Constitution

Nova Scotia Teachers Association for Literacy and Learning of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union Affiliated with the International Reading Association

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1. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Nova Scotia Teachers Association for Literacy and Learning, hereafter called NSTALL.

2. Purpose

The purpose of NSTALL shall be:

    1. To provide NSTALL membership with support and services.
    2. To study aspects of literacy and learning.
    3. To act as a clearing house for ideas, trends and new developments in the fields of literacy and learning.
    4. To sponsor conferences and meetings planned to implement the purposes of NSTALL.
    5. To furnish recommendations and advice to the Provincial Executive and other committees of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union on matters affecting literacy and learning.
    6. To provide and promote literacy events and programs for the benefit of Nova Scotia teachers and students.

3. Membership

There shall be three types of membership: active, associate and honorary life.

    1. An Active member:
      1. Must be a member of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union and have a professional interest in learning and literacy.
      2. Is eligible to hold office in NSTALL.
      3. May vote at the Annual Meeting.
    2. An Association member:
      1. May be studying at a recognized university.
      2. May be a teacher education faculty member.
      3. May be an educator with the Department of Education.
      4. May be a retired teacher who was a member of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union at the time of retirement.
      5. May be employed in a private school in Nova Scotia.
    3. An Honorary Life member:
      The Executive may confer Honorary Life membership in recognition of outstanding contributions to the cause of learning and literacy.

4. Membership Fees

Membership fees shall be established by resolution at the Annual Meeting of NSTALL.

5. Officers

    1. The officers of NSTALL shall be a President, 1st Vice-President (Conference Chairperson), 2nd Vice-President (Membership Chairperson), Secretary, Treasurer, Past-President and a Newsletter Editor.
    2. Any Active member is eligible to be an officer of NSTALL.
    3. These officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of NSTALL.
    4. An attempt will be made to ensure regional representation.
    5. Any vacancy that occurs between Annual Meetings may be filled by the Executive.

6. Executive Organization

The duties of the Officers of the Executive Committee of NSTALL shall be:

    1. President:
      The President chairs all meetings of the Executive Committee of NSTALL. He/she shall have general oversight over all bodies of NSTALL< shall be ex-officio a member of all committees of NSTALL and shall perform all such duties as delegated to the President by the Executive Committee, Annual Meeting or committees of NSTALL. The President shall appoint the Conference Chairperson for the Annual Conference of NSTALL. The President shall hold regular consultation with the liaison officer of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, shall arrange regular meetings of the Executive Committee of NSTALL and shall oversee the preparation and distribution of agenda for such meetings to the Executive Committee Officers.
    2. 1st Vice-President:
      The 1st Vice-President shall be responsible for the NSTALL conference of the year of their Vice-Presidency.
    3. 2nd Vice-President:
      The 2nd Vice-President shall advise the President in matters concerning constitution and membership.
    4. Past-President:
      The Past-President of NSTALL shall act as an advisor to the Executive Committee Officers of NSTALL and shall provide continuity from the old Executive Committee to the new. He/she shall assume the duty of Chairperson of the Nominating Committee of the NSTALL and shall ensure that a committee composed of one Executive Committee Officer other than himself/herself and two Active non-Executive members of NSTALL shall be formed to present a slate of officers for election at the Annual Meeting of NSTALL.
    5. Secretary:
      The Secretary of NSTALL shall record the minutes of the Executive Committee meetings and shall submit these to the appropriate office of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union for printing and mailing to Executive Committee Officers. He/she shall also keep the minutes of the Annual Meeting of NSTALL, shall send and receive necessary correspondence and shall perform all such duties as assigned by the Executive Committee of NSTALL.
    6. Treasurer:
      The Treasurer shall establish and maintain a bank account for the NSTALL, shall receive and disburse all funds in the name of NSTALL, shall receive and verify all expense vouchers and issue reimbursement by cheque for NSTALL for these expenses. He/she shall also prepare and present all financial reports as required at the Annual Meeting by the Provincial Executive of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union. It shall be the specific duty of the Treasurer to oversee the collection of all fees payable to the NSTALL by its Members and he/she shall maintain at all times a numerical record of the Membership of the NSTALL according to the type of Member.
    7. Newsletter Editor:
      The Newsletter Editor is responsible for the production of the NSTALL Newsletter. This includes searching information, data, articles, etc., that are both relevant and timely in nature. No less than three issues per year will be produced.

7. Committees

    1. The executive committee shall be the officers of NSTALL. A quorum of the executive shall be five members.
    2. Standing committees shall be appointed by the executive when deemed necessary, the chairperson of which shall be an Active member.
    3. The nominating committee shall be chaired by Past-President.

8. Annual Meeting

    1. An Annual Meeting shall be held once during each school year at such time as may be approved by the Provincial Executive of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union.
    2. Voting for officers of NSTALL and membership fees will by a simple majority.
    3. The Treasurer shall be responsible for appointing a qualified person to complete and audit prior to the Annual Meeting.

9. Liaison

Any representative which NSTALL wishes to make to any organization, person, government departments, or other agency outside the Nova Scotia Teachers Union shall be conducted through the regular channels of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union.

10. Representation at the IRA Assembly

The NSTALL shall be entitled to one delegate, provided the delegate has paid dues for the current year to the International Reading Association. One person may represent only one council in the Assembly. A council may send an alternate for each delegate; an alternate may vote only when the delegate is absent.

11. Amendments

    1. Amendments to the Constitution may be made at the Annual Meeting. Such proposed amendments must be submitted to the executive two months prior to the Annual Meeting and must be signed by at least two Active Members.
    2. Proposed amendments will be circulated to Active Members at least seven days prior to the Annual Meeting.
    3. The Constitution may be amended by a 2/3 majority vote of the Active Members present at the Annual Meeting of NSTALL, subject to ratification of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union.

Adopted November 2, 1973

Revised November 25, 1978

Revised October 22, 1982

Revised October 23, 1987

Revised October 25, 1990

Revised October 25, 1991

Revised October 23, 1993

Revised October 22, 1999