C O N S T I T U T I O N

The name of this Association shall be the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.

ARTICLE II — OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this Association shall be exclusively educational and charitable, and in furtherance thereof, to promote and to provide leadership for the improvement and advancement of education and public interest in improved schools; to work particularly for improvement of the process of educational administration; to improve the preparatory and inservice training of educational personnel; to strive continuously to upgrade teaching and learning and to improve the curriculum; to implement the principle of equal rights for all, including the elimination of prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination; to assist in solving problems of organization and planning which arise as the school systems are improved; and generally to do all other things appropriate to achievement of its educational and charitable objectives.

The activities in furtherance of these objectives shall be limited to those consistent with the historic nonprofit character of the Association and with the paramount public benefit essential to the Association’s status as a tax-exempt education and charitable organization, including limits as to legislative activities and intervention in political campaigns.

ARTICLE III — MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1 — memberships in the New Jersey Association of School Administrators shall consist of:

A — INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS

             1.         Active Membership — Any person shall be eligible for active membership who serves in an administrative or supervisory position, including interim administrators, in a public or private school system, regional, state or national educational agency or association, college or university, or who teaches persons preparing for education or educational administration in these institutions and who possesses a valid license for the position as may be required by law.  Active status may be retained so long as membership is maintained continuously.

             2.         Affiliate Membership — Any person not eligible for active membership who is actively interested in, engaged in, or associated with any phase of educational work may become an affiliate member.

             3.         Retired Membership — Any person is eligible for retired membership who has retired from employment as a school administrator and who was an active member of the Association at the time of his/her retirement.

             4.         Emeritus Membership — Any person is entitled to emeritus membership who has retired from full-time employment and who has been a member of the Association for thirty years.

            5.         Honorary Membership — The Executive Committee shall have the right to confer honorary memberships.

 B — GROUP MEMBERSHIPS

             1.         Allied Membership — Any library, professional organization, governmental agency or other institution, firm or agency wishing to support the Association and to receive such publications as authorized by the Executive Committee may become an allied member.

             2.         School Board Services Members — Any governing body of a school district or educational institution may become a school board services member and receive selected publications of the Association and other services as determined by the Executive Committee.

SECTION 2 — Active members of the Association shall be entitled to all of its rights and privileges including the right to vote and hold office.

SECTION 3 — Associate, honorary, emeritus, retired, allied, student and school board services members shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of the Association as determined by the Executive Committee except the right to vote and hold office.

SECTION 4 — The Executive Committee shall have the power to review and determine the eligibility of all applicants for membership except that no individual may be denied membership on the basis of race, national origin, religion or sex.

SECTION 5 — Dues for all categories of membership shall be established by the Executive Committee and shall cover the period July 1 through June 30.

ARTICLE IV —

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

SECTION 1 — The officers of the Association shall be the President, the President-Elect, the Secretary, and the Treasurer.  The immediate Past President and the Executive Director shall be ex officio officers of the Association.

SECTION 2 — The President-Elect shall hold office for the period of one year beginning July 1 following the election, and shall become President beginning one year from July 1 following election as President-Elect.

SECTION 3 — The President shall hold office for the period of one year.  It shall be the duty of the President to preside or to arrange for presiding officers at all meetings and in consultation with the Executive Committee to arrange for the annual meeting of the Association.  The President shall appoint all committees for which no other provision has been made.  The President shall be the presiding officer and a member of the Executive Committee, and shall call meetings of this Committee whenever the President and a majority of the Executive Committee deem it necessary, or whenever it is requested by a majority of the Committee.

SECTION 4 — The 26 elected members and six appointed members of the Executive Committee shall hold office effective July 1 following the date of election:

            a.         21 members serving three-year terms,

            b.         5 members elected on the basis of membership roll criteria serving one-year terms; except that in the event of a tie for fifth highest in the membership rolls, the county or counties so tied shall each be entitled to one additional Executive Committee member who shall be elected for a one-year term.  In that event, the Executive Committee will be enlarged, for that year only, by the appropriate number of members.

            c.         By June 1 of each year, the President-Elect shall, after consultation with the Executive Committee, appoint from among the membership ranks 6 members-at-large, two of whom shall represent each of the northern, central and southern regions of the state, from the board category “other than chief school administrator.” 

The various counties shall be divided into the following geographical sections:

            SOUTHERN      CENTRAL         NORTHERN

             Atlantic             Burlington         Bergen

            Camden            Hunterdon         Essex

            Cape May         Mercer              Hudson

            Cumberland      Middlesex         Morris

            Gloucester        Monmouth        Passaic

            Ocean               Somerset          Sussex

            Salem               Union                Warren

Elections for the next three years shall be as follows:

         2006-2009       2007-2010         2008-2011

            Camden           Cape May         Atlantic

            Essex                Hudson             Bergen

            Gloucester        Mercer              Burlington

            Hunterdon         Ocean              Cumberland

            Monmouth         Salem              Middlesex

            Passaic             Somerset         Morris

            Warren              Sussex              Union

SECTION 5 — The immediate Past President shall serve a one-year term as an ex officio, voting member of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 6 — The Executive Director shall be selected by the Executive Committee and shall serve as an ex officio non-voting member of the Committee.  The Executive Director shall keep a complete and accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Executive Committee, and conduct the business of the Association as provided by the By-Laws and the policies of the Executive Committee.  In the absence of policy, the Executive Director shall act in consultation with the President.  Additionally, the Executive Director shall:  receive all moneys due the Association and deposit or invest such moneys, arrange for an audit by a certified public accountant and provide a written report of the audit to the Executive Committee and the membership, make such expenditures as are necessary for the conduct of the business of the Association, keep a list of members of the Association, act as custodian to all property of the Association, give such bond as may be required by the Executive Committee, submit an annual report to the membership at each annual meeting, provide leadership in school administration and supervision, nurture further professionalization of school administration, coordinate inservice programs for administrators in the field, channel appropriate information to individual members, represent the Association at designated affairs, coordinate yearly and special conferences of the Association, establish liaison with legislatures, New Jersey Education Association, New Jersey School Boards Association, State Department of Education, State Department of Higher Education, American Association of School Administrators, other State Executive Officers, and other groups whose interests are mutually related, operate and maintain an office that keeps the Executive Committee informed of all matters related to its function, prepare meeting agendas, provide field services for members as individuals and groups, provide appropriate general counsel and service to members, establish and maintain communication channels with NJASA affiliates in each county, develop and maintain proper records, information files, publications, miscellaneous data and any other duties assigned by the Executive Committee.  Upon leaving office, the Executive Director will leave to the Association all of its money, books and property.

SECTION 1 — The officers of the Association, who shall hold office for one year, from July 1 to June 30, shall consist of a president, a president-elect, a secretary, and a treasurer to be elected by the membership.  No officer shall be eligible for re-election.

SECTION 2 — All vacancies occurring in any office other than that of President shall be filled by the Executive Committee for the remainder of the term.

SECTION 3 —  In case of vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect shall immediately succeed to the office of President, and serve for the remainder of the term.

SECTION 4 — In case of vacancy in the other offices, the Executive Committee shall fill such vacancy until the next election.

SECTION 5 — Election of officers shall be by ballot mailed to the membership no later than April 1 of each year; however, ballots shall be mailed at least 30 days prior to the return date indicated on the ballot.  The official ballot of the Association shall contain the names of those individuals nominated by the Nominating Committee, and those individuals nominated by petition, for each office, and shall designate the manner by which each candidate’s nomination occurred.  If by March 10 of any year nominations by petition have not occurred, the balloting requirement set forth herein shall be waived and the Executive Committee at its next meeting following March 10 shall direct the secretary of the Association to cast a ballot for the slate of the Nominating Committee and such slate shall be declared elected.

SECTION 6 — For the year 1981-82 and thereafter, nomination by petition, or nomination by the Nominating Committee may occur for the offices of Secretary and Treasurer.  If nomination is by petition, it shall require a minimum of 50 signatures from at least 7 counties, with no fewer than 5 signatures from any one county, in order for the nominee to be placed on the ballot.  If nomination is by petition, such petition must arrive at the  Association offices not later than March 10; or if for any reason the Association offices are closed on March 10, the petition must arrive at the Association offices not later than the first working day thereafter, accompanied by a letter of acceptance from the nominee, in order that the name of the nominee may be placed on the official Association ballot.

SECTION 7 — On or before February 1 of each year, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of 9 members to prepare a slate of officers for consideration by the membership. The Committee must be representative of overall membership composition.  The Nominating Committee shall recommend candidates for the position of President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer; or, in the event that the President-Elect is either unable or unwilling to serve, the Nominating Committee shall recommend candidates for the offices of President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer.  The Nominating Committee shall be composed of the immediate Past President, the 3 other most immediate Past Presidents who are still active members of the Association, and 5 members selected from the field by the Association President, with due regard for geographic and minority group representation.  The immediate Past President shall preside as chairperson of this Committee.  The Nominating Committee shall render its report to the Executive Director no later than February 10.  Such report shall be communicated to the membership no later than February 15.

ARTICLE VI — ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

The annual meeting of the Association shall be held at such time and place as shall be determined by the Executive Committee.  At the annual business meeting fifty members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

ARTICLE VII — EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

ELECTION — RIGHTS — RESPONSIBILITIES

SECTION 1 — The Executive Committee derives its power from and shall be responsible to the membership of the Association.  It shall have the corporate responsibility for the Association.  It shall be composed of the President, the President-Elect, the Secretary, the Treasurer, 6 appointed members and the 26 elected members, one from each county and one from each of the five counties having the largest membership based on the county membership roll as of April 30 of a given year.  In the event of a tie for fifth highest in the membership rolls, the county or counties so tied shall all be entitled to one additional Executive Committee member who shall be elected for a one-year term, and the Executive Committee will be enlarged, for that year only, by the appropriate number of members.  By June 1 of each year, the President-Elect shall, after consultation with the Executive Committee, appoint from among the membership ranks 6 members-at-large, two of whom shall represent each of the northern, central and southern regions of the state, from the broad category “other than chief school administrator.”  The appointment shall take effect July 1 of each year.  The appointed members shall be voting members of the Executive Committee.  The appointments shall be for a two-year term.  In the event that an appointed nonchief cannot fulfill a two-year term, another nonchief school administrator will be appointed to take his/her place for the duration of the appointment.  No county shall be permitted more than two representatives on the Executive Committee, exclusive of officers.  The present appointment of three-year members of the Executive Committee, one from each county, shall continue as three-year terms.  Seven counties shall hold election by the 30th day of May of a given year.  An individual who is elected as an Executive Committee member shall be entitled to serve two full three-year terms, and up to one day less than one and one-half years of the unexpired term of a previous Executive Committee member.  In the event that an Executive Committee member shall have served more than four and one-half years in that position, the Executive Committee member shall be ineligible to run for a second full three-year term.  The identical rule shall apply to members of the Executive Committee elected on a yearly basis, in the event that a subsequent term would in any way provide them with more than six and one-half years continuous service.  The Immediate Past President shall be an ex officio, voting member of the Executive Committee.  The Executive Director shall be an ex officio, non-voting member of the Executive Committee.  In addition to other powers, the Committee shall:

             a.         receive and take appropriate action on the resolutions of the membership in accordance with the By-Laws,

             b.         authorize the appointment of special commissions and committees for investigations, research and other purposes,

             c.         adopt the policies for the operation of the Association,

             d.         act and speak for the Association membership,

             e.         adopt the annual budget of the Association by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Executive Committee and submit such budget to the membership for review and comment,

             f.          modify dues prior to the adoption of the budget if necessary,

             g.         select an Executive Director and determine the term and conditions of employment,

             h.         establish all staff positions upon the recommendation of the Executive Director,

             i.          initiate amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws,

             j.          receive and act on the annual report of the Executive Director,

             k.          attend all Executive Committee meetings, or provide a responsible replacement.  The Executive Director should be notified of such replacement,

             l.          report regularly to the NJASA membership affiliate in the county to inform its members of the progress of the Association,

             m.        request replacement by the NJASA membership affiliate in the county of its Executive Committee member for due cause,

             n.         conduct printed ballot elections through NJASA Headquarters for NJASA Executive Committee member(s) after a nominations meeting open to all county NJASA members has been held according to the schedule and procedures contained in the NJASA Constitution or policies or whenever a vacancy occurs,

             o.         ensure that no fewer than two (2) meetings of the NJASA Affiliate (fall and spring), are held annually at times and locations that are accessible and convenient for all NJASA members in each county,

             p.         Encourage new and continued membership.

             q.         Encourage all NJASA members from each county to participate in committee activities at both the state and county levels.

             r.          After consultation with all NJASA members within a county, shall recommend to the President of NJASA, appointments to state Association committees.

            s.         Participate in an annual evaluation of the work of the organization and the performance of the Executive Director.

            t.          Communicate to all NJASA members within a county the breadth of services afforded the membership by NJASA.

            u.         Notify the Executive Director of membership concerns and problems occurring in the Executive Committee member’s county.

             v.         Be sure that communications, publications and special reports are reaching all NJASA members in the county.

             w.         Coordinate the activities of all NJASA committee members within the county in a manner which ensures high visibility of the committee member at county meetings, and further ensures complete reporting of committee activities.

             x.         Communicate to the NJASA office positive accomplishments of local administrators in order that such accomplishments may be publicized to the general membership and public at large.

             y.         Encourage member participation in all inservice programs, such as continuing education seminars, conferences and conventions.

             z.          Encourage membership in the NJASA Research Publications Program.

             aa.        Notify NJASA of administrative vacancies in the Executive Committee member’s county and of new personnel when such vacancies are filled.

             bb.       Act as the final appeal mechanism for individuals seeking legal or ethical help.

             cc.        Advise all members in the Executive Committee member’s county that legal and advisory services are available from NJASA if difficulties arise.

             dd.       Take a leadership role in the legislative thrust of the Association.

 and may

             a.         adopt a code of ethical behavior for the profession of school administration,

             b.         establish procedures for conducting investigations and applying sanctions where a breach of ethics is proven.  The ultimate sanction — denial of membership — may be applied for the most serious cases of unethical behavior.

SECTION 2 — A majority of the voting members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VIII — RESOLUTIONS

SECTION 1 — It shall be incumbent on the Executive Committee to take appropriate action on resolutions presented by the Resolutions Committee provided said resolutions or actions are feasible, legal and in the interest of the Association, and provided such resolutions shall have been sent to all members of the Executive Committee at least 30 days prior to its meeting.  The Executive Committee may consider other resolutions which may be presented during said meeting providing such resolutions shall have received a 2/3 vote in favor of consideration.  Such resolutions shall be referred to the Executive Director for appropriate action.

SECTION 2 — The Executive Committee shall receive and commence appropriate action on resolutions presented by the Resolutions Committee at the first meeting of the Committee following presentation of the resolution.

SECTION 3 — The Executive Committee may, by a 2/3 vote of its membership, adopt any resolution; or, upon consideration, the Executive Committee may transmit the resolution of the membership with a recommendation.  The Executive Committee shall instruct the Executive Director to mail the resolution to the membership with ballots.  The ballots shall be returned to the NJASA office.  The results of the voting shall be made known to the membership.

SECTION 4 — If the Executive Committee, by a 2/3 vote, determines that a resolution of the membership is incompatible with the Constitution and By-Laws, not feasible or contrary to the interests of the Association, the Committee shall, within ninety days, communicate its veto and reasons for its action to the members.  Said communication shall be printed in a regular publication of the Association.

SECTION 5 — If a resolution does not receive the necessary 2/3 vote of the Executive Committee for either adoption or veto, the referendum procedure set forth in this Article, Section 3, shall occur.

SECTION 6 — If the Executive Committee shall receive a request from 25% of the members from a referendum on the issue of its veto, the Committee shall, within 90 days, submit the issue to a vote of the active members of the Association.  The results of said referendum, as determined by a majority of the votes received, shall become policy of the Association.

ARTICLE IX — COMMITTEES

SECTION 1 — The standing committees of the Association shall consist of a Budget and Audit Committee of five members, a Resolutions Committee and an Executive Director’s Advisory Committee.

SECTION 2 — The Budget and Audit Committee shall review the budget and audit of the Association and report its findings and recommendations to the Executive Committee.

SECTION 3 — The Resolutions Committee shall receive from the members resolutions for consideration by the Committee.  The Committee shall recommend to the Executive Committee those resolutions approved by a majority vote of the Resolutions Committee.  The Committee may also initiate resolutions which it feels should be considered by the Executive Committee.  The procedure for action of the resolutions shall be as follows:

             a.         The Resolutions Committee shall be scheduled to meet the second Wednesday of each month.  For a resolution to be considered it must be received by the first of the month in which the committee meets, it must be typewritten and signed by the originator.  It shall contain a date of origin, the name of the voting member or group shall accompany the resolution and must be submitted to the Resolutions Committee Chairperson, c/o NJASA headquarters.

             b.         The Resolutions Committee shall study and, when necessary, rewrite a resolution with a view toward clarity, brevity, and shall at the same time make all effort to preserve the intent of the resolution.  Where there is more than one resolution dealing with the same subject, the Resolutions Committee may consolidate them into one resolution.  The originator of the resolution shall have the right to appear before the Resolutions Committee and/or the Executive Committee to speak to the resolution.

             c.         The Resolutions Committee shall then present the resolution to the Executive Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.  The resolution shall be accompanied by a recommendation.

SECTION 4 — The Executive Director’s Advisory Committee shall consist of the President, President-Elect, and the immediate three Past Presidents.

ARTICLE X — DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION

No part of any income, revenue, and grant of or to the Association shall inure to the material or pecuniary benefit of a member, officer, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered in connection with one or more of its purposes), and no member, officer, or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the assets of the Association on its dissolution or liquidation.  In the event of such dissolution or liquidation, the assets of the Association, after payment of debts and obligations, shall be transferred to an organization with federal tax-exempt status for charitable and educational uses and purposes similar to those of the federal tax laws.  The exempt organization shall be designated by the final Executive Committee of the Association.

 ARTICLE XI — PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

 The most recently published edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order Revised” shall govern in all official meetings of the Association.

 ARTICLE XII —

AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Amendment of this Constitution and By-Laws shall be accomplished by a referendum of the active members of the Association or by vote at the annual meeting of the members present.  Fifty members shall constitute a quorum.  A 2/3 affirmative vote of those present at the annual meeting shall be required for adoption at the annual meeting, or a simple majority of the membership if the referendum procedure to the entire membership is utilized.  Amendments may be initiated by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Committee.

 ARTICLE XIII — ENABLING ACT

SECTION 1 — If this Constitution and By-Laws shall have been adopted in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article XII above, it shall become effective immediately.

SECTION 2 — On the effective date of the adopted Constitution and By-Laws the present officers and Executive Committee members of the Association shall continue in office for the term for which they were elected or selected.

SECTION 3 — This Article (XIII) shall be deleted from the Constitution and By-Laws three years following the effective date of the adopted Constitution and By-Laws.