SECTION 1. NAME

The name of this association will be Work Experience Coordinators Association (WECA).

SECTION II. PURPOSE

The purpose of the association will be:

1. To unite into one organization all persons engaged in or directly connected with any work-based educational program such as, but not restricted to:

• Work Experience and Career Exploration Programs (WECEP)
• General Work Experience Programs
• Cooperative Work Study Programs
• Occupational Work Experience Programs (Capstone)
• Special Education Work Experience Programs
• Career Internship Programs
• School-To-Employment Programs

1. To Aid in developing, improving and implementing work-based education programs in New York State.
2. To develop an ongoing public relations program for education.
3. To stimulate, initiate and conduct research to work-based education.
4. To serve as a central clearing agency for gathering and dissemination of information relative to cooperative education programs in New York State.
5. To maintain relationships with similar agencies and organizations in other states.
6. To promote in-service programs for teachers/coordinators in New York State.
7. To maintain liaison with the New York State Education Department
8. To promote and support leadership activities of related student organizations.
9. To promote and support occupational and career education.

 ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. ACTIVE MEMBERS

To be eligible for active membership an individual must direct, supervise, or coordinate a work-based education program.

SECTION 2. ADMISSION

Any eligible person may become and remain an active member of the association upon payment of the annual dues of the association and approval by the executive committee. Payment of the annual dues entitles each active member to the following privileges:

1. To attend all meeting of the association.
2. To vote at all business meetings and state elections.
3. To receive publications of the association.

SECTION 3. ASSOCIATE MEMBER

Any person or any professional in the New York State Education Department or organization may become an Associate Member by payment of the associate membership dues. Such membership entitles said member or organization to be included on the WECA mailing list but dos not include voting privileges.

SECTION 4. HONORARY OR RETIRED MEMBER

Any person may be so honored by this organization, or any person retiring or promoted from a coordinator’s position and previously an active member shall become an Honorary/Retired Member in good standing. The member shall be entitled to attend all local and state WECA meeting, to receive all local and state publications and to retain voting privileges.

SECTION 5. STUDENT MEMBER

Higher education students enrolled in a teacher/training program may become a student member of this organization. Such membership entitles each member to receive all publications and announcements. No voting privileges.

ARTICLE III - OFFICERS AND TERMS OF OFFICE

 SECTION 1. OFFICERS

The officers of the association will be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

SECTION 2. TERMS OF OFFICE

1. All officers of the association will hold office for a term of two (2) years.
2. All officers will be eligible for reelection to the same office on continued membership In the association but not to exceed tow (2) consecutive terms. Officers may also be eligible for election to any other office after serving another legal term of office.
3. New officers will assume the responsibility of office on July 1.
4. The president and secretary will be elected on odd numbered years. The remaining officers will be elected on even numbered years.

 ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS

 SECTION 1. MEETINGS

The annual meeting date will be at the discretion of the Policy and Planning Committee with notice sent to the membership sixty (60) days prior to the meeting.

SECTION 2. QUORUM

The members present at any association meeting for which written notice has been given will constitute a quorum for the transaction of official business.

ARTICLE V - AMENDMENTS

 SECTION 1.

This constitution may be amended by the affirmative vote of at least two thirds (2/3) of the association members present.

SECTION 2.

Proposals to amend the constitution may be initiated by the Executive Committee, or the president, or any committee with this delegated power, or by any individual member in good standing.

SECTION 3.

Such proposal for amending the constitution must be submitted in writing to the members sixty (60) days before an annual meeting. If passed by a majority vote of the members present at the meeting, the amendments will be considered in effect if a majority of the members in good standing have not objected in writing within thirty (30) days to the secretary.

ARTICLE VI - RULES OF ORDER

SECTION 1. ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER REVISED

Roberts Rules of Order Revised will govern the proceedings of the association not otherwise specified in the constitution and by-laws.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

SECTION 1. NOMINATIONS

The nominations and Election Committee consisting of each zone Chairperson or designee will prepare a report consisting of one or more nominees for each office of the association. This report will be submitted to the Executive Committee at the last policy and planning meeting held prior to the annual spring policy and planning meeting. Upon acceptance of said report, the president will accept any nominations from the floor that are submitted by the Policy and Planning Committee. The complete slate established will be transformed into a ballot and mailed to all members, tabulated, and the results made know to the membership prior to the annual meeting. The responsibility of ballot mailing, tabulation and reporting the results to the president will be the responsibility of the nomination chairperson, who is appointed by the committee at the time it convenes. The ballot will be dated and mailed at the discretion of the Executive Board. The said ballot will be returned on or before thirty (30) days from the date stipulated on the ballot. Eligibility for state office will include serving as a zone chairperson for at least one (1) year.

FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

SECTION 1. PRESIDENT

The president shall preside at all meetings of the association. He shall appoint all special committees and chairpersons of the standing committees, and shall supervise all activities of the association. The president shall also serve as chairperson of the Executive Committee and shall cal and preside at all meetings of the body. He/She is responsible for the enforcement of all rules and regulations relating to the administration of the association.

SECTION 2. VICE-PRESIDENT

In the absence of the president, the vice-president shall have all the powers and prerogatives of the president. He/She will serve as chairperson for professional conferences and is responsible for the Membership Committee.

SECTION 4. TREASURER

The treasurer shall collect all money due the association, shall deposit all funds in a separate account in the name of the association, shall keep an accurate account of all funds received and disbursed, and shall present a suitable report of the financial condition of the association, at the annual meeting of the association. He/She, working with the president, shall prepare and submit for the following year a budget for approval at the first general meeting.

SECTION 5. SECRETARY

The secretary shall keep a permanent record of the transactions and meetings of the association and Executive Committee. He/She shall conduct all correspondence relating to the association and shall issue notice of all meetings. He/She shall keep a register of the members of the association. In the absence of the president and vice-president, the secretary shall have all powers and the prerogatives of the president and shall also serve as newsletter editor.

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

SECTION 1. MEMBERSHIP

1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the association as defined in Article III,

Section 1 of the constitution.

2. The immediate pas president is to serve in an advisory capacity and also as chairperson of the Nominating and Election Committee and has full voting privileges on the Executive Committee.

 SECTION 2. FUNCTION

The Executive Committee shall initiate association business and bring to the membership matters which need consideration. The committee shall meet during the period between annual meetings as part of the Policy and Planning Committee.

All actions of the Executive Committee are subject to the approval of the membership at the annual meeting.

The Executive Committee is hereby authorized to fill by appointment any vacancies in elective offices occurring during the fiscal year.

SECTION 3. ATTENDANCE -- EXECUTIVE MEETINGS

Two absences of a member of the Executive Board from an Executive Committee meeting, annual meeting, or committee meeting will result in a review by the Executive Committee of that person’s right to term of office.

STANDING COMMITTEES

1. NOMINATION AND ELECTION COMMITTEE

The Nomination and Election Committee shall be responsible for the nomination and election of all elective officers of the association as stated in Article I of the by-laws.

2. AUDITING COMMITTEE

The auditing Committee shall examine the books of the treasurer immediately prior to the annual meeting. The responsibility of this activity will be with each zone on a rotating basis.

3. PUBLISHING COMMITTEE

The secretary zone chairpersons will be responsible for publishing our newsletter. The secretary shall coordinate all activities of this committee including gathering articles, establishing format and setting "themes". Zone chairpersons will serve as associate editors on a rotating basis.

4. LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

The Legislative Committee shall accumulate and report on local, state, and national legislative action as may be deemed vital to the members of the association. The committee will follow the status of state and federal legislation, reporting to and requesting follow-up by membership when necessary.

5. POLICY AND PLANNING COMMITTEE

This committee shall consist of the Executive Committee and the zone chairpersons from the respective zones. This committee shall be convened at the discretion of the president to conduct the business of the organization. All members must be notified in writing at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled date of the Policy and Planning Committee meeting.

6. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

The Membership Committee shall be composed of the vice-president as chairperson and his/her designees.

DUES AND FINANCE

SECTION 1. DUES