Bylaws
FEN Bylaws - AS AMENDED MAY 13, 2004
ARTICLE I - Name
The name of this organization shall be the Florida Educational Negotiators, Inc.
ARTICLE II - Purpose of the Organization
The purposes of the organization shall be to provide a vehicle whereby its members may be able to improve their professional knowledge, skills and performance, enhance their professional status as well as provide a system for effective communication and exchange of information among the membership.
ARTICLE III - Code of Ethics
Membership in the organization shall carry a duty and a responsibility for each person to adhere to the minimum standards of professional conduct as described herein. Work cooperatively with each other by freely sharing information, knowledge, and expertise in appropriate areas of interest. Participate actively in the organization and its activities and serve faithfully when chosen for elected or appointed positions. Limit professional responsibilities as described in Article IV of these Bylaws to those activities which best serve the purposes of management. Maintain the confidentiality of such information and material which is provided by the organization or its members.
ARTICLE IV - Membership
Section 1. Active Membership
Active membership shall be limited to regular full-time employees of Florida School Districts who have been designated by their respective school district as chief negotiator. In the event a district utilizes the services of other than a regular full-time employee as chief negotiator, active membership shall be available to any other regular full-time employee who may be designated for such membership by the superintendent of the affected district. Active membership shall carry with it the right to participate fully in the procedures and programs of the organization as provided in these Bylaws. In his/her absence, an active member may certify in writing to the president a designee who may exercise the voting proxy of the absent member.
Section 2. Associate Membership
Associate membership shall be open to other school management personnel who are regular full-time employees of a school district and who are involved in negotiations. Associate members shall not have the right to vote except to exercise voting proxy as provided in Article IV, Section 1 of these bylaws. Associate members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges including holding office.
Section 3. Commercial Membership
Commercial membership shall be made available to school board chief negotiators who do not meet the requirements for other types of membership as provided in these Bylaws. Commercial membership shall be primarily for the purpose of allowing persons holding such membership to attend and participate in the meetings of the organization. However, persons holding commercial memberships will not have the right to vote or hold office. Commercial membership shall not be used for the purpose of furthering the commercial interest of the person holding such membership.
Section 4. Application for Membership
The Board of Directors shall have the authority to approve or disapprove all applications for membership. Such approval or disapproval shall be by a majority vote of those directors present.
ARTICLE V - Governing Body
Section 1. Board of Directors
The officers and the area directors shall comprise the board of directors which shall be the representative governing body of the organization. The board of directors shall have final authority on all matters as provided by these Bylaws or as authorized by the membership.
Section 2. Officers
Officers shall be the president, president-elect, secretary and the immediate past-president. The term of office for officers shall be one (1) calendar year, and a member may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office. The immediate past president's term shall begin immediately following the expiration of his/her term of office of president.
Section 3. Area Directors
There shall be one area director from each of the geographical areas which correspond to the geographical areas which are established by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. Each term of office for area directors shall be three (3) calendar years.
ARTICLE VI - Election of Board of Directors
Section 1. Nominations
The president shall appoint a nominating committee which shall propose a slate of candidates for consideration by the membership at the annual business meeting. Nominations may also be made from the floor.
Section 2. Election
Election of the board of directors shall be by secret ballot each year. The newly elected board of directors shall take office at the annual business meeting of the organization.
ARTICLE VII - Filling of Vacancies on the Board of Directors
Section 1. Vacancy in the Office of President
The president-elect shall become president and serve the remainder of the vacated term. He/she shall continue in the office of his/her normal term as president for an additional year as provided in these Bylaws.
Section 2. Concurrent Vacancies in Both The President and President-Elect
The board of directors shall fill by appointment the office of president. Such appointment shall extend until the next annual business meeting at which time the membership shall elect a president and president-elect to take office at said annual business meeting.
Section 3. All Other Vacancies
All other vacancies on the board of directors shall be filled by appointment of the board of directors with the term of such appointment ending at the next annual business meeting at which time the election procedure as provided in these Bylaws shall be used to fill such vacancies.
ARTICLE VIII - Duties of Board of Directors
Section 1. President
- presides at all official meetings
- appoints all committees
- develops agenda for all official meetings
- provides leadership for the organization
- serves as the official representative of the organization
- performs other duties as directed by the board of directors
Section 2. President-Elect
- presides at meetings and performs other presidential duties in the absence of the president
- serves as program chairman
- performs other duties as directed by the president
Section 3. Secretary
- records and distributes the minutes of official meetings to the membership
- prepares and distributes any other communications
- performs other duties as directed by the president
Section 4. Immediate Past-President
- serves in an advisory and consultative role to the president and board of directors
- performs other duties as directed by the president
Section 5. Area Directors
- act as a communication link between the organization and the other members in his/her geographic area
- perform other duties as directed by the president
ARTICLE IX - Funds
Section 1. Annual Dues
The amount of annual dues for membership in the organization shall be as determined by the membership at the annual business meeting.
Section 2. Other Fees
The board of directors may set other necessary fees to cover expenses for organization-sponsored activities in which members participate.
Section 3. Disbursement of Funds
The Florida School Labor Relations Service, Inc. will maintain a depository in a Tallahassee, Florida financial institution for the purpose of receiving and disbursing funds for the organization. The Florida School Labor Relations Service, Inc. will receive and disburse funds in accordance with proper accounting procedures as directed by the board of directors. Disbursement of funds which require the approval of the board of directors shall be allowed only after approval of a majority of the board of directors.
ARTICLE X - Dissolution
In the event of the dissolution of the organization, all assets of the organization shall be turned over to a nonprofit educational organization to be designated by the final board of directors.
ARTICLE XI - Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active membership present at an annual business meeting.
ARTICLE XII - Rules of Procedure
Business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the revised Roberts Rules of Order.
Adopted at annual business meeting
May 13, 2004
Daytona Beach, Florida
| 
