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COLORADO SIGN INSTRUCTORS
BYLAWS
PHILOSOPHY
Quality sign language instruction is recognized through SIGN certification. The preservation of Sign Language and the culture of Deaf people shall be highly valued.
ARTICLE I - NAME
The Organization shall be known as Colorado Sign Instructors (CSI).
ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES
Section 1: Objectives to CSI
1. To promote professional quality in sign language instruction, both locally and in connection with the national Sign Instructors Guidance Network (SIGN).
2. To provide an effective avenue for the exchange of information regarding methods and materials in the instruction of sign language.
3. To provide input to the national SIGN in standards and procedures for the teaching of sign language.
4. To develop and maintain a local directory of certified and noncertified members.
ARTICLE III - AFFILIATION
The Organization shall be cooperating member of the national SIGN (pending approval by national SIGN).
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in CSI shall be open to instructors of sign language and any individuals interested in sign language instruction.
Section 2. Dues for individual membership in CSI shall be determined at the regular business meeting once a year. Prorated dues are available for new members only. Annual dues shall be due in the month of September.
ARTICLE V - MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular meetings shall be held every other month except June, July, and August.
Section 2. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Executive Board or the president.
Section 3. Prior to any regular meeting, the president shall prepare a written agenda which is to be attached to the meeting notice. In any meeting, any member may submit an item for the agenda as time permits.
Section 4. Notice of each meeting shall be given in writing, and shall state the location, date and hour of the meeting. Notice of special meetings shall also include the purpose(s) for which they are being called, and shall indicate who is calling the meeting. Notice of any meeting shall be given personally or by mail at least fourteen (14) days in advance.
Section 5. At any meeting, a Quorum shall consist of 25% of all current members in attendance.
Section 6. The President, or in his/her absence, the Vice President, or in his/her absence, the Secretary/Treasurer shall preside the meeting.
Section 7. Robert’s Rule of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all meetings.
ARTICLE VI – EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer. The Board shall be responsible for the day to day business of CSI between regular meetings.
Section 2. All incoming and outgoing monies of CSI, notices of elections and meetings, dissemination of materials, and the like shall be handled through the Executive Board.
Section 3. The Executive Board shall select a temporary officer to fill any vacancy on the Board which may occur subject to the approval of the members at the next regular meeting of CSI with the exception of the office of President which shall be filled by the Vice President according to Article IX, section 2.
Section 4. The Executive Board must approve any financial expenditures which are not budgeted items up to $500.00. Any nonbudgeted expenditures over $500.00 must be approved by the members.
ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing committees shall be the Professional Development and Bylaws committees.
Section 2. Upon approval of the Executive Board, the President shall appoint committee chairs. The President may select members of any committee or may defer the selection to the committee chair. The committee chair shall give those names to the Executive Board.
Section 3. Standing committees shall consist of at least two (2) current members.
Section 4. Committees shall submit a report of their activities at regular meetings.
ARTICLE VIII - OFFICERS
Section 1. Offices of this Organization shall consist of President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer.
Section 2. The Officers shall be elected every two (2) years by ballot at the September meeting of odd-numbered years.
Section 3. Nominations for officers shall be accepted from current members from the floor at the September meeting.
Section 4. Except for the office of President, any current member with SIGN certification or a minimum of two (2) years Sign Language teaching experience shall be eligible to become a candidate for office. In addition, candidates for the office of President shall be Deaf. Any absent member may be eligible in his/her written consent is submitted.
Section 5. The immediate past president shall serve in an ex oficio capacity to the Executive Board for up to one (1) year following elections.
Section 6. The Officers must be members of the national SIGN, or become members of that organization within six (6) months of election to office.
ARTICLE IX – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of CSI and the Executive Board. S/he shall have working knowledge of the affairs of CSI and serve as a liaison between CSI and external business.
Section 2. The Vice President shall serve in the absence of the President. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President prior to the expiration of his/her term, the Vice President shall succeed to that office. S/he shall be the liaison between the Executive Board and the Committees of CSI, and shall oversee committee activities.
Section 3. The Secretary/Treasurer shall record the minutes of all CSI and Executive Board proceedings. S/he shall handle CSI correspondences and inquiries as designated by the President. S/he shall monitor the financial affairs of the organization and submit a report at each regular meeting. S/he shall surrender to his/her successor all records belonging to CSI within thirty (30) days after the election.
ARTICLE X – FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Section 1. No funds shall be raised or solicited on behalf of CSI without the consent of the Executive Board and/or by vote of the members.
Section 2. No indebtedness shall be contracted on behalf of CSI unless voted upon by the membership.
Section 3. The Executive Board may accept, on behalf of CSI, any contribution, gift, bequest or device for the general or special purposes of CSI, and shall notify the membership of such event.
Section 4. Within one (1) year of the establishment of CSI, a bank account in the name of CSI shall be established.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. The By laws of CSI may be amended or repealed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present at the amending meeting. Notification of the proposed amendment(s) shall be mailed to all members in good standing at least three (3) weeks prior to the meeting at which the vote will be taken.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall have the authority to make changes of no substance to the By laws in order to comply with the national SIGN’s By laws. Changes which may affect the substance of the By laws of CSI must be presented to the membership according to Section 1.
ARTICLE XII - DISSOLUTION
Section 1. In the event of the dissolution of CSI, its assets shall be transferred to the national SIGN after a three (3) years waiting period.
Section 2. Such holdings are to be held in the CSI account without notification to the holding institution and SIGN of the date of dissolution. (name of trustee) shall execute the transfer.
Approved 4/20/91
Patricia Clark, secretary
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