CONSTITUTION OF THE ROCK ISLAND AREA CHAPTER OF THE ILLINOIS COMPUTING EDUCATORS

ARTICLE I. NAME AND DEFINITION
The name of the organization shall be the Rock Island Area Chapter of the Illinois Computing Educators. It shall be referred to as RICE for the remainder of the Constitution. RICE shall be a not-for-profit charitable and educational organization. As an affiliate of the Illinois Computing Educators our organization subscribes to that corporations CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
A. Promote the development, growth, and use of computers and technology in all facets of the educational process.

B. Assist in the professional growth and development of its members and other interested parties in the use of computers and technology.

C. Facilitate the dissemination of information concerning computing and technology.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to any person or organization that has an interest in the instructional use of computers and technology and who also subscribes to the stated PURPOSE of RICE.

SECTION 1. CURRENT MEMBERSHIP Active membership shall be limited to those persons whose dues are paid for the current membership year.

SECTION 2. TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP
A. Individual (VOTING)
B. Student (VOTING)
C. Business and Industry (NON-VOTING)

ARTICLE IV. GOVERNANCE
SECTION 1. OFFICERS The officers of RICE shall be President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

SECTION 2. EXECUTIVE BOARD The Executive Board shall consist of President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Duties as assigned in the RICE By laws.

SECTION 3. GOVERNING BOARD
A.Voting members of the Governing Board shall consist of the Executive Board, the Chairpersons of standing committees, and the Regional Vice President (if present in the Chapter.)

B. Non-voting members by the invitation of the Executive Board may sit with the Governing Board.

SECTION 4. VACANCIES
A.Executive Board

Any Executive Board position, which becomes vacant, will be filled by Executive Board appointment and subject to confirmation of the Governing Board.

B. Governing Board

Any voting position on the Governing Board, with the exception of Executive Board members and Regional Vice Presidents, shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board. Regional Vice Presidents shall be replaced by their regions.

ARTICLE V. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Election of the Executive Board will occur annually. It will be accomplished either by mail or at an Annual Meeting as directed by the Governing Board.

ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENT(S)
SECTION 1. PROCESS Amendment(s) to the RICE Constitution must be submitted in writing at least 30 days prior to the next scheduled meeting of the Executive Board. Within 30 days the Executive Board will refer the amendment to acommittee appointed by the Executive Committee for review and recommendation. The Review Committee will report to the Governing Board within 60 days. The Governing Board will vote to either reject or send to the membership for approval the amendment(s).

SECTION 2. NOTICE The Governing Board will notify the voting membership in writing with in 30 days of the Annual Meeting or 45 days if the mail voting procedure is used. The notice will contain both present and proposed language.

SECTION 3. VOTING The Constitution of RICE may be amended by a two-thirds majority of those members voting at an Annual Meeting or if an Annual Meeting is not held, the Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of those members voting by mail.

 

RICE By-Laws

ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
There shall be three classes of membership; (a) Individual, (b) Student, and (c) Business and Industry

A. VOTING INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP
A person interested in the educational use of computers and technology may become an individual member of RICE upon payment of the state and local dues.

B. VOTING STUDENT MEMBERSHIP A full-time student in a post high school institution pursuing an undergraduate degree may become a voting student member of the local chapter upon payment of the annual dues.

C. NON-VOTING BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY MEMBERSHIP A for-profit business involved in the sales, consulting, and or distribution of computers and related technologies may become a non-voting business and industry member upon payment of the annual dues. This membership covers the business and not individual employees.

SECTION 2. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP A membership terminates upon expiration of the dues. It may also be terminated by the request of the individual or by a two-third (2/3) vote of the Governing Board of RICE. In the later case, the pro-rated balance of the person's dues will be returned.

SECTION 3. DUES Local chapter dues shall be proposed by the Executive Board and approved by the Governing Board.

SECTION 3. NON LIABILITY OF MEMBERS No member of RICE shall be personally liable for the debts. liabilities, or obligations of RICE.

ARTICLE II. MEETING OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

SECTION A. ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Meeting will take place at a date, time, and place specified by the Governing Board. The Annual Meeting notice shall be sent at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS Special meetings, for any purpose, may be called by the President upon consultation with the Executive Board.

SECTION 3. NOTICE OF GOVERNING BOARD MEETINGS A written or printed notice of each meeting, stating the place, day, time, and the purpose (agenda) of the meeting, must be given by mail or by publication in the newsletter. For the Governing Board meetings notice shall be given at least 15 days prior to the meeting.

SECTION 4. TELECOMMUNICATION-BASED MEETING Any meeting of the Executive or Governing Board may be conducted by telephone conferencing or by computer-assisted telecommunication conferencing. Such a meeting shall have the same effect as a meeting in which the Executive or Governing Board meets face to face.

SECTION 5. VOTING RIGHTS At any meeting of RICE each individual voting member shall have one vote. Proxies shall not be accepted.

SECTION 6. QUORUM A. Executive Board A quorum will consist of 3 members present. B. Governing Board A quorum will consist of 5 members, 2 of which must be Executive Board Members and 3 Governing Board members (non-Executive Board members). C. Annual Meeting A quorum at the Annual Meeting shall consist of one percent (1%) of the voting membership, or thirty (30) members, whichever is smaller.

SECTION 7. DELEGATION OF DUTIES Whenever a member of either boardis absent, the President or Acting President may deem it desirable to dele gate the powers and duties of that board member to another voting member(s) for a specified limited period of time.

ARTICLE III. EXECUTIVE BOARD

SECTION 1. RICE POLICY The Executive Board will establish policies based on goals established by the Governing Board.

SECTION 2. BUDGET The Executive Board will establish a budget, which will support the goals established by the Governing Board.

SECTION 3. MEETINGS The President shall convene the Executive Board as necessary or three-fifths (3/5) of the Executive Board shall also have the authority to convene the Executive Board.

SECTION 4. LIAISON The Executive Board shall approve or invite the Liaison representatives to sit with the Governing Board.

SECTION 5. NON-LIABILITY OF EXECUTIVE BOARD No Executive Board member of RICE shall be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or obligations of RICE.

ARTICLE IV. GOVERNING BOARD

SECTION 1. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The Governing Board will establish the goals and objectives for RICE.

SECTION 2. OPERATIVE PROCEDURES The Governing Board will establish procedures for implementing the policies and budget set by the Executive Board.

SECTION 3. MEETINGS The President shall convene the Governing Board as necessary or two-thirds (2/3) of the Governing Board shall also have the authority to convene the Governing Board.

SECTION 4. RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP The Governing Board shall set the rights and privileges of membership by a simple majority Governing Board.

SECTION 5. ANNUAL AUDIT The Governing Board shall appoint a committee of 3 members to conduct the annual audit. No member of the Governing Board shall sit on this committee.

SECTION 6. GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS No Governing Board member of RICE shall be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or obligations of RICE.

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS

Only voting members may hold office. They may hold one and only one office, whose term shall be determined below. Their duties shall include, but not be limited to:

SECTION 1. PRESIDENT Shall serve for one membership year as President and become Immediate Past President the following membership year Shall be the administrative head of RICE Shall convene the Governing and Executive Board as needed Shall preside at all meetings Shall enforce the RICE Constitution and Bylaws Shall appoint Standing Committee Chairpersons Shall appoint ad-hoc committees as necessary Shall acquaint the President-Elect as completely as possible with the position of President Shall provide an agenda to the Secretary for all meetings Shall be a member of the Executive and Governing Boards

SECTION 2. PRESIDENT-ELECT Shall serve one membership year and serve as President the next year Shall serve as an assistant to the President Shall, in the absence of the President, have all the powers and prerogatives of the President Shall, in the event of a vacancy in the Presidency, become President to fill the unexpired term Shall represent RICE at the direction of the President Shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees Shall be a member of the Executive and Governing Boards

SECTION 3. IMMEDIATE PAST-PRESIDENT Shall serve one membership year Shall serve as the Chairperson of the Elections Committee Shall serve in an advisory capacity to RICE Shall be a member of the Executive and Governing Boards

SECTION 4. SECRETARY Shall serve one membership year Shall record the minutes of all meeting of the Governing and Executive Boards Shall handle such correspondence of RICE as requested by the President Shall provide meeting notices to Executive and Governing Board members Shall notify the Newsletter and Bulletin Board Chairpersons of scheduled meetings and supply them with sample registration forms Shall be a member of the Executive and Governing Boards Shall maintain a motion and discussion data base

SECTION 4. TREASURER Shall serve one membership year Shall have custody of RICE funds Shall keep track of all meeting and membership receipts Shall receive all monies due RICE Shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements Shall make all disbursements by check, which will be countersigned by another member of the Executive Board Shall deposit all RICE monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of RICE in a depository or depositories designated by the Executive Board Shall report the condition of the treasury as directed by the Executive Board Shall assist the Executive Board in preparation of the annual budget Shall prepare the annual Internal Revenue Service report Shall be a member of the Executive and Governing Boards May be bonded by the direction of the Governing Board

ARTICLE VI. STANDING COMMITTEES AND REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS Only voting members may chair standing committees. They may hold one and only one office, whose term shall be one membership year. New committees may be created by amending ARTICLES of the bylaws. Committee duties shall include, but not be limited to:

SECTION 1. PROGRAMS Shall set up dates and programs for monthly meetings; shall evaluate programs; shall be a member of the Governing Board.

SECTION 2. MEMBERSHIP/MAILINGS Shall devise ways and means of promoting membership Shall keep a record of all membership Shall provide the Newsletter Committee with mailing labels Shall be a member of the Governing Board

SECTION 3. NEWSLETTER Shall solicit information on computers and technology for publication in local and state newsletters Shall share with the Telecommunication Committee information to be placed on the Web Page Shall inform the membership of the Annual Meeting Shall be a member of the Governing Board

SECTION 4. PUBLIC DOMAIN Shall coordinate the planning and execution of Public Domain distribution Shall be responsible for maintenance of the RICE Public Domain Collection. Shall keep membership informed of new Public Domain Acquisitions Shall be a member of the Governing Board

SECTION 5. TELECOMMUNICATIONS Shall establish and maintain a Web Page Shall inform RICE members of changes to the Web Page Shall establish and maintain an area for chapter electronic communication Shall be a member of the Governing Board

SECTION 6. HISTORIAN Shall be a member of the Governing Board Shall organize and keep information on RICE activities

ARTICLE VII. CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS, AND DEPOSITS

SECTION 1. EVALUATION OF WRITTEN INSTRUMENTS Deeds, mortgages, bonds or other instruments which the Governing Board of RICE has authorized to be executed or which may be required by law, may be signed by the President or President-Elect and attested by the Secretary or the Treasurer, unless the Governing Board shall in a particular situation designate another procedure for their execution. The Governing Board may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of RICE, other than specified in this Section 1, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

SECTION 2. LOANS No loans shall be contracted on behalf of RICE and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by resolution of the Governing Board. The authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

SECTION 3. CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of RICE, shall be signed by two members of the Executive Board or by an appointed agent of RICE and in such a manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Governing Board.

SECTION 4. DEPOSITS All funds of RICE not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of RICE in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Executive Board may select.

SECTION 5. RESTRICTED FUNDS Funds contributed for a specific activity or project shall be treated as restricted funds and expended for the specific activity or purpose only.

ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 1. NONDISCRIMINATION RICE shall not discriminate because of any reason in any of its activities.

SECTION 2. NOTICE Whenever notice is required to be given to any officer or member, whether required by law or by the provisions of these BYLAWS, it shall not be construed to mean personal notices. The notice may be given in writing, by depositing the same in a post office or letter box, in a postpaid, sealed wrapper, or published in a periodical of RICE mailed to the membership, addressed to the Individual at his address or the Organization at its address as the same appears on the books of RICE, and t he time when the same shall be mailed shall be deemed to be the time of the giving of the notice. If notice be given by telegram, the notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company, with the charges therefore prepaid, addressed to the Individual at his address or the Organization at its address as the same appears on the books of RICE.

SECTION 3. WAIVER OF NOTICE Whenever any notice is required to be given to any member of the Governing Board of RICE under the provisions of these BYLAWS, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to the notice, whether before or after the time stated herein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of the notice.

SECTION 4. ORDER OF BUSINESS
A. The Executive Board shall determine its rules for the order of business at its meetings.
B. The Governing Board shall determine its rules for the order of business at its meetings.
C. The Annual Meeting shall have its rules for the order of business set by the Governing Board. The membership at large will be informed of the proper method of participation.

SECTION 5. AMENDMENTS These BYLAWS may be altered, amended or repealed and new BYLAWS may be adopted by the two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Governing Board at any regular or special meeting of the Governing Board. This may also be done without meeting as specified in A RTICLE II, SECTION 4. However, written notice must be given 30 days prior to the meeting. This written notice must include both the current and proposed changes.

SECTION 6. GENDER AND NUMBER If the context of any BYLAWS so requires, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall be deemed to include the other or others; and the singular and plural numbers shall each be deemed to include the other.

SECTION 7. MAILING LISTS No mailing list shall be given or sold to any person, group, or business unless the Governing Board grants permission.

SECTION 8. DISSOLUTION Should dissolution become necessary, the Governing Board shall plan for and disburse financial and material assets to another not-for-profit corporation or educational institution.