Constitution
University of Wisconsin La Crosse
Student Wisconsin Education Association
Constitution
Article I. Name
- 1. The name of this organization shall be the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Student Wisconsin Education Association, herein referenced as UW-La Crosse Student WEA.
Article II. Objectives and Purposes
A. The objectives of this organization are to:
1. Provide opportunities for pre-service educators to develop a sound understanding of the teaching profession.
2. Provide opportunities for pre-service educators to voice their opinions in regard to issues affecting the teaching profession.
3. Provide professional development opportunities within the community, schools, surrounding areas, and on the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Campus.
Article III. Members
A. 1. All persons holding membership in UW – La Crosse Student WEA on September 1st and all persons thereafter meeting the qualifications of membership established by the bylaws and paying dues established by the bylaws shall be members of the organization.
B. The rights of members are to:
1. Attend meetings of the organization which are to be held in the manner provided under the bylaws;
2. Vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the membership, (voting by proxy not to be allowed)
3. Duly elect the organization's officers and representatives as provided in the bylaws;
4. Determine any proposed change in the organization;
5. Hold office in the organization as provided in the bylaws.
6. All persons holding membership in UW-La Crosse Student WEA are also unified members of the Student Wisconsin Education Association and the National Education Association.
Article IV. Board of Executive Directors
A. The official policy-making body of the organization shall be the Board of Executive Directors.
1. The Board of Executive Directors shall consist of the President, President Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer/Membership Chair, Professional Development Chair, Promotions Coordinator, Website/Newsletter Director, Community Outreach Coordinator.
2. The Board of Executive Directors shall meet as provided in the bylaws.
3. The Board of Executive Directors shall have the authority to determine the general policies of the organization, which are to be exercised by a vote of the majority of its members.
4. A vacancy on the Executive Committee during the term of office will be filled in the manner provided in the bylaws.
Article V. Organization Bylaws
A. The Board of Executive Directors, by majority vote and secret ballot, in a regular or special meeting called for that purpose, shall have the power to enact and amend, as may be deemed necessary, the bylaws for the proper governance of the organization.
Nominations and Elections
B. 1. Nominations are accepted from any member of UW – La Crosse Student WEA at the general meeting designated for officer nominations.
2. All officers are elected by vote unless extenuating circumstances call for a replacement to be appointed by the remaining members of the Executive Committee as they see fit.
3. The term of office of the President-Elect is one year and is only attainable in addition to being a member of the Board of Executive Directors. The President-Elect automatically succeeds the following year to the office of Student WEA President for a period of one year.
4. The term of office of all other executive committee members is for one year.
5. If the situation arises such that any of the above mentioned cannot fulfill the assigned obligation, a replacement is appointed or elected as the Board of Executive Directors see fit.
Board of Executive Directors Expectations
- Attendance Policy:
1. Consistent attendance is expected.
2. If an executive board director must be absent from a meeting, that person must contact the President or the Vice President.
3. Habitual absences may be grounds for removal from office.
D. General Responsibilities:
1. Reporting: Every board member must have a written or oral report available for board of director meetings.
2. Promotion: The Board of Executive Directors are all expected to promote UW – La Crosse Student WEA by speaking to university classes and attending Hall Council meetings.
3. State Responsibilities:
a. It is recommended that at least one Executive Director sit on a statewide committee
b. Each Executive Director is expected to attend at least one State Student WEA Board of Directors meeting per year.
4. Community Responsibilities: The Executive Board of Directors are responsible for communication with community affiliates such as CRUE, LEA, La Crosse Children's Museum, and other organizations.
5. School of Education Responsibilities: The Executive Board of Directors are expected to represent students on School of Education committees.
6. Social Events: The Executive Board of Directors plan a monthly social event for current and prospective members.
Board of Executive Director Responsibilities
E. Board of Executive Director Responsibilities
1. President – The President sets agenda for local Board of Director meetings, serves as liaison between chapter and state levels of Student WEA, serves as liaison to University staff, attends and prepares chapter reports for state Student WEA Board of Director meetings, and oversees general member meetings.
2. Vice President – The Vice President sets agendas for general meetings, assumes responsibility for arranging accommodations for guest speakers during general meetings, helps conduct general meetings, serves state and local requirements in the president’s absence, and coordinates Girl Scout Math Day.
3. Secretary – The Secretary takes, prints, and posts official meeting minutes, keeps official file of program evaluations, works with the President on updating the constitution, maintains ongoing files, schedules meeting rooms, takes on Vice President’s role during his or her absence, records Student WEA minutes, collaborates with web-site director to post up-to-date minutes on the web page, and provides publicity information needed for the Promotions Chair and Promotions Committee members.
4. Treasurer/ Membership Chair – The Treasurer/Membership Chair organizes fund-raisers, keeps official financial records, monitors finances of membership drives, manages sweatshirt and T-shirt sales and other promotions, organizes UW – La Crosse Student WEA membership campaign, maintains membership records, and checks membership status weekly through October, and biweekly through remainder of year.
5. Website/Newsletter Director- The Website/Newsletter Director organizes, updates, and manages the Student WEA website by inserting monthly minutes, newsletters, pictures, promotions materials. He or she also photographs events for Student WEA website. The Website/Newsletter Director writes and edits newsletters, creates one summer article for the School of Education newsletter, and serves as liaison to The Racquet and the La Crosse Tribune.
6. Professional Development Chair – The Professional Development Chair organizes a Milwaukee trip or a trip to another urban school district for school visitation, and also coordinates the School of Education induction ceremony(s). The Professional Development Chair maintains information about professional development opportunities and organizes diversity programs and other trips as requested.
7. Promotions Coordinator - – The Promotions Coordinator organizes advertising campaigns for general meetings, social events, sales/fundraisers, state level events, and other UW-L Student WEA sponsored activities. The Promotions Coordinator creates the Student WEA brochure prior to the beginning of the school year for distribution at Involvement Fest, classroom and Hall Council recruiting, and general meetings. The Promotions Coordinator maintains the Student WEA bulletin board, submits advertising materials to the Website/Newsletter Director upon request, and is responsible for recruiting members to assist with his or her duties.
8. Community Outreach Coordinator – The Community Outreach Coordinator seeks partnerships with local schools, community agencies, and professional affiliates to provide opportunities for members to serve La Crosse area youths and learn more about their professional responsibilities. The Community Outreach Coordinator serves as liaison between Student WEA Members and the Board of Directors regarding project decisions and goals, leads special project committees, maintains consistent communication with the Student WEA President and Vice President, and ensures that every proposed project has an ongoing “Student WEA Special Project Outline.”
General Membership
- General Membership:
1. Anyone paying dues is a member of UW - L Student WEA.
2. All persons attending UW - L Student WEA meetings are expected to be members of the organization.
3. Potential members are welcome to attend meetings to learn about Student WEA before deciding to join.
Article VI. Amendments
A. The text of the proposed amendment is to be presented to all University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Student WEA members at fourteen (14) days prior to the consideration (allowing the proposed amendments to be viewed on the website is deemed appropriate presentation).
B. This Constitution can be amended by the vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members voting by secret ballot.
C. Unless otherwise provided, all amendments take effect at immediately following the two-thirds approval.
Article VII. Registered Office
The local office of UW - L Student WEA is designated as:
UW - L Student Wisconsin Education Association
215 Morris Hall
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
1725 State St.
La Crosse, WI 54601
Revised and approved: March 2004, March 2005