MASSP Constitution

ARTICLE I - NAME
Section 1: The name of this Association shall be the Montana Association of Secondary School Principals.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
Section 1: The purpose of this Association shall be exclusively educational and charitable with the intent of promoting the improvement and advancement of education and the public interest in schools. We believe the mission of every school is to continually grow and develop.

Section 2: This Association shall promote a common bond and working relationship among middle and secondary school administrators through:

a. Free exchange among school administrators in relation to common goals, problems, and other areas of mutual concern;
b. Continuous improvement in educational opportunities for all students;
c. Providing and promoting programs for the professional improvement of member middle and secondary education leaders;
d. The study of professional problems relating to middle and secondary schools;
e. Cooperatively working with other professional organizations interested in working for the benefit of education.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Membership in the Association shall be Active membership, Aspiring membership and Senior membership.

a. Active Member
Any person shall be eligible for active membership who is in any way engaged in the administration or supervision of middle and secondary schools in Montana as recognized by the member's employing school district. Only Active Members of the Association may vote and serve as officers. Active Members must have all dues and assessments paid.
b. Aspiring Member
Any person shall be eligible for aspiring membership who teaches courses in education at any institution of advanced learning, or persons interested in the cause of middle and secondary education in Montana who do not meet requirements for active memberships. Aspiring Members shall pay a reduced annual dues determined by the Executive Board. Aspiring Members shall be entitled to all privileges of the Montana Association of Secondary School Principals except for the right to vote, legal assistance and consultation, and the right to hold office.
c. Senior Member
Active Members who retire are eligible for senior membership status. Senior Members shall have all the rights and privileges except the right to vote and the right to hold office.

ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATION
Section 1: There shall be an Executive Board composed of officers of the Association and duly elected directors from the various membership regions. Directors shall be elected pursuant to procedures adopted by the individual membership region.

Section 2: The officers and the Executive Board of the Association shall be President, Immediate Past President, First Vice-president (President-elect), Second Vice-president, State Coordinator, and the regional directors. The Executive Director shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Board.

Section 3: Terms of office for the President, First Vice-president (President-elect) and Second Vice-president shall be for one year only. The State Coordinator's term shall be for three years, while the regional directors shall be for two years. Regions 1, 3 and 5 shall elect directors in odd numbered years. Regions 2, 4 and 6 will elect directors in even numbered years.

Section 4: Duties of the officers

a. President
The President of the Association shall perform the usual duties imposed upon presidents of such organizations. In addition, he/she shall be a member ex-officio of all committees of the Association, shall have the power to fill vacancies as they occur unless otherwise provided for, and shall be responsible for presenting the budget to the Executive Board.
b. First Vice-president (President-elect)
The First Vice-president shall perform the usual duties imposed upon vice-presidents of such organizations. He/she shall serve as President until the next election should the office of the president become vacant. He/she shall be in charge of promoting Association membership.
c. Second Vice-president
The Second Vice-president shall perform the usual duties imposed upon vice-presidents of such organizations. He/she shall be responsible for stimulating and coordinating the activities of the six membership regions.
d. Immediate Past President
The Immediate Past President shall serve on the Executive Board for one year following the term of office as President. He/she shall serve as a member of the Nominating Committee.
e. State Coordinator
The State Coordinator shall coordinate activities of the state with that of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. He/she shall also carry out those duties prescribed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
f. Directors
Each regional director is responsible for organizing regional meetings, promoting membership and projects (such as Principal of the Year, etc.) in the Association, and reporting on the activities and recommendations of their respective region at the annual meeting of the association.
g. Executive Director
An Executive Director shall be selected by the Executive Board. He/she shall be a member of the Executive Board but shall not have voting privileges. His duties and compensation shall be determined by the Executive Board.
h. Executive Board
The Executive Board of the Association shall conduct necessary business between the annual meetings of the Association. They shall serve as the coordinating body for state activities. They shall approve the annual budget and expenditures from the budget.

Section 5: Association Election Procedures.

a. The President shall appoint a nominating committee of at least two members in good standing, in addition to the Immediate Past President, to serve as chairperson.
b. The nominating committee shall nominate at least one candidate for each statewide office for which a vacancy occurs; i.e. President, First Vice-president, Second Vice-president and State Coordinator.
c. Elections for statewide office shall be held at the annual spring meeting of the association.
d. Directors shall be nominated and elected in regional caucuses held prior to or during the October Conference of Educational Leadership. The results of each regional caucus will be reported at the business meeting during the October Conference.
e. In case of a vacancy during the term of office, the office shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Board for the remainder of the term. Vacancies shall be filled from the region in which the vacancy occurred.
f. Terms of office will begin immediately after election.

Section 6: Meetings

a. Regular meetings of the membership shall be held in the fall and the spring each school year at such times and places as the Executive Board shall determine.
b. Written notice of each special meeting shall be mailed to each member not less than thirty days prior to the meeting date setting forth the time, place, and purpose of the meeting and containing the full text of the proposed resolutions, bylaws, or constitutional amendments to be proposed at the meeting.
c. Quorums
1. For all regular and special meetings of the Association, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the membership present and voting.
2. A quorum for the Executive Board shall be a majority of the board members present and voting.

ARTICLE V - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Section 1: This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership present and voting at any regular meeting, provided thirty-day notice be given to the membership.

Revised: April 23, 2004