ATPE News

Summer 2016

ATPE News is the official publication of the Association of Texas Professional Educators, the largest educator association in Texas. The magazine addresses the most important issues affecting public education in the state. Learn more at ATPE.org.

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atpe.org | 31 summer 2016 depending on variables such as the selection of a vendor and whether or not a runof election is required. The projected costs include: professional consultation support; the cost of a general election, and, if necessary, a runof election; the production of high-quality videos of each candidate; and funds that would allow each candidate (or a surrogate) to attend region and local unit meetings to promote their candidacy. Proposed Amendment 9 Amend to Read: Article IX: House of Delegates Section 1: Duties and Responsibilities The House of Delegates shall be the supreme policymaking, governing body of the Association, giving overall direction and mandating policy for the operations of the Association. In the event of confict between action or policy of the House of Delegates and the Board of Directors, that of the House of Delegates shall prevail. The House of Delegates shall: (a) Approve all changes in the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws of the Association, (b) Elect all ofcers of ATPE, and (c) (b) Establish appropriate policies for the operations of the Association. Submitted by: ATPE Board of Directors, which recommends adoption Bylaws Committee Unanimously Recommends Adoption Rationale: This proposed amendment, a companion to proposed amendments 7-10, would remove the election of state ofcers from the list of the HOD's duties and responsibilities. Fiscal Impact: No fscal impact is anticipated by the passage of this specifc amendment. If proposed amendment 7 is adopted, the application of a one-member, one-vote online election for state ofcers is projected to cost between $35,000 to $50,000 per year (less than 50 cents per potential voter), depending on variables such as the selection of a vendor and whether or not a runof election is required. The projected costs include: professional consultation support; the cost of a general election, and, if necessary, a runof election; the production of high-quality videos of each candidate; and funds that would allow each candidate (or a surrogate) to attend region and local unit meetings to promote their candidacy. Proposed Amendment 10 Amend to Read: Article X: Committees Section 2: Duties of Standing Committees (a) Nomination/Election. To receive all nominations for state ofcers, to propose a slate of candidates as provided in Article IV, Section 3 and to recommend for approval by the Board of Directors the rules to govern the election of state ofcers at the annual meeting . These rules are to be presented to the Board of Directors prior to the date necessary to give notice as provided in Article IX, Section 4. Submitted by: ATPE Board of Directors, which recommends adoption Bylaws Committee Unanimously Recommends Adoption Rationale: This proposed amendment, a companion to proposed amendments 7-10, would remove the reference to state ofcer elections being held at the House of Delegates from the duties of the Nomination/Election Committee. Fiscal Impact: No fscal impact is anticipated by the passage of this specifc amendment. If proposed amendment 7 is adopted, the application of a one- member, one-vote online election for state ofcers is projected to cost between $35,000 to $50,000 per year (less than 50 cents per potential voter), depending on variables such as the selection of a vendor and whether or not a runof election is required. The projected costs include: professional consultation support; the cost of a general election, and, if necessary, a runof election; the production of high-quality videos of each candidate; and funds that would allow each candidate (or a surrogate) to attend region and local unit meetings to promote their candidacy. Proposed Amendment 11 Amend to Read: Article IV: Ofcers Section 8: Qualifcations A candidate for ATPE state ofce must be an active Professional, Administrator, Associate or Retired member of the association and must currently be serving, or must have served within the past fve (5) years, as a local unit, region or state ofcer within ATPE. Submitted by: ATPE Board of Directors, which recommends adoption Bylaws Committee Makes No Recommendation Rationale: The proposed amendment would require any member fling to run for state ofce to have experience within the past fve years as an ATPE local unit, region, or state ofcer. Holding a state ofcer position is an honor bestowed upon an individual by the members of ATPE. Serving as a state ofcer requires dedication and commitment, along with a thorough knowledge of ATPE, its tenets, and its guiding principles. As such, the BOD believes that anyone who desires to hold a state ofcer position should frst have experience in ATPE governance at the local unit or region levels. Our local unit and region ofcers exhibit their dedication and commitment to ATPE every day, and the experience gained by a member who has served as a local unit or region ofcer would greatly beneft that member—and the association—should the member be elected to a state ofcer position. According to our database, more than 2,700 ATPE members currently meet the qualifcations as outlined in this proposed amendment and would be eligible to run for state ofce. Note: Proposed bylaws amendments 2-6, if adopted, would create an administrator member category for ATPE. Per the recommendation of ATPE's parliamentarian, reference to an administrator member category is included in this proposed amendment to ensure proper notice of the proposed change per the bylaws amendment notifcation deadline outlined in the ATPE State Bylaws. If proposed amendments 2-6 are not adopted by the HOD, the reference to administrator member will be deleted from this proposed amendment. Fiscal Impact: If adopted, creating qualifcation requirements for state ofcer candidates will have no signifcant fnancial impact on the association. PROPOSED HONORARY RESOLUTION If approved by the 2016 House of Delegates (HOD), ATPE will issue an honorary resolution to Past State President Richard Wiggins. PROPOSED ACTION ON STANDING RESOLUTIONS The Resolutions Committee recommends that all standing resolutions be re-adopted as written. Read the full version of the resolutions at www.atpe.org/ATPE/media/ATPE/ PDF/14_summit_StandingResolutions-8-10-15.pdf. PROPOSED ATPE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM The HOD will also vote on amendments to the ATPE Legislative Program, a list of the association's positions on education policies under the purview of the Texas legislature, state agencies, and the federal government. The program guides ATPE Governmental Relations in its work. Delegates and other members wishing to view the proposed changes should visit atpesummit.org/ hod-business. AMENDMENT 11 QUICK LOOK: When ATPE began considering electronic voting, there were a few concerns that unqualifed candidates could be elected. However, that could happen under the current system. There are no specifc qualifcations to run for state ofce. AMENDMENT 11 would require candidates for state ofce to have served as a local unit or region leader at least once in the last fve years.

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