Constitution
Article I - Name
The name of this non-profit association shall be Massachusetts Mathematics Association of Teacher Educators, hereinafter referred to as MassMATE.
Article II - Affiliations
MassMATE is a state affiliate of the national Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE).
MassMATE may affiliate with other organizations, subject to the approval of a majority of Regular MassMATE Members voting. All Regular members are eligible to vote by submitting a ballot.
Article III - Purposes and Goals
The purpose of Massachusetts Mathematics Association of Teacher Educators (MassMATE) is to provide a forum for mathematics teacher educators to communicate with each other and collaborate with other groups interested in the teaching of mathematics in the state of Massachusetts. Mathematics teacher educators include but are not limited to faculty at institutions of higher education engaged in teaching mathematics or mathematics education, professional development providers, districts’ mathematics specialists, mathematics teacher educators and consultants at the elementary, secondary, community college, and college and university levels.
Specifically, the goals of MassMATE are to:
A. identify and support leadership among mathematics teacher educators;
B. serve as a forum for ideas and resources in mathematics teacher education;
C. encourage scientific research related to mathematics teacher education;
D. promote quality undergraduate and graduate programs in mathematics education;
E. encourage and support professional development programs for in-service teachers;
F. encourage and support professional development programs for postsecondary faculty involved in mathematics education;
G. facilitate communication and collaboration among professionals involved in mathematics education and mathematics teacher education at all levels;
H. facilitate communication and collaboration among members of educational administrative units, such as departments of mathematics and departments of education;
I. coordinate activities and work collaboratively with other associations and organizations concerned with the preparation and professional development of mathematics teachers;
J. work cooperatively with the federal and state agencies to enhance the mathematical, pedagogical, and clinical preparation of teachers of mathematics at all levels with respect to criteria for credentialing and licensing teachers in Massachusetts;
Article IV - Membership
Section 1: Types of Membership
A. Regular Membership shall be open to all individuals who are interested in the goals of MassMATE as stated in Article III. A person shall become a Regular Member in good standing upon receipt of a completed application and designated dues.
B. Institutional Membership shall be open to all organizations that are interested in the goals of MassMATE as stated in Article III. An organization shall become an Institutional Member in good standing upon receipt of a completed application and designated dues.
C. The Board of Directors may establish various types of membership in the organization, and establish a schedule of dues.
Section 2: Privileges of Members
A. Regular Members shall be accorded all rights and privileges normally provided to members of educational and professional associations including the right to vote, hold office, receive publications, and participate in conferences and meetings.
B. Institutional Members shall have all the same rights and privileges as Regular Members, except the right to vote and hold office.
Section 3: Termination of Membership
Membership shall be terminated upon the non-payment of dues. If dues have not been received within six months of the beginning of the fiscal year, membership shall be terminated.
Article V - Officers and Duties
Section 1: Officers
The elected officers of MassMATE shall consist of President, Secretary, Treasurer, President-Elect, Immediate Past President and three appointed Members-At-Large (at least one from a public and one from a private institution).
Section 2: Duties of President
The President shall ensure that the affairs of the MassMATE are conducted in accordance with this Constitution, Bylaws, and policies of the MassMATE; shall be the presiding officer at the Annual Business Meeting, Board of Directors meetings and any Special Meetings; shall call Special Meetings as provided for in Article VII Section 2 of this Constitution; shall oversee the activities of standing committees; and shall provide leadership for the attainment of the goals of the MassMATE. The President shall remain informed of current mathematics issues in the state, function as a liaison between MassMATE, AMTE, ATMNE, ATMIM, the Massachusetts Department of Education, and the Board of Higher Education.
Section 3: President-Elect
The President-Elect shall serve as assistant to the President and assume the office of President in the year following her/his election. The President-Elect, with the consent of the Board of Directors, shall assume the Presidency during his/her term of office upon the incapacity or unavailability of the President.
Section 4: Immediate Past President
The Immediate Past President shall serve as a resource person to the President during the year following the termination of his/her term as President of MassMATE. The Immediate Past President, with the consent of the Board of Directors, shall reassume the Presidency during the year following her/his term as President upon the incapacity or unavailability of the President.
Section 5: Secretary
The responsibilities of the Secretary include, but are not limited to, the recording and maintaining of the minutes of official meetings of MassMATE and its Board of Directors. The Secretary will also be responsible for the correspondence of MassMATE.
Section 6: Treasurer
The Treasurer shall ensure that all revenues and expenditures of MassMATE be in conformity with the Constitution, Bylaws, and policies of the MassMATE; shall be responsible for maintaining records of all monies received and paid in the name of MassMATE; shall maintain MassMATE’s non-profit status; shall transact the financial affairs of MassMATE upon recommendation of the Board of Directors; and shall prepare financial reports to be presented at Board of Directors meetings and MassMATE’s Business Meeting.
Section 7: Members-at-Large
The Members-at-Large shall assume responsibilities as determined by the President.
Section 8: Term of Office
The terms of office for the elected officers of MassMATE and Members-at-Large shall be three years, except for President-Elect and Immediate Past President who shall serve one-year terms, and the President, who shall serve a two-year term. The Immediate Past President shall serve in the first year of the President’s term and the President-Elect shall serve in the second year of the President’s term. Elected officers of MassMATE and the Members-at-Large shall assume office at the end of the annual meeting at which their election is announced.
Section 9: Vacancies
When a vacancy on the Board of Directors occurs, the president shall appoint someone to complete that term, with the approval of the Board of Directors.
Article VI - Organization
Section 1: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers, three Members-at-Large and shall be the policy-making body of MassMATE.
Section 2: Standing Committees
There shall be standing committees of MassMATE as provided in the Bylaws of the Association. Standing committee members and chairpersons shall be appointed by the President of MassMATE with the approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 3: Representatives to Affiliated Organizations
The Board of Directors shall appoint a Regular Member in good standing to be the representative to the Organizations to which MassMATE is affiliated. The representative must also be a member of the affiliated organization. The term of the representative shall be three years.
Article VII - Meetings
Section 1: Annual Business Meeting
MassMATE shall hold at least one Business Meeting per year as specified in the Bylaws of MassMATE. The meeting will be open to all members.
Section 2: Special Meetings
Special Meetings of MassMATE shall be called by the President at the direction of the Board of Directors or upon petition of 20% of the membership.
Section 3: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall hold at least three meetings per fiscal year. The voting quorum is 2/3 of the Board.
Section 4: Parliamentary Procedure
Roberts’ Rules of Order Newly Revised shall prevail at all MassMATE meetings, except as provided for in the Bylaws.
Article VIII - Nominations and Elections
Section 1: Nominations and Election Committee
The Past President or the President-Elect shall appoint and the Board of Directors shall approve a Nominations and Election Committee as specified in Article VI Section 2.
Section 2: Elections
Members of the Board of Directors shall be elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting.
The officers and three Members-at-Large of the Board of Directors will assume office on July 1 after their election is announced.
Article IX - Amendments to the Constitution
This Constitution may be amended by the following procedure.
A. Any Regular Member(s) may propose amendments.
B. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Board of Directors two months prior to a Business Meeting. A proposed amendment endorsed by 20% of the Regular Members present at the Business Meeting shall be considered.
C. The Board of Directors shall present for discussion all proposed Constitutional amendments at a Business Meeting. Proposed Constitutional amendments receiving a majority vote of the Regular Members present at the Annual Meeting shall be submitted to the membership for ratification by ballot within 60 days of a Business Meeting and shall take effect when approved by a two-thirds majority of those Regular Members in good standing who vote.
Article X - Ratification of the Constitution
This Constitution is ratified when it is approved by 2/3 of the Regular Members in good standing who vote.
Article XI - Dissolution of MassMATE
MassMATE may be dissolved only at a Business Meeting. Notification of the intention to dissolve MassMATE shall be sent to all members in good standing prior to the meeting. The resolution for dissolution shall be discussed at a Business Meeting. If the resolution to dissolve MassMATE is approved by more than 2/3 of the Regular Members in good standing who vote, then MassMATE shall be dissolved.
Upon any such dissolution of MassMATE, all its property remaining after satisfaction of all its obligations shall be distributed to one or more non-profit funds, foundations, or corporations which are organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes and have established its tax-exempt status. The determination of how to distribute the funds will be determined at the meeting at which the dissolution of MassMATE is decided.
Article XII - Internal Revenue Code
MassMATE qualifies for Section 501(c) (3) status under the Internal Revenue Code. As such, MassMATE is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, MassMATE shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax as an organization described in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.)