| (Revised September 21, 1996; updated September 24, 2004) |
Article I:Name
The name of this organization shall be the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French.
Article II: Purpose
The purpose of this association shall be to promote professional, academic and cultural interests among teachers of French in the elementary and secondary schools, and the colleges and universities of the Philadelphia area.
Article III: Membership
Section 1: Eligibility - Any current or former teacher of French, or anyone interested in the teaching of French, is eligible.
Section 2: Admittance - Any person qualifying for membership under Article III, Section 1 may be admitted to membership upon payment of the prescribed dues.
Section 3: Resignation - Membership is considered continuous, unless the member notifies the Secretary-Treasurer in writing of intention to resign. Membership may be suspended for a limited period upon written notification to the Secretary-Treasurer by said member.
Article IV: Officers
Section 1: Officers - There shall be a President, Vice-President and a Secretary-Treasurer.
Section 2: Term of Office - The term for all officers shall be for two years, all elected in the same year.
Section 3: Eligibility for re-election - Officers, with the exception of the Secretary-Treasurer, shall be eligible for re-election, but not to exceed two successive terms. The Secretary-Treasurer may be elected for an indefinite number of terms.
Section 4: Selection of nominees to office - A nominating committee shall accept nominations from the Chapter membership for the respective offices during the winter preceding each election. All nominees shall have been AATF members for the two consecutive years preceding the election. The nominating committee shall verify the eligibility of the nominees and ascertain their willingness to serve.
Section 5: Elections - Elections shall be by ballot sent by mail to all individual members of the Chapter prior to the spring meeting. A simple majority of affirmative votes shall be required for election.
Section 6: Election results - Announcement of election results shall be made at the spring meeting. All officers shall begin their term of office immediately following the spring meeting.
Section 7: Executive Council - In addition to the above-named officers, a deliberative council, or conseil, consisting of 10-12 active and willing Chapter members selected by the officers, shall meet several times a year to discuss Chapter affairs and to seek ways and means to fulfill and carry out the aims and programs of the Philadelphia Chapter. The immediate Past President shall be an ex officio member for one term.
Article V: Duties of Officers
Section 1: President - The President of the Chapter shall serve as the executive and ceremonial head of the Chapter. S/he shall call and preside at all meetings of the membership. With the advice of the Executive Council, s/he shall choose the date, time, location and program for the meetings. S/he shall appoint Chairs of any special committees as necessary and be a signatory for financial transactions in the event that the Secretary-Treasurer is unavailable.
Section 2: Vice-President - The Vice-President of the Chapter shall immediately assume the office of the President and discharge its duties for the unexpired term of office of the President, in the event that the latter should be unable to complete that term. The Vice-President shall preside over membership meetings and otherwise serve as acting President in the absence of the President.
Section 3: Secretary-Treasurer - The Secretary-Treasurer shall, in the function of Secretary, record and keep the minutes of all meetings and send copies to the officers and members of the Executive Council. S/he shall also send reports of Chapter activities to the editor of the French Review for publication. In addition, s/he shall notify the membership of all general meetings and handle the official correspondence for the Chapter.
This officer shall also, in the function of Treasurer, maintain an accurate record of the financial situation of the Chapter, give a report at the annual spring meeting, and be the signatory for all financial transactions.
Section 4: Filling of vacancies - Should any of the above elected officers be unable to complete the term of office, the vacancy may be filled by a person selected by the other two officers without consulting the membership.
Article VI: Meetings
At least three regular meetings shall be held in every academic year. The first meeting (fall meeting) shall take place in October-November, the second meeting (winter meeting) shall take place in January-February, and the third meeting (spring meeting) shall take place in April-May.
Article VII: Amendments
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in writing to the President of the Chapter. The specific Amendment must have the written support of ten members before being offered to the general membership by mail. A three-quarters majority of affirmative votes shall be required for ratification. The Amendment will become effective immediately upon ratification. |
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