CONSTITUTION OF THE
GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES
FOR TEACHER EDUCATION
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Georgia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education is to provide, through professional organization and cooperation, for the continuous promotion of ideas and research-based practices which are most effective in the education of professional school personnel in the state of Georgia.
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of the organization shall be the Georgia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Association shall be:
A. To serve as an effective voice for educator preparation institutions at the state level on matters of policy related to educator preparation and licensure.
B. To maintain an effective communication system between the national AACTE and GACTE units.
C. To provide a vehicle for educator preparation institutions within Georgia:
1. To develop and define positions on issues of importance to educator preparation,
2. To address state and national policy and activity, and
3. To design and implement professional learning opportunities for educators of professional school personnel.
D. To improve educator preparation and B-12 education by providing for the interaction and active collaboration of educator preparation institutions among themselves and with other organizations and partnerships.
E. To ensure effective partnerships and high-quality clinical practice that lead to the demonstration of positive impact on all P-12 students’ learning and development.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
A. Comprehensive membership. All regionally accredited colleges and universities which are AACTE member institutions with professional school personnel programs in Georgia are eligible for comprehensive membership. Functions of membership shall be established by institutional representatives appointed in accordance with provisions established in the Bylaws.
B. State membership. All Georgia colleges and universities which meet the following criteria.
1. Must have programs for professional school personnel which are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
2. Must be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
C. Affiliate membership. Georgia institutions, agencies, or organizations not eligible for Comprehensive or State membership status, but which officially and publicly announce that education of professional school personnel is one of their important priorities.
ARTICLE IV – LIASION RELATIONSHIPS
Liaison relationships may be established with associations and agencies with an interest in the preparation of professional school personnel.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
The officers of the Association shall be President, President-Elect, Secretary, Immediate Past President, and Treasurer. Officers are to be elected in accordance with the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VI – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall be elected by institutional representatives in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS
The Association shall have one meeting per year. The one meeting will be the business meeting, and other meetings may be called by the Board of Directors as needed.
ARTICLE VIII – RULES OF ORDER
The rules of parliamentary procedure contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Revised (latest edition) shall govern the deliberation of the Association.
ARTICLE IX – NON-PROFIT STATUS
The Association is not organized for profit, and no part of its funds shall go to the benefit of any member or individual. GACTE shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation of services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purpose set forth in Article II. No substantial part of the activities funded by GACTE shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. GACTE shall not directly or indirectly participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
ARTICLE X – AFFILIATION
The Association shall be affiliated with the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education in accordance with policies established by the National Board of Directors. The policies shall include but not be limited to the following:
A. For purposes of obtaining affiliation of the state unit, membership shall consist of at least two-thirds of the AACTE member institutions in the state.
B. Continuance of affiliation shall be contingent upon:
1. Maintaining a membership of at least two-thirds of the AACTE member institutions in the state.
2. Assurance that the voting rights of comprehensive and state members comprise at least 51 percent of the total voting rights of the state unit.
3. Submission to the national Board of Directors of an Annual State Activity Report to include a review of program and fiscal activities and a certification of members within the state unit.
4. Biennial review by the AACTE Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
Proposed amendments to the constitution shall be submitted in writing to the state Board of Directors by institutional representatives. The state Board of Directors must approve the proposed amendments by a majority vote. After approval by the state Board of Directors, such proposed amendments must be mailed to all member institutions within the state unit at least two weeks before the meeting at which they are to be voted upon, or if the vote is to be taken by mail, at least two weeks before the voting deadline.
Proposed amendments will not become part of this constitution until such proposed amendments are approved in person or by proxy by two-thirds of the members of the state unit and until such proposed amendments are approved by the AACTE Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XII – BYLAWS
Bylaws may be adopted or amended by the Board of Directors subject to a majority vote of institutional representatives from comprehensive and state members at a regular or special meeting and approval of the national Board of Directors.
AACTE approved, 2/22/2016.