Bylaws

(Approved Spring 1999)

ARTICLE 1: Name of the Organization
ARTICLE 2: Purposes of the Organization
ARTICLE 3: Membership and Meetings
ARTICLE 4: Organizational Structure and Governance
ARTICLE 5: Fiscal Year
ARTICLE 6: Conflict of Interest
ARTICLE 7: Dues
ARTICLE 8: Savings
ARTICLE 9: Amendments
ARTICLE 10: Parliamentary Authority
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ARTICLE 1: NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION

The name of this organization shall be the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Faculty Association, an affiliate of the Illinois Education Association (IEA) and the National Education Association (NEA), and it will be referred to hereafter as the Association.

ARTICLE 2: PURPOSES OF THE ORGANIZATION

2-A. To promote orderly and constructive relations between the SIUC Faculty and the appropriate Administration representatives of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, the SIU Board of Trustees, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the General Assembly, and such other bodies as may influence the conditions of employment and the profession;

2-B. To promote fair and equitable wages, working conditions, and benefits for the Faculty in the bargaining unit by entering into written collective bargaining agreements;

2-C. To promote the fair resolution of Faculty/Administration disputes through the establishment and perfection of acceptable grievance procedures;

2-D. To promote a University that respects and rewards Faculty contributions to teaching, research, and service;

2-E. To promote academic freedom;

2-F. To promote full Faculty participation in the governance of the University; and

2-G. To promote the attainment of a diverse faculty and student body and to resist any unreasonable discriminatory practices in the hiring, promotion, or retention of faculty because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, or political affiliation.

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS

SECTION 3-A: ELIGIBILITY

Voting membership in the Association shall be open to all bargaining-unit Faculty as defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University and the Association. Emeritus faculty and other faculty not included in the bargaining unit may join the Association as non-voting members.

SECTION 3-B: NON-DISCRIMINATION

There shall be no discrimination in conditions of membership based upon race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, political affiliation, or academic rank.

SECTION 3-C: POWERS OF THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

Ultimate authority in the Association originates with the general membership and is delegated to the Departmental Representative Council, the Assembly, and the Executive Committee. The membership empowers the Departmental Representative Council and the Assembly to propose policies, and the Executive Committee to implement them. However, policy matters may be initiated by any one of the four bodies: the membership, the Departmental Representative Council, the Assembly, or the Executive Committee.

SECTION 3-D: ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting of members shall be held at such time, place, and date within the first month of the Fall semester as may be fixed by the President. The President shall prepare the meeting agenda and preside at the meeting. Any member may place an item on the agenda by notifying the President in writing at least two weeks before the scheduled Annual Meeting or may raise the item from the floor under the heading of New Business.

SECTION 3-E: SPECIAL MEETINGS

The President may call a special meeting of the membership, and shall call such a meeting upon written request by the Executive Committee, by a majority vote of either the Assembly or the Departmental Representative Council, or by fifteen percent (15%) of the membership of the Association. The call for the meeting shall specify the purpose of the meeting, and no other business shall be considered at the meeting.

SECTION 3-F: NOTICE OF MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Unless waived, written notice of each annual or special meeting — stating the date, time, place, purposes, and agenda of the meeting — shall be given by personal delivery or by mail to each voting member not less than ten (10) days before the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be directed to members at their address on the records of the Association. Notice shall be deemed waived by any member who shall participate in such meeting without protesting the lack of proper notice prior to, or at the commencement of the meeting. Any member may, either before or after any meeting, waive any notice required to be given.

SECTION 3-G: PLACE OF MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Annual and special meetings of members shall be held at a place designated by the President on the SIU Carbondale campus. Meetings may be held off-campus provided one quarter (1/4) of the membership votes for such a change of venue.

SECTION 3-H: QUORUM AT MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

One quarter (1/4) of the membership of the Association shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting. The act of a majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the body. A majority of the members present, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may adjourn such meeting from time to time until a quorum is present.

ARTICLE 4: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE

SECTION 4-A: EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Executive Officers of the Association shall be the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer.

4-A-1. President.

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association, of the Executive Committee, and of the Assembly; shall appoint the chairpersons and members of all Ad Hoc Committees, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee; shall appoint the Chapter Parliamentarian; shall make all other appointments unless otherwise indicated in these Bylaws; shall be an ex officio member of the Departmental Representative Council and of all committees; shall be responsible for the agenda of Assembly meetings; shall make reports from the Executive Committee to the Assembly; shall present resolutions of the Executive Committee to the Departmental Representative Council; and shall be the chief spokesperson of the Association. The President’s term of office shall be two years, beginning on the first day of classes of the Fall semester and lasting until a successor assumes office.

4-A-2. Vice-President.

The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of her or his duties; shall assume all the duties of the President in the event of the President’s absence or other temporary inability to perform them; and shall succeed to the office of President in the event that the office is vacated by resignation, by recall, or for any other reason. The Vice President shall present resolutions of the Executive Committee to the Assembly, and the Vice President shall serve as chair of the Elections Committee. The term of office shall be the same as that of the President.

4-A-3. Secretary.

The Secretary shall maintain a permanent record of all meetings of the Association, of the Assembly, and of the Executive Committee; shall distribute to the membership the agenda and minutes of all Association meetings; and shall serve as Association Historian. The term of office shall be the same as that of the President.

4-A-4. Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall keep a financial record of the organization; shall be responsible for collection of revenue and disbursement of funds as authorized by the Executive Committee; shall submit a financial report to each regular meeting of the Assembly; and shall present an annual budget in the Spring semester for approval by the Assembly. The term of office shall be the same as that of the President.

4-A-5. Transfer of Records.

Upon leaving office, all officers shall turn over current and active Association records that pertain to the office to their successors, and all other Association records to the Secretary.

4-A-6. Vacancies of Executive Offices

Any Executive Officer who is unable to perform the duties of the office for any reason whatsoever for a period of 30 days shall submit a written resignation: to the Vice President in the case of the President, or to the President in the case of any other officer. If such resignation is not received within 60 days after the officer ceases to perform his or her duties, the Executive Committee shall declare the office vacant. If the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall succeed to that office, and the office of Vice President shall be considered vacant. If the office of Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer becomes vacant for any reason, the Executive Committee — with the approval of the Assembly — shall appoint a successor to complete the unexpired term.

SECTION 4-B: DEPARTMENTAL REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL (DRC)

4-B-1. Composition.

The Departmental Representative Council (DRC) shall consist of one Departmental Representative elected by each academic unit, and the Association President as a non-voting ex officio member.

4-B-2. Election of Departmental Representatives.

The representatives to the DRC shall be elected by a majority vote of the membership in the units that they represent. DRC general elections (and special elections in the event of vacancies) in each college shall be the responsibility of the respective College Representative. Each Departmental Representative shall serve a renewable two-year term of office. All Association members in each unit are eligible to vote for, or be elected as, Departmental Representatives.

4-B-3. Officers of the DRC.

The DRC shall elect its chair, vice-chair, and secretary from among the Departmental Representatives at its first meeting of each academic year. The chair shall represent the DRC as a member of the Assembly and of the Executive Committee, and shall call and preside over meetings of the DRC.

4-B-4. Duties of the Departmental Representative Council.

The DRC shall be the policy-making body of the Association in matters pertaining to bargaining, and to changes in the existing contract. This includes developing contract proposals during the period leading up to bargaining; advising and consulting with the Bargaining Team during the period of negotiations; and approving changes to the negotiated agreement during the life of the contract, or referring significant contract changes to the membership for ratification. The DRC shall consider common problems of membership, recruitment, grievance procedures, and other unit issues that may arise, and it shall coordinate training of Departmental Representatives.

4-B-5. Meetings of the Departmental Representative Council.

The DRC shall meet at least one time each semester, except in periods of contract negotiation, when the Association President may ask the Council to meet more often. Meetings shall be open to the general membership, and the date, time, and place of such meetings shall be known to the general membership.

SECTION 4-C: ASSEMBLY

4-C-1. Composition.

The Assembly shall consist of the four Executive Officers, the chairs of all the Standing Committees, the College Representatives, the Chair of the Departmental Representative Council, and the Regional Council Representative.

4-C-2. Authority and Responsibilities.

The Assembly shall be the policy-making body of the Association in enforcing the existing contract and responding to violations of the contract by the Administration. The Assembly shall also make policy in non-contractual matters pertaining to the internal business of the Association. The Assembly shall recruit members to serve on the Association’s Standing Committees. Recommendations of Standing and Ad Hoc Committees and of the Executive Committee shall be presented to the Assembly for action. Any member of the Assembly may present resolutions for action. Any member of the Association may address the Assembly. All appointments to Ad Hoc Committees shall be subject to approval by the Assembly. The Annual Budget shall be subject to approval by the Assembly.

4-C-3. Meetings.

The Assembly shall meet at least three times per semester during the regular academic year. The President shall preside at each meeting, and the Secretary shall serve as the recorder. At each Assembly meeting, the Treasurer shall present a financial report.

4-C-4. College Representatives.

One representative will be elected from each College. The elections will be conducted every two years by the Elections Committee. The elected representatives from each college become members of the Assembly, wherein they represent their respective colleges. College Representatives shall conduct elections for Department Representatives in their respective colleges every two years. They shall call at least one college meeting per semester with their respective Departmental Representatives, and they shall coordinate any other Association activities within their college. They are deemed to be the representative in the DRC for any department within their college that has not nominated and elected a unit representative.

4-C-5. Regional Council Representative.

The Regional Council Representative will serve as the Association’s representative on the IEA Regional Council and as a member of the Association’s Assembly. The Representative will attend Regional Council meetings and will report on Regional Council business at Assembly meetings. The Regional Council Representative will be elected by the membership for a two-year term.

SECTION 4-D: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

4-D-1. Composition.

The Executive Committee shall consist of the four Executive Officers and the Chair of the Departmental Representative Council.

4-D-2. Powers of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee may act for the Assembly or the DRC between meetings, with the understanding that its actions may be reviewed and reversed by the Assembly or the DRC, according to the policy-making function of the respective body, at the latter’s next regular meeting, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

4-D-3. Duties of the Executive Committee

It is the responsibility of the Executive Committee to carry out the policies promulgated by the Assembly and the Departmental Representative Council. The Executive Committee shall set the agenda for meetings of the Assembly.

4-D-4. Meetings of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall meet at least once a month during the regular academic year and may meet as many additional times as necessary or reasonable to transact its business. A majority of the members of the Executive Committee must be present to conduct business, and majority vote shall rule. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the President or upon petition to the President of any two members of the Executive Committee. All meetings shall be open to the membership. Any member may attend and speak, either on an agenda item or on a matter of New Business.

SECTION 4-E: BARGAINING

The DRC will canvass the membership to determine Association concerns and priorities for purposes of contract negotiations. The DRC shall aid in the development of contract proposals, and the initial package of proposals shall be subject to the approval of the DRC. The DRC shall play a central role in the negotiating process by communicating the needs and wishes of the general membership directly to the Bargaining Team, which will keep the DRC apprised of the progress of negotiations and will consult the DRC at regular intervals about upcoming decisions and agreements in the negotiation process. The Bargaining Team shall represent the Faculty in negotiations with the Administration. It shall consist of five Association members and appropriate IEA staff appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee, based solely on their judgment as to the qualifications of the individuals. Once a tentative contract has been negotiated by the Bargaining Team, the DRC shall vote on it, and that vote shall be communicated directly to the Assembly and the membership. Final approval of any negotiated contract shall be by a majority vote of Association members.

SECTION 4-F: COMMITTEES

4-F-1. Standing Committees

The Executive Committee, the Assembly, and the DRC shall work with eleven Standing Committees to provide research and support for collective bargaining and other key functions of the Association. These committees shall be as follows: Budget, Elections, Faculty Welfare, Health and Safety, Grievances, Legislative Issues, Membership and Education, Public Information, Student Relations, Teaching and Research, and Women and Minority Issues. With the exception of the Elections Committee, the chairs of the standing committees shall be selected by the Departmental Representative Council from among the Association’s membership, to serve in that capacity for two-year renewable terms. All other committee members shall be recruited by the Assembly, also from among the Association’s membership, for three-year staggered terms. The Assembly shall exercise its judgment about the procedures to be employed in allocating staggered terms of standing committee members. All members of the standing committees shall take office beginning on the first day of classes of the Fall semester and serve until their successor assumes office.

4-F-1-a. Benefits Committee

The Benefits Committee shall consist of a chair elected by the Departmental Representative Council from among the membership, and four persons recruited from among the membership by the Assembly for three-year staggered terms. The Benefits Committee shall monitor faculty fringe benefits and shall be responsible for conducting research on the availability and costs of benefits, and it shall recommend negotiation proposals to the Departmental Representative Council and to the Bargaining Team. The chair of this committee shall, by virtue of chairing the committee, become a member of the Assembly.

4-F-1-b. Budget Committee

The Budget Committee shall consist of a chair elected by the Departmental Representative Council from among the membership, and four persons recruited from among the membership by the Assembly for three-year staggered terms. The Budget Committee shall monitor the University budget and shall be responsible for conducting research on ways and means for improving faculty wages, hours, and working conditions, and it shall recommend negotiation proposals to the Departmental Representative Council and to the Bargaining Team. The chair of this committee shall, by virtue of chairing the committee, become a member of the Assembly.

4-F-1-c. Elections Committee

The Elections Committee shall consist of the Vice President of the Association, who shall serve as chair, and at least three other members who are not currently serving the Association in any other electoral capacity. These members shall be recruited by the Assembly for three-year staggered terms. The Elections Committee shall conduct all regular and special elections as prescribed by these Bylaws and as directed by the Assembly. The only functions of the chair are (1) to convene the committee and (2) to report the election results to appropriate bodies of the Association and to the membership.

4-F-1-d. Grievance Committee

The Grievance Committee shall consist of a chair elected by the Departmental Representative Council from among the membership, and four persons recruited from among the membership by the Assembly for three-year staggered terms. The Grievance Committee shall advise members in filing grievances, and it shall recommend to the Departmental Representative Council, the Bargaining Team, and the Assembly ways and means to improve dispute resolution processes between the faculty and management personnel. The chair of this committee shall, by virtue of chairing the committee, become a member of the Assembly.

4-F-1-e. Health and Safety Committee

The Health and Safety Committee shall consist of a chair elected by the Departmental Representative Council from among the membership, and four persons recruited from among the membership by the Assembly for three-year staggered terms. The Health and Safety Committee shall monitor the health, safety, and working conditions of the faculty, and it shall recommend to the Departmental Representative Council, the Assembly, and to the Bargaining Team ways to improve faculty health, safety and working conditions. The chair of this committee shall, by virtue of chairing the committee, become a member of the Assembly.

4-F-1-f. Legislative Committee

The Legislative Committee shall consist of a chair elected by the Departmental Representative Council from among the membership, and four persons recruited from among the membership by the Assembly for three-year staggered terms. The Legislative Committee is responsible for establishing and maintaining access to and relations with political leaders in and out of government and for educating and informing political leaders about the concerns and aspirations of the faculty. It shall make recommendations to the Assembly concerning political endorsements and political action activities designed to enhance the position of the faculty. The chair of this committee shall, by virtue of chairing the committee, become a member of the Assembly.

4-F-1-g. Membership and Education Committee

The Membership and Education Committee shall consist of a chair elected by the Departmental Representative Council from among the membership, and ten persons recruited from among the membership by the Assembly for three-year staggered terms. The Membership Committee is responsible for maintaining membership records, recruiting new members, and educating the faculty about the benefits of Association membership. The committee shall make recommendations to the Departmental Representative Council and to the Assembly about ways and means to maximize membership in the Association. The chair of this committee shall, by virtue of chairing the committee, become a member of the Assembly.

4-F-1-h. Public Information Committee

The Public Information Committee shall consist of a chair elected by the Departmental Representative Council from among the membership, and four persons recruited from among the membership by the Assembly for three-year staggered terms. The Public Information Committee is responsible for effective communication within the Association and with news organizations. The committee shall advise and aid all Association bodies when communicating to the public the views of the Association. The chair of this committee shall, by virtue of chairing the committee, become a member of the Assembly.

4-F-1-i. Student Relations Committee

The Student Relations Committee shall consist of a chair elected by the Departmental Representative Council from among the membership, and four persons recruited from among the membership by the Assembly for three-year staggered terms of office. The Student Relations Committee shall monitor the state of student/faculty relations, communicate with student leaders about solving problems common to students and faculty, and offer suggestions to the Assembly, the Departmental Representative Council, and the Bargaining Team in all matters relating to student concerns. The chair of this committee shall, by virtue of chairing the committee, become a member of the Assembly.

4-F-1-j. Teaching and Research Committee

The Teaching and Research Committee shall consist of a chair elected by the Departmental Representative Council from among the membership, and four persons recruited from among the membership by the Assembly for three-year staggered terms. The Teaching and Research Committee shall monitor issues affecting the teaching and research responsibilities of the faculty. It shall make recommendations concerning such matters to the Departmental Representative Council, the Assembly, and to the Bargaining Team. The chair of this committee shall, by virtue of chairing the committee, become a member of the Assembly.

4-F-1-k. Women and Minorities Committee>

The Women and Minorities Committee shall consist of a chair elected by the Departmental Representative Council from among the membership, and four persons recruited from among the membership for three-year staggered terms. The Women and Minorities Committee shall study and offer suggestions to enhance diversity in the academic community and to improve the status and role of women and minorities in the life of the University. The committee shall make recommendations to the Assembly, the Departmental Representative Council, and the Bargaining Team. The chair of this committee shall, by virtue of chairing the committee, become a member of the Assembly.

4-F-2. Ad Hoc Committees

Ad Hoc Committees shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Assembly, as they are deemed necessary by the President for accomplishing the work of the Association. Such special committees are to be appointed only for a specific purpose and for a specified period of time. The members of such committees shall be selected from the general membership with no more than one member from the Executive Committee.

SECTION 4-G: PAID PERSONNEL

Paid personnel of the Illinois Education Association are responsible for providing assistance and training to Association leaders and to the membership, for facilitating the work of the Association, and for implementing Association policies and programs. In no case shall paid personnel make policy statements on behalf of the Association without the approval of the appropriate elected officers; nor shall they carry out policy decisions without the full knowledge, concurrence, approval, and direction of the Association’s duly elected officers.

SECTION 4-H: ELECTIONS AND VOTING

4-H-1. Voting

Each Association member in the bargaining unit shall have one (1) vote. Unless otherwise stated in these Bylaws, all issues put to a vote before any body or committee herein shall be decided by majority vote of the members present and voting. Voting by members in elections and on other matters may be conducted by mail. Any member may be represented at any meeting of members or vote and exercise any other rights at the meeting by proxy or proxies appointed in writing and signed by such member.

4-H-2. Elections

The Executive Officers and the Regional Council Representative shall be elected by the general membership by the end of the Spring semester every two years. Nominations for the various offices may be made by filing with the Elections Committee a declaration of nomination. Those making such a declaration must assure the Elections Committee that the individual nominated will in fact accept the nomination prior to sending forth the nomination to the Committee. Individuals may also nominate themselves. After nominations have been appropriately made pursuant to these Bylaws, the Committee shall conduct the election by secret mailed ballot of the membership. Executive Officer candidates may have included with the ballot a statement not to exceed two-hundred words stating their qualifications for the office and their platforms. Time and place of final tabulation of the Executive Officer election ballots will be announced by the Committee. Any and all Association members are encouraged to attend, observe and participate in final tabulations. That candidate who receives a majority of the votes cast for a particular position will be declared the winner. In the event of a runoff election, that election shall be conducted by the Elections committee. College Representatives shall be elected by the general membership of their college by the end of the spring semester every two years. The elections will be conducted by the Elections Committee. Nominations for the position may be filed with the Elections Committee, after assuring that the individual nominated will in fact accept the nomination. Individuals may also nominate themselves. Time and place of final tabulation of the secret mailed ballots will be announced by the Committee. Any and all Association members in the college are encouraged to attend, observe, and participate in final tabulations. That candidate who receives a majority of the votes cast for the college position will be declared the winner. Newly elected College Representatives will conduct Department Representative elections every two years by the end of the spring semester. In the event that a department or unit does not nominate and elect a representative the College Representative is considered to additionally hold that position.

ARTICLE 5: FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Association shall be the twelve-month period ending on June 30th.

ARTICLE 6: CONFLICT OF INTEREST

An officer or committee member having a conflict of interest or a conflict of responsibility on any matter involving the Association and any other business or person shall refrain from voting on such matter. No officer or committee member shall use her or his position as an officer of the Association for her or his own direct or indirect financial gain. It is the duty of all committee members to inform the President of any conflict of interest perceived by them.

ARTICLE 7: DUES

Annual local dues shall be established by the Assembly. The IEA-NEA dues shall be transmitted to the IEA-NEA as per IEA-NEA policies. The books and records of the organization shall be open to inspection by any member upon reasonable request.

ARTICLE 8: SAVINGS

In the event a portion or portions of these Bylaws are found to be inconsistent with state or federal law, such portions to the extent that they violate the law shall be deemed deleted and of no force and effect.

ARTICLE 9: AMENDMENTS

Any part of these Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the general membership.

ARTICLE 10: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

All meetings of this Association shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised. Robert’s Rules of Order shall also govern all matters not treated by these Bylaws.