CONSTITUTION OF THE
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATORS
(Draft 10, Adopted October 20, 1993)
The Cooperative Extension Service has contributed immeasurably to modern pest management by serving as a bridge between the world of academic research and the world of agricultural practice. Among the most important pest management practices has been the use of pesticides to control insects, weeds and plant diseases.
Safe and effective use of pesticides requires an understanding not only of their many benefits but also of their potential effects on the applicator, his or her fellow workers, the public and the environment. The Association is committed to the establishment of the highest standards in pesticide-safety education, the promotion of sensible pesticide education policies, and the implementation of safe and effective pesticide-use practices.
Name, Purpose and Governance
Section 1. Name. The name of this organization shall be the AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PESTICIDE SAFETY EDUCATORS hereafter referred to in these Articles as the Association.
Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of the Association shall be: to represent the interests of land-grant college and university pesticide educators; to develop and promote effective, high quality pesticide education programs; to encourage and sponsor the adoption of the most effective methods of pesticide safety training; to provide facilities and opportunities for exchange of information, discussion and cooperative study of problems confronting members of the Association; and to cooperate with others dedicated to the development and promotion of safe and effective pesticide use policies and education programs.
Section 3. Governance. The Association shall be governed by this Constitution and its By-Laws and by such other actions and rules as the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee shall from time to time adopt.
Section 4. Affiliations. The Association may affiliate with organizations whose purposes and goals are consistent with the purposes set forth in this Constitution.
Membership
Section 1. Categories and Privileges of Membership. The categories of membership are Full, Associate, International, Retired and Life. The requirements and privileges of membership are set forth in this Constitution and its By-Laws.
Section 2. Membership Eligibility. Membership shall be open to all pesticide educators. Full members must coordinate/conduct pesticide education activities as part of the state cooperative extension as recognized by the Extension Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Eligibility for membership will not be based on race, sex, age, religion or national origin.
Section 3. Voting. Voting privileges shall be specified in the By-Laws.
Meetings
Section 1. National Meetings. It shall be the intention of the Association to sponsor a national meetings on an annual basis. All members of the Association shall be entitled to attend and shall receive notice of the time and place two (2) months prior to the meeting.
Section 2. Function. The President, in consultation with the Executive Committee, shall establish the agenda for and shall conduct the national meetings. Regional meetings will be conducted in such manner as is appropriate to the needs of regional membership.
Section 3. Quorum. The requirements for a quorum shall be established in the By-Laws of the Association.
Section 4. Regions. Regions shall correspond to the Western, North Central, Southern, and Northeastern USDA regions.
Officers and Regional Representatives
Section 1. Officers. The officers of the Association shall be President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2. Qualifications. All candidates for office must be Full or Life members of the Association.
Section 3. Election and Terms of Office. Elections shall be conducted by the Nominations and Election Committee according to procedures set forth in the Standing Rules. Terms of office shall be as specified in the By-Laws.
Section 4. Succession and Vacancies. Succession and vacancies shall be as specified in the By-Laws.
Section 5. Duties and Responsibilities of Officers. General duties and responsibilities of each office are outlined below. Additional duties and responsibilities are as specified in the By-Laws.
(1) President. The President shall be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. The President shall preside over all national meetings and be an ex-officio member of all standing committees.
(2) President-Elect. The President-Elect shall serve in place of the President when the President is unable to perform the duties of that office.
(3) Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping accurate minutes and records of all business, Board of Directors and Executive Committee meetings.
(4) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining accurate records of all financial accounts and for overseeing the disbursement of all funds. The Treasurer shall submit financial records for an annual audit.
Section 6. Regional Representatives. Two (2) regional representatives per USDA region shall serve as members of the Board of Directors. Regional representatives must be full members of the Association.
Board of Directors
Section 1. Composition. The Board of Directors (hereinafter known as the Board) shall consist of all officio and ex-officio officers, the immediate past president and the regional representatives.
Section 2. Responsibilities. The Board shall be responsible for interpreting the provisions of this Constitution and its By-Laws, entering into affiliation agreements, approving budgets, authorizing disbursements, formulating policies and advising the president on all matters concerning the Association. Except as otherwise provided, all decisions of the Board shall be reached by a majority of those voting. The quorum shall be as specified in the By-Laws. The Board may delegate such of its powers as it deems appropriate to the Executive Committee or its officers.
Section 3. Board of Directors Executive Committee. The
Executive Committee shall consist of the President, President-Elect,
the immediate past president, Secretary, and the Treasurer. The
ES-USDA National Program Leader for Pesticide Education (or equivalent)
and a representative from the Association of American Pesticide
Control Officials may serve ex-officio. The Executive Committee
shall carry on the business of the Association and perform such
other duties as may be assigned by the Board.
Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees. The standing committees of the Association shall be the Nominations and Election Committee, and Issues and Evaluation Committee. The Board shall approve additional standing committees as they see fit. The duties and responsibilities of standing committees shall be set forth in the By-Laws.
Section 2. Ad hoc Committees. The President may appoint ad hoc committees.
Section 3. Eligibility. Membership is as specified in the By-Laws.
Standing Rule
The Board shall have the power to adopt Standing Rules not otherwise inconsistent with this Constitution or its By-Laws.
ARTICLE VIII
Constitutional Amendments
Section 1. Proposal of Amendments. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by a majority of the Board or by a petition of at least ten percent (10%) of the full membership.
Section 2. Publication. Proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee of the Board. Within ninety (90) days of receipt of the proposed amendments, the Executive Committee shall provide the text of the proposed amendments to all members eligible to vote. Such proposed amendments must be provided to eligible voters [mailed] at least sixty (60) days prior to the voting.
Section 3. Voting. The proposed amendment(s) will be voted
on by secret ballot of the voting membership. Ratification will
require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those eligible to vote
as specified in the By-Laws.
Section 4. Effective Date of Amendments. Unless otherwise provided, all amendments shall take effect at the beginning of the calendar year following their adoption.
Parliamentary Authority
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the authority on all matters of procedure not otherwise covered in the Constitution and By-Laws. The President may appoint a parliamentarian who shall serve for the duration of the meeting for which the appointment is made.
Separability
In the event that any specific portion of this document is declared a violation of state or federal law, all other provisions shall remain in force and effect. The Board shall initiate appropriate and necessary action within thirty (30) days to correct the provision in violation.