1. The membership year runs from the date of the Carolina TESOL fall conference to December 31st of the following year.
1. Annual dues are $15 and are not prorated during the year.
2. Lifetime memberships are available and shall be 10 times the membership fee.
1. Individuals may join at any time by filling out an online membership application and paying the membership dues.
2. E-blasts will be sent to inform members of membership status as the renewal date each year is January 1st of each year.
1. Carolina TESOL prohibits its Board, membership, and any other affiliated persons (including guests) from harassing and/or discriminating against any other member or affiliated person on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, language background, disability, health/medical condition, including HIV/AIDS, age, religion, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
1. Membership will lapse if a member fails to renew membership electronically after three notifications.
a) If a written grievance is brought to the Executive Board, the member in question will be offered the opportunity to respond to the grievance in writing.
c) Any member whose membership is terminated will be notified by the Executive Board in writing by certified mail.
3. Should a grievance involve any board member, that member must recuse themselves from deliberation.
1. The officers of Carolina TESOL shall consist of elected and appointed leaders.
1. In additional defining of the elected members of its Executive Board as specified in Article IV of the Constitution, Carolina TESOL’s Regional Representatives will consist of six members, one each from eastern, central and western areas of NC and SC.
1. Except for chairs chosen by Interest Sections, as described in Article V below, the President, with the advice and majority consent of the Executive Board, shall appoint persons to serve on the Advisory Board. The President may replace an appointee at any time, with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the Executive Board.
1. Terms of office for elected officers shall begin at the conclusion of the annual election which is held at the Fall Conference; the length of each term of office is specified below. Terms of appointed officers shall be until completion of their appointed tasks or for a term of two years, subject to reappointment. Local officers elected by Interest sections or collaborative groups will serve at the discretion of the groups that elect them.
1. Laptop computers, accessories, and the other equipment/materials shall be supplied for any Executive or Advisory Board members as deemed necessary for the operation of Carolina TESOL by the Executive Board. These items are the property of Carolina TESOL, which will provide maintenance, support, and insurance for them as needed.
2. Annual inventory of equipment shall be maintained by the Treasurer and submitted to the Executive Board at the Fall Conference.
1. The Past President will assume the role of Nominating Chairperson for the Nominating Committee at the conclusion of the Fall Conference.
2. The Nominating Chairperson shall select a committee consisting of at least three members who shall be representatives of the various regions, levels, and interests groups of English language learners in North and South Carolina. The Nominating Chairperson shall be the Chair of the Committee and the only current Executive Board member on the Committee.
3. The Nominating Committee must be approved by the Executive Board no later than 90 days following the Fall Conference.
4. The Committee shall publicize a need for nominations each spring and shall solicit other worthy candidates to complete a slate. For each nominee, the Committee shall determine the membership status of each in Carolina TESOL and ascertain the willingness of each to serve. It shall report the slate of officers to the Executive Board as soon as possible but no later than 60 days prior to the beginning of the Fall Conference.
5. The Nominating Committee must approve a format for candidate bios each year. The Nominating Committee will also be responsible for informing candidates of campaign procedures, and informing candidates that those elected must remain an extra night for their first board meeting.
1. All nominees for the Executive Board must be members in good standing with Carolina TESOL and have residency in North or South Carolina before being listed on the election ballot.
2. Write-in votes are allowed. Write-in candidates must meet eligibility requirements before being installed as an officer.
3. Absentee ballots, by request, will be made available to members in good standing 30 days prior to the Fall Conference.
4. Campaigning will occur at the Fall Conference during a designated event, and any print materials will be distributed in designated area (i.e. vendor area).
5. Any contest to the annual election must be sent in writing to the President within seven days from the announcement of the election.
1. Executive Board officers shall be elected by a majority vote of those members voting. When there are three or more candidates for an office a plurality of votes determines the outcome of the election.
1. Vacancies on the Executive Board shall be filled by appointment by the President, subject to ratification by the Executive Board before or at its next scheduled meeting.
1. There shall be a job description for each elected officer, which shall be prepared by the President and reviewed, revised as needed, and approved annually by the Executive Board before or at its first meeting.
1. The Vice-President/President-Elect is elected for a three-year cycle as Vice-President, President and Past President.
2. All other Board members serve two year terms. The Secretary, Regional Representatives for eastern (NC & SC) and the Midlands of SC will be elected in odd years, and the Regional Representatives for western (NC & SC), central NC, and, Publication Editor, will be elected in even years.
3. The elected officers listed above constitute the Executive Board of Carolina TESOL in accordance with the Constitution.
1. The Executive Board will meet at least three times a year at a time and place determined by the President or in response to a petition signed by 20 members. Meetings of the Executive Board are open to the membership and are mandatory for all Executive Board members.
2. Failure to attend an Executive Board meeting by an Executive Board member without just cause may be grounds for termination from the Executive Board.
3. As appropriate, committee chairpersons or other individuals will be asked to attend specific Board meetings to give input or committee reports.
1. The Executive Board may conduct business between meetings by any means that permit each member of the Board to be involved. All decisions and/or actions made between meetings will be recorded by the Secretary and presented to the Executive Board for approval before or at its next official meeting and thereafter submitted for publication in the Newsletter.
1. An officer of the Executive Board may be relieved of his/her duties if, after discussing the concerns with the member, two-thirds of the Executive Board determines that essential duties of the position have not been carried out as outlined in the job description mentioned in Section 1 of this Article. The Executive Board will inform the member of its decision.
1. There shall be a job description for each Advisory Board officer, which shall be prepared by the President and reviewed, revised as needed, and approved annually by the Executive Board before or at its first meeting.
1. The Advisory Board shall consist of Interest Section chairs, chairs of Standing Committees, Membership Coordinator, Webmaster, honorary members, and any positions designated by the Executive Board.
1. There shall be Interest Sections as determined by the Executive Board, including but not limited to: Higher Education, Adult Education, and K-12. Interest Section Chairs shall be elected by their Interest Section members at Interest Section meetings at the Fall Conference. They shall bring the concerns and recommendations of their Sections to the Executive Board. Interest Section Chairs shall serve a one year term of office and may be reelected or reappointed.
2. Interest Section Chairs should submit reports to the Newsletter Editor and/or Webmaster at least semi-annually.
1. There shall be a Socio-Political Concerns Committee, which shall keep the membership informed about political issues that relate to the goals and objectives of Carolina TESOL.
2. Standing Committee chairs should submit reports to the Newsletter Editor and/or Webmaster at least semi-annually.
1. A Webmaster shall maintain the Carolina TESOL web site and oversee the creation of a web page or site for each Carolina TESOL conference (regional, annual, or mini). Additional information such as teaching tips, lesson plans and links to other ESOL resources may be included on the webpage as well.
1. A Southeast TESOL Representative shall represent the Executive Board at all meetings of the Southeast Regional Council. The term of office is three years.
2. Following the Southeast TESOL Conference the representative will submit a report to the Newsletter Editor and/or Webmaster at least semi-annually.
1. The Executive Board may appoint honorary members to the Advisory Board at its discretion.
1. Conduct professional development opportunities for school districts and local agencies.
2. Actively recruit for membership in Carolina TESOL and establish Collaborative Partners in each designated area within their region.
3. All Regional Representatives should meet with all Collaborative Partners at the Annual Conference during a designated time and place.
1. Collaborative Partners (CPs) shall arrange social gatherings of those interested in ESOL in their areas each year; gather information for the Newsletter, Regional Representatives, and interest sections; and perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Board.
2. Regional and Collaborative Partners will also assist the Publications Editor and/or Webmaster with information from or about teachers and/or schools that are doing exemplary things with ESOL in their communities at least quarterly.
3. Assist with professional development workshops/events in their local area.
1. There shall be a Fall Conference for the entire Carolina TESOL membership. The conference will alternate between North and South Carolina each year. Registration and accommodation information shall be opened and posted on the website on or before April 1st of the same year.
2. There shall be at least one mini-institute/CARE conference/PD opportunity in each state regional area with the Regional Representative of that area serving as the coordinator, utilizing Collaborative Partners for assistance as much as possible.
1. An Annual Business Meeting of members shall occur at the Carolina TESOL Fall Conference.
1. The Conference chairperson collaboratively with the Treasurer and Membership Coordinator shall present written reports on the fall conference to the Executive Board.
2. A proposed conference budget with narrative should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the conference and a final conference report within 60 days following the conference. An informal conference update will be provided to the Executive Board during the business meeting at the Annual Conference.
3. Regional Representatives shall present, in writing, a report of each mini-institute/CARE conference or PD opportunity held in their respective regions within 6o days of the event.
1. There shall be a newsletter published at least quarterly. Other publications shall be at the discretion of the Executive Board.
1. Either the President or the Treasurer may make disbursements by check up to $500.00. Any check in excess of $500.00 requires Executive Board approval. Contracts for workshops, conference expenses, and other items over the $500.00 amount are considered approved when the Executive Board has previously approved the event or expenditures.
1. The Vice President/President-Elect is designated the Affiliate Liaison to represent Carolina TESOL at the annual TESOL, Inc., convention (Affiliate Leadership Workshop, Affiliate Business Meeting). If the designated Affiliate Liaison is unable to attend, the President or another Board member in good standing with TESOL, Inc. will represent the affiliate. To maintain its status as an affiliate, Carolina TESOL must be represented at least every two years at the said meetings.
1. The name of Carolina TESOL will not be used by any member for purposes of certifying his/her professional preparation or competence in teaching English language learners. Neither shall the name nor the membership directory be used for the endorsement or sale of products and/or services without written approval from the Executive Board. Violations shall be reported to the President for referral to the Executive Board for the Board’s study and action.
1. Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the actions of the association in all cases not addressed by the Constitution and Bylaws.
Audits must occur prior at handoff between treasurers and no less than every four years. Audits may also be requested by the Executive Board at any time with a 2/3 vote of agreement.
1. The following list cites circumstances in which Carolina TESOL will indemnify any person who is or was an officer or other member of the Board as stated in Article VI of the Constitution.
a. The actor conducted himself or herself in good faith.
b. The act was not willful misconduct.
c. The act was not a crime, unless the actor had a reasonable cause to believe the act was lawful.
d. The act was not a transaction that resulted in improper personal benefit of money, property, or service to the actor.
ii. In all other cases, that the actor’s conduct was at least not opposed to Carolina TESOL’s best interest.
1. Changes to the Bylaws shall require approval by two-thirds of the Executive Board. Changes shall take effect when the membership has been informed of the changes.