Constitution
Constitution
BY-LAWS OF THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, INC.
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals, Incorporated, and shall be designated as MAESP.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purposes of this organization shall be to:
a. Assist elementary and middle school principals, elementary and middle school assistant principals, school supervisors, and other administrators with similar interests and/or responsibilities to fulfill professional obligations. (The educators enumerated herein shall be referred to as "members."),
b. Provide opportunities for cooperative study of various problems common to the elementary and middle schools of Maryland , through publications, research studies and conferences,
c. Encourage active membership in local principals' associations, and membership in the National Association of Elementary School Principals,
d. Promote professional and public understanding of the educational leadership role of the members,
e. Promote and secure the professional rights and individual welfare of the members,
f. Promote communication with organizations concerned with education.
g. Promote and maintain recognition as a professional organization dedicated to the education of children,
h. Publicize the importance of the role of the elementary and middle schools and their administrators in the total educative process,
i. Promote financial support of public education.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Membership in MAESP shall be of five classes:
Active, Associate, Retiree, Honorary and Institutional/Active.
a. Active membership shall be available to individuals who:
1. Are elementary and middle school principals, elementary and middle school assistant principals, elementary and middle school supervisors, interns or trainees, or other administrative or supervisory personnel with similar interests and/or responsibilities
except those who qualify for associate, retiree or honorary membership, and
2. Are currently employed in the state of Maryland, and
3. Pay annual dues. Active members are entitled to vote, hold office, serve on committees, speak on any issue, receive copies of publications and participate in Legal Assistance for Principals program.
b. Associate membership is available to:
1. A professor of education or educational administration.
2. A non-administrator who is interested in elementary or middle school education or administration. Associate Members shall pay one-half of the annual dues and are entitled to all rights and benefits except the right to vote, hold office, and participate in the Legal Assistance for Principals program.
c. Retiree membership shall be offered to any individual who has retired from any member position. Dues will be determined annually. Retiree members shall be entitled to all privileges including the right to vote and hold an elected office.
d. Honorary membership may be conferred upon any deserving individual by the Executive Board. Honorary members are exempt from payment of dues and shall be entitled to all privileges except the right to vote, hold an elected office, or participate in the Legal Assistance Program.
e. Institutional/Active: Available to an administrator in a school/central office. It includes one complete active membership for an individual and a duplicate set of membership publications sent to the school office.
ARTICLE IV - ELECTED OFFICERS
Section 1. The elected officers of MAESP shall be:
a. President
b. President-Elect
c. Immediate Past President
d. Secretary
e. Treasurer
f. National Association of Elementary School Principals
(Herein referred to as NAESP) Representative
Section 2. To quality for an elected office in MAESP, a member shall:
a. Be an active member for not less than two (2) consecutive years immediately preceding the date of election,
b. At the time of election be a member of MAESP, NAESP, and the local association, if there is one,
c. Continue to be an active member in MAESP, NAESP, and the local administrator association while in office.
Section 3. Term of office for elected officers:
a. The term of office for president, president-elect, immediate past president, and secretary shall be for one year and shall commence on July 1.
b. The term of office for the NAESP representative and treasurer shall be for three (3) years. The NAESP representative may not serve successive terms.
Section 4. The president-elect shall become president for the succeeding year.
Section 5. The president shall become immediate past president for the succeeding year.
Section 6. The officers shall be elected annually with the exception of the NAESP representative and Treasurer as specified above. A simple plurality of those voting shall constitute election.
ARTICLE V - EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. There shall be an Executive Board consisting of:
a. Duly elected officers,
b. Local representatives,
c. Chairmen of standing committees or their alternates,
d. Chairmen of special committees or their alternates.
Section 2. The local area association will select local area representatives. The term of office shall be for two years. These representatives may succeed themselves. To qualify for this position an individual must be a current member of MAESP, NAESP, and their local association, if one exists.
Section 3. The Executive Board shall:
a. Act as the policy making group for the Association.
b. Meet upon the call of the president or upon written request of ten (10) of the Executive Board members,
c. Define the responsibilities of all committees,
d. Assist the officers in carrying out the purposes of the organization,
e. Authorize the preparation of the annual budget and the annual audit of all financial records,
f. Approve, by majority vote, nominees for appointment to unexpired terms of officers except that of president or president-elect,
g. Approve presidential appointees to vacancies on the Executive Board,
h. Select and evaluate the Executive Director,
i. Authorize the calling of special elections to meet the requirements as set forth in these bylaws,
j. Direct the Nominating Committee to provide for the election of the NAESP representative within ninety (90) days should the position becomes vacant during any one year. Upon election, the candidate shall serve a three (3) year term,
k. Authorize the Nominating Committee to submit a slate of nominees should the position of president-elect become vacant. This slate is to be submitted to the membership within ninety (90) days unless a regularly scheduled election normally falls within
that time. The elected candidate shall serve the interim term and the succeeding term.
ARTICLE VI - DUTIES
Section 1. The president shall:
a. Prepare the agenda for each meeting,
b. Preside at all the meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board,
c. Appoint, with the approval of the Executive Board, all standing and special committee chairmen,
d. Call meetings of the Executive Board at either the president's discretion or upon written request of ten (10) of its members,
e. Appoint any special committees deemed necessary during the tenure of office,
f. Serve as a member, ex-officio, of all committees except the Nominating Committee, e.g. assist committee chairmen in the
appointment of committee members, appoint a parliamentarian,
h. Appoint, with approval of the Executive Board, the people to fill all vacancies that occur within that body,
i. Appoint the official delegation to the annual NAESP Delegate Assembly according to MAESP policy,
j. Approve expenditures prior to payment,
k. Direct the duties of all employees,
I. Provide for storage of the archives of the Association,
m. Perform all other normal duties of the office.
Section 2. The president-elect shall perform the duties of the president when the president is absent. Should the office of president become vacant for any reason, the president- elect will assume all duties of the president without jeopardizing the right of succession to the office of president at the regular election of officers.
Section 3. The immediate past president shall, when called upon, assist the president in an advisory capacity; perform the duties of president when both the president and president-elect are absent or when both offices are vacated for any reason.
Section 4. The secretary shall:
a. Keep records of all meetings and proceedings of the Association and its Executive Board and shall be responsible for presentation,
b. Keep a file of written reports made by all committee chairmen,
c. Tabulate and record the vote at meetings when applicable,
d. Conduct correspondence in the name of the Association, as directed,
e. Assume the duties of president in the absence of the president, president-elect, immediate past president.
Section 5. The treasurer shall:
a. Receive the annual dues and all other monies collected in the name of the Association,
b. Keep an accurate and complete record of receipts and
Expenditures, and present a written statement of receipts and
Expenditures at every meeting of the Association and upon the
request of either the Executive Board or the president,
c. Pay by check all orders approved by the Executive Board. Two (2) officers - treasurer and either president or president-elect, must sign all checks,
d. Serve as a member of the Budget Committee,
e. Present books annually for audit by the Executive Board or its duly appointed auditor,
f. Assume the duties of the president in the absence of the president, president-elect, immediate past president and the secretary.
Section 6. The twenty-four (24) local representatives shall:
a. Serve on the Executive Board as liaison officers for their local areas,
b. Serve as membership chairmen to promote the membership drive in their local areas; distribute materials for MAESP; contact principals, association presidents, and the superintendents within their local areas relative to special projects of the Association,
c. Contact and visit local association meetings to encourage membership and grass-root support for MAESP,
d. Arrange with the local area president for the MAESP president to attend a general meeting of the local association,
e. Assist with arrangements for Executive Board meetings when meetings are held in their local area,
f. Act as communications link with MAESP,
g. Recommend individuals for leadership positions in the association.
Section 7. The NAESP representative shall:
a. Serve on the Executive Board as a liaison between MAESP and NAESP,
b. Represent MAESP at NAESP functions and meetings,
c. Promote NAESP membership and distribute national materials,
d. Be responsible for arrangements and hospitality for MAESP members at NAESP conventions.
ARTICLE VII - STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. There shall be the following Standing Committees:
a. Archives h. Professional Development
b. Audit and Finance Research and Trends
c. Awards j. Resolutions
d. Budget k. Annual Conference
e. Bylaws l. Task Force
f. Legislative m. Tellers
g. Nominating
Section 2. The Chairman of any standing committee (except the Nominating Committee) shall:
a. Recommend committee members for approval by the president, b. Have the power to create sub-committees,
c. Submit to the chairman of the Budget Committee a statement of financial requirements.
Section 3. Archives Committee - The duties of this committee shall be to:
a. Maintain in a current manner the archives of the Association,
b. Assure the security of the archives.
Section 4. Audit and Finance Committee - The duties of the committee shall be to:
a. Make an annual audit of the books of the treasurer between July I and September 1,
b. Report the findings of the audit to the Executive Board at the September meeting,
c. Present recommendations as may be necessary.
Section 5. Awards Committee - The duties of the committee shall be to:
a. Secure nominations from throughout the state for all awards given by the Association,
b. Arrange for the presentation of awards at the Annual Conference.
Section 6. Budget Committee - The Budget Committee shall include the treasurer, president- elect, president and at least two (2) other Executive Board members.
The duties of this committee shall be to:
a. Prepare a budget,
b. Submit the budget to the Executive Board,
c. Present the budget to the membership at the Annual Conference,
d. Monitor the budget throughout the year.
Section 7. Bylaws Committee - The duties of this committee shall be to:
a. Maintain records of past and present Bylaws of the Association and correspondence related to such amendments,
b. Meet annually to review the Bylaws and make recommendations for revision to the Executive Board,
c. Submit amendments approved by the Executive Board for inclusion in the newsletter to be sent to members at least one (1) month prior to a general meeting,
d. Present the proposed amendments for adoption at a general meeting.
Section 8. Legislative Committee - The duties of this committee shall be to:
a. Study pending legislation which may affect public education,
b. Inform the Association of its findings and recommend appropriate action,
c. Testify as necessary on appropriate issues.
Section 9. Nominating Committee - The duties of this committee shall be to:
a. Select candidates for offices in the Association to create a geographic balance in the state. When feasible, match those candidates from small counties to small counties and those from large counties to large counties,
b. Prepare a slate of candidates for offices in the Association and check their eligibility with the Membership List,
c. Present the slate in ballot form to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the election. The ballot should make provision for "write in" names,
d. Give directions for the return of the ballot to the Tellers Committee at least fifteen (15 ) days prior to the Annual Conference.
Section 10. Professional Development Committee - The duties of the committee shall be to:
a. Determine the professional development needs of the association members through surveys, questionnaires, etc.,
b. Keep abreast of topics for professional development that are of interest and make available to the association,
c. Enter into prudent contractual agreements with groups, such as individual school systems, desirous of having MAESP deliver workshops and courses,
d. Enter into prudent contractual agreements with speakers and presenters desirous of providing services to MAESP,
e. Provide workshops, classes and courses for various educators, ancillary educational personnel, parents, etc., each school year. This includes scheduling, advertisement, registration and the making of all arrangements for each workshop or presentation from start to finish.
f. Turn over any monies earned above the expenses of each workshop to the association treasurer.
Section 11. Research and Trends Committee - The duties of this committee shall be to:
a. Study the needs and welfare of the members, and propose and promote measures to improve the conditions when deemed appropriate,
b. Study state and nationwide trends that may affect the education of children,
c. Study state and nationwide trends that may affect the professional status of members of the profession.
Section 12. Resolutions Committee - The duties of this committee shall be to:
a. Determine need for position papers,
b. Decide if they should be called resolutions,
c. Develop a standard format and process for such papers.
Section 13. Annual Conference Committee - The duties of this committee shall be to:
a. Plan and implement an Annual Conference,
b. Publicize the conference.
Section 14. Task Force - The Task Force is composed of the past presidents of MAESP who continue to be active in the
Association, plus the current president and president-elect. The chairman of the Task Force shall be the immediate past president of MAESP. Meetings of the Task Force shall be called by the
President. The duties of the Task Force shall be to:
Act as an advisory body that meets for the purpose of reviewing the goals and direction of the Association and making recommendations to the Executive Board.
Section 15. Tellers' Committee - The duties of this committee shall be to:
a. Open the ballots, tally, and verify the results of the election,
b. Report results to the president,
c. Inform nominees at least ten (10) days prior to the Annual Conference as to the results of the election,
d. Report the results of the election at the Annual Conference and through the official publications of MAESP.
Article VIII - Dues
The annual dues for membership shall be recommended by a majority vote of the Executive Board at a scheduled meeting. A change in dues would become effective upon majority approval by the membership voting at a scheduled meeting or by a mailed ballot as recommended by Executive Board.
Article IX - Association Year
Section 1. The membership year shall run for a period of one (1) year from the date of receipt of dues.
a. There shall be at least one (1) general meeting of the Association during the school year. An Annual Conference shall be planned each year.
b. The time, place, and agenda of the meetings shall be determined by the Executive Board.
c. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the president or upon the written request of twenty-five (25) or more members, or at the request of a majority of the Executive Board.
d. Ten percent (10%) of the active membership shall constitute a Quorum for any duly called general meeting.
e. Twenty percent (20%) of the Executive Board required for quorum.
Section 2. The administrative year shall be July I through June 30.
Section 3. The fiscal year shall be July I through June 30.
ARTICLE X - AMENDING OF BYLAWS
Section 1. An amendment to these Bylaws may be proposed by either the Executive Board or by petition of at least ten (1O) regular members of MAESP.
Section 2. The proposed amendment shall be sent to each member of MAESP at least one (1) month in advance of any general meeting at which time it will be voted upon.
Section 3. The adoption of a proposed amendment to the Bylaws shall be a two-thirds majority vote of the active members voting on the amendment.
Section 4. The Tellers' Committee shall certify the results to the Executive Board and the Executive Board shall notify the members of the Association.
ARTICLE XI - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the procedures of this organization except when inconsistent with the provisions of
These Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation.
ARTICLE XII - EFFECTIVE DATES
The previous Bylaws were presented and adopted at the fall meeting held on October 14, 1963, and became effective immediately thereafter.
Revised and approved as of October 15, 1965
Revised and approved, as of April 28, 1967
Revised and approved as of May 2, 1970
Revised and approved as of October 15, 1971
Incorporated and approved April 28, 1972
Complete revision approved May 10, 1974
Revised and approved as of April 28, 1979
Revised and approved on May 14, 1982
Revised and approved as of May 8, 1987
Revised and approved on May 6, 1988
Revised and approved as of May 12, 1989
Revised and approved on May II, 1990
Revised and approved as of May 6, 1994
Revised and approved on April 25, 1997
Revised and approved on April 23, 2000
