CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION. PREAMBLE. To elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of teaching, and to promote the cause of popular education in the United States, we, whose names are subjoined, agree to adopt the following CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE I.-NAME. This Association shall be styled the National Educational Association. ARTICLE II.- DEPARTMENTS. 1. It shall consist of four Departments: the first, of School Superintendence; the second, of Normal Schools; the third, of Elementary Schools; and the fourth, of Higher Instruction. ? 2. Other Departments may be organized in the manner prescribed in this Constitution. ARTICLE III.- MEMBERship. 21. Any person in any way connected with the work of education shall be eligible to membership. Such person may become a member of this Association by paying two dollars and signing this Constitution; and he may continue a member by the payment of an annual fee of one dollar. On his neglect to pay such fee, his membership shall cease. 22. Each department may prescribe its own conditions of membership, provided that no person be admitted to such membership who is not a member of the general Association. 3. Any person eligible to membership may become a life member by paying, at once, ten dollars. ARTICLE IV.-OFFICERS. 21. The officers of this Association shall be a President, twelve Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, one Counselor for each state, district, or territory, represented in the Association, and the officers charged with the administration of their respective departments. ? 2. The President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Counselors, and presiding officers of their respective departments, shall constitute the Board of Directors, and, as such, shall have power to appoint such committees from their own number as they shall deem expedient. 23. The officers of the Association shall be chosen by ballot, unless otherwise ordered, on the second day of each annual session, a majority of the votes cast being necessary for a choice. They shall continue in office until the close of the annual session subsequent to their election, and until their successors are chosen. ? 4. Each department shall be administered by a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and such other officers as it shall deem necessary to conduct its affairs. 25. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform the duties usually devolving upon a presiding officer. In his absence, the First Vice-President in order who is present shall preside; and in the absence of all the Vice-Presidents, a pro-tempore Chairman shall be appointed on nomination, the Secretary putting the question. 26. The Secretary shall keep a full and accurate report of the proceedings of the general meetings of the Association and all meetings of the Board of Directors; shall conduct such correspondence as the Directors may assign; and shall have his records present at all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors. The Secretary of each department shall, in addition to performing the duties usually pertaining to his office, keep a list of the members of his department. 7. The Treasurer shall receive and hold in safe keeping all moneys paid to the Association, shall expend the same only upon the order of the Committee on Finance; shall keep an exact account of his receipts and expenditures, with vouchers for the latter, which account he shall render to the Board of Directors prior to each regular meeting of the Association, and shall also present an abstract thereof to the Association. He shall give bonds for the faithful discharge of his duties as may be required by the Board of Directors. 28. The Board of Directors shall have power to fill all vacancies in their own body; shall have in charge the general interests of the Association; shall make all necessary arrangements for its meetings; and shall do all in their power to make it a useful and honorable institution. Upon the written application of twenty members of the Association for permission to establish a new department, they may grant such permission. Such new department shall in all respects be entitled to the same rights and privileges as the others. The formation of such department shall in effect be a sufficient amendment to this Constitution for the insertion of its name in Article II, and the Secretary shall make the necessary alterations. ARTICLE V.-MEETINGS. § 1. The annual meeting of the Association shall be held at such time and place as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. 2. Special meetings may be called by the President at the request of five Directors. 3. Any department of the Association may hold a special meeting at such time and place as by its own regulations it shall appoint. 24. The Board of Directors shall hold their regular meetings at the place, and not less than two hours before the assembling, of the Association. 25. Special meetings may be held at such other times and places as the Board or the President shall determine. 6. Each new Board shall organize on the day of its election. At its first meeting a Committee on Publication shall be appointed, which shall consist of the Secretary of the Association for the previous year, and one member from each department. ARTICLE VI.-BY-LAWS. By-Laws not inconsistent with this Constitution may be adopted by a twothirds vote of the Association. ARTICLE VII.-AMENDMENTS. This Constitution may be altered or amended at a regular meeting by the unanimous vote of the members present; or by a two-thirds vote of the members present, provided that the alteration or amendment has been substantially proposed in writing at a previous regular meeting. BY LAWs. 1. At each regular meeting of the Association there shall be appointed a Committee on Nominations; one on Honorary Members; and one on Resolutions. 2. The President, First Vice-President, and Secretary, shall constitute a Committee on Finance. 3. Each paying member of the Association shall be entitled to a copy of its proceedings. 8 REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION AL ASSOCIATION, FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 1, 1873. RECEIPTS. Received of Publishing Committee on account of unexpended balance of 1872.......... Receipts from Membership at Elmira Meeting......... Total.......... EXPENDITURES. Paid for reporting Proceedings of Elmira Meeting........ $30.00 แ 66 Paid Publishing Committee toward expenses of getting 3.75 out volume of the Proceedings of Elmira Meeting.. 583.69 Exchange, Expressage, and Postage.......................... $22.46 647.00 $669.46 Total 2.65 $669.46 JOHN HANCOCK, Treasurer N. E. A. |