Constitution and By-Laws

of the

Idaho Association for Bilingual Education, Inc.

Adopted – March 17, 1979 Nampa, Idaho

Revised – October 7, 1994 Twin Fall, Idaho

Revised – October 1, 1998 Twin Falls, Idaho

Revision Submitted to Membership – October 8, 2004 Ontario, Oregon

Revision Submitted to Membership – January 30, 2009 Boise, Idaho

Revision Submitted to Membership – January 26, 2018 Boise, Idaho

Revised – January 25, 2019 Boise, Idaho

Table of Contents

Article I Name

Section 1 Name

Section 2 Interpretation of the Name

Article II Philosophy and Purpose

Section 1 Philosophy

Section 2 Purpose

Article III Membership

Section 1 Organization

Section 2 Additional Chapters Regional Affiliates

Section 3 Qualifications

Section 4 Honorary Membership

Section 5 Categories of Membership

Section 6 Membership Fees

Section 7 Membership Voting

Section 8 Quorum

Article IV Meetings

Section 1 Membership meetings

Section 2 Frequency of Meetings

Section 3 Location of Meetings

Article V Board of Directors

Section 1 Board of Directors

Section 2 Meetings

Section 3 Terms of Office

Section 4 Vacancies

Section 5 Duties of Board of Directors

Article VI Election of Officers

Section 1 Nominations Committee

Section 2 Voting Eligibility

Section 3 Removal of Officers

Article VII Amendments

Section 1 Procedure for Amendments

Section 2 Ratification

Constitution

of the

Idaho Association for Bilingual Education, Inc.

Article I Name

Section 1 Name

The name of the Association shall be the Idaho Association for Bilingual Education, Inc. hereinafter referred to as IABE.

Section 2 Interpretation of the Name

Bilingual Education in the name of the Association shall mean: the continuous use and preservation of two languages and their corresponding cultures in the field of education. For the purposes of this Constitution, bilingual education shall mean bilingual/bicultural education. This allows for the provision of equitable educational opportunities by using the students’ primary language and culture as a medium of instruction while at the same time teaching the second language. This instructional process results in a bicultural individual possessing fluency and literacy in both languages.

Article II Philosophy and Purpose

Section 1 Philosophy

It is the conviction of the Idaho Association for Bilingual Education that in a multilingual and multicultural state such as Idaho, languages are the most obvious cultural characteristic of its people. IABE further believes that bilingual education comprises a crucially important part of the total educational process in the state and commits itself to promoting bilingual education as a concept of the highest priority. IABE regards as its primary goals promoting English language acquisition and academic achievement and success in meeting state standards. IABE supports an educational process that utilizes and develops proficiency in two languages.

Section 2 Purpose

IABE is a non-profit organization. Its purposes include, but are not limited to:

Recognizing, promoting, and publicizing excellence in education by promoting bilingual education as a second process by which the educational success for students learning English is enhanced by learning through their first language while continuously learning the English language.
Promoting efforts to assure the provision of equitable educational opportunity for all through the implementation of quality ESL and bilingual programs.
Promoting bilingual/bicultural educational services to children, youth, and adults at all levels in both the community and educational institutions throughout the state and the nation by encouraging the general population to participate in foreign languages, multicultural, and bilingual education programs in order to receive the benefits of bilingualism and multiculturalism.
Promoting recognition by the total community of the importance of bilingualism and its contributions toward better understanding among people within the state, nation, and world community.
Encouraging educational bodies to recognize the linguistic and cultural needs of persons learning English.
Coordinating and promoting the development of professional competence and professional standards in bilingual education.
Establishing contacts with local, state, national, and international associations having complementary interests.
Promoting the organization and presentation of workshops and conferences dealing with the needs of ESL and bilingual education programs.
Encouraging the excellence of bilingual education by promoting research and other activities.
Providing scholarships to encourage persons to become bilingual educators.

Article III Membership

Section 1 Organization

The state organization shall be known as the Idaho Association for Bilingual Education. It shall consist of the following constituent units:

Regional Affiliates – IABE shall consist of regional affiliates. The affiliates are as follows:
1. Magic Valley Region: the Twin Falls, Burley, Rupert and surrounding areas.
2. Treasure Valley Region: the Nampa, Boise, Caldwell and surrounding areas
3. Snake River Chapter Region: the Pocatello, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls and surrounding areas.
4. Northern Idaho Region
The regional representative of each region shall represent his/her region as a member of the IABE Board of Directors.
The Parents Special Interest Group shall be represented on the Board of Directors by a parent appointed by the Board of Directors.
Higher Education Representative
State Representative
Technology Representative

Section 2 Additional Affiliates

Additional affiliates may be formed and may petition the Board of Directors for membership to IABE. As the Board approves additional affiliates, their membership shall be acknowledged by official updates to the Constitution of IABE, Inc.

Section 3 Qualifications

All individuals interested in and supportive of bilingual education and of the goals of this Association may become members of the regional affiliate and of IABE. Non-voting membership shall be available to institutions, agencies and commercial organizations.

Section 4 Honorary Membership

Honorary membership may be conferred at the discretion of IABE’s Board of Directors.

Section 5 Categories of Membership

Membership shall consist of the following categories:

Regular member – for professionals engaged in the field of education or other professions in the society; for paraprofessionals engaged in the educational process, and for community members interested in the field of education.
Student member – for students currently enrolled in an undergraduate and/or graduate program of study at a recognized institution.
Institutional member – for educational, social, and cultural institutions and agencies supportive of the goals and objectives of IABE.

Section 6 Membership Fees

The Board of Directors shall establish appropriate fees for each membership category listed in Section 5 above. Membership fees are collected on an annual basis at the Annual Winter Conference, which marks the beginning of the active membership year.

Section 7 Membership Voting

Regular members and Student members shall have the rights of voice and vote in all Association business.
Institutional members shall have a voice in all Association business, but shall have no vote.

Section 8 Quorum

A quorum of the membership shall consist of one-half plus one of the members in good standing.
A matter brought before the membership for a vote shall be approved if it receives a simple majority of the votes of a quorum of the members.

Article IV Meetings

Section 1 Membership Meetings

The Association shall hold an annual meeting of the general membership.

Section 2 Frequency of Meetings

The Association shall hold the following meetings:

An annual membership meeting in conjunction with the Annual Conference; and
Other meetings as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.

Section 3 Location of Meetings

Location of membership meetings shall follow the schedule outlined below:

The Board of Directors shall determine the exact location of the general membership meetings and the Annual Conferences.

Article V Board of Directors

Section 1 Board of Directors

IABE shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of the following officers:

President
Vice President
Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Higher Education Representative
State Representative
Technology Representative

Section 2 Meetings

The Board of Directors shall hold an official Board of Directors meeting in conjunction with the Annual Winter Conference and another meeting during the spring of each year. The president may call other meetings or a quorum of the Board of Directors as needed. All official Board of Directors meeting shall be open to members in good standing. Official business of the Board may be conducted when a quorum of the Board of Directors is in attendance. A quorum of the Board membership shall consist of one-half plus one of the Board members in good standing.

Section 3 Terms of Office

The terms of office of the members of the Board of Directors shall be for two years commencing at the end of the Annual Winter Conference except for the current Board members whose terms shall expire at the beginning of the Annual Winter Conferences according to the following schedule:

President – 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, etc.
Vice-President – 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, etc.
Past president – 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, etc.
Secretary – 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, etc.
Treasurer – 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, etc.
Technology Representative – 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, etc.
Regional Representatives
1. One-half of the regional representatives’ terms shall expire in 2009 and every two years thereafter and one-half of the regional representatives’ terms shall expire in 2010 and every two years thereafter.
2. The Board of Directors shall determine the years in which regional representatives’ terms will expire when resignations or unfulfilled terms occur.

Section 4 Vacancies

In the event that a vacancy should occur on the Board of Directors, the president, with the approval of the majority of the members of the Board of Directors, shall appoint a member in good standing to serve until that particular office shall come up for election. In the event that the president resigns or is removed from office, the vice-president shall:

Assume the office, or
With the approval of the members of a majority of the Board of Directors, appoint a member in good standing to serve until that particular office shall come up for election.

Section 5 Duties of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall administer all business of IABE, including financial matters. In the event that a position is vacant, a Board member may step into said position until the position can be adequately filled. A member may fulfill dual roles as needed. All checks shall bear two authorized signatures of Board members.

The President is the chairperson of the Board of Directors and shall:

Convene and preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors;
Correspond when appropriate with chapters of other state associations and the National Association for Bilingual Education;
Organize annual membership meetings and Annual Winter Conferences;
Appoint committee chairs as needed with the approval of the Board of Directors;
Present a report to the Association membership at the Annual Winter Conference on the state of the Association;
Prepare a financial budget for approval by the Board of Directors
Register his/her signature for check-signing purposes (as needed) with a banking institution, and designate an additional alternative Board member to register his/her signature for check-signing purposes;
Approve expenditures submitted by Board members and billing agencies;
In conjunction with the treasurer, conduct an annual audit of the Association’s finances;
Complete reports of the composition and addresses of the Board of Directors as requested by the State of Idaho; and
Other duties as required by the Board of Directors or as needed.

The Vice-President shall assist the president in the successful operation of IABE and shall:
1. Function in the absence of the president;
2. Serve as chair of the nominations committee and ensure that the election for officers is carried out satisfactorily;
3. assist with an annual audit of the Association’s finances, and
4. Other duties assigned by the president.
The Secretary shall be the custodian of all Association records and shall:
1. Record accurate minutes of all official meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors;
2. Disseminate written copies of all official minutes to members of the Board of Directors with 14 calendar days of an official meeting of the Association or of the Board of Directors;
3. Coordinate with the treasurer to maintain accurate and current membership rolls and mailing lists;
4. Provide new Board members with a copy of the Constitution and the minutes of meetings conducted during the prior year; and
5. Other duties as may be assigned by the president.
The Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Association and shall:
1. Be accountable for all Association funds and maintain accurate financial records;
2. Collect membership fees;
3. Present a written financial report at each official meeting of the Board of Directors and to the general membership at the Annual Fall Winter Conferences;
4. Maintain the Association checking account and other Association funds or accounts;
5. Register signature for check-signing purposes with a banking institution;
6. Upon approval of the president or his/her designee, issue appropriate checks to pay the financial obligations of the Association; and
7. Other duties as may be assigned by the president.
The Regional Representatives (or their designated representatives) shall represent their respective areas at all official meetings of the Association and at meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall;
1. Communicate regional concerns to the Board of Directors;
2. Present written reports regarding regions concerns and suggestions to the Board of Directors as deemed necessary;
3. Communicate actions and decisions of the Board of Directors to their respective region members
4. Solicit active, strategic involvement of their region members in support of the annual conference when the rotation of location occurs in their area;
5. Other duties as maybe assigned by the president.

Article VI Election of Officers

Section 1 Nominations Committee

The nominations committee shall be charged with selecting a slate of candidates to stand for election at the Annual Winter Conference.

The nominations committee shall consist of the vice-president and the secretary in consultation with the Board of Directors during meetings well in advance of the annual conference.
In the case that the vice-president or the secretary should desire to run for re-election for office at a given election, the president shall appoint an alternate member of the Board to assist in the election and ballot process.
The nominations committee shall seek nominations of member in good standing for the offices that come up for election according to the schedule outlined I Article V, Section 3 and they shall receive nominations for these offices from members at large during the annual conference.
The committee shall verify with each person nominated his/her willingness to serve, if elected, by explaining the responsibilities of the particular office, time commitments, travel, etc.
A slate of candidates shall be selected, and electronic postings of background information regarding the proposed candidates shall be disseminated to the Association membership a minimum of 21 days prior to the election. Nominations for the Association membership at large will be accepted when submitted to the IABE President up to ten days prior to the first day of the Winter Conference.
Voting shall take place at the Annual Winter Conference.
The committee shall provide the previous year’s Association members in good standing the opportunity to cast an absentee ballot upon their request if they are not able to attend the annual conference when elections are held.
The committee shall conduct the election by secret ballot and shall announce the results to the president, who shall report the results of the election to the membership at the earliest time feasible.
The committee shall carry on other such duties as may be required in order to conduct orderly and fair elections.

Section 2 Voting Eligibility

All members in good standing on the day the election is held may cast a ballot.

Members may vote in person or they may vote by absentee ballot as prescribed by the Nominations Committee.
A member in good standing is a person who, prior to the time the election is held, has paid the required membership fee as established by the Board of Directors.
The treasurer and the nominating committee shall verify the eligibility of each member to vote.

Section 3 Removal of an Elected Officer and member of the Board of Directors

A member of the Board of Directors may be removed form his/her elected office as a member of the board for good cause and upon a three-fourths majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors in attendance of a regular and officially announced meeting of the Board.

Definition of a good cause: Failure to perform any of the following roles or responsibilities of the respective official expectations:

Execute duties of the office as outlined by the Constitution;
Attend two or more board meetings without just and reasonable cause within a one-year period of office;
Contribute to the organization of annual membership meetings and/or Annual Winter Conference in a timely and appropriate manner;
Act responsibly in financial matters;
Communicate adequately in a timely manner with the other members of the Board of Directors;
Conduct oneself in a manner becoming of an officer of IABE.

Procedure:
1. First notification – a majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall provide notification in writing to the member in question that good cause exists for which said member is being considered for removal. Such notification shall provide details of the circumstances, suggested remedies, and a timeline to carry out such remedies.
2. Second notification – a majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall provide the board member in question with notification of failure to remedy the situation in question and a request for voluntary resignation specifying a timeline for such resignation.
3. If a voluntary resignation is not tendered in a timely manner, the members of the Board of Directors shall take official action to remove the board member in question by a three-fourths majority vote of the members present and voting at a regularly established and pre-announced official Board meeting.
4. The member of the Board of Directors so removed from office shall have no standing as an officer, past officer, or member of the Association subsequently elect such person to the Board of Directors.
5. The Board of Directors shall fill a vacancy created through the removal process in accordance with Article V, Section 4 of this Constitution.
6. A Board member may fulfill dual roles if a vacancy or need arises.
7. The general membership of the Association shall be duly notified of such board action electronically, in a regular newsletter, through a special announcement, or at an official meeting of the general membership.

Article VII Amendments

Section 1 Procedure for Amendments

Amendments to this constitution shall be made in the following manner:

Amendments may be proposed by:

A simple majority of the Board of Directors, or
A petition to the Board of Directors signed by a minimum of fifteen members in good standing.

Amendments must be presented to and approved by the Board of Directors prior to being presented to the membership for a vote.
To be voted upon by the membership, proposed amendments and revisions of the Constitution must be:

Disseminated in electronic or written form to the members of record a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to a general meeting of the membership in which the proposed amendment will be submitted for a ratifying vote, or
Presented to the membership at an official business meeting and submitted for a ratifying vote at the next official business meeting during the next general membership meeting of the Association.

Section 2 Ratification

An amendment must be ratified at an official business meeting during a general membership meeting of the Association by a simple majority of the members in good standing who are in attendance at said official business meeting. An amendment so ratifies shall become effective immediately.

Ratification

This Constitution was ratified at the Annual Winter Conference held in Boise, Idaho on January 25, 2019.

________________________________________ _______________________

Kelee Robinson, President Date

This Constitution was ratified at the Annual Fall Conference held in Twin Falls, Idaho on October 7, 1994.

___________________________________ _______________

Dr. Jay Richard Fuhriman, President Date

This Constitution was amended as per ARTICLE VII on October 1, 1998 at the Annual Fall Conference held in Twin Falls, Idaho.

_______________________________ _________________

Dr. Jay Richard Fuhriman, President Date

This Constitution was revised and presented to the general membership as per ARTICLE VII on October 7, 2004 at the Annual Fall Conference held in Ontario, Oregon, with anticipated ratification at the subsequent Annual Fall Conference I Pocatello, Idaho on October 7, 2005.

_____________________________ _________________

Dr. Ellem G. Batt, President Date

This Constitution was revised and presented to the general membership as per ARTICLE VII, Section 1 on December 10, 2008, with anticipated ratification at the subsequent Winter Conference in Boise, Idaho on October 30, 2009.

_____________________________ _________________

Irene Chavolla M.Ed, President Date