Correctional Education Association - Texas

Constitution
Revised 2014
ARTICLE I
Section 1
The name of this organization shall be Correctional Education Association- Texas. It is an
affiliate of the Region V Correctional Education Association and the national organization of the
Correctional Education Association.
Section 2
The official slogan of the Correctional Education Association - Texas shall be Committed to
Excellence in Correctional Education.

ARTICLE II
The purpose of this organization is to:
Section 1:
Maintain leadership in the promotion of quality education and training of the offender
population of Texas and to advance the professionalism of its members.
Section 2:
Foster alignment with the mission of the Correctional Education Association.
Section 3:
Correspond regularly with Region V CEA officers to promote state, regional, and national
priorities.
Section 4:
The organization is organized exclusively for educational purposes under section 501 (c) (3) of
the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Section 5:
Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt
purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or
corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal
government, or to a state or local government, for public purpose. Any such assets not disposed
of shall be disposed of by a court of competent jurisdiction in the county in which the principal
office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization
or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operate exclusively for
such purposes.

ARTICLE III
Section 1:
Membership in the Correctional Education Association - Texas shall be open to anyone
interested in the progress of correctional education.
Section 2:
The annual membership fee of --------- shall be payable to the Correctional Education
Association - Texas. Eligibility for membership in the state chapter shall coincide with
membership in the national Correctional Education Association. National dues are payable to
CEA and collected by the national office.
Section 3:
Voting membership shall be defined as those persons whose dues are current. Each active
member is entitled to vote at any regular business meeting.
ARTICLE IV
Section 1:
The offices of the Correctional Education Association - Texas shall be president, vice-president,
treasurer, and secretary. These offices comprise the executive committee of the Correctional
Education Association - Texas. All officers shall be elected to a term of two years by a simple
majority of the votes cast.
Section2:
Officers shall be nominated by the voting membership upon a call for nominations made by the
executive committee. Only active members whose dues are current and who have a minimum of
two years experience in correctional education are eligible to hold office. The executive
committee shall meet on the call of the any of its members and must convene not less than once
per membership year. All officers shall turn over the public records of his or her office to his or
her successor within thirty days.
Section 3:
In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer,
the vacancy shall be filled by the Executive Committee. In the event the executive committee
names the Vice President to the office, his/her progression must be ratified by the membership at
the next annual meeting. If ratification fails, then an election for President will be held.
Section 4:
The president shall preside over the general meetings of the Correctional Education Association
- Texas and over meetings of the executive committee. The president shall have the power to
appoint committees and/or individuals to perform tasks for the organization.
Section 5:
The vice-president shall automatically assume the office and position of the president upon
normal expiration of the term of office of the president. The vice-president shall also take over
the duties of the president in his or her absence.

Section 6:
The duties of the treasurer shall be to maintain accurate records of all money and disburse funds
at the direction of the organization.
Section 7:
The secretary shall obtain and keep all records of the organization and conduct such
correspondence as the executive committee directs. The secretary shall record minutes of all
meetings of the executive committee and Correctional Education Association - Texas general
meetings as well as maintain a complete and current membership roster for the Texas
Correctional Education Association.
ARTICLE V
Section 1:
It shall be the duty of the executive committee to appoint a nominating committee to conduct the
election of officers.
Section 2:
A nominee must give consent for his or her name to be placed in nomination. The executive
committee shall prepare a slate of candidates for the offices of vice-president, secretary, and
treasurer. The general Correctional Education Association - Texas membership may vote.
ARTICLE VI
Section 1:
The annual conference shall be planned and conducted by the executive committee, as well as
other members appointed by the executive committee.
Section 2:
The executive committee shall meet on the call of any of its members and must convene not less
than once per membership year. The Correctional Education Association - Texas general
membership may meet on the call of the executive committee no less than once per membership
year.
ARTICLE VII
Section 1:
Roberts Rules of Order as well as professional etiquette and common sense shall control the
conduct of all meetings.
Section2:
These articles may be amended at any time by a majority vote of the general membership.
Proposed changes to the constitution shall be made to the executive committee prior to said vote.

CEA- TEXAS CHAPTER

BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
OFFICERS
SECTION 1 The duties of the CEAT President shall be to:
a. Provide leadership to CEAT during his/her term of office.
b. Preside at regular meetings of CEAT and meetings of the Executive Committee.
c. Represent CEAT to other organizational affiliates, especially the American Correctional
Association.
d. Recommend to the Executive Committee the appointments of all chairpersons of standing
committees and persons to fill non-expired terms of office in positions represented on the
Executive Committee.
e. Distribute proportionately and representatively committee appointments through CEAT.
SECTION 2 The duties of the Vice-President shall be to:
a. Serve in the capacity of CEAT President in his/her absence as designated by the President of
the Executive Committee.
b. Serve as chairperson of the Membership Committee.
c. Supervise the promotion of public relations.
SECTION 3 The duties of the Secretary shall be to:
a. Maintain and file all correspondence of CEAT.
b. Record and file minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee and annual chapter
meetings.
c. Maintain a complete and current membership roster for CEAT.
d. Preserve the archives of CEAT.

SECTION 4 The duties of the Treasurer shall be to:

a. Prepare an annual budget and submit to the Executive Committee for approval.
b. Monitor the approved budget.
c. Maintain professionally the financial records.
d. Prepare a written report of the financial condition of CEAT and report this a minimum of once
annually to the membership.
e. Disburse funds as designated by the approved budget or by the Executive Committee.
f. Collect and register all drafts and indebtedness issued to CEAT.

ARTICLE II
ELECTIONS
SECTION 1 For election of officers, the President shall appoint a nominating committee which will
accept and report nominations for new officers.
SECTION 2 The Nominating Committees shall prepare a slate of candidates for the offices of
Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice-President from the nominations received. This slate will be announced to
all chapter members at the annual chapter meeting.
SECTION 3 A nominee must give consent for his/her name to be placed in nomination.
SECTION 4 An opportunity for nominations shall be afforded to the membership at the annual
meeting.
SECTION 5 The results of the election will be announced to the members and sent to CEA and Region
V of CEA.

ARTICLE III
MEETINGS
SECTION 1 Roberts' Rules of Order (Revised Edition) shall control the conduct of all meetings unless
other procedures are specifically designated in this Constitution and By-laws.
SECTION 2 The annual business meeting of CEAT shall be held at a time and place decided upon by
the Executive Board.
a. The President shall preside at the annual meeting.
b. Official matters, unless otherwise stated in the Constitution and Bylaws, shall be decided by a
plurality of those voting members present.
c. The agenda for annual meetings shall include:
(1) The minutes of the pervious meeting(s)
(2) The Treasurer's report
(3) The Presidents report. This report will address any actions taken by the Executive
Committee since the last such report was made and, if timely, the official results of the
election of officers.
(4) The President may request a written report from each committee chairperson at this
time.
SECTION 3 The Executive Committee shall meet at least once per year prior to the annual meeting.
SECTION 4 The President shall prepare and distribute a written agenda to all Executive Committee
members prior to all Executive Committee meetings. The following procedures shall be used at the
Executive Committee meetings.
a. A simple majority of votes shall be necessary to approve business.
b. The minutes of the previous Executive Committee meeting(s) shall be available at the
meeting.
c. All officers and Executive Committee members should be prepared to make a brief report to
the Executive Committee.
d. In addition to the Executive Committee meeting prior to the annual meeting, other Executive
Committee meetings may be called at the time and place designated by the President. In order to
conduct official business, any special meetings must be announced to all Executive Committee
members at least seven days prior to the scheduled meeting. Should such notice not be made, no
official business may be conducted without affirmative vote of a plurality of the total Executive
Committee.

ARTICLE IV
FISCAL POLICY
SECTION 1 The Executive Committee shall authorize and adopt an annual budget. It shall contain
sufficient line item provisions to clarify the amounts budgeted for all offices, committees, and projects
of CEAT and shall contain a general reserve of an amount considered prudent by the Executive
Committee. Expenditures of funds within the adopted budget shall be the prerogative of the Executive
Committee.
SECTION 2 Procedures for fiscal responsibility shall be as follows:
a. Any checks, drafts, and other indebtedness issued to CEAT shall be signed and endorsed by
the recipient and forwarded to the Treasurer.
b. All obligations and indebtedness created in the name of CEAT must have prior approval of the
proper Executive Board member or officer responsible for that program, activity, or project.
c. All check payments shall be issued by the Treasurer and the President in the event the
Treasurer is not able to do it.
d. The funds of CEAT shall be disbursed only for those purposes set forth in the approved
budget or otherwise approved by the Executive Committee.
e. Any source of income to CEAT deemed proper by the Executive Committee may be solicited
and accepted by the Executive Committee.
f. The Treasurer shall report the financial condition of CEAT to the Executive Committee at any
regular or called meeting. The Treasurer at every annual meeting shall make a complete fiscal
report to the general membership.
g. The Treasurer shall submit for audit the annual accounts of CEAT following the close of each
fiscal year. Selection of an auditor for the accounts shall be recommended by the President and
approved by the Executive Committee.
h. All rebates collected from CEA and CEA Region V shall be sent to the Treasurer for deposit.
The Treasurer shall make the names and addresses of the members available to the VicePresident in a timely manner.
SECTION 3 The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of CEAT and is responsible for the
custody and disbursement of all CEAT funds and assets. S/he shall be custodian of the financial records
of CEAT and have charge of the investment of funds, subject to the approval of the Executive
Committee.

ARTICLE V
STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION 1 The President shall annually appoint all committees and nominate all chairpersons, with
the exception of the Membership Committee chairperson, and ad hoc committees as deemed
appropriate.
a. A member may serve on more than one committee.
b. The total number of committee members for each of the standing committees should not
exceed five unless approved by the Director.
c. An annual directory of all officers and committees shall be prepared and distributed to the
membership by the Executive Committee.
SECTION 2 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE. The duties and responsibilities of this committee include
the promotion and renewal of membership for CEA, CEA Region V, and CEAT. The committee is
responsible for conducting membership drives in cooperation with the Executive Committee and the
national and regional CEA Membership Committees, and the distribution of such membership forms or
other materials as may be required. The committee shall work in concert with other committees to
achieve the objectives of CEAT.
SECTION 3 PROGRAM COMMITTEE. The committee shall have the responsibility of coordinating
workshops and training efforts sponsored by CEAT. The committee shall work in concert with other
appropriate committees.
SECTION 4 LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION COMMITTEE. The duties and responsibilities of this
committee include the gathering and dissemination of information concerning current and pending
legislation which has an effect on the education of adjudicated persons. This committee shall work in
concert with other appropriate committees.
SECTION 5 NOMINATING COMMITTEE. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of
candidates for the offices of Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The committee shall work in
concert with other appropriate committees.
SECTION 6 AUDITING COMMITTEE. The duties and responsibilities of this committee shall include
verifying receipt and disbursements and all pertinent financial documents of TCEA and review the
Treasurer's Report before it is presented at the annual meeting. At the end of each Treasurer's official
term, the committee will audit the books. This committee shall work in concert with any other
appropriate committees.
SECTION 7 TEACHER OF THE YEAR. The duties and responsibilities of this committee shall be to
establish procedures for the selection of a teacher of the year, and using these established procedures to
annually choose the Texas Teacher of the Year. This selection shall be in compliance with the Region V
and the national CEA Teacher of the Year schedule.
.

ARTICLE VI
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
SECTION 1: PURPOSE
The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect this tax-exempt organizations
(Organization) interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that
might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Organization or might result in a
possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any
applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and
charitable organizations.
SECTION 2: DEFINITIONS
1. Interested Person
Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with governing board delegated
powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.
2. Financial Interest
A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business,
investment, or family:
a) An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Organization has a
transaction or arrangement,
b) A compensation arrangement with the Organization or with any entity or individual with
which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement, or
c) A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity
or individual with which the Organization is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.
Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not
insubstantial.
A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. Under Article III, Section 2, a person
who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing
board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.
SECTION 3: PROCEDURES
1. Duty to Disclose
In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose
the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts
to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering
the proposed transaction or arrangement.

2. Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists

After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the
interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the
determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or
committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.
3. Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest
a) An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting,
but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote
on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.
b) The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a
disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or
arrangement.
c) After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the
Organization can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement
from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.
d) If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under
circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall
determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or
arrangement is in the Organizations best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and
reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether
to enter into the transaction or arrangement.
4. Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy
a) If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to
disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such
belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.
b) If, after hearing the members response and after making further investigation as warranted by
the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to
disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and
corrective action.
SECTION 4: RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS
The minutes of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall
contain:
a) The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest
in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest,
any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing
boards or committees decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed.
b) The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the
transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the
proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the
proceedings.

SECTION 5: COMPENSATION
a) A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly,
from the Organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that
members compensation.
b) A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and
who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization for services is
precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that members compensation.
c) No voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes
compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the
Organization, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any
committee regarding compensation.
SECTION 6: ANNUAL STATEMENTS
Each director, principal officer and member of a committee with governing board delegated
powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:
a) Has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy,
b) Has read and understands the policy,
c) Has agreed to comply with the policy, and
d) Understands the Organization is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption
it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.
SECTION 7: PERIODIC REVIEWS
To ensure the Organization operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does
not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be
conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:
a) Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey
information, and the result of arms length bargaining.
b) Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations
conform to the Organizations written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable
investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes and do not result in
inurement, impermissible private benefit or in an excess benefit transaction.
SECTION 8: USE OF OUTSIDE EXPERTS
When conducting the periodic reviews as provided for in Article VII, the Organization may, but
need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the
governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.

ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 1 All written correspondence in the name of CEAT should be conducted on organizational
stationary.
a. It is the responsibility of the President to have stationary available.
b. Copies of all correspondence pertinent to actions of the President or Executive Committee
that are written on official stationary shall be maintained by the Secretary
SECTION 2 The place of business of CEAT is the office of the President or at such place as may be
designated by the President. The Treasurer shall maintain an office and mailing address that may be
different than that of the President to ensure timely receipt of fiscal items.

ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1 The Constitution and Bylaws of CEAT may be amended in accordance with this article.
SECTION 2 The President shall appoint a committee to draft, review, or edit proposed amendments.
The recommendations of said committee shall be forwarded to the Executive Committee.
SECTION 3 The Executive Committee shall refer to the Secretary for distribution of the final drafts of
any proposed amendments to the voting membership. The Secretary shall conduct a mail ballot of the
voting membership.
SECTION 4 Ballots must be mailed by the Secretary and returned to the Secretary by the voting
members within a one-month period.
SECTION 5 Only sealed envelopes signed on either the outside or inside by a validated voter will be
counted.
SECTION 6 All ballots must contain the precise wording of the existing portion of the passages to be
amended, and if any, the proposed alteration.
SECTION 7 The ballots will be tabulated at the office of the President or at a location otherwise
designated by the President.
SECTION 8 The President shall appoint a tabulation committee to tally and verify balloting results.
Any member of the Executive Committee shall not verify balloting.
SECTION 9 Results of the balloting will be presented upon verification and declared official by the
President, unless contested by a member or members within ten days.