Bylaws of Georgia-American Sign Language Teachers’ Association

(GA-ASLTA)

 

Mission Statement:

 

The mission of the Georgia American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) is to preserve the integrity of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Culture.

Table of Contents

Article I          Name

Article II         Affiliation

Article III       Objectives

Article IV        Membership

Article V         Meeting of Members

Article VI        Executive Board

Article VII      Officers

Article VIII     Duties of Officers

Article IX        Committees

Article X         Parliamentary Authority

Article XI        Amendments

Article XII      Financial Activities

Article XIII     Contracts, Checks, Bank Accounts, Etc

Article XIV     Dissolution

 

Article I: Name

 

1.1       The name of this non-profit organization is the Georgia American Sign Language           

Teachers’ Association (GA-ASLTA).

 

Article II: Affiliation

 

2.1       This association shall be a cooperating member of the National American Sign Language Teachers’ Association (ASLTA).

 

2.2       GA-ASLTA shall pay annual membership dues to National ASLTA

 

Article III: Objectives

GA-ASLTA shall:

3.1 Promote the official recognition of American Sign Language (ASL) as a language and encourage respect for Deaf people, their community and their unique culture.

 

3.2       Promote professional quality in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Studies instruction for American Sign Language teachers and to encourage ASL teachers to acquire ASLTA certification.

3.3       Encourage educational institutions to include ASL and Deaf Studies in their        

           

Curricula.

 

3.4       Encourage educational institution and community based programs (not affiliated with educational institutions) to hire ASLTA certified teachers and ASLTA members and

 

3.5       Provide input into National ASLTA’s standards and procedures for the teaching of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies

 

3.6       Facilitate an effective avenue for the exchange of information regarding theories, methods and materials in the instruction of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies.

 

3.7       Maintain a local directory of certified and non-certified GA-ASLTA members

 

3.8       Have the Professional Development Committee host a minimum of two workshops per year

 

3.9       GA-ASLTA is organized exclusively for educational purposes, including, for such purposes the making of distributing to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. 

 

Article IV: Membership

 

4.1              Membership in GA-ASLTA is open to any individual interested in American Sign Language instruction, Deaf Studies instruction and/or supporting the goals of the association.

 

4.2              Members strive to enhance knowledge and skills through participation in workshops and seminars. This includes any examination of ASL related works and works related to Deaf Studies. A member shall promote an understanding and respect of language, culture and quality teaching.

 

4.3              Dues for individual membership in GA-ASLTA are determined at the general business meeting and due annually. To remain in good standing, all members shall keep their membership current.

 

Article V: Meeting of Members

           

5.1       Regular meetings shall be held two (2) times a year. Any other meeting shall be

considered “special” and be subject to Article V, Section 2.

 

5.2       Special meetings may be called at any time by the Executive Board or the

President.

5.3              Prior to regular meetings, the Executive Board shall plan a written agenda which

is to be attached to the meeting notice. In any meeting, any member may put a subject on the agenda.

5.4              Notice of each meeting shall be sent to the membership and shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting. Notice of a special meeting shall also state the purpose(s) for which it’s being called and shall also indicate that it is being issued by or at the direction of the person or persons calling the meeting. Notice of any meetings shall be give, by mail or email at least fourteen (14) days in advance.

 

5.5              At any meeting of members, one-third (1/3) of the voting membership or at least eight (8) members, whichever is less, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any members.

 

5.6              Business meetings shall be conducted according to parliamentary procedures.

 

5.7              The President shall preside at each meeting. In the President’s absence, the order of succession shall be as follows: Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer. In the absence of all officers, the meeting shall be cancelled.

 

Article VI: Executive Board

 

6.1              The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Professional Development Coordinator shall constitute the Executive Board, and shall be responsible for business matters of the GA-ASLTA between regular meetings.

 

6.2              All incoming and outgoing monies of GA-ASLTA, notices of elections and meetings, dissemination of materials, and the like shall be handled through the Executive Board.

 

6.3              The President shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the Executive Board, the committees of GA-ASLTA.

 

6.4              The Executive Board shall have the authority to fill any vacancy on the Board which may occur between regular meetings of GA-ASLTA with the exception of the office of President, which shall be filled by the Vice President according to Article IX, Section 2.

 

6.5              The Executive Board must approve any financial expenditure not authorized by the budget prepared by the GA-ASLTA Executive Board. The GA-ASLTA Executive Board shall submit an annual budget to the members.

 

6.6              Two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

 

6.7              Qualifications for serving on the Executive Board shall require active GA-ASLTA membership for at least one (1) year.

 

 

Article VII: Officers

 

7.1A.   ELECTIONS: The office of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Professional Development Coordinator are to be filled by an election. Officers shall serve until their successors are duly elected.

 

7.1B.    ELECTIONS: After elections, newly elected officers shall begin their term at the conclusion of the general membership meeting.

 

7.2A.   OFFICERS: The offices of the President and Professional Development Coordinator shall be elected every two (2) years by ballot at the Fall meeting of even numbered years by a voting majority of more than half (1/2) of the total members present.

7.2B     OFFICERS: The offices of the Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected every two (2) years by ballot at the Fall meeting of odd numbered years by a voting majority of more than half (1/2) of the total members present.

7.3       NOMINATIONS:  Nominations for officers shall be made by a Nominating Committee composed of three (3) members in good standing. Recommendations for nomination of officers may be submitted by any voting members of GA-ASLTA to the Nominating Committee.

 

7.4       QUALIFICATIONS: Any voting member of GA-ASLTA present at the election and in good standing, and who is qualified to hold office shall be eligible to become a candidate for any office. Any absent member may be eligible if his/her written consent shall have been obtained.

 

7.5       REMOVAL FROM OFFICE: For failure to perform duties, with Executive Board’s majority vote, the Executive Board may ask any officer or committee chairperson to resign. This decision must be in writing, filed and sent to National ASLTA Chapter Affiliation/Bylaws Chair.

 

Article VIII: Duties of Officers

 

8.1       THE PRESIDENT shall preside at all meetings of GA-ASLTA and/or the Executive Board. S/he shall appoint committee chairpersons with approval from the Executive Board. S/he shall have a working knowledge of the affairs of GA-ASLTA and serve as a liaison between GA-ASLTA and external business and the National ASLTA. The President is required to be a member of the National ASLTA.

 

8.2       THE VICE PRESIDENT shall serve in the absence of the President. S/he shall be responsible for various tasks assigned at the direction of the President. The Vice President will be the liaison between the Executive Board and the GA-ASLTA committees and oversee committee’s activities. The Vice President shall succeed to the office of President should that office become vacant prior to the expiration of the term of office of the President.

 

8.3       THE SECRETARY records the minutes of all GA-ASLTA and Executive Board proceedings including all notices and reports of meetings. S/he is the custodian of the official copies of the Association meetings, records, and ensures that amendments, revisions, additions, and changes will be recorded promptly and properly. Between meetings, s/he shall transact all correspondence necessary to carry out the regular business of GA-ASLTA, and the expressed wishes of the Executive Board. S/he shall surrender to her/his successor all records in his/her possession belonging to GA-ASLTA within thirty (30) days after the election. The secretary shall be responsible for maintaining the GA-ASLTA Professional Development Directory.

 

8.4       THE TREASURER shall receive all monies and keep a record of all receipts and expenditures, and shall submit a report which has been audited by at least two (2) members in good standing to the GA-ASLTA at each meeting or to the Executive Board, whenever called upon to do so. S/he shall keep an account of all properties, investments and funds of GA-ASLTA, which shall at all times by open for inspection. S/he shall keep a record showing the names of members, when admitted, and their addresses and at the meeting of GA-ASLTA furnish the President with a list of members eligible to vote. S/he shall surrender to her/his successor all audits and records in her/his possession belonging to GA-ASLTA within thirty (30) days after the election.

 

8. 5      THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR shall be responsible for coordination a minimum of two workshops annually. The duties include: sending out a survey of interest biannually to GA-ASLTA membership, sharing the results of the survey with the Executive Board and create workshops based on this survey of interest; sending out a workshop flyer to membership as well as National ASLTA for inclusion in the ASLTA website; performing all the duties of setting up workshops such as planning, set up and post workshop evaluations, sending out record of attendance, record keeping, and sharing information of workshop attendees with the Executive Board and the National ASLTA as deemed necessary. S/he shall maintain a list and contact information of local and national ASL and Deaf Studies presenters and trainers. The Coordinator shall surrender to her/his successor all records belonging to GA-ASLTA within thirty (30) days after election.

8.6       OFFICERS: Those holding office shall be members in good standing of National American Sign Language Teachers Association.

 

Article IX: Committees

 

9.1       Standing committees shall consist of at least three (3) members each in good standing. The President shall nominate the chairperson of such standing committee as created by GA-ASLTA, subject to the approval of the Executive Board.

 

9.2       Professional Development Committee: The Professional Development Coordinator is the chairperson of this committee. This committee is responsible for creating and sending out a survey of interest to membership, planning a minimum of two workshops annually, and any other duties as directed by the Executive Board and the general membership.

 

9.3       All committees (standing and ad hoc) shall submit a written report to the Vice President at least a week before each Executive Board meeting. Committees shall report their activities at general meetings.

 

Article X:    Parliamentary Authority

 

10.1     Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all meetings.

 

10.2     The President, at his/her discretion, may appoint a Parliamentarian to advise the GA-ASLTA on parliamentary procedures.

 

Article XI: Amendments

 

11.1     A two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present at a general meeting is required to amend or repeal GA-ASLTA By-laws. Notification of the proposed amendment(s) shall be mailed or emailed to all members in good standing at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which the vote will take place. Proxies brought in, mailed or emailed shall count towards the “two-third” requirement.

 

11.2     Any proposed amendment shall have a review by the Executive Board prior to the ratification of said amendment by the membership.

6/8/2007

Article XII  Financial Activities

 

12.1     No funds shall be raised or solicited on behalf of the GA-ASLTA without the   

            consent of the Executive Board and/or the general membership.

 

12.2     No indebtness shall be contracted on behalf of GA-ASLTA unless voted upon by

the general membership.

 

12.4          The Executive Board may accept on behalf of GA-ASLTA any gift, contribution,          bequest, or device for the general or special purpose of GA-ASLTA. The Executive Board shall notify the general membership and the national ASLTA Chapter Affiliation/Bylaws Chair regarding this matter.

 

12.5

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members trustees, officers, or other persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensations for services rendered and to make payments and distribution in furtherance of the purpose set forth in the purpose clause hereof.

 

12.6          No substantial part of the activities of the organization of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

 

 

12.7.        Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

 

 Accounts Et Cetera

 

13.1     The Executive Board may authorize any officer(s), agent(s), in addition to the President, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the GA-ASLTA, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances, but unless so authorized by the Executive Board, or expressly authorized herein, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the GA-ASLTA by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable financially in any amount for any purpose.

 

13.2     No loans shall be contracted on behalf of GA-ASLTA unless specifically authorized by the Executive Board.

 

13.3     All checks, drafts, and other orders for the payment of money out of the funds of the GA-ASLTA, and all notes or other evidence of indebtness of the GA-ASLTA shall be signed by the Treasurer and one of the Executive Board members on behalf of the GA-ASLTA in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Executive Board or as expressly authorized herein.

 

Article XIV Dissolution

 

14.1     If, in the event of the dissolution of GA-ASLTA, its assets shall transfer to the National ASLTA should GA-ASLTA not be re-established after a three (3) year waiting period.

 

14.2          Such holdings shall remain in the GA-ASLTA account. GA-ASLTA shall notify   

the holding institution and the National ASLTA Chapter Affiliation/By-Laws Chair of the dissolution date from the date of the last meeting.

 

14.3          Upon dissolution of GA-ASLTA, assets shall be distributed for one or more

exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government or to a state or local government, for public purpose.

 

14.4          Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common

Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is the located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organization, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purpose

 

 

 

 

 

 

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