Lynwood Teachers Association
(LTA)
(Updated: April 7, 2008)
Lynwood Teachers Association/CTA/NEA
Bylaws, Code of Conduct
and Standing Rules
11501 South Atlantic Boulevard
Lynwood, CA 90262
310.631.6084 Phone
310.631.8837 Fax
Page 1 of 30
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OF THE LYNWOOD
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION/CTA/NEA
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(Updated June
20, 2007)
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CONTENTS
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Nominations and Elections
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CTA State Rep And NEA Delegates
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page
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XVII. Meetings of General Membership
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Code of Ethics of the Education Profession
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Page 2 of 30
I. NAME AND LOCATION
The name of this Association shall be LYNWOOD TEACHERS
ASSOCIATION/CTA/NEA in Los Angeles County.
II. PURPOSES
The primary purposes of this Association shall
be:
A. To
represent its members in their relations with their employer, and to seek to be
the exclusive representative of appropriate units of school employees in
all matters relating to employment conditions and employer-employee
relations including, but not limited to, wages, hours, and other terms and
conditions of employment;
B. To form a representative
body capable of developing group opinion on professional matters and to
speak with authority for teachers;
C. To provide an opportunity for continuous
study and action on problems of the profession;
D. To provide a means of representation for its
ethnic-minority members; E. To promote professional attitudes and
ethical conduct among members;
F. To encourage cooperation and
communication between the teaching profession and the community; and
G. To foster good fellowship among
members.
III. AFFILIATION WITH THE CTA/NEA
A. The Lynwood
Teachers Association shall be a chartered chapter of the California Teachers
Association (CTA).
B. The Lynwood
Teachers Association shall be an affiliated local association of the National
Education Association (NEA).
IV. MEMBERSHIP
A.
Categories of Membership. There shall be five
categories of membership in the Association: Active, Staff, Student, Retired
and Associate.
Active membership shall be open to any person who
is engaged in or who is on limited leave of absence from professional
educational work, is an employee of Lynwood Unified School District and whose
primary assignment is such as not to hold supervisory responsibility over other
certificated employees to such an extent as not to be represented in the
negotiations process by the teacher bargaining unit.
B.
Membership may be granted upon initiation of payroll deduction or upon payment
of annual LTA/CTA/NEA dues appropriate to the class of membership.
C. The right to vote and to hold elective
office or appointive position within the Association shall be limited to
Active members.
D. Active
members shall be eligible to vote in all elections, hold elective office or
appointive position, receive special services, obtain assistance in the
protection of professional and civil rights, and receive reports and
publications of the Association.
Page 3 of 30
E. Active members shall adhere to The Code
of Ethics of the Education Profession.
F. The rights to and
privileges of membership shall not be abridged in any way because of
age, sex, race, color, ethnic group, marital status, national origin or sexual
orientation.
G.
Active Members have the right to:
1.
Be present at Council meetings where business of the
Association is transacted.
2.
Present matters of individual concern to the Council
through procedures established by the council.
1.
Inspection of the Association’s records upon
written request to the Executive Board.
H. An individual who is serving as a
negotiator for a public school employer shall not be eligible for
membership in the Association.
I. No member of the Association may be
disciplined without a due process hearing which shall include the
established appellate procedure.
J. The membership year shall be that period
of time from September 1 of any given calendar year through August 31 of
the following calendar year, inclusive.
V.
DUES, FEES, AND ASSESSMENTS
A. The
basic annual dues level for Active members, and representation fee for non-
members represented in the bargaining unit, shall be sufficient to cover the
operating expenses of the Association, the dues of CTA, and the dues of NEA.
B. The
Association’s portion of the basic annual dues shall be one-third of
CTA’s dues, and the representation fee for non-members shall be
one-third of CTA’s dues, and any amount greater than the aforementioned
amount shall be established by action of the Representative Council.
C. The Lynwood Teachers
Association shall apportion any negotiated representation fee or
organizational security fee on the same percentage basis as the Lynwood
Teachers Association /CTA/NEA dues.
D. Membership
in a given class or category shall be continuous after initial enrollment until
delinquent or until a change in professional status shall make the member
ineligible for that class or category. If by October 31 of any calendar year a
member has not either paid the established annual membership dues for the
current membership year, or made satisfactory arrangements for payment, then
that person’s membership shall be considered delinquent and the name
dropped from the rolls.
E.
Funding of Lynwood Teachers Association Political
Action Committee (LTA PAC) will be voluntary. A voluntary amount of $2.00 per
member per month will be placed in the account of LTA PAC. These monies will
remain segregated from the general membership account. Members choosing not to
contribute to the LTA PAC will fill out “Form A” yearly to divert
the $2.00 contribution to the General Fund.
Page 4 of 30
VI. POLICY-MAKING BODY
A. The policy-making body of the Association
shall be a Representative Council. The Representative Council, comprised
of members of the Association, derives its powers from and shall be responsible
to the membership.
B. The
Representative Council shall be composed of the following Active members: 1.
Executive Board, ex-officio, voting;
2.
Faculty Representatives elected on the basis of
one-person one-vote;
3.
The following additional representatives
a.
Elected Service Center Council Representative(s),
when not already serving on the Representative Council in another capacity,
voting;
b. Committee
Chairpersons, ex-officio, non-voting;
c. CTA State
Council Representative(s), when not already serving on the Representative
Council in another capacity, voting;
d. Any members of the Association who hold
CTA/NEA offices or committee appointments, ex-officio, non-voting.
C. The
Representative Council shall:
1. Establish Association policies and
objectives;
2. Adopt the annual budget of the
Association on or before the first meeting of the school year;
3. Approve the establishment or
discontinuance of committees recommended by the Executive Board; and
4. Establish the dues of the Association.
D. The
Representative Council shall meet at least once during each school month; the
number, place and time of meetings to be decided by the Executive Board.
E. Special meetings of the Representative
Council may be called by the President, the Executive Board, or by the
petition of twenty percent (20%) of the membership.
F. Special meetings of the Representative
Council shall be called for a specific purpose and no business other
than that for which the meeting is called may be transacted.
G. Notices and agendas
for all meetings of the Representative Council shall be sent to all
members of the Representative Council at least two working days prior to the
date of the meeting.
H.
For emergency meetings of the Representative Council during crisis situations,
the Executive Board shall adopt procedures to notify representatives of
meeting dates, places, and times.
I.
A quorum for all meetings of the Representative Council
shall consist of a majority of all members of the Representative Council.
Page 5 of 30
VII. FACULTY REPRESENTATIVES
A. Each faculty shall be entitled to at
least one representative and shall have one representative for each 20
Association members on the faculty, or major fraction thereof.
B. Faculty representatives shall be elected
by and from the Active membership for each faculty group. Such election
shall be by open nominations and by secret ballot.
C.
Faculty Representatives shall serve a term of two (2)
years commencing on July 1 of the calendar year of their election.
D.
Active members
who are not represented through an individual school faculty group shall be
counted as a special faculty group entitled to the same representation on the
Representative Council as individual school faculty groups.
E. The names of new Faculty
Representatives will be sent to the Secretary before 1 July of any
calendar year.
F.
A vacancy in the position of Faculty Representative
shall be established when any representative is absent three (3) consecutive
meetings of the Council without an alternate.
1. The
Secretary will notify the faculty group that a vacancy has been declared and
request the faculty group elect a new Faculty Representative.
G. Vacancies: Vacancies in the office of
Representative for whatever cause may be filled by properly elected or
appointed replacements.
H. Faculty Representatives shall:
1. Conduct constant and ongoing liaison
between the Representative Council and the Active members of the faculty
unit;
2. Serve as the official channel through
which written communications and publications can be easily and quickly
transmitted between the Association and the Active members;
3. Represent the views
and input of the Active membership of the faculty in votes taken in the
Representative Council, conducting frequent and regular polls of such
membership for this purpose; and
4. Perform such additional duties as
prescribed by the Executive Board.
I.
A Faculty Representative may not conduct an election in
which he/she is a candidate.
VIII. EXECUTIVE BOARD
A. The Executive
Board shall be composed of the officers and members elected at large
from the membership, as long as this complies with the “one-person
– one- vote” rule.
B.
All members of the Executive Board shall be and remain
currently paid-up local, state, and national (Active) members as a condition
for nomination to and service in this position.
C.
The at-large members of the Executive Board shall be
elected with open nominations and by secret ballot.
Page 6 of 30
D.
The at-large members of the Executive Board shall be
elected for a term of 2 year(s), commencing on July 1 of any calendar year.
Three Members-At-Large will be elected in even years,
the other three Members-At-Large will be elected in odd years. This rotation
shall commence with the 2007 local election. At that time, the three candidates
with the most votes will be elected to two (2) year terms; the next three
candidates in votes will serve a one (1) year term.
E. Vacancies
in the position of at-large members of the Executive Board shall be deemed to
exist in the case of death, resignation, failure to perform assigned duties,
absent without just cause from three consecutive regular meetings (executive
board and/or rep. council), or inability to serve in this position. If there is
a vacancy occurring in this position, a special election to fill the vacancy
shall be held within thirty days.
F. The Executive
Board shall meet before each regular meeting of the Representative
Council and at such other times as the President may deem necessary, or upon
written petition of a majority of the members of the Executive Board.
G. The duties of the Executive Board shall
be to:
1.
Coordinate the activities of the Association;
2.
Act for the Representative Council when school is not
in session;
3. Direct the bargaining activities and
grievance processing of the Association, subject to policies set by the
Representative Council;
4.
Approve appointment and removal of bargaining team members;
5.
Recommend a budget for the Association to the
Representative Council;
6.
Approve Committee appointments;
7.
Adopt the Standing Rules for the Association; and
8. Exercise
all the business and organizational powers and duties for the Association as
prescribed by law and these bylaws, subject to any restrictions that may be
imposed by the Representative Council.
H. A quorum for all meetings of the
Executive Board shall consist of a majority of the members of that body.
IX. OFFICERS
A. The officers of the
Association shall be a President, a Vice- President, a Secretary, and a
Treasurer.
B. These officers shall be and remain
currently paid-up local, state, and national (Active) members as a
condition for nomination to and service in their respective positions during
their terms of office.
C. These officers shall be
elected by and from the Active membership of the Association. Such
election shall be by open nominations and secret ballot.
D.
The President shall be elected for a term of two (2)
years. This length of office shall commence July 1, 2008.
E. The President shall be elected every two (2) years.
F.
The Treasurer shall be elected in odd years. The
Vice-President and the Secretary shall be elected in even years.
G. The offices of
Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of
two (2) years, commencing on July 1 of any calendar year.
Page 7 of 30
H. A vacancy shall be
deemed to exist in the case of death, resignation, failure to perform
assigned duties, absence without just cause from three (3) consecutive regular
meetings or inability to serve in any of the offices of the Association. If
there is a vacancy occurring in the office of the President, the Vice-President
shall assume the office. In the event a vacancy occurs in the other offices, a
special election shall be held to elect successors to fill the unexpired terms.
I. The President
shall be the chief executive officer of the Association and its policy leader.
The President shall:
1.
Be the official spokesperson for the Association;
2.
Preside at all meetings of the Association, the
Representative Council and Executive Board;
3.
Co-sign, with the Treasurer, all checks drawn upon the
funds of the Association;
4.
Be familiar with the governance documents of the
Association, CTA, and NEA;
5.
Suggest policies, plans and activities for the
Association and be held responsible for the progress and work of the
Association;
6.
Call meetings of the Association and the Executive
Board;
7.
Prepare the agenda for the meetings of the Association,
the Representative Council and the Executive Board;
8.
Attend meetings of the Service Center Council of which
the Association is a part;
9.
Attend other CTA/NEA meetings as directed by the
Representative Council.
10. Appoint
all chairpersons and members of committees, and of the bargaining team, with
the approval of the Executive Board;
J. The Vice-President shall:
1. Serve as assistant to the President in all
duties of the President; 2. Assume the duties of the President in the
absence of the President;
3. Be responsible
for the formation and distribution of the Association’s calendar
of activities; and
4. Serve as coordinator of committee
activities at the direction of the President.
K. The Secretary shall:
1. Keep a careful and
accurate record of the proceedings of each meeting, regular or special,
of the Association, Representative Council, and the Executive Board;
2. Be
responsible for the distribution of minutes, notice of meetings, and agendas
for all meetings to members of the Representative Council and the Executive
Board, and to the membership when appropriate;
3. Keep an accurate roster of the membership
of the Association and of all committees;
4. Carry on the correspondence pertaining to
the affairs of the Association as directed by the President; and
5.
Co-sign checks when the Treasurer is absent due to
vacancy or temporary leave of absence.
Page 8 of 30
L. The Treasurer
shall:
1. Receive all funds belonging to the
Association and be responsible for their safekeeping and accounting;
2. Pay out such funds upon orders of the
President;
3. Prepare a written financial report for
each regular meeting of the Representative Council and Executive Board;
4. Be responsible
for an annual audit of the books of the Association and distributing a
summary of this audit to the membership; and
5. Submit membership and financial reports
to CTA, NEA, and other agencies as required by law.
X. MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
A. The members-at-large of
the Executive Board shall be elected by open nominations and by secret
ballot in accordance with the standing rules.
B.
The 2007 local election for Members-At-Large.
1.
The three candidates with the most votes will be
elected to a two (2) year term, the next three
candidates in number of votes will serve a one (1) year term.
C.
The 2008 local election for Member-At-Large.
1.
The three (3) vacancies for Member-At-Large will now be
a two (2) year term.
D.
The at-large members of the Executive Board shall be
elected for a term of 2 year(s), commencing on July 1 of any calendar year.
Three Members-At-Large will be elected in even years; the other three
Members-At-Large will be elected in odd years
E.
Vacancies in the position of at-large members of the
Executive Board shall be deemed to exist in the case of death, resignation,
failure to perform assigned duties, absent without just cause from three
consecutive regular meetings (executive board and/or rep. council), or
inability to serve in this position. If there is a vacancy occurring in this
position, a special election to fill the vacancy shall be held within thirty
(30) days.
F.
Members-At-Large serve on all committees by virtue of
their office.
XI. BARGAINING TEAM
A. The
Bargaining Team and such alternates as the Executive Board deems necessary
shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board.
B.
The President shall appoint the chairperson of the
Bargaining Team with the concurrence of the Executive Board.
C.
Vacancies created by resignation or inability to serve
shall be filled by the Executive Board from the list of alternates.
D.
The Executive Board, by two-thirds (2/3) majority, may
remove a member of the Bargaining Team.
Page 9 of 30
E.
The duties of the Bargaining Team are to represent and
to bargain for the bargaining unit(s).
F.
Responsibility and authority for directing the
bargaining process on behalf of the Association are vested in the Executive
Board subject to policies established by the Representative Council.
G. Employees in each appropriate bargaining unit shall be
surveyed to determine contents of the proposed contract demands, and the
contract proposal for each appropriate unit shall be approved by the
Representative Council.
H.
The Bargaining Team shall report its activities to the
Executive Board in such form and with such frequency as the Executive Board may
require.
I.
The
Executive Board shall provide for the dissemination of information regarding
bargaining and the activities of the Bargaining Team to the general membership.
J.
Agreements reached between the Bargaining Team and the
school board or its representatives shall be considered tentative and not
binding upon the Association until such agreements have been ratified by the
membership in the appropriate units unless such ratification shall have been
specifically waived or otherwise delegated by that membership. Tentative
Agreement must be presented to the membership within fifteen (15) work days for
ratification vote and needs no approval by neither Executive
Board nor Representative Council in order to be placed on the ballot for
ratification.
K.
No member shall be a member of both the Bargaining Team
and the Grievance Committee.
XII. GRIEVANCE PROCESSING
K.
The Executive Board shall adopt, with the approval of
the Representative Council, the procedures for grievance processing.
L.
These procedures shall include, but not be limited to,
the following:
2.
Provide for representation to assist all members of the
bargaining unit(s) in processing grievances;
3.
Training for handling grievances; and
4.
Evaluation of the Association’s grievance
policies and procedures.
C.
All grievances will be processed in, accordance with
Article VII of the Agreement Between Lynwood Unified
School District and Lynwood Teachers Association and in accordance with the
Bylaws and will follow CTA guidelines.
D.
The responsibility and authority for directing the
grievance process on behalf of the Association is vested in the Executive Board
subject to the policies established by the Representative Council.
E.
The Executive Board shall decide which grievances will
be submitted to arbitration.
Page 10 of 30
F. GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
1. The Grievance Committee
shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board.
2.
The Grievance Committee shall consist of five (5)
members. There should be one (1) member each from the High School level, Middle
School level, and Elementary School level.
3.
The Executive Board, by two-thirds (2/3) majority, may
remove a member of the Grievance Committee
4.
The duties of the Grievance Committee are:
a. To represent the bargaining unit in
negotiating the settlement of grievances;
b. To make recommendations to the
Executive Board on
submitting grievances
to arbitration;
c. To attend grievance training provided
by the CTA;
d.
To assist and provide a minimum of two (2) hours training for all
Faculty Grievance Representatives each Fall Semester.
5.
The Chairperson will:
b.
Maintain a roster of all Faculty Grievance
Representatives and furnish a copy of the roster to the Secretary.
c.
Maintain a log of grievances in process and a digest of
grievances processed and closed. Individual rights to privacy will be
respected.
6.
The Grievance Committee shall report its activities to
the Executive Board and the Representative Council in such form and with such
frequency as those bodies may require.
XIII. STANDING COMMITTEES
A. There shall be the following standing
committees: 1. Bargaining Team;
2. Election;
3. Grievance;
4. Legislative and Political Action;
5. Membership;
6. Programs and Social; and
7. Retirement, Special Services, and
Welfare.
B. Committees, except as
otherwise provided in these bylaws, may be established and discontinued
by the Executive Board subject to approval by the Representative Council.
C.
Each committee shall submit periodic reports to the
Executive Board and Representative Council.
Page 11 of 30
XIV NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
A. Elections Committee
1.
There shall be an Elections Committee.
2.
The Elections Committee shall be appointed by the
President.
3.
The Elections Committee shall be composed of at least
three members.
4.
The chair of the Elections Committee shall be appointed
by the President.
5.
Members of the Elections Committee shall be approved by
the Executive Board.
6.
A member shall abstain from participation in Elections
Committee activities during the period in which s/he or her/his immediate
family member is a candidate.
B. Election Requirements
1.
The chapter shall ensure that an open nomination
procedure is in place (i.e., any active member may nominate any active member,
including himself or herself). Only reasonable qualifications for office such
as membership in the chapter may be required. A member shall only run for one
(1) local, LTA, office that is vacant at the time of elections.
2.
Every member shall be assured of voting by secret
ballot.
3.
There shall be at least a fifteen (15) calendar day
period between notice of election and the actual voting.
4.
There shall be an all active member vote. A member who
is off-track shall be sent election information by mail to his/her last known
residence. It is the responsibility of a member to notify the President if the
member is on leave.
5.
A chapter shall provide means for all members to vote
(including vote by mail), and it shall be the responsibility of the member to
notify the chapter if s/he desires a ballot at a site other than the regularly
scheduled voting place.
6.
A member shall acknowledge receipt of a ballot by
signature on a registration sheet at the time of issuance of the ballot or on
an envelope when returning the voted ballot.
If a roster of members is
prepared for a school site ahead of time, initials of the member may be
accepted.
7.
All elections shall be decided by a majority vote,
unless otherwise specified. In the event no candidate receives a majority vote,
a run-off election shall be held between the two candidates receiving the
highest number of votes.
C. Announcement
1.
The announcement of election shall include the offices,
length of terms, and the election timeline.
2.
The announcement shall be publicized in a manner that
every member has an opportunity to file a declaration of candidacy.
Page 12 of 30
D.
Timeline
3.
Schools on alternative calendars shall be considered
when setting election timelines.
2. The timeline for the election shall
include dates for:
a. Time,
date, and place where declarations of candidacy are to be received.
Literature shall include information that date is receipt date and not postmark
date.
b. Date for acknowledgment of declarations from candidates. c.
Date for preparation of ballots.
d. Date on which ballots will be
distributed.
e. Date(s) when voting will take place. f. Deadline
date for requesting absentee ballot.
g. Deadline date, time and
place for return of ballots, including absentee ballots.
h. Date, time and place where ballots will be counted. i. Date(s) that announcement of results will be made to
leadership,
candidates and members.
j. Dates and timelines for run-off election, if
necessary. k. Deadline for filing of challenges.
E. Finances
1.
Chapter moneys received through dues, assessment or
similar levy shall not be used to promote any candidate.
2. A candidate may not accept direct contributions from a
chapter’s treasury or indirect contributions in the form of use of
a chapter’s assets, facilities, staff, equipment, mailings, good will and
credit.
F. Candidate’s Rights
1. Privileges extended to one candidate
shall be extended to all candidates.
2. Each candidate shall
receive a copy of the election timeline, procedures and guidelines.
3. Each candidate shall
have the right of access to a list containing the names and last known
addresses of all members.
4. Each candidate shall be
treated in a fair and equitable manner in the printing and distribution
of campaign statements.
G. Ballot
1.
The names of the candidates shall be printed on the
ballot in CTA election alphabet, in alphabetical order or in an order
pre-selected by the unit for one year. The name of each candidate shall be as
printed on the declaration of candidacy. When a candidate’s last name is
hyphenated, the name before the hyphen shall be used for placement on the
ballot.
2. The
ballot shall state the name of the office, the term, and the names of the candidates.
Page 13 of 30
3. The ballot shall include
space for a write-in candidate, except in run-off elections.
H. Distribution of Ballots and Method of
Voting
1. Each member shall receive a ballot.
2. Voting shall be by one
or a combination of the following methods: a. At School Site/Specified
Voting Site
If a Site Representative is a candidate, refer to A. Elections Committee, 6.
1). Voting At School Site(s)/Specified
Voting Site
a). Each
voter must sign or initial a voter roster/sign-up sheet before receiving
a ballot.
1.
Voter Roster – List of eligible voters.
2.
Voter Sign-up Sheet – List of eligible voters which includes a place for a signature.
b). The marked ballot must be returned to a
designated site representative or ballot box.
c). Site representatives
must return all voter roster/sign-up sheets and ballots to the Elections
Committee by the designated date and time.
2). Voting At School Site(s)/Specified
Voting Site Using Envelopes When voting is conducted at school or
specified sites using envelopes, the procedure shall be as follows:
a). A list
of current members shall be prepared, which includes each members name,
school and home address.
b). The voter shall be provided with the
following: (1). A ballot;
(2). Instructions on folding of the ballot in the inner envelope;
placement of the ballot in the unsigned inner envelope; signature on the outer
envelope addressed to the chapter; and deadline date for receipt of the voted
ballot at the chapter office;
(3).A small envelope (inner envelope) in which to place the voted
ballot; and,
(4).A larger envelope (outer envelope) addressed to the chapter, on
which the voter prints and signs his/her name.
c). At
the time of counting of the ballots, the names on the outer envelope shall
be checked against the official list of voters. The name on the official list
shall be marked to show that the voter has returned a ballot.
d). The outer envelope shall then be opened
and put in a separate stack for safekeeping as a record of voters.
e). All inner envelopes shall be placed in a separate
receptacle. f). The inner envelopes shall be slit and the ballots
removed from the
envelopes, stacked and
then counted.
Page 14 of 30
3). By mail
When the voting is conducted by mail, the procedure shall be as
follows: Members who are off-track or on a dues paying leave shall be notified
by mail in order to provide them an opportunity and right to vote.
Special care should be taken in all phases of handling of ballots to
ensure the accuracy and the secrecy of voting by mail. The following procedures
and guidelines have been developed for this situation:
a). A list
of current official members shall be prepared, which includes
the following: name,
school and home address.
b). The mailing list
shall exactly correspond to the current official roll of voting members.
c). Each voter shall be
provided with: 1). A ballot; 2). Instructions on:
(A). Folding and placing of the ballot in
the unsigned inner envelope;
(B). Placing of the unsigned inner envelope
into the outer envelope;
(C). Signature and school on the outer
envelope addressed to the chapter; and
(D). Deadline date for receipt of the voted
ballot at the chapter office.
3). Inner envelope;
4). Outer return envelope, addressed to the chapter; and 5).
Instructions on returning of the voted ballot, including the
signature.
d). The ballot shall be
date stamped when it is received in the chapter office and then put in a
safe place until the votes are to be counted.
e). At the time of counting, the names on
the outer envelope shall be checked against the official list of
teachers who are off-track.
f). The outer envelopes shall then be opened
and put in a separate stack for safekeeping as a record of voters.
g). All inner envelopes shall be placed in
a separate receptacle.
h). The inner envelopes shall be slit and
the ballots removed from the envelopes, stacked, and then counted.
I. Counting of Ballots
1.
Upon receipt of ballots, tally sheets and signature
sheets, the Elections Committee shall count the ballots in a secure area with
only the Elections Committee members and observers present.
Page 15 of 30
2. The Elections Committee
shall count valid ballots and set aside any ballot(s) on which there is
a question, such as:
a. Blank ballot;
b. More ballots than signatures; c. Ballot submitted
after deadline; d. Voter not a member; e. Voter’s intent
unclear;
f. Votes cast for more than number allowed; g. Vote cast
on unofficial ballot;
h. Vote cast for ineligible candidate.
3. The Elections Committee
shall make a determination on whether the vote(s) in each category
should be counted, and make a note of the decision. Each category of ballot
shall be kept separate.
4. The Elections Committee
shall prepare the Final Report, recording the following information:
a. Total number of ballots cast.
b. The number of set aside ballots with an
explanation for each category of ballot not counted.
c. The number needed to win or pass.
d. The number of votes received by each
candidate or issue.
e. A notation whether the set aside votes would
affect the outcome. f. Signature of each Elections Committee member
present during the
preparation of the
report.
5. The Elections Chair
shall submit the Final Report to the President or designee who shall inform
all candidates of the results.
6. The President shall announce the
results as prescribed by the timelines.
7. If the votes set aside
would affect the outcome of the election, the President and the election
committee shall decide:
a. to count the votes
which have been set aside; b. not to count the votes which have been set
aside; or c. if the election should be conducted again.
Any candidate who may be
affected by the vote shall not be allowed to take part in the decision-making
process.
8. The ballots and voter
sign-up sheets shall be retained for one year after the election.
J. Observers
1.
Each candidate shall be allowed to have an observer(s)
at the vote counting site and shall give the name(s) of the observer to the
Elections Committee before counting.
2. An
observer shall not interfere with the counting and shall stay in the counting
area until the President or designee has been notified of the results.
Page 16 of 30
K. Challenge Procedure
1.
A challenge cannot be initiated until after the results
of the elections have been posted at each work site.
2. The challenging party(ies) must notify the unit
president of a challenge in writing within ten (10) days after the
announcement of the results of the election.
The notification must:
a. Specify which
requirement has been violated. b. Include evidence, insofar as possible.
c. List names and addresses of parties who
can give evidence.
3. Within seven (7)
calendar days after receipt of the challenge, the unit Elections
Committee shall, in accordance with the unit's bylaws and standing rules,
conduct an investigation of the challenged election for the purpose of
ascertaining the facts. Following the investigation to ascertain the facts, the
Elections Committee will attempt to reach resolution and issue a decision
regarding the validity of the challenge based on whether the alleged violation
may have affected the outcome of the election. A copy of the recommendation
will be sent to the president of the unit for disposition.
4.
If an individual wishes to appeal the decision of the
Elections Committee, or if the unit Elections Committee fails to act, he/she
may file an appeal within seven (7) calendar days from the date of the filing
of the challenge by writing to the CTA President.
5. The challenge procedure for election of
State Council Representatives and Alternates, and State or Local
Delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly is outlined in the CTA Elections
Manual.
L. Initiative Procedures
1.
The active membership shall have the authority to make
decisions on any matters affecting the Association or its activities through
the initiative process.
2. A member shall file a notice of the
intent to circulate a petition with the chapter president by including a
copy of the petition to be circulated, and the names of at least three persons
supporting the proposed measure and responsible for its circulation.
3. The chapter president shall register the
receipt of the notice of the intent to circulate, and acknowledge such
registration in writing with the member filing the notice.
4. The timeline for gathering signatures
will commence the day that the notice of intent is registered. A maximum
of 45 school days shall be permitted to obtain the signatures of at least 10
percent or more of the active members of the chapter. The petition shall
contain the question proposed to be placed on the ballot.
5. The circulators shall present to the
chapter president the petition(s) containing original signatures.
6. The chapter president shall have 5 school
days in which to verify the membership of the signers of the petition.
Page 17 of 30
7. If there are insufficient signatures, the
petition circulator shall be notified by mail of the number of
signatures needed to qualify the petition. The petition circulator shall have
an additional 7 school days in which to gather and submit the necessary
signatures. The chapter president shall have 3 school days in which to verify
the membership of the additional signers.
8. The chapter president shall cause a
ballot to be furnished to the members no less than 15 school days after
verification of membership, provided that the period that school is officially
not in session shall not be included in this count.
9. Regular election procedures (e.g.,
election of officers) shall be followed including voting times.
10. The proposal shall take effect
immediately upon receipt of the required number of votes, unless
otherwise specified.
M. Referendum Procedures
1. Any
action or proposed action, with the exception of Tentative Agreement reached by
the Bargaining Team, of the Representative Council or the Executive Board shall
be referred to a vote of the membership upon two- thirds vote of the
Representative Council at any valid meeting.
2. The referendum action shall prescribe the
exact wording of the question to be posed to the membership on the
ballot.
3. The chapter president
shall cause a ballot to be furnished to the members no less than 15
school days after action by the Representative Council, provided that the
period that school is officially not in session shall not be included in this
count.
4. Regular election procedures (e.g.,
election of officers) shall be followed including voting times.
5. The proposal shall take effect
immediately upon receipt of the required number of votes, unless
otherwise specified.
N. Recall Procedures
1. The
active membership shall have the authority to recall from office any person or
persons holding such virtue of having been elected thereto by the
chapter’s active members.
2. A member shall file a notice of the
intent to circulate a petition to recall with the chapter president by
including a copy of the petition to be circulated, and the names of at least
three persons supporting the proposed recall and responsible for its
circulation. If the proposed recall is for the person holding the office of
president, the request shall be made to the next ranking officer.
3. The chapter president shall register the
receipt of the notice of the intent to circulate, and acknowledge such
registration in writing with the member filing the notice.
4. The timeline for
gathering signatures will commence the day that the notice of intent is
registered. A maximum of 60 school days shall be permitted to obtain the
signatures of at least 25 percent or more of the active members of the chapter.
The petition shall contain the question proposed to be placed on the
ballot.
5. The circulators shall present to the
chapter president the petition(s) containing original signatures.
Page 18 of 30
6. The chapter president shall have 10
school days in which to verify the membership of the signers of the
petition.
7. If there are insufficient signatures, the
petition circulator shall be notified by mail of the number of
signatures needed to qualify the petition. The petition circulator shall have
an additional 15 school days in which to gather and submit the necessary
signatures. The chapter president shall have 5 school days in which to verify
the membership of the additional signers.
8. The chapter president shall cause a
ballot to be furnished to the members no less than 20 school days after
verification of membership. The period that school is officially not in session
shall not be included in this count.
9. Regular election procedures (e.g.,
election of officers) shall be followed including voting times.
10. Any necessary supplementary rules
governing recall that are not in conflict with the foregoing may be
adopted and published within the same publications and by the same manner as
are prescribed for other elections within the Association.
11. The proposal shall take effect
immediately upon receipt of the required number of votes, unless
otherwise specified.
XV. CTA STATE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES AND NEA DELEGATES
A. All representatives to
the CTA State Council and the NEA Representative Assembly to which the
Association is entitled shall be elected by and from the Active membership of
the Association. Such election shall be by open nominations and by secret
ballot.
B. CTA State Council
Representatives shall be elected for a term as specified by CTA.
C. NEA Delegates shall be elected for a
term as specified by NEA.
XVI. RECALL ELECTIONS
SEE: ARTICLE XIV; SECTION N.
XVII. MEETINGS OF THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP:
A. Meetings of the
Association may be called by the President, the Executive Board, or by
written petition of twenty percent (20%) of the active membership.
B. Notices of the
Association meetings including date, place, time, and purpose of the
meeting shall be made available to all members of the Association at least two
days before the meeting except during crisis situations.
C. For emergency meetings during crisis
situations, the Executive Board shall adopt procedures to notify the
Association membership of meeting dates, places and times.
D. A quorum for meetings of the
Association shall be the members present.
Page 19 of 30
XVIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
A. Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly
Revised, latest edition, shall be followed at all meetings of the
Association, the Representative Council, and the Executive Board.
XIX. AMENDMENTS/PROCEDURES:
A .These
Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the representatives at
any regular or special meeting of the Representative Council. Notice in writing
of a proposed Bylaws amendment shall have been submitted to the Secretary and
provided to members of the Representative Council at the meeting preceding the
one at which it is to be voted upon.
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STANDING RULES
BUDGET AND FINANCE
STANDING RULE 1 - BUDGET AND FINANCE
A.
No later than June of each year the Executive Board
shall develop a proposed budget for the following fiscal year (1-September - 31
August).
B.
During September of each year the Executive Board shall
develop a final budget and present it to the Representative Council at the
regular October meeting for approval.
C.
Once a budget is approved by the Representative
Council:
D.
The President has the authority to expend funds
allocated to the categories: 1. 2200 General Leadership Expenses
2. 2300 Officers Expenses (Individual)
3. 2530 Negotiations
4. 2550 LTA Elections
5. 2590 Retirement Activities
6. 2600 Operations/Administration
E. The Representative Council will
select members for conferences workshops, activities, and `programs. This
selection -will authorize the Treasurer to
expend funds allocated
to categories:
1. 2400 Leadership Conferences/Workshops
2. 2520 Political Action
F. The
Executive Board may authorize the expenditure of funds categories: 1. 2540
Publications
2. 2560 Crisis Legislation
3. 2570 Arbitration
4. 2580 Public Relations
5. 2700 Employee Costs
G. The
Representative Council may authorize the movement of allocated funds within
and between any of the categories in the budget.
H. Not more than $250.00 of allocated funds
may be maintained in the form of petty cash.
1.
Only members authorized to sign Lynwood Teachers
Association Checks may distribute funds from Petty Cash.
2.
Any member receiving Petty Cash will sign a voucher
stating the amount and purpose of the withdrawal.
3.
After making a purchase, the member will return a
receipt and any remaining cash to the member in charge of Petty Cash.
Page 21 of 30
STANDING RULES
ROLL CALL & VOTING AT
REPRESENTAIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS (Adopted by the LTA Executive Board on October
10, 2006)
STANDING RULE 2 – Voting at Representative Council Meetings
A.
The LTA Secretary shall take Roll Call at the beginning
of each meeting:
4.
Executive Board Members shall be called first in order
established who will preside over the meeting and to know who is present
5.
Representative Council Members shall be called second
in order to know what school sites are present and to ascertain there is quorum
B.
When Roll Call Vote is requested, the Representative
Council members shall be called first and then the Executive Board Members.
Page 22 of 30
STANDING RULES
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
RESPONSABILITIES (Adopted by the LTA Executive Board on October 10, 2006)
STANDING RULE 3 – Members-at-Large Responsibilities
A.
Members-at-Large shall be assigned by the President as
follows:
6. Members-at-Large
shall maintain site representative(s) rosters that will include name of
representatives, phone numbers, e-mail address, and any other necessary
information needed/requested
7. Members-at-Large
shall coordinate the distribution of communication between the LTA Executive
Board, LTA Representative Council, and/or the general membership
8.
Members-at-Large shall oversee all elections in which
they are not candidates
9. Members-at-Large shall run
Representative Council Elections at their assigned school sites to ensure that
each school site has a representative
B.
As stated and required by Article X
“Members-at-Large”, Section E “Vacancies in the position of
at-large members of the Executive Board shall be deemed to exist in the case of
death, resignation, failure to perform assigned duties, absent without just
cause from three consecutive regular meetings (executive board and/or rep.
council), or inability to serve in this position. If there is a vacancy
occurring in this position, a special election to fill the vacancy shall be
held within thirty (30) days.”
Page 23 of 30
STANDING RULES
Expense Guidelines
(Amended by the LTA Executive Board on April
7, 2008)
STANDING RULE 4 – Expense Guidelines
For purposes of NEA-Representative Assembly (NEA-RA), CTA
Workshops and Conference, LTA Annual Elected Officers’ Retreat, LTA
Annual Executive Board Retreat, and any other NEA and/or CTA
Workshop/Conference:
Lynwood Teachers Association (LTA) shall
underwrite each workshop/conference as follows:
1. Expenses for coffee and room service,
meeting room rental (as necessary), and other appropriate workshop/conference
expenses.
2. Travel reimbursements
(transportation, hotel, meals) shall be paid for members of LTA as follow:
·
Plane: Actual,
most economical coach fare (with receipt/proof). Mileage reimbursement
to and from the member’s home/airport at the rate set by the Internal
Revenue Service for the current year for transportation expenses.
·
Airport Shuttle:
Cost of airport shuttles to and from the meeting site. Taxi fare shall
be reimbursed only when no other “safe” form of transportation is
available.
·
Auto:
(a). If automobile travel is used in
preference to air travel, maximum reimbursement will be the cost of the lowest
available coach airfare or the actual mileage as set by the internal Revenue
Service for the current year for transportation expenses. When two or more
conference participants travel together in car, reimbursement will only be made
to the driver.
(b). Automobile rental is only
available when attending the NEA-Representative Assembly (NEA-RA) for the LTA
representative to travel to and from the airport, hotel, and local
attraction(s). If automobile rental is made, LTA will not refund airport
shuttle and/or taxi fare.
·
Parking: Actual costs of airport and/or hotel parking will be
reimbursed.
·
Lodging: Hotel
expenses are limited to the number of nights the workshop/conference is
being held. Additional nights, not to exceed two (2), is allowed for NEA-RA
taking into consideration arrival and departure might make it difficult for
participants to arrive on time and leave right after the end of the
workshop/conference. Personal charges such as laundry, valet, hotel
telephone calls, and hotel in-room snacks/beverages are not reimbursable.
·
Meals: Daily
meal reimbursement is limited to $75.00 ($100.00 for NEA-RA) including
tax and gratuity per day effective January 1, 2008.
3. In order to receive reimbursement for
expenses, vouchers/receipts must be received within 30 days of the conclusion
of the workshop/conference.
Page 24 of 30
STANDING RULES
Award Committee
(Adopted by the LTA Executive Board on April
7, 2008)
STANDING RULE 5 – Award Committee: Celebrating Creativity & Teaching/Counseling
Mission & Vision:
Lynwood Teachers Association’s award program will
acknowledge and showcase individual teachers and administrators/community
members that have made a positive impact on Lynwood USD students.
The award categories are as follow: Excellence in
Teaching, Distinguished Teacher, Creative Teaching, and Friend of LTA
(for administrator(s) and/or community member(s). The Award Committee shall
have the right to add new award titles as needed to honor teachers/counselors.
The award program will addresses items “E though
“G” of the LTA Bylaws, Article II “Purposes” E.
To promote professional attitudes and ethical conduct among members;
F. To encourage cooperation and communication between
the teaching profession and the community; and
G. To foster good fellowship among members.
Award Committee Duties:
1. The Award Committee shall be composed of nine (9)
members as the Executive Board deems necessary.
2. The President shall appoint the chairperson of the
Award Committee with the concurrence of the Executive Board
3. Vacancies created by resignation or inability to serve
shall be filled by the Executive Board.
4.
Award Committee
Members who gets nominated for an LTA Award shall substituted by an alternate
to the committee. The nominated committee member shall abstain from any and all
meetings regarding the awards for the year he/she has been nominated.
5. The Executive Board by a simple majority (50 +1 %) may
remove a member of the Award Committee.
6. The Executive Board shall allocate the necessary funds
to cover all expenses regarding awards and any other incentives for every award
winner.
7.
The duties of the
Award Committee are to disseminate information regarding each award, gather
award applications, purchase awards and any other granted incentives, and
decide who is/are the best candidate(s) to receive any of the LTA Award(s)
mentioned on the “Award Titles” section of this Standing Rule.
8. Responsibility and authority for directing the Award
Committee are vested in the Executive Board subject to policies established by
the Representative Council.
9. A simple majority of the Award Committee members shall
be enough to decide what candidate shall receive an award.
10. Awards shall be granted every year unless there are no
qualified candidates.
11.
Ratings and
critiques of each candidate are confidential and shall not be disclosed. The
Award Committee shall present their award decision to the Executive Board for
publication and notification to each winner.
12. The winner of each award shall be
announced during the Teacher Reorganization Ceremony provided by the District
Office and/or during the LTA Retirement Ceremony.
Page 25 of 30
Award Titles:
Excellence in Teaching:
1. Award shall be given to teacher(s) at all stages of
their careers after five (5) years of teaching experience,
2. Teacher(s) shall have been providing innovative
approaches to classroom instructions and enhancing students’ lives and
lifelong goals,
3. Teacher(s) shall had shared and worked collaborative
with his/her ideas with colleagues.
Distinguished Teacher/Counselor:
1. Award shall be given to teacher(s) at any stage of
their career,
2. Teacher(s) shall have created and implemented an
innovative/unique project(s) that increases students’ knowledge,
understanding, and promotion of at least one of the following topics:
d. Enhancement of ethnic awareness and collaboration
within the students’ school site or community,
e.
Create a
“Safe School” that promotes human and civil rights by making
students’ school site safer for ALL students
f.
Diversity
issues, including Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual, Questioning
(GLBTQ), within the students’ school site or community,
g.
Equality &
Human Rights,
h. Social-political diversity.
3. Teacher(s) shall had shared and worked collaborative
with his/her ideas with colleagues.
Creative Teaching:
1. Award shall be given to teacher(s) at any stage of
their career,
2. Teacher(s) must have excelled through innovations in
development of new projects, enhancement of lesson plans/curriculum maps,
3. Teacher(s) shall had shared and worked collaborative
with his/her ideas with colleagues.
Friend of LTA:
1. Award shall be given to an
administrator (school or district office) and/or to a community member who has
shown significant support toward LTA’s goals and needs.
Page 26 of 30
Lynwood Teachers Association
Award Nomination Form
Section I: Nominee’s Info
Nominee’s
Name_____________________________________________________________
Check with the nominee and write the
name as the nominee would like it to appear on a certificate, plaque, or
program. (Middle names are not used, unless the nominee generally goes by both
names.)
Home Address
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Home Phone____________________________ School
___________________________
Phone_____________________________ Work
Location_________________________
Title/Position______________________________________________________________
Subject/Grade
Level________________________________________________________
Number of Years in the Teaching
Profession_________________________________________________________________
Number of Years of Full-Time Teaching in
Lynwood USD __________________________
Section II: Nominator’s Info
Home Address
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Home Phone____________________________ School
___________________________
Phone_____________________________ Work
Location_________________________
Title/Position______________________________________________________________
Subject/Grade Level________________________________________________________
Number of Years in the Teaching
Profession_________________________________________________________________
Number of Years of Full-Time Teaching in
Lynwood USD __________________________
Page 27 of 30
Section III: Additional Information
Identification of three people who can provide additional
information if requested by LTA Award Committee. (Please list below.)
Name Address Phone Relationship to Nominee
_____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Section IV: Nominee’s
Documentation
1. Attach any supporting evidence, documentation, lesson
plans, letters of recommendations, etc. that will help the Award Committee
members make their decision.
2. Supporting letter of nomination
should not exceed one (1) page. This letter may be written by an individual or
a group. Members of the same family may not submit both the letter of
nomination and the supporting letter of nomination.
Section V: Nominee’s Personal
Philosophy
1. Attach the
nominee’s personal philosophy of education statement (not to exceed two
typed pages).
Section VI: Choice an Award
Excellence in
Teaching:
1. Award shall be given to teacher(s) at all stages of
their careers after five (5) years of teaching experience,
2. Teacher(s) shall have been providing innovative
approaches to classroom instructions and enhancing students’ lives and
lifelong goals,
3. Teacher(s) shall had shared and worked collaborative
with his/her ideas with colleagues.
Distinguished
Teacher/Counselor:
1. Award shall be given to teacher(s) at any stage of
their career,
2. Teacher(s) shall have created and implemented an
innovative/unique project(s) that increases students’ knowledge,
understanding, and promotion of at least one of the following topics:
a. Enhancement of ethnic awareness and collaboration
within the students’ school site or community,
b. Create a “Safe School” that promotes human
and civil rights by making students’ school site safer for ALL students
c.
Diversity
issues, including Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual, Questioning
(GLBTQ), within the students’ school site or community,
d. Equality & Human Rights,
e.
Social-political
diversity.
f.
Teacher(s) shall
had shared and worked collaborative with his/her ideas with colleagues.
Creative
Teaching:
1. Award shall be given to teacher(s) at any stage of
their career,
2. Teacher(s) must have excelled through innovations in
development of new projects, enhancement of lesson plans/curriculum maps,
3. Teacher(s) shall had shared and worked collaborative
with his/her ideas with colleagues.
Friend of LTA:
1. Award shall be given to an
administrator (school or district office) and/or to a community member who has
shown significant support toward LTA’s goals and needs.
Page 28 of 30
Code of Ethics of the Education
Profession
PREAMBLE
The educator, believing in the
worth and dignity of each human being, recognizes the supreme importance of the
pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, and the nurture of democratic
principles. Essential to these goals is the protection of freedom to learn and
to teach and the guarantee of equal educational opportunity for all. The
educator accepts the responsibility to adhere to the highest ethical standards.
The educator recognizes the
magnitude of the responsibility inherent in the reaching process. The desire
for the respect and confidence of one's colleagues, of students, of parents,
and of the members of the community provides the incentive to attain and
maintain the highest possible degree of ethical conduct. The Code of Ethics
of the Education Profession indicates the aspiration of all
educators and provides standards by which to judge conduct.
The remedies specified by the
NEA and/or its affiliates for the violation of any provision of this Code
shall be exclusive and no such provision shall be enforceable in any form other
than one specifically designated by the NEA or its affiliates.
PRINCIPLE I Commitment to the
Student
The educator strives to help
each student realize his or her potential as a worthy and effective member of
society. The educator therefore works to stimulate the spirit of inquiry the
acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of
worthy goals.
In- fulfillment of the obligation to the student the educator
1.
Shall not unreasonably restrain the student from
independent action in the pursuit of learning.
2.
Shall not unreasonably deny the student access to
varying points of view.
3.
Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject
matter relevant to the student's progress.
4.
Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student
from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety.
5.
Shall not intentionally expose the student to
embarrassment or disparagement.
Page 29 of 30
6.
Shall not on the basis of race, color, creed, sex,
national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, family, social
or cultural background, or sexual orientation unfairly
g.
Exclude any student from participation in any program
h.
Deny benefits to any student
i.
Grant any advantage to any student.
7.
Shall not use professional relationships with students
for private advantage.
8.
Shall not disclose information about students obtained
in the course of professional service; unless disclosure serves a compelling
professional purpose or is required by law.
PRINCIPLE II Commitment to the
Profession
The education profession is vested by the public
with a trust and responsibility requiring the highest ideals of professional
service.
In the belief that the quality
of the services of the education profession directly influences the nation and
its citizens, the educator shall exert every effort to raise professional
standards to promote a climate that encourages the exercise of professional
judgment to achieve conditions which attract persons worthy of the trust to
careers in education and to assist in preventing the practice of the profession
by unqualified persons.
In fulfillment of the obligation to the profession the educator
1. Shall not in an application for a
professional position deliberately make a false Statement or fail to disclose a
material fact related to competency and qualifications.
2.
Shall not misrepresent his/her professional
qualifications.
3.
Shall not assist any entry into the profession of a
person known to be unqualified in respect to character, education, or other
relevant attribute.
4.
Shall not knowingly make a false Statement concerning
the qualifications of a candidate for a professional position.
5.
Shall not assist a non-educator in the unauthorized
practice of teaching.
6.
Shall not disclose information about colleagues
obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves a
compelling professional purpose or is required by law.
7.
Shall not knowingly make false or malicious statements
about a colleague.
8.
Shall not accept any gratuity, gift or favor that might
impair or appear to influence professional decisions or action.
Page 30 of 30
