California Community College Early Childhood Educator Bylaws

ARTICLE I. NAME AND INCORPORATION

The Association shall be called: California Community College Early Childhood Educators.

The Association Articles of Incorporation took effect on October 18, 1983.

ARTICLE II. MISSION

Recognizing that California Community Colleges are the primary training institutions for early childhood educators, our mission is to provide a forum for community college faculty and staff to advocate for high quality child development instruction and early care and education programs.

ARTICLE III. PURPOSE

The purposes of the California Community College Early Childhood Educators, (hereafter “CCCECE”) shall be charitable and educational and include but not be limited to, serving and acting on behalf of the needs of community college early childhood or child development departments and child development centers and lab programs in California. Particularly, CCCECE seeks to:

1. Support early childhood college faculty by providing and conducting workshops, conferences, forums, and other professional growth opportunities.

2. Support early childhood college faculty in their work with early childhood programs, agencies, and students in their own programs.

3. Support and collaborate with early childhood professionals in their work with children, birth through 8 years.

4. Advocate high standards for early childhood and child development college majors.

5. Advocate high quality early care and education, developmentally appropriate practices for young children.

6. Promote public understanding of issues affecting community colleges, early childhood programs, and young children and their families.

7. Monitor and disseminate public policy recommendations for appropriate actions and information to early childhood faculty and professionals in our field.

8. Keep informed of and collaborate with other groups concerned with the education of early childhood professionals and the welfare and education of young children.

9. Strive to build a strong, diverse and inclusive organization.

10. To promote the interests of the child development/early childhood programs with the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1) ELIGIBILITY

Anyone desirous of promoting the purposes of CCCECE may become a member upon payment of the required annual dues. Additionally, all members are to be assumed holding or have held a position related to the field of early care and education and/or advocate for professionals in the field of early care and education.

SECTION 2) DUES

The membership shall be based on an annual fee for a membership period of October 1 – September 30. Membership dues shall be payable upon joining the Association and thereafter on October 1st of each year.Current policies regarding dues are available on the CCCECE website.

CCCECE has two types of general membership: Regular Membership and Associate Membership.

A. Regular members include community college full-time faculty, community college adjunct faculty, college campus center directors, college campus center staff, community college retired faculty, community college administrators.

Regular members have the right to vote and will vote on those actions submitted to them by the Executive Board. Regular members also may be nominated and hold elected and appointed offices.

B. Associate members include four-year university full-time faculty, four-year university adjunct faculty, professionals working in child development related agencies, and community partners.

Associate members shall have a voice but no vote on actions. Additionally, while associate members are always welcome to attend general membership meetings and provide information to the CCCECE Board, they may not hold elected and appointed offices.

SECTION 3) GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

The President shall call at least one general membership meeting per year. These meetings may be held in conjunction with a CCCECE event, co-sponsoring event (e.g., CAEYC conference, CDTC meeting) or electronically. Actions taken at the general meeting require a simple majority of members present.

ARTICLE V. GOVERNING BODY

SECTION 1) NAME

The governing body of the Association shall be called the Board of Directors (Board).

SECTION 2) BOARD DUTIES

The duties of the Board of Directors of the Association shall be:

A. To conduct the business of CCCECE (including review and prior approval of all contracts and agreements to be entered into by the organization).

B. To define, recommend, and initiate policies and procedures to members and hired staff within the organization.

SECTION 3) BOARD COMPOSITION

The Board of Directors shall consist of elected officers and regional catalysts, and the chairs of Standing Committees who will be appointed by the President if they are not already an elected officer (e.g., Vice President of Membership will chair the Membership Committee).

A. Between Board Meetings, the entire Board of Directors may take action, by conferencing or e-mail, which is consistent with the policies and purpose of CCCECE when a majority of the Board of Directors agrees that such action is necessary.

SECTION 4) BOARD MEETINGS

The President shall call at least three (3) Association Board of Directors meetings each year.

SECTION 5) EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPOSITION

The primary duty of the Executive Board shall be to transact business on behalf of the full membership.

A. The Executive Board shall consist of the principal officers, who are

o President

o President-Elect/ Past President

o Treasurer

o Secretary

o Vice President for Membership

o Vice President for Public Relations

o Vice President for Public Policy (northern California)

o Vice President for Public Policy (southern California)

o Vice President for Programs (northern California)

o Vice President for Programs (southern California)

o Catalyst Liaison

o Lab School Liaison

B. Specific responsibilities of each Executive Board position shall be available on the CCCECE website.

C. The Officers of the Association, except the Past President and President Elect, shall be elected to serve for two years.

D. No member shall hold more than one office at a time in the Association.

E. The following officers shall be elected in the even numbered years:

a. President-Elect (Term includes one year as President-Elect, two years as President, and one year as Past President)

b. Vice President for Membership

c. Vice President of Public Policy (southern California)

d. Vice President of Programs (northern California)

e. Treasurer

f. Secretary

F. The following officers shall be elected in odd numbered years:

a. President (only in the event that the President-Elect is unable to fulfill his/her term).

b. Vice President of Public Relations

c. Vice President of Public Policy (northern California)

d. Vice President of Programs (southern California)

e. Catalyst Liaison

f. Lab School Liaison

G. Between Executive Board Meetings, the Executive Board Members may take action, by conferencing or e-mail, which is consistent with the policies and purpose of CCCECE when the Executive Board unanimously is in agreement that such action is necessary.

SECTION 6) VACANCIES

If a vacancy should occur, the President shall appoint a replacement, subject to the approval of the Board. Should the Office of President become vacant, the President-Elect shall fill the vacancy.

ARTICLE VI. REGIONAL CATALYSTS AND COMMITTEES:

SECTION 1) REGIONAL CATALYSTS

Regional Catalysts are responsible for hosting CCCECE events in their area of the state. See the job description on the CCCECE website for a full list of duties.

A. There shall be twenty (20) regional catalysts, two in each of the ten (10) regional areas of California.

B. CCCECE regional areas will align with the California Community College Chancellor’s Office regions.

C. Regional Catalysts are appointed by the President, with approval by the CCCECE Executive Board.

D. If a catalyst resigns the position a replacement will be appointed by the President with approval by the CCCECE Executive Board.

E. Regional Catalysts must sign a contract for each two year term. Per the contract, failure to abide by the terms of the contract may result in removal from the position by the executive board.

SECTION 2) AD HOC COMMITTEES

Ad Hoc Committees are not permanent committees and are developed on an as needed basis. The President, with the approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint as many ad hoc committees as are necessary to carry on the work of the Association and may terminate such committees with the approval of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

SECTION 1) NOMINATIONS

A. The President shall appoint a Nominations Chairperson and no fewer than two (2) members of the Association to serve as the Nominations committee.

B. The Nominations Committee shall request nominations from the members of the Association no later than eight (8) weeks prior to preparing a slate of Officers.

C. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of Officers in accordance with Association bylaws and policies for voting by the membership. The Nominations Committee shall notify the membership of the composition of the approved slate no later than four (4) weeks prior to the date that the slate is presented for voting.

SECTION 2) ELECTIONS

A. Elections shall be accomplished by April 30th of each year by mail vote, electronic vote or by a vote at the membership meeting as determined by the Executive Board in accordance with the Association bylaws and policies.

B. Elections shall be determined by a majority of ballots received from the membership.

C. Terms begin July 1st following the election.

D. All uncontested positions will be elected by acclamation.

ARTICLE VIII. FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Association shall be July 1 through June 30 of the following year. The terms of the Officers coincide with that of the fiscal year.

ARTICLE IX. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable.

ARTICLE X. REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

SECTION 1) BOARD CONTRIBUTION TO REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS:

Revisions or amendments may be proposed by any member and shall be approved by the Executive Board before being submitted to the membership.

SECTION 2) GENERAL MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURES FOR REVISION AND AMENDMENT:

A. Written notice of proposed revisions and amendments to the bylaws shall be sent to the membership at least thirty days before the vote is taken.

B. Actions taken require a simple majority of members voting.

ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION

A recommendation for the dissolution of the Association, approved by at least 75 percent of the members of Board of Directors, shall be submitted by written notification to the entire membership. Written notice of the proposed dissolution shall be sent at least 30 days before the vote is to be taken. The recommendations must then be approved by an affirmation vote of two-thirds of those members voting. Results of the vote will be shared with the entire membership. Upon dissolution of this Association, the assets of the corporation remaining after payment of all debts of this corporation are irrevocably dedicated to corporations qualifying for exemption from federal income tax under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Proposed by the Executive Directors: December 6th 2019

Ratification and Approval: April 30, 2020

Adopted: June 2020

Previous Version: June, 2018