(Amended 1/21/05)
ARTICLE I NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Mohawk Valley Community College Professional Association, herein referred to as the Association.
ARTICLE II MISSION
The Mohawk Valley Community College Professional Association is the sole collective bargaining agent representing the faculty and non-administrative professional staff of the college. The Professional Association is a vehicle to address issues and forces affecting the professional lives of the employees it represents.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIPS
Section 1. Active membership in the Association shall be open to all professional personnel as defined in the recognition article of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Section 2. Any employee eligible for membership may become a voting member of the Mohawk Valley Community College Professional Association by applying to the Treasurer of the Association and signing a membership affirmation card. Voting membership in the Association shall be continuous until the individual member resigns by letter to the President of the Association.
Section 3. Individuals who retire from a bargaining unit position may continue as non-voting, non-dues paying members, if they notify the President of the Association of their desire in writing. Their membership shall continue until the retiree resigns through written notification to the President of the Association. The Association shall not represent them nor negotiate on their behalf.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS
The officers of the Association shall be President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
ARTICLE V EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the officers of the Association, the Chair of the Grievance Committee, the Chair of the Negotiations Committee, the Chair of the Political Outreach Committee, the Chair of the Community Outreach Committee, the Chair of the Research and Records Committee, the Chair of the Education and Training Committee, the Chair of the MVCC Professional Association Benefits Trust Fund, and the Immediate Past President.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall be the administrative authority of the Association.
Section 3. The Executive Board shall be vested with the power to authorize the expenditure of the Association assets as outlined by the annual budget of the Association. Extraordinary expenses of a character to require assessment of levies upon the membership must be approved by a simple majority of those voting.
ARTICLE VI AFFILIATION
Section 1. The Association may affiliate with any labor union it deems necessary.
Section 2. Both affiliation and disaffiliation shall be considered at two (2) consecutive meetings of the Association, with any ballot on the matter being cast at the second meeting. A change in affiliation with a labor union requires a three-fourths (3/4) affirmative vote of the total Association membership eligible to vote.
ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS
An amendment to this constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the total Association membership eligible to vote. Amending legislation must be introduced and distributed to the membership at least fourteen (14) calendar days in advance of the meeting at which the voting will take place.
ARTICLE VIII RATIFICATION
Section 1. The proposed Constitution and By-laws must be approved by the Executive Board before presentation to the total Association membership eligible to vote.
Section 2. The total Association membership eligible to vote will be provided a written copy of the proposed Constitution and By-laws.
Section 3. Voting on the Constitution and By-laws shall take place not later than fourteen (14) calendar days after its distribution to the total Association membership eligible to vote. A simple majority of those voting is required for adoption.