Bylaws

= = =DINUBA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION=

=BYLAWS=
 * Revised Spring, 2006*

__Article I - Rules of Order__

 * Sec. 1 __Robert's Rules of Order, newly revised__, shall be the authority on all questions of procedure not specifically stated in the Constitution or Bylaws.
 * Sec. 2 Each building site will have a minimum of one site representative, if less than 25 members, and an additional site representative for each additional 25 members or fraction there of. The term "member" shall refer to representation at large.

__Article II - Membership__

 * Sec. 1 __Active Membership__ - Active membership shall be open to any person who is engaged in or who is on a limited leave of absence from professional educational work and whose primary assignment is such as not to be termed to be a management employee.
 * Sec. 2 __Limited Membership__ - Limited membership shall be open to any person who is engaged in professional education on less than a regular, full-time teaching contract. Dues will be prorated. (Board Decision, May 1989)
 * Sec. 3 __Fair Share__ provision is contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Dinuba Unified School District and the Dinuba Teachers Association.
 * Sec. 4 The right to vote and hold elective or appointive office shall be limited to active members.
 * Sec. 5 Rights and privileges of membership shall not be abridged in any way because of age, sex, race, color, ethnic group, marital status, national origin, or sexual orientation.
 * Sec. 6 No member may be disciplined without a due process hearing which shall include the established appellate procedures.
 * Sec. 7 Member adherence to the __Code of Ethics of the Education Profession__.
 * Sec. 8 An individual who is serving as a negotiator for a public school employer shall not be eligible for membership in the Association.

__Article III - Policy-Making Body__

 * Sec. 1 The policy-making body of the Association shall be the general membership.
 * Sec. 2 The Executive board shall:
 * a. Establish Association policies and objectives;
 * b. Recommend the succeeding annual budget of the Association at the May Executive Board meeting. The budget shall be presented to membership at the first meeting of the year.
 * c. Approve the establishment or continuance of committees;
 * d. Serve as an election committee for all elections other than those for officers;
 * e. Coordinate the activities of the Association;
 * f. Direct the bargaining activities of the Association, subject to the policies established by the membership;
 * g. Adopt grievance procedures; and
 * h. Direct the grievance activities of the Association.
 * Sec. 3 The Executive Board shall meet prior to general meetings, at least once during each school month, the number, place and time of the meetings to be decided by the Executive Board.
 * Sec. 4 Notices and agendas for all Executive Board meetings shall be sent to all members of the Executive Board at least two days prior to the date of the meeting.
 * Sec. 5 Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President, the Executive Board, or by the petition of 20 percent of the membership.
 * Sec. 6 Notices and agendas for all general meetings be posted in the building(s) at least two days prior to the date of the meeting.
 * Sec. 7 General Meetings of the Association shall be held on the third Wednesday of the month, at least four times a year. The President, with the consent of the Executive Board, shall have the power to change the date and time of the meeting.
 * Sec. 8 Special meetings of the Association shall be called for a specific purpose and no business other than that for which the meeting is called may be transacted.
 * Sec. 9 Special meetings shall be held at the call of the President, or the President shall call a special purpose upon the written request of five members.
 * Sec. 10 For emergency meetings of the Executive Board during crisis situations, the Executive Board shall adopt procedures to notify representatives of meeting dates, places, and times.
 * Sec. 11 A quorum for all general meetings of the Association shall consist of the members present.

__Article IV - Duties and Terms of Office__

 * Sec. 1 The officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
 * Sec. 2 All officers shall be and remain currently paid-up members of the Association as a condition for nomination to and service in their respective positions during their term of office.
 * Sec. 3 Candidates for the position of elected officers shall be members in good standing.
 * Sec. 4 Officers shall be elected for a term of two years commencing on January 1 of any calendar year.
 * Sec. 5 All newly elected officers shall be presented at the first general meeting following the election of officers and shall officially assume duties at the January Executive Board meeting. Said meeting shall be attended by both the current and the newly elected Executive Boards The current President shall preside until all current business is closed, at which time, the president-elect shall assume the chair.
 * Sec. 6 A vacancy shall be deemed to exist in the case of death resignation, or inability to serve in any of the offices of the Association. In the event of a vacancy occuring in the office of the President, the Vice-President shall assume the office. In the event a vacancy occurs in the other offices, a special meeting of the Association shall be called to elect successors to fill the unexpired terms.
 * Sec. 7 The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association and its policy leader. The President shall:
 * a. Preside at all the meetings of the Association and the Executive Board;
 * b. Prepare the agenda for the meetings of the Association and the Executive Board;
 * c. Be the official spokesperson for the Association;
 * d. Familiarize himself/herself with the governance documents of the Association, the CTA, and NEA;
 * e. Appoint all chairperson and members of committees, with the approval of the Executive Board;
 * f. Be an advisory member for all committees;
 * g. Call meetings of the Association and the Executive Board;
 * h. Suggest policies, plans and activities for the Association and be held responsible for the progress and work of the Association;
 * i. Attend meetings of the Service Center Council of which the Association is a part; or appoint a representative to the council;
 * j. Appoint a representative to attend the Dinuba Unified School Board meetings;
 * l. May co-sign all checks drawn upon the treasury.
 * Sec. 8 The Vice-President shall:
 * a. Serve as assistant to the President in all duties of the President;
 * b. Assume the duties of President in the absence of the President;
 * c. Be responsible for the distribution of activity information, as needed;
 * d. Serve as coordinator of committee activities at the direction of the President;
 * e. Serve as coordinator of the awards program: DTA Teacher of the Year and DTA Scholarship;
 * f. Serve as chairperson for the Constitution and Bylaws committee;
 * g. Serve as hospitality chairperson and be responsible for refreshments at the regular and/or board meetings.
 * Sec. 9 The Secretary shall:
 * a. Keep a careful and accurate record of the proceedings of each meeting, regular or special, of the Association and Executive Board;
 * b. Be responsible for the distribution of all notices, agendas, and minutes of meetings to members of the Board and to the membership, when appropriate;
 * c. Keep an accurate roster of the membership of the Association and of all committees;
 * d. Carry on the correspondence pertaining to the affairs of the Association as directed by the President;
 * e. May co-sign all checks drawn upon the treasury.
 * Sec. 10 The Treasurer shall:
 * a. Receive all funds belonging to the Association and be responsible for the safekeeping and accounting of the funds kept in the Association checking and credit union account;
 * b. Pay out such funds upon orders of the President and/or Executive Board and sign all checks drawn upon the treasury with and additional signature by on of the officers;
 * c. Prepare a written financial report for each regular meeting of the Executive Board;
 * d. Be responsible for an annual audit of the books of the Association and distributing a summary of this audit to the membership;
 * e. Submit membership and financial reports to the CTA, NEA, or other agencies as required by law;
 * f. Keep records of retirees and DTA scholarship recipients; and
 * g. Shall, as outgoing treasurer, serve as assistant treasurer to help incoming treasurer, as needed.
 * Sec. 11 Immediate or Recent Past-President shall:
 * a. Serve as the parliamentarian; and
 * b. Serve as chairperson for the Legislative Committee.

__Article V - Committee, Duties and Terms of Office__
= = =Article VI - Dues= The Association’s portion of the basic annual dues, and the representation fee for non-members, shall be established by action of the Executive Board at the last regular meeting of the school year. The fiscal year of this Association shall be from Spetember 1 to August 31.
 * Sec. 1 Elective Committee
 * a. Building Representatives
 * (1) The members of this committee shall be elected by the faculties of their buildings for a term of two years;
 * (2) They shall serve as a member of the membership committee. This committee shall conduct the annual membership campaign for the DTA, CTA, and NEA.
 * (3) They shall serve as a member of the hospitality committee and assist with refreshments as assigned.
 * (4) They shall serve as a member of the retirement committee and be responsible for making the membership aware of changes concerning retirement and for disseminating information for those planning for retirement; shall be responsible for notifying president and school hosting site; and shall be responsible for designating a speaker to acknowledge their retirees at the social.
 * (5) They shall act as a liaison between their site and eh Executive Board, reporting activities to their faculties and vice versa.
 * (6) They shall provide for collection of funds for any community or educational activities in which the membership votes to participate.
 * (7) Collection of funds should be reported to the Executive Board.
 * b. Par Panel Member
 * (1) The members of this committee shall be elected by the members of the Executive Board and serve staggered terms of two years.
 * (2) Applicants shall meet the qualifications as outlined in contract article 18.
 * (3) Applications for PAR panel members shall be submitted between January 15th and February 15th of each year that there are vacancies.
 * (4) Applications will be reviewed by the Executive Board.
 * (5) The Executive Board may request interviews of applicants.
 * (6) The Executive Board will vote by secret ballot.
 * (7) Any Executive Board member applying for a PAR panel position, shall abstain from voting for the PAR panel members.
 * (8) Selection of the panel members shall be completed by April 15th of the year that there are vacancies. All applicants shall be notified of the results.
 * (9) If a panel member is unable to complete his/her term, the vacant position shall be filled for the remainder of the term as outlined above.
 * Sec. 2 Appointive Committee Chairperson. There may be the following chairpersons appointed by the President, and subject to the approval of the Executive Board:
 * a. The Budget Committee shall consisten of the Treasurer of DTA and three board members. The Budget Committee shall prepare a yearly budget for the Association. The budget shall be presented to the Executive Baord in May for approval. The approved budget will be presented to the general membership at the first meeting of the school year. The budget committee will recommend an independent auditor for the Executive Board's approval. An independent audit appointee shall prepare an annual audit of the Association's financial records and shall present said audit to the Executive Board at their scheduled October meeting.
 * b. The Constitution and By-Laws Committee shall review the Constitution, as required, and make recommendations of needed changes to the Executive Board. It is the duty of this committee to report violations of the Constitution to the Executive Board. The Constitution shall be revised every three years.
 * c. The Legislative Committee shall maintain a continuing study of proposed legislation affecting schools and teachers. The committee shall maintain a continuing study of teacher’s legal rights. The chairperson shall be appointed by the President with the majority approval of the Executive Board.
 * d. The Membership Committee shall keep an accurate, up-to-date list of members and shall be responsible fot eh annual unified membership campaign. The provisions of "fair share" are described in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. the building representative from each site will serve on the committee.
 * e. Negotiations Committee
 * (1) The Negotiations Committee shall be appointed by the President with concurrence of the Executive Board.
 * (2) The Negotiations Committee shall be composed of six members, three from the elementary schools, one from the intermediate school, and two from the high school. Two alternates will be appointed.
 * (3) To be eligible for appointment to this committee, the members shall have completed three years of teaching in the Dinuba Unified School District. The term of office shall be for two years with one elementary and intermediate school member alternating terms with the other elementary and high school member. The chiarperson of the team sahll be elected from and by its members. Vacancies created by resignation or inability to serve shall be filled from the alternates.
 * (4) The President shall be a member of the committee in an information and advisory capacity. The President shall not be the chief negotiator.
 * (5) The duties of the Negotiations committee are to represent and to bargain for the bargaining unit. Responsibility and authority for directing the bargaining process on behalf of the Association is vested in the Executive Board subject to policies established by the membership.
 * (6) Employees shall be surveyed to determine the contents of the proposed contract and the contract proposal shall be approved by Association members in the unit.
 * (7) The Negotiations Committee shall report its activities to the Executive Board in such form and with such frequency as the Executive Board may require.
 * (8) The Executive Board shall provide for the dissemination of information regarding bargaining and the activities of the Negotiations Committee to the general membership.
 * (9) Agreements reached between the Negotiations Committee and the School Board and its representatives shall be considered tentative and not binding upon the Association until such agreements have been ratified by the membership in the appropriate units, unless such ratification shall have been specifically waived or otherwise delegated by that membership.
 * (10) Members of the Negotiations team may be removed with a two thirds vote of the Executive Board.
 * f. The Nominations / Election Committee
 * (1) The Election’s Committee shall be composed of at least three members who are not on the Executive Board.
 * (2) The chair of the Elections Committee shall be appointed by the President.
 * (3) Members of the Elections Committee shall be approved by the Executive Board.
 * (4) A member shall abstain from participation in Elections Committee activities during the period in which she/he or her/his immediate family is a candidate.
 * g. Election Requirements
 * (1) Officer Elections
 * a. The chapter shall ensure that an open nomination procedure is in place, (i.e. any member may nominate any member, himself or herself). Nominations shall be made and presented at the October meeting. To be eligible for office, you must be a member in good standing of DTA.
 * b. Every member shall be assured of voting by secret ballot.
 * c. There shall be at least a fifteen (15) day period between notice of election and the actual voting. Election of officers shall take place at the December general meeting.
 * d. There shall be an all member vote.
 * e. A chapter shall provide means for all members to vote (including vote by mail), and it shall be the responsibility of the member to notify the chapter if s/he desires a ballot at a site other than the regularly scheduled voting place.
 * f. A member shall acknowledge receipt of a ballot by signature on a registration sheet at the time of issuance of the ballot or on an envelope when returning the voted ballot. If a roster of members is prepared for a school site ahead of time, initials of the member may be accepted.
 * g. All elections shall be decided by a majority vote, unless otherwise specified. In the event no candidate receives a majority vote, a run-off election shall be held between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.
 * (2) Ratification of Contract Agreement with District
 * a. A copy of any tentative agreement shall be made available to every active member of the Association at least one week prior to any ratification vote.
 * b. A special meeting of the Association shall be called by the President for all active members of the Association for purposes of discussing the provisions of the tentative agreement.
 * c. Voting shall take place at this ratification meeting after discussion of the provisions of the tentative agreement
 * d. Voting shall be limited to those active members of the Association present at the ratification meeting, and absentee ballots cast. An absentee ballot must be requested by the Association member. All absentee ballots must be returned to the election committee no later that the closing of balloting at the General Meeting in which the vote to ratify occurs.
 * e. The agreement shall be considered ratified if approved by a majority of ballots cast.
 * h. Announcement
 * (1) The announcement of election shall include the offices, length of terms, and the election timeline. Notices shall be posted at each school site in September.
 * (2) The announcement shall be publicized in a manner that every member has an opportunity to file a declaration of candidacy.
 * i. Time lines
 * (1) The time line for the officer election shall include dates for:
 * a. Time, date, and place where declarations of candidacy are to be received.
 * b. Date(s) when voting will take place.
 * c. Deadline date for requesting absentee ballot.
 * d. Deadline date, time, and place for return of ballots, including absentee ballots.
 * e. Date, time and place where ballots will be counted. Results announced in a timely manner.
 * f. Dates and time lines for run-off election, if necessary.
 * g. Deadline for filing of challenges.
 * (2) The time line for ratification of contract agreements with district shall be established by majority vote of the Executive Board, in accordance with the rules for ratification of contract agreements.
 * j. Finances
 * (1) Chapter moneys received through dues, assessment or similar levy shall not be used to promote any candidate.
 * (2) A Candidate may not accept direct contributions from a chapter's treasury or indirect contributions in the form of use of a chapter's assets, facilities, staff, equipment, mailings good will and credit.
 * k. Candidate's Rights
 * (1) Privileges extended to one candidate shall be extended to all candidates.
 * (2) Each candidate shall receive a copy of the election time line, procedures and guidelines.
 * (3) Each candidate shall have the right of access to a list containing the names and last known addresses of all members.
 * (4) Each candidate shall be treated in a fair and equitable manner in the printing and distribution of campaign statements.
 * l. Ballot
 * (1) The names of the candidates shall be printed on the ballot in the CTA election order. The name of each candidate shall be a printed on the declaration of candidacy. When a candidate's last name is hyphenated, the name before the hyphen shall be used for placement on the ballot.
 * (2) The ballot shall state the name of the office, the term, and the names of the candidates.
 * (3) The ballot shall include space for a write-in candidate, except in run-off elections.
 * m. Distribution of Ballots and Method of Voting
 * (1) Each member shall receive a ballot.
 * (2) Voting shall be by one or a combination of the following methods:
 * a. At school site (see Appendix A for optional method)
 * b. At specified voting site
 * c. by mail (see Appendix B).
 * n. Counting of Ballots
 * (1) A preliminary count may take place at the voting sites.
 * (2) Upon receipt of ballots, tally sheets and signature sheets, the Elections Committee shall count the ballots in a secure area with only the Elections Committee members and observers present.
 * (3) The Elections Committee shall count valid ballots and set aside any ballot(s) on which there is a question, such as
 * a. Blank ballot
 * b. More ballots than signatures
 * c. Ballot submitted after deadline
 * d. Voter not a member
 * e. Voter's intent unclear
 * f. Votes cast for more than number allowed.
 * g. Vote cast on unofficial ballot
 * h. Vote cast for ineligible candidate
 * (4) The Elections Committee shall make a determination on whether the vote(s) in each category should be counted, and make a note of the decision. Each category of ballot shall be kept separate.
 * (5) The Elections Committee shall prepare the Final Report, recording the following information:
 * a. Total number of ballots cast
 * b. The number of set aside ballots with an explanation for each category of ballot not counted
 * c. The number needed to win or pass
 * d. The number of votes received by each candidate or issue
 * e. A notation whether the set aside votes would affect the outcome.
 * f. Signature of each Elections Committee member present during the preparation of the report.
 * (6) The Elections chair shall submit the Final Report to the President or designee who shall inform all candidates of the results.
 * (7) The President shall announce the results as prescribed by the time lines.
 * (8) If the votes set aside would affect the outcome of the election, the Executive Board shall decide:
 * a. to count the votes which have been set aside
 * b. not to count the votes which have been set aside, or
 * c. if the election should be conducted again. Any candidate who may be affected by the vote shall not be allowed to take part in the decision-making process.
 * (9) The ballots and voter sign-up sheets shall be retained for one year after the election.
 * o. Observers
 * (1) Each candidate shall be allowed to have an observer at the vote counting site and shall give the name of the observer to the Elections Committee before counting.
 * (2) An observer shall not interfere with the counting and shall stay in the counting area until the President or designee has been notified of the results.
 * p. Challenge procedure
 * (1) Any member observing a violation of election procedure shall notify the chapter President and the chair of the Elections Committee, in writing, within five school days of the announcement of the results. The notification must:
 * a. Specify which requirement has been violated,
 * b. Include supporting information
 * c. List names of parties who can provide information.
 * (2) The Elections Committee shall respond within five school days after receipt of the challenge in an effort to resolve the issue. The Committee shall determine whether:
 * a. The challenge alleges a violation of chapter election requirements;
 * b. The challenge is supported by appropriate documentation;
 * c. The alleged violation may have affected the outcome of the election.
 * (3) The Elections Committee shall report to the Executive Board its findings and recommendations within twenty school days.
 * (4) The Executive Board shall make a decision on the resolution of the challenge.
 * (5) The challenging party and all candidates in that race shall be notified of the decision of the Executive Board.
 * (6) If the challenging party is not satisfied with the decision, s/he may appeal the decision in writing to the CTA President withing twenty school days of receipt of the decision.
 * q. Initiative Procedure
 * (1) The active membership shall have the authority to make decisions on any matters affecting the Association or its activities through the initiative process.
 * (2) A member shall file a notice of the intent to circulate a petition with the chapter President by including a copy of the petition to be circulated, and the names of at least three persons supporting the proposed measure and responsible for its circulation.
 * (3) The chapter President shall register the receipt of the notice of the intent to circulate, and acknowledge such registration in writing with the member filing the notice.
 * (4) The time line for gathering signatures will commence the day that the notice of intent is registered. A maximum of 45 school days shall be permitted to obtain the signature of at least 10 percent or more of the active members of the chapter. The petition shall contain the question proposed to be placed on the ballot.
 * (5) The circulators shall present to the chapter President the petition(s) containing original signatures.
 * (6) The chapter President shall have 5 school days in which to verify the membership of the signers of the petition.
 * (7) If there are insufficient signatures, the petition circulator shall be notified by mail of the number of signatures neede to qualify the petition. The petition circulator shall have an additional 7 school days in which to gather and submit the necessary signatures. The chapter President shall have 5 school days in which to verify the membership of the additional signers.
 * (8) The chapter President shall cause a ballot to be furnished to the members no less than 15 school days after verification of membership, provided that the period that school is officially not in session shall not be included in this count.
 * (9) Regular election procedures (e.g., election of officers) shall be followed including voting times.
 * (10) The proposal shall take effect immediately upon receipt of the required number of votes, unless otherwise specified.
 * r. Referendum Procedures
 * (1) Any action or proposed action of the Executive Board shall be referred to a vote of the membership upon two-thirds vote of the Executive Board at any valid meeting.
 * (2) The referendum action shall prescribe the exact wording of the question to be posed to the membership on the ballot.
 * (3) The chapter President shall cause a ballot to be furnished to the members no less than 15 school days after action by the Executive Board, provided that the period that school is officially not in session shall not be included in this count.
 * (4) Regular election procedures (e.g., election of officers) shall be followed including voting times.
 * (5) The proposal shall take effect immediately upon receipt of the required number of votes, unless otherwise specified.
 * s. Recall Procedure
 * (1) The active membership shall have the authority to recall from office any person or persons holding such virtue of having been elected thereto by the chapter's active members.
 * (2) A member shall file a notice of the intent to circulate a petition to recall with the chapter President by including a copy of the petition to be circulated, and the names of al least three persons supporting the proposed recall and responsible for its circulation. If the proposed recall is for the person holding the office of President, the the request shall be made to the next ranking officer.
 * (3) The chapter President shall register the receipt of the notice of the intent to circulate, and acknowledge such registration in writing with the member filing the notice.
 * (4) The time line for gathering signatures will commence the day that the notice of intent is registered. A maximum of 60 school day shall be permitted to obtain the signatures of at least 25 percent or more of the active members of the chapter. The petition shall contain the question proposed to be placed on the ballot.
 * (5) The circulators shall present to the chapter President the petition(s) containing original signatures.
 * (6) The chapter President shall have 10 school days in which to verify the membership of the signers of the petition.
 * (7) If there are insufficient signatures, the petition circulator shall be notified by mail of the number of signatures needed to qualify the petition. The petition circulator shall have an additional 15 school days in which to gather and submit the necessary signatures. The chapter President shall have 5 school days in which to verify the membership of the additional signers.
 * (8) The chapter President shall cause a ballot to be furnished to the members no more than 20 school days after verification of membership. The period that school is officially not in session shall not be included in this count.
 * (9) Regular election procedures (e.g., election of officers) shall be followed including voting times.
 * (10) Any necessary supplementary rules governing recall that are not in conflict with the foregoing may be adopted and published within the same publications and by the same manner as are prescribed for other elections within the Association.
 * (11) The proposal shall take effect immediately upon receipt of the required number of votes, unless otherwise specified.
 * t. The Parliamentarian shall be responsible for assuring that the meetings of the Association are operated under proper parliamentary procedures provided in Article I, section 1. The immediate Past-President shall serve as chairperson.
 * u. Professional Relations/Grievance Committee
 * (1) The term of office shall be for two years. To be eligible for appointment to this committee, the member shall have completed three years of teaching in the Dinuba Public Schools. The committee shall consist of five members with at least one member from the elementary, intermediate, and high school sites. The committee shall be appointed by the President with concurrence of the Executive Board. A chairperson will be elected by the committee members.
 * (2) The committee shall approve 15 unit blocks.
 * (3) In handling of grievances, the committee shall be approachable by the total membership. The procedure for processing grievances is outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.
 * (4) The grievant will notify the committee before filing a grievance. The grievance will be reviewed by the committee and a recommendation made to the grievant and the Executive Board.
 * (5) The committee will assist the grievant in the filing of a grievance.
 * (6) the chairperson and/or committee will accompany the grievant at any grievance hearing.
 * (7) The Association (Executive Board) shall retain full and complete authority to determine whether or not a grievance shall be forwarded for arbitration.
 * (8) The Association will provide training for the professional relations and grievance committee.
 * (9) The Association will evaluate the grievance policies and procedures.
 * v. Credential Professional Growth Committee
 * (1) Term of office shall be for two years.
 * (2) The committee shall consist of at least one representative per school site.
 * (3) The committee shall be appointed by the President with the concurrence of the Executive Board. A chairperson shall be elected by the committee members.
 * (4) The committee shall approve minimum of 150 hours of professional growth;
 * (5) The committee shall meet a minimum of two times per year to review any legislative or county revisions.

Membership shall be continuous after initial enrollment until delinquent or until a change in professional status shall make the member ineligible for membership.

= = =Article IX - Voting= All voting on the following items shall be by secret written ballot: Election of officers, Contract Reatification, Election of Elective Committees, Ratification of Constitution and Bylaws. Election shall be by majority vote of members present.

= = =**__Article X- Amendments__**= The bylaws and Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of active members present at any general and special meeting, provided notice in writing of a proposed amendment shall have been filed with the Secretary and presented in writing to each active member of the Association at least two weeks preceding the general meeting at which it is to be voted. =**__Standing Rules__**= (Revised March 2006, December 2001, November 1999, January 1999, January 1995, January 1994, April 1989, May 1985)

__Rule 1__ (Adopted October 1, 1960; Revised May 1972, May 1978, May 1985, April 1989, January 1994, January 1995, January 1999, May 2006)

The Building site representative shall provide for DTA members gifts or memorial according to the following list and amounts and shall notify the Treasurer:
 * Retirement: CTA Life Membership or $100 cash gift
 * Weddings: $40
 * Births: $40
 * Illness: $40 (hospitalization or extended illness)
 * Bereavement $40 (bereavement shall be limited to spouses, children, parents, or spouses parents of DTA members)

Recognition of the above shall be the responsibility of the building representative of the faculty involved.

__Rule 2__ (Adopted October 4, 1961; Revised May 1972, May 1989, January 1994, December 2001)

The Dinuba Teachers' Association may select at least two delegates to represent the DTA at the Fall Region 2 Leadership Conference. With approval of the Executive Board, additional delegates may be sent if funding is available. Delegates shall be offered the opportunity to attend in the following order of succession: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer. If the list is exhausted, the Executive Board shall select delegates from: (1) building representatives, (2) committee chairperson, and (3) committee members.

__Rule 3__ (Adopted October 1961; Revised May 1985, January 1994)

The spring DTA Retirement Tea shall be planned to honor retirees, the DTA scholarship recipients, and a DTA Teacher of the Year. The responsibility for selection of recipients shall be according to DTA established criteria.

__Rule 4__ (Adopted September 1962)

Recommendations of various committees shall be submitted to the Executive Board at regular or called meetings before being submitted to the administration.

__Rule 5__ (Adopted November 17, 1966; deleted May 1985)

DTA Dinner.

__Rule 6__ (Adopted April 20, 1966; Deleted May 1985)

DTA Dinner reservations.

__Rule 7__ (Adopted January 1967)

Any President who assumes the office without having served as Vice-President shall be the first in line to attend the Fall Leadership Conference as listed in Standing Rule Number 2.

__Rule 8__ (adopted May 1972)

A member of any committee who resigns before his/her term has been completed shall have the office filled either by election or appointment, as per the bylaws. The term of the office appointed or elected shall be only the length of time of the member who resigned.

__Rule 9__ (Adopted May 1977; Revised May 1985, January 1994, January 1995,November 1999, December 2001)

The elected officers (President, Vice-President,Secretary, and Treasurer) shall be paid a monthly stipend to be determined by the Executive Board. The stipend shall cover expenses incurred while fulfilling the responsibilities of the office, to include, but not be limited to: mileage, telephone calls, etc.

The following committee chairperson may be paid a stipend to be determined by the Executive Board: membership, negotiations, professional relations/grievance, and credential/professional growth. The building representatives may be paid a stipend to be determined by the Executive Board.

=__Board Policies__=

__Policy No. 1__ (Adopted April 1961; Revised May 1972,1985, January 1994, December 2001)

Spring Retirement Social The DTA shall extend invitations to the spring Retirement Social to the school board of trustees, all school principals, the retirees of the last five years, the spouses of the retirees of the current year, scholarship recipients and their parents.

__Policy No. 2__ The arrangement for the Association’s Spring Retirement Social shall be made by each school in turn rotating in the following manner: 2007 Lincoln 2008 DHS/Sierra Vista/Adult School 2009 Washington 2010 Grand View 2011 Jefferson 2012 Wilson 2013 Roosevelt 2014 JFK 2015 Start Over/New School

__Policy No. 3__ (Deleted May 1985)

The President of the DTA shall act as coordinating chairperson of the CTA-sponsored discussion groups.

__Policy No. 4__ (Adopted November 15, 1961)

Any item not on the agenda shall be considered: (1) After planned agenda has been completed; (2) With special consent of the President; and (3) By special request of the majority of the Executive Board.

__Policy No. 5__ (Adopted November 15, 1961)

The Secretary of the Association shall provide all members who are absent from an Executive Board meeting with any materials that were considered at said meeting.

__Policy No. 6__ (Adopted April 1975; Revised May 1978, October 2001)

A CTA lifetime membership in the CTA or a $100 cash gift will be awarded to those teachers retiring who have taught eight (8) years consecutively in the Dinuba Unified School District and are paid-up members of DTA.

__Policy No. 7__ (Adopted April 26th, 1978; revised May 1985)

The President or Vice-president shall attend the CTA Presidents' Conference in August, paid by DTA.

__Policy No. 8__ (Adopted May 29, 1985)

The Chief negotiator and/or designee may attend the CTA Negotiations Institute during the summer, paid by DTA.

__Policy No. 9__ (Adopted May 29, 1985; Revised January 1994)

Mileage expense shall be paid by DTA for each designated conference approved by the Executive Board.

__Policy No. 10__ (Adopted January 1994; Revised January 1999)

Scholarship Recipient Criteria to be put on application:
 * 1) recipient must be a child of a tenured DTA member;
 * 2) award will be paid upon verification of 9 completed units;
 * 3) college or technology/trade school units must be completed within one year of graduation from high school.

__Policy No. 11__ (Adopted January 1994)

Teacher of the Year Award criteria:
 * 1) actively engaged as a teacher in Dinuba Unified School District for a period of at least 5 years
 * 2) volunteers time
 * 3) activities (community or school related for youth)
 * 4) good character
 * 5) effectiveness and accomplishments
 * 6) member of DTA