ARTICLE I Name
The name of this non-profit organization shall be the Maine Science Teachers Association.
ARTICLE II Object
The object of this Association shall be to encourage and promote the learning and teaching of science. Further, we will maintain our Constitution in general harmony with those of the Maine Science Teachers Association and the National Science Teachers Association.
ARTICLE III Membership
Membership in the organization shall be open to science teachers and other persons involved with science education in the state of Maine and corporate members.
ARTICLE IV Headquarters
Members are urged to communicate with the officers whenever possible via the website.
ARTICLE V Officers
Section 1
The officers of this Association shall be a President, a President Elect, a Secretary and Treasurer.
Section II
All officers shall be elected annually in person or by electronic voting in the fall.
ARTICLE VI Executive Board Membership
The Executive Board shall consist of the four officers named in Article V, Section 1 and at least five other members, appointed by the President and ratified by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII Nominating Committee
Prior to the Fall meeting, the MSTA board shall select no more than two candidates for each of the above-named officers.
ARTICLE VIII Meetings and Voting
Section 1 Annual Voting
An Annual voting period shall be held during the fall each year. The membership shall receive notice of the upcoming vote at least one week prior to the beginning of the voting period. The intention of the annual vote will be to approve financial reports and elect officers, which is biannually, for vacant seats on the executive board.
Section II Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the president or by the Executive Board on request in writing of members of the Association. Members shall be notified at least one week prior to such meetings. The exact nature of the business to be transacted must be given. No other business should transpire at these meetings.
Section III Quorum
A quorum for the annual, special, and executive board meetings shall consist of at least five active board members including one officer.
ARTICLE IX Amendments
The By-laws and Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the current members in good standing that voted, provided notice of the proposed change is included in a notice 30 days prior to the closing of the vote. Electronic voting, by current paid members, may be considered a meeting for active membership.
ARTICLE X Not For Profit
The Association is not organized for profit and no part of its net earning shall insure to the benefits of any officer or employee of the Association except that reasonable compensation be paid for services rendered to and for, or expenses accrued for the Association in connection with one or more of its purposes. No officer or employee of the Association shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the assets upon dissolution of the Association. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Association shall not conduct or carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the 1954 and its regulations as amended.
ARTICLE XI Dissolution
Section 1
The Association may be dissolved by a vote of three fourths of the active members attending a duly constituted Annual meeting providing that notice of the proposal to dissolve the Association together with the full text thereof and the name(s) and address(es) of the proponent(s) shall be sent to all members of the Association at least ninety days prior to the vote to dissolve.
Section II
In the event of dissolution or termination of the Association, title to and possession of all the property of the Association shall pass forthwith to such organization dedicated to similar purposes and qualified for exemption under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, or under such successor provision of the Code as may be in effect at the time of the Association’s dissolution or termination, as the Officers of the Association shall deem best qualified to carry on the functions of the organization.
(Approved November 4, 2018)
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I Membership
Section I Qualification
Active membership shall be open to all persons interested and/or involved with science education in the State of Maine.
Section II Responsibilities
Voting privileges and holding of office are restricted to active membership.
Section III Dues
Dues for membership will be set by the Board and ratified by the general membership.
ARTICLE II Executive Board
The following guidelines and the proposed amendments will become effective with the 2018 vote.
Section I President
The President shall preside over meetings of the general membership and the Executive Board, appoint the chair and members of all committees, shall be responsible for assigning the duty of maintaining an accurate membership list, and shall be the executive officer of the Association. The term limit of the President will be two years. Under extenuating circumstances the President can serve a consecutive terms (not to exceed 2 consecutive terms) if approved by the board. The general election will be conducted at the annual vote during alternate years.
Section II President Elect
The President Elect of the Association shall work closely with one or all committees as the President may suggest. The President Elect will move into the Presidency at the end of the President’s term and shall become President in the event that the office becomes vacant. The President Elect shall assume the role of the President when requested by the President or by a quorum of the board. The President Elect shall be chosen from the members of the Executive Board. Qualification for the office of President Elect shall include membership on the Executive Board for at least one year. The President Elect will be knowledgeable about the treasury and will be able to sign checks.
Section III Secretary
The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the general membership and the Executive Board, shall maintain official files, and shall assist the President with Association correspondence. The secretary will hold the position for a two–year term but may continue for multiple terms, consecutive or otherwise.
Section IV Treasurer
The Treasurer shall hold the funds for the Association and disburse them upon authorization by the Executive Board. (S)he shall keep the President and Executive Board informed of the financial condition of the Association, and prepare an annual financial statement for presentation to the membership. The treasurer will hold the position for a two–year term but may continue for multiple terms, consecutive or otherwise.
Section V Succession
With the exception of the office of President, whenever any office shall become vacant between elections, the remaining members of the Executive Board shall choose one of their number to serve in that office until the next election by the general membership.
Section VI The Executive Board
- An effort should be made to insure that the composition of the Executive Board is such that it reflects the various interests of the membership.
- Members of the Executive Board should fulfill the following expectations:
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- attendance at a majority of meetings in a given year
- participation in the activities of the board.
- After a prospective member of the Executive Board has attended 3 meetings (s)he may be nominated for inclusion on the board by the president and ratified by the board.
- The year is November 1 to October 31. Should the annual vote take place after November 1 in any given year, the members of the Executive Board shall retain their respective offices until the annual election has concluded whereupon the duly elected Executive Board will take office.
ARTICLE IV Committees
Section I Structure
Committees shall be appointed by the Executive Board to carry out the specific functions outlined in Article II, Section I.
Each committee shall have two or more members selected to represent different groups in the Association. Each committee may, with the approval of the Executive Board, organize special subcommittees and task forces for special activities.
Section II Meetings
Each committee shall meet as needed.
Section III Reports
Each committee shall choose a secretary who shall keep a continuing record of all activities. Chairpersons shall report as necessary to the Executive Board.
ARTICLE V Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by the majority of the members at an annual, special meeting, or through an online vote provided notice of the proposed change is included in a notice of the meeting.
(Approved November 4, 2018)