Organization By-Laws

Mission Statement

To promote excellence in education through the integration of existing and emerging technologies.

Article I. Name

The Rhode Island Society of Technology Educators (RISTE) shall be the name of the Association.

Article II. Purpose of Organization

Section 1. The Rhode Island Society of Technology Educators is an educational association dedicated to the improvement of education in Rhode Island through the use of technology.

Section 2. The purpose for which the Rhode Island Society of Technology Educators is organized is educational, within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law, that is exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational organizations.

Section 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, this organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law.

Section 4. In the event of dissolution, the residual assets of the organization will be turned over to one or more organizations which themselves are exempt as organizations described in Sections 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Code, or to the Federal, State, or Local government for exclusive public purpose.

Article III. Goals

The Association will:

1. Provide a network of technology educators and other professionals throughout the state of Rhode Island.
2. Provide links to information available to school districts and to the Department of Education.
3. Provide communication to and from local school districts with the Rhode Island Department of Education and other related associations and groups.
4. Encourage membership in the Association.
5. Improve the quality of educational technology in local school districts.
6. Work for the welfare of students, the advancement of technology in education, and the improvement of instructional opportunities.
7. Promote the involvement of concerned individuals with the growth and development of technology in education.

Section IV. Membership

The membership of the organization shall be comprised of individuals who are educators and others interested or engaged in educational technology or related research in schools, colleges, or country, state, regional, or national educational systems.

Procedures for application for membership, determination of eligibility of applicants, type of memberships, membership privileges, and membership dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

The membership year shall extend from July 1 until June 30 of the following year.

Article V. Voting

Each member district shall have one vote. The Board of Directors shall determine the member districts.

Article VI. Dues

The amount of the dues shall be set by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Article VII. Officer and Their Duties.

The officers shall consist of: President, President-Elect, past President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

The President shall:

1. Call and preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and preside at all meetings of the association.
2. Appoint chairpersons of committees, other than the Nominating Committee.
3. Represent the association in matters of importance to the association.
4. Authorize expenditures of the association in keeping with the actions of the Board of Directors and its budget.

The President-Elect shall:

1. Serve for the president when he or she is unable and preside at official meetings of the association in the absence of the president. The president-elect automatically assumes the office of the president upon resignation of the president. He or she shall complete the term of office of the resigned president and shall then serve the full year to which elected.
2. Be responsible for aiding in the development of the organization’s program.

The Past President shall:

1. Serve as president-elect in case of the president-elect’s inability to serve until a new president-elect can be elected by the membership.
2. Provide advice and assistance to officers and serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

The Secretary shall:

1. Keep a record of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the association and see that actions requiring communication with members, other individuals, or groups are carried out as required.
2. Receive the report of the Nominating Committee and see that is sent to the membership in accordance with the stipulations in the bylaws.

The Treasurer shall:

1. Establish the account(s) of the organization, as approved by the Board of Directors.
2. Establish procedures for the deposit of funds and the maintenance of the organization’s properties.
3. Receive and disburse all funds of the organization as authorized by the Board of Directors.^*
4. Maintain a record of all financial transactions and report as requested to the Board of Directors and annually to the association at the annual meeting.
5. Make his or her records available for audit prior to the annual meeting.

^* This does not mean that every payment must be authorized by the Board of Directors. If a budget is presented and approved by the Board, items contained in that budget are automatically authorized for payment as funds are available.

Article VIII. Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall be the officially designated representative of the member district, committee chair, elected officers and a representative from RIDE.

The Board of Directors shall meet a minimum of once a year. A quorum is made of the majority of those members present. The time and place of the meeting shall be determined by the executive committee.

The Board of Directors will designate a nominating committee.

Article IX. Election of Officers

Not later that 90 days before the annual meeting, the Board of Directors shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of a chairperson not on the Board of Directors and at least two additional members. Not less than 60 days before the annual meeting, this committee shall submit to the secretary of the association names of at least one qualified candidate for each office after having ascertained that each candidate is willing to serve if elected. Not less than 50 days before the annual meeting, the secretary shall notify the membership of the report of the Nominating Committee. Additional names may be placed in candidacy by written communication to the secretary, provided that at least three members of the association sign such communication, the person has agreed to serve if elected, and such communication is received by the secretary not less than 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Not less than 30 days prior to the annual meeting, the secretary shall electronically send to each member of the association a ballot on which space will be provided next to each name for the member to indicate his or her preference. Ballots received not later than the day before the annual meeting will be counted by a special committee appointed by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting and the results will be made known to the president.

Article X. Meetings

The annual meeting will be held yearly between March 1 and June 30.

A quorum shall consist of the active members present. Questions shall be decided by a majority of those present and voting.

Article XI. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year will be July 1 through June 30.

Article XII. Committees

The president shall have the authority to set up such committees as are needed and to appoint committee chairpersons with the approval of the executive committee.

Article XIII. Parliamentary Authority

The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order will govern the organization in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the organization’s bylaws or the special rules of order.

Article XIV. Amendment of Bylaws

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of eligible voting members attending a regular or specially called meeting of the organization, provided that notice of the proposed changes has been sent to the membership not less than 30 days prior to the meeting.

Article XV. Executive Committee

The officers of this organization shall form an executive committee that will have the authority to handle the business of the association between meetings of the Board of Directors.