CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

PHILOSOPHY: 

Quality sign language instruction is recognized through the ASLTA certification.  The preservation of sign language and culture of Deaf people shall be highly valued.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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NOTE: The board of directors has proposed some amendments to the bylaws, which are identified by underlines in Article IX, Sections 2 and 3, and Article XIII, Section 1.  These amendments will be voted on at the next membership meeting.

ARTICLE I:  NAME

SECTION 1:  The Organization shall be known as Northwest American Sign Language Teachers Association (NWASLTA). 

ARTICLE II:  OBJECTIVES

SECTION 1:  To promote professional quality in American Sign Language teaching, both regional and in connection with the National American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA).

SECTION 2:  To provide an effective avenue for the exchange of information regarding methods and materials in the instruction of ASL.

SECTION 3:  To provide input to the Northwest American Sign Language Teachers Association (NWASLTA) in standards and procedures for the teaching of ASL.

SECTION 4:  To develop and maintain a regional directory of members.

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ARTICLE III:  AFFILIATION

SECTION 1:  The Northwest ASLTA shall be a cooperating member of the national ASLTA under such conditions as the Executive Board may determine.

ARTICLE IV:  MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1:  Membership in NWASLTA shall be open to instructors of ASL and any individuals interested in ASL instruction.

SECTION 2:  Dues for individuals interested in sign language instruction.

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ARTICLE V:  MEETING OF MEMBERS

SECTION 1:  Regular meetings shall be held two (2) times a year.  Any other meeting shall be considered "special" and be subject to Article V, Section 2.

SECTION 2:  Special meetings may be called at any time by the Executive Board or the President.

SECTION 3:  Prior to regular meetings, the Executive Board shall plan a written agenda which is to be attached to the meeting notice.  In any meeting, any member may put a subject on the agenda.

SECTION 4:  Notice of each meeting shall be sent to the membership and shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting.  Notice of a special meeting shall also state the purpose(s) for which it is being called and shall also indicate that it is being issued by or at the direction of the person or persons calling the meeting.  Notice of any meetings shall be given, personally or by mail, at least fourteen (14) days in advance.

SECTION 5:  At any meeting of members, one-third (1/3) of the voting membership or at least eight (8) members, whichever is less, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.  When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any members.

SECTION 6:  The President shall preside at each meeting.  In the President's absence, the order of succession shall be as follows:  Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer.  In the absence of all officers, the meeting shall be canceled.

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ARTICLE VI:  EXECUTIVE BOARD

SECTION 1:  The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, shall constitute the Executive Board, and shall be responsible for business matters of the NWASLTA between regular meetings.

SECTION 2:  All incoming and outgoing monies of the NWASLTA, notices of elections and meetings, dissemination of materials, and the like shall be handled through the Executive Board.

SECTION 3:  The President shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the Executive Board, the committees of NWASLTA.  By unanimous consent, the Executive Board may waive confirmation procedures.

SECTION 4:  The Executive Board shall have the authority to fill any vacancy on the Board which may occur between regular meetings of NWASLTA with the exception of the office of President, which shall be filled by the Vice President according to Article IX, Section 2.

SECTION 5:  The Executive Board must approve any financial expenditures not authorized by the budget prepared by the NWASLTA Executive Board.  The NWASLTA Executive Board shall submit an annual budget to the members.

SECTION 6:  Two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

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ARTICLE VII:  COMMITTEES

SECTION 1:  Standing committees shall consist of at least three (3) members in good standing each.  The President shall nominate the chairperson of such standing committee as created by the NWASLTA, subject to the approval of the Executive Board.

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ARTICLE VIII:  OFFICERS

SECTION 1:  The office of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer are to be filled by an election.  Officers shall serve until their successors are duly elected.

SECTION 2:  The officers shall be elected every two (2) years by ballot at the fall meeting of odd-numbered years.

SECTION 3:  Nominations for officers shall be made by a Nominating Committee composed of three (3) members in good standing.  Recommendations for nomination of officers and may be submitted by any voting members of the NWASLTA to the Nominating Committee.

SECTION 4:  Any voting member of the NWASLTA present at the election and in good standing, and who is qualified to hold office shall be eligible to become a candidate for any office.  Any absent member may be eligible if his/her written consent shall have been obtained.

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ARTICLE IX:  DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1:  The President shall preside at all meetings of the NWASLTA and/or the Executive Board.  He/she shall have working knowledge of the affairs of the NWASLTA and serve as a liaison between NWASLTA and external business.

SECTION 2:  The Vice President shall serve in the absence of the President.  He/she shall succeed to the office of President should that office become vacant prior to the expiration of the term of office of the President.  He/she shall be the liaison between the Executive Board and the Committees of the NWASLTA, and shall oversee committee activities.  The Vice President shall also serve as the NWASLTA Professional Development Coordinator.

SECTION 3:  The Secretary, under the direction of the President, shall record the minutes of all NWASLTA and Executive Board proceedings including all notices and reports of meetings.  Between meetings he/she shall transact all correspondence necessary to carry out the regular business of the NWASLTA, and the expressed wishes of the Executive Board.  He/she shall surrender to his/her successor all records in his/her possession belonging to the NWASLTA within thirty (30) days after the election.  The secretary shall be responsible for maintaining the NWASLTA Professional Development Directory.

SECTION 4:  The Treasurer shall receive all money and keep a record of all receipts and expenditures, and shall submit a report which has been audited by at least two (2) members in good standing to the NWASLTA at each meeting or to the Executive Board, whenever called upon to do so.  He/she shall keep an account of all properties, investments and funds of the NWASLTA, which shall at all times be open for inspection.  He/she shall keep a record showing the names of members, when admitted, and their addresses and at the meeting of the NWASLTA, furnish the President with a list of members eligible to vote.  He/she shall surrender to his/her successor all audits and records in his/her possession belonging to the NWASLTA within thirty (30) days after the election.

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ARTICLE X:  RAISING OF FUNDS

SECTION 1:  No funds shall be raised or solicited on behalf of the NWASLTA without the consent of the Executive Board and/or the members.

ARTICLE XI:  PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

SECTION 1:  Robert's Rules for order shall be the parliamentary authority for all meetings.

SECTION 2:  The President, at his/her discretion, may appoint a Parliamentarian to advise the NWASLTA on parliamentary procedures.

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ARTICLE XII:  CONTRACTS, CHECKS, BANK ACCOUNTS, ETC.

SECTION 1:  The Executive Board may authorize any officer(s), agent(s), in addition to the President, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the NWASLTA, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances, but unless so authorized by Executive Board, or expressly authorized herein, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the NWASLTA by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable pecuniarily (financially) in any amount for any purpose.

SECTION 2:  No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the NWASLTA unless specifically authorized by the Executive Board.

SECTION 3:  All checks, drafts, and other orders for the payment of money out of the funds of the NWASLTA, and all notes or other evidence of indebtedness of the NWASLTA shall be signed by the Treasurer and one of the Executive Board members on behalf of the NWASLTA in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Executive Board or as expressly authorized herein.

SECTION 4:  All funds of the NWASLTA not otherwise employed shall be deposited, within ten (10) working days, to the credit of the NWASLTA in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Executive Board may determine.

SECTION 5:  The Executive Board may accept on behalf of the NWASLTA any contributions, gifts or bequests for the general purpose or for any special purpose of the NWASLTA.

SECTION 6:  Any accounts held by NWASLTA shall be subject to back-up withholding by financial institution in compliance with the current tax regulations.

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ARTICLE XIII:  DISSOLUTION

SECTION 1:  If, in the event of the dissolution of the NWASLTA, its assets shall be transferred to the national ASLTA should NWASLTA not be reestablished after a three (3) year waiting period.

ARTICLE XIV:  AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1:  The By-laws of the NWASLTA may be amended, altered or repealed by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the total voting membership.  Proxies brought in or mailed shall count towards the "two-third" (2/3) requirement.  The amendments shall have a review by the Executive Board prior to the ratification of said amendments by the membership.

SECTION 2:  Any proposed amendments must be read and seconded at least one (1) meeting before the meeting they are voted upon.  In addition, the proposed amendments to be voted upon will be described on the meeting notice.

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