CONSTITUTION OF THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF GERMAN
I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be SOUTHERN ILLINOIS CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN
ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF GERMAN.
II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Chapter conforms to that of the national Association. The
Chapter exists to advance and improve the teaching of language, literatures,
and cultures of the German-speaking countries at all levels of instruction within
the geographic region served by this Chapter, and to foster cooperation among
its members.
III. MEMBERSHIP
1. Any teacher of German, or anyone interested in the teaching of German, may
join the Chapter and the national Association upon payment of the annual dues
as specified in the Constitution and By-Laws of the national Association, and
may retain membership by payment of the annual dues each year.
2. Payment of annual dues entitles members to receive official announcements
of the Chapter, to participate in meetings, and to exercise all other privileges
of membership, and no member in default is qualified to exercise any privilege
of membership.
IV. OFFICERS
1. Officers of the Chapter are the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary,
and the Treasurer. The President, the Vice-President, and the Secretary shall
be elected for a term of two years. The Treasurer shall be elected for a term
of three years.
2. Every second year the members shall elect a Secretary in the manner specified
in the By-Laws of the national Association. The Secretary shall be chosen alternately
from the primary or secondary level and the college or university level. Two
years later the Secretary shall assume the office of Vice-President, and the
Vice-President shall assume the office of President.
3. In the event that the President resigns before the expiration of the term
of office, the Executive Committee shall determine whether the length of the
remaining term allows the Vice-President to serve the additional time in the
office of President. Alternate arrangements, such as reinstating a past President
or advancing all officers’ terms, shall be available.
4. In the event that the Vice-President, the Secretary, or the Treasurer resigns
before the expiration of the term of office, the President shall be entitled
to appoint a successor for the remainder of the term. This appointee shall be
approved by a vote at the next regular election.
V. ADMINISTRATION
1. The administration of the Chapter shall be in the hands of an Executive Committee
composed of the officers provided in Section IV, the immediate past President
of the Chapter, one at-large member, and the heads of such standing committees
as future developments may warrant.
2. The at-large member shall be elected at the spring meeting and would take
office from June 1 to May 31.
VI. ELECTION PROCEDURES
1. Nominees for each vacant office and position of the Executive Committee shall
be presented to the membership at the spring meeting of each year.
2. Nominations from the floor shall be invited.
3. In the case of a contested position, the simple majority of members present
shall elect the officer or committee member.
4. New officers and members of the Executive Committee shall assume office on
June 1.
VII. MEETINGS
The Chapter shall hold two annual meetings. The members present shall constitute
a quorum.
VIII. CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES
The Constitution of the Chapter may be amended by a two-thirds vote at any regular
meeting. Such amendment(s) may be proposed by the Executive Committee or by
written notice to the Executive Committee by at least four members of the Chapter
no later than three months in advance of the regular meeting at which action
is to be taken. The Secretary shall submit such proposed amendment(s) to the
membership at least one month prior to the time of final action.
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By-Laws
1. MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall meet prior to the annual meeting of the Chapter.
Special meetings may be held at the request of the President or any two members
of the Executive Committee.
2. DUES
The regulation concerning dues contained in the Constitution and By-Laws of
the national Association shall apply to this Chapter.
3. ANNUAL PROGRAM
The President shall be responsible for the annual program and shall arrange
that the program announcement reaches the Chapter Secretary in sufficient time
to permit circulation to Chapter members.
4. MINUTES
Minutes of the previous meeting shall be approved at each regular meeting.
5. ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL CONTEST
The Vice-President shall be responsible for the administration of the annual
contest for high school students in the area served by the Chapter.
6. NEWSLETTER
The Chapter shall maintain a newsletter. The editor shall be appointed by the
President.
Approved April 25, 1987
Amended April 9, 1988
Amended April 23, 1994