SECTION 1 - PREAMBLE, GOAL AND RATIONALE

The Association for Educational Communications and Technology brings together individuals who are actively engaged in the field of educational communications and technology to enhance their individual and cooperative creativity and productivity. The mission of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology is to promote the effective design and use of technologies in the teaching/learning process, worldwide.

* In support of this mission, leadership will be demonstrated through a continuous effort to:
… define those disciplines and professional activities that make up educational communications and technology;
… accommodate, serve, and represent professionals and professional activities in educational communications and technology;
… develop those elements and attributes that enhance the professional stature of educational communications and technology;
… actively promote the improvement in learning environments through the use of educational communications and technology.

SECTION 2 - MEMBERSHIP

(a) The types of memberships shall be determined by the Board to best attain the objectives of the Association.

(b) The Board shall determine the privileges of the types of memberships and the duration of such privileges.

(c) The Board shall publish information on types of membership, attendant privileges, dues, and publications.

SECTION 3 - DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

(a) The basic dues of the Association shall be determined by the Board and shall include subscriptions to such publications as may be determined by the Board.

(b) The annual dues to be paid by Foreign Affiliates and students, and the publications of the Association to which they shall be entitled, shall be determined by the Board.

(c) The Board may authorize special subscription rates to publications of the Association for special groups of subscribers.

SECTION 4 - MEETINGS

There shall be an announced annual convention of the Association at such time and place as may be determined by the Board of Directors. For all persons attending any meeting or convention, there may be a registration fee fixed by the Board of Directors. Special meetings and joint meetings with related societies shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(a) The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers of the Association (4) President, President-Elect, Secretary/ Treasurer, immediate Past-President, plus the following directors elected by preferential ballot to serve staggered three-year terms: one (1) director elected from each Council of Affiliates; one (1) director from each division. Additionally, the President shall be empowered to appoint one (1) director to represent the business/industry membership of the Association.

(b) A vacancy in the elected membership of the Board of Directors shall be filled by appointment by the body. A person so appointed shall serve for the unexpired term of the Board member being replaced.

(c) A majority shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors.

(d) Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held not less frequently than semi-annually at a time and in a manner to be specified by a vote of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have authority to take such actions as are necessary for the conduct of the Association's affairs in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws.

(e) The Board of Directors shall designate five members of its group as an Executive Committee which shall have and exercise the authority of the Board of Directors in the intervals between the meetings of that body. The President of the Association shall serve as Chairperson of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Immediate Past President, and one member of the elected Board of Directors selected by the Board as a whole.

SECTION 6 - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Board of Directors shall hire an Executive Director for the Association. This person is responsible for managing the national headquarters office, for performing duties as directed by the Board, and for reporting to the Board on activities, financial status, management, and personnel matters of the Association. The terms and conditions of employment shall be established by the Board. An annual performance review will be made prior to any change in contractual or compensation considerations pertaining to employment.

SECTION 7 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The President, President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, and immediate Past-President shall perform the duties of their respective offices and such other duties as may be approved by the Board of Directors. The President-Elect shall serve the second year as President and the third year as Immediate Past-President

(a) The President of the Association shall be the executive head of the organization, shall preside at all business meetings, and shall carry out the instructions of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.

(b) In the absence of the President, the President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President. Further delegations of authority shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

(c) The specific duties of the Secretary-Treasurer shall be as prescribed by the Board of Directors.

(d) The specific duties of the immediate Past-President shall be as prescribed by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 8 - APPOINTMENTS

The Board of Directors shall appoint all other officers of the Association not provided for and shall fix the compensation of paid employees.

SECTION 9 - CALENDAR

(a) The fiscal year of the Association shall begin September 1.

(b) The President and other elected officers, directors elected from Divisions, and directors elected from Councils shall assume their responsibilities during the annual convention. In the event an annual convention is not held, they shall assume their responsibilities twelve months after the preceding convention and annually thereafter at twelve-month intervals until a convention is held.

SECTION 10 - NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OFFICE

The Association shall maintain a national headquarters office for the promotion of the objectives of the Association, its Divisions, and Affiliates. The national headquarters office shall be established at such place and with such facilities as the Board may direct. The Executive Director shall direct activities of the national headquarters office. He or she shall report annually on the operations of the national headquarters office to the Board of Directors.

SECTION 11 - COMMITTEES

There shall be three types of committees:

(a) Governance committees of the Association shall consist of a Nominating Committee, an Executive Committee, and an Ethics Committee. Other governance committees as needed may be established by the Board or the President.

(b) Standing committees shall be established as needed to carry out the goals, objectives, and policies of the Association. The chairpersons and members of the various standing committees shall be appointed by the President-Elect and shall serve a term of office as indicated in the official letter of appointment, generally three years.

(c) The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, may establish and appoint Task Forces and Ad Hoc Committees to complete specified tasks and/or duties.

(d) Standing committees may be dissolved for good and sufficient reason by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 12 - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

(a) By November 1, the President-Elect designate shall appoint a Nominating Committee of not less than nine members representing the Association by geographic location, levels of education, types of position and sex/race, to the extent that it is possible and practical. The chairperson of this committee shall be the Immediate Past-President.

(b) The Nominating Committee shall meet during the annual convention to discuss criteria and potential candidates. A public call for nominations shall be through print and/or electronic means as determined by the Board of Directors and Association leaders shall be solicited for nominations. Nominations shall be closed no later than September 1 of the following year, to allow sufficient time for potential candidates to submit documentation for review and ranking by the Nominating Committee.

(c) By December 15, the Nominating Committee shall prepare an official ballot listing two nominees for President-Elect, two nominees for Secretary/Treasurer (every third year) with the provision for write-in candidates. Not later than April 1 following, the Executive Director shall present the official ballot with biographical sketches to each member in good standing through print and/or electronic means.

(d) The Nominating Committee shall determine the eligibility of nominees and ascertain that all the nominees for any office are willing to stand for office. Eligibility shall consist of membership in the Association.

(e) Individuals selected to be on the ballot in the general association election President-Elect, Secretary/Treasurer may not simultaneously be candidates for election to the Board from Council(s) or a Division.

(f) Forty-five (45) days after presentation of the final ballot, the Nominating Committee shall close the election. The Executive Director shall be responsible for counting the votes. Tie votes shall be resolved by a vote of the Board of Directors. The election results shall be reported by the Executive Director to the general membership no later than June 1.

SECTION 13 - PUBLICATIONS

The Association shall publish and provide to all members an official periodical. This may be in a print or electronic format as determined by the Board of Directors . The Board of Directors shall establish a Publication Board or Boards as required. Journals, reports, proceedings and other documents shall be published as authorized by the Board of Directors or the Executive Director working in consultation with the Executive Committee.

SECTION 14 - DIVISIONS

(a) Divisions may be organized to represent major educational communications and technology areas and professional interests that lie within the national or international scope of the Association.

(b) Each AECT member in designated categories will receive membership in a Division or Divisions of his or her choice Members shall not be required to maintain a divisional affiliation. All Division members must be members of the Association.

(c) A Division shall be established whenever two percent (2%) or more of the members of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology petition for it and the Board approves. A two-thirds (2/3) majority approval of the Board is required for the establishment of a new Division. Divisions, when formed from existing societies or organized as new societies, may use the society name provided they append it to the phrase: "A Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology." A Division may affiliate itself with any regional, state, or local group interested in the concerns of the Division.

(d) A Division may be dissolved by the Board when:

* (1) the number of Division members falls below one percent (1%) of the members of the Association, or
* (2) the Division votes to recommend dissolution. A Division may also be dissolved for good and sufficient reason by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board.

(e) A Division has freedom to pursue matters within its professional or academic area that are not reserved to the Association and the Board. It may determine the right to vote of its members on Divisional matters, provided that a Division may engage in no activity which is, in the opinion of the Board, inconsistent with the purposes and objectives of the Association or which is inconsistent with the tax exempt status of the Association. The Board shall at least annually review the activities of each Division and shall at all times have the right to prohibit any activity not consistent with this subparagraph.

(f) A Division shall have a President, a director on the Association Board, a Webmaster, and a Secretary and such other officers as it may desire.

(g) A Division will draw up its own Bylaws and rules of procedure which shall be consistent with those of the Association and its tax status and file them with the Executive Director of the Association. Committees proposed by the Division which are more properly committees of the Association may become committees of the Association upon recommendation of the Board of Directors.

(h) Each Division shall annually submit a budget to the Board reflecting its financial requirements for the following year. The Board may allocate Association funds as deemed appropriate for Division activities. Funds so allocated shall be expended by the Division strictly in accordance with the budget approved by the Board.

SECTION 15 - AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

(a) Any active local, state, regional, national or international organization whose interests and purposes are similar to those of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, and whose constitution and bylaws are consistent with the constitution and bylaws of the Association, and whose membership includes the number of AECT members stipulated in sub-paragraphs (1) through (4) below, may, upon written request and on approval of the Executive Committee of the Board become affiliated with the Association for Educational Communications and Technology to work together more effectively in the achievement of their common goals. Each affiliated organization shall report annually to the Board of Directors of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology the names and addresses of all members, the nature and extent of its program(s) and any changes in the organization and purpose.

(b) There shall be five (5) types of affiliated organizations: State, Regional, National, International, and Chapter.

* (1) State Affiliate: Each state educational communications and technology association representing an entire state may affiliate provided that the President and the President-Elect of the state association are members of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology. Any state association wishing to initiate a new affiliation with AECT or reinstatement of affiliation which has been discontinued, must within three (3) years have as members 25 joint members of AECT or twenty (20) percent of its membership, whichever is less.
* (2) Regional Affiliate: Any regional professional organization concerned with educational communications and technology and not eligible to become a chapter, state, national, or international affiliate may upon written request and approval of the Executive Committee of the Board, affiliate with the Association as a Regional Affiliate. It is required that the President and President-Elect and at least 25 members or twenty (20) percent of the Regional Association's, whichever is less, members be active members in the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.
* (3) National Affiliate: Any national professional organization concerned with educational communications and technology and not eligible to become a chapter, state, regional, or international affiliate may, upon written request and approval of the Executive Committee of the Board, affiliate with the Association as a National Affiliate. It is required that the President and President-Elect and a minimum of 25 members or twenty (20) percent, whichever is less, of the National Association's members be active members in the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.
* (4) International Affiliate: Any international professional organization concerned with educational communications and technology and not eligible to become a chapter, state, regional or national affiliate may upon written request and approval of the Executive Committee of the Board, affiliate with the Association as an International Affiliate. It is required that the President and President-Elect and a minimum of 25 members or twenty (20) percent, whichever is less, of the international affiliate be active members in the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.
* (5) Chapter Affiliate: Any group of individuals concerned with educational communications and technology on a university campus or in a city/metropolitan area or regional and not eligible to become a state, regional, or national affiliate may, upon written request and approval of the Executive Committee of the Board, affiliate with the Association as a Chapter Affiliate. After a two (2) year probationary period, it is required that the President and President-Elect and a minimum of 25 members or twenty (20) percent, whichever is less, of the National Association's members be active members in the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.

(c) The Board shall determine what privileges of the Association may be granted to the Affiliates, including Council representation.

(d) The Board of Directors of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology may sever the affiliation of an affiliate organization with the Association when it no longer is in the best interests of the Association and after notification of the affiliate's officers that termination has been voted by two-thirds (2/3) of the Board present and voting.

(e) Affiliated organizations are represented on the Board of Directors through the:

* Council of State Affiliates
* Council of International, National, Regional, and Chapter affiliates.

Each Council shall be entitled to elect a board representative.

SECTION 16 - PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

(a) Adherence to the AECT Code of Ethics shall be a condition of membership in the Association.

(b) A Professional Ethics Committee shall be appointed by the Board. The committee shall, after due notice and hearing, have power to censure, suspend, or expel any member for violation of the code subject to review by the Board of Directors.

(c) A member may, within sixty (60) days after receiving notice of action by the Professional Ethics Committee, file an appeal of the decision in writing with the Board. The Board will then take action on the appeal.

SECTION 17 - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Robert's Rules of Order Revised, in the latest edition, shall govern the Association in all cases to which it can be applied and in which it is not inconsistent with the Constitution, the Bylaws, or special rules of order of the Association.

SECTION 18 - AMENDMENTS TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

The members of the Association may vote by mail on amendments to the Articles of Incorporation.

SECTION 19 - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

(a) Proposals for amendment of the Bylaws may originate in the Board or in the Councils or a Division. A proposed amendment to the Bylaws or a new Bylaw shall be ratified upon approval by two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board present and voting at a meeting of the Board.

(b) A proposal for amending the Bylaws may originate by a petition submitted to the Board by one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the active members as of the date of submission of the petition. The proposed amendment shall be declared ratified upon approval by two-thirds (2/3) of the Board members voting at a Board meeting.

By-laws as amended and ratified 8/2/99