Constitution

Washington Association of colleges for teacher education

An Affiliate of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

Purpose:

The purpose of the Washington Association of Colleges for Teacher Education is to provide leadership on issues related to professional education, with the primary focus on teacher education. This purpose is pursued through activities which:

a.   Promote effective public policy regarding professional education.

b.   Enhance and improve professional education programs at member institutions.

c.   Enhance the professional effectiveness of members.

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the "Washington Association of Colleges for Teacher Education: An Affiliate of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education."

Article II: Objectives

The objectives of this Association shall be:

a.   To establish an effective voice for teacher education institutions at the state level on matters of policy related to teacher education.

b.   To establish an effective communication system between the national AACTE and state.

c.   To provide a vehicle for teacher education institutions within the state to assist the national organization in:

1.   Developing and defining positions on issues of importance to teacher education.

2.   Coalescing support for national policy and activity.

3.   Supporting the programs and activities of the state associations.

d.   To provide for the interaction of teacher education institutions among themselves and with other organizations for the purpose of improving teacher education.

e.   To provide a vehicle for the development of positions of mutual interest and support and formal arrangements for the implementation of established policy.

Article III: Membership

a.   Comprehensive membership. All regionally accredited four-year colleges and universities which are regular members of AACTE and in the State of Washington engaged in the preparation of professional school personnel, including paraprofessionals who have contact with children in the teaching-learning process, and which have certification programs for educators approved by the Washington State Board of Education (WAC 180) will be eligible for membership.

b.   State membership. All other regionally accredited four-year colleges and universities which are non-AACTE member institutions and have certification programs for educators approved by the Washington State Board of Education (WAC 180) will be eligible for membership.

Article IV: Liaison Relationships

Liaison relationships may be established with associations and agencies with an interest in the preparation of professional school personnel.

Article V: Officers

The officers of the association shall be a President,Vice President/President Elect, Secretary,Treasurer, Representative to the AACTE Advisory Council of State Representatives (when necessary as stipulated in Article III, Section I of the ByLaws) and such other officers as may be deemed necessary to be elected in accordance with the ByLaws.

Article VI: Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall be elected by institutional representatives to the state unit in accordance with the requirements set forth in the ByLaws.

Article VII: Meetings

The Association shall hold two regular meetings annually and such other meetings as may be called by the Executive Committee.

Article VIII: Rules of Order

The rules of parliamentary procedure contained in Robert's Rules of Order (latest revision) shall govern the deliberations of this Association.

Article IX: Non-Profit Status

The Association is not organized for profit and no part of its funds shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.

Article X: Affiliation

The Association shall be affiliated with the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education in accordance with the following policies approved by the national Board of Directors.

a.   For purposes of obtaining affiliation the state unit membership shall consist of at least 60 percent of the AACTE member institutions in the state.

b.   Continuance of affiliation shall be contingent upon:

1.   Maintenance of a membership of at least 60 percent of the AACTE member institutions in the State.

2.   Assurance that the voting rights of comprehensive members comprise at least 51 percent of the total voting right for the state unit.

3.   Submission to the national Board of Directors of an annual state activity report to include a review of program and fiscal activities and a certification of membership within the state unit.

4.   Biennial review by the AACTE Board of Directors.

5.   Adoption and maintenance of the state Constitution and state ByLaws consistent with the nationally approved models of same.

Article XI: Amendments

Proposed amendments to this constitution shall be submitted in writing to the state Executive Committee by institutional representatives. The state Executive Committee must approve the proposed amendments by a majority vote. After approval by the state Executive Committee, such proposed amendments must be mailed to all member institutions within the state unit at least two weeks before the meeting at which they are to be voted upon, or, if the vote is to be taken by mail, at least two weeks before the voting deadline.

Proposed amendments will not become a part of this constitution until such proposed amendments are approved in person or by proxy by two-thirds of the members of the state unit and until such proposed amendments are approved by the AACTE Board of Directors.

Article XII: ByLaws

ByLaws may be adopted or amended by the Executive Committee subject to a majority vote of institutional representatives from the membership at a regular or special meeting and approval of the AACTE Board of Directors.

This constitution was adopted July 1, 1977 through majority action by the following institutions:

Central Washington University

Eastern Washington University

Fort Wright College

Gonzaga University

Pacific Lutheran University            

St. Martin's College

Seattle Pacific University                 

Seattle University

University of Puget Sound                   

University of Washington

Walla Walla College

Washington State University

Western Washington University

Whitman College

Whitworth College

The Constitution was accepted by signed ballot by the following institutions:

Central Washington University

Eastern Washington University         

Fort Wright College

Gonzaga University                  

Malayalam College

Pacific Lutheran University            

St. Martin's College

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle University

University of Puget Sound

University of Washington

Washington State University

Western Washington University                  

Whitman College

Whitworth College 

Amended:  2/1/85;  5/7/89; 4/20/95;
 

ByLaws

Washington Association of colleges for teacher education

An Affiliate of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

Article I: Membership

A.   Comprehensive Members: Eligibility

All regionally accredited four-year colleges and universities which are regular members of AACTE and in the State of Washington engaged in the preparation of professional school personnel, including paraprofessionals who have contact with children in the teaching-learning process, and which have certification programs for educators approved by the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board (WAC 181) will be eligible for membership.

B.   State Members: Eligibility

All other regionally accredited four-year colleges and universities which are non-AACTE member institutions and have certification programs for educators approved by the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board (WAC 181) will be eligible for membership.

C.   Membership Process

Charter members will be received until the time application is made to the AACTE Board of Directors for affiliation. After that, those interested in membership should submit an application to the state Executive Committee at least two months before the next meeting. Majority vote of member chief institutional representatives present at the meeting is required for acceptance.

D.  Selection of Representatives

Member institutions are responsible for the selection of one chief institutional representative per institution in the association. This individual shall be either the Dean or Director of  Education or his/her designee. Other representatives are invited to attend at the discretion of the Dean or Director of Education.

E.   Membership Year

The membership year shall be from January 1 to December 31.

F.   Dues

The dues shall be established by majority vote of the membership.

Article II: Voting Rights of Members

A.   Comprehensive Members. Comprehensive members will have full voting privileges on all matters.

B.   State Members.  State members will have voting privileges on all except National Association matters.

C.   Each institution shall have one vote on all matters that come before the Association.

Article III: Officers

Section 1: Elective Officers

There shall be four elective officers: President, Vice President/President Elect, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as may be deemed necessary by the officers and members of the Association.

In such cases that the President is representative of an institution that is a non-AACTE member, members must elect a representative from an AACTE member institution as representative to the AACTE Advisory Council of State Representatives.

Section 2: Officers' Terms of Office

Officers will be elected at the spring meeting and serve for two consecutive years; terms will begin at the conclusion of the fall meeting.

Section 3: Duties

The President shall preside at Executive Committee Meetings, and all regular and special meetings of the Association. The President shall submit a budget at the fall meeting of the Association.  If the President is an AACTE institutional representative, he/she shall serve as the representative to the AACTE Advisory Council of State Representatives.

a. The President shall annually appoint a Nominating and Elections Committee of members whose responsibility is to prepare a slate of candidates for all vacant elective offices. Other committees may be appointed by the President as needed.

b. The Vice President/President Elect shall assist the President and shall succeed to the Presidency if for any reason the President cannot fulfill the duties of that office. The Vice President/President Elect will assist in the planning of all regular meetings of the Association and will serve as a member of the Executive Committee.

c. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording and distributing minutes of all meetings and keeping all official written records of the association. The Secretary will track and report resolutions of the Association and assist with the preparation of publications. The Secretary will serve as a member of the Executive Committee.

d. The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping all financial records of the Association. and present a written financial statement at each regular meeting of the Association. The treasurer will solicit and collect dues from institutional members, assist with the planning of all regular meetings of the Association and serve as a member of the Executive Committee.

e. The representative to the AACTE Advisory Council of State Representatives, elected only if the President represents a non-AACTE member institution, will represent the state unit on that Council and will serve as a member of the state unions Executive Committee.

Article IV: Executive Committee

Section 1: Composition

The Executive Committee shall consist of six (6) voting members; the President, Vice President/President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Past President, and one representative elected at large.

Section 2: Term of Office

Executive Committee members will be elected at the spring meeting and serve for two consecutive years; terms will begin at the conclusion of the fall meeting.

Section 3: Power and Duties

The Executive Committee shall carry on the business of the Association between meetings and shall develop and recommend policy. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the verification of eligibility for membership and shall maintain a list of all members and current institutional representatives. The Executive Committee may appoint an Executive Secretary and such other staff as may be necessary to carry out the business of the Association.

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for auditing all accounts for the year.

Section 4: Meetings of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall hold two (2) regular meetings each year and special meetings as necessary on dates established by the Executive Committee.

Article V: Meetings

There shall be two (2)  regular meetings per year of the Association at a time and place to be determined by the Executive Committee.

Article VI: Finances

Section 1: Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Association shall be from January 1 through December 31.

Section 2: General Fund

The General Fund of the Association shall consist of the income from the receipt of dues from members and any other income which may accrue to the Association.

Section 3: Budget

An annual budget must be presented by the resident and approved by the Executive Committee.

Section 4: Disbursement of Funds

All monies paid to the General Fund of the Association shall be supervised by the Treasurer. Monies shall be disbursed according to the approved annual budget. All non-budgeted expenditures must be approved by the Executive Committee.

Section 5: Financial Reports

An annual report of the General Fund, including income and expenditures for the fiscal year, shall be prepared by The Treasurer for presentation at the fall meeting and submission as part of the Annual State Activity Report to AACTE.

Article VII: Ad Hoc Committees

Section 1: Committees

Ad hoc Committees will be developed by the President as needed..

Section 2: Chairs

The chair of each Ad Hoc Committee shall be appointed by the President. The same person shall not simultaneously chair more than one ad hoc committee. These ByLaws were adopted July 1, 1977 through majority action by the following institutions:

Antioch University, Seattle

Argosy University, Seattle

Central Washington University

City University

Eastern Washington University

Gonzaga University

Heritage University

Northwest University

Pacific Lutheran University            

St. Martin's University

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle University

The Evergreen State College

University of Puget Sound

University of Washington, Bothell

University of Washington, Seattle

University of Washington, Tacoma

Walla Walla College

Washington State University

Western Washington University                  

Whitworth College

 

Amended 2/1/85; 4/20/95; 10/17/96; 1/16/04; 10/26/06