:: Sachem Central Teacher's Association :: SCTA Constitution Summary

CONSTITUTION of the SACHEM CENTRAL TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

a. Promote the interests of public education.
b. Promote and better the understanding of education problems among teachers and all citizens.
c. Improve the professional status of teachers and the social and economic welfare of the members of this organization.

d. Promote the unity and strength of the teaching profession.
e. Enable members to speak with a common voice on matters pertaining to the teaching profession and to present their individual and collective interests before the Board of Education and other governing authorities.
f. Advance the standards of the teaching profession.
g. Secure the conditions necessary to the greatest efficiency of all members and schools.
h. Promote mutual assistance and cooperation with other local teacher organizations with which it is associated.
i. Promote the aims and objectives of the New York State United Teachers and its national affiliates.
j. Expose and fight all forms of racism and discrimination.
k. Follow election procedures according to the Landrum Griffin Act.

Section 1- Classification-Membership shall include:

A. Active Members: Active membership in the Association shall be open to all members of the bargaining unit(s) as defined in the respective contractual agreements. In order to obtain active membership the unit member must complete all necessary membership forms and enrollment materials. The SCTA dues structure for members will be in accordance with the NYSUT/AFT dues structure. Only active members shall be eligible to vote in SCTA elections, run for any elected position within the SCTA, including delegates for any SCTA affiliated organization, and participate in contract ratification votes.

B. Special Members : Special Members are those members who are on a district approved leave of absence, or who are placed on a preferred eligible list in accordance with Education Law or recall list in accordance with Civil Service Law. Such members may maintain membership in the SCTA provided the member pays the special membership fee pursuant to Constitutions and By-Laws of NYSUT and its affiliated organizations.

C. Newly Affiliated Bargaining Units: The Association may permit the affiliation of various non-administrative bargaining units of the district, in the form of a chapter of the SCTA. Chapter affiliation shall be granted by the SCTA Executive Committee when the following procedural steps have been taken:

i. Two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Committee has endorsed organizing/affiliating the proposed new bargaining unit.
ii. If the prospective unit is already in existence and seeks to affiliate with the SCTA it will have provided a copy of its current Constitution along with any necessary communications showing its intention to affiliate.
iii. If the prospective chapter exists with unorganized employees upon the request for voluntary recognition and/or filing of a petition for certification with PERB the SCTA will grant temporary affiliation.
iv. Upon receipt of voluntary recognition or certification by PERB such temporary affiliation shall be made permanent. Failure of the prospective bargaining unit to complete the certification process shall result in the withdrawal of temporary affiliation.

Section 2-Agency Fee:

Section 3– Dues:

A. The annual membership dues shall be determined by the acceptance of the annual budget.

B. Annual dues will be collected in a manner prescribed by the Treasurer. If several plans of payment are offered, the individual member shall choose his/her method of payment.

Section 4– Rights:

A. Any active member may attend Executive Committee meetings. However, such attendance shall be limited to observing the proceedings only.

B. Members are entitled to all legal representation as prescribed in the Taylor Law, the respective Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the Constitution and By-Laws of NYSUT and its affiliated organizations.

Section 5-Retiree Chapter:

Section I. Duties of Officers:

A. The President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee. With the approval of the Executive Committee, he/she shall appoint the Association secretaries, parliamentarian and all committee members and chairpersons on a yearly basis except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws. The President shall instruct the appointees with regard to their responsibilities and duties. He/she is an “ex officio” member of all committees. He/she shall call special meetings of the Executive Committee and the Association in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws. He/she shall make recommendations to the Executive Committee, the Association and the Association committees. He/she shall designate the duties of the Vice Presidents and appoint an acting President from among the Vice Presidents in case of his/her absence or disability. He/she shall perform such other duties as pertain to this office. The President shall work with the officers in developing an annual budget. Included in the development of this budget will be the anticipated costs, if any, associated with the retention of outside legal council should the President deem it necessary.

B. The Vice-Presidents: The Vice-Presidents shall perform such duties as the President designates. In the case where the President is either absent or disabled and is unable to appoint an acting President for the period of his/her absence, the six (6) Vice Presidents and Treasurer shall elect an acting President from among the six (6) Vice Presidents immediately.

C. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall hold the funds of the Association and disburse them upon authorization of the President for all amounts over $300.00. He/she shall bill the members for their annual dues, collect them and transmit amounts due to affiliated organizations. He/she shall certify membership. He/she shall keep accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements, and shall prepare an annual financial statement for publication to members as directed by the Executive Committee. He/she shall submit an annual budget to the Executive Committee. He/she shall keep the President and membership informed of the financial condition of the Association. He/she shall be bonded and shall be a member “ex officio” of the Finance Committee. Upon termination of his/her term of office, he/she shall deliver over to his/her successor all books, monies and other property.

Section 2. SCTA Unit Representatives and Alternates:

A. Units with Representatives:

1.Representatives: Elementary and Secondary buildings (Teachers Unit); Teaching Assistants/Interpreters and Job Coaches; and Teacher Aides are the units to be represented. For the Teachers Unit, each unit of representation shall be entitled to one delegate for each 30 active members or part thereof. The unit of representation for Teaching Assistant/Interpreter and Job Coaches and Teacher Aides shall be based on total membership in each unit as follows: one representative for each 30 active members. On the approval of the Executive Committee, schools may be combined provided that each unit so created has at least 30 members.
2. Alternates: Each Elementary and Secondary building unit will be allowed one Alternate Representative. The unit of representation for Teaching Assistant/Interpreter and Job Coaches and Teacher Aides shall be allowed one Alternate Representative per unit. The Alternate will only be required to attend Executive Meetings upon the absence of any Representative in their unit.

B. Election Term and Assumption of Office:

1. Representatives and Alternates shall be elected prior to the regularly scheduled June Executive Committee Meeting.
2. In the event that a new unit of representation is created, the new representatives shall be elected within 30 calendar days of the creation of the new unit and shall serve until the next scheduled election.
3. The term of office of elected representatives and alternates shall be one year. All elected representatives and alternates shall assume office at the September Executive Meeting.

C. Duties of Representatives and Alternates: Representatives shall be required to attend the monthly meetings as well as any other special meetings. Minutes of the monthly meeting shall be posted in the faculty rooms. The representative shall also perform the duties as outlined in the “Representative Responsibilities” handbook.

D. Unit Representation: Teacher members assigned to more than one building shall be considered members of the building in which they receive their pay statement.

Section 3. Recording Secretary:

Section 4- Creation of Standing Positions:

A. Upon the recommendation of the President and the consent of the Executive Committee, positions shall be created or removed as deemed necessary. SCTA members shall be appointed to these positions by the President and shall be ineligible to vote at the Executive Committee meetings unless the appointed member is an elected official. In that case, an appointment will not preclude an elected official from voting at the Executive Committee Meetings.

B. Such Standing Positions are:

1. SCTA Newsletter Editor(s):
The SCTA Newsletter Editor shall be responsible for the organization, physical layout, establishment of deadlines, collecting and editing copy and reviewing all contents with the Editorial Committee prior to layout and publication. In addition, the editor is expected to attend Executive Committee meetings and other meetings deemed necessary by the Executive Board.
2. SCTA Technical Advisor(s):
The SCTA Technical Advisor shall assist in all matters pertaining to the purchasing, operation and maintenance of all technical equipment including, but not limited to computers, telephones and alarm systems.

3. Pathfinder Coordinator(s):
The Pathfinder Coordinator shall be responsible for collecting, revising and editing the information contained in Pathfinder.
4. Special Projects Coordinator:
The Special Projects Coordinator shall be responsible for organizing and planning events and activities for the benefit of the membership.
5. Web Site Administrator:
The Web Site Administrator shall be responsible for organizing, developing and maintaining the SCTA web site for the benefit of the membership.

C. Upon recommendation of the President and consent of the Executive Committee Ad
Hoc positions may be created.

Section 1- Composition: The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Executive Board
and all SCTA Unit Representatives.

Section 2- Powers and Responsibilities: The Executive Committee shall have general charge of the business of this Association. Its responsibilities shall include but not be limited to:

A. Acting upon the annual budget and authorizing all expenditures of funds over $300.00

B. Acting upon committee appointments made by the President.

C. Receiving and taking action on all committee reports as appropriate.

D. Reporting to the membership, through an Executive Board newsletter, action taken by the Executive Committee.

E. Assuming such other responsibilities as are necessary to fulfill the purposes of this Association.

Section 3- Quorum:

B. A majority of the members of an appointed committee.

By-Law IV - Committees

Section 1- The Election Committee shall:

A. Notify the membership of district-wide vacancies to be filled and conduct the election according to the provisions of the Landrum-Griffin Act.

B. Recommend an election date for Executive Committee approval no later than May 15.

C. Publicize procedures for nominations and election.

D. Supervise all voting, count ballots and publish.

E. Supervise all campaign procedures.

Section 2- SCTA Newsletter Editorial Committee shall:

B. Promote common goals and objectives of the union (local, state, national), to disseminate union information and to promote the unity and strength of the union and the teaching profession.

C. Publish the official SCTA newsletter.

Section 1- Parliamentary Authority:

Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, all business meetings of the Association and its units of representation shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.

Section 2– Voting:

Voting shall be conducted in each school under the supervision of all SCTA Representatives according to the directions of the Election Committee.

B. SCTA Elections: SCTA Elections shall be held in each building under the supervision of the all SCTA Representatives according to the directions of the Election Committee.

C. Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws: Ratification of an amendment to the Constitution and By-Laws shall be held in each building under the supervision of all SCTA Representatives according to the directions of the Election Committee.

Section 3-Vacancies:

A. When vacancies arise among elected officers or delegates to affiliated organizations, such vacancies shall be filled within 20 working days under the direction of the Election Committee. However, if the vacancy occurs within 30 working days of the last day of school then the election shall not take place prior to October 1.

B. When vacancies arise among Representatives, such vacancies shall be filled within 20 working days.

Section 4– Term of Appointment:

A person elected to fill a vacancy shall serve until the expiration of the original term of office.

Section 5 Proxies:

No proxy votes will be allowed in any election.

Section 6– Weighted Vote:

Any member of the Executive Committee may call for a weighted vote according to representation as described in By-Law II, Section 2A-1 on any matter brought before the house.

Section 1 – Officers’ stipend:

A. Shall be paid annually (September 1-August 31) by using the following unit value times the current unit rate for Extra Curricular Activities in accordance with Article XI, “Pay for Additional Duties” section 9A, of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Sachem Central Teachers’ Association and the Sachem Central School District:
President 890
Vice President 454
Treasurer 454
Recording Secretary 90
(with 5 steps at 10% of base per year)

B. SCTA officers shall be placed on stipend step according to the following rules:
Previous years of experience on the Vice Presidential and Treasurer level for a person elected to either Vice President or Treasurer shall count 1 for 1 in regard to stipend step placement.
Previous years of experience on the Presidential level for a person elected to either Vice President or Treasurer shall count 2 for 1 in regard to stipend step placement.
Previous years of experience on the Vice Presidential level for a person elected as President shall count 1 for 2 in regard to stipend step placement.

Each representative will receive a stipend of 100 units based on the unit value rate for Extra Curricular Activities in accordance with Article XI, “Pay for Additional Duties” section 9A, of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Sachem Central Teachers’ Association and the Sachem Central School District. One half of said stipend will represent the amount paid for being a representative (the “representative portion”). The balance of said stipend shall be divided into 10 equal monthly installments for attendance at the monthly Executive Committee meetings (the “attendance portion”).

A. 1/10 of the “representative portion” will be paid at the December Executive Committee meeting for each month served as a Representative (September thru November). 1/10 of the “attendance portion” will be paid for each meeting attended (September thru November).

B. The same formula will be applied for payment of the remaining stipend (December-June) and will be paid by mail no later than July 15th.

C. The Alternate Representative shall receive one installment of the “attendance portion” of the stipend for each meeting attended in the place of an absent representative.

D. In the event that a unit will not be able to find full representation as per By-Law II, Section 2-A the person(s) representing the unit will not receive more than one stipend per representative individual.