Constitution and Bylaws of Alaska Science Teachers Association
Amended October 2007
 
ARTICLE I  NAME
 
The name of the association shall be:  THE ALASKA SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
 
ARTICLE II  OBJECTIVES
 
The purpose of the Association shall be to encourage better science teaching in Alaska, to promote exchange of information among all science educators in the State, and to establish communications with science educators throughout the United States.  The Association shall not engage in any activity which would be inconsistent with the status of educational, charitable, and scientific organization as defined in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1954 or any successor provision thereto.
 
ARTICLE III  MEMBERSHIP
 
Section I  Eligibility for membership

Any person who is interested in the teaching of science in the State of Alaska is eligible for active membership.
 
Section II  Categories of Membership

The categories of membership shall be:  Student, Regular, and Lifetime.
 
Section III  Privileges

Active members of the Association shall be entitled to vote and to hold office.  All members shall be entitled to receive notices of meetings and to receive such publications as the Association may issue.
 
Section IV  Dues

The annual dues for membership shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
Membership year is from January 1 to December 31.  Unpaid members become delinquent  February 1st.
 
Dues for retired teachers may be waived.
 
 
 
ARTICLE IV  OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
 
Section I  Executive Officers

There shall be a president, president elect or immediate past-president, as the case may be during their respective terms, treasurer, and secretary.
 
The term of the office for the president, treasurer, and secretary shall be two (2) years.The president shall serve for two years or until a successor is installed.
 
The treasurer shall be elected in odd numbered years.
 
The president-elect and secretary shall be elected in even numbered years.
 
The president-elect shall serve for one year and then be installed as president.
 
In addition to the aforementioned offices, one (1) regional representative from each of the five (5) areas of Alaska designated as Northern, Interior, Southcentral, Southwest, and Southeast shall be elected. See Attachment II for the list of areas that each representative is responsible for.
Two representatives at large shall also be elected.
 
A job description for each office is noted in Attachment II in this document.
 
Section ll Appointed Positions

There shall be a representative who coordinates the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching for Alaska who is appointed by the Executive Committee.
 
Any representative may be appointed if no nominees are available.
 
Section IIl  Executive Committee

The officers of the Association shall constitute the Executive Committee. 
As the need arises, the Executive Committee may appoint additional Executive Committee members from the active membership on a temporary basis.
 
Section IV  Nomination and Election of Officers

The president elect, or immediate past-president, as the case may be during their respective terms, shall coordinate a nominating committee for the election of officers.  Any member may make a recommendation to the nominating committee after receiving consent from the candidate.  Each recommendation shall be accompanied by a concise description of their qualifications.  Nominations will be made to the nominating committee by March 15th.
 
The officers shall be elected by ballot sent by mail to all members of ASTA.  The ballot shall be accompanied by a brief written description of the candidates qualifications.
 
Ballots will be mailed or e-mail to members by April 10th.
 
Ballots shall be postmarked or dated (e-mail) no later than April 30.  The deadline for return shall be stated on the ballots.
Results shall be reported in the May newsletter.
 
Section V  Assumption of Duties

Newly elected officers will assume duties on June 1.
 
Section Vl  Succession of Office

In the event of death, incapacitation, absence from the state for more than three (3) months, or resignation of the President, the president-elect,or, in the absence of the president-elect, the immediate past president, will assume the office of President for the remainder of the unexpired term.  In the event that the president elect or immediate past president is unable to become President, the responsibility for succession shall rest with the Executive Committee.
 
 
ARTICLE V  MEETINGS
 
Section I  Yearly Meetings

The Association shall hold at least one (1) annual meeting of the general membership.  This shall take place in the State or at the annual National Science Teachers Association meeting.  The date shall be decided by the Executive Committee.
 
Section II  Special Meetings

At least 3 audio conferences a year shall be held by the Executive Committee to take care of Association business.  The Association shall hold other meetings as will best serve the interests and needs of the science teachers of Alaska.
 
ARTICLE VI  AFFILIATION
 
Section I  Alaska Science Teachers Association Affiliation

The Association may associate with other science associations and education associations by a majority vote at any meeting.
 
Section II  National Science Teachers Association

The Association is the State affiliate of the National Science Teachers Association.
 
 
 
ARTICLE VII  QUORUM
 
Those members present at each meeting shall constitute a quorum.
 
 
ARTICLE IX  AMENDMENTS
 
The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at any meeting provided that the proposed amendment has been previously submitted to the Executive Committee.
 
ARTICLE X  DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS UPON TERMINATION
 
In the event of termination or dissolution of the Association, the Executive Committee shall distribute the remaining assets of the Association to one or more of the following agencies:  National Science Teachers Association, National Science Foundation, any agency of the United States government with its interest in science education, or any organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1954 or successor provision thereto and with it”s interest in science education.
 
ARTICLE XI  BUDGET
 
The yearly budget will be determined by the Executive Committee.  Any person traveling on Association business will receive a per diem rate that is consistent with the State of Alaska rate.