Constitution

of the

National Middle Level Science Teachers Association

 

ARTICLE I ~ NAME AND DESCRIPTION

Section 1.  The name of this Association shall be the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association, Incorporated. Said Association may also be referred to as the Association or NMLSTA.

Section 2.  The National Middle Level Science Teachers Association, Incorporated is incorporated in compliance with Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Furthermore, NMLSTA is incorporated as a nonprofit organization under the laws of the District of Columbia.

Section 3.   None of the profits or losses of this organization shall be accrued by or distributed to a Member of NMLSTA or any other individual except as the Association may be authorized and empowered to reimburse expenses, pay reasonable compensation for services rendered, or to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the object and purpose set forth in Article II hereof.

 

ARTICLE II ~ OBJECTIVES

Section 1. The objectives of NMLSTA shall be:  to stimulate, improve, and coordinate science teaching in the middle level grades, which shall include grades five through nine, and to promote the continuity of science education by disseminating knowledge to teachers to help them improve their classroom practices, offering high quality resources for middle level science educators, recognizing the importance of middle level science educators, and providing networking opportunities for middle level science educators.

Section 2.   Progress toward these objectives shall be made through virtual and in-person meetings, activities, publications, the Association’s online presence, and in ways that the Board of Directors may approve. In addition, NMLSTA may work in cooperation with other organizations and agencies that share mutual goals and objectives with NMLSTA. The Association shall not engage in any activity which would be inconsistent with the status of an educational, charitable, and scientific organization as defined in Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or any successor provision thereto.

 

ARTICLE III ~ MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  The Membership shall consist of two classes:

A.    Active

B.     Life

Section 2. Dues and Eligibility

A.    Except for Life Members, membership is maintained by the payment of annual dues as described in the NMLSTA Bylaws. The dues shall be determined by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors only after the proposed dues are announced to the Membership as described in the Bylaws.

B.     Active Membership (also known as Members) is open to all individuals interested in science education at the middle level.

C.     Members who have served a term as President of the Association shall automatically become Life Members. Other persons may be elected to Life Membership upon the nomination by a Member of the Board of Directors and a unanimous vote of said Board.

Section 3. Term of Membership

A.    Except for Life Membership the term of Membership shall be for one year. Multi-year memberships may be established with Board approval. 

B.     Any Member may resign from the Association by submitting a written resignation to the Board of Directors. Such resignation shall be effective as of the date received by the Association. The balance of dues will be forfeited by the resigning member.

 

ARTICLE IV ~ OFFICERS

Section l.  Officers:

A.    The Executive Officers of this Association shall be the President, President Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

B.     The succession from President Elect to President and from President to Past President shall be automatic.  

Section 2. Election and Terms of Office:

A.    The Presidential Chain may be elected to hold said office for one term (three-year cycle). 

B.     The Secretary and Treasurer may be elected to hold office for two consecutive three-year terms. 

 

ARTICLE V ~ BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Composition:

A.    The Board of Directors shall be:

1.     The elected Officers.

2.      Six Directors elected by the Membership.

3.      Additional Directors appointed by the President with a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.

4.      The President of the National Science Teaching Association or an appointee.

5.      The chairs of all standing committees.

6.      The Board of Directors shall not exceed 25 individuals.

B.     All members of the NMLSTA Board of Directors shall be members in good standing, holding current Membership in NMLSTA.

C.     The new term of office for Officers and Directors shall begin at the close of the Annual Membership Meeting.

D.    The terms of President Elect, President, and Immediate Past President (Presidential Chain) shall be for one year. All other officers serve a term of three years. The term of Director shall be for three years with one-third of the Directors being elected annually.

Section 2. Responsibility:

A.    The governing body of this Association shall be the Board of Directors.  The members of the Board of Directors shall act on behalf of the Membership.

B.     Members of the Board of Directors who have been elected by the NMLSTA Membership, or appointed with the approval of the Board of Directors and the President of the National Science Teaching Association or an appointee, shall have voting privileges of said Board.

C.     The President is entitled to vote only when the vote is by ballot and in all cases where the outcome of tie vote would change due to the Presidential vote.

Section 3. Associate and Affiliate Groups:

A.    General Characteristics:

1. The NMLSTA may establish relationships with other groups.

2. Associated and Affiliate Groups shall be self-governing, not-for-profit, and maintain financial autonomy from NMLSTA.

B.     Descriptions:

1. Associated Group refers to any not-for-profit local, state, province, or national organization which has as its purpose the advancement and improvement of science education.

2. Affiliates are major national science teaching organizations whose goals and membership are compatible with those of the NMLSTA.

C.     Representation on the NMLSTA Board of Directors:

1.      An organization shall apply for Affiliate or Associate status through the President of the NMLSTA. Said procedure is described in the Bylaws.

2.      The President or an appointee of each Affiliate or Associate group may sit on the NMLSTA Board of Directors in a nonvoting capacity unless special privileges are provided through mutual agreements and unanimous approval of the NMLSTA Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI ~ ELECTIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE

A.    The new term of office for Officers and Directors shall begin at the close of the Annual Membership Meeting.

B.     The terms of President, President Elect, and Immediate Past President (Presidential Chain) shall be for one year.

C.     All other Officers serve a term of three years.

D.    The term of Director shall be for three years.

E.      One-third of the elected Directors shall be elected annually.

 

ARTICLE VII ~ COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Executive Committee:

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President.

Section 2. Standing Committees:

The Standing Committees shall include the:

A.    Audit Committee

B.     Awards Committee

C.     Budget Committee

D.    Conference and Workshop Committee

E.     Constitution and Bylaws Oversight Committee

F.      Election Committee

G.    Membership Committee

H.    Technology and Communications Committee

Section 3. Special Committees:

Special committees may be established by the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, whenever such additional committees are necessary to carry out the work of the Association.

 

ARTICLE VIII ~ MEETINGS

Section 1.  Annual Meeting:

A.    There shall be an Annual Meeting of the Membership, preferably held in conjunction with the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) National Conference.  

B.     At the Annual Meeting, the President shall submit to the Membership an Annual Report and seek the Membership’s approval of the activities of the Board of Directors and its appointees through a show of hands vote.

Section 2. Other Meetings:

A.    The NMLSTA may hold other meetings and conferences at such times and places as the Board of Directors shall designate to meet the objectives and purposes of the Association.

B.     A special meeting of the Membership may be initiated by a petition from ten percent (10%) of the Members.

 

ARTICLE IX ~ COMMUNICATIONS

Section 1.  The NMLSTA digital Newsletter is a means by which the Board will communicate with the Membership.

Section 2.  The NMLSTA website offers information and an opportunity for communication among Members, the Board, and other interested parties. 

Section 3.  The Board may establish other means of communication as appropriate.

ARTICLE X ~ AMENDMENTS

Section 1.  Proposed constitutional changes may be initiated by the Board of Directors or by petition signed by at least ten percent (10%) of the Active and Life Membership.

Section 2.  This Constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote cast by the Members in a ballot.

ARTICLE XI ~ DISSOLUTION

In the event that this Association should ever be dissolved, any remaining assets will be donated to the National Science Teaching Association. Such a donation will be made after the resolution of all debts, obligations, and liabilities.

 

ARTICLE XII ~ PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in Roberts’ Rules of Order, 12th Edition as utilized by NSTA shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association.

 

The Constitution was adopted on February 1, 1995.

The Constitution was amended on February 1, 1999.

The Constitution was amended on May 2, 2023