CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS - Tennessee Education Association

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS 

CONSTITUTION 

ARTICLE I - NAME AND AFFILIATION 

Section 1. 

Section 2. 

The name of this association shall be the Sevier County Education Association 

(SCEA). 

This organization shall be affiliated with the Tennessee Education Association 

(TEA) and with the National Education Association (NEA), and shall meet the 

minimum standards for affiliation as set forth in the TEA and NEA Governance 

documents. 

ARTICLE II - PURPOSES 

Section 1. 

Section 2. 

Section 3. 

Section 4. 

Section 5. 

To work for the welfare of school children, the advancement of education and 

the improvement of instructional opportunities for all. 

To unite and strengthen the teaching profession and to secure and maintain the 

salaries, retirement, tenure, professional and sick leave, and other working 

conditions necessary to support teaching as a profession. 

To develop and promote the adoption of such ethical practices, personnel 

policies, and standards of preparation and participation as mark a profession. 

To enable members to speak with a common voice on matters pertaining to the 

teaching profession and to present their individual and common interests before 

the Board of Education and other legal authorities. 

To hold property and funds and to employ a staff for the attainment of these 

purposes. 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP 

Section 1. 

Membership in the Association shall consist of the following classifications: 

active members, educational support members, and retired members. All 

questions regarding such matters as classification, eligibility, and privileges of 

members shall be determined by the Executive Board and approved by the 

Representative Assembly of the Association.

Section 2. 

Active Members 

A. Active membership in the Association shall be open to all professional 

and classified personnel employed in the schools of Sevier County who 

hold any certificate required by their employment. Active membership is 

limited to persons who agree to abide by the Code of Ethics of this 

Association. An active member is entitled to all rights and privileges of 

membership in this local association. 

B. Active members of the Association shall also maintain membership in the 

Tennessee Education Association and the National Education 

Association. 

C. Membership shall become effective upon payment of annual dues in 

accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and Bylaws and with 

the policies and regulations adopted by the Representative Assembly of 

the Association. Active membership shall be continuous until the 

member leaves the school system, resigns from the Association, fails to 

pay membership dues, or fails to comply with all rules and regulations of 

this local Association. 

Section 3. 

Retired Members 

A. Active members who retire may continue as honorary members for life. 

B. Retired members shall not be eligible to vote, hold office, or represent the 

Association but shall be eligible to have a committee of ex officio, 

nonvoting delegates to the Representative Assembly and to have one ex 

officio, nonvoting delegate to the Executive Board. Delegates shall be 

appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board. 

C. Retired membership is limited to retired professional and classified 

employees who agree to abide by the Code of Ethics of this Association. 

Section 4. 

Discipline of Members 

According to procedures adopted by the Representative Assembly, the Executive 

Board may censure, suspend from membership, or expel any member who shall 

have violated the Code of Ethics of this Association and may cancel the 

membership of any member convicted in a court learned in the law of a crime 

involving moral turpitude. The member concerned must, however, have been 

given due notice of such an action, and must have had an opportunity for a due 

process hearing before the Executive Board. Any disciplinary action taken by 

the Executive Board may be appealed to the Representative Assembly. The 

Executive Board may reinstate a member who has previously been suspended or 

expelled from the Association. 

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ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS 

Section 1. 

Officers 

The officers of the Association shall consist of a president, vice-president who 

shall be the president-elect, the immediate past president, a secretary, and a 

treasurer. 

Section 2. 

Method of Selection 

The president-elect, the secretary and the treasurer shall be elected by secret 

ballot by the membership at-large according to procedures outlined in Article IX 

of the Bylaws. 

Section 3. 

Terms and Selection 

A. The officers shall be elected for one year. 

B. The President and president-elect shall have been members of the local 

Association for at least four (4) years prior to their election and shall 

maintain their membership in good standing during their term of service. 

They must have served at least one year on the Representative Assembly 

prior to their election. 

C. Whenever the offices of both President and president-elect or that of the 

secretary and/or treasurer shall become vacant between election, except 

as provided in Article V, Section 3 of the Constitution, the remaining 

members of the Executive Board shall choose one of their number to 

serve as president pro tempore until the Representative Assembly can fill 

the vacancy through a secret ballot election, assuring that proportional 

ethnic minority and administration representation is maintained. 

D. New officers shall be installed at the May meeting of the Representative 

Assembly. The term of elected officers of this local Association shall 

begin immediately following the meeting at which the installation is 

conducted and shall continue until their qualified successors shall have 

assumed office. 

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ARTICLE V - EXECUTIVE BOARD 

Section 1. 

The Executive Board shall consist of the officers, chairpersons of the standing 

committees, and one member elected by the Representative Assembly from each 

of the following districts: 

DISTRICT 1 (High School) 

Gatlinburg-Pittman High School 

Pigeon Forge High School 

Sevier County High School 

Seymour High School 

DISTRICT 2 (K-8) 

Boyd’s Creek Elementary 

Catlettsburg Elementary 

Caton's Chapel Elementary 

Jones Cove Elementary 

New Center Elementary 

Pi Beta Phi Elementary 

Pittman Center Elementary 

Wearwood Elementary 

DISTRICT 3 (Primary) 

Northview Primary 

Pigeon Forge Primary 

Sevierville Intermediate 

Sevierville Primary 

Seymour Intermediate 

Seymour Primary 

DISTRICT 4 (Middle/Other) 

Alternative Learning Center 

Central Office 

Northview Middle 

Parkway Academy 

Pigeon Forge Middle 

Sevierville Middle 

Seymour Middle 

Trula Lawson Early Childhood Center 

Whites Adult High School 

Each of these four district members shall be employed within the district that 

they represent. Members elected from districts 1 and 3 shall be elected to a twoyear 

term and elections for these districts shall occur in the Spring of each oddnumbered 

year. Members elected from districts 2 and 4 shall be elected to a 

two-year term and elections of these districts shall occur in the Spring of each 

even numbered year. 

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Section 2. 

Section 3. 

The total composition of the Executive Board shall reflect a representation of 

ethnic minority members at least proportional to the ethnic minority membership 

in the Association. Also, there shall be proportional representation of classroom 

teacher members and administration members. The total composition of the 

Executive Board shall reflect a proportional representation of ethnic minorities 

and administration as there are Active members in the Association. If this 

representation is not reflected after the normal election process, additional 

representation shall be nominated and elected at large for a one-year term to fulfill 

this requirement. 

Whenever a majority of the Executive Board shall agree that an officer has been 

grossly negligent of the duties defined in the bylaws or is incapacitated, they may 

recommend to the Representative Assembly of the Association that the office be 

declared vacant. The officer concerned must have been given due notice of such 

an action, and must have had an opportunity for a due process hearing before the 

Executive Board. If the Assembly so votes by a two-thirds majority, it shall 

immediately elect a replacement to fill the unexpired term. 

ARTICLE VI - REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY 

Section 1. 

Section 2. 

Section 3. 

The legislative and policy-forming body of the Association shall be the 

Representative Assembly. 

The Representative Assembly shall consist of the Executive Board and 

association representatives selected in accordance with Bylaws Article VI, 

Section 1. The selection of representatives shall follow the same provisions of 

representation of ethnic minorities, classroom teachers, and administrators as 

provided under Article V, Section 2. 

Any member of the Association who is not a member of the Representative 

Assembly may attend its meetings and may receive permission to speak. 

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS 

The Representative Assembly may adopt amendments to this constitution by a two-thirds 

majority of those voting at any regular meeting provided that a quorum is present and that the 

amendments have been introduced at the preceding regular meeting of the Representative 

Assembly and that copies of the proposed amendments have been distributed at least three weeks 

in advance of the vote to members of the Assembly for faculty discussion. 

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BYLAWS 

ARTICLE 1 - MEETINGS 

Section 1. 

Executive Board 

The Executive Board shall meet once a month at a time determined by the 

Executive Board. This time must be at least two weeks prior to the meeting time 

established of the Representative Assembly. Special meetings may be called by 

the President or at the request of half of the members of the Board. 

Section 2. 

Representative Assembly 

The Representative Assembly shall meet once a month at a time established by 

the Executive Board. This meeting must be at least two weeks after the meeting 

of the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall prepare the agenda for each 

meeting, and shall circulate it to all members of the Assembly so that 

representatives have time to discuss it with their faculty members in advance of 

the Assembly meeting. 

Section 3. 

General Membership Meetings 

The Executive Board shall arrange at least two meetings of the members each 

year for discussion of professional issues. In general membership votes, each 

Active member is entitled to one vote. 

Section 4. 

Special Meetings 

ARTICLE II - QUORUM 

Special meetings of the Representative Assembly may be held at the call of the 

president, or by a majority of the members of the Executive Board, or upon 

written request to the Executive Board from ten percent of the association 

representatives. 

A majority of their members shall be a quorum for the Executive Board and committees. 

Representation from two-thirds of the work sites shall be a quorum for the Representative 

Assembly. Twenty-five percent of the membership shall be a quorum of the General 


ARTICLE III - POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS 

Section1. 

President 

The President is the chief executive officer of the Association. The duties of the 

President shall include the following: 

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A. To preside over meetings of the Association, Representative Assembly 

and Executive Board. 

B. To enforce the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association. 

C. To appoint, with the approval of the Executive Board, the following: 

1. Chairpersons of standing committees 

2. Chairpersons and members of special committees 

3. Qualified members to vacant positions 

D. To attend personally, or by delegate, all regular meetings of the Board of 

Education. 

E. To attend personally, or by delegate, all regular meetings of the Sevier 

County Commission. 

F. To establish and maintain an open line of communication with the 

Director of Schools and members of the Board of Education. 

G. To attend and be a delegate to the TEA Representative Assembly. 

H. To serve as an ex officio member of all standing committees. 

I. To establish and appoint, with the approval of the Executive Board, such 

special committees as may be necessary for the successful 

accomplishment of the purposes as stated in Article II of the Constitution 

of the Association; to instruct them in the performance of their duties; 

and to discharge them upon completion of their assignment. 

J. To perform or cause to be performed all duties and functions attributed or 

assigned to the office and any other duties not specifically assigned to 

other officers or members whether elected or appointed. 

Section 2. 

President-elect 

The president-elect shall perform the functions usually attributed to the office, 

act as parliamentarian, work closely with one or more standing committees as the 

president may suggest and shall be an ex officio member of all committees, and 

shall become president at the expiration of one year or when the presidency 

becomes vacant and be entitled to serve his/her own full term as president of this 

Association except as provided in Article V, Section 2 of the Constitution. 

He/she shall be a delegate to the TEA Representative Assembly. 

Section 3. 

Immediate Past President 

The immediate past president shall advise the Executive Board and assist the 

President at the latter's request. He/she shall be a delegate to the NEA 

Representative Assembly in July. 

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Section 4. 

Secretary 

Duties of the secretary shall include the following: 

A. To keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board, 

Representative Assembly, and general membership meetings. 

B. To maintain official files and assist the President with Association 

correspondence. 

C. To be responsible for the preparation of the agenda for each 

Representative Assembly. This agenda, determined at each preceding 

Executive Board meeting, shall be typed in a form approved by the Board 

and distributed to representatives a week before the Representative 

Assembly meeting. 

D. To keep an accurate record of attendance at each Executive Board and 

Representative Assembly meeting, and notify the President of all Board 

or Assembly members who have been absent more than once without 

giving prior notice. 

Section 5. 

Treasurer 

The treasurer shall hold the funds of the Association and disburse them upon 

authorization by the Executive Board, transmit amounts due within established 

transmittal schedules to the Tennessee Education Association and the National 

Education Association, maintain a roll of members, keep accurate accounts of 

receipts and disbursements, report to each meeting of the Representative 

Assembly, prepare an annual financial statement for publication to members as 

directed by the Executive Board, keep the President and Executive Board 

informed of the financial condition of the Association, and serve on the Budget 

Committee. The treasurer should be bonded by the Association. 

Section 6. 

Each officer shall have the obligation to instruct his/her successor in the duties of 

that office and working with him/her as needed during the year following his/her 

election. 

ARTICLE IV - POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD 

Section 1. 

The Executive Board shall be responsible for the management of the 

Association; approve all expenditures; carry out policies established by the 

Representative Assembly; act as emergency power in the management of the 

affairs of this local Association in the interim between regular meetings of the 

Representative Assembly; prepare the agenda for each Representative Assembly 

meeting and circulate it to all members of the Assembly so that representatives 

have time to discuss it with their faculty members in advance of the assembly 

meeting; report its transactions and those of the Assembly to the members; and 

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suggest policies for consideration by the Assembly. The Board shall act as a 

presidential advisory board and approve committee appointments. 

Section 2. 

Section 3. 

Section 4. 

Individual Board members are responsible for notifying the secretary, in advance, 

of absences from regularly scheduled meetings. After two absences without prior 

notification, the President may declare the seat of office vacant and order an 

election to replace a voting member or officer. 

The Executive Board, prior to the annual association representative training, 

shall establish annual meeting calendars for that body, the Representative 

Assembly, and standing committees and subcommittees. 

The Executive Board shall set the dates for all Association elections. 

ARTICLE V - POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY 

The Representative Assembly shall approve the budget, set the dues for the Association, act on 

reports of committees, approve resolutions and other policy statements, and shall adopt 

procedures for implementing the Code of Ethics of the Association and those to be followed in 

censuring, suspending, and expelling members for cause or for reinstating members. It may 

adopt such rules governing the employment of staff, the conduct of the Association, and the 

conduct of meetings as are consistent with this Constitution and Bylaws. It shall be the final 

judge of the qualifications and election of officers and association representatives. Powers not 

delegated to the Executive Board, the officers, or other groups in the Association shall be vested 

in the Representative Assembly. 

ARTICLE VI - ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES 

Section 1. 

In each public school in Sevier County active members in good standing of this 

Association shall select for a term of one year, association representatives and 

alternates to the Representative Assembly based on the following membership 

total: 

1 –25 members 2 A/R 2 Alternates 

26 – 50 members 3 A/R 3 Alternates 

51-75 members 4 A/R 4 Alternates 



The number of association representatives a school will be allowed is to be based 

on the number of Association members in the school in May. If at any time 

during the ensuing year, the Association membership at any given work site 

changes so as to qualify the school for additional representatives or for fewer 

representatives, the school should adjust accordingly and notify the President of 

such change. There shall be at least two representatives from each work site. 

Where more than one such representative is selected, one shall be designated the 

senior association representative. 

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Section 2. 

Section 3. 

Section 4. 

For purposes of representation, each school shall be considered a work site. The 

central administration personnel shall be considered a work site 

To be eligible to serve as an association representative or as an alternate, An 

individual must have been a member of the Associations for at least one year 

prior to his/her selection and shall maintain his/her membership in good standing 

during the term of service. 

During the month of May, each school shall select the number of association 

representatives and alternates to which it is entitled. Nominations for these 

positions shall be open. 

Any representative or alternate may be eligible for reappointment. 

The total composition of the Representative Assembly shall reflect a 

proportional representation of ethnic minorities and administration as there are 

members in the Association. If this representation is not reflected after the 

normal selection process, additional representation shall be nominated and 

selected at-large to fulfill this requirement. 

Section 5. 

Section 6. 

Section 7. 

Association representatives shall attend the regular meetings of the Representative 

Assembly. After two consecutive absences of a representative or alternate, the 

President may ask the members at that work site to select a replacement to fill out 

the term. 

Each member of the Representative Assembly in attendance or alternate shall 

have one vote. The President shall cast a ballot only in case of a tie vote. 

Action on all matters coming before the Representative Assembly, unless 

otherwise provided in this Constitution and Bylaws, shall require a majority vote 

of all members present and voting. 

Referendum 

By majority vote, the Representative Assembly may submit any question to a 

referendum of the membership. It shall be the duty of the President to conduct the 

referendum, if demanded by petitions signed by at least ten (10) percent of the 

current membership representing at least one-half of the schools and with no more 

than 25 names from any faculty unit being counted toward required total. In a 

referendum election, each Active member shall be entitled to one vote. 

Section 8. 

The association representatives, with the senior association representative as 

chairman, shall call meetings of the Association members to discuss Association 

business, shall appoint such committees as the Association may require, and shall 

organize and oversee the subsequent selection of association representatives, and 

two-way association communication within the building. In the event an 

association representative is a candidate for an election, then the members shall 

select alternates to oversee the election. 

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ARTICLE VII - STANDING COMMITTEES 

Section 1. 

Structure 

There shall be standing committees as listed in Section 6 of this Article, carrying 

the specific functions outlined below. They shall have 3, 5, 7, or 9 members 

selected to represent a cross-section of this total Association and appointed for 

overlapping terms of three years. All committees shall reflect the composition of 

the total membership with at least proportional representation for ethnic 

minorities. Appointments shall be made by the President with approval by a 

majority of the Executive Board. 

Each committee, with the approval of the Executive Board, may organize special 

subcommittees and task forces for specific activities from the membership of the 


Section 2. 

Meetings 

All standing committees shall meet as necessary to conduct their business. 

Section 3. 

Reports 

Each committee shall choose a secretary who shall keep a continuing record of 

activities. Chairpersons shall report as necessary to the Executive Board and to 

the Representative Assembly when directed by the Executive Board and shall 

submit a summary which shall become a part of the continuing committee record 

in the Association file. Each committee shall develop annual program plans, 

develop a budget request based on these plans, and submit the request to the 

budget committee prior to the formulation of the annual budget. 

Section 4. 

Relation to Executive Board 

The Executive Board shall assist the president-elect to appoint members of the 

standing committees by August 31 and to fill all unexpired terms as vacancies 

occur thereafter. It shall require and assist committees to define their immediate 

and long-range objectives. It shall review committee plans as necessary and shall 

decide any jurisdictional argument between committees. 

Section 5. 

Relation to State and National Association 

The standing committees shall seek to understand and relate to the objectives and 

programs of corresponding units of the TEA and NEA and shall counsel with 

them. 

Section 6. 

Titles and Duties: 

A. The Membership Committee shall organize and oversee the following 

activity areas: 

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1. Membership recruitment and retention - to organize, coordinate, 

and conduct a continuing program for membership enrollment; to 

inform members of the policies, programs, services, and 

accomplishments of the Association at all levels; and to provide a 

contact in connection with dues, problems or questions 

concerning membership status of members. 

2. Orientation - to develop and conduct programs for the orientation 

of new teachers to the Association. 

B. The Negotiations Committee shall explore and prepare action programs 

as necessary in all areas of teacher welfare with responsibility for 

salaries, leave provisions, fringe benefits, insurance, credit and 

investment facilities, and general working conditions, and shall be 

responsible of budget analysis and contract analysis. 

1. Salary - to develop salary proposals for presentation to the 

membership and/or the negotiations committee; develop supportive 

data and research statistics; develop knowledge and understanding 

of school finance, property taxation, and other financial resources 

available from local, state, and federal funds; to make 

recommendations which will aid in bringing about adequate 

financial support for public education and recommended policies 

and procedures which will gain community support and 

community involvement in the campaign for better educational 

programs. 

2. Fringe Benefits - to investigate coverage and group policies which 

might be made available for members such as: life, health, income 

protection, annuities, and accident and travel insurance; to monitor 

coverages and benefit services of these coverages and policies 

which are currently provided or available to members; and to 

investigate and recommend other available and potential fringe 

benefits to the membership and/or the negotiations committee. 

3. Working Conditions - to monitor the physical environment, 

schedules, and other factors which affect working conditions for 

reasonableness, comfort, safety; to monitor provisions of the 

negotiated contract with respect to all working conditions; and to 

recommend measures through the proper channels to remedy 

and/or upgrade any of these factors which are found to be 

unacceptable. 

C. The Legislative Committee shall have broad concern of local, state, and 

national legislation affecting the interests of the Association and for 

exercise of civic responsibilities by members. The committee shall be 

diligent to inform members about newly-enacted legislation. The 

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committee shall seek to coordinate its activities with those of appropriate 

PACE activities. It shall organize and monitor the following activities: 

1. State Legislation - to study pending legislation and to promote 

activities leading to the passage of desirable state legislation for 

teachers. 

2. Federal Legislation - to study legislation before the Congress and 

to develop and/or promote activities leading to the passage of 

desirable federal legislation for education. 

3. Local Legislation - to seek to influence local legislation to the 

advantage of education; to keep aware of all aspects of the local 

county and/or city budgets, bonding programs, and referenda; and 

to establish and maintain liaison status with local magistrates 

and/or city council persons. 

4. Citizenship - to educate members and the public to the civic 

responsibilities of teachers; to promote voter registration of all 

teachers; and to develop programs that will encourage wide 

exercise of those rights and responsibilities. 

D. The Grievance Committee shall explore and prepare action programs for 

securing satisfactory personnel policies and procedures for the redress of 

grievances. This committee shall advise the Executive Board in situations 

of censure, suspension, or expulsion of members. Members of this 

committee shall have attained tenure status in the local school system. 

The specific duties of the committee include knowing, explaining, 

interpreting, and stimulating cooperative development of written local 

school board policies, state board policies, local school laws and legal 

structure, and state and federal school laws and structure. Additional but 

equally important duties are: to know, explain, and defend teacher rights 

in such matters as tenure, contracts, and liability; to promote and 

cooperate in the consultant development of written school board policies; 

to make proposals to the local negotiations committee; to hear complaints 

and advise members; to defend members, the Association, and the 

profession against unjust or adverse criticism; to encourage democratic 

procedures and understanding among the local board of education, the 

administration, the classroom teachers, and other school personnel; and to 

accept such other duties as may be needed and assigned. It may organize 

subcommittees on personnel policies, ethics, grievance, and others as 

deemed advisable by the Executive Board. 

E. The Communications Committee shall seek to develop public 

understanding of the purposes and programs of the Association, the 

values and importance of education, and, in cooperation with the 

administration, the educational philosophy and programs of the schools. 

It shall develop procedures by which the Association can work 

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cooperatively with parents and the public in civic, fraternal, and social 

organizations, and through all available channels of communications. It 

shall seek to provide for effective internal and external communications 

programs, including negotiations activities. The Communications 

Committee shall organize and oversee the following areas of work: 

(1) News Media 

(2) Newsletter 

(3) American Education Week 

(4) School Bell Awards 

(5) Liaison with other community groups 

(6) Website 

(7) Other relevant activities 

F. The Instruction and Professional Development Committee (IPD) shall 

explore and develop action programs to raise and maintain standards for 

certification, employment, and assignment; to improve opportunities of 

pre-service, continuing, and in-service professional education; and to 

create and maintain rapport between the Association and neighboring or 

closely related institutions of higher education. It shall exercise 

professional concern in programs involving student teachers or relating to 

the concept of professional autonomy. It shall plan and coordinate 

programs for the general membership meetings of the Association. It 

shall work closely with the local negotiating committee in formulating 

and promoting activities relating to improved instruction and professional 

development. 

G. The Human Relations Committee shall develop positive programs and 

activities and utilize the talents and abilities of the membership to 

promote an atmosphere of cooperative understanding of the dignity and 

worth of each individual and to improve human relationships for all. This 

committee shall research and recognize individuals and/or groups that 

have contributed to the advancement of public education. 

ARTICLE VIII - SPECIAL AD HOC COMMITTEES 

Section 1. 

Section 2. 

Each year, the President shall appoint an Elections Committee, an Audit 

Committee, and such other special ad hoc committees as may be necessary, and 

shall discharge them upon completion of their duties. These committees shall 

operate according to rules approved by the Representative Assembly. No officer 

of the Association shall serve on either the Elections Committee or the Audit 

Committee. The Audit Committee shall audit the accounts of the Association to 

cover the term of the treasurer and shall complete the audit no later than July 15 

following the close of said officer's term. 

The President, with the guidance and approval of the Executive Board, shall 

appoint a negotiating team. The team shall consist of at least 3 members. The 

roles of team spokesperson, observer, and recorder shall be assigned. Other roles 

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shall be assigned as necessary. The spokesperson shall be the chief negotiator and 

shall be in full charge of the negotiating team. 

The negotiating team shall have the primary responsibility in negotiating, and 

shall be given full authority to bargain in good faith, including the right to 

modify proposals and make concessions on behalf of the Association, subject 

only to the ratification of the entire contract by the Active members of the 


Section 3. 

Section 4. 

The Negotiating Committee shall be made up of the entire negotiating team, plus 

the chairpersons of the following committees: Membership, Legislative, 

Grievance, Communications, Instructional and Professional Development, and 

Human Relations. Others may participate in committee functions according to 

the needs of the negotiating committee. The chairperson of the negotiating team 

shall be selected by the President with the guidance and approval of the 

Executive Board. The main purpose of the committee shall be to prepare the 

initial contract proposals and to provide the necessary backup materials for the 

negotiating team throughout the negotiating process. 

The President, with approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint the Sevier 

County Education Association representatives of the Professional Council. SCEA 

representatives on the Professional Council shall be articulate and conscientious. 

The SCEA representation shall consist of the President and a representative from 

each of the following areas: high school, middle/other, primary school, K-8, and 

administration. The terms shall be staggered and last a minimum of two years 

and a maximum of three. The president-elect shall regularly attend meetings to 

observe, participate, and also act as the President’s alternate in the absence of the 

President. Other alternates, named by the President and approved by the 

Executive Board, shall attend in the absence of designated Professional Council 

members. 

The Professional Council shall make every effort to meet once a month beginning 

in October of each year. The intent of each meeting is to discuss any academic 

issues, concerns, or trends that may affect the school system or the education of 

our students, but may not be contractually related. Ways and means for 

improving the educational system in the county will be at the forefront of the 

council, through the professional input from the council. Notification of the 

proposed meeting dates and a list of the appointed members shall be provided to 

the principals of the schools in which a participant is employed. 

The development of the Council was initiated through a contractual agreement 

presented by the Sevier County Education Association; therefore, the President of 

the Sevier County Education Association shall, with the assistance of the 

Executive Board and Association Representatives, prepare and provide to the 

Director an agenda prior to each meeting. A member of the Sevier County 

Education Association shall take notes during the meetings and the President will 

recap as closure. Appropriate summaries and feedback shall be provided at each 

monthly Association Representative meeting. 

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ARTICLE VIII - ELECTIONS 

Section 1. 

Nominations 

A. The Active members of the Association in each worksite or central 

administration office may nominate candidates for president-elect, 

secretary, and treasurer prior to the February Association Representative 

meeting. All candidates for these offices shall have been Active members 

of the Association for at least one full membership year immediately 

preceding their election. The designated Association Representative at 

each worksite shall deliver all nominations in writing to the Elections 

Committee. 

B. The Elections Committee shall report all nominations to the 

Representative Assembly at the February meeting. Members of the 

Assembly may nominate other candidates from the floor. 

C. The Elections Committee shall publish to the members brief information 

on each candidate. The Elections Committee shall be responsible for the 

preparation and distribution of the ballots. It shall provide to all 

designated Association Representative a list of eligible voters and the 

exact number of ballots. The distribution of ballots must be completed at 

least two days prior to the date of the election which has been set by the 

President. This committee shall oversee the preparation of lists and 

ballots to certify that the correct number has been provided. 

Section 2. 

Balloting 

ARTICLE IX - DUES 

Active members shall vote for officers by secret ballot in accordance with 

procedures developed by the Elections Committee and approved by the 

Representative Assembly. Elections shall be held at the individual worksites at 

the convenience of members and the representative holding the election. All 

used and unused ballots shall be returned to the chairperson of Elections 

Committee. The ballots shall be counted by a member or association 

representative whose name does not appear on the ballot. If no candidate 

received the majority of the votes cast, a run-off election shall be held between 

the two candidates who have received the largest number of votes. This 

committee shall submit detailed procedures of the total elections process to the 

Executive Board for approval and shall cause the approved procedures to be 

made available to the membership at least two weeks in advance of the election. 

The Elections Committee shall report results to the President who shall cause 

them to be announced immediately. 

Section 1. 

The local dues of Active members of the Association shall be .0013 times the 

least local salary for a beginning teacher. The amount will be rounded to the 

nearest half dollar. 

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Section 2. 

Section 3. 

Section 4. 

Section 5. 

Section 6. 

Active members shall also pay annual dues to the Tennessee Education 

Association and the National Education Association. 

Dues of Educational Support members shall be equal to one-half the amount of 

Active members. 

Any Active member who is granted an official leave of absence of official duties 

may retain membership status by paying membership dues directly to this 


The membership year shall extend from September 1 of one year through August 

31 of the next; however, one who paid dues for the previous year will be 

considered a non-delinquent and in continuous membership subject to the rights, 

privileges, benefits, and services provided by his/her category of membership if 

his/her dues are paid or payroll deduction is officially authorized prior to 

November 1. 

Employees who are hired after January 1 of the school year shall be invited and 

encouraged to become Active members. Monthly dues deductions, plus 

appropriate TEA and NEA dues will begin with their first paycheck. 

ARTICLE X - DELEGATES TO TEA AND NEA 

Section 1. 

TEA Representative Assembly 

A. Delegates and alternates to the annual TEA Representative Assembly 

shall be elected according to procedures outlined in the TEA Constitution 

and Bylaws. (Appendix A) 

B. Names of delegates and alternates shall be submitted to TEA at least one 

month in advance of the dates of the Assembly. 

C. Any person nominated as a delegate to the TEA Representative 

Assembly must have served one year on the Sevier County 

Representative Assembly prior to nomination or be presently serving on 

the Representative Assembly. 

Section 2. 

NEA Representative Assembly 

A. Election of delegates and successor delegates to the NEA Representative 

Assembly shall be by secret ballot of the entire membership for each 

individual delegate position. 

B. Names of elected delegates and successor delegates shall be submitted to 

the NEA in advance of the Assembly. 

C. Any person nominated as a delegate to the NEA Representative 

17

ARTICLE XI - FISCAL YEAR 

Assembly must have served one year on the Sevier County 

Representative Assembly prior to nomination or be presently serving on 

the Representative Assembly. 

The fiscal year of the Association shall be from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the 

following year. 

ARTICLE XII - AUTHORITY 

Robert's Rules of Order (most recently revised) shall be the parliamentary authority for the 

Association on all questions not covered by the Constitution and Bylaws and such standing 

rules as the Representative Assembly may adopt. 

ARTICLE XIV - AMENDMENTS 

These Bylaws may be amended or repealed only by majority vote at any regular meeting of the 

Representative Assembly provided that proposed amendments have been previously studied by 

the Executive Board and that copies have been sent to Association Representatives in at least 10 

calendar days advance of that meeting. Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed at any 

regular meeting of the Representative Assembly, or by petition signed by at least ten (10) 

percent of the members of the Association. All amendments shall take effect immediately 

except where a different effective date shall have been specified. 

ADOPTED: 

______________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________ 

AMENDED: 

______________________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________ 

18

Appendix A 

Tennessee Education Association – Constitution & Bylaws 

BYLAWS ARTICLE IX—Representative Assembly 

SECTION 1. Delegates: Each affiliated local association shall be entitled to one delegate for 

each twenty-five active members of the Association or major portion thereof. The Student 

Tennessee Education Association shall be entitled to one delegate for each two hundred fifty 

(250) student members or major portion thereof. The Tennessee Retired Teachers’ Association 

shall be entitled to one delegate who must be an NEA-Retired member and two nonvoting 

delegates. A non-voting delegate shall be eligible to ask questions and enter into debate but shall 

not be eligible to make motions or vote. No individual may serve as a delegate or vote for the 

election of a delegate until membership dues to the Association for the current membership year 

shall have been paid or authorized through payroll deduction or an alternate dues payment plan 

approved by the Board of Directors. Affiliates shall insure that ethnic minority delegates are 

elected at least in proportion to the ethnic minority membership of the affiliate. If an affiliate is 

unable to elect classroom teacher delegates in sufficient numbers to fill the classroom teacher 

delegate positions for which it is eligible, the remaining teacher delegate positions may be filled 

by administrator candidates, on the ballot, who were excluded because the number of 

administrator candidates exceeded the affiliate's administrator delegate allotment. The executive 

director of the Association shall issue delegate credentials to any eligible active member of the 

Association who shall be designated by the president and secretary of the member’s affiliated 

local association as having been elected a delegate by the membership of that local association. 

Any active, student, or retired member possessing valid delegate credentials shall be seated as a 

member of the Representative Assembly unless the seating of such members is challenged at 

least 24 hours in advance by a delegate from the challenged member’s local affiliate, the TEA 

Board of Directors, or upon signed petition of 50 delegates. The challenge must be filed in 

writing with the TEA president and/or executive director and accompanied with the detailed 

allegations and evidence as to why the member should not be seated. There shall be a fivemember 

credentials challenge committee appointed by the president and approved by the Board 

of Directors which shall review the challenge, provide an opportunity for the challenged member 

to defend against the allegations, and make a report with recommendations to the Assembly. The 

challenged member may defend against the allegations to the Assembly by addressing the 

Assembly for not more than 5 minutes. The Assembly will decide whether to seat the challenged 

delegate. 

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CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS - Tennessee Education Association

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