Johnson County Community College Faculty Association KNEA

ARTICLE I.

Section 1. NAME OF ASSOCIATION

The name of the Association is "Johnson County Community College Faculty Association/KNEA/NEA."

Section 2. PURPOSE AND GOALS

a. To work for the educational welfare of all students at JCCC.

b. To work for the professional and personal welfare of the faculty and staff at JCCC.

C. To develop and promote the adoption of such ethical practices, personnel policies, and standards of preparation and performance as mark a profession.

d. To promote and develop a continuing program to

improve instruction, to upgrade professional

preparation, and to improve working conditions, fringe

benefits and salaries, through formal negotiations with the

Board of Trustees.

e. To enable members to speak with a common voice on

matters pertaining to the teaching profession, and to present

their individual and common professional interests before the

Board of Trustees.

f. To hold property and funds for the attainment of these purposes.

Section 3. GOVERNING BODY

a. The general membership, in meeting, shall constitute the governing body of the Association.

b. At other times the governing body of the

Association shall be the "Executive Council" as described and

defined in Article VII.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP AND FISCAL YEAR

Section 1. MEMBERSHIP YEAR

The official membership year of the Association shall be September

1 through August 31.

Section 2. FISCAL YEAR

The official fiscal year of the Association shall be July 1

through June 30.

ARTICLE III. MEETINGS

Section 1. The following three general membership meetings shall be held: during the first two weeks in the Fall semester, during the first two weeks in the Spring semester, and in May of each year.

Section 2. Officers shall be elected at the December general meeting.

Section 3. The budget for the coming year shall be approved at the may general meeting.

Section 4. The yearly membership dues shall be established at the May general meeting.

Section 5. Special meetings may be called by the president or by 2/3 of the Executive Council or by petition of 20% of the membership.

Section 6. All members shall be notified in writing of each special meeting between five (5) and ten (10) working days prior to such meeting.

Section 7. Meetings of the Executive Council are described in Article VII.

ARTICLE IV. AFFILIATION

The Association shall be affiliated with the Kansas‑National

Education, and with the National Education Association, and

shall comply with their standards for affiliation.

ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Classes of membership.

The two classes of membership available in the Association shall be: A. active B. retired

Section 2. Qualifications for Membership.

Qualifications for membership are as prescribed in the bylaws.

Section 3. Membership provisions and limitations.

A. membership is limited to those who support the purpose and goals of the United Teaching Profession (NEA‑ KNEA‑JCCC‑FA), and maintain membership in KNEA and NEA.

B. Members engaged in teaching or in other educational endeavors shall adhere to the code of ethics on the education profession.

C. The Association shall not deny membership to

individuals on the basis of sex, race, creed, national

origin, sexual orientation or marital status.

D. No member of the Association may be censured, suspended or expelled without a due process hearing which shall include appropriate appellate procedures.

ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Section 1. General

The executive officers of the Association shall be:

A. President

B. Vice‑President

C. Secretary

D. Treasurer

E. UniServ District Representative

F. Immediate Past President

Section 2. Terms of Office

The executive officers shall serve a term of one year, assuming office at the December meeting.

Section 3. Qualifications

The executive officers shall meet the qualifications prescribed by the bylaws.

Section 4. Duties and Powers

The duties and powers of the executive officers shall be prescribed by the bylaws.

Section 5. Elections

Elections for the Association's executive officers shall be conducted position‑by‑position, with open nominations and secret ballot, and with results determined by majority vote of the voting members.

ARTICLE VII. GOVERNANCE OF THE ASSOCIATION

Section 1. General

A. The general membership, in meeting, shall constitute the governing body of the Association.

B. At other times the Executive Council shall constitute the governing body of the Association.

Section 2. Composition of the Executive Council

The Executive Council shall consist of the six (6) executive officers of the Association and representatives from units of active members with a minimum of ten (10) and a maximum of twenty (20) such units. Units in proportionate size to one another will be assigned by Division membership whenever possible. If such assignment is not desirable or workable for a member, the member will request specific unit membership in writing. Each executive officer and each unit representative of active members shall have one vote on the Executive Council.

Section 3. Qualifications

The qualifications for members of the Association governing body shall be prescribed in the bylaws.

Section 4. Terms of Office

The terms of office for members of the Association governing body shall be prescribed in the bylaws.

Section 5. Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Association governing body shall be prescribed in the bylaws.

Section 6. Election of Unit Representatives

Election of representatives to the Association governing body shall be conducted by each unit separately, in a special meeting in may after the election of officers, with open nominations and secret ballot, with results determined by majority vote of voting members.

Section 7. Quorum

A majority of the Executive Council shall constitute a quorum.

Section 8. Vacancies

Unit vacancies shall be filled as prescribed in the bylaws.

Section 9. Meetings

Meetings shall be held monthly or at the call of the President.

ARTICLE VIII. DELEGATES TO STATE AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES

Section 1. Delegates

A. The Association shall elect its delegate (s) and successor

delegates to the KNEA Uniserv District and State

representative assemblies based on open nomination

secret ballot and majority vote by position, with

proportional representation for active Association

members. The Association also shall insure ethnic

minority representation membership. Other election

procedure shall be prescribed in the bylaws.

B. The number of delegates and successor delegates

shall be determined by the KNEA in compliance with the

one‑person on‑vote principle, and shall be based on the

active Association membership as of January 15.

Section 2. Successor Delegates

Successor delegates shall serve in the absence of the regular delegate upon certification by the Association.

Section 3. Term of Office

Delegates and successor delegates shall serve for a term of one year.

Section 4. Qualifications

Requirements are active membership in the Association, KNEA and NEA.

ARTICLE IX. COMMITTEES

Section 1. General

The standing committee shall be, but not limited to: negotiations, budget and audit, constitution and bylaws,

nominations and elections, newsletter, professional standards, membership, political action, professional rights, social, and fundraising. Ad hoc and other committees will be created by the Association president, subject to approval by the Executive Council.

Section 2. Appointments

All standing committees shall be appointed by the Association president.

Section 3. Term of Office

The term of office of the Association committees shall be prescribed in the bylaws.

Section 4. Qualifications

Eligibility for service shall be prescribed in the bylaws.

Section 5. Program

Each committee shall operate within the framework as prescribed by the bylaws.

Section 6. Ex‑Officio Members

The President may appoint ex‑officio members to committees serve as voting or non‑voting members at the discretion of the Executive Council.

Section 7. Vacancies

Should a vacancy occur, the President shall appoint a replacement.

Section 8. Fifty percent of the committee members present shall constitute a quorum of the committee.

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

Proposed amendments of the constitution and bylaws must be presented at least one regular meeting prior to the proposed amendment. Passage of such amendments require a two‑thirds majority of the active membership voting.

ARTICLE XI. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

The rules contained in Roberts' Rules of Order, revised edition, shall govern the Association, except where otherwise specified by the constitution and bylaws.

BYLAWS

BYLAWS 1. MEMBERSHIP

Section a. Active

Active membership shall be open to any member of the bargaining unit who is engaged in or who is on a limited leave of absence from professional educational work at Johnson County Community College.

Active members shall hold a baccalaureate or higher degree, or the vocational or technical certificates required by their employment. Active membership is limited to members of the bargaining unit who support the principles and goals of the United Teaching Profession (NEA‑KNEA‑ Local) and maintain membership in the KNEA and NEA.

Section b. Retired

Retired membership shall be open to any person who held active membership at the College immediately prior to retirement, including the totally disabled. Retired members shall have all the rights and privileges of active members except the right to vote and hold office.

Section c. Continuation of Membership

Active membership shall be continuous until the member leaves the College, resigns from the Association, or fails to pay membership dues.

Section d. Due Process Procedures

The Executive Council shall have the authority to censure, suspend, or expel members for violations of Article V, Section 3, a and b. Charged members shall have the right to a hearing affording procedural due process by the Executive Council and the right to appeal its decision to the general membership. The Executive Council shall adopt and publish procedural rules for such hearings and appeals. An affirmative vote of the majority of members present and voting shall be necessary to affirm or reverse the Executive Council's decision.

Section e. Voting Privileges

Every member entitled to vote in general meetings shall have the right to do so either in person, or by proxy, and/or by absentee ballot. The proxy must be brought to the meeting by a person authorized by the absent member; a member may bring no more that three (3) proxies per meeting. Proxies will be valid for only one meeting; absentee and proxy ballots will be made available by the Secretary and/or designee. (See proxy and absentee ballot forms in appendix.)

Section f. Election Challenges

Election challenges must be made within two weeks of the election. Written ballots shall be retained by the Secretary for that period or until any challenge is resolved.

BYLAWS 2. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Section a. Qualifications

A candidate for President, Vice‑President, Secretary, Treasurer and UniServ Representative shall be an active member of the United Teaching Profession.

Section b. Duties and Powers

1. President

The President shall have the following powers and duties:

a. Preside at all meetings of the Association and the Executive Council.

b. Be an ex‑officio member of all committees.

c. Appoint all special committees deemed necessary or desirable to implement the purposes and program of the Association subject to the approval of the Executive Council.

d. Serve as a member of the Executive Council.

2. Vice‑President

The Vice‑President shall have the following powers and duties:

a. Preside in the absence of the President.

b. Succeed to the Presidency for the unexpired term of the President in the event of a vacancy.

c. Performs other duties as requested by the President.

3. Secretary

The Secretary shall perform the following duties:

a. Keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Executive Council.

b. Carry on correspondence as directed by the President.

c. Serve as Secretary to the Executive Council, and prepare a copy of minutes to be distributed to each member.

d. Preserve in a permanent file all records and letters of value to the Association.

e. Keep an up‑to‑date list of all names and addresses of the membership.

4. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall perform the following duties:

a. Keep financial records of the Association.

b. Pay all bills authorized by the President and/or the

Executive Council.

c. Serve as ex‑officio member of the Budget and Audit

Committee, and Fundraising Committee.

5. UniServ Representative

a. Represent the Association at meetings of external

governing units, such as the UniServ, K‑NEA, and NEA.

b. Serve as ex‑officio member of the Political Action

Committee and the Professional Standards Committee.

6. Immediate Past President

a. Serve as counsel to the new President.

b. Insure a smooth transition between administrations.

c. Perform other duties as requested by the President.

Section c. Elections

1. All officers shall be elected at the May general membership meeting. The Executive Council shall establish procedures for conducting the elections.

2. Proxy ballots are signed by the absent member authorizing the proxy holder to vote as the holder desires. Proxy ballots shall be solicited by the absent member from the Secretary and/or designee. The signed proxy shall be brought to the meeting by a voting member. Voting members may have no more than three (3) proxies per meeting.

3. Absentee ballots shall be solicited by absent members from and filed with the Secretary and/or designee prior to the election.

4. Terms of elected officers shall be for one year duration and shall begin at the May meeting.

5. Exiting officers' duties include effecting a smooth transfer of materials and information to the newly elected officers.

Section d. Vacancies

1. A vacancy shall be considered to exist upon the resignation or removal from office of an executive officer. A vacancy may also be declared by the President upon the recommendation of two‑thirds of the Executive Council.

2. Should a vacancy occur among any of the executive officers except the President, the Executive Council shall call a

special meeting for the purpose of electing a new officer to serve during the unexpired.

3. Should a vacancy occur in the Presidency, the VicePresident shall assume the Presidency, and a election shall be held to complete the term of the Vice‑President.

4. The same procedure shall govern the election to fill a vacancy as was used in the original election.

5. The newly‑elected officer shall assume the duties of office immediately.

BYLAWS 3. GOVERNING BODY

Section a. Meeting

The Executive Council shall meet monthly and shall be open to all members, active and retired.

Section b. Candidates for Executive Council

Council candidates shall be active members of the United Teaching Profession (UTP).

Section c. Term of Office

Members of the Executive Council shall serve for a term of one year, beginning with their election.

Section d. Duties and Responsibilities

The Executive Council shall be responsible for setting policy, determining program, setting dues, adopting the budget, and effecting a smooth transition of materials and i,

information to the newly elected officers.

Section e. All executive officers shall be elected at the May general membership meeting. The Executive Council shall establish procedures for conducting all elections.

Section f. Alternate Unit Representatives

Each unit may appoint an alternate who is a member in good standing to replace him/her at Executive Council meetings.

Section g. Vacancy

In the event of a vacancy occurring among the unit representatives, the Association President or his/her designee shall convene the unit and conduct an election to fill the unexpired term. The election shall be conducted with open nominations and secret ballot, with the outcome determined by a majority vote of the voting members.

BYLAWS 4. ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO STATE AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES

The Executive Council shall establish procedures for the election of delegates to the state and national assemblies. Sufficient time must be allowed for reporting to KNEA.

BYLAWS 5. COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

Section a. Standing Committees

The standing committees of the Association shall be as follows:

1. Constitution and Bylaws

2. Nominations and Elections

3. Negotiations

4. Budget and Audit

5. Newsletter

6. Professional Standards

7. Membership

8. Political Action

9. Professional Rights

10. Social

11. Fundraising

Section b. Joint Committees

Joint committees, which are those committees made up of members appointed by the College President and members appointed by the Association President, shall operate within the following framework:

Members of a joint committee appointed by the Association President shall report to the Association President and to the Executive Council, as necessary, all issues related to negotiation issues or the Master Agreement between the Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees and the Johnson County Community College Faculty Association.

The Association President shall apprise the members of the Negotiations Committee of all issues addresed in joint committees related to negotiations and the Master Agreement.

No member of a joint committee is empowered to enter into any binding decision that would impact the Master Agreement or negotiation issues or process without the express approval of the Executive Council.

Section c. Appointments

All committee and commission appointments shall be made and terminated by the President as needed.

Section d. Qualifications

Committee and commission members shall be active members of the Association.