CONSTITUTION OF THE
TENNESSEE EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Article I (Name)
Section 1: The name of this organization shall be Tennessee Earth Science Teachers Association, hereafter to be known as TEST.
Article II (Purpose)
Section 1: The purpose of TEST shall be the advancement, stimulation, extension, improvement and coordination of Earth Science education at all educational levels. Field trips providing hands-on experiences for members will be promoted (NESTA guidelines will be followed).
Section 2: To operate exclusively as an educational organization.
Section 3: In the event of dissolution, all assets, real and personal, shall be distributed to the Tennessee Science Teachers Association, a non-profit organization, to be used to promote Earth Science through awards to worthy students in this category.
Article III (Membership)
Section 1: Membership is available to those actively engaged in the teaching of Earth Science and to those interested in all levels of Earth Science Education (K-College/University).
Article IV (Organization of Officers)
Section 1: The elected officers of TEST shall be the President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2: The appointed officers shall include Area Representatives, Committee Chairpersons, and Advisors.
Section 3: The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers, the immediate Past President and invited appointed officers.
Section 4: The Board of Directors shall consist of all officers.
Section 5: The powers and duties of the officers, together with the method of their selection shall be prescribed in the Bylaws.
Article V (Quorum)
Section 1: Two elective officers and other attending members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum of the Executive Committee.
Section 2: Two elected officers, two appointed officers and other attending members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors.
Section 3: Those members attending any planned TEST conference shall constitute a quorum of that body.
Article VI (Amendments)
Section 1: Suggestions for amendments of the Constitution may originate in the Executive Committee or may be sent by any member of TEST to the Executive Committee.
Section 2: A proposed amendment, if approved by the Executive Committee, shall be submitted to the membership by mail for acceptance or rejection. The method to be used is outlined in the Bylaws.
BYLAWS OF THE
TENNESSEE EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Article 1 (officers)
Section 1: Only those who are members in good standing shall be eligible for elected or appointed office.
Section 2: The President shall appoint a member of TEST to fill a vacancy of an elected or appointed office. Appointments to an elected office will terminate with the next election.
Article II (Duties)
Section 1: The President shall preside at all business sessions of a planned conference and at all meetings of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. The President shall appoint Committee Chairpersons, Area Representatives, and Advisors subject to the ratification of the Executive Committee. The President, under the direction of the Executive Committee, shall have charge of the affairs of TEST. The President shall send notices of regular and special meetings to the members.
Section 2: The President-Elect shall preside at all business meetings in the absence of the President. The President-Elect shall serve as chair of the Program Committee.
Section 3: The Secretary shall keep a correct record of the proceeding of TEST at all meetings (Executive Committee, Board of Directors, General Membership).
Section 4: The treasurer shall have charge of accepting all moneys of TEST, including membership dues. The Treasurer will keep an accurate list of members.
Section 5: The Area Representatives shall be appointed from various geographic regions of the state. Their duties shall be to support further membership in the organization, to report Earth Science activities in the area they represent, and to promote field trip activities in their areas for members.
Section 6: Advisors shall be appointed at the discretion of the President to advise and assist in the affairs of TEST.
Section 7: The Board of Directors shall transact business, plan the overall program for the year, make recommendations regarding proposed amendments for the Bylaws, and devise and carry out measures for the growth and welfare of TEST.
Section 8: The Executive Committee shall have power to act for the Board of Directors and shall ratify all appointments.
Article III (Committees)
Section 1: Committees shall be appointed by the President from time to time as deemed necessary.
Section 2: A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President to prepare and present a slate of nominees to the membership by mail prior to the date when officers are to be elected.
Section 3: The election of officers shall be held at the Annual TSTA Conference.
Section 4: The President shall become Past President of TEST upon completion if his/her term of office, and shall serve in the capacity of advisor to and member of the Executive Committee.
Article V (Meetings)
Section 1: There shall be at least one meeting of TEST each year. Meetings shall be organized and planned by the Program committee to be held during the Annual TSTA Conference.
Article VI (Dues and Publications)
Section 1: The annual dues shall be established by the Board of Directors before October. The membership year shall be from November 1 to October 31.
Section 2: Publications, including a newsletter, may be authorized by the Board of Directors.
Article VII (Amendments)
Section 1: These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members responding to the mail ballot, provided a copy of the proposed amendment shall be available to every member before it is to be voted upon.
Section 2: The Bylaws may be amended at any planned meeting by a two-thirds vote of the total membership present, provided a copy of the proposed amendment has been made available to every member before the planned meeting.
Article VIII (Parliamentary Authority)
Section 1: In all questions of parliamentary law not covered by the Constitution and Bylaws, Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall prevail.
