New England Educational Media Association
NEEMA - New England Educational Media Association
Revised Fall 1994; Fall 1988; Spring 2003; Spring 2004
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be the New England Educational Media Association, (The “Association”.)
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
The purpose of this Association shall be to promote the development and extension of school library media programs in New England.
The mission of the New England Educational Media Association is to educate and to foster connections between the members of the school library media associations within the six New England States as well as the educational media associations throughout the country.
The goals of the Association are to:
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. Any person in agreement with the purpose of this Association may become a member upon payment of dues. Members shall be entitled to vote, to attend meetings, to hold office, to serve on committees and to receive any publications prepared or contracted by this Association.
SECTION 2. Life and honorary members shall be chosen by unanimous vote of the Governing Board and shall be entitled to all privileges granted an active member. Life members are NEEMA members who have been exemplary contributors to the organization. Honorary members are executive officers or directors of other organizations with whom we wish to maintain regular contact.
SECTION 3. Members or officers of the Association must have prior approval of the Executive Committee in order to represent the Association or take action for the Association, including such incidents as commitments, endorsements, and other decisions that involve use of NEEMA’s name, professional reputation, or intellectual property.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND GOVERNING BOARD
SECTION 1. The officers of this Association shall be a President, President-Elect, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
SECTION 2. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers and the immediate past- president. The Executive Director shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 3. The Governing Board shall consist of the Executive Committee and the chairpersons of the committees. In addition, the President shall invite the following to be members of the Governing Board:
ARTICLE V – AMENDMENTS
The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended at any membership meeting of the Association by a three-fourths vote of the members present, providing that notice of the proposed change has been sent previously to each member at least 30 days before the meeting.
ARTICLE VI – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order, in the current edition, shall govern the Association in all cases to which it can be applied and in which it is not inconsistent with the Constitution, the Bylaws or special rules of the Association.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I – OFFICERS
SECTION 1. The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint all committees and chairpersons with the approval of the Governing Board, shall serve, or appoint an alternate to serve, as a representative to any organization or council that may be deemed appropriate; and shall perform all duties pertaining to the presidency. In addition, the President, with the approval of the Governing Board, shall appoint all ad hoc committees and chairpersons required for special programs undertaken within the term of office. The President, with the approval of the Governing Board, shall appoint a member from the Association to fill any unexpired term.
SECTION 2. The President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the latter and shall oversee and coordinate, where appropriate, the activities of the standing and ad hoc committees.
SECTION 3. The secretary shall keep the minutes of each meeting of the Association, of the Executive Committee, and of the Governing Board and shall present them at the next meeting.
SECTION 4. The Treasurer shall be present at all meetings of the Association and shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Finance Committee. The Treasurer shall receive, record, and disburse all funds received, paying out the same only by order of the President. The Treasurer shall keep financial reports and provide them upon request.
ARTICLE II – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1. Elections by ballot shall be held on an annual basis, coinciding with the beginning of the fiscal year, in accordance with the report submitted by the Nominating Committee to the Governing Board.
SECTION 2. The Nominating Committee, consisting of the Past President and at least two additional members, shall prepare an official slate of candidates for office. Space shall be provided on the ballot for members to write in the names of people for whom they wish to cast a vote. The official ballot shall be mailed to every member at least 30 days prior to the election.
SECTION 3. All ballots must be returned to the person designated on the ballot. The Committee shall count and tabulate the vote. It shall report the results to the membership at the annual meeting or via NEEMA Publications.
SECTION 4. The term of the President and President-Elect shall be one year. The term of the Secretary and Treasurer shall be two years. The Secretary shall be elected on the odd-numbered years and the Treasurer on the even-numbered years. Transition of officers will occur in September.
ARTICLE III – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SECTION 1. The President, with the approval of the Governing Board, has the authority to hire an Executive Director for one contractual year. The President, with the approval of the Executive Board, shall have the authority to renew the contract upon expiration. SECTION 2. The duties of the Executive Director shall be defined by the Governing Board in a job description that is subject to annual review.
ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS
SECTION 1. There shall be at least one annual meeting of the Association during each fiscal year.
SECTION 2. The Governing Board shall convene as often as is necessary. A Board meeting must be convened upon request to the President and the Secretary by at least five members of the Board.
SECTION 3. The Executive Committee during the intervals between meetings of the Governing Board shall possess and may exercise, in all cases when special directions have not been given by the Governing Board, all powers of the Board with respect to the management of the Association consistent with its best interests, but may not fill any vacancy on the Governing Board. All actions taken by the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Governing Board at its next meeting.
ARTICLE V – COMMITTEESSECTION 1.
Standing committees shall consist of a chairperson appointed by the President with the approval of the Governing Board. Each Committee Chairperson will select the appropriate number of members needed to assist in carrying out the charge. Duties of the Committees shall be described by the President when the committee is charged with its responsibilities. Standing Committees might include some or all of the following and any other committees that may be deemed appropriate by the Board:
ARTICLE VI – DUES
SECTION 1. Dues shall be paid in September with the onset of the fiscal year and cover a time period of twelve months, expiring on a fixed date of August 31. Members who renew after September 1 are subject to the fixed expiration date.
SECTION 2. Life and honorary members, appointed through the procedures stated in Article III Section 2 of the Constitution, shall be exempt from membership dues. Student membership shall be offered to those enrolled half-time (at least 6 credits) at a reduced rate.
SECTION 3. The fiscal year shall be September 1 through the following August 31.
ARTICLE VII – AFFILIATIONS
The New England Educational Media Association, by vote of the Governing Board, may affiliate with other organizations having purpose similar to those of the Association.
This revised Constitution and revised Bylaws were prepared by the Constitution Committee and approved by the Governing Board and the general membership Spring 2004.