Constitutional changes approved June 10, 2010

(Copies of the complete constitution will be available at the October 9, 2010 meeting at the Spanish Tavern.)

Constitution

Of

The American Federation of teachers

RetireEs of New Jersey

 

I.          NAME

 

            The name of this organization shall be the American Federation of Teachers Retirees of New Jersey.

 

II.            PURPOSE

 

            Section 1.            To support the aims and objectives of the AFT NJ State Federation, the recognized voice for all members, active and retired.

 

            Section 2.            To encourage the interest of our members in such matters as pensions, annuities, social security, health care and taxes.

 

            Section 3.            To foster social, cultural, educational and civic pursuits.

 

            Section 4.            To promote the health and welfare of our members.

 

            Section 5.            To cooperate with selected organizations whose aims and goals coincide with our own.

 

III.            AFFILIATIONS

 

            The AFT Retirees of New Jersey shall be a constituent unit of the AFT NJ State Federation and of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).  The AFTR of NJ shall take no action that is in conflict with the policies and decisions of the membership or Executive Council of the AFT NJ State Federation or of the AFT.  No provision of, or proposed amendment to, this constitution shall be in conflict with the constitution or by laws of the AFT NJ State Federation or those of the AFT.

 

IV.            MEMBERSHIP

 

            Section 1.              Full membership in this organization shall be open to retired members who were members of AFT local unions that were affiliated with the State Federation for at least one year.  Retired administrators who were members of AFT and State Federation affiliated local unions for at least one year shall likewise be eligible for membership.  Members of local retiree organizations that existed before the formation of this organization shall have the option of belonging to both organizations.

 

            Section 2.            Good standing shall be obtained only through the payment of required dues.

 

            Section 3.            The right to vote and hold office shall be extended to those full members who have paid their dues.

 

            Section 4.            Associate membership may be extended to those who pay dues but are not eligible for full membership.

 

V.            OFFICERS

 

            Section l.            The officers of this organization shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

            Section 2.            Three members-at-large shall serve on the Executive Board.

 

            Section 3.            All elected officers and members-at-large shall serve two-year terms.

 

            Section 4.            The President shall be the chief spokesperson for this organization.  He/she shall preside over all meetings of this organization and the Executive Board.  He/she shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

 

            Section 5.            The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of his/her duties and shall perform all duties of the President in his/her absence.  He/she will oversee the standing committees.

 

            Section 6.            The Secretary shall issue correspondence at the direction of the President.  He/she shall record and keep the minutes of the Executive Board and the general membership meetings.

 

            Section 7.            The Treasurer shall maintain all bank accounts, collect dues, pay bills, and maintain financial and membership records of the organization.  The Treasurer shall present a financial report at each meeting of the Executive Board and at the general membership meetings.

 

            Section 8.            Vacancies among officers shall be filled according to the following procedures.  If the President resigns, dies or is incapacitated, the Vice President shall complete the term of the President.  A vacancy at the Vice-Presidency shall

             be filled at the next general meeting, with written notice given to the membership not less than two weeks in advance of the meeting.  All other officers’ vacancies shall be filled by a similar procedure.

 

VI.            EXECUTIVE BOARD

 

            Section 1.            The Executive Board shall be composed of the elected officials and three (3) at-large members elected by the membership.

 

            Section 2.            The duties of the Executive Board shall be to:

 

a.              Approve an annual budget

b.              Act upon expenditures as required

c.              Interpret the Constitution

d.              Act on policy matters for the organization

e.              Make policy recommendations to the membership for their consideration

f.               Prepare the agenda for general membership meetings

g.              Perform all other duties enumerated in the constitution

 

Section 3.            The Executive Board shall meet at least four (4) times during the year.  Special meetings may be called by the President or by petition of a majority of the Executive Board.

 

VII.            Elections

 

            Section 1.            Elections shall be held in odd-numbered years.

 

            Section 2.            The President shall appoint an Election Committee. The Election Committee shall be responsible for conducting the elections of officers and members-at-large.  No candidate for any position shall be a member of this committee.

 

            Section 3.            The Election Committee shall send a notice in writing to members regarding nominations and elections at least thirty (30) days prior to the third meeting of the fiscal year.  Nominations shall be taken from the floor at the third meeting of the fiscal year.

 

            Section 4.            Any full member in good standing for one year shall be eligible to run for elected office.

 

            Section 5.            Elections by secret ballot shall be held in June.

 

            Section 6.            Executive Board members shall take office July 1.

VIII.            FINANCIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

 

            Effective July 1, 2010 and yearly thereafter, this organization shall convene a committee of AFTR of NJ members approved by the Executive Board to conduct an internal financial review according to the standards of generally accepted accounting principles. The Treasurer will report to the general membership on the review at the first meeting of the new fiscal year.

 

IX.            PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

 

            The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Orders, Newly Revised, shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution.

 

X.            AMENDMENTS

 

            Section 1.            Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by the majority of the Executive Board or a full member in good standing at a general membership meeting.  The proposed amendment shall be voted on at the next general membership meeting.

 

            Section 2.            A copy of the proposed amendment must be mailed to all members at least fourteen (14) days prior to the ratification vote.

 

            Section 3.            An amendment may be ratified by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those attending the general membership meeting.

 

BY-LAWS

 

I.            MEETINGS

 

            Section 1.            There shall be a minimum of four (4) general membership meetings annually.  The Board shall meet as the officers deem necessary.

 

            Section 2.            A quorum shall consist of at least fifteen percent (15%) of the members in good standing at the time of the meeting.  Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern quorum questions.

 

            Section 3.            A quorum for Executive Board meetings shall consist of at least four members, two of which shall be officers.

            Section 4.            The Executive Board may call additional general and/or Board meetings as necessary.

 

II.        DUES

 

            Section 1.            Each member shall pay annual dues in the amount of twenty dollars ($20).  Each associate member shall pay annual dues in the amount of ten dollars ($10).

 

            Section 2.            The Executive Board, with the consent of the membership, can revise dues annually, subject to the approval of the State Federation.

 

            Section 3.            The dues and fiscal year shall begin July 1.

 

III.            AMENDMENTS

 

            Amendments to these By-Laws shall require a majority vote of the members present and voting at a general membership meeting.