NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Hispanic Caucus

Bylaws

Article I.  Name

Section 1: This body shall be known as the National Education Association Hispanic Caucus (To be referred to as NEA/HC).

Article II.  Purpose

Section 1: To recruit all Hispanic NEA members as members of the NEA/HC.

Section 2: To promote and protect the professional rights, welfare, and human rights of Hispanics.

Section 3: To assist Hispanics to assume leadership positions at all levels of the NEA.

Section 4: To assist and monitor the NEA with its decision-making policies concerning Hispanics.

Section 5: To continually educate and sensitize the NEA and the nation about the needs of Hispanics in the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Section 6: To assist and monitor the NEA’s implementation of its affirmative action policies for employment and promotion of Hispanics.

Section 7: To advocate excellence in the education of Hispanics in the United States, it territories and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Section 8: To promote the contributions and achievements of Hispanics in the NEA.

Article III.  Membership

Section 1: Active membership shall be open to all Hispanics who are members of the NEA.

Section 2: Active members shall:

A. Be eligible to vote.

B. Be eligible to hold elected and appointed offices;

C. Have the right to attend and participate in NEA/HC meetings and activities; AND

D. Receive communications of NEA/HC activities and NEA activities affecting Hispanics.

Section 3: Associate membership shall be open to all non-Hispanic NEA members and NEA staff. Associate members shall have all the rights to active membership except the right to make motions, vote, and hold office.

Section 4: Annual dues shall be:

A. Active membership—$20.00

B. Associate membership—$15.00

C. Student membership—$10.00

D. Two dollars ($2.00) of both active and associate membership dues shall be designated for the Leadership Development Fund;

E. Membership becomes effective upon payment of dues.

Section 5: The membership year shall run from July 1 to June 30.

Article IV.  Officers and Duties

Section 1: The officers of the NEA/HC shall be:

A. The Chairperson

B. The Vice-Chairperson

C. The Secretary, AND

D. The Treasurer

Section 2: The officers shall comprise the NEA/HC Executive Committee.

Section 3: The term of office for all officers of NEA/HC shall be limited to no more than two (2) consecutive two-year terms.

Section 4: In the even numbered years, the chairperson and secretary shall be elected by the NEA/HC active members present at the NEA/RA.

Section 5: In the odd numbered years, the vice-chairperson and the treasurer shall be elected by the NEA/HC active members present at the NEA/RA.

Section 6: The Chairperson shall:

A Chair all NEA/HC meetings except the regional caucus meetings;

B. Be the official spokesperson and representative of the NEA/HC;

C. Be the nominee to the NEA president for the NEA Board of Directors ex-officio position. If the chair is unable to perform the duty, then he/she shall name a designee;

D. Prepare the agenda for all NEA/HC meetings;

E. Recommend liaisons to special interest committees;

F.  Appoint NEA/HC active members to NEA/HC committees.

G. Authorize the expenditure of the NEA/HC funds;

H. Communicate regularly with members of the NEA/HC through a minimum of three issues of the NEA/HC official newsletter La Voz

I. Delegate, as needed, duties to the NEA/HC officers, Regional Directors, and members of the NEA/HC; and

J. Meet at least three times a year with the NEA/HC Executive Committee;

K. Meet with the officers and regional directors at the Hispanic Caucus Issues Conference, Ethnic Leaders Meeting, and at least once before the end of the Representative Assembly;

L. Conduct two conference calls/electronic meetings with the officers and the regional directors, one during the fall and one during the spring.

Section 7: The Vice-Chairperson shall:

A. Perform the duties of the Chairperson if the Chairperson is unable to fulfill the duties of office:

B. Chair the Screening and Endorsing Committee;

C. Coordinate all the activities surrounding the distribution and collection of NEA/HC membership forms;

D. Submit a minimum of one article for publication in La Voz; AND

E. Assume other duties as assigned.

Section 8: The Secretary shall:

A. Perform the duties of the Chairperson if the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson are unable to fulfill the duties:

B. Keep records of all official meetings of the NEA/HC, except the Regional Caucus Meetings;

C. Distribute copies of minutes of the NEA/HC meetings at the NEA/HC Annual Meeting;

D. Distribute an official roster for the Elections Committee at the NEA/HC Annual Meeting

E. Keep a current, updated roster of the NEA/HC membership;

F. Serve as chairperson of the Membership Committee;

G. Submit a minimum of one article for publication in La Voz; AND

H. Assume other duties as assigned.

Section 9: The Treasurer shall:

A. Perform the duties of the Chairperson if the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, or Secretary are unable to fulfill the duties:

B. Receive and have custody of all NEA/HC funds;

C. Make expenditures as authorized by the Chairperson;

D. Provide a financial statement of the NEA/HC at the NEA Annual Meeting;

E. Make periodical financial reports upon request of the Chairperson;

F. Coordinate all activities related to the NEA/HC booth at the NEA Annual Meeting;

G. Chair the Leadership Development Fund Committee; H. Submit a minimum of one article for publication in La Voz; AND

I. Assume other duties as assigned.

Article V.  Board of Directors

Section 1: The Board of Directors shall include the Executive Committee, Regional Directors, the Retiree Director, and the Educational Support Professional Director.

Section 2: The NEA/HC Representative to the Fund for Children and Public Education Council shall be a member of the Board of Directors.

Article VI.  Regional Directors/Board of Directors

Section 1: The NEA/HC shall have Regional Directors for each NEA region.

Section 2: In odd numbered years, Regional Directors from the Pacific, Midwest, and Western regions shall be elected.

In even numbered years, Regional Directors from the Southeast, Northeast, and Mid Atlantic regions shall be elected.

Section 3: The Regional Directors shall:

A. Report to the Chairperson on a regular basis;

B. Communicate with NEA/HC members from their regions;

C. Chair the NEA/HC meeting at their NEA Regional Leadership Training Conference and at the Minority Leadership Conference.

In the event that the regional director is not available, an officer of the Caucus shall conduct the meeting. If that individual is not available, an NEA Board of Directors member who is an active member of the Caucus shall conduct the meeting. A cadre trainer who is an active member of the Caucus may conduct the meeting in the event that the NEA Board of Directors member is not available.

D. Provide a report of their Regional Meeting to the NEA/HC Executive Committee; AND

E. Submit a minimum of one article for publication in La Voz.

F. Serve on the Membership Committee

G. Help to staff the NEA/HC booth.

Section 4: The Retiree Director shall:

A. Report to the Chairperson on a regular basis;

B. Communicate with the NEA/HC retiree members;

C. Co-chair the NEA/HC with the regional directors at the NEA Regional Leadership Training Conference. If he/she is unable to attend, it is his/her responsibility to designate the responsibility to an active NEA/HC member who is able to attend the conference.

D. Provide a report of their Regional Meeting to the NEA/HC Executive; AND

E. Submit a minimum of one article for publication in La Voz.

Article VII.  Educational Support Professional Director/Board of Directors

Section 1: The NEA/HC shall have an Educational Support Professional Director.

Section 2: The Educational Support Professional Director shall be elected in even numbered

                years.

Section 3: The Educational Support Professional Director shall:

A. Report to the Chairperson on a regular basis;

B. Communicate with the NEA/NC educational support professional members;

C. Co-chair the NEA/HC with the regional directors at the NEA Regional Leadership Training Conference and at the Regional Minority Leadership Conference;

D. Provide of report of the regional meeting, in conjunction with the regional director, to the NEA/HC Executive Committee;

E. Submit a minimum of one article for publication in La Voz.

F. Help to staff the NEA/HC booth at the NEA Annual Meeting.

Article VIII.  Special Standing Committees:

Section 1: Screening and Endorsing Committee (to be referred to as SEC)

A. The purpose of the SEC shall be to bring to the NEA/HC membership recommendations of endorsement for NEA elections;

B. Composition:

1. The SEC shall be composed of seven (7) active NEA/HC members.

2. The NEA/HC Vice Chairperson shall serve as the chair,

3. The other six members shall be appointed by the NEA/HC Chair,

4. The SEC shall have a minimum of three (3) NEA/HC officers and/or Regional Directors.

C. Duties:

1. The SEC shall establish its rules of action.

2. The SEC shall interview candidates for NEA elections.

3. The SEC shall bring a recommendation to the NEA/HC membership at the first meeting of the NEA/HC at the NEA Annual Meeting.

4. IF the SEC determines that interviews are not necessary (i.e., Number of candidates equals the numbers of positions, previous NEA/HC support, etc.), they can dispense with the interview and bring a recommendation for endorsement with appropriate rationale to the first meeting at the NEA Annual Meeting.

5. The SEC can bring a recommendation for “No Endorsement” or they can bring forth no endorsement recommendation.

6. Only the SEC shall bring forth recommendations for endorsement,

7. Endorsement shall require 2/3’s vote in the affirmative, AND

8. Time line in numbers 3 and 4 above may be adjusted if necessary, with appropriate rationale.

Section 2: Leadership Development Fund Committee (to be referred to as LDFC)

A. The purpose of the LDFC shall be to monitor and to allocate monies in the Leadership Development Fund. The fund was established to assist active NEA/HC members who are seeking NEA offices;

B. Composition:

1. The LDFC shall be comprised of five (5) active members of the NEA/HC,

2. The NEA HC Treasurer shall serve as the Chair, AND

3. The other four (4) members shall be appointed by the NEA/HC Chair,

C. Duties—The LDFC shall:

1. Determine the use of the membership dues contribution designated for the Leadership Development Fund,

2. Coordinate fundraising activities

3. Develop criteria for distribution of the funds in accordance with the Leadership Development Fund Policy.

D. Fund and Expenditures

1. The LDF shall be funded through a $2.00 membership dues allocation designated for the LDF. At no time shall the fund balance go below $3,000, AND

2. Any expenditure shall require a 2/3’s vote in the affirmative by the active NEA/HC members present at one of the general meetings held at the NEA Annual Meeting.

Section 3: Membership Committee

A. The purpose of the Membership Committee is to promote and increase membership and to assist with the processing of membership.

1. The Membership Committee shall consist of the Secretary and the Regional Directors.

2. The Secretary shall serve as chair and delegate responsibilities as necessary.

Article IX.  Election Committee (to be referred to as EC)

Section 1: Composition

A. NEA/HC Chair shall appoint the Chair of the EC. The EC Chair cannot be an NEA/HC officer.

B. The EC Chair shall have the responsibility of selecting the remaining members of the EC.

C. The Election Committee shall be comprised of five (5) to seven (7) active NEA/HC members.

D. Members of the EC shall be broadly representative of the caucus membership.

Section 2: Rules of Operation

A. The work of the EC is dictated by the By Laws.

B. Prior to the second meeting of the NEA/HC, the EC shall establish the lottery system that will be used to place candidates on the ballots.

C. The EC Chair shall work with the EC in establishing rules that are not addressed by the By Laws.

Article X.  Election Procedures

Section 1: Notice

A. No later that thirty (30) days prior to the NEA annual meeting, the following will be published and distributed to the current NEA/HC members:

1. The election timeline as contained in the bylaws;

2. The elected position(s) to be filled;

3. Incumbents, if any, and their eligibility for reelection;

4. The declaration of candidacy form.

Section 2: Nominations

A. Candidates for NEA/HC offices may file for nominations or be nominated from the floor,

B. Candidates filing for office must file a nomination from with the EC no later than 15 minutes following the closing of the first (1st) meeting of the NEA/HC at the NEA Annual Meeting.

C. Candidates may be nominated from the floor at the second (2nd) meeting of the NEA/HC at the NEA Annual Meeting.

Section 3: Speeches