Methuen Education Association
By Laws
(Amended 2003)

Article I. Name of Association
The name of this association shall be the METHUEN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION hereinafter referred to as "the Association."

Article II. Objectives
We, the members of this Association in order to fulfill our responsibilities to society and to our profession do hereby adopt the following:
Section 1. General Objectives:
A. To maintain and improve the quality of education for all.
B. To uphold high professional standards and to advance the socio-economic well being of educators.
C. To take actions which will ensure that all of its members will receive compensation and/or benefits to which they are entitled.
Section 2. Specific Objectives:
The Executive Board is authorized and directed to establish specific objectives within the framework of objectives in Section 1 above. These specific objectives shall be reviewed, revised if necessary and published.

Article III. Membership
Section 1. Active Members
A. Active members are those:

  1. Who are engaged in work of a professional nature in the field of education in the Methuen Public School System; and

  2. Who hold membership in the local affiliated association, if such membership is available; and

  3. Who, as new applicants for membership after August 31, 1965, hold a baccalaureate degree or higher and a certificate or eligibility to hold same from a proper certifying authority, where required, or are qualified and certified as teachers by the Division of Vocational Educational Education in the Massachusetts Department of Education; or

B. Other employees of the school committee but limited to program assistants, school nurse, and secretaries and clerks (office).
Section 2. Active members of the Association shall be members of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Education Association.
Section 3. Active membership shall be continuous until the member leaves a bargaining unit covered in a collective bargaining agreement with the Methuen School Committee, resigns from the Association, or fails to pay membership dues, or converts to agency fee status, where applicable.
Section 4. Retired Members
Retired members are those former active members who pay annual dues as stated in Section 11, A.
Section 5. New Member Units – Affiliation
Any units requesting affiliation after June 30, 1980, with the Association must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board.
Section 6. Honorary Members
Honorary membership may be conferred by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board or a general membership meeting.
Section 7. Code of Ethics
Adherence to the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession shall be a condition of continuing membership. Any allegations of a violation of the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession brought to the attention of the Executive Board shall be immediately referred without prejudice to the Massachusetts Teachers Association Ethics Committee.
Section 8. Revocation of Membership
According to procedures adopted by the membership, the Executive Board (by a two-thirds vote) may suspend from membership or expel any member who has been found in violation of the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession.
The matter should have been first referred to the Massachusetts Teachers Association Ethics Committee.
Section 9.
Only active members as defined in Section 1 and 2 of this Article III shall have the privilege of voting.
Section 10.
The annual dues of active members of the Association will be set by the Executive Board during the month of June. Any changes must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board members present.
Section 11.
The annual dues of others shall be as follows:
A. Retired Members - $5.00
B. Unit C (program assistants) – one-third of the local dues of Unit A
C. Unit D (secretaries and clerks) - one-half of the local dues of Unit A
D. The Executive Board will set the dues of any group seeking affiliation with the Association.

Article IV. Rules and Procedures
Section 1.
Roberts’ Rules of Order Newly Revised (most recent edition), when consistent with these by laws shall be the authority of the Association.
Section 2.
The President may appoint a parliamentarian who shall attend all general membership meetings of the Association.
Section 3.
The membership year shall be July 1 to June 30 of the following year. The business year shall be August 1 to July 31 of the following year.

Article V. Officers
Section 1.
There shall be one set of officers for the Association, which governs all units. The officers of the local association shall be the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Only members of Unit A are eligible to hold the office of President, First Vice-President and Second Vice-President.
A single candidate for an office must submit a signed letter of intent stating specifically he/she is a candidate for the office as a single candidate.
Two members may hold a single officer position of President 
Two members may hold a single officer position of  Treasurer/Membership Chairperson.
When there are two candidates for an office, they must sign a single letter of intent stating specifically they are running for the office as co-candidates.
The co-officer stipend will be determined by a vote of the Executive Board in September with the recommendation of the Treasurer/Membership Chairperson. The expense stipend shall not exceed the present expense stipend.

A. The President

  1. The President shall preside over meetings of the Executive board and the general membership.

  2. He/She shall recommend chairpersons of standing committees and special committees to the Executive Board unless laws have otherwise designated committee chairpersons in these.

  3. He/She may be a non-voting member of all committees.

  4. He/She shall have the Treasurer’s books audited annually.

  5. He/She shall be the Executive Officer of the Association.

  6. He/She shall perform all other functions usually attributed to this office.

  7. He/She shall appoint a Unit Chairperson with input from unit members in the event a Unit Chairperson is unable to fulfill the duties of the office either temporarily or long-term.

  8. He/She shall receive annual expense money of $2500 to be paid in 10 equal payments. Expenses must be backed up with receipts when available.

B. First Vice-President

  1. He/She shall be a member of the bargaining team (small group) with expense money of $150 being paid during a bargaining year.

  2. He/She shall assume the duties of the President, if the President is unable to perform his/her duties for a period of time or if the office becomes vacant.

  3. He/She shall meet regularly with committee chairpersons to discuss committee activities and monitor committee progress for reports to the President.

  4. He/She shall be the chairperson of all fund-raising drives.

  5. He/She shall conduct meetings of the Executive Board and all other meetings in the absence of the President.

  6. He/She shall receive annual expense money of $500 to be paid in 10 equal payments. Expenses must be backed up with receipts when available.

C. Second Vice-President

  1. He/She shall be chairperson of the Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee (Grievance).

  2. He/She shall arrange and conduct Training Workshops for Faculty Representatives.

  3. He/She shall receive annual expense money of $750 to be paid in 10 equal payments. Expenses must be backed up with receipts when available.

D. Secretary

  1. The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board and of general membership meetings.

  2. He/She shall maintain official files and shall assist the President with the Association correspondence.

  3. He/She shall be the chairperson of the Public Relations Committee.

  4. He/She shall keep up-dated attendance records of the Executive Board meetings. He/She shall receive annual expense money of $500 to be paid in 10 equal payments. Expenses must be backed up with receipts when available.

E. Treasurer/Membership Chairperson

  1. The Treasurer shall hold all funds of the Association.

  2. He/She shall bill the membership for annual dues and transmit amounts due to the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

  3. He she shall maintain a role of the members.

  4. He/She shall keep accurate account of receipts and disbursements and shall report at each regular meeting of the Executive Board in written form.

  5. He/She shall keep the President and Executive Board informed of the financial condition of the Association and shall assist the President in the drafting of the annual budget.

  6. He/She shall be bonded by the Association through the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

  7. He/She shall receive annual expense money of $1000 to be paid in 10 equal payments. Expenses must be backed up with receipts when available.

F. Unit Chairperson

  1. The Unit Chairperson shall preside over meetings of the unit.

  2. He/She shall be a member of the unit bargaining team.

  3. He/She shall follow the sick leave pool policy established by the current contract of the unit.

  4. He/She shall receive annual expense money of $500 to be paid in 10 equal payments. Expenses must be backed up with receipts when available.

Section 2. Terms and Succession
The President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and Unit Chairpersons shall serve terms of one (1) year and may be re-elected.
Section 3.
July 1 of each year shall be the date upon which officers assume their duties. All officers will work in conjunction with newly elected officers during the month of June. Expense money will be paid September through June.

Article VI. Delegates
The Association shall elect delegates and alternate delegates annually. These delegates shall be the official representatives of the Association at the Annual Meeting of delegates of the MTA and any other conference that they are elected or directed to attend by the Executive Board. The delegates’ names and addresses shall be submitted to the state association annually. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall conduct delegate elections according to MTA and NEA standing rules.

Article VII. Executive Board
Section 1.
The Executive Board shall consist of the officers and faculty members, hereinafter called Faculty Representatives. It shall be the Executive Authority of the Association. The immediate past president shall be a member of the Executive Board.
Section 2. Powers and Duties of the Executive Board
A. The Executive Board shall carry out the policies of the Association as stated in the by laws.
B. It shall report transactions to the general membership and may suggest policies for consideration by them.
C. It shall adopt an annual budget for the operation of the Association.
D. The Executive Board shall have power to employ a staff for the efficient management of the Association and adopt personnel policies for the staff.
E. It shall establish committees and create policies governing them
F. It shall have the power by a majority vote to approve chairpersons recommended by the President.
G. Whenever two-thirds of the Executive Board shall agree that an officer is incapacitated or has been grossly negligent in his/her duties as defined by these by laws, it shall recommend immediately to the general membership that the office be declared vacant. If the general membership so votes by a two-thirds majority to uphold the recommendations of the Executive Board, it shall immediately elect a replacement to fill the unexpired term.
Section 3.
Any active member may attend any Executive Board meeting. He/She may participate but shall not vote.

Article VIII. Affiliation with MTA and NEA
Section 1.
No person shall be admitted to or be continued as an active member in the Association who is not also a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Education Association.
Section 2.
Every local association shall submit to the MTA:
A. A list of the officers and their addresses,
B. The names and addresses of all members on an official enrollment form furnished by the MTA,
C. A statement setting forth all amendments and changes in its by laws during the preceding year.

Article IX. Faculty Representatives
Section 1. Eligibility
In each public school in Methuen, faculty members, who are in good standing in this association, shall have the opportunity to serve as a faculty representative for the term of one year.
In general, the ratio should be one (1) faculty rep for every fifteen- (15) members.
Those wishing to serve as faculty representatives must notify the President of the Association by September 15th.
Section 2. Duties
A. One faculty representative from each level/building shall be designated as the contact person for the level/building.
B. Faculty representatives shall attend regular meetings of the Executive Board. If unable to attend a meeting, a faculty representative should make every effort to send an alternate.
C. The faculty representatives shall be responsible for distributing association communication to the members in their buildings, for keeping members informed, and shall further act as liaisons from the members in their buildings to the Executive Board.

Article X. Meetings
Section 1. Executive Board
The Executive board shall meet monthly during the school year on a schedule to be determined by the officers. Three members of the Executive Board may request additional meetings.
Section 2. General Membership Meetings
There shall be at least two general membership meetings each year, which shall be determined by the Executive Board. The Executive board shall prepare a tentative agenda for each meeting and shall circulate it to the members so the members will have time to discuss it prior to the meeting.
Section 3. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the membership may be held at the call of the President or upon written request to the Executive Board from five- (5) percent of the membership. Business to come before a special meeting must be stated in the call, which shall be sent to each faculty representative for distribution to each member. Business shall be confined to these items.
Section 4. Quorum
A. The majority of their members shall be a quorum for the Executive Board meetings and committees.
B. A quorum for a general membership meeting shall be five- (5) percent of the members.

Article XI. Committees
Section 1. Organization
A. The First Vice-President shall solicit in written form volunteers from all active members to serve on each committee as the need for the committee is determined by either the President or Executive Board.
B. Each committee shall have a minimum of three- (3) and a maximum of seven- (7) members selected to represent different groups.
Section 2. Meetings and Reports
A. Each committee shall meet regularly and will submit a schedule of these meetings to the First Vice-President.
B. Each committee shall choose a secretary who shall record activities of the committee.
C. The chairperson shall report to the Executive Board any action items.
D. Each committee will be responsible for developing policies and procedures.
Section 3. Committees and Duties
A. Governmental Relations Committee
(1.) The committee shall have broad concern for local, state, and national legislation affecting the interests, schools, and the Association.
(2.) The committee shall encourage members to exercise their civic and political rights and keep them informed about any new legislation.
(3.) The committee may conduct candidate forums or poll candidate views. All candidates for office should be included in the process.
(4.) The committee may organize subcommittees to study pending legislation on the local, state, and federal level, which is relative to education.
(5.) The committee may organize support for a piece of legislation, if approved by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board.
(6.) The committee may organize support for a candidate, if approve by a two-thirds vote of the general membership.
B. Membership Committee
(1.) The chairperson shall be the Treasurer of the Association.
(2.) The Faculty Representative shall assist the committee with membership enrollment at the beginning of the year and notify the committee chair of any and all changes during the year.
(3.) The committee shall inform members of the policies, programs, and accomplishments of the Association.
C. Nominations and Elections Committee (No officer may serve on this committee.)
(1.) The committee shall consist of at least one representative of the elementary schools, one from the middle schools, and one from the high school.
(2.) The President with advice and consent of the Executive Board shall nominate members of this committee.
(3.) The committee shall determine the nomination procedure for candidates seeking elective office or a delegate position.
(4.) The committee shall be responsible for securing candidates for each of the elective offices from all active members.
(5.) The names of the candidates for elective office shall be published no later then one-week proceeding the date of the election.
(6.) The committee shall be responsible for conducting annual elections and for meeting requirements of special elections.
(7.) All elections shall be conducted by secret ballot. When the number of candidates for an office/position equals the number to be elected, the candidates shall be declared elected by a single vote cast by the Secretary of the Association.
(8.) The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.
(9.) Officer and Unit Chairperson elections will be conducted during the month of April.
(10.) The committee shall arrange for negotiation team elections for a bargaining year.
D. Professional Development and Instructional Services Committee
This committee shall develop Association positions on matters affecting instruction such as: Governance, Teacher Recruitment and Selection, Continuing Education, Pre-Service and In-Service Education, Student Teacher Programs, Staffing Practices, Evaluation, Instruction Facilities, and Curriculum Process. The committee shall initiate study and action and compile data for support of such positions in negotiations.
E. Public Relations Committee
(1.) The chairperson shall be the Secretary of the Association.
(2.) The committee shall publish an MEA Newsletter five- (5) times a year.
(3.) The committee shall send out notices of Executive Board meetings to members of the board.
(4.) The committee shall publish a monthly summary of Executive Board meetings to be posted in each building.
(5.) The committee shall develop public understanding for the purposes and programs of the Association, the values of public education, and in cooperation with administration, the educational philosophies of the schools.
(6.) It shall develop procedures by which the Association can work cooperatively with parents in public, fraternal, and social organizations through all available channels of communication.
F. Scholarship Committee
(1.) The committee shall follow policy established by the Executive Board in (1979).
(2.) The committee shall design an appropriate application to gather information needed from applicants applying for the MEA Scholarship.
(3.) The committee shall recommend guidelines for scholarship recipient criteria to the Executive Board for approval.
(4.) The committee shall post notification of scholarship availability and set deadlines for application.
(5.) The committee shall screen candidates and make recommendations to the Executive Board for scholarship recipients.
G. Sick Leave Pool Committee (Unit A)
(1.) The chairperson and four- (4) members are appointed by the President as stated in the current contract.
(2.) The committee shall follow the Sick Leave Pool policy as established by the Executive Board on October 21, 1979 and as further amended.
H. Social Affairs/Hospitality Committee
(1.) The committee shall organize social activities as may serve the needs of the members and promote fellowship within the Association.
(2.) The Faculty Representatives shall assist the committee in its functions.
(3.) The committee oversees the Sunshine Fund and shall develop policies and procedures under the guidance of the Treasurer.
(4.) The committee shall be responsible for organizing and planning the end of the year system-wide celebration to honor retirees. The budget for the celebration will be determined with input from the Treasurer/Membership Chairperson. 
I. Negotiations Committee (11 members) – (Unit A)
Bargaining Team (5 members)
(1.) The Negotiations Committee shall be made up of the following members: President of the MEA, First Vice-President of the MEA, and 9 at-large representatives elected by the unit membership.
(2.) The committee will choose four (4) of its members to be on the Bargaining Team based on representation from different grade levels and areas of specialization. The First Vice-President will be the fifth member of this team. One member of the team will be designated as chairperson. (The MEA President has the option of serving on the Bargaining Team.) (It is recommended that only teachers with professional status serve on the Bargaining Team.)
(3.) The committee will solicit suggestions for proposals from the general membership before the start of negotiations.
(4.) The committee will prepare written proposals and distribute copies to each building/department prior to being presented to the School Committee. A general membership meeting will be held to discuss and explain the proposal to the membership.
(5.) The Bargaining Team shall negotiate with the School Committee on hours, wages, and working conditions, including the instructional programs for all personnel in each bargaining unit.
(6.) Upon reaching tentative agreement on all maters under negotiations, the contract shall be ratified as follows:
(a.)  Within two weeks after the completion of negotiations, an informational meeting will be held for the purpose of discussion of       the tentative agreement.
(b)  The membership will vote on the tentative agreement by secret ballot after the informational meeting has concluded.
(7.) Each member of the Bargaining Team shall receive annual expense money of $150 for the year(s) during which negotiations are conducted.
J. Negotiations Committee (Other units)
The chairperson of the unit shall select members of this committee and with the committee establish its duties.
K. Professional Rights and Responsibilities and Ethics Committee (Grievance) – (Unit A)
(1.) The chairperson shall be the Second Vice-President of the Association.
(2.) The committee shall develop Association positions on all matters pertaining to the rights of Association members, especially academic freedom, professional and personal leave, administrative discipline and dismissal, and grievance procedures and shall compile data for the support of such positions in negotiations.
(3.) The committee shall advise the general membership on implementation procedures for the Code of Ethics.
(4.) The committee shall make recommendations to the Executive Board in cases of censure, suspension or expulsion of members.
L. Professional Rights and Responsibilities and Ethics Committee (Grievance) – (Other units)
The chairperson of the unit shall select members of this committee to handle the responsibility for the unit.
Section 4. Special Committees
Each year, the President may appoint, with approval of the Executive Board, such other committees as may be necessary and shall discharge them upon completion of their duties.

Article XII. The Amendment Process
These by laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting members provided that copies of the proposed amendments have been sent to members of the Association at least one week in advance.

HOME