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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be the Massachusetts Elementary
School Principals' Association, Incorporated.
ARTICLE II
Object
The object of this Association shall be to promote the advancement
of elementary education for all children, the promotion of professional
standards of the elementary principalship, and the improvement of
the professional status of the principal.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1. There shall be the following classes of membership: Active,
Associate, Life, Institutional, Retired, Honorary, and Aspiring
Principal.
Section 2. Any school principal, public or private, teaching or
assistant, in the Commonwealth shall be eligible for full membership
in MESPA provided he/she meets the requirement. This requirement
is:
Fulfilled state certification requirements
(certificate itself not required)
Section 3. Associate membership shall be open to elementary supervisors,
assistant superintendents, college personnel, and other allied members
of the profession. Such membership shall not have the privilege
of voting.
Section 4. Life membership shall no longer be available except to
all Presidents at the conclusion of their term of office.
Section 5. Institutional membership shall be available for institutions
not eligible for regular membership and shall consist mainly of
access to MESPA communications but not the services or benefits
offered members.
Section 6. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP. Any person whose interest entitles
him or her to special recognition may be elected to Honorary Membership
upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors. Such members
shall be exempt from payment of dues and will not have the privilege
of voting.
Section 7. Aspiring principals membership shall be open to any teacher,
coordinator, or supervisor at the elementary, middle, or secondary
level in the public or private sector in the Commonwealth who aspire
to the principalship. Such membership shall have all privileges
of a full membership except that of voting and eligibility in the
Legal Assistance Program (LAP).
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 1. The officers of this association shall consist of a President,
a President-Elect, and a Vice-President, all of whom shall be elected
at the Spring meeting for a term of one year beginning July 1st
of the year of their election, and until their successors have been
elected. All shall be elementary principals and members of MESPA
upon election. Guidelines shall be developed to assure that representation
will be from principals of urban, suburban, and rural schools
All of the foregoing officers shall be distributed equitably through
out the State as specified in ARTICLE VII.
Section 2. There shall be an Executive Director who shall be appointed
annually by the Board of Directors. This office shall carry with
it an annual remuneration to be determined advisable by the Board
of Directors.
Section 3. There shall be a State Representative to the National
Association of Elementary School Principals, who may serve no more
than two consecutive terms of three years each term. He/she shall
be elected to the office by the members and be a voting member of
the Board.
Section 4. There shall be a Publications Editor who shall be appointed
annually by the Board of Directors. He/she shall be a voting member
of the Board.
Section 5. The role of a Parliamentarian shall be assumed by the
Vice-President.
Section 6. There shall be a Treasurer, elected annually by the members,
who shall be a voting member of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. The County Organization Coordinator shall be a voting
member of the Board.
ARTICLE V
Duties of Officers
Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association
and of the Board of Directors, shall appoint all committees as directed
by the Constitution subject to the approval of the Board of Directors,
and shall perform all other duties pertaining to that person's office.
He/she shall be, ex-officio, a member of all committees except the
nominating committee.
Section 2. The President-Elect shall act as an aide to the President
and shall perform the duties of the President in that person's absence.
He/she shall assume the chairpersonship of the Spring Conference
of the Association, shall be a member of the Salary Committee, and
shall serve on the Nominating Committee.
Section 3. The Vice-President shall assist the First Vice-President
in the performance of that person's duties and shall perform the
duties of the Vice-President in that person's absence. He/she shall
assume the chairpersonship of the Fall Conference, shall act as
chairperson of the Professional Standards Committee, shall be a
member of the Salary Committee and shall assume the role of Parliamentarian
Section 4. The Executive Director shall keep a record of all meetings
of the Association and of the Board of Directors. He/she shall keep
a list of all officers, Board of Directors, and members of committees;
he/she shall keep an accurate copy of the Constitution and By-Laws
with Amendments as adopted; he/she shall keep attendance at all
meetings of the Board of Directors; and he/she shall notify those
who have unexcused absences under the terms of ARTICLE VIII, Section
6; also those duties as outlined in the Job Description as approved
by the Board
of Directors at the November 1978 Board Meeting.
Section 5. The State Representative shall be the liaison officer
between the Massachusetts Elementary School Principals' Association
and the National Association of Elementary School Principals. He/she
shall make a report on all matters pertaining to the national body
at each regular constituted meeting of the Association and at other
times when requested by the Board of Directors. He/she shall make
an annual report. The State Representative shall carry on the activities
delegated to that person's office by the National Association of
Elementary School Principals. He/she shall be a member of the Board
of Directors.
Evidence must be submitted to the National Association of Elementary
School Principals by the Executive Director that the person elected
is acceptable to the Association as a representative of Massachusetts
Principals within ten (10) days of election to that office. Election
of the representative by the State Association or appointment which
has been approve by the Board of Directors shall be regarded as
such evidence.
Section 6. The Publication Editor shall be charged with the responsibility
for setting policy and implementation of such MESPA publications.
He/she is empowered to appoint an editorial advisory board at that
person's discretion.
Section 7. The Parliamentarian shall act as adviser to the officers
and members in matters pertaining to interpretation of the Constitution
and By-Laws and to parliamentary usage.
Section 8. The Treasurer shall monitor the Executive Director to
see that that person keeps an accurate record of receipts and expenditures
and that person pays out funds only as authorized by the Association,
the Board of Directors, or the President. He/she shall see that
the Executive Director presents a statement of account at the meeting
of the Association and at other times when requested by the Board
of Directors. The Treasurer shall cause an audit of the Executive
Director's accounts to be made which shall be included in the Executive
Director's report to the Association at the Spring Meeting. The
Treasurer shall also perform any other duties of a financial nature
as requested by the Board of Directors.
Section 9. In the event of a resignation of the President-Elect
or the Vice President, the appropriate immediate successor shall
assume the responsibilities of the position left vacated. A natural
upward movement of the President-Elect would leave the Vice-Presidency
opened. This would be filled by selecting the Vice-President from
the geographic region left unrepresented.
Section 10. Upon the retirement of an officer or member of the Board
of Directors from their principal's position, it will automatically
be assumed that their role on the Board of the MESPA will cease
as of -September of the present term.
ARTICLE VI
Board of Directors
Section 1. There shall be twelve directors who, together with the
officers, the Executive Director, the State Representative, Retired
Principal Representative, County Organizations Chair, Editor, Professional
Development Chairs, Legislative Chair, and Middle School Representative
shall constitute the Board.
Section 2. The Directors, one from each county, except Dukes and
Nantucket which shall be incorporated in Barnstable, shall be elected
by the members for a term of three years and shall serve until their
successors have been elected. The term of office of all Directors
shall start on July 1st. No Director may serve more than two consecutive
terms unless at least one year shall separate the terms.
Section 3. The County Organizations will submit to the President
of MESPA a name or names for nomination to the Board of Directors
prior to April first in the year that a vacancy is to be filled.
If this procedure is followed, the only other nominations which
may be considered for that county are those that are nominated from
the floor at the Spring Business Meeting. If a county does not submit
a name or names for nomination before April first where a vacancy
is to occur, the Nomination chairperson will be responsible for
submitting a name or names for consideration at the Annual Business
Meeting.
It will be the responsibility of the Executive Director to inform
the County Organization Chairperson in January that a vacancy is
to be filled and that nominations should be submitted to the President
prior to April first of that year.
Section 4. The immediate Past President shall serve a one-year term
on the Board with all the privileges and responsibilities of a Director.
He/she shall also serve as Chairperson of the Nominating Committee.
If the Past President cannot serve, the immediate past president
shall be invited to serve out his or her term.
Section 5. The Board of Directors shall have general management
of the Association, together with the power to fill vacancies as
they may occur.
Section 6. County Directors will be elected to serve a three-year
term on the MESPA Board of Directors. Said elections will take place
under the supervision of the Nominating Committee and will be conducted
in the Spring, with results to be tallied no later than the Annual
Spring Conference. Nominations for the positions will be sought
through the Newsletter, and balloting will be conducted by mail.
This will take effect as terms expire.
Section 7. A retired principal who is no longer active in any school
system in the Commonwealth shall serve as a member of the Board
of Directors. He/she shall be appointed by the President, with approval
of the Board, for one year. He/she shall have voting rights.
Section 8. The Chairperson of the MESPA Legislative Committee shall
serve a one-year term on the Board with all the privileges and responsibilities
of a Director.
Section 9. The Chairperson of the MESPA Professional Development
Committee shall be elected by the members for a term of three years
and shall serve on the Board of Directors with all the privileges
of a Director.
Section I0. A middle level school principal shall serve as a member
of the Board of Directors. He/she shall be appointed by the President,
with approval of the Board, for one year. He/she shall have voting
rights.
Section 11: An Ad hoc Invitational representative to the Board shall
serve as a member of the Board of Directors for one year. He/she
shall be appointed by the President, with approval of the Board,
for one year. He/she shall have no voting rights.
ARTICLE VII
Regional Representation
Section 1. The State shall be divided into THREE regions to provide
for geographic representation among the officers. Section 2. The
Regions shall be:
A. First region - all cities and towns in Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth,
Barnstable/Dukes/Nantucket.
B. Second region - all cities and towns in Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk.
C. Third region - all cities and towns in Berkshire, Franklin,
Hampshire, Hampden, Worcester.
Section 3. The President, President-Elect and Vice-President shall
each be elected from different regions annually in order that there
may be a succession in geographic representation. The President-Elect
and Vice-President shall ascend to the presidency.
ARTICLE VIII
Meetings
Section 1. The Spring meeting of the Association shall be held at
a time and place to be specified by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special meetings of the Association shall be called by
the Executive Director at the request of the President or of ten
percent of the membership.
Section 3. A quorum for Association meeting shall consist of ten
per cent of the membership.
Section 4. The President shall establish the dates for the Board
Meetings. Special Board Meetings may be called by the President
or at the request of five (5) voting members of the Board.
Section 5. A quorum for Board Meeting shall consist of ten members.
Section 6. Three consecutive unexcused absences from the Board Meetings
in any six-month period of a Director's term shall automatically
terminate the Board membership of any Director.
Section 7. Travel allowances shall be granted to members of the
Board and all Committees to the extent and at the rate determined
and approved by the Board.
Section 8. Only paid-up members may be allowed to attend business
meetings of the Association and vote at such meetings. The Membership
Committee shall at such meetings check those attending for proof
of membership.
ARTICLE IX
AFFILIATIONS
Section 1. The Massachusetts Elementary School Principals' Association
shall be an affiliate of the National Association of Elementary
School Principals and any other organization as voted by the Board
of Directors
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1
Committees
Section 1. Nominating Committee. Each year at the first meeting
of the Board of Directors, a Nominating Committee of five members,
one of whom shall be the immediate Past President acting as chairperson;
one of whom shall be the current President-Elect, and three other
members representing each of the three geographic regions of the
State voted upon by the directors in each region, and who shall
represent, where possible, urban, suburban, and rural districts,
shall be appointed by the Board of Directors to serve for one year.
The regional representative on the committee may not be a candidate
for Vice-President. The Committee shall also make available the
option for write-in candidates to be on the ballot.
Each year, a different region will bring forward a candidate for
Vice-President. The directors of the applicable region may bring
forward no less than two and no more than five candidates for Vice-President
including themselves. The Nominating Committee will select two candidates
from the five to appear on the ballot. Guidelines for campaigning
should be developed. Section 2. Professional Standards Committee.
Each year at the first meeting of the Board of Directors, the Professional
Standards Committee Chairperson shall be appointed by the President
to serve for one year. The Professional Standards Committee shall
recommend minimum standards for the elementary principalship and
they shall work to improve the professional status of the elementary
principalship.
Section 3. Membership Committee. Each year at the first meeting
of the Board of Directors, the Membership Committee Chairperson
shall be appointed by the President to serve for one year. The Membership
Committee shall be responsible for the membership drive.
Section 4. Salary Committee. Each year at the first meeting of the
Board of Directors, the Salary Committee Chairperson shall be appointed
by the President to serve for one year. The Salary Committee shall
be responsible for evaluating the salary of the elementary school
principalship in Massachusetts.
Section 5. Legislative Committee. Each year at the first meeting
of the Board of Directors, the Legislative Committee Chairperson
shall be appointed by the President to serve for one year. The Legislative
Committee working with the Executive Director shall keep the membership
of the Association informed of pending legislation and the new legislative
enactments affecting education.
The Legislative Committee is empowered to present bills as approved
by the Board of Directors to the General Court of the Commonwealth.
Section 6. Auditing Committee. Each year at the first meeting of
the Board of Directors, the Auditing Committee Chairperson shall
be appointed by the President to serve for one year. The Auditing
Committee, with the assistance of the Treasurer, shall examine the
financial records of the Executive Director before the Spring meeting.
The Chairperson shall submit names of the members of the Auditing
Committee to the Board of Directors for confirmation.
Section 7. Editorial Board. Each year at the first meeting of the
Board of Directors, the Publications Editor shall be appointed by
the President.
The Publications Editor shall submit the names of the members of
the Editorial Advisory Board to the Board of Directors for confirmation.
The Publications Editor shall be charged with the responsibilities
implicit in obtaining manuscripts and advertisements. He/she shall
direct the editing, printing and distributing of all MESPA publications.
Section 8. Public Relations. Each year at the firs meeting of the
Board of Directors, a Public Relations Committee Chairperson shall
be appointed by the President. The Chairperson shall submit names
of the committee to the Board of Directors for confirmation.
Section 9. Constitution and By-Law Committee. Each year a the first
meeting of the Board of Directors, the Constitution and By-Laws
Committee Chairperson shall be appointed to serve one year. This
Committee shall be responsible for presenting any proposed changes
to the Board for their approval and then to the membership at least
10 days prior to a legally constituted meeting at which members
will be asked to vote on changes. The Chairperson shall submit names
of this Committee to the Board of Directors for confirmation.
Section 10. Resolution Committee. Each year at the first meeting
of the Board of Directors, the Resolutions Committee Chairperson
shall be appointed by the President to serve one year. This Committee
shall present resolves to be adopted by the Association at the Spring
meeting of the Association. The Chairperson shall submit names of
the members of this Committee to the Board of Directors for confirmation.
Section 11. Publicity Committee. Each year at the first meeting
of the Board of Directors, a Publicity Committee Chairperson shall
be appointed by the President to serve one year. This Committee
shall recommend to the Board ways in which to publicize and to communicate
the aims, activities and purposes of the Association. The Chairperson
shall submit names of the members of this Committee to the Board
of Directors for confirmation.
Section 12. County Organizations Coordinating Committee. Each year
at the first meeting of the Board of Directors, a County Organization
Coordinating Committee Chairperson shall be appointed by the President.
There shall be a representative of each of the four regions on this
committee. It shall be the function of this committee to receive
and dispense information on the county organizational activities,
maintain contact with all county organizations and to urge principals
to visit and join their county organizations. The Chairperson shall
submit the names of the members of this Committee to the Board of
Directors for confirmation.
Section 13. Finance Committee. Each year at the first meeting of
the Board of Directors, the Finance Committee Chairperson shall
be appointed by the President to serve for one year. The Chairperson
shall submit the names of this committee to the Board of Directors
for confirmation.
The Executive Director shall serve as consultant and advisor to
the Committee.
The Finance Committee will prepare the budget which shall be subject
to the review, modification and approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 14. General. Other committees may be appointed by the President
to meet some immediate or urgent need of the Association, subject
to the approval and majority vote of the Board of Directors.
As clarification of tenure of service on committees enumerated in
Sections 1 through 13, and including those mentioned in this section,
one member of each committee, except the nominating committee, shall
have served previously.
ARTICLE II
Dues, Membership, and Fiscal Year
Section 1. The annual dues for active and associate members will
be the same and shall be proposed by the Board of Directors to the
members at a duly called meeting of the Association.
Section 2. The membership year shall be from the day membership
is approved and continue through to the anniversary date.
Section 3. The fiscal year shall run from July 1st to June 30th.
Section 4. Dues for any member in good standing who retires under
the regulations of the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System
shall be set annually by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE III
Amendments to Constitution and By-Laws
Section 1. This Constitution and its By-Laws may be amended by a
two-thirds vote of those present at any legally constituted meeting.
A notice of at least ten (10) days thereof shall have been given
to the membership.
ARTICLE IV
Rules of Order and Debate
Section 1. Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, insofar as they are
not inconsistent with this Constitution and By-Laws, shall govern
the meetings of the Association and its committees.
Section 2. In debate each speaker shall be limited to five minutes
unless otherwise ordered.
ARTICLE V
Books, Records and Property
Section 1. The records and accounts of the Association and its officers
and committees shall be kept and shall be the property of the Association.
These records and accounts shall be open to inspection by the Board
of Directors.
Section 2. Every officer or former officer, member or former member,
committee or former committee who has funds or property of any description
belonging to the Association shall return it to the Executive Director
of the Association on request.
ARTICLE VI
Expenses of Officers
Section 1. This Association shall pay the expenses of the President,
Executive Director, Publication Editor and the State Representative
to the annual meeting of the National Association of Elementary
School Principals. The Association shall also pay the expenses of
its elected or appointed officers to meetings held in the best interest
of MESPA.
Revised:
May, 2005
November, 2000
November, 1993
May, 1990
October, 1989
May, 1989
May, 1987
May, 1985
October, 1984
May, 1983
May, 1980
May, 1972
May, 1968
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