Constitution of
The Western New Mexico University
National Education Association
Student Program
Article I. Name and Location
| Section 1. | The name of this association shall be THE WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION -STUDENT PROGRAM (WNMUNEA-SP). |
| Section 2. | The Headquarters for the WNMUNEA-SP will be maintained in the School of Education, Martinez Hall, Silver City, Grant County, New Mexico. |
Article II. Purposes
| Section 1. | Promote interest in young adults interested in education. |
| Section 2. | Provide members with opportunities for developing personal growth and professional competence. |
| Section 3. | Provide opportunities for gaining an understanding of the history, ethics, and programs of the education profession. |
| Section 4. | Provide opportunities for participating in cooperative work on the problems of the profession and the community. |
| Section 5. | Provide professional membership in the local, state, and national levels during the preparation period for a career in education. |
| Section 6. | Strive for higher standards of preparation and promote student advocacy. |
Article III. Membership
| Section 1. | Membership in the WNMUNEA-SP shall be open to any Western New Mexico University student interested in education who has never been eligible for any other category of membership within the NEA. |
| Section 2. | In addition to being a member of the WNMUNEA-SP each member shall be affiliated with the State and National Student Program. A person shall not be admitted to or continue membership in the Association who possesses a teaching contract or who receives payment for teaching duties rendered with the exception of student teachers that may be expected to substitute teach. |
| Section 3. | The membership year shall be from September 1 to August 31. |
| Section 4. | Membership will not be denied on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, or physically challenged. |
Article IV. Officers
| Section 1. | The officers of the WNMUNEA-SP shall be responsible to the membership in all matters concerning the discharge of their duties. |
| Section 2. | The officers of the WNMUNEA-SP shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. |
Article V. Organization
| Section 1. | EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: There shall be an Executive Committee composed of the officers and the faculty advisor. |
| Section 2. | GENERAL MEETING: There shall be eight (8) general meetings of the members of this Association annually. |
Article VI. Affiliation
| Section 1. | The WNMUNEA-SP shall be affiliated with the New Mexico and national NEA Student Programs. |
| Section 2. | The WNMUNEA-SP shall not affiliate with any local, state, or national group, union or association that competes for membership with New Mexico and National NEA. |
Article VII. Amendment Process
| Section 1. | This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting. |
| Section 2. | Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the Secretary and read at the previous regular meeting. |
| Section 3. | EFFECTIVE DATE: Any amendment(s) to this Constitution shall become effective immediately upon approval by the membership. |
Bylaws
Article I. Officers
| Section 1. | The term of office shall be one year or until their successors are duly qualified. Incumbents are eligible to seek re-election for one additional term. The officers shall assume office on May 1 following the election at the April general meeting. |
| Section 2. |
The President:
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| Section 3. |
The Vice-President:
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| Section 4. |
The Secretary:
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| Section 5. |
The Treasurer:
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| Section 6. | In the event of a vacancy in the Office of its Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer the vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Committee for the remainder of the year. |
Article II. Executive Committee
| Section 1. | The Executive Committee shall be the executive branch of this Association. |
| Section 2. |
The duties of the Executive Committee shall be:
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| Section 3. | A quorum for the Executive Committee shall consist of a majority of the members. |
Article III. General Meeting
| Section 1. | MEETINGS: The WNMUNEA-SP shall hold eight (8) meetings a year at a time and location to be determined by the Executive Committee. Notice to all meetings shall be posted on the WNMUNEA-SP bulletin board in the SOE. |
Article IV. Committees
| Section 1. | The President with the approval of the Executive Committee may establish special (i.e. ad-hoc) committees. |
| Section 2. | Ad-hoc committees shall be established for the purpose of accomplishing a specific task within a limited period of time. The committee chairperson's shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Committee. |
| Section 3. | The Executive Committee may designate any ad-hoc committee as a standing committee for the remainder of the year. |
Article V. Dues
| Section 1. | Membership shall pay annually the current fees for membership in New Mexico, the current fees for membership in NEA-SP, and $3.00 for local student organization dues. |
Article VI. Nominations and Elections
| Section 1. | Elections will be conducted under guidelines approved by the general membership. |
| Section 2. | All elections will be conducted using an open nomination and secret ballot procedure. |
Article VII. Due Process
| Section 1. | The WNMUNEA-SP shall guarantee that no member will be censored, suspended, or expelled without a due process procedure, which shall include an appellate procedure. |
| Section 2. | The WNMUNEA-SP shall guarantee that no member of the Executive Committee shall be impeached and removed from office without a due process procedure that shall include an appellate procedure. |
| Section 3. | The general membership shall approve rules and procedures to implement these due process guarantees. |
Article VIII. Amendment Process
| Section 1. | These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting at any general meeting. |
| Section 2. | Proposed changes in these bylaws shall be presented in writing to the membership at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which they will be considered. |
Article IX. Parliamentary Authority
| Section 1. | Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the authority on all questions of procedure not specified in this Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules. |