HGREA Constitution and By-Laws
Article I: Name The name of the organization shall be the Hall County/Gainesville uint, GREA.
Article II: Objectives The objectives of HGREA are:
1. To provide an organization through which the interests and welfare of local members may be served.
2. To continue to work with current professional organizations to improve teaching and the welfare of professional educators.
3. To use the concerted thinking of local units to influence the legislative process favorable to education and educators at the local, state and national levels.
4. To work diligently toward providing retirement benefits for teachers comparable to those provided for professional in other areas with similar years of training and service.
5. To promote fellowship and mutual concern for the needs of fellow retirees.
Article III: Membership
1. Regular membership shall be granted to all retired professional educators and to educational auxiliary personnel who are recipients od Teacher Retirement or other retirements benefits as stipulated in State By-Laws. Only regular members shall have the right to vote or hold office.
2. Associate membership may be granted to spouses, friend and beneficiaries receiving state retirement benefits from the estate of a retiree but may not vote or hold office.
3. All regular and associate members shall be required to pay annual dues as set by the local unit.
4. The membership year shall be from May 1 through April 30 of the succeeding calendar year.
Artical IV:
1. All officers shall be elected by majority vote of the members present at a regular or called meeting designated for the purpose of electing officers.
2. The local unit shall have the following officers: President, President-elect, Immediate Past President, Treasurer, Secretary
3. Term of office: Officers will serve one year and may not succeed themselveswith the exception of the treasurer and secretary who may serve multiple terms at the discretion of the local membership. Other officers are eligible for election to the same office after a twelve month period has elapsed following the end of his or her term.
Article V: Duties of officers
1. The President or President's designee shall preside at all regular meetings of the unit, act as chair of the executive committee, and shall appoint all committees (may permit the appointed chairman to select members with the approval of the President). The President may vote only in the case of a tie.
2. President -elect: The President-elects office shall assume such duties as assigned by the President, and shall be the Presidemt's assistant. The President- elect shall have a thorough understanding of the organizational pattern and procedures common to the retired educators sorganization at the local, state, and national levels. The President-elect shall prepare a budget to be presented to the executive committee in the year in which he/she serves as President.
3. Immediate Past President: The immediate Past President shall assume the duties as assigned by the President and shall be responsible for the operations involved in the Scholarship Program.
4. Treasurer: The treasurer shall be responsible for the accurate accounting of all funds of the organization, and shall keep them deposited in a legal and viable institution. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of all dues and other funds, and for making periodic financial reports to the unit.
5. Secretary: The secretary shall record accurate minutes of all official meetings, and shall preserve them in legible form for future reference. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary to keep, store and preserve all records, emblems and other memorabilia which sall be given to the succeeding secretary.
Articel VI: Committees
1. Executive Committee: The executive Committee shall be composed of elected officers and the chairpersons of the standing committees regularly appointed by the local president. Duties of the Executive Committee shall be to make decisions and transact necessary business in the interim between local unit meetings.
2. Regular Committees: The existing Regular Committees are as listed and may be continued or deleted by a vote of the membership: Inspiration, Legislation, Membership, Sunshine, Programs, Projects and Entertainment.
3. Ad Hoc Committees: These may be appointed by the President with the consent of the Executive Committee, and may serve until the purpose is accomplished or until the end of the current President's term of office.
Article VII Meetings:
1. The HGREA unit of GREA shall convene during the months of September, October, November, December, February, March, April and May.
2. The HGREA unit of GREA may have called meetings at the option of the President and a majority of the Executive Committee.
3. The active members at any regularly scheduled meeting or a called meeting shall constitute a quorum.
Article VIII Amendments:
1. This constitution and By-Laws document may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the active members present.
2. Proposed amendments must be presented in writing to the President thirty days (30) prior to being introduced to the general membership.
3. Typed copies of the proposed amendments shall be available to the membership at a general meeting for the consideration before introduction, discussion, or vote.