Article
I
Name
and Purpose
Section 101:
The name of this organization shall be the National Association
of Test Directors, a not-for-profit professional educational association
hereinafter referred to as the Association.
Section 102:
It shall be the purpose of this Association to:
a. share information about testing in educational settings;
b. encourage the appropriate use of testing in educational settings;
c. improve the applications of measurement to students and educational
programs.
d. encourage research in the area of elementary and secondary school
testing and measurement.
Section 103:
Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Association
is organized exclusively for educational purposes as specified in
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and shall
not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by a
corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
Section 104:
No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be
carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation
(except as otherwise provided by Internal Revenue Code section 501(h)),
or participating in, or intervening in (including the publication
or distribution of statements, any political campaign on behalf
of any candidate for public office.
Article
II
Membership
and Meetings
Section 201:
Active Members shall include dues- paying individuals:
a. With responsibility for educational testing programs;
b. From institutions involved in the construction or use of tests
in settings not primarily for profit, including, but not limited
to, school systems and school system research, assessment, testing,
or evaluation departments. Emeritus Members shall include dues-
paying individuals:
c. Who have been active Association members for at least five years
and who are no longer employed on a fulltime basis. Associate Members
shall include dues- paying individuals:
d. Who do not have direct responsibility for testing programs and/or
who are involved in test development primarily for profit.
Section 202:
The Annual Meeting of the members shall be held each year in conjunction
with the Annual Meeting of the National Council on Measurement in
Education. Notice of the meeting shall be given to members at least
four weeks prior to the date thereof.
Section 203:
A special meeting of the members may be called on reasonable notice
at any time by the President or on written request of any three
members of the Board of Directors.
Section 204:
Between regular meetings, the Board of Directors may authorize a
vote by mail ballot rather than call a special meeting of the members
within such time limit as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
The Secretary shall receive and count the ballots cast. Section
205: A quorum for any authorized meeting of the members shall consist
of members present who are eligible to vote.
Section 206:
Eligibility to vote shall be restricted to Active Members and Emeritus
Members whose dues and any special assessments are currently paid
at the time of the meeting or mail ballot.
Section 207:
The annual membership dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors
and approved by the members at the Annual Meeting. At the discretion
of the Board of Directors and by the vote of five Directors, a special
assessment may be raised to pay for unusual costs incurred by the
corporation in achieving its objectives. In the event that such
an assessment is an amount in excess of five dollars, it will be
subject to ratification by a majority of the members. The membership
year shall begin on July 1.
Section 208:
Any member may be removed from the Association for conduct deemed
prejudicial to the Association by a two- thirds vote of the members
present at an Annual meeting or at a special meeting of the members
called for the purpose. Such member shall first have been given
written notice of the accusation against him or her, and shall have
been given an opportunity to produce witnesses, if any, and to be
heard at the meeting at which such vote is to be taken.
Section 209:
The rules of Order, as contained in Robert's Manual, when not inconsistent
with these by-laws, shall govern the meetings of the members and
Board of Directors. The Immediate Past President shall serve as
parliamentarian.
Article
III
Officers
and Board of Directors
Section 301:
The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Immediate
Past President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and four additional
elected Directors. The President shall serve as chair of the Board
of Directors.
Section 302:
The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association
and shall preside over all meetings of the Board and of the members.
The President shall have general and active management of the business
of the association and shall see that all orders and relocations
by the Board are carried into effect. The President shall be a member
ex-officio of all standing and special committees and shall have
the general powers and duties of supervision and management usually
vested in the president of an association. Subject to the approval
of the Board of Directors, the President shall appoint standing
committees, as set forth in Article V, Section 501, and such special
committees deemed necessary to effectuate the purposes and objective
of the Association. The President shall serve for a period of one
year.
Section 303:
When one's term of office as President expires, the President shall
serve as Immediate Past President for one year. The Immediate Past
President shall serve as a Director, as an advisor to the President,
as parliamentarian, and as chair of the nominating committee.
Section 304:
A Vice President shall be elected by the membership from the Active
Member category of membership in the Association and shall perform
duties and exercise powers of the President during the absence or
disability of the President. The Vice President shall be responsible
for programs held at the Annual Meeting in conjunction with the
National Council on Measurement in Education. The Vice President
shall serve for a term of one year and will serve as President for
the succeeding year.
Section 305:
The Secretary shall be elected by the membership from the Active
Member category of membership in the Association and shall see that
minutes of meetings are kept, preserved, and read. The Secretary
shall keep files of NATD reports and also give all notices required
by statute, by-law, or resolution and shall perform such other duties
as may be delegated by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall
be responsible for the Association mailing list, although this activity
may be delegated to other members with approval of the Board of
Directors. The Secretary shall be elected for a term of one year.
Section 306:
The Treasurer shall be elected by the membership from the Active
Member category of membership in the Association and shall have
custody of all corporate funds and securities and shall keep, in
books belonging to the Association, full and accurate accounts of
all receipts and disbursements. The Treasurer shall deposit all
monies, securities and valuable effects in the name of the Association
in such depositories as may be designated for that purpose by the
Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the
corporation as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers
for such disbursement, and shall render to the President and Directors
at the regular meetings of the Board, and whenever requested by
them, an account of all transactions of the Treasurer and of the
financial condition of the Association. The Treasurer shall be responsible
for filing federal and local tax returns as required by law. The
Treasurer shall restore to the Association in the case of his or
her resignation, retirement, or removal from office, all books,
papers, vouchers, money and property of whatever kind in the Treasurer's
possession or under his or her control and belonging to the Association.
The Treasurer may be bonded; payment of the premium on said bond
shall be the obligation of the Association. The Treasurer shall
be elected for a term of two years.
Section 307:
Four Directors shall be elected by the membership from the Active
or Emeritus Member categories of membership in the Association.
The duties of the Directors are to vote on matters dealing with
Association policy and to assist the officers in conducting the
Association's projects. Each Director shall be elected for a four-year
term. These terms shall be staggered in such a way that one Director
is elected each year. If a Director is elected an Officer during
the term as Director, the runner-up in the Director election that
year will fill the position until expiration of the term.
Section 308:
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held yearly before or
after the Annual Meeting of the general membership. Board members
should receive notice of the meeting in the newsletter or in other
written form.
Section 309:
A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.
Section 310: If and when all the Directors shall severally and collectively
consent in writing to any action to be taken by the Association,
such action shall be as valid as if it had been authorized at a
meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 311:
Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled by appointment
made by the remaining Directors, except as provided in Section 307.
Section 312:
No member of the Board of Directors shall be liable to the Association,
or any member, or any other person or persons from any claim of
any character resulting from any actions taken or any failure to
take action in good faith and believed by them to be authorized
by these by-laws or within their discretion or rights or powers
conferred upon them by these by-laws. Each member of the Board of
Directors shall be indemnified by the Association against expenses
actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense
of any action, or proceeding in which he or she is made a party
by reason of his or her being or having been a member of the Board
of Directors, except in relation as to matters as to which the Director
shall be adjudged in such action, suit, or proceeding to be liable
for gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of
his or her duties.
Article
IV
Elections
Section 401:
A call for nominations will appear in the newsletter that precedes
the election. Candidates, with their approval, will be nominated
for Association offices by a committee approved by the Board and
headed by the Immediate Past President. Other nominations may be
submitted to the nominating committee by written request of active
members with approval of the nominees. The Committee shall ensure
that the names of candidates for each office are printed alphabetically
on the ballot.
Section 402:
Elections shall be held annually for the offices of Vice President
and Secretary. Elections for the office of Treasurer shall be held
every two years. In addition, one Director will be elected each
year, except as provided in Section 307.
Section 403:
Elections shall take place prior to the Annual Meeting and will
be conducted by secret ballot. All eligible members as described
in Article II, Section 206 will be mailed ballots not later than
30 days before the meeting. The ballots must be returned no later
than 15 days before the Annual Meeting.
Section 404:
All candidates for office shall be informed of the election results
no later than one week prior to the Annual Meeting. Results of the
election are to be announced to the general membership at the Annual
Meeting. The new officers will officially commence their terms at
the end of the Annual Meeting.
Article
V
Committees
Section 501:
The President may appoint standing or ad hoc committees. It shall
be the responsibility of the chair of any committee to keep a record
of meetings held and business transacted during his or her term.
A copy of this record is to be given to the next chair of the committee
and additional copies filed with the President and Secretary.
Section 502:
The President shall appoint from among the Active or Emeritus Member
categories of membership, an individual or a committee to serve
as editor of the Association newsletter. Article VI Execution of
Instruments
Section 601:
All checks, drafts, and orders for the payment of money shall be
signed in the name of the Association and shall be counter-signed
by such officers or agents as the Board of Directors may from time
to time designate for that purpose.
Section 602:
When the execution of any contract or instrument has been authorized
without specifications of the executive officers, the President
or the Secretary may execute the same in the name and behalf of
the Association. The Board of Directors shall have the power and
authority to designate the officers and agents who shall have authority
to execute any instrument in behalf of the Association.
Section 603:
The Association may indemnify any Director or Officer, former Director
or Officer, or any agent of the Association against expenses actually
and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action,
suit, or proceeding in which the Officer or Director is made a party
by reason of being or having been such Director or Officer.
Section 604:
Upon the dissolution of the Association, the Board of Directors
shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all
of the liabilities of the Association, dispose of all the assets
of the Association exclusively for the purpose of the corporation
in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized
and operated exclusively for educational or scientific purposes
as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or
corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue
Law), as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any such assets
not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas
of the county in which the principal office of the Association is
then located.
Section 605:
No part of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to the
benefit of any member, trustee, director, or officer of the Association,
or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may
be paid for services rendered to or for the Association), and no
member, trustee, or officer shall be entitled to share in the distribution
of any of the corporate assets upon dissolution of the Association.
Article
VII
Amendments
Section 701:
Amendments to this constitution may be initiated in either of the
following ways:
a. The Board of Directors may formulate amendments and submit them,
with any arguments it chooses, to the active members for action
by ballot.
b. Any one percent of the active members, as sponsors, may submit
in writing to the Board of Directors a proposed amendment or amendments
signed by the sponsors. The Board of Directors shall then submit
the proposed amendment(s), with any arguments advanced by its sponsors,
with the Board's arguments and recommendation to the active members
of the Association for action by ballot.
Section 702:
The text of the proposed amendment(s), with explanations and arguments,
a ballot, and a request for a mailed vote, shall be sent by first-class
mail to the active members of the Association. At least thirty days
must elapse between the date on which the proposal is mailed to
the members and the date on which the vote is counted.
Section 703:
An affirmative vote by two-thirds of the members returning ballots
within thirty days shall be sufficient for acceptance of an amendment.
The Secretary shall supervise the count and certify the results.
The results of the vote shall be reported to the membership by mail.
Section 704:
An amendment to the Constitution becomes effective upon acceptance
unless otherwise specified on the ballot.
Section 705:
For the purposes of amending this constitution, active members include
individuals in the Active Member and Emeritus Member categories
of membership, as defined in Article 2, Section 201. Adoption of
Constitution and Amendments: April 19, 1986 Amended: April 6, 1988
Amended: April 5, 1994
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