Ohio School
Psychologists Association
Constitution |
REVISED MAY, 2006
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ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE
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1. The name of this organization shall be the Ohio
School Psychologists Association, hereinafter referred to as the
Association, not for profit.
2. The mission of the Ohio School Psychologists Association is
to serve the citizens of Ohio by working collaboratively with
all learners, families, educators, and others to address the learning
and mental health needs of children and youth.
3. The purposes of the Association, not for profit, shall be:
a. To advocate for the educational and mental health
needs of children, adults and families;
b. To contribute to the advancement of ethical, legal,
and professional standards for the practice of school psychology;
c. To extend professional growth and development opportunities
to school psychologists;
d. To promote research relative to the practice of school
psychology;
e. To encourage the publication of information contributing
to the advancement and practice of school psychology as a profession.
The foregoing clauses shall be construed both as objects and
powers; and it is, hereby, expressly provided that the foregoing
enumeration of the specific powers shall not be held to limit
or restrict in any manner the powers of this Association, and
are in furthermore of, and in addition to, and not in limitation
of, the general powers conferred by the laws of this state and
the Revised Code of Ohio, Chapter l702.01 through 1702.58 inclusive
and any amendments thereto.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
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1. All membership applications shall be approved by the Executive
Board.
2. Annual dues and special assessments shall be established for
each membership category, with the exception of honorary life
membership. Dues and assessments shall be recommended by the Executive
Board subject to approval by the voting membership of the Association.
3. Dues shall be payable at the beginning of the fiscal year
and shall entitle the member to membership privileges for that
year.
4. Membership categories shall be determined by the Executive
Board.
5. Severance of membership:
a. Membership shall be terminated for non-payment of dues as
determined by Executive Board policy;
b. A member may be expelled for violation of the OSPA Code of
Ethics if recommended by the Professional Ethics and Standards
Committee and approved by the Executive Board. A member may have
the right of appeal.
ARTICLE III
EXECUTIVE BOARD
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1. Voting members of the Executive Board shall be the officers
of the Association and regional representatives as established
by the Operations Manual. Additional Executive Board members may
be appointed but shall have no vote. All members of the Executive
Board must be voting members of the Association.
2. Duties of the Executive Board:
a. While the basic responsibility for the functioning of the Association
rests with the total membership, the Executive Board shall exercise
general management of the affairs of the Association;
b. The Executive Board shall have and exercise the general direction,
control and management of the activities and business of the Association.
It shall have ample power to purchase, to lease, to pledge and
sell any personal or real property of the Association and to make
contracts and agreements on behalf of the Association, as it may
be deemed needful and convenient for the Association's purposes
and operations. In the case of sale or purchase of real property,
an affirmative vote by two-thirds (2/3) majority of the total
Board membership is required. Such transactions shall be publicized
to the Association's general membership prior to Board action;
c. The Executive Board shall administer any donations, grants
or bequests;
d. Upon affirmative vote by two-thirds (2/3) of the members present
and voting, the Executive Board may establish such administrative
offices and the terms, tenure, conditions of employment, and compensation
thereof, as may be necessary and advisable for the further accomplishment
of the purposes of this Association;
e. The Executive Board shall require adequate bonds on the employees
of the Association as deemed necessary.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
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1. The officers of the Association shall be the President, President-elect,
Immediate Past- President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
2. The President, the President-elect, Immediate Past President,
and Secretary shall serve one (1) term. The President-elect and
Secretary shall be elected by the voting membership of the Association.
The office of President shall be filled by succession, of the
President-elect to the Presidency.
3. The Treasurer shall serve a term of three (3) years and shall
be elected by the voting membership of the Association. An individual
may serve in this position for no more than two terms.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
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1. The Executive Board shall meet at the discretion of the President
or by written petition of twenty-five (25) percent of the voting
members of the Executive Board. In order to conduct business,
a quorum of a simple majority of the voting members of the Executive
Board shall be present. The results of meetings of the Executive
Board shall be reported to the membership.
2. The general membership of the Association shall meet at least
once each fiscal year at a time and place to be determined by
the Executive Board. Members shall receive timely notice of the
time and place of the meetings. In order to conduct business,
a quorum of ten (10) percent of the voting membership shall be
required. The results of meetings of the Association shall be
reported to the membership.
ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEES
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1. There shall be standing and other committees appointed to fulfill
the functions of the Association. The duties of the standing committees
shall be described in the Operations Manual.
2. The President, subject to a two-thirds vote in the affirmative
by the Executive Board, shall have the power to recommend the
addition, deletion or change of a standing committee with the
exception of the nominations and elections and fiscal advisory
committees and the Executive Board.
3. Other committees may be appointed by the President at any
time.
4. The President will appoint the chairs of standing and other
committees with the advice and approval of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII
LIAISON WITH OTHER PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES
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With approval of two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board,
liaison positions may be established to facilitate communication
and cooperation between this Association and other non-profit
organizations and agencies of similar purpose.
ARTICLE VIII
REGIONAL AFFILIATION AND REPRESENTATION
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Regional organizations of school psychologists in Ohio may
affiliate with this Association. Association members within each
region shall be entitled to representation on the Executive Board.
1. In order to affiliate with this Association, regional organizations
of school psychologists in Ohio must meet the following criteria:
a. Membership in the regional organization must include at least
ten (10) voting members of the Ohio School Psychologists Association,
and;
b. The regional organization shall have adopted a constitution
and elected officers as provided in that Constitution.
2. Regional organizations seeking affiliation shall submit a
Constitution to the Executive Board of this Association. Requests
for affiliation must be approved by two thirds (2/3) of the total
voting membership of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IX
VOTING
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1. Unless otherwise specified within the Constitution, all business
shall be based on a simple majority of the votes cast. Results
of elections of officers and representatives shall be determined
on the basis of plurality.
2. Election of officers and representatives shall be conducted
by mail ballot.
3. Other business requiring action by the membership:
a. May be conducted at a meeting of the Association or by mail
ballot;
b. Ballots shall contain relevant information pertaining to the
issue(s);
c. Ballots shall be mailed at least thirty (30) days before the
closing date for their return;
d. The outcome of the balloting shall be included in the minutes
of the Association.
ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS
1. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority
of the votes cast at a meeting of the Association or by mail ballot.
Proposed amendments must be presented to the membership in writing
in advance of the meeting at which they will be considered or
in the same mailing that contains the mail ballot.
2. Amendments to the Constitution and the by-laws may be proposed
by the Executive Board or written petition by ten (10) percent
of the voting membership of the Association. Such petitions shall
be submitted to the Executive Board for verification of validity,
following which the Executive Board shall present the proposed
amendment to the membership as provided in this Article.
3. The Constitution, Operations Manual, and Code of Ethics shall
be reviewed at least every five (5) years. Amendments shall be
proposed as necessary to ensure the continued effective and efficient
functioning of the Association. Such proposed amendments shall
be subject to the approval of the Executive Board and shall be
adopted in accordance with the specifications of this Article.
ARTICLE XI
RULES OF ORDER
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The rules contained in the latest revision of Robert's Rules
of Order shall govern the Association in all cases to which they
are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this
Constitution, the Operations Manual, special rules of the Association,
or the statutes of the state of Ohio applicable to corporations
not for profit and any amendments thereto.
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