By-Laws
ARIZONA ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN BY-LAWS
Article I, NAME
The name of this organization shall be THE ARIZONA ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN hereafter referred to as AzAEYC.
Article II, PURPOSES
The purposes of the AzAEYC shall be charitable and educational and, include but not be limited to serving and acting on behalf of the needs, rights, and well-being of all young children in Arizona and their families, with special emphasis on developmental and educational services and resources and fostering the growth and development of the membership in their work with, and on behalf of, young children.
Article III, MEMBERSHIP
Section 3.1. Eligibility. Anyone interested in promoting the purposes of this Association may become a member upon payment of annual dues.
Section 3.2. Levels of Membership. All members of the AzAEYC have a local affiliate and are also members of NAEYC and are entitled to the privileges of membership in accordance with the membership categories of those respective associations.
Section 3.3. Classes of Members. The categories of membership shall be Comprehensive, Regular, and Student.
Section 3.4. Rights of Members. All members, upon payment of all annual dues, shall become eligible for all rights, benefits, and responsibilities of membership as set forth in the by-laws and policies of each level of the Association.
Section 3.5. Dues. Membership dues shall be determined by the Board. Any member who fails to remit his or her dues for the current membership year within three (3) months of its start shall no longer be considered an active member.
Section 3.6. Membership Year. The membership year shall be 12 months from the individual’s join/renewal date of membership.
Section 3.7. Annual Meeting:
(a) There shall be an annual meeting of the members of AzAEYC with the time and place determined by the Board.
(b) The membership shall be informed of the date and place of the meeting no later than four (4) weeks prior to the meeting.
Article IV, ADMINISTERING BODY
Section 4.1. Name. The administering body shall be called the Governing Board (the "Board")
Section 4.2. Powers and Duties. The Governing Board shall supervise, control and direct the affairs of AzAEYC, shall determine its policies or changes therein, within the limits of the by-laws, shall actively promote its purposes and shall have discretion in the disbursement of its funds. It may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as shall be deemed advisable and may, in the execution of the powers granted, appoint such agents, as it may consider necessary.
Section 4.3. Composition.
(a) The Governing Board shall consist of the
1) Officers elected by the membership of AzAEYC.
2) Representatives of each affiliate. Each affiliate chapter shall appoint one (1) voting representative to the AzAEYC Governing Board. Each affiliate chapter may also appoint a non-voting representative to the AzAEYC Governing Board.
(b) All members of the Board shall be members of AzAEYC.
(c) Officers shall be elected on a staggered basis and take office in January following their election for a term of two years, except for the President who serves one year as President-Elect, two years as President and one year as Past-President.
(d) The President shall serve no more than one (1) consecutive term.
(e) All other officers shall serve no more than two (2) successive elective terms in the same position.
Section 4.4. Meetings.
(a) There shall be quarterly meetings of the Governing Board during the membership year. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or by at least five (5) Board members.
(b) Notices of time and place of any meetings of the Board shall be posted in a reasonable fashion to all members of the Board.
(c) A complete report of each meeting shall be made to the Board within three (3) weeks after each meeting.
Section 4.5. Quorum and Voting. A simple majority of the voting Governing Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Votes pass or fail based on a simple majority vote of the board. No proxy votes will be counted.
Section 4.6. Resignation or Removal.
(a) An officer may resign at any time. The resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
(b)An officer may be removed at the discretion of the Board for failure to comply with the by-laws, governing board policies and job descriptions of AzAEYC after deliberation and consideration and a majority vote of the Board.
Section 4.7. Vacancies. Officer vacancies shall be filled by the voting members of the Board. Each person chosen to fill an officer vacancy shall hold office until the next annual election of Board members, or if so determined by the voting members of the Board, until the expiration of the term of the vacant position.
Section 4.8. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will be charged with carrying out the functions of the Governing Board between meetings of the Board, and the actions of the Executive Committee shall be acts of the Board. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Principal Officers of the Board (President, Past President or President Elect, Vice President of Professional Development, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Vice President of Membership and Communication, Secretary, and Treasurer) The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President or at the written request of three (3) members of the Executive Committee, in the interim between meetings of the Board to consider and take action upon any business presented. A report of each meeting of the Executive Committee shall be made to the Board within three (3) weeks after each meeting. A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. A vote of a majority of the Executive Committee members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be required for action by the Executive Committee.
Article V, OFFICERS
Section 5.1. Principal Officers.
The principal officers of AzAEYC shall consist of a President, President-Elect, Past President, Vice President of Professional Development, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Vice President of Membership and Communication, Secretary, Treasurer and three at-large board members, elected by the membership of the Association, and the Executive Director (if any), of the Association who shall serve at a non-voting ex officio member of the Board.
Section 5.2. Election of Principal Officers: Terms of Office.
The principal officers of AzAEYC shall be elected to staggered two year terms by the members, with the President Elect, Vice President of Professional Development, Treasurer and one at-large member elected in odd numbered years and the Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Vice President of Membership and Communication, Secretary, and two at-large members in even numbered years.
Section 5.3. Duties. The duties of the officers are defined by the policies, job descriptions, and by-laws of AzAEYC.
Article VI, NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 6.1. Nominating Committee. Annually, the Governing Board shall select a Nominating Committee. The immediate Past-President or President in a second term shall chair the nominating committee.
Section 6.2. Nominating Committee Duties.
(a) The Nominating Committee shall request suggestions for nominations from the membership no later than eight (8) weeks prior to the date that the slate is presented for voting.
(b) The Nominating Committee shall vote on a slate of officers in accordance with AzAEYC by-laws and policies and shall provide membership a ballot no later than two (2) weeks prior to the ballot due date.
Section 6.3. Candidates by Petition. Nomination of additional candidates may be made by members representing not less than ten percent (10%) of the total AzAEYC members (based on figures for December 31 of the immediately preceding year), or by a majority vote of the membership at a meeting called for the purpose of voting.
Section 6.4. Elections.
(a) Elections shall be accomplished by December 31 of each year by mail or electronic vote, or by a vote at a membership meeting as determined by the Governing Board in accordance with AzAEYC by-laws and policies. Election results shall be announced to the membership within thirty (30) days of the election.
(b) Elections shall be determined by a majority of members voting.
Article VII, COMMITTEES
The President, with the approval of the Governing Board, shall appoint as many standing and special committees as are determined necessary to fulfill the purposes of AzAEYC and requirements of NAEYC. The powers, duties, and qualifications for appointment are specified by the Board and/or policies.
Article VIII, FINANCES
(a) The fiscal year shall be from January 1 through December 31.
(b) AzAEYC will follow standard accounting practices and operate on a cash based financial system.
(c) IRS Form 990 and all other applicable federal and state reporting requirements will be completed and submitted by the Treasurer. The Board of Directors will receive copies.
(d) An annual statement of income and expenditures along with a list of all assets and liabilities will be completed at the end of the fiscal year and if total expenditures exceed $250,000 this information will be accompanied by an independent fiscal year-end audit.
Article IX, PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER, NEWLY REVISED shall be the parliamentary authority of AzAEYC.
Article X, AMENDMENTS
These by-laws may be amended, repealed, or altered, in whole or in part by
(1) a majority vote of the membership at any meeting of AzAEYC, provided that a copy of any amendment proposal for consideration shall be mailed to the members at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting; or by (2) approval of the AzAEYC members through a mail vote.
Article XI, DISSOLUTION
The AzAEYC may be dissolved at a membership meeting called for the specific purpose by a majority of the Governing Board. Upon dissolution of AzAEYC, any remaining funds shall be distributed to one or more 501 (c) (3) organizations selected by the Governing Board.
Revised January 22, 2010
