Constitution and By-Laws
An Affiliate of the American Association of School Administrators
Preamble
An educational administrator's professional behavior must conform to an ethical code. The code must be realistic and, at the same time, practical, so that it may apply reasonably to all educational administrators. The administrator acknowledges that the schools belong to the public they serve for the purpose of educational opportunities to all. However, the administrator assumes responsibility for providing leadership in the school and community. The responsibility requires the administrator to maintain a standard of exemplary professional conduct. It must be recognized that the administrator's actions will be viewed and appraised by the community, professional associates and students.
An educational administrator's professional behavior must conform to an ethical code. The code must be realistic and, at the same time, practical, so that it may apply reasonably to all educational administrators. The administrator acknowledges that the schools belong to the public they serve for the purpose of educational opportunities to all. However, the administrator assumes responsibility for providing leadership in the school and community. The responsibility requires the administrator to maintain a standard of exemplary professional conduct. It must be recognized that the administrator's actions will be viewed and appraised by the community, professional associates and students.
Article I: Name
The name of the Association shall be the Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association, hereinafter referred to as the Association.
The name of the Association shall be the Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association, hereinafter referred to as the Association.
Article II: Affiliation
This organization, the Association, is an affiliate of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).
This organization, the Association, is an affiliate of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).
Article III: Mission
Section 1: The mission of the Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association is to take action through leadership, support and advocacy to ensure the highest quality education for all children.
Section 2: The primary function of this Association shall be the improvement of education in the State of Rhode Island. To this end, the Association shall:
a. work for a unified professional strength among those in the field of education;
b. endeavor to maintain and elevate the professional and ethical standards of education;
c. place before the citizens of the State important relevant facts and points of view that will lead to an intelligent appreciation of the schools of Rhode Island;
d. endeavor to improve administrative competency and practices in the state;
e. assist members with personal services upon request.
Section 1: The mission of the Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association is to take action through leadership, support and advocacy to ensure the highest quality education for all children.
Section 2: The primary function of this Association shall be the improvement of education in the State of Rhode Island. To this end, the Association shall:
a. work for a unified professional strength among those in the field of education;
b. endeavor to maintain and elevate the professional and ethical standards of education;
c. place before the citizens of the State important relevant facts and points of view that will lead to an intelligent appreciation of the schools of Rhode Island;
d. endeavor to improve administrative competency and practices in the state;
e. assist members with personal services upon request.
Article IV: Membership
Section 1: Membership in the Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association shall consist of four (4) classifications: active, associate, retired, and special (honorary, life, and emeritus). Payment of dues to the Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association shall be required as a condition of membership as an active, associate or retired member.
Section 2: Active membership shall be open to all superintendents, collaborative directors, assistant and deputy superintendents, and any other central office officials who have system wide major responsibilities and are recommended by their superintendent. A prerequisite for active membership shall be eligibility for membership in the American Association of School Administrators and adherence to the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association’s Code of Ethics.
Section 3: Associate Membership shall be open to members of the state Department of Education, to administrators and faculty members of the colleges and universities of Rhode Island whose duties are associated with problems of school administration, and to such administrators as the Association may elect from time to time. Members of the professional associations, business associates, and others that provide services to education are also eligible for Associate Membership upon payment of annual dues and the approval of the Association. Executive directors of like educational organizations will be granted Associate Membership in RISSA provided the arrangement is reciprocal with said organizations.
Section 4: Retired membership shall be open to any Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association member who retires from service or those eligible for AASA retired membership.
Section 5: Special membership shall include those with Honorary, Life and Emeritus status. Honorary members shall be the State Commissioner of Education and such other persons as the Association shall elect from time to time. Emeritus Status shall be granted to those members with 30 continuous years of membership. Emeritus members shall not be required to pay dues.
Section 5 a: Fund Balance Policy: The Association will, at all times, maintain a fund balance in the amount of no less than the previous year's expenditures. This policy may only be waived by a 2/3 affirmative vote of a quorum of those present at any meeting of the Executive Committee.
Section 6: Active members shall be the voting members of the Association.
Section 1: Membership in the Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association shall consist of four (4) classifications: active, associate, retired, and special (honorary, life, and emeritus). Payment of dues to the Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association shall be required as a condition of membership as an active, associate or retired member.
Section 2: Active membership shall be open to all superintendents, collaborative directors, assistant and deputy superintendents, and any other central office officials who have system wide major responsibilities and are recommended by their superintendent. A prerequisite for active membership shall be eligibility for membership in the American Association of School Administrators and adherence to the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association’s Code of Ethics.
Section 3: Associate Membership shall be open to members of the state Department of Education, to administrators and faculty members of the colleges and universities of Rhode Island whose duties are associated with problems of school administration, and to such administrators as the Association may elect from time to time. Members of the professional associations, business associates, and others that provide services to education are also eligible for Associate Membership upon payment of annual dues and the approval of the Association. Executive directors of like educational organizations will be granted Associate Membership in RISSA provided the arrangement is reciprocal with said organizations.
Section 4: Retired membership shall be open to any Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association member who retires from service or those eligible for AASA retired membership.
Section 5: Special membership shall include those with Honorary, Life and Emeritus status. Honorary members shall be the State Commissioner of Education and such other persons as the Association shall elect from time to time. Emeritus Status shall be granted to those members with 30 continuous years of membership. Emeritus members shall not be required to pay dues.
Section 5 a: Fund Balance Policy: The Association will, at all times, maintain a fund balance in the amount of no less than the previous year's expenditures. This policy may only be waived by a 2/3 affirmative vote of a quorum of those present at any meeting of the Executive Committee.
Section 6: Active members shall be the voting members of the Association.
Article V: Meetings
The Association shall hold an Annual Meeting. There shall be at least two additional General Membership meetings during the school year. The dates of these meetings shall be set by the Executive Committee and ample notice given to the members of the Association.
The Association shall hold an Annual Meeting. There shall be at least two additional General Membership meetings during the school year. The dates of these meetings shall be set by the Executive Committee and ample notice given to the members of the Association.
Article VI: Officers
Section 1: The officers of the Association shall be a President, a President-Elect, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The terms of office are two years.
Section 2: All of the officers shall be active members. The President-Elect shall automatically succeed to the Presidency when the President’s term expires or the office becomes vacant. An elected officer, with the exception of the Treasurer, shall serve no more than one term in the same office unless recommended by the Executive Board.
Section 3: If an office other than President becomes vacant, a successor shall be elected by the Executive Committee to serve the unexpired term.
Section 4: Executive Committee of the Association shall be the named officers, the Past President and 13 additional members:
Section 1: The officers of the Association shall be a President, a President-Elect, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The terms of office are two years.
Section 2: All of the officers shall be active members. The President-Elect shall automatically succeed to the Presidency when the President’s term expires or the office becomes vacant. An elected officer, with the exception of the Treasurer, shall serve no more than one term in the same office unless recommended by the Executive Board.
Section 3: If an office other than President becomes vacant, a successor shall be elected by the Executive Committee to serve the unexpired term.
Section 4: Executive Committee of the Association shall be the named officers, the Past President and 13 additional members:
a. Three (3) representatives from each of the four established area groups, as enlarged or diminished, selected by the vote of the members of the respective Area groups prior to the Annual Meeting of the Association and presented to the President of the Association prior thereto. The term of office shall be for two years. The areas shall be as follows:
South County Area
Chariho Regional, East Greenwich, Exeter-West Greenwich, Jamestown, Narragansett, New Shoreham, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Westerly
West Bay Area
Coventry, Cranston, Foster, Foster-Glocester, Glocester, Scituate, Warwick, West Warwick
Northern Rhode Island
Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Foster, Foster/Glocester, Glocester, Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield, Woonsocket
East Bay Area
Barrington, Bristol-Warren, East Providence, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton
b. One (1) immediate past president whose term expires when succeeded by a new immediate past president. Past president must be an active member of the Association.
c. Five (5) members at-large to be appointed by the President to serve for a period of two years, one of whom must be an active member from Providence. The appointed Providence representative may designate one alternate Providence active member who shall also be entitled to cast the one Providence vote at any Executive Committee Meeting in the absence of the appointed representative.
Section 5: The Executive Committee shall engage a consultant to serve as the Executive Director of the Association and who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Executive Committee. He/she shall be accountable directly to the President.
South County Area
Chariho Regional, East Greenwich, Exeter-West Greenwich, Jamestown, Narragansett, New Shoreham, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Westerly
West Bay Area
Coventry, Cranston, Foster, Foster-Glocester, Glocester, Scituate, Warwick, West Warwick
Northern Rhode Island
Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Foster, Foster/Glocester, Glocester, Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield, Woonsocket
East Bay Area
Barrington, Bristol-Warren, East Providence, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton
b. One (1) immediate past president whose term expires when succeeded by a new immediate past president. Past president must be an active member of the Association.
c. Five (5) members at-large to be appointed by the President to serve for a period of two years, one of whom must be an active member from Providence. The appointed Providence representative may designate one alternate Providence active member who shall also be entitled to cast the one Providence vote at any Executive Committee Meeting in the absence of the appointed representative.
Section 5: The Executive Committee shall engage a consultant to serve as the Executive Director of the Association and who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Executive Committee. He/she shall be accountable directly to the President.
Article VII: Duties of the Officers
Section 1: The President
a. The President of the Association shall be the presiding officer of the Association and of the Executive Committee of the Association. It shall be the duty of the President to provide a program for each meeting with these programs to be arranged with the advice of the Executive Committee. The President may appoint members to committees for specific programs such as Professional Development and the Annual Meeting .
b. The President shall call a meeting of the Executive Committee whenever he/she deems it necessary, or whenever he/she is requested to do so by a majority of the Executive Committee.
c. The President shall be the representative and spokesman for the organization on all occasions for which the Association desires representation, except in such cases where a spokesman may be delegated by the Executive Committee.
d. In event of vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect shall succeed immediately to that office.
Section 2: The President-Elect
a. The President-Elect shall preside in the absence of the President and shall assist him/her in every possible way to promote the success of the Association.
b. The President-Elect shall be a member of either the Legislative or Program Committee as designated by the President.
c. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President-Elect, the Executive Committee shall fill the vacancy in accordance with the provisions of Article VI Section 3.
Section 3: The Vice-President
a. The Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President and President-Elect and shall assist them in every possible way to promote the success of the Association.
b. The Vice President shall be a member of either the Legislative or Program Committee as designated by the President.
c. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Vice President, the Executive Committee shall fill the vacancy in accordance with the provisions of Article VI Section 3.
Section 4: The Secretary
The Secretary of the Association shall keep a record of the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall maintain an accurate record of the attendance of all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee. The above records shall be forwarded as soon as possible to the Executive Director for distribution among the membership.
Section 5: The Treasurer
The Treasurer of the Association shall receive all funds from the Executive Director and cause them to be deposited in a bank, which shall be approved by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall make such disbursements as are authorized by the Association or Executive Committee or approved in the Association budget as approved by the Association. The Treasurer shall be bonded at the expense of the Association. At each meeting a financial report shall be presented. At the annual meeting, this report shall be in written form and shall include a record of all receipts and disbursements for the year. Accounts of the Association are to be audited biannually by an auditor appointed by the Executive Committee.
Section 6: The Executive Director shall: fulfill the duties, responsibilities and obligations as defined in the annual contract with the Executive Director as approved by the Executive Committee.
Section 1: The President
a. The President of the Association shall be the presiding officer of the Association and of the Executive Committee of the Association. It shall be the duty of the President to provide a program for each meeting with these programs to be arranged with the advice of the Executive Committee. The President may appoint members to committees for specific programs such as Professional Development and the Annual Meeting .
b. The President shall call a meeting of the Executive Committee whenever he/she deems it necessary, or whenever he/she is requested to do so by a majority of the Executive Committee.
c. The President shall be the representative and spokesman for the organization on all occasions for which the Association desires representation, except in such cases where a spokesman may be delegated by the Executive Committee.
d. In event of vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect shall succeed immediately to that office.
Section 2: The President-Elect
a. The President-Elect shall preside in the absence of the President and shall assist him/her in every possible way to promote the success of the Association.
b. The President-Elect shall be a member of either the Legislative or Program Committee as designated by the President.
c. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President-Elect, the Executive Committee shall fill the vacancy in accordance with the provisions of Article VI Section 3.
Section 3: The Vice-President
a. The Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President and President-Elect and shall assist them in every possible way to promote the success of the Association.
b. The Vice President shall be a member of either the Legislative or Program Committee as designated by the President.
c. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Vice President, the Executive Committee shall fill the vacancy in accordance with the provisions of Article VI Section 3.
Section 4: The Secretary
The Secretary of the Association shall keep a record of the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall maintain an accurate record of the attendance of all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee. The above records shall be forwarded as soon as possible to the Executive Director for distribution among the membership.
Section 5: The Treasurer
The Treasurer of the Association shall receive all funds from the Executive Director and cause them to be deposited in a bank, which shall be approved by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall make such disbursements as are authorized by the Association or Executive Committee or approved in the Association budget as approved by the Association. The Treasurer shall be bonded at the expense of the Association. At each meeting a financial report shall be presented. At the annual meeting, this report shall be in written form and shall include a record of all receipts and disbursements for the year. Accounts of the Association are to be audited biannually by an auditor appointed by the Executive Committee.
Section 6: The Executive Director shall: fulfill the duties, responsibilities and obligations as defined in the annual contract with the Executive Director as approved by the Executive Committee.
Article VIII: Election of Officers
Section 1: The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three active members two months prior to the last general membership meeting in the fiscal year. The Nominating Committee shall:
a. prepare a slate of nominees for the vacant officers (Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President-elect) of the Association;
b. report to the Association at the last general membership meeting in the fiscal year.
Section 2: At the last general membership meeting, the nominations of the Nominating Committee shall be received and opportunity provided for nominations from the floor.
Section 3: When nominations are made from the floor, ballots shall be prepared and distributed to the members present if requested by one fifth of the members present. If such ballots are distributed, the President shall appoint a teller who will tabulate and announce the results of the balloting. If ballots are not used, the vote will be first a voice vote and, if in doubt by the President, by a show of hands vote. The candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast for each office shall be declared elected.
Section 4: Officers so elected shall begin their terms on July 1 following the Annual Meeting at which they are elected.
Section 1: The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three active members two months prior to the last general membership meeting in the fiscal year. The Nominating Committee shall:
a. prepare a slate of nominees for the vacant officers (Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President-elect) of the Association;
b. report to the Association at the last general membership meeting in the fiscal year.
Section 2: At the last general membership meeting, the nominations of the Nominating Committee shall be received and opportunity provided for nominations from the floor.
Section 3: When nominations are made from the floor, ballots shall be prepared and distributed to the members present if requested by one fifth of the members present. If such ballots are distributed, the President shall appoint a teller who will tabulate and announce the results of the balloting. If ballots are not used, the vote will be first a voice vote and, if in doubt by the President, by a show of hands vote. The candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast for each office shall be declared elected.
Section 4: Officers so elected shall begin their terms on July 1 following the Annual Meeting at which they are elected.
Article IX: Standing Committee
Section 1: There shall be four (4) standing committees: Legislative, Program, Professional Support, and Special Awards
Section 2: Legislative Committee. The Legislative Committee shall be the active members of the Association.
a. Working with an officer designated by the President, it shall:
1. in response to issues and concerns identified by the membership, recommend and develop legislation which the Association should support, proposing strategies for achieving successful passage in the legislature;
2. identify other organizations such as the Rhode Island Association of School Committees and League of Cities and Towns for cooperation in initiating legislation of mutual interest; and
3. provide the membership with current information on legislation that has been introduced in the legislature, which would affect local school districts.
b. The Chair of the Legislative Committee shall be elected by the members of the Committee.
Section 3: Program Committee
a. The Program Committee, working with an officer designated by the President, shall be responsible for the activities of the Association throughout the year, including:
1. professional development program for the membership;
2. the annual meeting;
3. co-sponsorship of workshops and/or seminars with other organizations;
4. other programs as may be recommended or requested by the Executive Committee.
b. Chair of the Program Committee shall be elected by the members of the Committee.
c. President shall appoint eight (8) members to serve two-year terms on the Program Committee.
Section 4: Professional Support Plan Committee (PSPC):
a. The Professional Support Plan Committee shall be responsible for implementing the Professional Support Plan as adopted by the Executive Committee. Membership of the Professional Support Plan Committee shall be five (5) in number, three (3) of whom are to be active members of the Association and two (2) of whom are to be Retired, Honorary or Associate members.
c. Members of the Professional Support Plan Committee shall be appointed by the President of the Association, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee for a term of two years.
d. The Chair of the Professional Support Plan Committee shall be appointed by the President from the members of the Executive Committee.
Section 5: Special Awards Committee
a. The Special Awards Committee shall be responsible for determining any special awards the Association should sponsor or endorse in any given year, including the Superintendent of the Year Award sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators. The Committee will solicit nominees and select finalists for each award and recommend such finalists, including the finalist for Superintendent of the Year award, to the membership. The Committee as a whole, or individual members on the Committee, may be asked by the President to present such awards on the appropriate occasions. Selections are subject to approval of a general membership meeting.
b. Membership on the Committee shall be no fewer than five (5) in number nor more than seven (7). They shall be selected from past Superintendent of the Year Awardees, regardless of classification of membership, and active RIASA members, and appointed by the President at the start of his/her term. There shall be no more than one inactive member on the Committee. Specific guidelines for the selection as defined in the Superintendent of the Year Selection Policy adopted by the Executive Committee shall be followed.
c. The Chair of the Special Awards Committee shall be the most recent Superintendent of the Year Awardee, i.e., the current holder of the award.
Section 1: There shall be four (4) standing committees: Legislative, Program, Professional Support, and Special Awards
Section 2: Legislative Committee. The Legislative Committee shall be the active members of the Association.
a. Working with an officer designated by the President, it shall:
1. in response to issues and concerns identified by the membership, recommend and develop legislation which the Association should support, proposing strategies for achieving successful passage in the legislature;
2. identify other organizations such as the Rhode Island Association of School Committees and League of Cities and Towns for cooperation in initiating legislation of mutual interest; and
3. provide the membership with current information on legislation that has been introduced in the legislature, which would affect local school districts.
b. The Chair of the Legislative Committee shall be elected by the members of the Committee.
Section 3: Program Committee
a. The Program Committee, working with an officer designated by the President, shall be responsible for the activities of the Association throughout the year, including:
1. professional development program for the membership;
2. the annual meeting;
3. co-sponsorship of workshops and/or seminars with other organizations;
4. other programs as may be recommended or requested by the Executive Committee.
b. Chair of the Program Committee shall be elected by the members of the Committee.
c. President shall appoint eight (8) members to serve two-year terms on the Program Committee.
Section 4: Professional Support Plan Committee (PSPC):
a. The Professional Support Plan Committee shall be responsible for implementing the Professional Support Plan as adopted by the Executive Committee. Membership of the Professional Support Plan Committee shall be five (5) in number, three (3) of whom are to be active members of the Association and two (2) of whom are to be Retired, Honorary or Associate members.
c. Members of the Professional Support Plan Committee shall be appointed by the President of the Association, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee for a term of two years.
d. The Chair of the Professional Support Plan Committee shall be appointed by the President from the members of the Executive Committee.
Section 5: Special Awards Committee
a. The Special Awards Committee shall be responsible for determining any special awards the Association should sponsor or endorse in any given year, including the Superintendent of the Year Award sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators. The Committee will solicit nominees and select finalists for each award and recommend such finalists, including the finalist for Superintendent of the Year award, to the membership. The Committee as a whole, or individual members on the Committee, may be asked by the President to present such awards on the appropriate occasions. Selections are subject to approval of a general membership meeting.
b. Membership on the Committee shall be no fewer than five (5) in number nor more than seven (7). They shall be selected from past Superintendent of the Year Awardees, regardless of classification of membership, and active RIASA members, and appointed by the President at the start of his/her term. There shall be no more than one inactive member on the Committee. Specific guidelines for the selection as defined in the Superintendent of the Year Selection Policy adopted by the Executive Committee shall be followed.
c. The Chair of the Special Awards Committee shall be the most recent Superintendent of the Year Awardee, i.e., the current holder of the award.
Article X: Amendments
This Constitution and By-Laws may be altered or amended at any meeting of the Association membership by a two-thirds vote of the active members present, the proposed amendment having been submitted in writing to all the members at least thirty days prior to the meeting.
This Constitution and By-Laws may be altered or amended at any meeting of the Association membership by a two-thirds vote of the active members present, the proposed amendment having been submitted in writing to all the members at least thirty days prior to the meeting.
Article XI: Dues
Section 1: The annual dues of the Association shall be determined each year at the annual meeting of the Association upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee and shall be billed in accordance with a fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of the next calendar year.
Section 2: Assessment for newcomers to the state who are eligible for membership shall be annual dues fee if they are engaged between July 1st and December 31st. If they are eligible and engaged between January 1st and June 30th, one half of the annual dues are to be paid.
Section 1: The annual dues of the Association shall be determined each year at the annual meeting of the Association upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee and shall be billed in accordance with a fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of the next calendar year.
Section 2: Assessment for newcomers to the state who are eligible for membership shall be annual dues fee if they are engaged between July 1st and December 31st. If they are eligible and engaged between January 1st and June 30th, one half of the annual dues are to be paid.
Article XII: Quorum
One third of the active membership shall constitute a quorum at any General Membership meeting of the membership for the transaction of the business of the Association.
One third of the active membership shall constitute a quorum at any General Membership meeting of the membership for the transaction of the business of the Association.
Article XIII: Rules of Order
Roberts’ Rules of Order shall govern all business meetings of the Association.
Roberts’ Rules of Order shall govern all business meetings of the Association.
Revised or Amended
May 19, 1965; October 20, 1971; January 12, 1977; May 22, 1980; May 17, 1985; May 15, 1986; May 15, 1987; May 20, 1988; May 26, 1989; October 29, 1992; August 19, 1993; January 6, 1994; August 14, 1998; August 2002; August 15, 2007; October 14, 2010; August 17, 2011; August 15, 2012, November, 2015
May 19, 1965; October 20, 1971; January 12, 1977; May 22, 1980; May 17, 1985; May 15, 1986; May 15, 1987; May 20, 1988; May 26, 1989; October 29, 1992; August 19, 1993; January 6, 1994; August 14, 1998; August 2002; August 15, 2007; October 14, 2010; August 17, 2011; August 15, 2012, November, 2015