Southwest Division of Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association

Revised Bylaws, September 2009, Adopted by Southwest Members Thursday, February, 4, 2010

Download the bylaws here

ARTICLE I - NAME

This organization shall be known as the Southwest Division of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association.


ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
 
The purpose of this organization shall be:

To improve the role of principal as instructional leader.
To create a closer professional and social network among  members.
To provide greater regional opportunities for professional development and problem solving.
To promote the MESPA School of Excellence program.


ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section 1 – Membership

The classes of membership and the qualifications shall be in accord with the bylaws of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association.  Only members of MESPA can be members of the Southwest division.

Section 2 – Dues

The state dues shall be payable in accordance with the bylaws of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association.

Section 3 – Division Dues    
   
The annual dues for the Southwest division are $60.00 determined by a majority vote of the members.



ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

Section 1 – Officers

The division officers shall be President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.  Anyone who holds an active membership in the division shall be eligible to become an officer.

Section 2 – Election of Officers

The officers shall be elected by e-mail ballot before or within ten days after the spring meeting.  Their respective terms of office shall be for one-year commencing July l, and running through June 30, of the following year.  (Note: Some divisions may choose to have a two-year position – please specify.)

Section 3 – Vacancies

Vacancies shall be filled by appointment and determined by the division executive committee (President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer and immediate Past President) until the next annual spring meeting.

Section 4 – Duties of the Officers

The division President shall preside at meetings of the division membership, sign all orders for expenditures of funds of the division, and appoint all necessary committee members.

The division President-Elect shall perform the duties of the President when that officer cannot act, and shall serve as the chairperson for the program at the fall and spring meetings.

The division Secretary shall keep permanent records of the proceedings of the division and of the Executive Committee, send out such correspondence as is ordered by the division and/or the Executive Committee, and perform other duties pertaining to this office.

The division Treasurer shall receive all funds belonging to the division and pay out same only on orders signed by the President, and keep an itemized account of receipts and expenditures.  

Section 5 – Executive Committee

The division executive committee (President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer and immediate Past President) shall serve as the division cabinet as requested by the division president.

ARTICLE V – STATE COMMITTEES

Section 1 – State Committees

Division committee make up shall include: Communications, EPAC, Negotiations, Educational Advisory, Retirement, Legislation Resolution, Membership and Minnesota School of Excellence.
All members on state committees representing Southwest division shall be appointed by the Division President.  (See Leaders Center on the MESPA Web site for position expectations.)

Section 2 – Expectations for Board Members, Committee Members and Committee Chairs

In order to maximize involvement and results of our association it is expected that all committee members attend the annual Leadership Conference.

All Board members and committee chairs are expected to attend the Leadership Conference and all Board Meetings.

ARTICLE VI - BYLAWS

Division bylaws not in conflict with the bylaws of the Minnesota Elementary Schools Principals’ Association may be adopted at any meeting of the division by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any meeting.

ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS

The bylaws may be amended in any way, which does not conflict with the bylaws of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association.  The amendment must be proposed in writing ten days before meeting and presented at a division meeting.  Voting shall be by mail ballot of the membership prior to the succeeding division meeting.  It must receive a majority vote of the members who vote.

ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS

At least two meetings of this division shall be held annually.

ARTICLE IX - VOTING

Only members of the division may vote.  Passage of motion requires a simple majority.