NORTHAMPTON ASSOCIATION of SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

Constitution and Bylaws

(Revised April 2017)

I. NAME
The name of this organization will be the Northampton Association of School
Employees, Inc.

II. PURPOSE
A. To maintain and improve the quality of education for all.
B. To uphold high professional standards and to advance the socio-economic well-being
of educators.
C. To engage in any other related activity as is consistent with the law.

III. MEMBERSHIP
Any regularly appointed teacher, supervisor, administrator, secretary, educational support
professional, library aide, nurse, cafeteria worker, custodian or bus driver in the public
schools of the city, or Smith Vocational School may become a member of the NASE by
paying the three-way membership dues: NASE, MTA, and NEA.

IV. OFFICERS
The officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications
Officer and Professional Rights and Responsibilities Chairperson. In addition, each
bargaining unit represented by the NASE shall elect, to the same term of office as the
President of the Association, a Chapter Coordinator, who shall be entitled to a seat on the
Executive Board.

V. EXECUTIVE BOARD
There shall be an Executive Board of which the aforesaid officers plus the Past-President
shall be members.

VI. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

There shall be an Executive Committee, which shall consist of:
A. The members of the Executive Board.
B. Two (2) delegates from each school representing the teacher chapter.
C. Two (2) at-large delegates representing each other chapter.
D. Each school will also be entitled to one (1) delegate (from any chapter) for every
additional fifteen (15) members beyond the first thirty (30) members in the building.

VII. POWERS OF THE OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
A. Shall be empowered to call: meetings of the Executive Board, the Executive
Committee, and general membership meetings. Shall be compelled to call special
meetings of the Executive Board or Executive Committee upon written request of three
(3) members; and general meetings upon the written request of fifteen (15) members.
B. Shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and the Executive Committee.
C. Shall appoint sub-committees when necessary.
D. Shall be empowered to determine what an emergency is.
E. After the completion of the term, the President becomes a voting member of the
Executive Committee and will act as an advisor to the new President.
F. The President shall be elected for a two-year term and may run for successive terms
without limits.
G. The President will receive $3,775 per annum.
H. Shall represent the Association before the administration, the School Committee,
Smith Vocational School Board of Trustees, the media, and all affiliated organizations.
I. Shall attend meetings of the Northampton School Committee and Smith Vocational
Board of Trustees; or assign members of the Executive Board, on a rotating basis, to
attend those meetings.
J. Shall present a report at the Executive Committee meeting, orally if present or in
writing if unable to attend, describing his/her actions on behalf of the Association,
progress on issues affecting members, and other matters of interest to the Executive
Committee.
K. Shall maintain all membership records for all units and act as liaison between Chapter
Coordinators, HR, MTA, and NASE Treasurer. Shall be responsible for new hires,
terminations, retirees, and current membership.

VICE-PRESIDENT
A. Shall be empowered to assume all of the duties of the President during the Presidents
absence.
B. The Vice-President will act as assistant to the President.
C. The Vice-President will receive $2,025 per annum.
D. Shall represent the Association when directed before the administration, the School
Committee, Smiths Board of Trustees, local, state, and national professional
organizations.
E. Shall perform such other duties as properly pertain to the office or as directed by the
Executive Board or the Executive Committee.
F. Shall be responsible for keeping membership informed of all legislative matters of
concern to said members.
G. Shall perform the function of the Association Parliamentarian.

TREASURER
A. Shall be empowered to collect, hold, and disperse the funds of the Association with
the approval of the Executive Committee.
B. Shall prepare periodic reports of the financial condition of the Association for
Executive Committee and/or the Annual Meeting.
C. Will receive $1,825 per annum.

SECRETARY
A. Shall be in charge of correspondence concerning the business of the Executive Board
and the Executive Committee.
B. Shall be responsible for keeping the NASE Constitution and By-Laws updated and for
keeping the Executive Board and Executive Committee informed of all constitutional
obligations.
C. Shall be empowered to record and keep all minutes of meetings of the Executive
Board and the Executive Committee and shall submit a written report of the Executive
Committee meeting minutes to the respective Association bodies.
D. Will receive $1,525 per annum.

PROFESSIONAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES COMMITTEE CHAIR

A. Shall be in charge of maintaining membership of said committee according to Bylaws,
especially building representation.
B. Shall keep the Executive Board privy to all information relative to contract
maintenance issues necessary to keep policy up to date for the Association, and especially
relative to maintaining collective bargaining posture and dealing with new issues and new
strategic implementation.
C. Shall assist the other officers of the Executive Board in executing their responsibilities
wherever and whenever the need shall arise, as assigned by the President.
D. Will receive $1,825 per annum.

CHAPTER COORDINATOR
A. Shall have full voting rights on the Executive Board.
B. Shall be empowered to call meetings of the bargaining unit which she/he represents.
C. Shall be the contact person for all negotiations issues, grievances, and any other
matters of importance to the purpose of the Association; provided that such authority
shall not be exercised contrary to the overall purpose of the NASE.
D. Shall appoint the negotiations team for his/her unit, subject to the approval of the
Executive Board, and policies as established by the NASE.
E. Shall coordinate the processing and resolution of employee complaints and grievances
with the Grievance Committee and the Grievance Committee Chair.
F. The Teacher Chapter Coordinator will receive $775 per annum, the ESP Chapter
Coordinator will receive $305 per annum, the Smith Vocational Chapter Coordinator will
receive $775 per annum, the Clerical Chapter Coordinator will receive $465 per annum,
the Custodian Chapter Coordinator will receive $465 per annum, and the Cafeteria
Chapter Coordinator will receive $305 per annum. In addition, Chapter Coordinators
representing chapters with 51100 members will be paid a stipend of $250, 101200
members will be paid a stipend of $300; 201 or more members will be paid a stipend of
$350.
G. Shall act as liaison between the President and chapter members.
H. Shall distribute new member materials and contracts, collect completed forms, and
distribute agency fee materials when necessary.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
A. Shall maintain the NASE web presence.
B. Shall chair the Public Relations Committee.
C. Will receive $1,525 per annum.
D. Will be appointed by the President.

VIII. POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A. Shall transact all business pertaining to the Association other than those items later
enumerated in this Constitution. (See X, XIV, XV.)
B. Shall arrange for periodic audits of the accounts of the Treasurer.

IX. POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

In cases of emergencies, the Executive Board shall be empowered to transact all
necessary business without the approval of the Executive Committee.

X. ELECTIONS
The President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Professional Rights and
Responsibilities Committee Chair shall be elected by ballot at the Annual Meeting of the
Association. Any member in good standing is eligible to run for office. Within one (1)
week after the Annual Meeting, the President shall appoint one (1) member in each
school to supervise an election by ballot of delegates to serve on the Executive
Committee, and their names shall be forwarded by said appointee to the Secretary.

XI. TERM OF OFFICE

The term of office of the officers of the Association shall extend from July 1 following
the Annual meeting to June 30 the following year. A transition period for the newly
elected officers shall occur from the time of the Annual Meeting until they assume their
offices.

XII. VACANCIES
A vacancy on the Executive Committee may be filled for the unexpired term by a special
election at any time by the members in whose representation it occurs. A vacancy among
the officers shall be filled for the unexpired term from the Executive Committee. In the
event of a deadlock in the Executive Committee, a vacancy in the offices of President,
Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Professional Rights and Responsibilities Chair
shall be filled for the unexpired term by a vote from the floor at a general meeting of the
NASE.

XIII. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

Any officer of the NASE may be removed from holding office. Removal procedure will
consist of the following steps:
A. A petition requesting a special meeting for the purpose of removing an officer must be
presented to the delegates at a regularly scheduled meeting. Said petition must have at
least ten (10) signatures of current members.
B. Delegates will vote on said petition. If a majority favors removal, a special meeting of
the Association will be set up within two (2) weeks.
C. If two-thirds (2/3) of those members present at the special meeting vote for removal,
the officer is immediately relieved of all duties. Salary will be pro-rated for percent of
term served.
D. A special election will be held within one (1) month to fill the vacancy.

XIV. MEETINGS
A. The Annual Meeting of the Association for the election of officers and for further
business and reports shall be held on the last Wednesday in April. The Executive
Committee shall decide upon the number and the character of all other Association
meetings.
B. The Executive Committee shall meet once a month during the school year.
C. The Executive Board shall meet at least once a month. This meeting should occur
before the regularly scheduled Executive Committee meeting, and its business shall
include construction of an agenda for said committee meeting.

XV. DUES
A. Each member of the Association shall pay annual dues, the sum of which shall be
determined at the Annual Meeting by a majority vote of those present. Dues will either be
deducted through the payroll office or paid in full to the NASE Treasurer by December
31st of each year.
B. Special assessments may be voted by a majority of those present at any regular or
special meeting of the Association. Such assessments may be used for general operating
expenses or special projects.

XVI. ADOPTIONS AND AMENDMENTS

A. This Constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of any general meeting of
the Association of this city at which not less than one-half (1/2) of the members in this
city shall be present.
B. This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the Association by a two-
thirds (2/3) vote of the members present provided that the proposed amendment or
amendments have been presented in written form to the members of the Associations
Executive Committee at least ten (10) days before the meeting at which the vote is to be
taken. Such amendments must be read and explained to the members of the Association
before a vote is taken.

XVII. QUORUM
A. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Association membership shall constitute a quorum
at a regular meeting.
B. Twenty-five percent (25%) of Chapter membership shall constitute a quorum for a
Chapter meeting.
C. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the delegates and officers present shall constitute a
quorum for an Executive Committee meeting.
D. A quorum for Executive Board and standing committees shall be a majority of the
members.

XVIII. STANDING COMMITTEES

A. Public Relations
B. Professional Improvement/Negotiating
C. Scholarship
D. Nominating
E. Professional Rights and Responsibilities

XIX. POLICIES
A. Scholarship to High School Student (Amount to be determined by a majority vote of
the members at the Annual Meeting.)
B. Affiliated with the MTA and NEA.
C. Send delegation to the NEA Convention (Budget to be decided by the Executive
Committee).
D. Send delegation to the MTA Convention (Budget to be decided by the Executive
Committee).

E. Negotiation Teams:
1. Membership on all of the following negotiating teams is contingent upon being a
member in good standing of the NASE.
2. Teams shall be made up of NASE members from the public school system who will
negotiate with the Northampton School Committee and NASE members from Smith
Vocational and Agricultural High School who will negotiate with the SVAHS Board of
Trustees.
3. Teams should be representative of all members of the Chapter; i.e.:
Teachers: Teachers Team should include teachers from senior high, middle
school, and elementary, counselors, coordinators, department heads, special education,
coaches, etc.
Administrators: Administrators Team should include elementary, middle school,
senior high, directors, etc.
Nurses: Nurses Team should include nurses from elementary, middle school and
high school.
Smith School: Smith School teachers should include academic teachers, trade
teachers, special education, counselors, etc.
Educational Support Professionals: Educational Support Professionals Team
should include ESPs from elementary, middle school, and senior high, and the special
collections, etc.
Secretaries: Secretarial Team should include secretaries from the district
administrative offices, elementary school, middle school, and high school.
Cafeteria Workers: Cafeteria Workers Team should include cafeteria workers
from the elementary schools, middle school, and high school.
Custodial Workers/Bus Drivers: Custodial Workers/Bus Drivers Team should
include custodial workers/bus drivers from the elementary schools, middle school, and
high school.
(Any new chapters team should be made up in a similarly representative
manner.)
4. At least one (1) member of each Negotiating Team shall have served during the
previous round of negotiations.
5. Membership of each team shall be approved by the Executive Board.
6. The President of the NASE or the Presidents designee shall be a member of all
chapter teams.
7. Each team shall elect a chairperson and a secretary.
8. Teams shall report to the Executive Committee as necessary.

F. Finance: The Executive Board is to submit a budget to the Executive Committee for
approval by the time of the first meeting of new delegates in June. The funds of the
Association may be expended only in matters consistent with the objectives of the
Association.
G. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of representatives from each public
school level and from the Vocational School. Requests for volunteers for this committee
shall be made at the February delegates meeting. No person considering running for
office can be a member of the Nominating Committee.
H. The Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee shall be composed of one (1)
member from Northampton High School, one (1) from the middle school, one (1) from
the elementary schools, one (1) member from Administrators Chapter and one (1)
member from the Smith Vocational and Agricultural Chapter. This committee shall
develop Association positions on all matters pertaining to rights of Association members,
especially grievance procedures.