ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1. Name
The corporate name of the Association shall be the Science Education Leadership Association of New Jersey, Inc. The Association may continue to be known and do business as the New Jersey Science Education Leadership Association (NJSELA).
Section 2. Purpose
The purposes of this Association are:
a. To stimulate and facilitate in the professional development of efficient and effective leadership practices to improve science education.
b. To enhance the professional competence and status of leaders in science education.
c. To provide opportunities for science supervisors, department heads, and educators responsible for and/or interested in leadership in science education to discuss, and take action on matters of common interest and concern.
d. To facilitate communication among leaders in science education.
e. To stimulate and to aid in the development of curriculum materials.
f. To present to the appropriate agencies issues of concern to science education leaders.
g. To conduct research leading to the incorporation of new trends, methods, and curriculum in science education
h. To provide members with benefits that will help in their science education leadership endeavors.
i. To promote the improvement of the teaching and learning processes as they relate to the content, methods, and attitudes toward science in the schools of New Jersey.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership
a. Membership in this Association shall be open to: (1) individuals in leadership positions who are responsible for science education, (2) individuals who were formerly members, (3) individuals who are leaders in science education, (4) corporations or individuals who are advocates of science education. This may include science department heads, coordinators, consultants, supervisors, directors, principals, assistant / vice principals, curriculum coordinators, superintendents, science specialists, curriculum developers, college instructors of science teachers or supervisors, anyone having science supervisory responsibilities, corporations or their representatives or anyone who has ever served in these capacities.
Section 2. Types of Membership
There shall be five types of membership. They are:
a. Active Member - any member who presently meets one of the established membership categories.
b. Retired Member - any member who retires from active service to science education may continue to be a member of the Association providing that helshe has been an active member the preceding three years. Retired members shall have all the rights and privileges of an Active Member.
c. Life Member - all former Presidents of the Association upon retirement from active service will be awarded a Ute Membership in the Association. There shall be no dues for a Life Member and he / she shall have all the rights and privileges of an Active Member.
d. Corporate Member - a corporation may join the Association and be entitled to all rights and privileges of an active member except the right to vote
e. Corporate Representative - a corporate representative may join the Association and be entitled to all rights and privileges of an active member except for the right to vote.
Section 3. Dues
Dues for membership shall be set by vote of the membership at the Annual Meeting.
a. Dues for membership shall be recommended by the Executive Committee and be set by vote of the membership no later than March 1st.
b.The membership year shall be from January 1 through December 31.
c. The Membership Chairperson shall delete from the Association rolls such persons who have not paid current dues by January 1 of the membership year.
Section 4. Corporate Seal
The Association shall have a corporate seal. The President shall be the custodian of the corporate seal and papers.
Section 5. Title VI and Title IX
The Association complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It also complies with Title IX.
ARTICLE III
ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. Elected Officers and Executive Committee
a. The officers of the Association shall be a President, Past President, President-elect, a Secretary, and a Treasurer (five persons). The officers of the Association shall serve as the Board of Trustees for corporate purposes.
b. The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Association. The Executive Committee shall include the officers of the Association, and the following appointed members: National Science Education Leadership Association liaison representative, New Jersey Science Convention Co-Chairperson, Publications Editor, Membership Chairperson, Awards Chairperson.and other committee chairpersons appointed by the President. The Executive Committee shall be composed of a maximum of twenty (20) persons. All members of the Executive Committee shall have full voting rights.
Section 2. Terms of Elected Officers
The President, Past President, and President-Elect shall serve for one year and shall not succeed themselves except in extraordinary circumstances as approved by the Executive Committee. The Secretary and the Treasurer shall serve for one year and may be re-nominated and reelected.
Section 3. Duties of the Officers
a. The President shall preside over the meetings of the Association and its Executive Committee, shall appoint members to the Executive Committee, shall appoint such committees as are necessary to conduct the Association's business, shall serve ex-officio on such committees, and shall be the official representative of the Association before the public and other educational bodies. The President shall serve on the Steering Committee of the New Jersey Science Convention and be responsible for all duties of the position as stated in the NJSC's Constitution and Policies.
b. The Past President shall serve as chairperson of the Nominating Committee, shall serve as the NJST A liaison representative, shall serve as the President of the Association should the office of the President become vacant, and shall act in an advisory capacity to the President The Past President shall serve on the Steering Committee of the New Jersey Science Convention and be responsible for all duties of the position as stated in the NJSC's Constitution and Policies.
c. The President-Elect shall act for the President in his / her absence, shall perform such duties as the President may delegate, shall serve or oversee the Program Chairperson for the NJSELA's programs at the New Jersey Science Convention, and shall plan the regular programs sponsored by the Association which will be held during his / her term. The President-Elect shall serve on the Steering Committee of the New Jersey Science Convention and be responsible for all duties of the position as stated in the NJSC's Constitution and Policies.
d. The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Association and meetings of its Executive Committee shall maintain the official files of the Association, shall be responsible for overseeing the notification to members of all open meetings and the Executive Committee of all business meetings, and shall be responsible for parliamentary procedures during meetings.
e. The Treasurer shall serve as the custodian of the Association funds and make payment of all debts of the Association which are approved by the Executive Committee, shall keep accurate records of all financial transactions, of the Association, shall report the same on a regular basis as requested by the President, shall file any federal and financial transactions and maintain records of all grant programs, shall collect dues from the Membership Chairperson, and oversee membership record keeping.
Section 4. Approved Executive Committee Members
a. The National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA) liaison representative shall be the liaison to the NSELA and other supervisory groups and shall perform duties related to these groups as designated by the President.
b. The Science Convention Executive Co-Chairperson shall serve for a term of 2 years and work with the New Jersey Science Teachers Association Co-Chairperson in planning the Annual New Jersey Science Convention. The NJSC Co-Chairperson representing the NJSELA shall be selected in accordance with the NJSC Constitution and shall keep the Association's Executive Committee informed as to the NJSC's deliberations.
c. The Awards Committee Chairperson shall appoint a committee which will be responsible for nominating recipients and determining criteria for selection of any awards designated by the Executive Committee.
d. The Publications Editor shall be responsible for the editing and publishing of the Newsletter of the Association on a regular basis.
e. The Membership Chairperson shall work with the Treasurer to oversee the membership rolls, the membership data base, and conduct membership drives as directed by the Treasurer of the Association.
f. Other committees may be established by the Executive Committee to carry on the special projects and activities of the Association as the need may arise. The President shall appoint a chairperson for each committee.
g. All members of Association committees shall be current members of the Association .
Section 5. The Executive Committee
a. The Executive Committee shall conduct business as is directed by the membership at general meetings. It shall also function so as to provide continuity in the affairs of the Association between general meetings. The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Association.
b. The Executive Committee shall approve the planned expenditure of Association funds.
c. The Executive Committee shall be composed of a maximum of twenty (20) voting members which shall include the officers of the Association and appointed voting members
d. A simple majority of voting members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum in the transaction of business.
Section 6. Board of Trustees
a. The business of the Association, except as may otherwise be designated with respect to the Executive Committee. shall be managed by the Board of Trustees consisting of the elected five (5) officers of the association.
b. The President, by virtue of office, shall also be Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
c. Each Trustee shall hold office for terms concurrent with their positions as elected officers of the Association.
d. Four (4) members of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of the business of the Board of Trustees. Each Trustee shall have one vote.
Section 7. Dissolution of the Corporation and the Distribution of Assets
a. No part of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of, or be
distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or private persons, except that the Association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I hereof.
b. Upon dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Trustees shall, after paying all of the liabilities of the corporation, dispose all assets of the corporation to such organizations organized and operated exclusively for educational scientific purposes which shall qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or corresponding provisions of any future Internal Revenue Law).
c. Organizations to be given consideration may include, but are not limited to the the following: New Jersey Science Teachers Association, the National Science Education Leadership Association, and the New Jersey Academy of Science.
Section 8 Tax Exempt Status
No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an Association exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) under the Internal Revenue code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or by an Association, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).