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Constitution

Name

1. The name of this local shall be Greater Black Gold Teachers’ local association of The Alberta Teachers’ Association.

Boundaries

2. The area served by this local association shall include Black Gold Regional Division No. 18 and St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Separate Regional Division No. 38.

Membership

3. (1) All active members of The Alberta Teachers’ Association employed by the school bodies listed in section 2 are members of this local.

(2) Associate members of The Alberta Teachers’ Association such as are assigned from time to time by the Provincial Executive Council of the Association and who pay the prescribed local association fee may become members of this local association with all rights and privileges of active members.

Objectives

4. The objects of this local association shall be to further the objects of The Alberta Teachers’ Association as set out in section 4 of the Teaching Profession Act and ATA General Bylaws.

Fees

5. This local association shall have the power, subject to approval of the Executive Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, to levy fees for membership in the local association such as are determined from time to time in a general meeting of the local association. Such fees shall be additional to the fees prescribed by the Annual Representative Assembly.

Rules of Procedures

6. The proceedings of all meetings, general, special, local council and table officers- shall be regulated by the official Rules of Order and Procedure for the Alberta Teachers’ Association, as published in the Members’ Handbook.

Financial Year

7. The financial year of this local association shall be from September 1 to August 31.

Term of Office

8. The term of office of this local association shall be from September 1 to August 31.

Meetings

9. (1)Notice of intent to hold a regular or special meeting of the general assembly shall be give to the school representatives at least seven days before such a meeting is to be held. Such notices shall include an outline or agenda of business to be discussed at the meeting.

Notice of intent to hold a local council or executive meeting shall be given at least seven days before such a meeting is to be held. Any meeting may, by a two-thirds majority of the quorum, waive notice of a meeting or of any motion brought before the meeting.

(2) Meetings of the General Assembly- general assemblies shall be called at least once a year:

  1. on the president’s initiative or,
  2. at the request of the local council or,
  3. at the request of the chair of the Economic Policy Committee or,
  4. at a request, by petition, which has been signed by at least 10% of the members of this local association.
  5. notwithstanding (a) to (d) meetings of this local may be called at the request of the economic policy committee or at the request of an officer of The Alberta Teachers’ Association or of the district representative of whose district this local association forms a part.

(3) (a) An officer of The Alberta Teachers’ Association or district representative of whose district this local forms a part may attend and participate in any meeting (general, council or executive) of this local association.

(b) An ATA officer shall not vote. A district representative shall not vote except at a general meeting of a local of which the representative is a member.

(4) Quorum: The quorum at any regular or special general assembly shall be 10% of the members of the local association.

(5) Duties of the General Assembly- It is the duty of the general assembly to:

  1. receive annual written reports form all official elected by a general meeting,
  2. approve the levying of fees for membership in the local association,
  3. receive, consider and approve the budget,
  4. elect the officers and other persons as specified in clause 10 on Elections.

Elections

10. Elections for the positions of president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, local representatives (ARA delegates), convention delegates, EPC members and chair of standing committees unless otherwise designated in this constitution shall be conducted annually by a vote of the members of this local association at a general meeting no later than June 30 of each year. Convention delegates shall be elected each year at the February Council meeting. EPC members shall be elected at the meeting of the Bargaining unit following contract ratification, pursuant to the framed reference.

Expenses

11. (1) This local shall reimburse members acting on its behalf for all necessary out-of-pocket expenses.

(2) This local association shall pay all expenses as determined and authorized by local council.

Frame of Reference

12. (1) Each committee shall operate under a frame of reference as approved by local council.

(2) Local council may delegate approval for a frame of reference to the members of the local directly affected.

Amendments

13. Amendments to this constitution may be made after a 30 day written notice of motion by a two-thirds vote at a general meeting of this local association, subject to ratification by the Provincial Executive Council of The Alberta Teachers’ Association.

Local Council

14. (1) Composition- There shall be constituted a local council consisting of:

  1. all officials elected at a general meeting as per Clause 10
  2. past president,
  3. school representatives who shall be elected by each school staff according to the following formula-each school shall be allowed one elected member for each 25 members, or a portion thereof, on staff to a maximum of two school representatives per school.

(2) Duties of the local council- It is the duty of the local council to:

  1. administer the affairs of the local,
  2. appoint all standing committees (excluding chairs and special committees),
  3. approve frames of reference for all committees as provided in the constitution,
  4. hear reports from committees and decide what action to take, if any,
  5. authorize any additional expenditures not provided for in the budget or in local policy,
  6. appoint representatives to the ATA Summer Conference,
  7. elect members of committees should vacancies occur during the year, and
  8. deal with matter not inconsistent with this constitution of The Alberta Teachers’ Association.

(3) Duties of the School Representative- It is the duty of the school representative to:

  1. attend all meetings of the local council or to ensure that an alternate representative shall be in attendance to vote in his place
  2. bring before the local council any matter of concern to the staff represented,
  3. ensure that those who they are representing are informed of the business of the local council,
  4. disseminate information or material from the local or provincial Association,
  5. conduct the electoral ballots within their school

(4) Meetings

  1. The local council shall meet once a month through the school term,
  2. Any meeting of the local council may be superseded by a meeting of the general assembly,
  3. Quorum: 50% of the local council is required to constitute a quorum

(5) Attendance- Members of this local, other than members of the local council or their designated alternate, may attend council meetings, may speak with approval of the meeting, but may not vote. Such members are to identify themselves at the start of the meeting.

(6) Vacancies- Should one ore more school representative be unable to attend a local council meeting, a replacement may be chose by the respective school staff.

Table Officers

15. (1) Membership- The table officers shall consist of the president, vice-president, past president, secretary and treasurer.

(2) Duties of the Table Officers

  1. prepare an agenda of business for all meetings,
  2. exercise general supervision of the affairs of the local association,
  3. prepare and transmit to head office of the Alberta Teachers’ Association such reports and statements with reference to the affairs of the local association as may be required,
  4. ensure that all the association monies are used to further the objectives of the Association as set out in the Teaching Profession Act,
  5. assume the function of the local council where time is of the essence and seek ratification of actions at the next local council meeting,
  6. supervise the allocation of funds as approved in the budget, on behalf of this local association,
  7. other duties as found in the frame of references as approved by local council,
  8. ensure honorariums are paid to individuals subsequent to receipt of written annual report as specified in the allocation of duties by constitution or committee frame of reference.

(3) Meetings- The table officers shall meet as often as local business requires.

Duties of Officers

16. (1) President- The duties of the president shall be to:

  1. exercise general supervision over the affairs of this local association,
  2. call and preside over all general, local council, executive and table officer meetings of this local,
  3. act as the official spokes person of the local association in matters of concern to its members,
  4. exercise general liaison with the provincial Association
  5. be a member of the ARA committee

(2) Vice President- The duties of the vice- president shall be to:

  1. assist the president in the discharge of presidential duties,
  2. take charge of the affairs of the local association in the absence of the president,
  3. serve as president if that office becomes vacant and remain in that office until such time as an election can be held,
  4. act as chair of budget committee,
  5. be responsible for revision to the constitution and policy handbook.

(3) Past- President- The duties of the past- president or designate shall be to:

  1. assist the president in carrying out duties,
  2. be chair of the induction, long service and retirement committee
  3. act as chair of the nominations and elections committee,
  4. act as chief returning officer,
  5. assist the vice-president in making revision to the constitution and policy handbook

(4) Secretary- The duties of the secretary shall be to:

  1. keep accurate records of all proceedings of this local association,
  2. bring before the local all communications received,
  3. prepare and send to head office of the Alberta Teachers’ Association such statements and reports as may be required
  4. keep a record of attendance at all meetings
  5. exercise all the function of the recording secretary that are generally ascribed to that office
  6. to distribute the required notices for meetings of the local as specified clause 9.

(5) Treasurer- The duties of the treasurer shall be to:

  1. keep accurate records of all assets and accounts of the local association,
  2. present to local council a monthly statement of expenditures,
  3. make the necessary disbursements of funds of the local association as authorized by table officers or local council
  4. prepare and submit an audited annual financial statement to the local council,
  5. be a member of the budget committee
  6. prepare and send to head office of The Alberta Teachers’ Association statements and reports as maybe required from time to time
  7. present a proposed budget as prepared by the budget committee for approval at the annual general meeting

Vacancies

17. Should one or more members of table officers, local representatives or unless otherwise specified in the frame of reference chairs of standing committees be unable to fulfill their term of office, the vacancy shall be filled by an appointment of a member of this association by the remain members of the local council.

Standing Committees

18. (1) General

  1. the standing committees shall be: Nominations and Elections, Economic Policy, Budget, Convention, Joint Teacher-Board Advisory, Professional Development, ARA, Local Communications, Public Education, Social and Caring Colleagues,
  2. each standing committee shall operate under a frame of reference provided in the bylaws,
  3. each standing committee shall ensure that continuous record of its activities is kept and is submitted with a written report tot the general meeting,
  4. no honorarium shall be paid to any standing committee chair unless a written report and records are reviewed as outlined in the committee frame of reference.

(2) Nominations and Elections Committee

  1. membership- the past president and three other members elected from council,
  2. the past president shall:
    1. act as chair of this committee
    2. act as chief returning officer of all elections,
  3. functions:
    1. to prepare a roster of interested candidates for all offices and unless otherwise specified in the frame of references, standing committees of the local association,
    2. to submit to the local council a list of nominations for office,
    3. to organize and carry out elections,

(3) Economic Policy Committee and Negotiation Sub Committee

  1. membership- in accordance with a frame of reference,
  2. functions- in accordance with a frame of reference as approved by local council,

(4) Budget Committee

  1. membership- the table officers and two members to be appointed by local council,
  2. chair- the vice-president shall act as a chair,
  3. function- to be responsible for preparing a proposed budget for presentation to the annual general assembly,

(5) Convention Committee

  1. membership- members to be elected according to the formula set out by The Alberta Teachers’ Association
  2. function- in accordance with a frame of reference as approved by local council

(6) Professional Development Committee

  1. chair- to be elected annually as per clause 10,
  2. membership- one person representative form each school according to the schedule for staff representatives,
  3. functions- in accordance with a frame of reference as approved by local council

(7) Teacher- Board Advisory Committee for Black gold Regional Division No. 18

  1. all members must be teachers in the Black Gold Regional Division No. 18,
  2. membership- shall consist of 5 member- two of whom are elected; two appointed by the executive of the local, and the Chair of the economic Policy Committee,
  3. functions- in accordance with the frame of reference as approved by local council,

(7.1) Teacher-Board Advisory Committee for St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Separate Regional Division No. 38

  1. all members must be teachers in the St. Thomas Aquinas RCSRD No. 38,
  2. membership- shall consist of 5 members- one from each of the areas Ponoka, Drayton Valley, Wetaskiwin, Leduc; and a representative form the EPC/NSC,

(8) Local Communication Committee

  1. chair- to be elected annually as per clause 10,
  2. membership- at least three members appointed by local council,
  3. function- in accordance with a frame of reference as approved by local council

(9) Public Education Committee

  1. chair- to be elected annually as per clause 10
  2. membership- at least three members appointed by local council
  3. function- in accordance with the frame of reference as approved by local council

(10) ARA Delegates

  1. membership
    1. president and the remaining members to be elected according to the
  2. formula set out by the Alberta Teachers’ Association,
    1. the ARA Committee shall elect a chair from the elected ARA delegates,
    2. ARA alternates to be elected form local council
  3. functions- in accordance with a frame of reference as approved by local council,

(11) Social Committee

  1. chair to be elected annually as per clause 10,
  2. functions- in accordance with a frame of reference as approved by local council

Substitute Teacher

20. (1) At the request of 10 or more substitute teacher members, this local shall organize a substitute teacher group.

(2) Those eligible for participation in the group shall be members who substituted for the employing jurisdiction for at least one day during the previous 12- month period.

(3) An appropriate budget for the group shall be approved by local council.

(4) This group shall operate under a frame of reference as approved by local council and that is not inconsistent with the ATA model constitution for locals.

Previous Version Ratified by Provincial Executive Council 1994 12 03
Current Version to be Ratified by Provincial Executive Council in 2003 09 01