Download revised NASE bylaws April 2021
NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION of SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
Constitution and Bylaws
(Revised April 2021)
I. NAME
The name of this organization will be the Northampton Association of School Employees, Inc.
II. PURPOSE
A. To maintain and improve the quality of education for all.
B. To uphold high professional standards and to advance the socio-economic well-being of
educators.
C. To engage in any other related activity as is consistent with the law.
III. MEMBERSHIP
Any regularly appointed teacher, supervisor, administrator, secretary, educational support
professional, library aide, nurse, cafeteria worker, custodian or bus driver in the public schools
of the city, or Smith Vocational School may become a member of the NASE by paying the
three-way membership dues: NASE, MTA, and NEA.
IV. OFFICERS
The officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Officer,
Professional Rights and Responsibilities Chairperson, and Membership Coordinator. In addition,
each bargaining unit represented by the NASE shall elect, to the same term of office as the
President of the Association, a Chapter Coordinator, who shall be entitled to a seat on the
Executive Board.
V. EXECUTIVE BOARD
There shall be an Executive Board of which the aforesaid officers plus the Past-President for a
period of one year, shall be members.
VI. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
There shall be an Executive Committee, which shall consist of:
A. The members of the Executive Board.
B. Two (2) delegates from each school representing the teacher chapter.
C. Two (2) at-large delegates representing each other chapter.
D. Each school will also be entitled to one (1) delegate (from any chapter) for every additional
fifteen (15) members beyond the first thirty (30) members in the building.
E. Each building delegate will receive no more than $350 per annum, 50% of which shall be
dependent on attendance at scheduled Executive Committee meetings.
VII. POWERS OF THE OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
A. Shall be empowered to call: meetings of the Executive Board, the Executive Committee, and
general membership meetings. Shall be compelled to call special meetings of the Executive
Board or Executive Committee upon written request of three (3) members; and general
meetings upon the written request of fifteen (15) members.
B. Shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and the Executive Committee.
C. Shall appoint sub-committees when necessary.
D. Shall be empowered to determine what an emergency is.
E. After the completion of the term, the President becomes a voting member of the Executive
Committee and will act as an advisor to the new President, for a period of one year.
F. The President shall be elected for a two-year term and may run for successive terms without
limits.
G. The President will receive no more than $10,000 per annum.
H. Shall represent the Association before the administration, the School Committee, Smith
Vocational School Board of Trustees, the media, and all affiliated organizations.
I. Shall attend meetings of the Northampton School Committee and Smith Vocational Board of
Trustees; or assign members of the Executive Board, on a rotating basis, to attend those
meetings.
J. Shall present a report at the Executive Committee meeting, orally if present or in writing if
unable to attend, describing his/her actions on behalf of the Association, progress on issues
affecting members, and other matters of interest to the Executive Committee.
K. Shall maintain all membership records for the association.
VICE-PRESIDENT
A. Shall be empowered to assume all of the duties of the President during the President’s
absence.
B. The Vice-President will act as assistant to the President.
C. The Vice-President will receive no more than $5,000 per annum.
D. Shall represent the Association when directed before the administration, the School
Committee, Smith’s Board of Trustees, local, state, and national professional organizations.
E. Shall perform such other duties as properly pertain to the office or as directed by the
Executive Board or the Executive Committee.
F. Shall be responsible for keeping membership informed of all legislative matters of concern to
said members.
G. Shall perform the function of the Association Parliamentarian.
TREASURER
A. Shall be empowered to collect, hold, and disperse the funds of the Association with the
approval of the Executive Committee.
B. Shall prepare periodic reports of the financial condition of the Association for Executive
Committee and/or the Annual Meeting.
C. Will receive no more than $3,000 per annum.
SECRETARY
A. Shall be in charge of correspondence concerning the business of the Executive Board and
the Executive Committee.
B. Shall be responsible for keeping the NASE Constitution and By-Laws updated and for
keeping the Executive Board and Executive Committee informed of all constitutional obligations.
C. Shall be empowered to record and keep all minutes of meetings of the Executive Board and
the Executive Committee and shall submit a written report of the Executive Committee meeting
minutes to the respective Association bodies.
D. Will receive no more than $2,000 per annum.
PROFESSIONAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES COMMITTEE CHAIR
A. Shall be in charge of maintaining membership of said committee according to Bylaws,
especially building representation.
B. Shall keep the Executive Board privy to all information relative to contract maintenance
issues necessary to keep policy up to date for the Association, and especially relative to
maintaining collective bargaining posture and dealing with new issues and new strategic
implementation.
C. Shall assist the other officers of the Executive Board in executing their responsibilities
wherever and whenever the need shall arise, as assigned by the President.
D. Will receive no more than $3,000 per annum.
CHAPTER COORDINATORS
A. The NPS Unit A (Licensed Staff) Chapter Coordinator will receive no more than $4,000
per annum.
B. The NPS Unit B (Administrators) Chapter Coordinator shall receive no more than $1,000
per annum.
C. The NPS Unit C (ESPs) Chapter Coordinator will receive no more than 2,500 per annum
D. The Smith Vocational Unit D (Teacher)Chapter Coordinator will receive no more than
2,000 per annum.
E. The Unit E (Clerical) Chapter Coordinator will receive no more than 1,500 per annum.
F. The Unit F (Custodian and bus drivers) Chapter Coordinator will receive no more than
$1,500 per annum.
G. The Unit G (Cafeteria) Chapter Coordinator will receive no more than $1,000 per annum.
H. The SVAHS Unit H (Administrators) Chapter Coordinator will receive no more than
$1,000 per annum.
I. Shall lead the negotiation team for their unit
J. Shall oversee and facilitate representation for all members of their unit.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
A. Shall maintain the NASE web presence.
B. Shall coordinate public relations and communications on social media.
C. Will receive no more than $1,500 per annum.
D. Will be appointed by the President.
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
A. Shall work with the treasurer to maintain all membership records under the
oversight of the president.
B. Shall act as liaison between Chapter Coordinators, building delegates, HR, and MTA,
along with the NASE Treasurer and President.
C. Shall be responsible for adding new hires, noting separations (terminations, retirees)
and current membership.
D. Will receive no more than $2,000 per annum.
E. Will be appointed by the President.
VIII. POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A. Shall transact all business pertaining to the Association other than those items later
enumerated in this Constitution. (See X, XIV, XV.)
B. Shall arrange for periodic audits of the accounts of the Treasurer.
IX. POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
In cases of emergencies, the Executive Board shall be empowered to transact all necessary
business without the approval of the Executive Committee.
X. ELECTIONS
The President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Professional Rights and
Responsibilities
Committee Chair and Chapter Coordinators shall be elected by ballot during the week following
the Annual Meeting of the Association after members have the opportunity to review the
material presented at the Annual Meeting. Voting will be school-based, with the responsibility for
managing the voting given to the building member of the Nominating Committee. Each school
will designate a date and time for voting that does not interfere with the regular school schedule.
All ballots will be collected and counted by the Nominating Committee. Results shall be
announced via email to all members within ten (10) days of the Annual Meeting. Any member in
good standing is eligible to run for office. Within one (1) week after the Annual Meeting, the
President shall appoint one (1) member in each school to supervise an election by ballot of
delegates to serve on the Executive Committee, and their names shall be forwarded by said
appointee to the Secretary. If the body is unable to hold a building based election it will be held
virtually and run by an officer who is not up for election.
XI. TERM OF OFFICE
The term of office of the officers of the Association shall extend from July 1 following the Annual
meeting to June 30 the following year. A transition period for the newly elected officers shall
occur from the time of the Annual Meeting until they assume their offices.
XII. VACANCIES
A vacancy on the Executive Committee may be filled for the unexpired term by a special
election at any time by the members in whose representation it occurs. A vacancy among the
officers shall be filled for the unexpired term from the Executive Committee. In the event of a
deadlock in the Executive Committee, a vacancy in the offices of President, Vice-President,
Secretary, Treasurer, and Professional Rights and Responsibilities Chair shall be filled for the
unexpired term by a vote from the floor at a general meeting of the NASE.
XIII. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
Any officer of the NASE may be removed from holding office. Removal procedure will consist of
the following steps:
A. A petition requesting a special meeting for the purpose of removing an officer must be
presented to the delegates at a regularly scheduled meeting. Said petition must have at least
ten (10) signatures of current members.
B. Delegates will vote on said petition. If a majority favors removal, a special meeting of the
Association will be set up within two (2) weeks.
C. If two-thirds (2/3) of those members present at the special meeting vote for removal, the
officer is immediately relieved of all duties. Salary will be pro-rated for percent of term served.
D. A special election will be held within one (1) month to fill the vacancy.
XIV. MEETINGS
A. The Annual Meeting of the Association for the election of officers and for further business and
reports shall be held on the last Wednesday in April. The Executive Committee shall decide
upon the number and the character of all other Association meetings.
B. The Executive Committee shall meet once a month during the school year.
C. The Executive Board shall meet at least once a month. This meeting should occur before the
regularly scheduled Executive Committee meeting, and its business shall include construction of
an agenda for said committee meeting.
XV. DUES
A. Each member of the Association shall pay annual dues, the sum of which shall be
determined at the Annual Meeting by a majority vote of those present. Dues will either be
deducted through the payroll office or paid in full to the NASE Treasurer by December 31st of
each year.
B. Special assessments may be voted by a majority of those present at any regular or special
meeting of the Association. Such assessments may be used for general operating expenses or
special projects.
XVI. ADOPTIONS AND AMENDMENTS
A. This Constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of any general meeting of the
Association of this city at which not less than one-half (1/2) of the members in this city shall be
present.
B. This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the Association by a two-thirds
(2/3) vote of the members present provided that the proposed amendment or amendments have
been presented in written form to the members of the Association’s Executive Committee at
least ten (10) days before the meeting at which the vote is to be taken. Such amendments must
be read and explained to the members of the Association before a vote is taken.
XVII. QUORUM
A. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Association membership shall constitute a quorum at a
regular meeting.
B. Twenty-five percent (25%) of Chapter membership shall constitute a quorum for a Chapter
meeting.
C. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the delegates and officers present shall constitute a quorum for
an Executive Committee meeting.
D. A quorum for Executive Board and standing committees shall be a majority of the members.
XVIII. STANDING COMMITTEES
A. Public Relations
B. Professional Improvement/Negotiating
C. Scholarship
D. Nominating
E. Professional Rights and Responsibilities
F. Stipends
XIX. POLICIES
A. Scholarship to High School Student (Amount to be determined by a majority vote of the
members at the Annual Meeting.)
B. Affiliated with the MTA and NEA.
C. Send delegation to the NEA Convention (Budget to be decided by the Executive Committee).
D. Send delegation to the MTA Convention (Budget to be decided by the Executive Committee).
E. Negotiation Teams:
- Membership on all of the following negotiating teams is contingent upon being a member in
good standing of the NASE. - Teams shall be made up of NASE members from the public school system who will
negotiate with the Northampton School Committee and NASE members from Smith Vocational
and Agricultural High School who will negotiate with the SVAHS Board of Trustees. - Teams should be representative of all members of the Chapter; i.e.:
Teachers: Teachers’ Team should include teachers from senior high, middle school, and
elementary, counselors, coordinators, department heads, special education, coaches, etc.
Administrators: Administrators’ Team should include elementary, middle school, senior high,
directors, etc.
Nurses: Nurses’ Team should include nurses from elementary, middle school and high school.
Smith School: Smith School teachers should include academic teachers, trade teachers, special
education, counselors, etc.
Educational Support Professionals: Educational Support Professionals Team should include
ESP’s from elementary, middle school, and senior high, and the special collections, etc.
Secretaries: Secretarial Team should include secretaries from the district administrative offices,
elementary school, middle school, and high school.
Cafeteria Workers: Cafeteria Workers Team should include cafeteria workers from the
elementary schools, middle school, and high school.
Custodial Workers/Bus Drivers: Custodial Workers/Bus Drivers Team should include custodial
workers/bus drivers from the elementary schools, middle school, and high school.
(Any new chapter’s team should be made up in a similarly representative manner.)
- At least one (1) member of each Negotiating Team shall have served during the previous
round of negotiations. - Membership of each team shall be approved by the Executive Board.
- The President of the NASE or the President’s designee shall be a member of all chapter
teams. - Each team shall elect a chairperson and a secretary.
- Teams shall report to the Executive Committee as necessary.
F. Finance: The Executive Board is to submit a budget to the Executive Committee for approval
by the time of the first meeting of new delegates in June. The funds of the Association may be
expended only in matters consistent with the objectives of the Association.
G. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of representatives from each public school
level and from the Vocational School. Requests for volunteers for this committee shall be made
at the February delegates meeting. No person considering running for office can be a member
of the Nominating Committee.
H. The Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee shall be composed of one (1)
member from Northampton High School, one (1) from the middle school, one (1) from the
elementary schools, one (1) member from Administrators’ Chapter and one (1) member from the
Smith Vocational and Agricultural Chapter. This committee shall develop Association positions
on all matters pertaining to rights of Association members, especially grievance procedures.
I. Stipends Committee – The President will appoint a committee of 3 to 5 members whose
responsibility will be to examine the stipends and recommend if any changes should be
considered. This will occur every two years corresponding to the election of the president. The
committee will be formed on or before January first and report to the executive board at the
March meeting. This is to prepare the membership
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