Retired Teachers’ Association of Lindenhurst
Constitution and Bylaws
Amended October 1, 2026
Article 1
Name
The name of this organization shall be the Retirees’ Chapter of the Teachers’ Association of Lindenhurst and will be referred to in this document as RTAL.
Article 2
Purposes
The purpose of this organization shall be:
To support the aims and objectives of the Teachers’ Association of Lindenhurst.
To formulate and effectuate programs that will advance the best interests of RTAL specifically:
To improve the economic interests of our members.
To promote the health and welfare of our members.
To foster social,cultural, educational and civic pursuits.
Article 3
Membership
Section 1.
Members of TAL upon retirement shall be eligible for membership in RTAL. Retirement is defined as collecting benefits from the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System.
Section 2.
Members in good standing shall have the privilege to vote, hold office, and represent the chapter. A member shall be considered in good standing when their dues have been paid in full by July 1st.
Section 3.
Membership in RTAL confers membership in TAL,NYSUT,AFT and AFL-CIO.
Article 4
Officers
Section 1.
The officers of RTAL shall be: a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Corresponding Secretary, and a Past President.
Section 2.
Elected officers shall serve for a term of two years. They shall take office on June 30 following the election.
Article 5
Duties of Officers
Section 1.
The President shall preside at all meetings, shall keep an open line of communication with the President of TAL for the general welfare of the Chapter, issue the call for regular and special meetings, appoint all committees with the approval of the Executive Council, and serve as Chapter Representation to TAL’s Central Council. The RTAL President is a delegate to the Retiree Council #20 or may appoint a person as such.
Section 2.
The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in all matters in his or her absence, and be responsible for such activities as assigned by the President.
Section 3.
The Past President shall act as a consultant and assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President and the Vice President.
Section 4.
The Secretary shall\ keep a record of all meetings of the Chapter, be responsible for the distribution of the reports of the meetings to the members. Be responsible for activities assigned by the President and assume the duties of the President in absence of the President, Vice President and Past President.
Section 5.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for all fiscal policy deemed necessary by the Chapter. Be responsible for activities assigned by the President and assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President, Vice President, Past President and Secretary.
Section 6.
The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for the RTAL Newsletter, website and all social media pages and be responsible for activities assigned by the President and assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President, Vice President, Past President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Article 6
Executive Council
Section 1.
The Executive Council shall consist of Officers, Committee Chairs, and all past Presidents of RTAL.
Section 2.
The Executive Council Shall have the following functions:
To formulate plans for the functioning of the Chapter.
To prepare the Agenda for the membership meetings.
To implement the decisions of the membership.
Section 3.
One half of the members of the Executive Council shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4.
Meetings of the Executive Council shall be held prior to the membership meetings.
Section 5.
Special meetings may be called by the RTAL President upon the request of one half the members of the Executive Council.
Article 7
Committees
The RTAL President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of RTAL, shall appoint the chairpersons of any committees as may be necessary to further the goals and interests of RTAL.
Article 8
Nominations and Elections
Section 1.
The election committee will meet in March prior to the annual RTAL officer election date.
Section 2.
Any member in good standing who wishes to place his or her name, or the name of any other member who has agreed to serve, in nomination of any officer position, may do so by notifying the chairperson of the election committee in writing by February 1st. Written notification of this request for nominations will be provided to the membership.
Section 3.
The election committee shall announce the candidates to the membership by newsletter, email, and social media.
Section 4.
Voting shall be held by mail and must be received to the TAL office ten days prior to the election. RTAL voting shall coincide with the dates of the TAL Election.
Section 5.
The RTAL Executive Council shall decide all disputes arising out of such elections.
Article 9
Vacancies
Any vacancy occurring among officers or committee chairpersons shall be filled at an Executive Council Board meeting held subsequent to the announcement of such vacancy. Persons filling vacancies shall serve to the end of the term.
Article 10
Membership Meetings
A general meeting of the membership shall be held at least three times a year from September through June. These meetings may be in the form of a luncheon. Special meetings may be called by the RTAL President with the consent of the Executive Council.
Twenty five members shall constitute a quorum for all membership meetings.
Article 11
Amendments
Section 1.
Proposed amendments to this constitution must be submitted by a petition in writing to the Executive Council signed by the majority of the Executive Council or a petition signed by at least 10% of the RTAL membership.
Section 2.
The proposed amendments shall be placed before the membership by written correspondence prior to the next general membership meeting/luncheon. Voting shall be either by mail or at the attendance at the next general meeting/luncheon.
Section 3.
Two thirds of the votes cast by the membership must be in affirmative before the amendment can be considered adopted.
Article 12
Parliamentary Procedure
Parliamentary procedures not specifically provided for in this constitution, shall be governed by “Roberts Rules of Order. Revised”
Article 13
Dues
Dues for RTAL members shall be established by RTAL with approval of the TAL Central Council. Dues shall be paid directly to RTAL.
Article 14
Ratification
This constitution shall be enacted by an approval of ⅔ of the votes cast membership.