Article I Name, Purposes, Governance and Affiliates

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3 Article I Name, Purposes, Governance and Affiliates Section 1. Name. The name of the association shall be the Student Virginia Education Association. The Student Virginia Education Association (SVEA) is a pre-service professional educational organization. Each local higher education unit of the SVEA shall be called a chapter. Section 2. Purposes. a. To inform and educate its membership on educational issues of immediate and potential importance in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation. b. To foster and coordinate the development of chapters affiliated with the SVEA; c. To provide an opportunity for students to explore education as a profession, to evaluate their own aptitudes, capabilities, interests as prospective professional educators, and to encourage the selection of education as a profession. d. To strengthen the teaching profession by encouraging preprofessionals to become active members in the United Education Profession; e. To establish a closer relationship between chapters, the SVEA, National Education Association Student Programs (NEASP), Virginia Education Association (VEA) and the National Education Association (NEA). f. To promote and protect human and civil rights. Section 3. Governance. a. The SVEA shall be governed by its Constitution and Bylaws and such other actions as taken by the Delegate Assembly and the Board of Directors. b. This Constitution and Bylaws shall not be construed to prevent the SVEA from pursuing objectives that are consistent with the stated purposes of the SVEA, VEA, NEA, and NEASP. Section 4. State and National Affiliation. SVEA is the student program of the VEA and is affiliated with the NEASP and complies with its standards of affiliation. Amended April,

4 Article II Membership Section 1. Qualifications. a. A student in an institution of higher education enrolled in or preparing for a program of study that qualifies the student for a career in education will be eligible for membership in the SVEA. Students enrolled as five-year graduate students under Virginia Teacher Certification Regulations shall be eligible for membership in the SVEA. Amended March, 2009 b. The SVEA shall not deny membership on the basis of race, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age. Amended April, 2014 c. No person may hold active membership in the SVEA who does not hold membership in a chapter, where available, and the NEASP. Section 2. Membership Year. The membership year shall be from September 1 through August 31. Section 3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year shall be from September 1 through August 31. Amended March, 2009 Section 4. Membership Dues. The annual Student Virginia Education Association dues shall be a minimum of $ Any revision to the minimum membership dues shall be determined by the SVEA Delegate Assembly. The VEA Membership dues of the SVEA shall be determined by the SVEA Delegate Assembly. National Education Association dues shall be determined by the NEASP. Section 5. Code of Ethics. Members of the SVEA shall adhere to the NEA Code of Ethics. 3

5 Article III Chapter Affiliation Section 1. Affiliation. Any chapter, at its request in writing, shall be granted affiliate status by a majority vote of the SVEA Board of Directors. That chapter must fulfill the requirements set forth in this article. Section 2. Standards of Affiliation. The minimum standards of affiliation shall be as follows: a. The chapter shall apply the one-person one-vote principle and shall encourage ethnic minority participation. b. The chapter shall conduct all elections with open nominations and secret ballot. c. The chapter shall require membership in SVEA and NEASP. d. The chapter shall have, where feasible, the same membership and fiscal year as SVEA. e. The chapter shall have membership requirements consistent with those of the SVEA. Section 3. Procedures for Affiliation. A chapter seeking affiliation shall file a written application including copies of its governance documents with the SVEA Board of Directors at the VEA office, 116 South Third Street, Richmond, Virginia The SVEA Board of Directors shall act on the application at its first official meeting after receipt of the application. Amended April, 2001 Article IV Delegate Assembly Section 1. Meeting. Notice of the annual meeting shall be given the month preceding the month in which the meeting is held. Amended March,

6 Section 2. Allocation of Delegates. a. Each chapter with 4-49 members shall be entitled to four elected delegates to the Delegate Assembly. Each chapter with members shall be entitled to five elected delegates to the Delegate Assembly. Each chapter with one hundred (100) plus members shall be entitled to six elected delegates at the Delegate Assembly. Each chapter with less than four members shall be entitled to a number of delegates to the Delegate Assembly equal to the chapter membership. The number of delegates to which each chapter is entitled shall be determined based upon the number of membership forms on record in the SVEA office thirty (30) days prior to the Delegate Assembly. b. Additional persons may attend as non-voting observers. Section 3. Chapter Election of Delegates. a. Delegates for the Delegate Assembly shall be elected by each local chapter. b. Any member of the SVEA is eligible to run for delegate to the Delegate Assembly. c. Each chapter shall submit to the SVEA's office a list of delegates at least fifteen days prior to the Delegate Assembly. Section 4. Ex Officio Delegates. a. The members of the State Board of Directors shall be ex officio voting delegates. b. Ex officio delegates shall be over and above the regularly elected delegates. Section 5. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of a majority of registered delegates. Section 6. Functions. The Delegate Assembly shall: a. Establish the SVEA Purpose and Mission statement for the following year. b. Determine the amount of the SVEA dues. c. Review proposed SVEA annual budget. d. Elect the SVEA president, vice president, secretary and underclassman Member-at-Large. Amended April,

7 e. Have the power to adopt amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. Article V Board of Directors Section 1. Members. Members of the SVEA Board of Directors shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, an Underclassman Member-at-Large, and representatives from six regions. The state advisor(s) and state organizer shall be ex-officio non-voting members. The Underclassman Member-at-Large will be an eligible rising sophomore elected at the Delegate Assembly. Each region shall be entitled to one (1) representative. At 451 members, and every 300 thereafter, the region will be granted an additional elected representative. Membership numbers will be based on the preceding March 15. Each regional representative(s) shall be nominated and elected from his/her respective region. Amended March, 2010 The six regions will be defined as follows: Western: Ferrum College, Hollins College, Lynchburg College, Radford University, Sweet Briar College, Randolph College, Roanoke College, Virginia Tech & State University, Virginia Western Community College Southwestern: Bluefield College, Emory & Henry, Mountain Empire Community College, University of Virginia s College at Wise Central: J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Longwood University, Randolph Macon College, University of Richmond, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University Valley: Blueridge Community College, Bridgewater College, Eastern Mennonite University, James Madison University, Mary Baldwin College, Shenandoah University Northern: George Mason University, Germanna Community College, Mary Baldwin-Sterling, Marymount University, Northern Virginia Community College-Manassas Campus, University of Mary Washington 6

8 Section 2. Eastern: Christopher Newport University, College of William and Mary, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University Peninsula Center, Thomas Nelson Community College, Tidewater Community College-Virginia Beach Campus, Virginia Wesleyan College Qualifications. Amended March, 2013 a. Any member of the SVEA who will qualify for membership during the term of office shall be eligible to run. b. Any member can only run for one of the 4 major board of director positions (President, Vice-President, Secretary, or Underclassman Member-At-Large) Amended March, 2010 Section 3. Elections and Terms. a. Elections for the SVEA Board of Directors members shall take place at the Delegate Assembly. b. The term of office for the SVEA Board of Director members shall be from July 15 of the year in which elected until July 14 of the following year. Amended March, 2011 Section 4. Powers and Duties of the President. The President shall: a. Preside at the Delegate Assembly and Board of Directors meetings; b. Shall be a voting delegate to the VEA Delegate Assembly, the NEA Representative Assembly, the NEASP Student Leadership Conference, and VEA Board of Directors; c. Nominate members to appropriate VEA committees; d. Review SVEA policies and recommend priorities to the Board of Directors; e. Serve as an ex officio member on all SVEA committees; f. Serve as the SVEA representative on the VEA Board of Directors; g. Communicate with chapters on a regular basis; h. Delegate duties to the Board of Directors; i. Perform all other duties incumbent with the office of the president. Amended April

9 Section 5. Powers and Duties of the Vice President. The Vice President shall: a. Act for the president when he/she is unable to perform the duties of office; b. Assist the president with communications with the chapters; c. Perform duties as requested by the president and Board of Directors; e. Attend all official meetings of the Board of Directors; f. Serve as Outreach Coordinator. Section 6. Powers and Duties of the Secretary. The Secretary shall: a. Record the minutes of the Delegate Assembly and SVEA Board of Directors meetings; b. Distribute copies of the minutes to the SVEA Board of Directors and all chapters; c. Perform duties as requested by the president and SVEA Board of Directors; d. Attend all official meetings of the Board of Directors; e. Submit minutes within thirty days after the Board of Directors meeting; f. Communicate with chapters on a regular basis via a newsletter; g. Coordinate efforts with web manager. Section 7. Powers and Duties of the Regional Representatives. The Regional Representatives shall: a. Assist the President, Vice President, and Secretary with their appointed duties; b. Perform duties requested by the President and the SVEA Board of Directors; c. Attend all official meetings of the SVEA Board of Directors; 8

10 d. Be accountable to those chapters within their specific region. Section 8: Powers and Duties of the Underclassman Member-at-Large The Underclassman Member-at-Large shall: a. Assist the Board in their appointed duties: b. Perform duties requested by the President and the SVEA Board of Directors; c. Attend all official meetings of the SVEA Board of Directors. Amended March, 2009 Section 9. Vacancies. a. A vacancy to the President shall be filled by the Vice- President. b. A vacancy to the Vice President or Secretary shall be filled by a seated Regional Representative. The Board of Directors will vote to fill the vacant position. c. A vacant Regional Representative seat shall be filled by appointment by the SVEA Board of Directors. d. A vacant Underclassman Member-at-Large seat shall be filled by appointment by the SVEA Board of Directors. Section 10. Duties and Powers of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall: a. Be responsible to their local chapters; b. Determine and establish the policies for the governance and administration of the SVEA as directed by the Delegate Assembly; c. Propose a budget and dues structure to the SVEA Delegate Assembly; d. Recommend programs and objectives for SVEA; e. Perform duties as requested by the SVEA President; f. Have the power to remove any SVEA Board of Directors member who fails to attend two official meetings without valid excuse by a two-thirds vote; 9

11 Section 11. Meetings. g. Appoint annually the state advisor(s). All advisors interested in the state advisors position must submit an interest letter to the Office of Teaching and Learning by January 1 st. If no one submits an interest letter the advisor position will remain with the current state advisor. Amended April 2014 The SVEA Board of Directors shall meet as necessary to conduct the business of the SVEA. Due notice of all meetings shall be given. One meeting shall be held at the annual delegate meeting. Section 12. Impeachment. Officers of the SVEA Board of Directors may be impeached for malfeasance, or for nonfeasance in the office. Process as follows: Impeachment proceedings against an officer may be initiated by written petition submitted to the SVEA Board of Directors by at least twenty percent of the members of each chapter of any three chapters, provided the total number of signatures is at least twenty-five. If after a due process hearing a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors shall sustain the charge, the office shall become vacant. Only members of the Board of Directors who are present for the due process hearing shall be eligible to vote. A quorum for the due process hearing shall consist of the Board of Directors represented from a minimum of twelve affiliated chapters. Each chapter president shall be notified by the Board of Directors of the time and location of the due process hearing at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the hearing. Amended March, 2002 Elections. Article VI NEA/VEA Delegates Delegates to the NEA Student Program Conferences and VEA Delegate Assembly shall be elected in statewide elections in accordance with the Elections Policies of the SVEA providing open nominations, secret ballot, one-person one-vote principle and with the ethnic minority guarantee. The current SVEA President and President-Elect shall represent the SVEA at the NEA Representative Assembly. Additional representation is to be determined by election as mentioned above. In the event the current SVEA President and/or President-Elect can not attend the NEA Representative Assembly, the current Vice President and/or Vice President-Elect shall attend. 10

12 Article VII Communications Section 1. Membership Publications. The SVEA shall use the Virginia Journal of Education as its communications vehicle will be sent without charge to all SVEA members. Section 2. Leadership Communications. The President and/or his/her designee shall communicate with chapters via a regular newsletter and shall forward pertinent information and materials to chapters on a regular basis. Article VIII Amendments Section 1. Amendment Procedures. These By-laws may be amended at any meeting of the Delegate Assembly by a majority vote of the certified delegates present, provided that copies of the proposed amendments have been sent to each chapter at least thirty (30) days before the annual meeting. If proper notice has not been given, a 2/3 vote of the Delegate Assembly shall be required. Amended March, 2009 Section 2. Effective Date. An amendment to these By-laws shall become effective immediately upon adoption unless otherwise provided in the amendment. Article IX Parliamentary Authority The most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be the authority governing all matters of procedure not otherwise provided in the Charter, the VEA Constitution or the Bylaws or Rules of Procedure adopted by the Delegate Assembly. Amended March,

13 I. Delegate Assembly SVEA BYLAWS A. Notification of time and place for the Delegate Assembly shall be sent to all chapter presidents and advisors at least two (2) months prior to that assembly. B. A copy of the proposed SVEA budget, proposed amendments to the bylaws and standing rules shall be sent to each chapter president and advisor thirty (30) days prior to the Delegate Assembly. II. Certification of Delegates A. The chapter president and advisor must sign and submit an affidavit: 1. Listing the delegates and alternates. 2. Providing proof of membership and student status for delegates. B. The official certification list will be compiled from the information received in compliance with Standing Rule II.A. III. Election Procedures A. Nominations for the Board of Directors shall be entertained at a time determined by current SVEA Board of Directors. B. All candidates will provide proof of eligibility to be a candidate for office with forms provided by the SVEA. C. All candidates interested in a State Board of Director position (President, Vice President, Secretary and Underclassman Memberat-Large), shall be encouraged to attend the information session offered at the SVEA Spring Convention. Amended March, 2011 D. Each candidate shall be given an opportunity to address the Delegate Assembly. Speaking time allotted shall be: President--five minutes Vice-President and Secretary--three minutes Underclassman Member-at-Large one minute Amended March, 2011 E. Elections for Board of Directors shall be held by secret ballot on the last day of the Delegate Assembly at a time determined by the current SVEA Board. Amended March,

14 IV. Campaign Rules and Regulations A. No campaign literature may be handed out at the registration tables. Campaign materials will be allowed in the registration area, but away from the registration tables. B. No campaigning or campaign materials will be allowed in the workshops, allotting area, Delegate Assembly floor, or the eating area. C. The only campaigning that will be allowed on the Delegate Assembly floor will be campaign speeches and the question and answer period for the candidates. No other statements may be made concerning candidates or election. D. All campaign literature must be removed prior to the election. All candidates will be responsible for removal of their campaign literature and posters. E. Each candidate may appoint an observer for him/her during the voting and tabulating of results. F. All campaign expenditures and donations of all candidates must be filed with the state consultant before the close of the Delegate Assembly. All campaigning expenditures will not exceed $50. Any candidate exceeding this limit will be fined the amount that he/she has overspent. G. Failure to comply with any one of the aforementioned campaigning rules and regulations will result in: 1. Automatic $25 fine by the Board of Directors; 2. And disqualification as a candidate for office by the Board of Directors. H. Failure to pay an imposed fine will result in a recommendation by the Board of Directors for automatic disqualification of that person as a candidate to the Delegate Assembly. I. All money collected from any imposed fines will be directed to the SVEA to help defray expenses of the Delegate Assembly. V. Rules of the Day A. A roll call of the local chapters will be taken at the beginning of the first business session of the Delegate Assembly. Amended March, 2009 B. Business shall be conducted at the Delegate Assembly when a quorum is present. 13

15 C. The maker of a motion shall speak no more than three (3) minutes. Individual speakers shall speak no longer than two (2) minutes at any one time. Non-voting delegates may speak but not vote. The same time allotment prevails for non-voting delegates as well as voting delegates. Amended March, 2009 D. A delegate may yield the microphone and his/her unused speaking time to another delegate or an SVEA member if there is no objection. A majority vote of the Delegate Assembly would override an objection. E. No delegate speaking on a question may move the previous question at the time of his/her speech. F. Debate shall be limited to thirty-two (32) minutes per question or eight (8) speakers against. G. A roll call vote shall be taken only after approval by one-third of the delegates present. If a roll call vote is ordered, the assembly doors shall be locked, and there shall be no movement into or out of the assembly. H. A speaker must give his/her name and school before speaking. I. All proposed resolutions and new business items must be submitted before the close of the business session prior to the session at which they will be considered. All proposed new business items shall include an estimate of the cost implications of the new business item. The state consultant and advisor shall provide such cost estimate upon request. J. Questions shall be directed to the parliamentarian through the chairperson. K. The most recent edition of Robert s Rules of Order shall be the authority governing all matters of procedure not otherwise provided by SVEA or VEA. Amended March, 2011 VI. Amendment to Standing Rules These Standing rules may be amended by a majority vote of the Delegate Assembly if notice of the amendment has been presented to the Board of Directors at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual meeting by any member of the SVEA. If proper notice has not been given, a two-thirds vote of the Delegate Assembly shall be required to amend these standing rules. Amended March,