NCSM Constitution
The NCSM Constitution was last modified in 2023.
What is the purpose of the constitution? The constitution describes the general founding principles and structure of an organization. It describes long-term fundamental facts including the organization’s purpose; affiliation and constituency; governing body and structure; election and appointment eligibility, procedures, and terms; and policy.
The constitution remains relatively constant during the life of the organization. It changes little and only if needed when there is considerable change in focus, goals, or structure. The constitution is intended to be written simply and clearly so that all who read it-organizational leaders, members, and the general public-easily understand the purpose, principles, and structure of the organization. Because the constitution provides the foundation for the organization, constitutional amendments must be voted on by the membership to be ratified.
| Article I: Name | |
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| The name of this organization shall be the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, hereinafter referred to as NCSM. | |
| Article II: Purpose | |
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| The purposes of NCSM shall be: | |
| (a) | to promote the importance of designated mathematics leadership at all levels. |
| (b) | to provide ongoing experiences, information, and support to enable mathematics educators to assume leadership roles. |
| (c) | to collaborate with leaders in business and industry, publishing, government, professional organizations, and boards of education to improve leadership in mathematics education. |
| (d) | to establish and maintain a communication network among mathematics and educational leaders. |
| Article III: Membership | |
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| Sect. 1: | Membership shall be open to persons currently involved in mathematics leadership, to persons who serve or have served in such leadership positions in any public or nonpublic school system, district, college or university, and to persons who have an interest in the purpose of this organization. |
| Sect. 2: | Members shall pay regular membership dues and be entitled to all the rights and privileges of NCSM. |
| Sect. 3: | All persons who are members of NCSM at the adoption of this constitution or who subsequently pay membership dues, shall be considered members in good standing. |
| Sect. 4: | Membership dues shall be set by the Board of Directors. |
| Article IV: Affiliation | |
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| NCSM shall be affiliated with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and may affiliate with other professional organizations as long as there is not conflict with the standards and guidelines of NCTM. | |
| Article V: Officers | |
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| Sect. 1: | The elected officers of NCSM shall be: President, President-Elect, Second Vice President, First Vice President, and Past President. |
| Sect. 2: | The Second Vice President, President, and President-Elect shall accede to the positions of First Vice President, Past President, and President, respectively. |
| Sect. 3: | The Second Vice President, First Vice President, President-Elect, and the Past President shall serve one-year terms. The President shall serve a two-year term. |
| Sect. 4: | A candidate for any office shall have been a member of NCSM in good standing for at least the previous year before being placed in nomination. |
| Sect. 5: | The President-Elect shall be elected every other year. The Second Vice President shall be elected every year. |
| Sect. 6: | The following officers shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the voting members of the Board of Directors: Secretary and Treasurer. |
| Sect. 7: | The President-Elect or the Past President in office shall accede to the presidency immediately should the President be unable to complete the term of office, or upon acceptance of the President’s written resignation. |
| Article VI: Regional Directors | |
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| Sect. 1: | One Regional Director shall be elected from each of the NCSM regions. |
| Sect. 2: | A candidate for Regional Director shall have been a member NCSM in good standing for at least the previous year before being placed in nomination. |
| Article VII: Board of Directors | |
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| Sect. 1: | The Board of Directors, hereafter referred to as the Board, shall be the policy-making and executive body of NCSM. |
| Sect. 2: | The Board shall consist of all elected and appointed officers, the Regional Directors, and appointments made by the President with approval by the voting members of the Board. |
| Sect. 3: | The elected officers and the Regional Directors shall be the voting members of the Board. |
| Sect. 4: | The President, President-Elect, Past President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, and one Regional Director shall form the Executive Committee to conduct business that requires Board action between meetings. |
| Article VIII: Meetings | |
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| Sect. 1: | The annual meeting of NCSM shall be held at the NCSM Annual Conference. |
| Sect. 2: | Additional meetings of NCSM shall be held at the call of the President. |
| Sect. 3: | The members present at the annual meeting shall constitute a quorum. |
| Sect. 4: | The business of NCSM shall be transacted at the annual and other Board meetings. |
| Article IX: Affiliated Groups | |
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| Any organized group of mathematics leaders and individuals interested in leadership in mathematics education may petition the Board to become affiliated with NCSM. The Board shall specify the conditions under which the affiliation may take place. | |
| Article X: By-Laws | |
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| Sect. 1: | Such rules, regulations, policies, statements, definitions, or procedures which are for the general welfare or operation of this organization, or serve the purposes of this organization as stated, and which are not in conflict with or otherwise prescribed by this constitution may be established and made part of this constitution as a By-Law, as provided in Section 2 of this Article. |
| Sect. 2: | The Board shall be empowered to establish, amend, and rescind By-Laws by a vote of two-thirds of the voting Board. |
| Article XI: Amendments | |
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| Sect. 1: | These articles may be amended or repealed or revised (via ballot of the membership) provided a copy of the proposed amendment or revision and the original article being amended or revised has been submitted to the membership at least thirty days prior to the due date on the ballot. |
| Sect. 2: | All proposed amendments or revisions shall be presented in writing to the Board. |
| Sect. 3: | Proposed amendments or revisions to the Articles shall be presented to the membership upon petition of 10% of NCSM membership or a majority of the Board. |
| Sect. 4: | Ratification of an amendment or revision to the Articles shall be by a simple majority of NCSM members who complete the ballot within 30 days of issuance. The due date for receipt of the ballot shall be clearly indicated on the ballot. |
| Sect. 5: | Unless otherwise stated in the resolution, an amendment or revision shall take effect immediately after its ratification. |
| Article XII: Parliamentary Authority | |
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| The rules contained in the latest edition of the Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern this organization in all cases in which they are not inconsistent with this constitution. | |
| Article XIII: Policy | |
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| Sect. 1: | NCSM is a non-profit organization and as such shall not use funds for the benefit of its members, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and/or reasonable expenses incurred and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article II hereto. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying out of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from Federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). |
| Sect. 2: | If at anytime NCSM shall cease to carry out the purpose as herein stated, all assets and property held by it, whether in trust or otherwise, shall, after the payment of its liabilities, be paid over to an organization, selected by the final Board of Directors of NCSM, and, which has similar purposes and has established its tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as now enacted or as to may hereafter be amended, and such assets and property shall be applied exclusively for such charitable, scientific, and educational programs. |
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