Constitution, By-Laws, Contracts

CONTRACTS

CONSTITUTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I:           Name

ARTICLE II:          Affiliation

ARTICLE Ill:         Purposes

ARTICLE IV:        Membership

1.      Active

2.      General Provisions and Qualifications

3.      Honorary

4.      Revocation of Membership

ARTICLE V:          Officers

1.      Titles

2.      Membership Required

3.      Qualifications

4.      Term

5.      Vacant Office

6.      Summer Vacancy

7.      Filling Vacant Seat

ARTICLE VI:        Executive Board

1.      Membership

2.      Authority

ARTICLE VII:       Representative Council

1.      Membership

2.      Chairperson

3.      Authority

4.      Qualification of Delegates

5.      Visitor Rights

ARTICLE VIII:     Affiliated Departments

ARTICLE IX:         Amendments

ARTICLE X:          Dissolution and Transfer of Assets

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNINCORPORATED

IOWA CITY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I:      NAME

The name of this Association shall be the Iowa City Education Association.

ARTICLE II:     AFFILIATION

This Association shall affiliate with the Unit, the State, and the National Associations under their rules.

ARTICLE Ill.     PURPOSES

The primary purposes of this Association shall be:

1.To represent appropriate employees of the Iowa City Community School District in their employment relations.

2.To work for the improvement of public school conditions and to seek solutions to community problems relating to the schools.

3.To improve the professional, economic, and social status of its members.

4.To improve the welfare of school children, the advancement of education and the improvement of instructional opportunities.

5.To support and strengthen local, Uniserv, State and National Associations through participation and understanding of the programs and goals.

ARTICLE IV:   MEMBERSHIP

1.Active Membership

A. Active membership in this Association shall be open to all persons engaged in educational work of a professional or paraprofessional nature in the Iowa City Community School District; and who qualify for active membership under provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of the Iowa State Education Association.

B. Active membership in the Unit, the State, and the National Education Association shall be required for active membership in this Association.

2.  Retired Membership

Retired membership in this Association shall be open to all persons retired from educational work of a professional or paraprofessional nature in the Iowa City Community School District; and who qualify for retired membership under provisions of the Articles of Incorporation of the Iowa State Education Association.

3.General Provisions

A. Membership shall not be denied any employee of the Iowa City Community School District, who is otherwise eligible,

on the basis of race, creed color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability .

B.Membership shall be continuous until the member’s employment causes their membership to change, or until the member leaves the employment of the school system, resigns in writing from the Association, or fails to pay membership dues.

4.Honorary Membership

Honorary membership may be extended to anyone whom this Association shall select because of special interest in education. No dues shall be assessed.

5.Revocations of Membership

A. The Executive Board may suspend from membership rights or expel any member who they find in willful violation of the constitution and bylaws after a full and fair investigation.

B. Any member in good standing has the right to file a complaint alleging such violations of the constitution and bylaws. Such complaints shall be in writing and submitted to the President of the Association.

C. Members so charged with violations of said constitution and bylaws shall be notified in writing of the time and place when the Executive Board shall hear the charges. He/she shall also be notified that they shall have the right to be present with counsel of their choice during such meeting, shall have the right to cross-examine witnesses and offer other testimony judged beneficial to his/her defense.

D. The Executive Board hearing shall not be sooner than five (5) school days following notification to the accused that they have been charged. Such notices shall include a copy of the submitted charges.

E. Any decision of the Executive Board may be appealed to the Representative Council of this Association at its next regular meeting.

Article V: Election of Officers and Members-At-Large to the Executive Board

1.Nominations

A. In February, all active and retired members of the Iowa City Education Association may nominate a candidate or declare their own candidacy for any office or member-at-large position scheduled for election.

B. Names of persons nominated shall be submitted to the Committee for Elections who shall report such nominations to the Representative Council at its March meeting.

C. Every effort will be made to encourage minority participation in the governance and committee structure of the Association.

D. Representative Council delegates or other Association members present at the March meeting of the Representative Council may make further nominations from the floor for any open positions.

2.Balloting

A. During the last school week in March, all members in good standing shall vote for nominated candidates.

B. Voting shall be by secret written ballot or by using a secure online program in accordance with procedures developed by the Elections Committee and approved by the Executive Board.

C. Faculty representatives shall have charge of the election in their attendance center.

D. Officers or members at large may be elected by a write-in vote.

E. A plurality shall be required for election.

F. The Committee on Elections shall report the results of the election to the President who shall cause them to be published.

ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE BOARD

1.  The Executive Board shall consist of the officers, the immediate past-president or (Co Presidents), and seven (7) members elected at large, three (3) elementary, three (3) secondary, and one (1) paraprofessional. One elementary and one secondary member will be elected each year to serve a term of three years. The paraprofessional member will be elected every third year to serve a term of three years.

2.  The President of this Association shall serve as chairperson of the Representative Council.

ARTICLE VII: REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

1.     The Representative Council shall consist of the Executive Board, the chairpersons of the standing committees and one or more representatives from each attendance center.

2.     The President (or Co-Presidents) of this Association shall serve as chairperson(s) of the Representative Council.

3.     The Representative Council shall be the legislative and policy-making authority for this Association.

4.Members of the Representative Council must be active or retired members of the Association during the term of their office.

5.Any member of this Association who is not a member of the Representative Council may attend meetings of the Council, and may address the Council, but may not vote.

ARTICLE VI II: AFFILIATED DEPARTMENTS

1.This Association may accept into departmental affiliation any group of organization approved by the Representative Council.

2.Services and dues structures shall be outlined in the petition for affiliation received from said group.

ARTICLE IX:   AMENDMENT

The Representative Council may adopt amendments to this constitution by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those voting at any regular meeting provided that proposed amendments have been introduced at the preceding regular meeting of the Representative Council and that copies of the proposed amendments have been immediately thereafter distributed to members of the Association.

ARTICLE X:     DISSOLUTION

1.This Association may be dissolved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and entitled to vote at any membership meeting or special meeting called for that purpose.

2. Upon dissolution, the Executive Board, after making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the Association, shall dispose of all assets of the Association by distribution to such organization or organizations organized and operated for purposes comparable to this Association.

Amended September, 1997

Amended April, 2007

BY-LAWS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I:              Rules of Order

ARTICLE II:             Meetings

1. Executive Board

2. Representative Council

3. General Membership

4. Quorum

            a. Membership

            b. Executive Board

            c. Representative Council

ARTICLE III:           Dues

ARTICLE IV:           Fiscal Year

ARTICLE V:             Election of Officers& Members at Large to the Executive Board

1. Nominations

2. Balloting

ARTICLE VI:           Faculty Representatives

1. Elections

2. Attendance at Representative Council Meetings

ARTICLE VII:          Terms of Office

1. Officers

2. Faculty Representatives

ARTICLE VIII:        Duties of Elected Leaders

                                    1. President

                                    2. Vice-President

                                    3. Past-President

                                    4. Secretary

                                    5. Treasurer

ARTICLE IX:            General Financial Accountability

ARTICLE X:             Duties of the Executive Board

ARTICLE Xl:            Duties of the Representative Council

ARTICLE XII:          Voting Power

ARTICLE XIII:        Standing Committees

ARTICLE XIV:         Special Committees

ARTICLE XV:          Election of Delegates to UniServ, State and National Assemblies

ARTICLE XVI:         Initiative, Referendum & Recall

ARTICLE XVII:       Amendments

BY LAWS OF THE IOWA CITY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I:     RULES OF ORDER

Robert’s Rules of Order, NewlyRevised shall be the authority on all questions of procedure not specifically stated in the Constitution or Bylaws.

ARTICLE II:    MEETINGS

1.The Council shall convene a minimum of once a month, on the second Wednesday of each calendar month during the school year unless changed by action of the Council; and there shall be as many general meetings of the Association as determined by the Iowa City Education Association Executive Board to be consistent with this Constitution and Bylaws.

2.There shall be a least five (5) meetings each year of the Iowa City Education Association Executive Board. Notification of regularly scheduled meetings of the Iowa City Education Executive Board, Iowa City Education Association Representative Council and the Association shall be by official publication.

3.Special Meetings

A. Special meetings of the Iowa City Education Association Executive Board shall be called by the President when the President deems necessary or on written request to the President from a majority of its members.

B. Special meetings of the Iowa City Education Association Council shall be called by the President on consent of a majority of the Executive Board or on written request of ten (10) percent of the Council Representatives, or on written request of 10% of the general membership.

C. Notification of special meetings of the Council and of the Association shall be posted in each building at least two (2) school days in advance of the meeting.

D.  Any member of the Iowa City Education Association shall have the right to attend all meetings of the Iowa City Education Association Executive Board, the Representative Council, and the Association.

4.A quorum of the Association for any general or specific meeting shall be thirty (30) percent of the membership, provided that a majority of the schools is represented.

5.A quorum of the Iowa City Education Association Executive Board shall be two-thirds (2/3) of its members.

6.A quorum of the Iowa City Education Representative Council shall be a majority of its members.

ARTICLE Ill:DUES

The budget will be presented by the incoming President at the May Executive Board meeting to be voted on at the May Representative Council meeting. The annual dues of this Association will be determined annually by the Representative Council after the adoption of the Association program and budget in May.

ARTICLE IV:  FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of this Association shall begin on the first day of September and end on the thirty-first day of August each year.

ARTICLE V:   ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS-AT-LARGE TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

1.Nominations

A. In February, all active and retired members of the Iowa City Education Association may nominate a candidate or declare their own candidacy for any office or member-at-large position scheduled for election.

B. Names of persons nominated shall be submitted to the Committee for Elections who shall report such nominations to the Representative Council at its March meeting.

C. Every effort will be made to encourage minority participation in the governance and committee structure of the Association.

D. Representative Council delegates or other Association members present at the March meeting of the Representative Council may make further nominations from the floor for any open positions.

2.Balloting

A. On the first school day in April, all members in good standing shall vote for nominated candidates.

B.  Voting shall be by secret written ballot in accordance with procedures developed by the Elections Committee and approved by the Representative Council.

C.  Faculty representatives shall have charge of the election in their attendance center.

D. Officers or members at large may be elected by a write-in vote.

E.  A plurality shall be required for election.

F.  The Committee on Elections shall report the results of the election to the President, who shall cause them to be published.

ARTICLE VI:  FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE

1. Elections

A. Representatives shall be elected on a basis of one (1) per fifteen (15) of the Association’s members, or a major fraction thereof, in each attendance center.

B.  No center or group shall have fewer than one representative.

C.  In the case of a vacancy, the members of that school shall immediately elect a successor and notify the President of the election.

2. Attendance at Representative Council Meeting.

A.  Faculty Representatives shall attend the regular meetings of the Representative Council, unless they seek and receive prior permission from the President to be absent, or send a substitute.

B.  After two (2) unexcused absences of a Representative, the President may declare the seat vacant and call for a faculty election to fill out the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE VII: TERMS OF OFFICE

1. All terms of office shall begin on May 1 and have a term of one (1) year.

2. Faculty Representatives and their alternates shall be elected for a two-year term, which shall begin on May 1 of the year of election.

ARTICLE VIII: DUTIES OF ELECTED LEADERS

1.President

A. The President shall preside over meetings of the Executive Board and the Representative Council; appoint special committees; appoint all standing committees upon the approval of the Executive Board; serve as an ex-officio member of all standing committees; and shall be the executive officer for this Association.

B. The President shall represent this Association before the public, either in persons or through delegates, and shall perform all other functions usually attributed to this office.

2.Vice-President

The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President; be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee; become familiar with the policies of the Board of Education by attending their meetings; attend all meetings of the Executive Board and Representative Council; take office as President in May of the year following election; become familiar with the work of local committees; and the Iowa State Education Association; and perform other duties assigned by the President.

3. Past-President

The immediate Past-President shall advise the Executive Board and assist the President at the latter’s request.

4. Secretary

The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board, the Representative Council, and General Membership. In addition, the Secretary shall assist the President with Association correspondence.

5. Treasurer

A. The Treasurer shall hold the funds of this Association and disburse them upon authorization by the Executive Board.

B. He/she shall keep accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements and shall report to each meeting of the Representative Council.

C. He/she shall present the financial records of this Association for an annual audit and shall prepare an annual report.

D. He/she shall assist the Budget Committee in the initial drafting of the annual budget.

6. Association Representative

A. The Association Representatives shall call attendance center meetings of this Association’s membership to discuss Association business.

B. He/she may appoint such member committees as are needed to conduct the business of the Association at the attendance center level.

C. He/she shall organize and oversee the subsequent election of a succeeding Association Representatives.

D. He/she shall discover the wishes of the members, which he/she represents and interpret them to the governing bodies of the Association.

ARTICLE IX:  GENERAL FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY

1. There shall be no business or financial conflict of interest by any of the officers or agents of this Association or members of their immediate family.

2. This Association shall prohibit payment of any preferential loans of Association money to officers or agents of the Association.

3. All financial records shall be open for inspection by any member in good standing of this Association upon written request and reasonable notice.

4. All officers and agents of this Association shall be bonded according to regulations developed by the Iowa Public Employee Relations Board.

5. This Association shall not make any contributions of dues money to any political party, organization, or individual candidate.

ARTICLE X:    DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board shall be responsible for the management of this Association.

A yearly Executive Board retreat will be held each summer to set goals for the Association.

The Board’s responsibilities shall include:

1. recommending approval of all expenditures to the Representative Council.

2. carrying out the policies of the Association as established by the Representative Council.

3. assuming an active leadership role on one or more committees established by the Association.

4. filling vacancies on any standing committees.

5. suggesting policies for consideration by the Representative Council.

ARTICLE Xl:  DUTIES OF THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

The Representative Council shall approve the budget, set the dues for this Association, act on reports of committees, approve resolutions and other policy statements and shall adopt procedures for implementing the constitution and bylaws. It may adopt such rules governing the employment of staff, the conduct of the Association, and the conduct of meetings as are consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws. It shall be the final judge of the qualifications and elections of officers and faculty representatives. Powers not delegated to the Executive Board, the officers or other groups in this Association shall be vested in the Representative Council.

ARTICLE XII: VOTING POWER

1. Each elected representative shall be entitled to one vote on all matters before the Council.

2. The President of the Association shall be an officio member of the Council without the right to vote except in the case of a tie vote.

3. The Executive Board shall be members of the Council with the right to vote.

4. The persons of standing committees who are not duly elected representatives shall be members of the council with the right to vote.

ARTICLE XIII: STANDING COMMITTEES

1. There shall be nine (9) standing committees in this Association. They are:

A. Communications/Public Relations

B. Governmental Affairs

C. Instruction & Professional Development

D. Membership

E. Negotiations

F. Teacher Rights

G. Resolutions

H. Awards

I. School Board Endorsements

2. These committees shall have sufficient membership to carry out their assigned tasks. Care shall be exercised to see that each committee has representation from the various groups of the Association membership.

3. Each committee shall meet regularly to insure completion of the tasks assigned by the Executive Board and/or Representative Council.

4. The chairperson of each standing committee shall make an oral report of the committees activities to the Representative Council as requested. The chairperson shall submit a written report outlining objectives, actions, and gains not later that April 1 of each year for distribution to the general membership in a form established by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XIV: SPECIAL COMMITTEES

1. The President shall appoint committees as needed of expeditious handling of Association business, and shall discharge them upon completion of their duties.

2. No officer of the Association shall chair either the Elections Committee or on the Audit Committee.

Article XV: Elections of Delegates to State and National Assemblies

1. The Representative Council shall annually provide for the elections of the allocated delegates and alternates to the various Delegate Assemblies.

2. The election as President(s) of the Association shall be considered election as an allocated delegate(s).

3. All members of this Association shall be eligible for election and shall have the right to vote in the election by secret ballot for any other allocated delegate seat.

4. Any vacancies which occur after the election shall be filled by the Representative Council.

ARTICLE XVI: INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM, AND RECALL

1. A petition signed by twenty-live (25) percent of the members of the Iowa City Education Association shall be necessary to bring to the attention of the members any initiative, referendum, or recall attention.

2. Members have the right of initiative and referendum on any action of the Iowa City Education Association Council or of the Executive Board.

3. Any officer may be recalled by a two/thirds (2/3) vote of the total membership of the Iowa City Education Association.

ARTICLE XVII: AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote at any regular meeting of the Representative Council provided that proposed amendments have been previously studied by the Executive Board and the copies have been sent to Representative Council  members one (1) week in advance of the meeting.  The Constitution and Bylaws will be reviewed by a sub-committee of the Executive Board every five (5)  years, starting in 2010. Proposed amendments will be forwarded to the Representative Council.

Official August, 1992

Amended September, 1997

Amended April 2007

Amended September, 2023

APPENDIX

Suggested Duties of Local Association Committees

(a.)      Communications/Public Relations Committee

It is the responsibility of the Communications Sub-committee to:

∑      Keep information about the Association’s affairs, interest, and programs before the community.

∑      Cooperate with the public relations activities and programs of the UniServ Unit, the ISEA, and the NEA.

∑      Work closely with other committees of the Association in order to acquaint the community with all phases of Association interests and accomplishments.

∑      Edit an Association newsletter to inform members of ICEA activities.

∑      Monitor and regularly update the ICEA website.

It is the responsibility of the Public Relations Sub-Committee to:

∑      Work with other community groups and organizations to improve public understanding of school programs and Association goals.

∑      Maintain an Association membership in the local Chamber of Commerce or other similar community-wide organizations.

∑      Organize the Annual Spring Awards Banquet.

(b.)      Governmental Affairs Committee

It is the responsibility of the Governmental Affairs Committee to:

∑      Keep every Association member informed on current educational issues through distribution of literature and through informational meetings.

∑      Establish and maintain communications with members of the legislature to relay Association members’ concern over political matters affecting education and teacher welfare. Work with all Political Action Committees for Education (PACE) to promote member participation and concern in the political process. Act as an advisory group on political education and teacher participation rights and responsibilities in the political process to the negotiations committee.

∑      Protect and maintain the right of each member to actively participate, at all levels, in the political process.

(c)        Instruction and Professional Development Committee

It is the responsibility of the IPD Committee to:

∑      Advise the Association leadership of implications for the various staff members of particular instructional activities of merit.

∑      Act as an advisory group on instructional affairs to the negotiations committee. Monitor the quality level of approved in-service training or other continuing education programs within the school system.

∑      Acquaint teachers, administrators, and the school board, with state certification requirements and procedures for certified staff and teacher associates.

∑      Monitor compliance with teacher certification standards and teacher assignment standards. Participate in the development and/or modification of teacher evaluation systems which stress performance criteria and the improvement of instruction within the school system.

(d)       Membership Committee

It is the responsibility of the Membership Committee to:

∑      Cooperate with the UniServ Unit, the ISEA, and the NEA in the proper distribution of promotional materials.

∑      Manage enrollment forms and dues.

∑      Track Receipt of ICEA /ISEA/NEA publications.

∑      Write letters of welcome and information for incoming teachers:

∑      Maintain accurate membership files of pertinent information.

∑      Plan a concentrated membership drive with follow-up activities as necessary for the Association.

∑      Coordinate the enrollment of auxiliary personnel in professional organizations as set forth in ISEA policy.

∑      Make certain that every prospective member has had an opportunity to join the Association.

∑      Promote and encourage membership of a continuing nature in the Association.

(e)       Negotiations Committee

It is the responsibility of the Negotiations Committee to:

∑      Represent the Association’s membership in all negotiable matters with the school board.

∑      Determine the needs of the membership by means of an assessment instrument which involves all members in the process.

∑      Prepare a comprehensive negotiations package for negotiation, which represents member needs and the Association’s goals and objectives and attempt to gain those goals and objectives through the negotiations process.

∑      Shall coordinate the activities of Association committees in developing negotiations issues and proposals.

∑      Utilize research data, which is provided by the UniServ Unit, the ISEA and the NEA, in the preparation for negotiations as well as the consultive services of staff members.

∑      Be responsible for the activities relative to the Public Employees’ Relations Act of 1 974 which the Association decides to employ.

∑      Achieve exclusive bargaining representation for the Association with the Iowa City Community School District. Maintain strict adherence for the Association to the Public Employees relations Act of 1974.

∑      Maintain a consistent record of negotiating sessions and establish a permanent file of all negotiation materials.

∑      Work towards developing expertise in the negotiations process for its members through training and experience.

(f)        Rights Committee

It is the responsibility of the Rights Committee to:

∑      Advance the contractual rights of members of the Association.

∑      Investigate fairly, honestly, and judiciously, any charges brought against a member of the Association based on competency or any other basis and make recommendations to the Association Executive Board and the ISEA PR&R Division relative to the facts in the case.

∑      Contact the UniServ Director for specific information and guidance, as well as recommendations, concerning professional relations cases.

∑      Inform members, administrators, and the school board on the Professional Code of Ethics and the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, which is charged with maintaining a high standard of professional ethics within the profession.

∑      Promote and protect fair dismissal laws and regulations and advance desirable personnel practices which advocate due process for all members of the United Teaching Profession.

∑      Acts as an advisory group for comprehensive contract maintenance through the grievance procedure.

(g)       Resolutions Committee

It is the responsibility of the Resolutions Committee to:

∑      Be responsible for assessing the desires and needs of the members on all phases of the profession and develop resolutions which speak to those concerns.

∑      Send any resolutions from the Association to the appropriate UniServ Unit Resolutions Committee or directly to the ISEA resolutions committee if none exists at the unit level.

∑      Acquaint the members with policy decisions of the ISEA Delegate Assembly, with the help of the communications committee, as reflected in the resolutions passed.

(h)       Awards Committee

It is the responsibility of the Awards Committee to:

ß       Solicit and review nominations for the various awards.

ß       Select and notify the recipients.

ß       Forward nominations to the Uniserv Unit.

ß       Order and obtain the awards.

(i)       School Board Endorsement Committee

It is the responsibility of the School Board Endorsement Committee to:

 ∑ Select appropriate questions for an ICEA candidate questionnaire which each candidate will be given the opportunity to answer in writing.

∑ Post candidate responses on appropriate ICEA digital media platforms.

∑ Communicate with members about the location of the candidate responses and dates related to the upcoming election.

∑ Hold a personal interview with each candidate who has completed the candidate questionnaire and is seeking an ICEA endorsement.

∑ Make a recommendation to the Executive Board and Building Representative Council about which candidate(s) to endorse.  

∑ Hold a meeting of the Executive Board and Building Representative Council during which the recommendation(s) of the Committee will be voted on by the Executive Board and Building Representative Council.

∑ The Committee Chair or ICEA President will notify the candidates of the endorsement decisions.

∑ The Committee Chair or ICEA President will submit a press release to local media outlets regarding the endorsement decisions and post endorsement decisions on the appropriate social media platforms.