ASSOCIATION OF COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN DOMINICAN SCHOOLS

C O N S T U T I O N

PREAMBLE:

The member schools of the Association of Caribbean and Colombian American Schools provide a U.S. style educational program outside of the borders of the United States, 'I'hese schools are accredited in the United States and/or are in the process of seeking accreditation. The schools are generally bi lingual and bi cultural. I but may contain a multi national and multi cultural population. As such, they promote programs and include concepts which reflect the countries in which they are located, as well as the heritage and culture of the United States.

The organization representing these schools envisions the following as fundamental principles:

1) to promote the concept of International understanding and friendship,

2) to recognize the unique educational opportunities available from the United States

3) to apply the principles and practices of the U.S. educational system in an overseas setting,

4) to promote a partnership between pupils, parents, and faculty of different nationalities,

5) to develop outstanding educational programs for students with preparation for those desiring to continue study In the United States at the precolleglate or university levels, and

6) to encourage Interchange and dialogue between member schools

The formation of the Association Is Intended to combine the resources and efforts of the member schools In pursuit of the abovementioned alms. It Is the desire of the members to improve the administration, Instruction, and overall educational programs of the various Institutions In the pursuit of these Ideals.


STATUTES:

ARTICLE I : NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Association of Colombian Caribbean Schools (ACCAS).

Section 2: The purposes of this Association are those outlined in the preamble to this document.

ARTICLE 2: MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION

Section 1: Regular members of this Association shall be those schools which are organized for the education
(and all related activities) of elementary and/or secondary school children.

Section 2: Regular members of this Association must be accredited in the United States.

Section 3: Schools without accreditation or pending accreditation status may join the Association
as Associate Members but may not participate In the Association any longer than three years without seeking
U S. accreditation. Invitational membership provides the opportunity to attend Association meetings and conferences.
Associate members must pay full dues but do not retain voting rights and may not hold office.

Section 4: Schools seeking affiliation with the Association and which meet the guidelines and purposes of the
Association may seek membership by making a formal written application to the President of the Association.
The executive committee, or any committee so designated by the Association, shall review all formal applications for membership and make a recommendation to the Association members. Approval by three fourths or the member schools in attendance at the Annual Meeting is necessary for acceptance of any new member.

Section 5: Member schools are expected to be active participants in the Association. Schools which have not paid their annual dues will be considered to have Inactive status. Inactive status will result in the loss of all rights and privileges within the organization.

Section 6: Each regular member school shall have one vote. This will be cast by the director of the school and/or a designated representative.

Section 7: Membership In the Association shall be maintained from year to year by the payment of the yearly dues and attendance at the regular meetings of the Association. Non payment of dues may result In the termination of membership In the Association as determined In a plenary session of members.

Section 8: in the event that a member school Is unable to send a delegate to any of the year's meeting. the school in question shall provide to the President of the Association written notification explaining the circumstances which prevented attendance.

ARTICLE 3: MEETINGS AND FISCAL YEAR

Section 1: The fiscal year of the Association will operate on the school calendar year beginning August 1 and ending July 3 1,

Section 2: The Annual Meeting of the Association will be in December during the SACS Annual Accreditation Conference.
 
 



Section 3: Two other meetings will be held during the fiscal year. one in the fall at the Annual Tri Association conference and the other in the spring at the Annual AAIE Convention.

Section 4: Locations for the meetings will depend upon the sites selected annually for the above International education meetings.

Section 5: A quorum will be necessary to conduct official business of the Association. A quorum at the meeting shall consist of a majority of the active members of the Association.

ARTICLE 4: OFFICERS DUTIES AND ELECTION

Section 1: There shall be four officers of the Association: President, vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, who will form the Executive Committee of the Association.

Section 2: The duties of the officers are as follows:

President : Preside at all meetings of the Association, conduct official business on behalf of the Association, and t the member groups on the Board of the Tri-Association

Vice President: Conduct the duties of the President In his/her absence, and other duties as requested by the President

Treasurer Conduct the business affairs of the Association, maintaining funds, and expending funds in
compliance with the directives of the Association, and
notifying the President of members in arrears with their annual dues

Secretary: Take minutes at all official meetings and submit the minutes to the membership, maintain a
membership directory, and complete correspondence for
the Association at the direction of the President
Section 3: The officers will be elected, with the exception of the Vice

President.. for a term of two years at the Winter Annual Meeting.

Section 4: The outgoing President shall assume the post of Vice President for the year Immediately Mowing his/her term as President. A member will be elected as Vice President during the Intervening yeas and will assume the Presidency the following year.

Section 5: in the case that an officer Is leaving the Association, a new member will be elected to his/her position. The election of a replacement officer may take place at any of the three yearly meetings. I f time does not permit an election, the President may appoint a replacement to fill out (he term.

Section 6: Special committees may be appointed by the President to develop and coordinate activities of the Association.

Section 7: When deemed necessary by the members of the Association, the President may appoint a special representative to attend meetings on behalf of the Association.

Section 8 : The President is authorized to make expenditures from n funds for normal administrative purposes,

ARTICLE 5: AMENDMENTS

Section 1: The constitution and by laws of the Association may be amended by a three fourths vote of the membership of the Association.

Section 2: The amendments may be approved at a meeting of the Association or by forwarding a written notice to the President, who will present the motion to all members for discussion by correspondence, followed by a mail ballot.

BY LAWS:

1 : The President of the Association, or In his/her absence the Vice President, shall preside at all meetings and conduct Association programs unless a specific chairperson is appointed or designated in the program.

2: The Association will have its annual meeting in conjunction with the Annual Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' meetting at which time the officers will be elected, the budget established, and other activities of the Association approved.

3: The annual dues for the members shall be determined yearly by the Association, and a financial report shall be given yearly by the Treasurer.

4: At each meeting, the approximate dates of the next meeting will be 4or decided.

5: The President shall develop the agenda for each meeting and will invite guests to speak, when necessary, to the membership.

6: Robert's Rules of Order shall be followed whenever the statutes do not provide the necessary guidance in parliamentary procedures.

7: voting members will be those regular members who have paid their dues. Inactive members and Invitational members are not permitted to vote on official Association business.

Approved: Approved Revision:
Atlanta Atlanta
December 5. 1986 December 6,1995