NAAPAE
National Association for Asian and Pacific American Education
A Voice for Asian and Pacific American Education
~Constitution~
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of the Association shall be the National Association for Asian and Pacific American Education (NAAPAE).
ARTICLE II. PURPOSES
A. To promote the inclusion of the history and culture of Asian and Pacific Americans in the school curriculum.
B. To advocate bilingual, multicultural, and other programs and policies needed by Asian and Pacific Americans.
C. To establish a national communications network of individual's committed to quality education for Asian and Pacific Americans.
D. To encourage research on Asian and Pacific American educational topics.
E. To support the increased participation of Asian and Pacific Americans in diverse educational roles.
F. To increase public awareness of Asian and Pacific American educational concerns and needs.
ARTICLE III. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
A. The officers of NAAPAE shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. All officers must be active members of NAAPAE and must be elected by the members of the Association.
B. An Executive Council shall consist of the officers identified in Article III-A, the past President, chapter presidents, and regional representatives. All Executive Council members must be active members of NAAPAE.
The regional representatives and chapter presidents shall assist the officers to develop the work of the Association under the general policies established by the constitution. They will broadly represent the various ethnic, geographic, and educational interests of the Association members. Any variation in the selection of the Executive Council members is allowed if it meets this criterion.
C. The term of office for the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, regional representatives and chapter presidents shall be two years.
D. There shall be chapter presidents and four (4) regional representatives. The Executive Council will define regions and ex-officio member(s) as needed.
ARTICLE IV. DUTIES- OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
A. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and at all meetings of the Executive Council. In his/her absence, his/her duties shall be assumed by the Vice-President who may be succeeded by the Secretary and then the Treasurer. The President shall appoint such committees as the Executive Council deems necessary to the efficient operation of the organization.
B. The Vice-President shall undertake such duties as the President shall delegate.
C. The Secretary shall disseminate Association information and keep the minutes and all official documents. He/She shall be responsible for membership recruitment and will maintain all records pertaining to membership and Association benefits.
D. The Treasurer shall maintain all the financial records of the Association and undertake other tasks necessitated by its non-profit and tax-exempt status.
E. The Executive Council shall consider it a duty of office to attend all Executive Council and Association meetings. The regional representatives and chapter presidents shall provide input to the officers, who will conduct the daily business of the organization and control of its funds.
A majority vote shall be considered as binding for all Executive Council decisions. A quorum shall consist of fifty percent (50%) of the Council members plus one.
F. A vacancy in any office shall be filled by an appointment of the President in accordance with the qualifications required for the said vacancy and with the approval of the Executive Council. If the office of the President becomes vacant, the Vice-President shall serve as President for the remainder of the President's term, and may succeed himself/herself for the presidency for the following year. In case of a vacancy from a region, or chapter presidents, the President, with input from the outgoing Representative, or chapter presidents, shall make any appointments until such time as the constituents can elect or appoint a replacement.
G. Any Executive Council member can be removed for cause by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Council.
ARTICLE V. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A. A Teller's Committee of three members shall be appointed by the Secretary with Executive Council approval. This committee shall conduct all mail balloting for elections of officers at least 45 days before the annual conference.
B. A nominating Committee of three to five (3 to 5) members shall be appointed by the Secretary with Executive Council approval during the annual conference prior to the election. This committee shall present a slate of candidates for office to the Teller's committee at least 60 days prior to the annual conference.
C. Any member in good standing may be a candidate by a petition signed by at least five (5) other members in good standing, or individually at least five other members in good standing.
D. A majority of all votes cast shall decide all elected officers.
E. The outgoing representative for each region shall solicit nominations and conduct elections for the incoming Regional Representative. Election of regional representatives shall be completed prior to the annual conference.
F. Any member in good standing residing in the area may be a candidate for the regional office.
G. The newly elected officers shall be sworn in at the annual conference and shall take office within 45 days following the annual conference.
ARTICLE VI. MEMBERSHIP
The right to membership shall be extended to all persons who are interested in Asian and Pacific American education, are supportive of the Association's purposes, will abide by its constitution and will remit payment for membership dues. Membership shall consist of the following categories:
A. Active membership will require the payment of annual dues and will make the active member eligible for holding office and voting on Association matters. The amount of the annual dues will be at least $30.00.
B. Student membership is available to anyone who can provide verification of student status. Dues are at least $20.00 per year. Student members may vote and hold office.
C. Contributing membership is open to organizations who wish to pay dues in the amount of $40.00 or more to promote the purposes of the Association.
D. Persons whose dues are six months in arrears automatically lose all rights and privileges in the Association.
E. Members in good standing shall be defined as members whose membership dues are paid.
F. Membership dues will be increased as determined by the Executive Council.
ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES
A. The Membership Committee will consist of the Secretary, Treasurer and other members selected by the Secretary. This committee shall develop and implement recruitment activities.
B. The Newsletter Committee will be headed by a chairperson appointed by the President with Executive Council approval. The chairperson shall be the newsletter Editor. He/she may select other committee members as needed. A newsletter shall be published at regular intervals and distributed to the membership. The newsletter will reflect concerns and issues pertinent to Asian and Pacific American education.
C. Other committees may be established by the Executive Council.
ARTICLE VIII. MEETINGS
There shall be an annual Association meeting. The Executive Council will meet during the annual conference and at special meetings as the Council deems necessary.
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
A. Proposed amendments to the Constitution may be brought to the membership for approval either by (1) a vote of three-fifths of the membership of the Executive Council, or (2) petition to the Executive Council signed by one-tenth of the active members.
B. To become effective, any proposed amendment must be approved by a majority of the votes cast. Notification must be provided at least thirty days before the amendment is brought to a vote.
C. Voting may be done by mail ballot.
ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS
A. This Association is organized exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
B. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
C. Upon the winding up and dissolution of this Association, after paying up adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the organization, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundations or corporations which has established their tax-exempt status under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE XI. ADOPTION
The Constitution was adopted by the charter members in attendance at the organizational meeting held on May 24, 1977 in Seattle, Washington.
Amended: October 1979, March 1980, October 1981, April 1984, April 1990, February 1997, and June 1998.