Constitution and By-Laws

  GLOUCESTER COUNTY RETIRED EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION 

CONSTITUTION 

Article I. Name and Affiliation 

This Association shall be known as the Gloucester County Retired Educators Association (GCREA),  affiliated with the New Jersey Retirees’ Education Association (NJREA), New Jersey Education  Association (NJEA) and the National Education Association-Retired (NEA-R).  

Section 1: The GCREA shall maintain tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code 501c (4)   and govern itself in a manner that will not jeopardize its tax-exempt status.  

Section 2: The Association shall be incorporated as a non-profit corporation under Title 15-A, Sections   2-8 of the New Jersey
      Domestic Nonprofit Corporation Act. 

Section 3: Any reference to the County Retired Educators Associations shall mean a CREA which has officially adopted the Standards of Affiliation adopted by the NJREA Delegate Council. 

Article II. Purpose 

Section 1: To foster the interests of members of the association by promoting the social, professional,  and economic status of retired  
      members. 

Section 2: To keep members informed of the benefits available to them and how they may obtain these benefits. 

Section 3: To further the advancement of education in the county, state and nation. 

Section 4: To advocate, promote and urge the passage of local, state, and national legislation benefiting all retired educators. 

Section 5: To support the State and National Associations of retired educators.  

                                    Article III. Membership 

Section 1: Any retired public education employee who is a member of the New Jersey Teachers’     

                  Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF), the New Jersey Public Employees’ Retirement System               

                  (PERS), or any New Jersey alternate benefits retirement program in an education capacity, 

                  may become a member of the GCREA by paying the annual/life dues. 

Section 2: Life membership for retirees is available as described in the NJREA/GCREA Bylaws. 

Article IV. Officers 

Section 1: The elected officers of the GCREA shall be a President, 1st Vice president, 2nd Vice President,   Recording Secretary,
      Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Past-President and three elected  Trustees.

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Section 2: A person running for a GCREA office must be a unified member (a member of GCREA, NJREA, NJEA, and NEA-R). 

Section 3: Officers shall be elected every two years at the Spring General Membership Meeting. A slate of officers shall be presented
      by the Nominations Committee. The presiding officer at the meeting shall make a call for nominations from the floor. All    
      Officers may be re-elected for three successive terms only, with the exception of the Treasurer, who may be re-elected for
      unlimited terms.  

Section 4: Elected officers shall assume the duties of their office on September 1, following the election. 

Section 5: Officers shall be elected according to the procedures established in the By-Laws of the organization.  

Section 6: If a vacancy occurs in the office of the president before the term is completed, the first vice president shall become
            president. If the first vice president is unable or unwilling to assume the office of president, then the second vice president
            shall become the president. If a vacancy occurs in any other office the Executive Committee shall elect a successor who will
            serve until the next regular election.  

Section 7: Whenever an officer is unable to fulfill his or her position, or is incapacitated, the Executive Committee shall elect a
      replacement until the next regular election, except in the case of a presidential vacancy. 

Section 8: A person who fills an unexpired term until the next regular election, or who has been elected to fill a one-year unexpired term
                  will not lose eligibility for being elected to serve the number of full terms listed for that office in Section 3 above. 

Section 9: The outgoing officers shall make available to their successors all materials necessary for an orderly transfer of duties.

Article V. Executive Committee 

Section 1: The GCREA Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers and trustees, the committee chairs, and the
                  immediate past president.  

Section 3: If an Executive Committee member holds more than one position, he/she may only vote once 

Article VI. Recall Procedures 

Section 1: Officers of the GCEA shall serve their terms so long as they ethically and satisfactorily perform the duties of the
      office.  

Section 2: Where an officer is guilty of misconduct, negligence, dereliction of duty or becomes incapacitated, such officer may be
      removed for cause (shown after notice and a hearing) by a   two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the membership present
      at a regularly announced meeting. 

A. Recommendation for recall can be made by submission of petition containing the signatures of 40% percent of the Executive Committee. 

B. The Executive Committee shall notify, in writing, any officer who has been  

recommended for recall. 

                        C. Any notified officer may appeal in writing to the Executive Committee.  

D. The Executive Committee shall schedule hearings, whenever necessary, to review the recommendation for the recall of an officer. 

E. The report of those hearings shall be made available to the General Membership.  F. A General Membership meeting
    shall be called two weeks after the issuance of the
report.

Article VII. Executive Committee and General Membership Meetings 

Section 1: There shall be no less than eight Executive Committee meetings per year. 

Section 2: Other committee meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the President and/or the   Executive Committee as
                  deemed necessary.
Section 3: There shall be no less than two General Membership meetings per year.
Section 4: The Fall and Spring Luncheon Meetings shall serve as General Membership meetings. 

Section 5: At each luncheon meeting a time shall be allotted for input from the GCREA members present. 

Section 6: The president shall have the power to call additional General Membership meetings as is deemed necessary or upon         the request of one-fourth of the number of general members that attended the last General Membership meeting.  

Section 7: When circumstances prevent in-person gatherings for GCREA Officers, Executive Committee,  and/or General Membership
                  meetings, the business of the meeting may be conducted by electronic methods. The Officers and Executive Committee
                  shall determine when the use of electronic/virtual meetings are necessary to conduct the business of the organization. The
                  President or his/her designee shall send meeting notifications electronically at least one day prior to the scheduled meeting.
                  The notification shall include the date and time of the meeting as well as all codes. The phone number for members to
                  participate shall also be included in the event a computer is unavailable to those members. 

Article VIII. Committees 

Section 1: Members of the standing committees and special committees shall be appointed by the president with the approval of the
                  Executive Committee. The term of each member shall expire at the close of the president’s term. 
Section 2: The Chairpersons of GCREA committees shall be appointed by the president with the approval of the Executive          
                  Committee. 
Section 3: Special Committees may be appointed as deemed necessary in order to carry out the needs of the Association.

Article IX. Amendments 

Section 1: Amendments to the Constitution may be made at any General Membership Meeting by two-thirds vote of the members present at the meeting provided prior notice has been given as indicated below.

Section 2: Announcement of this action and the proposed changes shall be sent to the membership no later than two weeks prior to the meeting at which the vote will be taken.  

Section 3: Said amendment(s) must have been previously presented to the Executive Committee for approval. 

Adopted on October 6, 1962  

Updated on May 3, 2005 

Revised on October 7, 2014 

Revised on May 10, 2018 

Revised on May 19, 2021 

Amended/Revised May 7, 2025

GLOUCESTER COUNTY RETIRED EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION 

BY-LAWS 

Article I: Dues 

Section 1: The annual and lifetime membership dues shall be determined by the GCREA Executive  Committee.  

Section 2: The fiscal year shall be from September 1 of one year to August 31 of the following year. 

Section 3: A unified dues structure established by the NJREA shall be applicable to members in accordance with standards
                  and policies of the unified retired organization. 

Section 4: Membership dues may be paid on a yearly basis or in a single lifetime payment as determined by the   
      Executive Committee. 

Article II: Membership 

Section 1: Membership shall be in accordance with the standards and policies of the NJREA and in keeping with the incorporated
                  purpose of the affiliate. 

Article III: Officers 

Section 1: The GCREA shall be governed by officers elected by dues-paying members and voting members in attendance at
            the Spring General Membership meeting.  

Section 2: The officers shall consist of a President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Recording   Secretary, Corresponding
                  Secretary, Treasurer, 3 Trustees, and the Past President.  

Section 3: Each officer shall be elected for a term of two years. Terms of office will begin September 1  following the election. 

Section 4: All officers may be re-elected for three successive terms, with the exception of the Treasurer, who may be re-
      elected for unlimited terms.  

Article IV: Duties of the Officers 

Section 1: President 

A. Shall preside at all meetings of the GCREA. 

B. Shall appoint all Committee Chairs and special committees. 

C. Shall enact all business items voted on by the GCREA. 

D. Shall act as a liaison between the Association and the NJREA 

E. Shall sign all checks with the Treasurer or other designated officer.

     F. Shall recommend policies and procedures for the good of the Association. 

Section 2: First (1st) Vice President 

A. Shall, in the absence of the President, act in his/her capacity. 

B. Shall work closely with the President in all matters related to the GCREA. 

C. Shall be an ex-officio member of the Constitution committee.  

D. Shall be a cosigner of Association checks along with either the President or Treasurer. E. Shall work with the other officers to ensure the business of the Association is carried out.  

Section 3: Second (2nd) Vice President 

A. Shall, in the absence of both the President and First Vice President, preside over any meeting of the GCREA. 

            B. Shall work with the other officers to ensure the business of the Association is carried out.  

Section 4: Recording Secretary 

A. Shall keep the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the Association, and of the  Executive Committee, and to report the minutes of the meetings. 

B. Shall keep copies of the Treasurer’s Report with the minutes. 

            C. Shall work with the other officers to ensure the business of the Association is carried out.  

Section 5: Corresponding Secretary 

A. Shall make and keep records of all correspondence. 

B. Shall be responsible for sending out luncheon invitations to designated guests and the  GCREA general membership. 

C. Shall be responsible for sending correspondence to all members. 

            D. Shall work with the other officers to ensure the business of the Association is carried out.  

Section 6: Treasurer 

A. Shall deposit all funds, be responsible for the receipt of all monies due GCREA, and use a bank approved by the Associations Executive Committee. 

B. Shall prepare a voucher for each bill and receive authorization from the President before paying any bills, or reimbursing
    any individuals. Receipts must accompany all vouchers. 
C. Shall seek reimbursement of any fees incurred by the Association for a bounced check.
D. Shall keep accurate records of all financial matters of the Association, and prepare a  financial report for all Executive Committee and General Membership meetings.
E. Shall ensure that all bank accounts of     
    the organization are properly managed. 
F. Shall counter-sign all checks with the President or other designated officer.
G.Shall chair the Budget Committee, which will consist of the Officers and the Trustees.
H. Shall provide all records and information needed for the audit. 

I. Shall, annually, file the Incorporation Report, assure that the 990 form (e-postcard) is filed with the IRS, file any other State and Federal Forms required, and see that an audit is performed by an accredited outside firm. 

            J. Shall work with the other officers to ensure the business of the Association is carried out.  

Section 7: Trustees 

A. Shall assist in the construction of the budget. 

B. Shall review the Treasurer’s report, the bank statements, vouchers and the checkbook twice a year to prepare for the audit.

     C. Shall work with the other officers to ensure that the business of the Association is carried out. 

Article V: Duties of the Committee 

STANDING COMMITTEES 

Section 1: Audit – This committee shall consist of the three elected trustees who will review the treasurer’s reports, bank
                    statements, vouchers and the checkbook twice a year. 

Section 2: Budget – This committee shall prepare an annual budget which will be presented to the executive Committee for approval. The treasurer shall be the chairperson of the budget committee. The budget for the fiscal year, September through August, will be presented to the General Membership for adoption at the spring meeting. 

Section 3: Membership – This committee shall be responsible for the maintenance and confidentially of county membership records. The committee shall communicate with prospective members regarding the value of membership. The committee shall also communicate with current members on issues of importance.  

Section 4: Nominations/Elections – This committee shall prepare for and conduct all nominations and elections of the Association. No officers or candidates for office may serve on this committee. 

Section 5: GCEA/GCREA Liaison – The liaison shall attend GCEA Executive Committee meetings,  GCEA Representative Council meetings, and GCREA Executive Committee meetings. The liaison shall report on any information disseminated by the GCEA and GCREA Associations at the respective monthly meetings. 

Section 6: Government Relations – This committee shall inform members about proposed and enacted legislation related to their welfare, promote activities leading to the passage of desirable legislation, encourage members to exercise their responsibility for voting and their right to participate in political activity at all levels. 

Section 7: Educational Support Professionals (ESP) – This committee shall provide information regarding specific ESP issues; propose events/activities that are specific to ESP members,  and encourage retiring ESP members to join GCREA. 

SPECIAL COMMITTEES 

Section 8: Health Benefits – This committee shall collect and disseminate information of interest to our members regarding health benefits. 

Section 9: County Senior Services – This committee shall collect and disseminate information of interest to our members
                  regarding county senior services.  

Section 10: Constitution Review – This committee shall periodically review the constitution and by-laws  for compliance with NJREA
                regulations. All changes will be made in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order. This committee shall receive suggestions for
                changes to the constitution and/or by-laws, make recommendations as to whether the changes are in the best interest of the
                Association, and prepare and submit the necessary changes to the  Executive Committee for action. 

Section 11: Necrology – This committee is responsible for obtaining and reporting to the newsletter editor the names of deceased members. It will also coordinate a service to honor the deceased members at the fall and spring meetings. 

Section 12: Public Relations – This committee shall provide information regarding all meetings of the Association to NJEA/NJREA according to their timelines and using the appropriate forms. 

Section 13: Luncheons - This committee shall schedule and plan the annual fall and spring luncheons, holiday luncheon, and Laura Maltman Health & Wellness workshop luncheon.  

Article VI: Financial Policies 

Section 1: The budget for the fiscal year, September through August, will be presented to the Executive Committee, and then presented to the General Membership present at the Spring Meeting for adoption.  

Section 2: If a check presented to GCREA, is returned for insufficient funds, any fees related to that check and charged to the GCREA 
    by our bank will be passed on to the member who wrote the check.  

Article VII: Quorum 

Section 1: A majority of the Executive Committee members shall constitute a quorum for Executive Committee 

          meetings. A simple majority of the members present is necessary to pass a motion. 

Section 2: The members present at a General Membership meeting shall constitute a quorum. A simple majority of those members 
  present is necessary to pass any motion. 

Section 3: Elected and Appointed members of the Committee will each have one vote on all matters brought before the Committee.  

Article VIII: Amendments 

Section 1: Amendments to the By-Laws may be made at any General Membership meeting by a majority of the members present provided that prior notice has been given as indicated below. 

Section 2: Announcement of this action and the proposed change shall be given in an informational electronic mailing and sent to the
                membership no later than two weeks prior to the meeting at which time the vote will be taken. 

Adopted on October 7, 2014
Amended on October 13, 2016
Amended on May 10, 2018
Amended on May 19, 2021
Amended/Revised May 7, 2025