CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this nonprofit educational organization shall be the Michigan Business

Education Association.

ARTICLE II - GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1. The broad goals of this educational association are to foster the improvement of all education for and about business both through formal and informal means and within educational institutions as well as by government, business, industry, and the community; and to assist individuals in fulfillment of their goals through maximizing their efforts both in their everyday business lives and their occupational careers.

Section 2. The objectives underlying these goals shall be:

a. To provide opportunities for business educators to gain new knowledge for the benefit of students in order that these students will be provided with the most current, effective, and beneficial educational experiences.

b. To assist business educators in their professional development through in-service programs and to encourage interaction between them, their counterparts in government, business, industry, and the community.

c. To communicate and interpret business education, its value, and policies to publics, which include administrators, governing educational boards, legislative groups, other professional education associations, the business community, and students, parents, and citizens.

d. To cooperate with state, regional, national, and international educational agencies in the furthering of effective education programs.

e. To develop and maintain close and effective educational programs.

f. To dignify business education as a profession and promote its best interests.

g. To support and promote business teacher education efforts in striving toward a corps of professional business educators.

h. To promote and support research and development efforts in all areas of business education.

i.   To reflect business education interests in legislative and public policy decisions.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Any individual, agency, or firm that is interested and willing to support and work for the goals and objectives of this Association shall be eligible for membership according to the following categories.  The membership year is from January 1 through December 31.

Paid Members

a. Professional Member. Any individual who pays the annual prescribed membership dues.

b. Student Member. Any individual working on initial business education licensure enrolled in an approved teacher-education institution at the time of the application who pays the annual prescribed membership dues.

c. Library Member. Any library or organization which pays the annual prescribed membership dues.

d. Retired Member.  Any individual retired from educational employment who pays the annual prescribed membership dues.

Non-Paid Members

a. Life Member. Any person awarded the Association's Distinguished Service Award and/or Recognition Award and all Past Presidents.

b.      Honorary Member.   Recipients of Master Teacher, Emerging Professional, and Outstanding Student Business Educator Awards and any person or organization rendering outstanding service or some unusual contribution to the cause of business education by unanimous approval of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The organizational structure of this Association for determining policy and operations shall be:

Section 1.  Executive Board.  The Executive Board shall be the policy-forming body directly responsible to the membership.  The Board shall consist of the following voting members:  Officers, Regional Representatives, Post-Secondary Representative, and Michigan State Membership Director to NCBEA. An individual from the state government, appointed by the Executive Board, shall serve as a non-voting member.  The President of the Association shall head the Board.  Executive Board members shall take office effective January 1 of the year following their election.

Section 2.  Executive Cabinet.  The Executive Cabinet shall be the facilitating body responsible for addressing critical situations on behalf of the Board.  The Cabinet shall consist of the President, Immediate Past-President, President-Elect, one At-Large Representative, Vice-President for Business and Finance, and one at-large Board member as warranted by the circumstance.

Section 3.  Personnel and Committees.

a. Elected and Appointed Personnel.

(1) Officers. The officers who are elected by the membership-at-large shall be a President, President-Elect, Vice-President for Membership, Vice-President for Business and Finance, and Secretary.  The President succeeds to the office of Immediate Past-President. The President shall serve for two years, and the President-Elect, and Past-President shall serve for one year, the Secretary and each Vice-President for three years. The President-Elect at the time of nomination shall have contributed to business and technology education and exhibited professionalism through participation in national, state, and regional business and technology education effort and shall currently be serving, or have previously served, on the Executive Board.

(2) At-Large  Representatives.    There  shall  be  two  at-large  representatives elected by the entire MBEA membership. Each shall serve a three-year term.

(3) Post-Secondary Representative. The Post-Secondary Representative shall represent the community college, private business college, and four-year college/university members. The Post-Secondary Representative shall be elected by his/her respective constituents by ballot and serve a three-year term.

(4) State Government Agency Representative. An individual from the state

  government shall serve as a non-voting member of the Executive Board. 

(5) Michigan State Membership Director to NCBEA.   The Michigan State Membership Director to NCBEA shall be a former Board member having served within the last six years and shall be appointed by the President to serve a three-year term.

(6) Other Personnel.  The Executive Board may appoint such personnel as are necessary to carry out operational matters.   Appointed personnel for operational matters are not voting members of the Executive Board.

b. Committees.

(1) Standing Committees.   Standing Committees are Nominating Committee, Awards Committee, Legislative Action Committee, Constitution and Bylaws and Policies and Guidelines Review Committee, and Membership Committee. The President shall appoint members to all Standing Committees with emphasis on factors of balance to allow for representation.  Each Standing Committee must submit a report in writing at the Annual General Membership Business Meeting.

(2) Ad Hoc Committees.  The President may appoint such Ad Hoc Committees as are needed to carry out the policies of the Executive Board or the work of the Association.

ARTICLE V - FEES AND DUES

The Association and Executive Board together shall have the authority to assess dues and fees in accordance with the Bylaws of this Constitution.

ARTICLE VI - RULES

The current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern all Executive board meetings and general membership business meetings.   The President-Elect or person designated by the President shall act as Parliamentarian.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

Section 1.   General Membership Meetings.   There shall be at least one General Membership Business Meeting held annually during the Association's Convention.

Section 2. Executive Board Meetings.  There shall be at least three Executive Board meetings held annually.

Section 3.   Executive Cabinet Meetings.   For the purpose of conducting special business on behalf of the Board, Executive Cabinet meetings may be called.

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS

Amendments to this constitution may be initiated by:  (1) petitions to the Executive Board signed by at least fifty (50) active members or (2) by the Executive Board.

Proposed amendments must be presented to the active membership in writing at least forty-five (45) days in advance of the voting.  This Constitution may be amended by affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the quorum at the annual General Membership Business Meeting, or by a majority vote of the total active membership.

BYLAWS

BYLAW 1 - FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Association shall be January 1 - December 31.

BYLAW 2 - QUORUM

Five percent (5%) of the voting membership as certified by the Vice-President for Membership the day preceding any General Membership Business Meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting.

BYLAW 3 - MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

The rights and privileges of membership in this Association are assigned according to the following classes:

a. Voting Members.   Voting members are current dues-paying, honorary, and life members of the Association.  Voting membership status accords all the rights and privileges of the Association which include the right to vote and the privilege to participate in all services provided by the Association.  Voting members, with the exception of Student Members, have the right to hold office.  Voting may be accomplished in person at designated meetings or by mailed ballot where such ballot is provided.

b. Non-Voting  Members.     Non-voting  members  are  Library  Members  of  the Association.  Non-voting members are accorded the privilege of participating in all services provided by the Association. They do not have the right to vote or the right to hold office.

Section 1.  Dues.

BYLAW 4 - DUES AND FEES

a. Professional, Student, and Retired Member dues shall be determined upon the recommendation of a majority vote of the Executive Board.  Proposed increases in dues shall be published at least forty-five (45) days prior to the Annual General Membership Business Meeting preferably in the MBEA newsletter, along with a rationale.  Changes in dues must be voted on at the Annual General Membership Business Meeting or Regional Council meetings.

b. Library membership dues shall be determined by the Executive Board.

c. Life Members do not pay dues; award recipients do not pay dues for one year.

Section 2.  Fees.

Fees  will  be  established  by  the  Executive  Board  for  participants  in  conferences, conventions, and other Association activities.

Section 1.  Officers

BYLAW 5 – ELECTIONS

a. The Nomination Committee must bring forth the names of eligible candidates for each office not to exceed three for each office and present this slate to the Executive Board not later than June before the election.  The slate shall be sent to all voting members of record thirty (30) calendar days before the election.   Additional nominees may be presented thereafter when at least fifty (50) or more active members present their signed petition in person or by certified mail to the Past- President for verification not less than ten (10) calendar days before the election. The names of these additional nominees will be added to the official ballot.

b. The election will be held at the Annual General Membership Business Meeting as designated by the Executive Board.

c. A plurality of the votes cast constitutes an individual's election to office when three or more candidates have been presented.  When less than three candidates have been presented, a majority of the votes cast constitutes an individual's election to office.

Section 2.  At-Large Representatives and Post-Secondary Representative.

The election of At-Large Representatives will be held at the Annual General Membership Business Meeting as designated by the Executive Board. Election of the Post-Secondary Representative shall take place by ballot before the Annual General Membership Business Meeting.

BYLAW 6 - VACANCIES

Section 1. Vacancies in elected offices shall be filled under the following guidelines.

a. In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of the President, the Past-President shall assume the duties of the office for the balance of the term.

b. In the event that a vacancy should occur in the office of President-Elect, the Past- President shall identify nominees for the office of President-Elect to be voted on by special election.

c.     In the event that vacancies should occur among any of the other elected offices, the President shall recommend a replacement for the Executive Board's approval.

BYLAW 7 - DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AND ITS MEMBERS 

Section 1.  General Responsibilities.  The Executive Board shall function primarily as a policy-forming body.  The presence of a majority of the voting Board members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 2.  Specific Responsibilities. The Executive Board shall:

a. Carry out mission, goals, and objectives of the Association. b. Develop an annual action plan.

c. Approve a balanced budget at their initial meeting covering all major activities of the Association.  The Executive Board must act upon all contracts for expenditures in excess of the budgeted amount.

d. Provide for the continuous updating of policies of the Association.

e. Perform such other duties assigned to the Executive Board elsewhere in this

Constitution and Bylaws.

Section 3.  General Responsibilities of Board members are as follows:

a. President.  The President shall be the chief executive officer and preside at all meetings of the Association, the Executive Board, and the Executive Cabinet.  The President shall serve as the chief liaison person with all other organizations.  In conjunction with the Executive Board, the President shall have charge of all affairs of the Association except as hereinafter provided.

b. President-Elect.  The President-Elect shall assume responsibilities in preparation for Association leadership and in convention planning.  The President-Elect shall preside at the Executive Board and Association meetings in the absence of the President and act as second-in-command to the President.  The President-Elect shall perform other duties as set forth by the Executive Board.

c. Immediate Past-President.   The Immediate Past-President shall serve as an advisor to the officers and the Executive Board on all business of the Association, to include convention planning, shall serve as chairperson and ex-officio member of the Nominating Committee, and shall perform other duties as set forth by the Executive Board.

d. Vice-President  for  Membership.    The  Vice-President  for  Membership  shall conduct the membership campaign, collect dues, maintain membership records, and perform other duties as set forth by the Executive Board.  The Vice President for Membership shall be bonded.

e. Vice-President for Business and Finance.  The Vice-President for Business and Finance shall utilize professional accounting procedures, maintain financial records, and perform other duties as set forth by the Executive Board.  The Vice President for Business and Finance shall be bonded.

f.      Secretary.  The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of the proceedings of all meetings of the Association, serve as Historian, serve as Chairperson, and ex-officio member of the Awards Committee, supervise preparation of the association’s newsletters, and perform other duties as set forth by the Executive Board.

g.     At-Large Representatives.  At-Large Representatives shall assist with convention planning and professional development opportunities, serve as a liaison between the Board and members of the state, and perform other duties as set forth by the Executive Board. Each At-Large Representative shall be bonded.

h.    Post-Secondary Representative. The Post-Secondary Representative shall meet with constituents during the Annual Convention, serve as a liaison between the Board and appropriate post-secondary members, and perform other duties as set forth by the Executive Board.

i. State  Government  Agency  Representative.     An  individual  from  the  state government shall serve as liaison between the Board and the state government and perform other duties as set forth by the Executive Board.

j. Michigan  State  Membership  Director  to  NCBEA.     The  Michigan  State Membership Director to NCBEA shall serve as liaison between the Board and the NCBEA Executive Board and perform other duties as set forth by the Executive Board.

Section 4.  Specific duties of each Executive Board Member shall be defined in "The Executive Handbook."

Section 5. The Executive Board and its committees may meet and vote electronically (including videoconference, teleconference, or any other electronic means) in order to conduct its business in a timely manner.

BYLAW 8 – AWARDS

Section 1. The Awards Committee appointed by the President shall follow the Executive Board established guidelines and actively take part in seeking nominees and selecting the recipients of the following award(s):

a. The RECOGNITION OF SERVICE AWARD is presented to an individual/organization who has excelled in service to business education and MBEA in the state of Michigan. The recipient shall receive a lifetime MBEA membership.

b. The OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO BUSINESS EDUCATION BY A BUSINESS TEACHER (MIDDLE, SECONDARY, POST-SECONDARY) is presented to a current member in good standing who demonstrates excellence in the middle school, secondary or post-secondary classroom. **Each level of teaching is eligible to be awarded each year** The recipient(s) will receive a one- year MBEA membership(s).

c. The EMERGING PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS EDUCATOR AWARD is presented to a middle school or high school MBEA classroom business teacher in Michigan. This individual must have taught at least two years, but no more than six years as a full-time teacher. This award is intended to recognize excellence. The recipient will receive a one-year MBEA Membership.

Section 2.  The Post-Secondary Representative shall follow established guidelines in soliciting a single nomination from each teacher training institution in the state for the Outstanding Student Business Educator Awards.  Recipients shall receive one-year memberships.

Section 3.  The above and such other awards as may be established by the Executive Board will be awarded at the discretion of the Executive Board.

BYLAW 9 - Disposal of Funds Upon Dissolution

In the event that the Michigan Business Education Association should dissolve its status, the financial resources will be disposed of in the following ways:

All bills of the Association will be paid upon presentation of proper documentation. (1) Once all bills are paid, there will be a waiting period of 30 days.

(2) Upon expiration of the waiting period, the remaining balance should be disposed of in the following manner:

• 1/3 to the Clarke Historic Library, which houses our archives

• 1/3 to the Business Education Scholarship fund for future Business Education Teachers at Western Michigan University

• 1/3 to the Business Education Scholarship fund for future Business Education Teachers at Eastern Michigan University.

BYLAW 10 - AFFILIATION WITH OTHER ASSOCIATIONS 

The Executive Board may vote to affiliate or associate with any professional organization or association which provides for the accomplishment of the objectives of this Association and which aids in the achievement of the best professional interests of the members of this Association.  Affiliation or associate status rests upon recommendation by the Executive Board and approval of the membership.  Such affiliation or association shall maintain the independence of this Association.

BYLAW 11 - AMENDMENTS

 The Bylaws of this Association may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Board at any regular Executive Board meeting provided the Executive Board has been notified in writing at least forty-five (45) calendar days in advance of the voting.

BYLAW 12 – REMOVAL FOR CAUSE

Any member of the Executive Board may be removed for cause.  Sufficient cause for such removal may be violation of this Association’s Constitution and Bylaws or any lawful rule, practice, or procedure adopted by this Association in its Policies and Guidelines or Executive Handbook or other conduct deemed by the Executive Board detrimental to the good of this Association.   In the event a Board member is not fulfilling his/her responsibilities, reassignment of officer duties can be handled as crucial business by Executive Cabinet as indicated in Article IV, Section 2, during the removal process.

Notice of removal for cause must be sent to the recorded address of the Executive Board member by registered mail. The Executive Board member shall have the right to appeal the decision of removal no more than thirty (30) days after action for removal is taken. The Executive Board shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to assure due process.

The decision for removal shall be made by two-thirds affirmative vote of the Executive Board.

The foregoing Constitution and Bylaws of the Michigan Business Education Association was adopted at the Annual Business Meeting March 26, 1955, in Saginaw; and later amended on March 23, 1957, on March 26, 1960, in Grand Rapids; on March 26, 1965, in Lansing; on March 28, 1966, in Detroit; on April 8, 1967, in Grand Rapids; on April 6,

1974, in Detroit; on April 7, 1978, in Troy; on March 27, 1981, in Kalamazoo; on June 25,

1982, in Lansing; on January 21, 1983, in Grand Rapids; on April 15, 1983, in Grand Rapids; on March 23, 1984, in Flint; on March 22, 1985, in Kalamazoo; on April 11, 1986, in Flint; on November 1, 1991, in Grand Rapids; on October 26, 1995, in Flint; on October

25, 1996, in Troy; on October 30, 1998, in Grand Rapids; on October 22, 1999, in Troy; on October 19, 2001, in Mt. Pleasant; on October 25, 2002, in Novi; on October 23, 2003, in Grand Rapid; on October 20, 2005, in Novi; on November 9, 2012, in East Lansing; November 5, 2014, in East Lansing; on November 7, 2018, Mt. Pleasant;

Grand Rapids 1987 - *Coalition 2-year trial.

*Membership will be asked if they want to continue the affiliation with the Coalition