of Bartlesville.

Section 2: The BEA shall promote the general welfare of the educators by securing and maintaining adequate salaries and fringe benefits and a working environment conducive to teaching.

Section 3: The BEA shall promote the general welfare of the students by securing and maintaining a quality curriculum and an environment conducive to learning.

Section 4: The BEA shall provide a means by which:

A. Teachers may aid in formulating policies that govern the Bartlesville Public Schools.

B. Educators may study concerns.

C. Educators may develop and sponsor programs that will encourage community understanding, interest in, and support for all levels of education in the Bartlesville Public Schools.    

Section 5: The BEA shall work diligently for conditions conducive to good teaching, learning, adequate remuneration, professional security, and academic freedom.   

ARTICLE IV: Membership

Section 1: Active membership in the BEA shall be available to all certified and classified personnel upon payment of UTP dues, without regard to race, sex, creed, national origin, or religion.

Section 2: Membership shall be continuous unless terminated by due process guidelines.

Section 3: Membership shall be open to all qualified personnel during their employment with the Bartlesville School system.

Section 4: Membership shall be composed of six (6) sections, each of which may meet as a section governed by its own constitution:

A. The section of classroom teachers shall be composed of those educators whose responsibility is the direct instruction of students.

B. The section of administrators shall be composed of those educators whose responsibility is the direction of the school system or some part thereof.

C. The section of the special service educators shall be composed of those contract certified educators whose responsibility is neither that of A. or B. above.

D. The section of classified personnel shall be composed of those employees who serve as an auxiliary group to the schools.

E. The section of retired members shall be composed of those individuals who have held an active membership in the UTP prior to retirement.

F. The section of associate members shall consist of any person interested in advancing the cause of education but who is not eligible for any other section listed above.

Section 5: This affiliate shall provide proportionate representation of the members between the classroom teachers, administrators, and support personnel.

ARTICLE V: Officers

Section 1: The executive officers of the BEA shall be Co-President 1, Co-President 2, Vice President, Secretary/Media Specialist, Treasurer, Legislative Contact, Chief Negotiator, Member Rights Contact, Delegate(s) to OEA Delegate Assembly, Delegate(s) to the NEA Representative Assembly (as necessary), New Educator Representative, and Webmaster.

Section 2: All officers shall be members in good standing in the UTP.

ARTICLE VI: Nominations and Elections

Section 1: The BEA Officers Council shall conduct, through secret ballot, when appropriate, the election of officers. Elections for the following school year will be held prior to April 15.

Section 2: To ensure open nominations, nominations and filing for each office shall be opened in February for a period of at least two weeks with all names being submitted, in writing, to the BEA Officers Council at their March meeting. The list of nominees for each office will be read during the March meeting of the BEA Executive Committee, where further nominations may be made from the floor.

Section 3: The Executive Officers shall have the power to make all necessary decisions for carrying out the elections.

Section 4: Members representing minority groups will be encouraged to seek leadership positions in the BEA and to be active participants in its professional activities.

ARTICLE VII: Terms of Office

Section 1: The terms of the elected officers of the BEA shall be one (1) year with the exception of the Co-Presidents, who shall serve a two-year term. Installation of all officers of the BEA shall be held at the last meeting of the school year, at which time they shall assume their duties. The BEA shall give a stipend of $400 to the Co-Presidents and Vice President in May of each year. The BEA shall give a stipend of $400 to the Chief Negotiator upon ratification of the negotiated agreement. The BEA shall give a stipend of $200 to the treasurer, secretary/media specialist, and member’s rights officer in May of each year when funds are available.

ARTICLE VIII: Duties of Officers

Section 1: Duties of the Co-Presidents:

A. The Presidents shall be the Chief Executive Officers of the BEA and its policy leaders.

B. The Presidents shall preside at all general meetings of the BEA, Executive Committee, and Executive Officers.

C. The Presidents shall appoint chairs of the standing committees.

D. The Presidents shall serve as delegates 1 and 2 to the OEA Delegate Assembly.

E. The Presidents may attend all committee meetings.

F. The Presidents shall serve on the Negotiating Team.

G. The Co-President 1 shall serve as a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly.

H. Co-Presidents shall serve a two-year office, not consecutively. Co-President 1 will be the lead.

I. Co-President 2 shall serve as president in the event that Co-President 1 is unable to serve.

J. Co-President 2 shall serve as an alternate delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly.

K. Co-President 2 shall attend NEA Leadership Summit as funds permit.

Section 2: Duties of the Vice President:

A. The Vice President shall be present at all general meetings of the BEA, Executive Committee, and Officers Council.

B. In the absence of the Co-President 1 and Co-President 2, the Vice-President shall preside and perform all duties of the office of President.

C. In the event the Co-President 2 is unable to serve, the Vice President shall succeed him/her with all the responsibilities subscribed thereto.

D. The Vice President shall serve as a delegate (3) to OEA Delegate Assembly.

E. The Vice President shall be in charge of the membership drive of the UTP, and shall submit a report of the election of local officers and local retirees to the OEA.

F. The Vice President shall make meeting notices to all membership and keep membership informed of all activities.

G. The Vice President shall initiate the nominations committee and serve on committee as advisor.

Section 3: Duties of the Secretary/Media Specialist:

A. The Secretary/Media Specialist shall be present at all general meetings of the BEA, Executive Committee, and Officers Council.

B. The Secretary/Media Specialist shall keep minutes of each meeting and shall have these minutes prepared and available to any member upon request.

C. The Secretary/Media Specialist shall keep a list of all members, all committee members, and record reports made by committee chairmen.

D. The Secretary/Media Specialist shall serve as a delegate (5) to the OEA Delegate Assembly.

E. The Secretary/Media Specialist shall be available for consultation, transcription and caucus with the Negotiating Team.

G. The Secretary/Media Specialist shall produce press releases as directed by the Co-President(s).

F. The Secretary/Media Specialist shall send cards through school mail for important events in members’ lives as directed/notified by Building Representatives.

Section 6: Duties of the Treasurer:

A. The Treasurer shall be present at all general meetings of the BEA, Executive Committee, and Officers Council.

B. The Treasurer shall be in charge of all funds of the BEA. The funds of the BEA shall consist of the annual dues, the OEA refund, and other funds as acquired.

C. The Treasurer shall pay bills incurred and approved by the BEA.

D. The Treasurer shall make a monthly report to the BEA.

E. The accounts of the BEA shall be subject to a yearly audit by an auditor appointed by the Officers Council.

F. The Treasurer shall serve as an alternate for the Immediate Past President to the OEA Delegate Assembly.

G. The Treasurer shall be available for consultation and caucus with the Negotiating Team.

Section 7: Duties of the Legislative Contact:

A. The Legislative Contact shall be present at all general meetings of the BEA, Executive Committee, and Officers Council.

B. The Legislative Contact shall be the direct contact to legislators on behalf of the membership.

C. The Legislative Contact shall be responsible for distributing pertinent legislative information to members.

D. The Legislative Contact shall be available for consultation and caucus with the Negotiating Team.

E. The Legislative Contact shall serve as an alternate to the OEA Delegate Assembly.

Section 8: Duties of the OEA Delegates:

In addition to officers who serve as delegates to the OEA Delegate Assembly, the appropriate number of delegates shall be elected for a term of one (1) year.

A. A majority of the delegates to the OEA Delegate Assembly shall be classroom teachers.

B. Delegates shall be present at all general meetings of the BEA, Executive Committee, and Officers Council.

C. The BEA shall have the authority to remove any OEA delegate from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership.

D. The OEA Delegates shall be available for consultation and caucus with the Negotiating Team.

Section 9: Duties of the NEA Delegate(s):

In addition to officers who serve as a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly, the appropriate number of delegates shall be elected for a term of one (1) year.

A. Delegates shall be present at all general meetings of the BEA, Executive Committee, and Officers Council.

B. Delegates shall attend the NEA Representative Assembly the year following their election to this office.

C. Additional NEA Delegates or alternates may be elected by special election of the membership if necessary.

D. The NEA Delegates shall be available for consultation and caucus with the Negotiating Team.

Section 10: Duties of the Chief Negotiator:

A. The Chief Negotiator shall be present at all general meetings of the BEA, Executive Committee, and Officers Council.

B. The Chief Negotiator shall assemble team members. These members are in addition to the officers serving on the team.

C. The Chief Negotiator shall serve on the Negotiating Team.

D. The Chief Negotiator shall schedule and preside at all meetings of the BEA Negotiating Team.

E. The Chief Negotiator shall serve as a delegate (4) to OEA Delegate Assembly. 

Section 11: Duties of the Member Rights Contact:

A. The Member Rights Contact shall be present at all general meetings of the BEA, Executive Committee, and Officers Council.

B. The Member Rights Contact shall serve as the primary contact for individuals processing grievances.

C. The Member Rights Contact shall serve as the primary contact for the Association to process grievances.

D. The Member Rights Contact shall be available for consultation and caucus with the Negotiating Team.

Section 12: Duties of the New Educator Representative:

A. The New Educator Representative shall be present at all general meetings of the BEA, Executive Committee, and Officers Council.

B. The New Educator Representative shall be in contact with all new educators (< 7 years experience) within the district, including non-members.

C. The New Educator Representative shall be in contact with the OEA’s New Educator Network (NEON) and relay information to BEA’s membership.

Section 13: Duties of the Webmaster:

A. The Webmaster shall be present at all general meetings of the BEA, Executive Committee, and Officers Council.

B. The Webmaster shall keep the BEA website updated as necessary and/or at the direction of the Co-Presidents, Vice President or Secretary/Media Specialist.

ARTICLE IX: Financial Accounts

Section 1: All banking shall be conducted with a federally insured financial institution.

A. All checks against this account may be signed by either the Treasurer or the President of the BEA.

B. Upon the obtaining of a credit or debit card, the Treasurer or the President of the BEA shall conduct any and all transactions.

C. The Treasurer shall be entrusted with possession of stated credit or debit card when not in use.

D. The Executive Officers shall produce and maintain an annual budget that shall be available to membership upon request.

Section 2: The movement of financial accounts shall be approved by the Officers Council and Building Representatives.

A. The Treasurer or President of the BEA shall have the right to open or close an account upon the approval of the building representative members.

B. Approval of a change in location of financial accounts will be documented in the minutes.

ARTICLE X: The Executive Officers

Section 1: The Executive Officers shall consist of those positions as listed in Article V. It shall be their responsibility to set the direction for the priorities of the year, plan in achieving goals of the organization, as set forth in Article III and plan meetings to institute OEA and NEA programs. The Executive Officers shall meet once a quarter and at other times designated by the President.

ARTICLE XI: Vacancies

Section 1: In case of a vacancy, the office shall be filled by the Executive Officers, with exception of the Co-Presidents.

Section 2: In the event the office of the Co-President becomes vacant, Co-President 2 shall assume the duties of the President. In the event that both the offices of Co-Presidents become vacant, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President. At that time, nominations will immediately be opened for a period of two (2) weeks and elections held, by secret ballot, through the Executive Committee. There shall be no more than thirty (30) days from the occurrence of the vacancy to the announcement of the new officer(s).

Section 3: Any Executive Officers member or Building Representative failing to attend three (3) consecutive Executive Officers meetings may be replaced by the Executive Officers.

ARTICLE XII: The Negotiating Team

Section 1: The Negotiating Team shall consist of six (6) members and three (3) alternates. The BEA Co-Presidents, Chief Negotiator shall serve as three (3) of the team members. The other three (3) members and three (3) alternates will represent a cross section of the BEA membership.

Section 2: The two (2) Negotiating Team members who are not Executive Committee members can serve for two (2) consecutive year terms; the three (3) alternates shall serve a one (1) year term only.

Section 3: The Chief Negotiator shall select the Negotiating Team members.

ARTICLE XIII: Executive Committee

Section 1: The Executive Committee shall be the legislative and policy forming body of the BEA. It shall establish BEA policy, priorities, and goals. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers Council and each Building Representative.

Section 2: Each building shall be entitled to at least one Representative, equitable to the building membership. Each representative may have an alternate. Every effort shall be made to achieve ethnic representation on the Executive Committee in proportion to the membership.

Section 3: Election of Building Representatives and alternates shall be held during the spring of each year. The active Building Representative is to conduct the election by accepting nominations and balloting each member at that building.

Section 4: Duties and Powers:

A. The Executive Committee shall have the duty, responsibility, and authority to conduct the activities of the BEA.

B. The Executive Committee shall have charge of the business of the organization and authorize the expenditure of money.

C. The Executive Committee shall have the power to amend the Constitution as prescribed in Article XVI of this document.

D. Duties and powers not delegated to the Officers Council, the officers, or other groups in the BEA shall be vested in the Executive Committee.

E. It is the responsibility of the Building Representatives to report business transacted by the Executive Committee to BEA members at their respective buildings.

Section 5: Building Representative duties shall include the following:

A. Attendance at the Executive Officers/Leadership Meetings and membership meetings.

B. Relay information and/or communications between membership and Executive Officers.

C. Relay contact information for Member’s Rights and other officers as requested or needed by members. 

ARTICLE XIV: Retirees

Section 1: Retirees of UTP shall be able to serve on BEA committees as ex-officio members. They shall be represented at the representative meetings.

ARTICLE XV: Committees

Section 1: The BEA shall have committees as necessary for the transaction of business. The BEA President shall appoint chairs of committees.

Section 2: There shall be an Executive Officer on each Committee. These Committees may include, but are not limited to the following:

A. The Legislative Committee shall keep members informed concerning legislative matters; establish and maintain good relations with Congressmen, local and state officials; and encourage all members to become politically active.

B. The Constitution Committee shall keep the Constitution revised to meet the needs and growth of the BEA.

C. The Scholarship Committee shall determine criteria, distribute applications, and select the recipients of the BEA Scholarship.

ARTICLE XVI: Meetings

Section 1: This affiliate will hold at least two general meetings for the membership each year.

ARTICLE XVII: Rules for Amending the BEA Constitution

Section 1: The BEA President shall appoint a constitution committee when needed to amend the constitution.

Section 2: Any proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be presented, in writing, to the Officers Council at any regular meeting of the Council.

Section 3: A copy of the proposed amendment(s), together with the recommendation of the officers Council, shall be sent to each school thirty (30) days prior to being submitted for a vote by the Executive Committee.

Section 4: The Executive Committee shall vote on all Constitutional amendments and shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those Building Representatives present for such changes.

Section 5: The adoption of this constitution nullifies all previous Constitutions of the BEA.