By Laws

PESDHH Bylaws (original)

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be Pennsylvania Educators of Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

Section 1. The purpose or purposes for which the organization is formed are as follows:

• To promote harmony and professional growth among the members.

• To promote civic and educational programs on behalf of professionals who work in the educational fields.

• To provide appropriate referral services so that professional individuals may benefit from existing programs, and to work toward attaining those that do not exist.

• To work for educational improvements which will directly benefit the students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Pennsylvania schools.

Section 2. This organization shall not participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on educational issues, or carry on propaganda, or otherwise attempt to influence legislation, outside of the ERCHL committee.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. All professionals in Pennsylvania, associated in the educational programs for students who are deaf and hard of hearing may become members of the organization.

Section 2. Members shall have full privileges in the organization provided their dues have been paid. Privileges shall be defined as; attendance at business meetings, voting, and holding office.

ARTICLE IV- GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Section 1. The annual meeting of the members shall be held by the organization during the convocation for the purpose of electing officers and for the transaction of any business as may properly come before the meeting.

Section-2. A quorum of at least twenty (20) members is required for all business transactions at all regular and special meetings of this organization. A majority vote of those members present and eligible to vote as set forth in

ARTICLE III shall constitute an official and valid act of said membership of the organization.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of this organization shall be a President, Vice-President, Social Media Secretary, and Treasurer. The President can fill vacant offices from the membership until the successors are elected.

Section 2. Officers shall serve two (2) year staggered terms and shall be limited to two (2) consecutive terms in the same position. Elections for the President and Recording Secretary shall take place in even-numbered years while the Vice-President, Social Media Secretary and Treasurer, shall be elected in odd-numbered years. The officers shall serve until their successors are elected and duly qualified or until their earlier resignation, removal from office, or death.

Section 3. No one shall be permitted to hold more than one office simultaneously at any particular time, without specific consent from the membership.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS: DUTIES AND POWERS

Section 1. The President shall preside over all meetings of the organization and generally perform all duties incidental to the office of the President.

(a) be the custodian of the organization records and of the seal of the organization;

(b) serve as or designate a standing member of PESDHH on the PA Bureau of Special Education's advisory board known as  ERCHL (Educational Resources for Children with Hearing Loss);

(c) organize and conduct election of new officers according to the By-Laws.

Section 2. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside, and if the Vice-President for any cause shall be unable to act, the officers shall appoint a president pro tempore from the membership in whom shall be vested for the time being the duties and functions of the President's office.

Section 3. The Social Media Secretary in association with the President, shall solicit input from officers and members to be shared with the larger membership in an effort to keep members connected and supported in their efforts. (October 2016)

a) As most inter-organization communications occur via electronic methods, the previous offices of Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary shall be combined and renamed as the Social Media Secretary. (Amended 2019) Responsibilities include:

1)      keep the minutes of all meetings of the organization and document via email to officers and/or members;

2)      see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of the By-Laws or as required by law;

3)      perform all duties incidental to the office of Recording/Corresponding Secretary and other such duties as from time to time may be assigned by the President.

b) Maintain a contact list of current members, including the at least a name and email address.

Section 4.

a.      The Treasurer shall receive and keep in custody all funds and records of the organization. He/She shall give a bond in such sum as shall be fixed from time to time by the officers; said bond premium to be an expense of the organization. The Treasurer shall have the power of signing checks and making deposits.

1)      In the absence of the Treasurer, the Vice President shall overlook the duties of the Treasurer.

2)      Both the Treasurer and Vice-President shall have their signatures at a bank, with the understanding that only one signature is sufficient for any bank transactions.

Section 5. The officers shall act as a trustee, and make sure that all the Treasurer's books are kept in good order. Otherwise, one of the officers shall report such discrepancies at a regular meeting.

Section 6. The officers may prescribe additional duties to certain officers when ever deemed so.

ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers: President, Vice-President, Social Media Secretary, and Treasurer, as well as the Chairpersons responsible for Membership. The Executive Committee shall have power to transact the necessary business of the organization. Regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held as needed or by written request of 3 members of the committee.

Section 2. The President, with the approval of the Executive Committee shall appoint, from among the members of the organization, members to the following standing committees. Members will be invited to volunteer for

Committee positions upon any open position. The Standing Committees shall be:

·         Membership

·         Convocation/Program

·         Nominating

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES: DUTIES AND POWER

Section 1. The Membership Committee is responsible for maintaining and increasing membership in the organization. The Committee shall conduct an annual membership campaign and be responsible for keeping up-to-date lists of members. The Committee, in cooperation with the Social Media Officer shall assist in keeping the members informed about the activities of the organization. The Membership Committee shall have at least 3 members chosen by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. The Convocation/Program Committee responsible for organizing the Annual Convocation of the organization, as deemed appropriate in any given year. The Committee is responsible for compiling evaluation materials for the Convocation that they have organized and should submit a report to the Executive Committee on member responses to the Convocation as well as any suggestions for future Convocations. The Convocation/Program Committee shall have at least 5 members chosen by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 3. The Social Media Committee shall be responsible for developing and disseminating pertinent information to members about the organization as well as news and trends in the field of education of students who are deaf and hard of hearing. The Social Media Committee shall have at least 3 members chosen by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 4. The President, with the approval of the Executive Committee, shall appoint a Nominating Committee of at least 3 members 90 days before the annual Convocation or by June 1 in years when there is no convocation. The duties of the Committee shall be:

a) to prepare a slate of candidates for President, Vice-President, Social Media/Secretary and Treasurer (as described in Article V, Section 2).

b) to secure the consent of all nominees to serve if elected.

c) to report nominations to the membership prior to the Annual Convocation.

Section 5. As the need arises, the President with the approval of the Executive Committee can appoint special committees to report to the Executive Committee and membership on topics or concerns relating to the organization.

ARTICLE IX - PARLIAMENTARY RULES

Section 1. The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern this organization in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws.

Section 2. The usual order of Business governing any regular meeting of either the organization membership or the Officers shall be as follows:

• Call to order

• Approval of minutes

• Officer reports

• Committee reports

• Communications

• Old business

• New business

• Elections

• Announcements

• Adjournment

ARTICLE X - INDEBTEDNESS

The officers shall have no power to borrow money on behalf of the organization unless the same shall be approved and authorized by the members and duly recorded in the minutes.

ARTICLE XI - MEMBERS: VOTING

Section 1. The voting power and interest of the members in this organization shall be equal.

Section 2. No member of this organization shall have any right, title or interest whatsoever in or to any property or assets which the organization may have or hereafter acquire. In the event of or upon the dissolution or winding up of this organization, the officers or members in charge of the liquidation shall distribute any assets remaining after payment or the discharge of all the organization's duties or obligations to some other nonprofit organization similar in nature, if possible, then in existence and in accordance with the law.

ARTICLE XII - MEMBERS: DUTIES

Section 1. Each member shall abide by the rules, regulations, By-Laws and code of ethics of the organization of Pennsylvania Educators of Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, now in effect or which may hereafter be adopted.

Section 2. Each member shall at all times work for the best interests of the organization and, more particularly, to the end that the organization is maintained at a high level of efficiency and integrity. Each member shall take such action as he/she deems reasonable and expedient to aid and assist other members in their pursuit of this end.

ARTICLE XIII - MEMBERS: ASSESSMENTS

Special assessments to be levied on the members may be made if approved at a special meeting called for that purpose, but only if such approval is by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present who are eligible to vote.

ARTICLE XIV- SEAL

Section 1. This organization shall have a common seal, bearing the words; Pennsylvania Educators of Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Section 2. Said seal may be used by causing it, or a facsimile thereof, to be impressed or affixed or in any manner reproduced.

ARTICLE XV - ORGANIZATION RECORDS

Section 1. Required Records. The organization shall keep complete and accurate books and records of account, minutes of the proceedings of the incorporators, members and officers and a register giving the names and addresses of all members. The register shall be kept at either the registered office of the organization in Pennsylvania or at its principal place of business wherever situated, or at the office of its registrar or transfer agent.

Section 2. Right of Inspection. Every member shall, upon written verified demand stating the purpose thereof, have a right to examine, in person, or by agent or attorney, during the usual hours for business for any proper purpose, the register, books and records of accounts, and records of the proceedings of the incorporators, members and officers and to make copies or extracts therefrom. A proper purpose shall mean a purpose reasonably related to the interest of the person as a member. In every instance where an attorney or other agent is the person who seeks the right of inspection, the demand shall be accompanied by a verified power of attorney or other agent to so act on behalf of the member. The demand shall be directed to the organization at its registered office in Pennsylvania, or at its principal place of business, wherever situated.

ARTICLE XVI - AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended or repealed or new By-Laws may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the members, provided the proposed revisions have been posted for at least thirty (30) days in a conspicuous location accessible to members. They shall be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at such meeting and eligible to vote.

Section 2. Whenever any amendments or new By-Laws are adopted they must be copied into the book of the original By-Laws. If any By-Law is repealed or amended, the fact of repeal or amendment with the date of the meeting at which the repeal or amendment was enacted must be stated in said book. Said By-Laws may be amended or repealed by the membership as set forth hereinafter without first being presented to officers. Any change in these By-Laws shall take effect when adopted unless otherwise provided in the resolution effecting the change.

Section 3. These by-laws shall be approved by a majority of the members present at a regular meeting. The By-Laws shall be made available to the members 30 days prior to the meeting.