TCEA BYLAWS
ARTICLE I. NAME AND LOCATION
The name of this organization shall be the Texas Computer Education Association, a nonprofit
corporation, incorporated in the State of Texas, hereinafter referred to as the Association.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
Section 1. Purpose
The purpose of this Association shall be:
1) To encourage an active interest in the use of computers and technology in elementary,
secondary, and higher education throughout the state of Texas.
2) To provide an opportunity to keep abreast of trends in computer and technology education.
3) To provide and improve preservice and inservice training in Texas in the area of computer and
technology education.
4) To provide professional cooperation and communication among educators toward the
appropriate use of computers and technology.
5) To serve as a liaison among organizations and other interests involved in the use of the
computer and technology as a tool in education.
6) To promote the active and appropriate use of computers and technology by elementary and
secondary students.
7) To provide personal and professional services to members.
Section 2. Objectives
The objectives of the Association shall be:
1) To encourage the formation and support of groups concerned with the uses of computers and
technology in education.
2) To interact with state agencies to establish appropriate guidelines for computers and technology
in education.
3) To promote equal opportunity for all students within Texas to enjoy the benefits and enrichment
of computer and technology related instruction.
4) To encourage the establishment of guidelines for the use of computers and technology in
educational administration and in the total school curriculum.
5) To develop standards of computer proficiency for teacher training and recommend certification
standards for teachers.
6) To encourage the establishment of computer and technology specialists at all levels of
education.
7) To encourage the implementation of effective mechanisms for sharing and disseminating
information concerning computer and technology related instruction.
8) To promote sound development directions for computer and technology related education
through program evaluation and research.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Qualification
Membership in this Association shall be available to all persons who are interested in using computers or
related technology for educational purposes regardless of ethnicity, gender, creed, or national origin, and who agree
to comply with the basic tenets of the Association as described in these ByLaws.
Section 2. Regular Membership
Regular voting membership in this Association shall be open to all individuals who are interested in using
computers or related technology for educational purposes.
Section 3. Student Membership
Student Membership shall be available to full-time undergraduate students. Undergraduate student members
will have all voting rights and privileges of Regular Membership.
ARTICLE IV. DUES
Section 1. Establishment of Dues
Dues for all classes of membership shall be determined by majority vote of the Board of Directors. All
voting members shall be notified within sixty (60) days of any change in the amount of dues approved by the
Board of Directors.
Section 2. Membership Period
The membership period shall be for one (1) year from the date dues are received at the Association mailing
address. The date the dues are received shall be recorded to establish each member's anniversary date for future
renewals.
Section 3. Delinquency and Cancellation
A procedure that provides for adequate notice of membership renewal and establishment of procedures for
removal of delinquent membership shall be the responsibility of the Executive Director. Members may not be
removed unless dues are delinquent for more than thirty (30) calendar days.
ARTICLE V. MEETING AND VOTING OF MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Annual Business Meeting
The Annual Business Meeting of the Association Voting Membership shall be held in conjunction with the
Annual State Convention on such dates as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Association Voting Membership may be called by the Board of Directors at any
time, or may be called by the President upon receipt of a written request by fifty (50) Regular Members, within
thirty (30) days after the filing of such request with the President. The business to be transacted at any special
meeting shall be stated in the notice thereof, and no other business may be considered at the time. Notice of any
special meeting of the Association Voting Membership will be given to voting members not less than ten (10)
days before the date of the meeting.
Section 3. Voting in Business Meetings
At all business meetings of the Association Voting Membership, each member shall have one (1) vote and
may take part and vote in person only. A majority vote of those members present and voting shall govern. Voting
rights of a member shall not be delegated to another nor exercised by proxy.
Section 4. Voting
Proposals to be offered to members for a vote shall first be approved by the Board of Directors. The
Board of Directors will approve an auditable method of voting. On any vote, a majority of those voting shall
determine the action.
Section 5. Quorum of Members
At the Annual Business Meeting or any special meeting of the Association Voting Membership, a quorum
shall consist of at least fifty (50) Voting Members. No formal action, other than adjournment, can be taken in
the absence of a quorum.
Section 6. Cancellation of Meetings
The Board of Directors may cancel any Annual Business Meeting of the Voting Membership or special
meeting for just cause.
Section 7. Rules of Order
All meetings and proceedings of Association shall be regulated and controlled according to the current
edition of Robert's Rules of Order for parliamentary procedures, except as may be otherwise provided by these
Bylaws.
Article VI. ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE
Section 1. Overall Structure
This organization shall consist, top to bottom, of a Board of Directors, an Area Council and Local Chapters
(optional). The organization shall have Special Interest Groups (SIG) that represent communities of interest
within the organization. An equitable geographic balance shall be maintained on all levels, insofar as possible.
Any Association Officer identified above shall not receive compensation for his/her services.
An Executive Director and supporting staff shall be retained to provide supportive leadership and clerical
assistance to the Association.
Section 2. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of this Association will consist of:
President
Past-President
President Elect
Vice President-Member Services
Vice President-Convention
Vice President-Records and Finance
Vice President Elect
Area Directors
Section 3. Area Council
An Area Council shall consist of the Area Directors and Council members from that TCEA Area. The
Area Council members must reside or be employed within the TCEA Area and hold TCEA membership. The
Association Areas are defined to coincide with the established twenty (20) Education Service Center regions as
follows:
Area 1 consists of ESC, Region 1
Area 2 consists of ESC, Region 2
Area 3 consists of ESC, Region 3
Area 4 consists of ESC, Region 4
Area 5 consists of ESC, Region 5
Area 6 consists of ESC, Region 6
Area 7 consists of ESC, Region 7
Area 8 consists of ESC, Region 8
Area 9 consists of ESC, Region 9
Area 10 consists of ESC, Region 10
Area 11 consists of ESC, Region 11
Area 12 consists of ESC, Region 12
Area 13 consists of ESC, Region 13
Area 14 consists of ESC, Region 14
Area 15 consists of ESC, Region 15
Area 16 consists of ESC, Region 16
Area 17 consists of ESC, Region 17
Area 18 consists of ESC, Region 18
Area 19 consists of ESC, Region 19
Area 20 consists of ESC, Region 20
Section 4. Local Chapter
To form a Local Chapter, TCEA members must petition the Board of Directors and receive its approval.
The Local Chapter will be led by a Local Chapter Coordinator. Members of the Local Chapter must reside or
be employed in the location defined by that Local Chapter and hold TCEA membership.
Section 5. Executive Director
The Executive Director shall be selected and employed by the Board of Directors. He/she shall maintain,
with supportive staff, an Association business office. The Executive Director shall oversee the day-to-day
activities of the Association, under the advisement of the President. The Executive Director will retain and
supervise such staff as are budgeted by the Association.
The Executive Director and staff will be responsible for maintaining the TCEA membership database,
directing the fiscal matters of the Association, and other such duties as delegated by the Board.
The Executive Director of the Association shall serve as its delegate to International Society for
Technology in Education (ISTE)'s Organizational Affiliate meetings.
Section 6. Special Interest Groups
The Special Interest Groups will be led by a Board consisting of officers designated by their bylaws.
ARTICLE VII. STATE OFFICERS AND AREA DIRECTORS
Section 1. State Officers
The officers of the Association shall be President, Past President, President Elect, Vice President-
Member Services, Vice President-Records and Finance, Vice President-Convention, and Vice President Elect to
be elected by the voting membership.
Section 2. Qualifications for State Officers and Area Directors
Any Regular Member who is a teacher, administrator, or other employee of an educational entity in the state
of Texas, shall be eligible for nomination and election to any office of the Association. Educational entities, for
the purpose of these Bylaws, shall include public and private schools, colleges and universities, and governmental
agencies concerned with education.
Area Directors must reside or be employed in the TCEA Area in which he/she is running for election and
must continue to reside or be employed in the TCEA Area that they represent for the duration of their term.
In addition, state officers must have served as a voting member of the Board of Directors for at least
two years prior to taking office. In addition, to be eligible for President-elect, a person must have served an elected
term on the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Terms of State Officers and Area Directors
The President Elect shall be elected annually. The President Elect shall serve a three-year term, one
year each in the following order:
President Elect for one (1) year
President for one (1) year
Past-President for one (1) year
The Vice President Elect shall be elected annually. The Vice President Elect shall serve a two-year term,
one year each in the following order.
Vice President Elect for one (1) year
Vice President-Convention for one (1) year
The Vice President-Member Services shall be elected every two years and shall serve a two-year term.
The Vice President-Records and Finance shall be elected every two years and shall serve a two-year
term.
The Vice President-Member Services and the Vice President-Records and Finance shall not be elected in the
same year in order to stagger terms.
Area Directors from each of the Association designated areas of the state shall be elected. One half of the Area
Directors shall be elected each year in order to stagger terms. Odd numbered area terms begin in odd numbered
years and even numbered area terms begin in even numbered years.
Section 4. Nomination and Election Procedures for State Officers and Area Directors
Notice that nominations are open shall be sent to the voting membership at least 120 days prior to the Annual
Business Meeting. Nominations shall be in writing, signed by a Regular Member, and shall include a brief resume
and a written consent of the nominee to be nominated and serve if elected.
In order to accept, nominations must be received at the Association's or the Nomination Committee Chair's
mailing address no later than 90 days prior to the annual business meeting. If no nominations are received for
any open position, candidates will be provided by the Vice President-Member Services in accordance with these
Bylaws (Article VII, Section 8).
Election ballots will be made available to the full voting membership and shall be returned to the
Association. Ballots must be verifiable. Election results will be determined by a plurality of votes received by
the deadline.
Officers assume office at the beginning of the fiscal year.
Section 5. Duties of the President
The President shall be the chief elected officer of the Association and serve as Chairman of the Board
of Directors. The President shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors and the
membership. The President shall serve as a member, ex-officio, of all committees. The President shall make all
required appointments of the standing and special committees and other positions as needed unless otherwise
stated in the Bylaws.
The President shall be responsible for conducting, or delegating as appropriate, the daily business of the
Association, consistent with current policies of the Association. The President shall work closely with the
Executive Director and shall mentor the President Elect.
At the Annual Business meeting and at such other times as are deemed proper, the President shall
communicate to the members such matters and make such suggestions as may tend to promote the welfare and
increase the usefulness of the Association. He/she shall perform such other duties as are necessarily incident to
the office of the President or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
The President of the Association shall attend the Organizational Affiliate meetings of the International Society
for Technology in Education (ISTE).
The President of the Association will present the yearly calendar of regular Board meetings and other events
upon assuming office.
Section 6. Duties of the Past President
The Past President succeeds from the Presidency. He/she shall act in an advisory capacity to the Board
of Directors and shall serve on all Standing Committees as well as committees appointed by the President or
requested by the Board. The Past-President may serve this year without being employed by an educational entity,
but may not be employed by a technology-related vendor or company.
Section 7. Duties of the President Elect
The President Elect shall succeed to the President. He/she shall perform the duties of the President in the
event of the President's inability to be present. The President Elect shall accompany the President to Association
events. The President Elect shall be responsible for reviewing official Association documents, including financial
reports and minutes of all meetings.
Section 8. Duties of the Vice President-Member Services
The Vice President-Member Services shall be responsible for nominations and elections of officers,
membership, and Board training.
Section 9. Duties of the Vice President-Records and Finance
The Vice President-Records and Finance shall be responsible for reviewing official Association
documents, including financial reports and minutes of all meetings. The Vice President-Records and
Finance will see that minutes are recorded for all Annual Business Meetings, special meetings, and each Board
of Directors meeting.
The Vice President-Records and Finance shall work with the Executive Director regarding fiscal
arrangements and shall review all transactions of the State level of the Association on a monthly basis.
The Vice President-Records and Finance shall report on the financial condition of the Association at all
meetings of the Board of Directors and at the Annual Business Meeting, and at other times when called upon by
the Board of Directors.
At the end of each fiscal year, the Vice President-Records and Finance shall work with the Executive
Director to direct the preparation of an annual report which shall reflect the annual compiled financial
statement conducted by professional individual(s) with demonstrated knowledge of established accounting
procedures.
Section 10. Duties of the Vice President-Convention
The Vice President-Convention shall serve as the Program Chair of the State Convention, including the
Chair of the Convention Committee, and shall mentor the Vice President-Convention Elect.
Section 11. Duties of the Vice President Elect
The Vice President Elect shall succeed to the Vice President-Convention. He/she shall perform the duties
of the Vice President-Convention in the event of the Vice President's inability to be present. The Vice President
Elect shall accompany the Vice President-Convention to all Convention related events.
Section 12. Duties of the Area Directors
Area Directors are the chief elected officers for each of the TCEA state defined geographical areas. The
Area Director attends and has voting privileges at all Board meetings, acts as a liaison between Area members
and the TCEA Board, organizes specialized Area activities, promotes Area membership, contributes to the
TCEA communications network, budgets and directs the Area funds, works on various committees as assigned,
chairs the Area Council, advises Local Chapters in that Area, and promotes the use of computers and technology
in educational settings.
ARTICLE VIII. AREA COUNCIL
Section 1. Area Council Members
An Area Council shall consist of the Area Director, who shall serve as chairperson, and members recruited
from the general membership of that area.
Section 2. Qualifications for Area Council
Any Regular Member, who is a teacher, administrator, or other employee of an educational entity in
the state of Texas, shall be eligible to serve on an Area Council. Area Council members must reside or be
employed in the TCEA area they serve.
Section 3. Terms of Area Council Members
Membership on the Area Council shall be reviewed annually by the Area Director.
Section 4. Selection of Area Council Members
The Area Director shall recruit and appoint Council members from the general membership of that Area.
An equitable geographic balance shall be maintained, insofar as possible. The Council may establish an officer
structure comparable to the existing structure of TCEA.
Section 5. Duties of the Area Council
Area Council members shall assist the Area Director in planning, organizing, and implementing Area
activities, promoting Area membership, contributing to the TCEA communications network, budgeting and
directing the Area funds, working on various committees as assigned, and promoting the use of computers and
technology in educational settings.
Section 6. Duties of the Area Director
The Area Director organizes specialized Area activities, promotes Area membership, contributes to the
TCEA communications network, budgets and directs the Area funds, works on various committees as
assigned, chairs the Area Council, advises Local Chapters, in that Area, and promotes the use of computers
and technology in educational settings.
ARTICLE IX. LOCAL CHAPTERS
Section 1. Local Chapter
A Local Chapter will consist of a Local Chapter Coordinator, a Steering Committee, and Local members.
All activities of the Local Chapter must be consistent with the purpose and objectives of the organization,
Article II.
Section 2. Qualifications for Local Officers
Any Regular Member, who is a teacher, administrator, or other employee of an educational entity in the state
of Texas, shall be eligible for nomination and election as a Local Coordinator. Local Coordinators must reside or
be employed in the area served by the Local Chapter.
Section 3. Local Coordinator
The Coordinator shall preside at Local Chapter meetings. The Coordinator shall recruit and appoint
members of a local Steering Committee from the general membership of that local area to assist him/her in
conducting the daily business of the local chapter, consistent with current policies of the Association. The Council
may establish an officer structure comparable to the existing structure of TCEA.
At local Chapter meetings and at such other times as are deemed proper, the Coordinator shall
communicate to the members such matters and make such suggestions as may tend to promote the welfare
and increase the usefulness of the Association. He/she shall perform such other duties as are necessarily
incident to the office of Coordinator or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. The Local
Coordinator shall report Local Chapter activities to the Area Director.
Section 4. Vacancies
If the Local Chapter Coordinator is unable to fulfill the duties for the elected term, that position will be filled
by appointment by the Area Director.
ARTICLE X. SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP OFFICERS
Section 1. Special Interest Groups (SIG)
At the discretion of the Board of Directors or upon petition by 25 Regular members, the Board of
Directors may consider the formation or dissolution of a Special Interest Group (SIG). The creation or
dissolution of a SIG requires a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Qualifications for Membership
Qualifications for membership in the SIG, as well as the responsibilities and management of the SIG, shall be
determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Functions
Each SIG functions under the financial and structural umbrella of the Association that retains all rights and
responsibilities for the SIG name, publications, assets and liabilities.
ARTICLE XI. STANDING, SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND APPOINTMENTS
Section 1. Standing Committees and Appointments
There will be the following standing committees: Bylaws and Policies, Executive, Finance, Convention,
and Strategic Planning.
The President shall appoint the chairperson of each standing committee from the current Board of
Directors, unless otherwise indicated in the Committee description.
The President shall appoint other positions as needed. All
appointments shall be approved by the Board.
Each standing committee shall have no less than three (3) members. All Appointees shall serve for one
(1) year subject to reappointment.
Section 2. Responsibilities of Standing Committees
1) Bylaws and Policies Committee
The Bylaws and Policies Committee shall review bylaws, policy, and handbooks to ensure
alignment, recommending changes as needed.
2) Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall consist of President, Past President, President Elect, Vice
President-Member Services, Vice President-Records and Finance, Vice President-Convention, Vice
President Elect, and Executive Director. The committee shall make recommendations to the Board of
Directors concerning the business of the organization.
3) Finance Committee
The Finance Committee shall review fiscal matters of the organization and make
recommendations to the Board of Directors.
4) Strategic Planning Committee
The Strategic Planning Committee shall develop, and review annually, a long range
strategic plan and make recommendations to the Board of Directors to guide the growth of
the organization.
Section 3. Special Committees
As the need arises, a Special Committee may be established by the President to carry out a specific task.
ARTICLE XII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Authority and Responsibility
The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the Association. The Board of Directors shall
consist of the following:
President
Past-President President Elect
Vice President-Member Services
Vice President-Records and Finance
Vice President-Convention
Vice President Elect
Area Directors
The Board of Directors shall have supervision, control and direction over the affairs of the Association, its
committees and publications, shall determine its policies or changes therein, shall actively prosecute its objectives
and supervise the disbursement of its funds. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations to conduct its business
as deemed advisable.
Section 2. Quorum of the Board
At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the voting members of the Board shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 3. Meetings of the Board
A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held no less than two (2) times during the
administrative year at such time and place the Board may prescribe. Notice of all such meetings shall be
given to the Board not less than thirty (30) days before the meeting is held. Special meetings of the Board
may be called by the President or at the request of three (3) Board members, by notice to each member not
less than five days before the meeting is held.
A "meeting of the Board" will be defined as all those meetings set by the President for official Board business
or to fulfill Board business.
Section 4. Voting
Voting rights of a Director shall not be delegated to another nor exercised by proxy.
Section 5. Voting by Mail and Electronically
Action taken by mail or electronically by the members of the Board of Directors shall be a valid action of the
Board and shall be reported at the next regular meeting of the Board.
Section 6. Absence
Any elected Officer or Area Director who shall have been absent from two (2) consecutive regular
meetings of the Board of Directors during a single administrative year shall vacate the seat of the Board of
Directors and the vacancy shall be filled as provided by these Bylaws. However, the Board of Directors shall
consider each absence of an Officer or Area Director as separate circumstance and may expressly excuse such
absence by affirmative majority vote.
Section 7. Vacancies and Removal
Any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors between Annual Meetings shall be filled by
appointment of the President and approved by the Board of Directors. The appointee shall serve the
unexpired term of his/her predecessor.
The Board of Directors may at its discretion, by affirmative vote of two-thirds of the board members, remove
any Officer or Area Director for just cause, including, but not limited to, failure to submit required financial
reports or failure to perform other listed responsibilities.
In addition, members of the board must be employed by an educational entity in the TCEA Area that he/she
represents for the duration of his/her term of office. Any member of the Board not employed by an educational
entity for more than a period of 90 days, shall automatically vacate the seat of the Board of Directors and the
vacancy shall be filled as provided by these Bylaws.
Section 8. Compensation
Area Directors and Officers will not receive any compensation for their services.
ARTICLE XIII. FINANCE
Section 1. Fiscal Period
The fiscal year and the administrative year for this Association will be from April 1 to March 31.
Section 2. Bonding
Trust or surety bonds shall be furnished for members of the Board of Directors or employees of the Association
as the Board of Directors shall direct. The amount of such bonds shall be determined by the Board and the cost paid
by the Association.
Section 3. Budget
The Board of Directors shall adopt an annual operating budget covering all activities of the Association. A
financial report of the fiscal year just completed is available upon request by any Regular Member.
Section 4. Funds
The Association funds will be deposited by the Executive Director in such banking institutions as are approved
by the Board of Directors. These funds include those of the Board of Directors, the Area Councils, the Local
Chapters, and any Special Interest Groups.
Section 5. Compiled Financial Statement
The accounts of the Association shall be subject to an annual compiled financial statement by a professional
individual(s) with demonstrated knowledge of established accounting procedures. The individual(s) conducting
the compiled financial statement shall be approved by the Board of Directors prior to conducting the annual
compiled financial statement.
ARTICLE XIV. DISSOLUTION
The Association shall use its assets only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these ByLaws.
No part of said assets shall be distributed to the members of the Association. Any assets remaining upon
dissolution shall be distributed to one or more regularly organized and qualified charitable education, scientific, or
philanthropic organizations to be selected by the Board of Directors.
All member and financial records shall be placed in the possession of the President in office at time of
dissolution. All such records shall be stored.
ARTICLE XV. AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended or repealed by two-thirds vote of the Regular Members present at any
Annual Business Meeting of the Association duly called and regularly held, or by mail or electronic ballot.
Notice of such proposed changes shall be sent in writing or electronically to the members thirty (30) days before
such meeting or vote. Amendments may be proposed by the Board of Directors on its own initiative, or upon
petition of any fifty (50) Regular Members addressed to the Board. All such proposed amendments shall be
presented by the Board to the Membership.
Revised 2010 by Vote of the Membership
