NEA
Black Caucus
Membership
We invite all present and retired NEA members to join the caucus by contributing a tax-deductible membership donation of $20.00. Your membership includes discounts:
National Black Caucus sponsored events
Regional Black Caucus events
Local Black Caucus events
Monthly newsletter
Automatic entry into NEABC giveaways
Your payment can be made in the form of check or money order to: NEA Black Caucus
102 Burchard Avenue
East Orange, N.J. 07017
You may also gain membership by phone at the following number (973)699-0139.
We do not operate for profit. All of our expenses are public record and an expense report is available upon request. Thank you very much!
* Please specify membership on check
** Your membership card will be mailed to you within 2-4 weeks.
100% of our donations go to making positive change in our community.
HOW TO START A MINORITY CAUCUS
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER ABOUT A CAUCUS IS THAT IT IS AN INDEPENDENT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP. IT IS A POWER BASE WITHIN AN ORGANIZATION ADDRESSING PROBLEMS CONCERNING EDUCATORS IN GENERAL.
Some other points that are pertinent to Caucus operation are:
1. The Caucus operates outside of the Association, but should be concerned only with issues relevant to the Association.
2. Caucus meetings should function as strategy sessions.
3. The objective of fund raising activities should be to raise enough funds in order to facilitate Caucus activities.
4. Minority involvement that is controlled within the Association is handled via the Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee.
I. Become organized, meet with other minority educators.
II. Develop a philosophy, objectives, and programs that you want to achieve.
III. Establish an organizational structure (example: officers, committees)
IV. Crucial Task That Must Be Performed:
A. Prioritize objectives;
B. Maintain minority professional resources file (community business persons);
C. Identify minority educators, parents, and students;
D. Identify and list organizations and their leaders;
E. Establish a local minority newsletter;
F. Establish position papers on issues affecting minorities in the school;
G. Become recognized as an organization by the local education association;
H. Become recognized as an organization by the local board of education;
I. Obtain a copy of your local master contract and become familiar with the contents;
J. Become versed in the negotiations process;
K. Obtain a copy of your local education association’s constitution;
L. Establish a minority educators rap group around each of the following areas and meet once monthly to exchange ideas and learn from each other:
1. Local constitution and bylaws;
2. Local contract;
3. The negotiation process; and
4. Pertinent books.
M. Establish a tutorial and awareness program for students and community people.
These are but a few of the tasks that minority educators can perform to influence your state affiliate in being more responsive to the needs of minority people in the state.
GOVERNANCE
of the
BLACK CAUCUS
of the
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
(As revised July 2011)
PREAMBLE
Believing in the worth and dignity of all humankind; in the right, freedom and responsibility; in equality of opportunity and participation; in a free and independent teaching profession; in mutual respect for all; in the democratic process and in the exercise of initiative, leadership and self-development; the Caucus is dedicated to the support of the goals, objectives and programs of the National Education Association of the United States.
PURPOSE
It shall be the purpose of the Caucus to:
1. Advance the interest of the teaching profession.
2. Promote the cause of Black educators throughout the United States and its overseas territories and commonwealths.
3. Make and keep the NEA aware of its commitments and obligations to minority groups, especially Black educators.
4. Continue to keep before the NEA and the nation the unmet needs of Black Americans.
5. Assist the NEA in procurement of job and advancement opportunities and appointive positions for Black educators.
6. To recruit all Black NEA members to join the Black Caucus not limited to certificated staff.
7. Strive to establish an EMAC (Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee) in each
State.
ARTICLE I
NAME
Be it henceforth known that the officers and participants of the Caucus are hereby declared a body by the name of the Black Caucus of the National Education Association. The Black Caucus of the NEA shall herein after be referred to as BC/NEA.
ARTICLE II.
AFFILIATION/MEMBERSHIP
SECTION1. CLASSIFICATIONS
Affiliation in the BC shall consist of the following classifications, active and associate.
SECTION 2. QUALIFICATIONS
A. ACTIVE—Any Black member, in any category of membership, of the National Education Association, who shall agree to subscribe to the purpose of the Caucus, abide by the provisions of the governance document and, upon payment of the prescribed annual contribution, shall be eligible for active affiliation and participation in the BC/NEA.
B, ASSOCIATE — Any member who is interested in advancing the cause of public education but is not eligible for membership in the active membership category of the Black Caucus.
SECTION 3.RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF AFFILIATION
An active member of the BC shall have the following rights and privileges:
1. To hold an elective office in the Caucus (except those who are ineligible to hold delegate status).
2. The right to vote provided the contribution so stipulated has been paid by 6:00 PM the night before the BC/NEA election process.
3. All rights and privileges pertaining to affiliation in the BC.
4, The right to receive a membership card and receipt upon payment of his/her annual contribution,
An associate member shall not have the right to vote or hold an elected or appointive office.
5. To receive communications from the BC Chair of activities affecting Black Caucus members.
SECTION 4. TERM OF AFFILIATION
A. The term of affiliation shall be on a yearly basis. The affiliation shall be from July 1 through June 30.
B. The fiscal period of the Caucus shall likewise be from July 1 through June 30.
C. Annual dues for Active, Associate, and Student membership shall be reviewed and discussed at the annual NEA RA Convention.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
SECTION 1. OFFICERS
The officers of the BC shall consist of the following: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Parliamentarian, and such directors as provided in Article V, Section. 1. Where an officer is guilty of misconduct or nonperformance of duties, such officer may be removed for cause by the Executive Committee with recommendation by a majority vote of the members of the Council.
2. Recommendation for recall can be made by the submission of a petition containing the signatures of 60% of the membership to the Executive Committee.
3. The Executive Committee shall notify in writing any officer who has been recommended for recall.
4. Any officer may appeal in writing to the Executive Committee.
5.The Executive Committee shall schedule hearings, whenever necessary, to review the recommendation of recall of an officer.
6. The report of those hearings shall be made available to the membership.
7. A general membership meeting shall be called as soon as possible after the issuance of the report.
8. Such recall shall be determined by a majority vote of the membership in attendance at said meeting.
SECTION2. QUALIFICATION
A Candidate for office shall be an active member of the BC.
Officers shall be nominated by any member in good standing, including self nomination; and be elected by a majority of those eligible participants who are in attendance at the Annual Delegate Caucus.
SECTION 4. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. CHAIRPERSON — The chairperson shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. To preside at all meetings of the BC, the Board of Directors and the Delegate Caucus.
2. He/She shall appoint the chairperson and members of all standing and special committees, except as otherwise provided in the Bylaws, with the approval of the Board of Directors.
3. To appoint the parliamentarian.
4. To make recommendations to the Board of Directors for Interim appointments.
5. Be the spokesperson and official representative for the Caucus.
6. Co-sign checks of the Caucus with the Treasurer.
7. Perform all duties usually prescribed for this officer and those designated by the Board of Directors.
8. Call special meetings of the Caucus.
B. VICE CHAIRPERSON—The Vice Chairperson shall:
1. Assume all duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson upon absence, resignation or inability of the Chairperson to perform such duties.
2. Serve on the Board of Directors.
3. Assist the Secretary with maintaining membership records, and communications with members.
4. Assist with the publication of the Caucus newsletter.
5. Assist Regional Directors in the fulfillment of their duties.
C. SECRETARY — The Secretary shall:
1. Report such proceedings and reports as stipulated by the Caucus or the officers.
2. Report and keep a record of the proceedings of the meetings of the Black Caucus and Board of Directors.
3. Establish and maintain a record of the officers, committee members, and the roster of the participants of the BC.
4. Serve on the Board of Directors.
D. TREASURER — The Treasurer shall:
1. Receive, record and disburse all monies of the Caucus.
2. Maintain the financial account of the organization.
3. Make a financial report to each meeting of the Board of Directors and the Delegate Caucus and such other financial reports as required.
4. Be bonded by a reputable financial institution in the amount of $25,000.
5. Co-sign all checks with the Chairperson.
6. Serve on the Board of Directors.
E.PARLIAMENTARIAN — The Parliamentarian shall:
1. Interpret the Constitution of the BC.
2. Assist the Chairperson in the conduction of orderly proceedings of the meetings of the BC.
3. Serve as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.
4. Be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.
SECTION 5: TERM OF OFFICE
A. Officers shall be elected at the annual BC/NEA Delegate Caucus meeting and shall serve a three (3) year term of office that will coincide with the terms of the NEA Officers. Officers may be re-elected for one successive term.
B. The Chairperson and the Secretary shall be elected at the same time.to provide for staggered terms.
C. The Vice Chairperson and the Treasurer shall be elected at the same time to provide for staggered terms.
D. The Parliamentarian shall serve for as long as the Chairperson shall determine during the term of that Chairperson.
SECTION 6: VACANCIES
A. Only those powers herein stated shall be bestowed upon the officers,
B. The Board of Directors or the Delegate Caucus shall have the power to assign additional authority to the officers.
ARTICLE IV
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1. COMPOSITION
The Board of Directors of BC/NEA shall membership shall be as follows:
1. The four officers of BC/NEA.
2. The six Regional Directors
3. One Student with voting rights.
SECTION 2. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall have the following powers and duties:
1. To implement the programs and directives of the Delegate Caucus.
2. To act between sessions of the Delegate Caucus.
3. To levy the amount of financial contributions of the Caucus.
4. To fill vacancies.
5. To recommend budgets of the Caucus.
6. To administer the fiscal affairs of the Caucus.
SECTION 3. OFFICERS AND TERMS OF OFFICE
A. The officers of the Board shall be the same officers as those elected by the Delegate Caucus.
B. The Regional Directors shall serve for the same term of office to which elected by their region.
ARTICLE V
REGIONAL STRUCTURE
The Black Caucus/NEA shall be divided into identical regions as set forth by the NEA Governance. Each region shall have a director.
SECTION 1. REGIONAL DIRECTORS
A. The Regional Director shall be responsible for the coordination of activities of his/her region.
B. The Director shall conduct at least one annual meeting of the Regional Advisory Council.
C. Regional Directors shall serve on the National BC/NEA Board of Directors and serve as liaison between the region and the National BC.
D. Regional Directors shall be elected to serve a term of two years. A Regional Director may succeed himself/herself for not more than two successive terms of office.
D. Regional Directors shall be elected at the NEA/RA Annual meeting.
E. Where a Regional Director is found to be guilty of misconduct or nonperformance of duties, such Regional Director may be removed for cause by the Executive Committee by a majority vote of the members of that region.
F. The process for removal shall be the same as outlined in Article III; Section 1.
SECTION 2. REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
A. Each region shall have an Advisory Council made up of the State Contacts from each state in the region and presided over by the Regional Director.
B. The Council shall be advisory in purpose and jurisdiction.
ARTICLE VI
STATE STRUCTURE
Each state shall have a State Contact appointed by the Regional Director.
SECTION 1. TERM OF OFFICE
State Contacts shall be appointed to serve a term of two years.
SECTION 2. DUTIES OF STATE CONTACT
The State Contact shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. To coordinate the BC activities in his/her state.
2. To establish local BC units within the state.
3. To promote the program of the BC and NEA within the state.
.4. To disseminate information in the two-way flow of communication.
5. To serve on the Regional Council.
6. To provide for and preside over an annual meeting of the state BC.
7. To preside over the meeting of the state BC Steering Committee.
8.To work with local BC members to establish the state EMAC
9.Host annual EMAC meeting with BC chair/or Regional Director prior to NEA/RA annually. This may be held during NEA/MLT Regional Conferences.
SECTION 3. STATE STEERING COMMITTEE
A. Each state shall elect at least the following officers: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer. The term and period of election shall be established by the Caucus and participants in that state. These officers shall constitute the State Steering Committee.
B. The State Steering Committee shall establish guidelines for local units of the BC not to be in conflict with the National BC/NEA Governance.
ARTICLE VII
ANNUAL MEETING
There shall be at least one Annual Meeting of the BC at the time and place of the annual meeting of the NEA Representative Assembly. The annual meeting shall be known as the Annual Delegate BC/NEA.
SECTION 1. COMPOSITION
The Annual Delegate Caucus shall consist of registered participants of the BC who are current members of NEA.
SECTION 2. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DELEGATE CAUCUS
The Annual Delegate Caucus shall have the following powers and duties:
1. To serve as the legislative and policy-forming body of the BC/NEA.
2. To elect the officers.
3. To adopt the annual budget.
4. To act on annual reports.
5. To approve resolutions and platforms.
6. To remove officers from office by a two-thirds majority vote.
Recommendation for removal of an officer from office may be made by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES
The standing committees of the BC/NEA shall include: Rules, Bylaws, Budget, Membership, Resolutions, Nominations, Elections, and Credentials Committees.
SECTION 1. RULES
The Rules Committee shall establish the rules governing the Annual Delegate Caucus. This committee shall consider and be the final authority over any question of procedure arising at the annual meeting.
SECTION 3. BYLAWS
The Bylaws Committee shall review all proposed amendments to the Constitution of the BC/NEA. It shall have the power to determine whether or not an amendment shall be submitted to the Annual Delegate Caucus. The Bylaws Committee shall interpret the Constitution of the BC/NEA and shall be the final authority in the interpretation of the constitution.
SECTION 3. BUDGET
The Budget Committee shall develop and submit a proposed budget to the Annual Delegate Caucus.
SECTION 4. MEMBERSHIP
The Membership Committee shall be responsible for devising ways of increasing and maintaining financial participation in the BC/NEA.
SECTION 5. RESOLUTIONS
The Resolutions Committee shall be responsible for reviewing the proposed resolutions, bylaws, and new business items which are before the NEA Representative Assembly and to make recommendations to the Annual Delegate Caucus with respect to those resolutions, bylaws, and new business items which affect Black and minority educators and students. The committee shall further propose any resolutions, bylaws, and new business items for introduction to the NEA Representative Assembly for consideration by the Annual Delegate Caucus.
SECTION 6. NOMINATIONS
The Nominations Committee shall present a slate of candidates for office to the Annual Delegate Caucus. Other nominations may be made from floor. Candidates nominated must be current financial participants of the Caucus and must meet the other criteria set forth in this Constitution.
SECTION 7. ELECTIONS AND CREDENTIALS
A. The Elections and Credentials Committee shall establish rules governing BC/NEA registration and elections of the BC/NEA.
The Committee shall:
1. Conduct the voting and counting of ballots of all elections.
2. Review and serve as the final authority in challenged elections.
3. Conduct registration of participants at the Annual Delegate Caucus.
4. Certify all candidates for office.
METHOD OF BALLOTING:
1. Balloting will occur at the Annual Black Caucus Meeting at the time and place of the annual meeting of the NEA Representative Assembly. This annual meeting is known as the Annual Delegate BC/NEA.
2. Balloting shall be by secret ballot.
3. All active Black Caucus members who are on the Black Caucus official membership list are eligible to vote. The voting list will be available at the annual NEA RA Convention.
B. VERIFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS
1. Ballots will be counted by the Elections Committee. Election results will be verified by the Elections Chair and posted at the Black Caucus meeting at the NEA RA Convention.
2Candidates shall be elected by the highest number of votes cast.
SECTION 8. COMPOSITION
Each Committee of the BC/NEA shall have at least one person from each of the NEA regions plus the chairperson appointed by the National Chairperson.
SECTION 9. TERM OF OFFICE
Committee members shall serve a 3 (three) year staggered term of office commencing with the 2012 appointments. This will reflect the terms of NEA Officers
ARTICLE IX
REPORTS
The Delegate Caucus shall receive annual reports from all committees, the Board of Directors, and the Chairperson. The form of publication of reports of committees shall be subject to review by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
All amendments to this Constitution shall be submitted to the Bylaws Committee. After the Committee’s consideration, if approved, the Bylaws Committee shall submit by May 1st, such amendments to the Annual Delegate Caucus where it must receive a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those voting for enactment.
(Note: This Constitution was originally adopted in 1974 and revised July 2011.)