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