National Title I Association Mission Statement

To enable disadvantaged children and youth to meet or exceed high academic state standards, the National Title I Association builds the capacity of state and local educators for leadership, support and advocacy in the design and effective implementation of programs under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

ARTICLE I - THE ORGANIZATION

SECTION 1 – NAME
The name of this organization shall be the National Title I Association, hereinafter referred to in this Constitution as the Association.

SECTION 2 – PURPOSE
The purpose of this Association shall be to study, strengthen, and promote the leadership role of the state coordinator/director/manager of Title l including, but not restricted to, such means as:

a.) Exchanging ideas and information among members,
b.) Building leadership capacity for Association membership
c.) Collaborating with professional organizations involved with and interested in the improvement of education for disadvantaged children, youth and families,
d.) Planning and partnership with the United States Department of Education (ED) in mutual efforts to strengthen the program, and
e.) Advocating for the educationally disadvantaged children, youth and families.

SECTION 3 – MEMBERSHIP
There shall be three classes of membership for individuals (active, associate and honorary) and one class of membership for organizations (affiliate).

a.) Active Members:  Up to two State Education Agency (SEA) officials - one who is designated as the Title I state director and another who also has Title I supervisory responsibility - are entitled to be active members of the Association. Such members, or their designees, shall be entitled to hold office, participate in discussion, participate in committees, receive publications, and other services of the Association. When voting occurs during a membership meeting (whether in person or electronically), each state shall be limited to one vote.
b.) Associate Members:  Other SEA Title I staff may select associate membership. With the exceptions of voting and holding office, the associate members shall be entitled to participate in the same activities as the active members.
c.) Honorary Members:  By action of the Board of Directors, honorary memberships may be conferred upon individuals who have contributed significantly to the work of the Association and the area of ESEA Title I programs but who are not otherwise eligible for membership. Honorary members shall be exempt from dues and fees, and, may participate in the same activities as the associate members.
d.) Affiliate Members:  By action of the Board of Directors, affiliate membership may be conferred upon organizations whose mission is compatible with that of the Association. Such an organization may participate in the same activities as the associate members.
e.) Period of Membership:  The period of membership of each person and affiliate member who joins the Association shall begin the first day of January and shall end on the succeeding last day of December.

ARTICLE II - OFFICERS

SECTION 1 – OFFICERS

The officers of the Association shall be a President, a President-elect, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. All officers will be elected prior to the annual meeting of the Association by an electronic ballot upon nomination by the nominating committee described in Article IV, Section 1, and by a majority vote of the ballots cast by active members.. Nominations may also be made by writing in names on the ballot. The term of office shall begin following ratification of election results and officer installation at the membership meeting at the annual national conference. All documents and records of the office shall be transmitted to the Chief Administrative Officer and to the office successor.

SECTION 2 – PRESIDENT
The President shall preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors, the annual meeting, and all special meetings of the Association; shall appoint all officers and committees not otherwise provided for in the Constitution or by a voice vote of the Association; shall be an ex-officio member of all committees of the Association; and shall represent and act in the name of the Association.

The term of this office is for one year.

Upon completion of the term of office, the President will become the Past President (see Section 8 of this Article) and serve on the Board of Directors for one year.

SECTION 3 – PRESIDENT-ELECT
The President-elect shall assume the office of President if this office is vacated during the term of office; shall preside over the meeting in the absence of the President; and shall assist the President in the administrative work of the Association. The President-elect shall serve as conference chair for the Association's annual national conference during his/her term of office as President-elect.

The President-elect shall be from a state other than a state of the present President or the immediate predecessor.

The term of this office is for one year.

Upon completion of the term of office, the President-elect will become the President (see Section 2 of this Article).

SECTION 4 – VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President shall assume the office of President-elect if that office is vacated during that term of office; shall assist the President and President-elect in the administrative work of the Association. 
The Vice President shall serve as conference liaison for all conferences by other organizations as authorized by the Board of Directors. 

The Vice President shall be from a state other than a state of the present President and President-elect.

The term of this office is for one year.

Upon completion of the term of office, the Vice President will become the President –elect (see Section 3 of this Article).

SECTION 5 – SECRETARY
The Secretary shall take and keep minutes of all Association and Board of Directors’ meetings. In conjunction with Association Management (see Article V), the Secretary shall preserve documents and records of the Association; transmit them to the successor; keep a record of membership; issue notices of meetings, etc. The Secretary shall perform other duties assigned by the President and/or Board of Directors.

The term of this office is for one year.

SECTION 6 – TREASURER
The Treasurer shall, in conjunction with Association Management (see Article V), receive monies of the Association and provide for their safekeeping; pay all authorized bills and keep an accurate and current record of all receipts and expenditures of Association funds; make reports at the Association's meetings and at other times requested by the President; prepare a written yearly financial statement at the Association's annual meeting; and present a written budget at an Association meeting to be adopted, amended, or rejected by the Association, as requested by the Board of Directors.

The term of this office is for two years.

SECTION 7 – REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
The regional representative and alternate shall be the liaisons for the state members for their region. The responsibilities are communication, coordination, training, and outreach. Regional representatives will be elected from the various regions by the members thereof at the annual meeting, regional meetings, special councils, or electronic ballot. Alternate regional representatives shall also be elected or appointed at the same time from each region to act in place of regional representatives when necessary because of absence, or resignation.

The term of these offices is for two years.

SECTION 8 – PAST PRESIDENT
The Past President shall act as a resource for the officers, the Executive Director for Governmental Relations, the Chief Administrative Officer, the standing committees and the general membership.
The term of this office is for one year.

SECTION 9 – RESIGNATIONS
Resignations shall be made by written statement and submitted to the Board of Directors. In the case of the Secretary and Treasurer, the Board of Directors shall make an interim appointment to serve the balance of the term. For the office of Vice President, the Board of Directors shall either declare a special election or defer filling that office until the next general election.

ARTICLE III - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1 – MEMBERSHIP
The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, President-elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, the immediate Past-President, and one representative elected from each of five regions which are determined by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2 – DUTIES
It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to carry out the general policies (to include the Strategic Plan) of the Association in a manner consistent with the mission of the Association and the directions of the active membership as expressed at the annual and special meetings. The Board of Directors shall foster open and ongoing communication with the membership and shall keep the membership informed of its actions.

SECTION 3 – MEETINGS
The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the President or a majority of the members of the Board. A quorum shall consist of six members.

ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES

SECTION 1 – NOMINATING COMMITTEE

a.) The Nominating Committee is chaired by the President-elect and appointed by the President. The Committee shall seek nominations from the entire membership by fax, email and/or mail.
b.) The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for presenting a slate of prospective nominees prior to the annual conference or for a mail or electronic ballot that would be completed by the annual winter conference.

SECTION 2 – CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE
The President-elect shall be the committee chair and shall appoint the Planning Committee which shall be responsible for planning the annual conference.

SECTION 3 – ADVOCACY COMMITTEE
The Advocacy Committee and chair shall be appointed by the President. The Advocacy Committee shall be responsible for outreach to other professional organizations and associations to support the mission and goals of the association. The Committee shall also be responsible for monitoring pertinent legislation and regulations and amendments. On behalf of the Committee, the chair will act as legislative advisor to the President, Board of Directors, and the Association.

SECTION 4 – OTHER COMMITTEES
The President shall appoint such other committees as are required to further the purpose of the Association.

ARTICLE V – ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT

SECTION 1 – CONTRACTED STAFF
The Association contracts with staff for management and operations, governmental relations, and administrative assistance. Contracted staff work collaboratively with the Board and each other for the benefit of the Association. Contracted staff report to the Board of Directors, with the President (or President’s designee) being the primary point of contact.

SECTION 2 – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
The Association shall employ an Executive Director for Governmental Relations (EDGR) who shall carry out the directives of the Board of Directors. The Board will establish a performance agreement with deliverables. Annually, the EDGR shall report on the status of deliverables and make suggestions for the following year. The Secretary shall include this report or summary thereof in the official minutes of the Association. Annually, the Board will evaluate the deliverables as specified in the EDGR’s contract.

SECTION 3 – CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
The Association shall employ a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) who shall carry out the directives of the Board of Directors. The Board will establish a performance agreement with deliverables. Annually, the CAO shall report on the status of deliverables and make suggestions for the following year. The Secretary shall include this report or summary thereof in the official minutes of the Association. Annually, the Board will evaluate the deliverables as specified in the CAO’s contract.

ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
Attendance by one-third of the active members of the Association at a general meeting shall constitute a quorum. Robert's Rules of Orders, Revised, shall govern the meetings of the Association in all cases except as otherwise stated in the Bylaws. The President may designate an individual to serve as Parliamentarian to assist him/her in the conduct of official meetings.

SECTION 1 – SEMIANNUAL MEETINGS
Meetings of the Association shall be held at least twice a year on dates to be approved by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2 – OTHER MEETINGS
Other meetings may be held at the call of the Board of Directors or the President.

ARTICLE VII - MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 1 – BYLAWS
The Bylaws of the Association are to be made, altered or rescinded by a two-thirds vote of the ballots cast by active members. Members shall be provided any amendments to the Bylaws in writing 30 days prior to the vote.

SECTION 2 - BALLOT VOTING
Any action which may be taken by the Association, Board of Directors, or any committee or  subcommittee of the Association which requires formal voting by the membership, may be  taken by ballot with a specified 15-day deadline placed for response.

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