Bylaws of the Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative Certified

Staff Association
Revised and approved 6/2019

Article I. Powers of General Membership

Section 1.01 State and national dues will be assessed in accordance with the dues
categories and policies of Education Minnesota, AFT, and NEA
Section 1.02 Local membership dues shall be determined by SWSC CSA in the following
manner: the Executive Committee will determine dues each March for the
following school year.
Section 1.03 No net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any member (except that the
organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation
for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of
the purposes as herein above stated).
Section 1.04 Maintenance of membership- the Executive Committee shall adopt a policy
to secure twelve-month membership commitments from each member, which will
renew on an annual basis unless revoked during the week of the year preceding
October 1.

Article II. Parliamentary Authority

Section 2.01 Rules of Order: The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules
of Order Newly Revised shall govern SWSC CSA in all cases to which they are
applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution, Bylaws, or
any Special Rules of Order that SWSC CSA may adopt.

Article III. Election of State and National Delegates

Section 3.01 The election of state and national delegates will be held in accordance with
the timelines and procedures of the state and national organizations.

Article IV. Meetings

Section 4.01 There shall be a minimum of one regular meeting held each year.
Section 4.02 Special meetings may be held at any time at the call of the president
Section 4.03 A majority of members present in person at any meeting of the Association
shall constitute a quorum for the general transaction of business. A quorum for
Committee meetings shall consist of a majority of the Committee.
Article V. Standing Committees of the CSA
Section 5.01 The SWWC Service Cooperative CSA shall have the following standing
committees to fulfill the organizational requirements listed.
(a) Executive Committee: (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Negotiators, Member Rights, Site Representatives, Membership Chair, and
Communications Chair) It is the responsibility of the executive committee to
oversee all activities of the local union, to ensure agreement with the goals,
priorities and plans that have been set by consensus of the local leadership and
the requirements of Education Minnesota, including:
(i) Annual review of the constitution and bylaws of the SWSC CSA for compliance with
EM requirements and local union practices and procedures.
(ii) To monitor committee activities toward the accomplishment of the stated purpose of
each.
(iii) With committees, to annually monitor the effectiveness of its programs.
(iv) To review and take action regarding local union business, as necessary, to meet the
requirements of the local union and EM.
(v) Develop the annual budget and present proposed budget to general membership.
(vi) Chair: Local President
(b) Membership Committee: It is the responsibility of the membership committee to
ensure that each member has access to peer support, information and assistance
through developing easily accessible resources through the following activities:
(i) Promote member participation through events and promotion.
(ii) Promote mentoring relationships, or other peer-to-peer networks to assist new
members, and other members seeking collaboration on mutual needs, professional
issues and interests.
(iii) Promote the achievement of members through the recognition of accomplishments
such as national certifications, special projects and leadership.
(iv)
(v) Other duties as assigned by Executive Committee.
(vi) Chair: (Appointment by Executive Committee)
(c) Audit Committee: It is the responsibility of the financial committee to assist the
local treasurer to meet the responsibility to protect and care for, and disburse all
funds of the local and to keep an account of the same. Tasks will include:
(i) Annually review, accept or amend local accounting methods and procedures to
ensure that they comply with current EM guidelines.
(ii) Monitor and ensure that local financial records and reporting practices are in
compliance with IRS regulations.
(iii)
(iv) Assist in the preparation of financial reports provided to the general membership.
 (v) Assist in the required annual audit of the local’s financial records.
(vi) Present financial report to membership annually including:
1) annual audit results
2) financial records
(vii) Other duties as assigned by Executive Committee
(viii) The Treasurer is required to attend training from EdMN at least every four years.
(ix) Chair: Local Treasurer
(d) Communication Committee: It is the responsibility of the communications
committee to promote participation and to enable a mutual exchange of
information between members and leaders through a variety of methods and
promotions including:
(i) The development of resources to increase general membership knowledge and
professional development. For example: dispute resolution procedures, etc.
(ii) Assist standing and special committees to network with membership around
committee goals, needs and interests.
(iii) Assist local members to access state and national union/affiliate resources.
(iv) Other duties as assigned by the Executive Committee.
(v) Chair: (Vice President)
(e) Negotiations Committee: It is the responsibility of the negotiations committee to
represent the union membership in contract negotiations with SW/WC
administration according to identified membership needs and priorities including:
(i) Following current contract requirements for initiating, conducting and concluding
contract negotiations with SW/WC administration.
(ii) Communicate with the general membership regarding the progress of negotiations,
and to seek guidance from the local union membership as appropriate.
(iii) Maintain relationships with EM field staff for information, expertise and support
regarding contract negotiations.
(iv) Support and promote local union goals, whenever possible, through development of
contract proposals and initiatives.
(v) Other duties as assigned by the Executive Committee.
(vi) Negotiators will be required to attend negotiating training from EdMN at least every
four years.
(vii) Chair: (Lead Negotiator)
(f) Members Right Committee
(i) Promote access to information and resources to support member rights.
(ii) Develop an ongoing meet and confer agenda, and meet regularly.
(iii) Chair: Member Rights Advocate (appointed by Executive Committee)
(g) Voting Committee
(i) Coordinate the nomination and the election of CSA officers.
(ii) Coordinate the voting process for the ratification of new contracts.
 (iii) Chair: Secretary
(h) Standing committee chairs may be selected from volunteers or appointed
through vote by members of the Executive Committee. In the event of resignation
or a member’s inability to complete their term as a committee chair, another
chair may be appointed at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Article VI. Special Committees of the CSA

Section 6.01 The Executive Committee shall have the power to develop special
committees to address specific concerns of the CSA at their discretion. Special
committees shall be provided direction from the Executive committee regarding:
(a) Its purpose
(b) How long the special committee may operate
(c) How special committee activities will be monitored and reported
(d) How special committee activities will be reimbursed (if applicable)
Section 6.02 Special committee chairs and members shall be recruited from the general
membership (whenever possible), and will be selected from volunteers and/or
appointed through vote by members of the Executive Committee.

Article VII. Stipends paid to the Executive Committee

Section 7.01 Elected officers and site representatives of the CSA will be paid an annual
stipend.
(a) Stipend recommendations will be determined by a special committee upon
review of prior practice and current practices for Education Minnesota locals of
similar membership size.
(b) Stipends will be presented for approval by the membership within the proposed
annual CSA budget.
(c) To receive a full stipend, site representatives must attend 70% or more of
scheduled executive committee meetings, and must schedule and document site
meetings by submitting minutes to the communication committee chair for
posting. Members of each site will plan the number of site meetings to be held
each year. Modifications to a site rep stipend will be made by the executive
committee.

Article VIII. Amendments to the Bylaws

Section 8.01 The Bylaws of the Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of those
members present and voting at any membership meeting.