CABTE Bylaws

Article I: The name of the organization is California Association for Bilingual Teacher Education (CABTE)

Article II: Affiliation

The organization, California Association for Bilingual Teacher Education (CABTE) of the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE), pays annual dues to CABE, and participates in the CABE annual meeting.

Article III: Representative Authority

This Affiliate abides by the bylaws and articles of incorporation of the CABE. The Affiliate bylaws do not conflict with the bylaws and articles of incorporation of CABE.

Article IV: Purpose

Research has consistently supported the long-term benefits of bilingual education for English learners. At the same time, we face grave challenges (Unz Initiative, NCLB) that have made it more difficult to provide primary language instruction. Despite these challenges, Dual Language Immersion programs are flourishing and increasing all over California in response to the needs of our communities.

Our commitment to bilingual teacher preparation must be renewed in order to counter the devastating effects of these policies. In order to unite our efforts across the state, bilingual teacher preparation faculty must band together to speak as one voice, to share our expertise, and to support each other in these challenging times. We are further committed to promoting communication and collaboration among bilingual teacher educators and researchers working in public schools, universities and community education programs through networking and the creation of multiple avenues for consistent communication and the establishment of alliances and goals between and among membership.

The goals of the California Association for Bilingual Teacher Educators shall be as follows:

• To unify the voice of higher education faculty in Bilingual Education and Dual Language Instruction in matters related to the education of minority and language minority children;
• To represent the voice of Bilingual Education and Dual Language Instruction faculty in higher education in the area of minority and language minority education;
• To advocate on behalf of the education of minority and language minority children;
• To work for the improvement of Bilingual Education and Dual Language teacher preparation.

Article V: Membership

Section 1 – Eligibility. Membership in CABTE is open to dues-paid CABE members.

Section 2 – Duration. CABE members join Affiliate/CABTE by paying dues through CABE Central Office. CABE members may join Affiliate/CABTE at any time, but membership expires along with a given CABE membership. Affiliate/CABTE membership may be for either 1 or 2 years, but members joining the Affiliate for 2 years must continuously be members of CABE for 2 years.

Section 3 – Voting Rights. All Affiliate/CABTE members in good standing, fully paid in Affiliate dues, may vote for Affiliate representatives.

Section 4 – Dues. Dues will be set at $60.00 annually. The amount of Affiliate/CABTE dues may be modified by a majority of the Affiliate members voting by e-mail or at the annual Affiliate business meeting.

Article VI: Officers

Section 1 – General. Officers for CABTE are elected by a majority of Affiliate members and serve a two-year term. Elections take place every other year at the CABE annual conference. For the first elections of the Affiliate, electronic voting of the membership will take place in the year in which these bylaws are accepted by the CABE Board. The elected officers include:

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary

CABTE officers conduct the business of the Affiliate in the interim between annual business meetings. This committee will convene periodically during the year (with at least one physical meeting and other distance meetings as needed) to coordinate and support the work of the Affiliate. This work may include the following: membership, newsletters, program planning, supporting focus groups and/or other projects. It is also a responsibility of the Officers to connect and network with other Affiliate members, and the general membership of CABE to promote efforts within the mission of this Affiliate. The President of CABTE will attend and represent Affiliate interests at CABE Board meetings

Section 2 – Eligibility. All members in good standing of both CABE and Affiliate/CABTE are eligible for election as officers and to vote.

Section 3 – Terms. The terms of each representative shall be for 2 years, expiring at the end of the second annual CABE meeting after election. In the second year, each elected position shall serve as “past representative” to mentor and coordinate work with newly elected representatives.

Section 4 – Elected Roles. The following roles shall compose the Representative Committee for Affiliate/CABTE.

(1) President

(2) Vice President

(3) Treasurer

(4). Communications Representative

Section 5 – Other Roles. Persons to assist these representatives or to carry out the work of the Affiliate may be appointed by the Representative Committee. Such positions include any that will best embody the spirit and work that is part of the work of this Affiliate. Currently these roles include:

(1) an ongoing Program Co-Representative to provide continuity in terms of program technical processes and to ensure that the annual conference has sessions that represent the interests of this group.

(2) Webmaster to support a permanent website and assist the Communications Representative with posting the newsletter and other communications

Section 6 – Election Procedures. Each year prior to the annual CABE meeting, the Representative Committee will appoint two Nominating Representatives, one of whom is the Past Nominating Representative. Members of the Affiliate are encouraged to nominate candidates and/or self nominate. We encourage active participation of the widest number of people possible. These representatives will present a list of candidates to the Affiliate/CABTE members 60 days prior to the annual meeting. Voting will take place at the annual meeting. The Representative Committee will tabulate the votes and communicate results to the CABTE membership no later than 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Election will require a majority of the votes cast.

Article VII: Representative Responsibilities

Section 1 – CABTE Affiliate President.

The Affiliate CABTE President coordinates and works with the Representative Committee to carry out the work of the Affiliate.

• Maintains official contacts with CABE

• Works with other CABE Affiliates on issues and projects related to the mission of the Affiliate

• Co-facilitates meetings with past Affiliate President and other representatives.

• Provides agenda for annual business meeting in collaboration with other representatives

• Coordinates at least one meeting a year for Representative Committee in addition to the annual business meeting.

• Past Affiliate Presidents support newly elected Affiliate Presidents in order to provide continuity and serves as one of the Nomination Representatives.

Section 2 – Treasurer. The Treasurer has the following responsibilities:

• Handles all fiscal matters for the Affiliate and prepares an annual fiscal report.

• Receives and maintains membership list from CABE

• Helps recruit new members by providing information on website and in Affiliate newsletter on processes for joining Affiliate, paying dues, and so on.

Section 3 – Communications Representative. The Communications Representative has the following responsibilities:

• Keeps minutes of official meetings

• Oversees the webmaster/website

• Organizes the newsletter and other communications in collaboration

with other representatives and the membership at large.

• Sends newsletter and other information to the list serve.

• Mails newsletter and information to the membership

Section 4 –Vice President. Serves with the President to:

• Review and recommend proposals for inclusion in the CABE annual conference program

• See that reviews are returned

• Make decisions about proposals based on program criteria

• Coordinate with CABE staff to be sure authors of proposals are notified and the proposals have been listed in the CABE program

• Seek advice of current representatives and/or the membership when issues arise

• Revise program criteria in response to Affiliate membership input in collaboration with Representative Committee

Section 5 – Appointed Roles.

• Program Representative serves with elected Program Representative to ensure continuity of the proposal process and technical assistance with regard to CABE program procedures. May be appointed for more than 2 years.

• Webmaster. A webmaster will be appointed to develop and maintain the Affiliate website and the Affiliate Listerv. This will be a paid position overseen by the Communications Representative.

Section 6 – Criteria for serving in any formal capacity.

• Commitment to the Affiliate and its mission

• Have a realistic vision about the time necessary to participating in the Affiliate and its related activities

• Be willing to meet at least once a year in addition to the annual business meeting. Travel costs will be paid from Affiliate dues.

• Be willing to work collaboratively with others in Affiliate leadership roles.

Article VIII: Meetings

Section 1 – Annual Meetings. There shall be a CABTE business meeting held each year in conjunction with the CABE annual meeting. Arrangements for the time and place of this meeting are the responsibility of the Program Representative.

Section 2 – Additional yearly meeting. There shall be one addition annual meeting of the Representative Committee to carry out the work of the Affiliate.

Article IX: Ratification and Amendments

Section 1 – Ratification. These bylaws will take effect upon a majority vote of those members voting the next business meeting.

Section 2 – Amendments. These bylaws may be amended by a majority of members voting at the annual business meeting.

Article X: Discontinuation

In the event that the purpose of Affiliate/CABTE is fulfilled by another organization or it is unable to maintain membership in CABE, the organization may be discontinued by a majority vote of the Affiliate members. Should the Affiliate discontinue, its assets will be used to pay all outstanding debts and obligations. Any remaining funds will be donated to the California Association for Bilingual Education.