By-Laws+&+Rules

=NEA World Languages Caucus= =By-Laws and Standing Rules=

Section 1:** This body shall be known as the National Education Association World Languages Caucus. (To be referred to as the NEA World Languages Caucus or NEA/WLC.)
 * __Article I: Name__

Section 1:** Recruit any NEA members interested in World Languages issues as members of the NEA World Languages Caucus.
 * __Article II: Purpose__
 * Section 2:** Provide a forum to focus on the myriad of needs of World Language Learners (hereafter referred to as WLLs), their families and the educators who work with them.
 * Section 3:** Assist and monitor the NEA with its decisions concerning WLLs.
 * Section 4:** Consistently inform, educate, and sensitize the NEA, its members, and the general public about the needs of WLLs and the academic importance and benefits of World Language studies.
 * Section 5:** Promote and advocate for World Language studies and access for students to World Language studies.
 * Section 6:** Advocate educational excellence for all WLLs by promoting World Language studies at all levels of education.
 * Section 7:** Support the use of effective instructional materials and access to necessary funding for WLLs programs.
 * Section 8:** Support raising students' linguistic and academic levels of success, while closing the achievement gaps.
 * Section 9:** Support teacher training andinvestigate innovative programs which demonstrate best practices.
 * Section 10:** Inform World Language educators about local, state and national legislation impacting WLLs and access to World Language studies.
 * Section 11:** Preserve and promote cultural and linguistic integrity and diversity and recognize the accomplishments of WLLs and World Language speakers.
 * Section 12:** Network and collaborate with all caucuses and other related organizations that share common interests on issues of importance to the NEA/WLC.
 * Section 13:** Promote legislation recognizing World Language studies as integral to the curricula of every public school.

__Article III: Membership__ B.** Be eligible to hold elected and appointed offices**. C.** Have the right to participate in NEA/WLC meetings and activities. A.** Active membership - $5.00
 * Section 1:** Active membership shall beopen to all NEA members, including Student NEA members.
 * Section 2:** Active members shall:
 * A.** Be eligible to vote in NEA/WLC elections and meetings**.
 * D.** Receive communications from the NEA/WLC.
 * E.** Participate in any NEA/WLC forums, including wikispaces and egroups.
 * Section 3:** The membership year shall run from July 1st through June 30th.
 * Section 4:** Annual membership dues shall be**:
 * B.** Student membership - $3.00

__Article IV: Executive Committee and Duties__ Regional Conferences. Executive Committee. members. Secretary. the NEA/WLC, and activities within their region that concern the NEA/WLC. Representative Assemblies.
 * Section 1:** The officers of the NEA/WLC shall be two (2) Co-Chairs, two (2) Co-Associate Chairs, Secretary and Treasurer.
 * Section 2**: Regional Directors will be two members from each of the six NEA regions:
 * A**. Mid-Atlantic Region - DE, DC, KY, MD, OH, NC, VA, WV, Federal/DOD
 * B.** Midwestern Region - IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, ND, SD, WI
 * C.** Northeastern Region - CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT
 * D.** Pacfic Region - AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA
 * E.** Southeastern Region - AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, PR, SC, TN
 * F.** Western Region - AZ, CO, KS, NE, NM, OK, TX, UT, WY
 * Section 3**: The Co-Chairpersons shall:
 * A.** Work cooperatively with each other to fulfill all duties of the Co-Chairpersons.
 * B.** Carry out directives of the NEA/WLC.
 * C.** Preside at general meetings of the NEA/WLC.
 * D.** Act as spokespersons for the NEA/WLC.
 * E.** Plan agendas for general meetings.
 * F.** Appoint members to special committees and task forces of the NEA/WLC.
 * G.** Monitor and enforce the By-Laws and Rules of the NEA/WLC.
 * H.** Mutually authorize the expenditure of NEA/WLC funds.
 * I.** Communicate regularly with members of the NEA/WLC via electronic and printed media.
 * J.** Guide the efforts of the NEA/WLC to promote the agenda of the NEA/WLC at the NEA Representative Assembly and NEA
 * K.** Write a joint letter from the Chairpersons or each edition of the NEA/WLC newsletter.
 * L.** Request that the NEA provide a meeting space for the NEA World Languages Caucus each day of the NEA Representative Assembly.
 * Section 4:** The Associate Co-Chairs shall:
 * A.** Assist the Co-Chairpersons in the performance of their duties.
 * B.** Represent and speak for the NEA/WLC as directed by the Co-Chairpersons.
 * C.** Assume the duties of the Co-Chairpersons in their absence.
 * D.** Be an ex-officio member of all committees and task forces as designated by the Co-Chairpersons.
 * E.** Serve on the Membership Committee to guide new member recruitment efforts and serve as liaisons for new members.
 * F.** Assume the office of Co-Chairperson in the event the office becomes vacant, following a vote by the other members of the
 * G.** Aid the Co-Chairpersons in planning meeting agendas.
 * H.** Contribute articles and recruit members to contribute articles to the NEA/WLC newsletter.
 * Section 5**: The Secretary shall:
 * A.** Keep accurate records of all proceedings, prepare minutes, and distribute them to the membership.
 * B.** Keep the By-Laws and other significant NEA/WLC documents as a permanent record for the Caucus.
 * C.** Keep a roster of active members, former members by year of membership, officers, committee chairpersons, and committee
 * D.** Assist the Chairpersons with NEA/WLC communications and correspondence.
 * E.** Take and keep attendance records of general and Executive Committee meetings.
 * F.** Serve as a member of the Executive Committee.
 * G.** Other duties as assigned by the Co-Chairpersons.
 * Section 6:** The Treasurer shall:
 * A.** Keep an accurate accounting of all money received and disbursed.
 * B.** Make a financial report for each general meeting and Executive Committee meeting.
 * C.** Pay all NEA/WLC expenses as approved by the Co-Chairpersons, or in their absence, by the Associate Co-Chairpersons.
 * D.** Serve as a member of the Executive Committee.
 * E.** Assist the Executive Committee in in preparing an NEA/WLC annual program budget.
 * F.** Prepare and fie tax and financial documents with the IRS and state authorities as required.
 * G.** Chair the Membership Committee and collect all funds, including annual membership dues.
 * H.** Communicate the names, membership status, and contact information for all new and renewing members to the NEA/WLC
 * I.** Other duties as assigned by the Co-Chairpersons.
 * Section 7:** The Regional Directors shall:
 * A.** Serve as members of the Executive Committee.
 * B.** Report to the Co-Chairpersons on developments in their region related to membership, legislation affecting the innterests of
 * C.** Communicate with NEA/WLC members in their region throughout the year and during NEA Regional Conferences and
 * D.** Submit at least one article for publication in each edition of the NEA/WLC newsletter.
 * E.** Serve as a liaison to the Caucus for all members in their regions,
 * F.** Represent the NEA/WLC at NEA Regional Conferences, as possible.
 * G.** Request a meeting space for the NEA/WLC at NEA Regional Caucus and designate a member of the NEA/WLC to lead the meeting in the absence of the Regional Director.

Section 1:** Candidates for each office must be Active members of the NEA/WLC.
 * __Article V: Elections__
 * Section 2:** Candidates may be nominated form the floor.
 * Section 3:** If there is only one candidate for an Executive Committee position, the body may vote to elect the candidate by acclamation.
 * Section 4:** Terms of office will be two years for each officer and Regional Director.
 * A.** The offices of Co-Chairpersons, Treasurer and the Northeastern and Pacific Regional Directors shall expire and be open for election in Odd-numbered years through the thrid day of the NEA Representative Assembly.
 * B.** The offices of Associate Co-Chairpersons, Secretary, and the Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, Southeastern, and Western Regional Directors shall expire and be open for election in even-numbered years.
 * Section 5:** Elections shall be held on the third day of the NEA Respresentative Assembly each year. Newly elected officers shall assume their duties immediately upon election.
 * Section 6:** In the event of a vacancy of any office, a member shall be appointed by the Co-Chairpersons by mutual consent to fill the vacated office until an election can be held at the NEA Representative Assembly.

Section 1:** General Membership meetings will be held in conjunction with the NEA Annual Meeting at the NEA Representative Assembly.
 * __Article VI: General Membership Meetings__
 * Section 2:** The active members of the NEA/WLC present at general meetings shall comprise a quorum.
 * Section 3:** The general membership shall be the primary policymaking and legislative body of the NEA/WLC.

Section 1:** By-Law amendments may be submitted to the NEA/WLC by any active member of the NEA/WLC.
 * __Article VII: By-Law Amendments__
 * Section 2:** All proposed By-Law Amendments must be presented to one of the NEA/WLC Co-Chairpersons prior to noon of the second day of the NEA Representative Assembly for inclusion in the agenda for the election meeting of the general membership on the third day of the NEA Representative Assembly. Proposed By-Law Amendments will be presented and discussed by the general membership prior to a vote during the NEA Representative Assembly.
 * Section 3:** By-Law Amendments must receive a two-thirds majority of voting members present at a general membership meeting in order to be adopted.

Section 1:** The NEA/WLC will operate under the Robert's Rules of Order unless rules are suspended by a majority vote of the voting members at any meeting of the NEA/WLC.
 * __Article VIII: Rules of Operation__