| WEST VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION FOR GIFTED AND TALENTED BY-LAWS Article I - Name Section 1 - The name of this organization shall be “The West Virginia Association for Gifted and Talented.” Article II - Purpose The purpose of this Association shall be (1) to promote the education of the gifted and talented in West Virginia; (2) to coordinate the efforts of gifted educators within the state of West Virginia; (3) to provide a communication network for individuals interested in the education of gifted and talented youth; (4) to disseminate gifted education information to educators, parents, and public officials; and (5) to serve as advocates for gifted and talented youth. Article III - Membership and Dues Section 1 - Membership shall consist of professionals, paraprofessionals, parents, students, and other individuals who subscribe to the purposes of the Association. Section 2 - The annual dues of this Association shall be $25.00. Section 3 - The membership year shall run one full year from the month dues were paid. Article IV - Executive Officers Section 1 - The officers of this Association shall be President, President-elect, Vice-president, Secretary, and Treasurer. Section 2 - All officers must be regular paid members of this Association. Election of all officers shall be held at the annual business meeting for a term of one year for all offices except President, President-elect, and Vice-president). The term of the elected officers shall begin at the close of the annual business meeting. Article V - Duties of Officers Section 1 - The President shall call and preside at all business and executive committee meetings, recommend a chairperson for all committees with the exception of the Nominations and Election Committee, serve as chairperson of the Executive Committee, serve as an exofficio member of all committees, appoint a Parliamentarian for the annual business meeting, and provide representation of the Association to other appropriate organizations. Section 2 - The President-elect shall serve as chairperson of the Program Committee for the annual conference, assume designated responsibilities that will provide training for the office of President, and assume the office of President immediately following the term of President-elect. Section 3 - The Vice-president shall preside at all meetings during the absence of the President, when the office of the President is vacant, or when such responsibilities are delegated by the President and shall assist and serve as a member of the Program Committee. The Vice-president shall assume the office of President-elect immediately following the term of Vice-president. Section 4 - The Secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings of the annual business meeting, meetings of the Executive Committee, and such correspondence as necessary for the operation of the organization. Section 5 - The Treasurer shall maintain accurate financial records of the Association and disburse funds as needed, prepare and submit an annual report of the financial status of the Association at the annual business meeting, and serve on the Membership Committee. Article VI - Executive Committee Section 1 - The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, President-elect, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, immediate Past-president, and chairpersons of the standing committees. Section 2 - The Executive Committee shall meet a minimum of three times a year in addition to the business meeting of the annual conference. Section 3 - The duties of the Executive Committee shall be to approve appointments of committee chairpersons, to approve an annual budget, to assist the President in executing the Association’s business, and to execute necessary decisions for the Association. Section 4 - Any vacancies occurring on the Executive Committee shall be filled by the Executive Committee for the remainder of the unexpired term. Article VII - Committees Section 1 - The standing committees of this Association shall be committees of Membership, Publication, Advocacy, and Parent. Section 2 - The chairperson of each standing committee shall be recommended by the President and approved by the Executive Committee. Section 3 - The Membership Committee shall be responsible for maintaining accurate membership records, notifying members when annual dues are due, recruiting new members and collecting annual dues for the treasurer. Section 4 - The Publication Committee shall be responsible for the editing and online publication of the Association’s newsletter. Section 5 - The Advocacy Committee shall be responsible for representing the Association in legislative and related matters and for coordinating and reporting advocacy needs and accomplishments. Section 6 - The Parent Committee shall be responsible for representing the parent constituency of the Association. The chair shall be a parent member of the Association and shall serve as a member of the Advocacy Committee. Section 7 - Other committees of the organization shall include but not be limited to the Nominations and Elections Committee and the Program Committee. Section 8 - The Nominations and Elections Committee shall be chaired by the immediate past-president and shall have four members in addition to the chairperson. Section 9 - The Program Committee chairperson shall be the President-elect of the organization. The Program Committee shall be responsible for assisting the President-elect in planning the annual conference. Membership of the committee shall be left to the discretion of the President-elect. Section 10 - Any ad hoc committees that the Executive Committee deems necessary may be formed for a limited period and without voting status on the Executive Committee. Article VIII - Nominations and Elections Section 1 - The election of all officers shall be held at the annual business meeting. Section 2 - The Nominations and Elections Committee shall solicit recommendations for officers. The slate of officers shall be presented to the membership at the annual business meeting and further nominations allowed. The committee will prepare a ballot, count the votes, and submit a report to the membership. No candidate on the ballot may serve on the Nominations and Elections Committee. Section 3 - Election of officers shall be by secret ballot of Association members in attendance at the annual business meeting. A simple majority of those voting shall elect each officer. Article IX - Meetings Section 1 - The Association shall hold an annual meeting in the fall. Section 2 - Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the governing rules of the parliamentary procedure for the Association’s meetings. Article X - Amendments Section 1 - Proposed amendments to these by-laws are to be presented to the membership in writing, 60 days, and again 30 days, prior to the annual business meeting. Section 2 - Amendments may be amended and ratified at the annual meeting following presentation. Section 3 - Amendments require approval by two-thirds of the voting membership present, at the annual business meeting, to be ratified. Revised and ratified October 25, 2008 ********************************** ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION FOR THE WEST VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION FOR GIFTED AND TALENTED I. Said organization is organized exclusively for educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. II. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall be used for the private benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be for the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. III. Upon the dissolution of this organization assets shall be distributed to the National Association for Gifted Children for one or more exempt purpose(s) within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of gifted children. |
