SCTA Links

About Us

SCTA Constitution

School Related Professionals

Defensive Driving

Election Handbook

EC Minutes

SCTA United T-Shirts

SCTA Tie and Scarf

SCTA WebMail

Holiday Spectacular Tickets Patchogue Theatre

Ask Mario

Teaching Assistants/AIDES Rep Building Assignments

External Links

Sachem Teacher Center

NYSUT

Member Benefits

Teacher Certification

Political Action

Retirement Info

Sachem District Website

Employee Assistance Program

BOE Meetings

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer




Search our website:



SCTA Constitution & By-Laws 

 

Download the SCTA Constituton & ByLaws here

 

CONSTITUTION of the SACHEM CENTRAL TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

 
Article 1-Name
 

1. Association shall be known as the Sachem Central Teachers’ Association (“SCTA”), which shall include the bargaining units that represent Teachers, Teaching Assistants/Interpreters/Job Coaches and Teacher Aides.

Article II-Purposes

1. The purposes of this Association shall be to:

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.

Article III-Membership

1. Membership in this Association shall be open to persons as prescribed in the By-Laws.
2. Only active members of the Association shall have the right to vote in SCTA elections as well as elections that relate to the member’s respective bargaining unit.
3. Additional bargaining units may affiliate with the SCTA in accordance with the procedures specified in By-Law 1, Section 1C.

Article IV- Officers

1. The officers of the Association shall be a president, six (6) vice presidents, and a treasurer to
be elected in accordance with By-Law VI, Section 2.
2. Eligibility- All active members shall be eligible to hold office in the SCTA. No person shall
hold more than one elected office at the same time.
3. The President, Vice Presidents and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of two years.
During any given election of officers, three vice presidential positions shall be posted for
vacancy.
4. All officers shall be elected to a two (2) year term of office beginning September 1 through
August 31.

Article V-Executive Committee

1. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of all the officers and unit representatives.
2. All appointed positions shall be eligible to participate in the meetings and deliberations of the
Executive Committee but shall not vote unless they have voting rights as elected
representatives.
3. The administrative control of the Association shall be vested in the Executive Committee.
4. The Executive Committee shall meet at least one time per month.

Article VI-Chapter Leadership

1. 1. The President shall designate a Chapter Leader for all bargaining units from which the President does not belong.
2. In making such appointments the President must select an elected representative of the SCTA from the respective bargaining units.
3. The Chapter Leader shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee and shall have the same voting rights as all other appointed positions of the Executive Committee.
4. All duties of the Chapter Leader shall be specified by the President.

Article VII-Membership Meetings

1. There shall be an annual SCTA meeting held at an hour and place designated by the
President. Additional SCTA meetings shall be called at the discretion of the Executive
Committee, or upon written request of five percent of the SCTA membership.
2. There shall be an annual meeting of the membership of each bargaining unit, which shall be
held at an hour and place designated by the President. All other meetings of the membership
of respective bargaining units shall be called at the discretion of the Executive Committee, or
upon written request of ten percent (10%) of the members of the respective unit. In addition
Chapter Leaders may hold unit membership meetings after conferring with the President.
3. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to waive the requirement for an annual
Teachers’ bargaining unit meeting provided the SCTA meeting has been held in that year.

Article VIII-Affiliations

1. This organization shall affiliate with the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and its
national affiliates.

Article IX-Delegates to SCTA Affiliated Associations

1. This Association shall provide for the election of delegates and alternates to NYSUT and its
national affiliations.
2. All delegates shall be elected to a two (2) year term of office beginning September 1 through
August 31.
3. If the President is an elected delegate, he/she will be the Chief Delegate.

Article X-Ratification

1. Ratification of proposed amendments to Constitution and By-Laws: Upon approval of the
SCTA membership, amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws shall become effective
immediately unless otherwise specifically stated within the amendment.
2. Ratification of proposed Memoranda of Agreement: A general membership meeting of the
respective bargaining unit will be held to discuss and review all terms of an executed
Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) between the SCTA and the District. At least three days
before this meeting, a copy of the proposed MOA will be given to the entire membership of
the respective bargaining unit. The ratification vote will take place five working days after the
general membership meeting. Voting will occur under the supervision of the Election
Committee in accordance with By-Law VI, Section 2.
3. If the ratification of the proposed MOA results in a tie vote, a revote will take place five working days after the initial vote.

Article XI-Discipline and Removal Procedure

1. Removal procedures may be enacted against an officer who is convicted for financial malfeasance.
2. Removal from office will be made effective by an approved motion stating financial malfeasance with the support of two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Committee.

Article XII-Amendments

1. An amendment to the Constitution and By-Laws may be proposed by either:
a) a majority of the entire Executive Committee
b) a written petition of at least twenty percent (20%) of the SCTA membership
2. Notices of the proposed amendment shall be posted in each school at least ten (10) working
days prior to the date on which it is to be voted upon.
3. Such proposal shall require approval by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the ballots cast by the general SCTA membership.

 

 BY-LAWS of the  SACHEM CENTRAL TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION
 

By-Law 1-Memberships

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:

A. Any individual who is a member of any SCTA affiliated bargaining unit who fails to
complete the necessary membership information required for active members shall be deemed an agency fee payer.

B. Agency fee payers shall receive all forms of legal representation enjoyed by active members, however they shall not have the right to vote in any SCTA election, run for or hold any elected office or appointed position within the SCTA including serving as delegates to affiliated organizations or to vote in any contract ratification.

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:

A. It is the position of the SCTA to encourage retired members to join and participate
In the Retired Educators Sachem Chapter (“RESC”).

 

By-Law II- Officers, Representatives and Appointees

 
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:

A. The Secretary, as appointed officer of the Association, is ineligible to vote in the Executive Committee.

B. Duties of the Secretary - The Recording Secretary shall arrange for the recording and preserving of the proceedings of the meetings of the Executive Committee and the Association; shall prepare a report for the Association and such other reports as the Executive Committee may require; and shall provide for the keeping of records and accounts of membership of the Association.

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.

By-Law III – The Executive Committee

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:

A. A majority of the membe