BY-LAWS OF THE
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY CHAPTER
UNITED FACULTY OF FLORIDA
(As amended 3/5/2019)
ARTICLE I. NAME
This organization shall be known as the Florida International University Chapter of the United Faculty of Florida.
ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVES
Section 1
To bring faculty and professional employees of the University into a relationship of mutual assistance and cooperation in order to obtain for them the rights and privileges to which they are entitled.
Section 2
To promote the democratization of the University so it will better serve the people of the State of Florida.
Section 3
To achieve and safeguard academic freedom.
Section 4
To combat bigotry in all of its forms at Florida International University, in the State University System, and in society.
ARTICLE III. STRUCTURE OF GOVERNANCE
The ultimate authority in the Chapter rests with the membership, exercised either through a referendum or through a Chapter meeting. The Executive Council shall carry out policies determined at the Chapter meeting and shall have the power to initiate action in the period between Chapter meetings. Except for by-law revisions, majority rule by those present and voting shall pertain for all elections and for all decisions by the Executive Council, Committees, and Chapter meetings.
ARTICLE IV. REFERENDA AND RECALL
A referendum on any issue or recall election of a Chapter officer may be initiated: 1) by a majority vote of the Executive Council; 2) by a petition signed by 20% of the Chapter membership. A referendum or recall election must be held within thirty days of one of these two actions.
ARTICLE V. CHAPTER MEETINGS
Chapter meetings will be held at least once a semester or whenever called by the President or the Executive Council. Members will be given no less than two weeks notice of any such meeting, including those regarding contract ratification. Any member in good standing shall have a vote at Chapter meetings. One Spring meeting shall be held in February and will elect the Chapter officers whose terms shall begin on April 15th and continue through April 14th of the following year. Chapter meetings can make chapter policy on any issue whatsoever, and their decisions are binding on the Executive Council and the Chapter as a whole.
ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS
A President, Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer shall be elected yearly at the February Chapter meeting by a secret ballot of those members. No individual may hold more than one of these elected offices at the same time during any year.The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter membership and Executive Council. She/he shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, sign all necessary documents and papers, and represent the Chapter both internally and externally. The President shall report to Membership meetings the actions of the Executive Council.In the event of the President's absence or resignation, a new President will be elected.Two Vice-Presidents will be elected, one from Modesto Madique Campus and one from Biscayne Bay Campus. The vice-presidents shall exercise those duties prescribed by the Executive Council. In the absence or in the event of temporary disability of the President, The Executive Council shall determine by vote which of the Vice-Presidents is to serve as Acting President. The Secretary shall maintain the records of the Chapter, shall record the minutes of all Membership and Executive Council meetings, and shall execute and monitor all Chapter elections.The Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Chapter, shall exercise supervision over the receipt and disbursement of all monies, properties, securities and other evidences of financial worth of the organization, and shall prepare a monthly statement, and a proposed annual statement for the state UFF. The Treasurer is responsible for obtaining the preparation of the US IRS tax return and vouchers from a certified public accountant.
ARTICLE VII. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Section 1
The Executive Council is the main legislative body of the chapter between Chapter meetings.
Section 2
The Executive Council meets at least once a month or whenever called by the President to establish the bargaining agenda, coordinate membership meetings, and promote the welfare of the Chapter.
Section 3
The voting members of the Executive Council shall consist of all Officers and Senators.
Section 4
The goal of the Chapter shall be to have an Executive Council that is as representative of the diverse colleges, schools, and departments of the university as possible.
Section 5
The Executive Council shall have the power to recommend to the State UFF the employment of persons on a part-time or full-time basis. Any member of the UFF who is employed by the UFF shall earn no more than what she or he would earn in the State University System.
ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES
The President shall nominate to be approved by the Executive Council the Chairpersons and members of Chapter committees. Normally, the following committees shall be established: Bargaining, Grievance, Membership, Political Action, and the Good and Welfare Committee. Additional committees can be established by the President and the Executive Council depending on the needs of the UFF-FIU.
Section 1
All committees shall be under the direction of the President, and shall report to the Executive Council.
Section 2
The Grievance Committee shall keep records of and supervise all grievances, and insure that the Executive Council is fully informed on the progress in maintaining and expanding the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Chairperson of the Grievance Committee shall be the official Chapter nominee to the State UFF Contract Enforcement Committee unless otherwise determined by the Executive Council.
Section 3
The Political Action Committee shall cooperate with the State UFF in lobbying, endorsing candidates, raising contributions, gathering mailgram authorizations, sending mailgrams, conducting letter-writing campaigns, attending political functions, sponsoring events where UFF members can meet elected officials, and working with the UFF-PAC and NEA PAC. The chairperson of the Political Action Committee shall be the official Chapter nominee to the State UFF Political Action-Legislative Committee unless otherwise determined by the Executive Council.
Section 4
The Membership Committee shall carry out organizing drives among faculty and professional employees, contact all new bargaining unit employees and, with the approval of the Executive Council, cooperate in assisting in the organization of other colleges and universities. The chairperson of the Membership Committee shall be the official Chapter nominee to the State UFF Membership Committee unless otherwise determined by the Executive Council.
Section 5
The Bargaining Committee shall recommend the bargaining agenda to the Executive Council and advise the bargaining team as needed.
Section 6
The Good and Welfare Committee shall be responsible for promoting the Chapter community, including planning social activities, organizing charitable events, and providing appropriate chapter responses to events such as illnesses, deaths, and retirements.
Section 7
The Executive Council may create Ad-Hoc Committees, Task Forces, or other such bodies, and determine which Chairpersons and other key members of such Committees and Task Forces shall be nonvoting members of their Councils.
Section 8
Chairpersons and members of Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees may be removed by the Executive Council. Failure to carry out prescribed duties and actions, or to adhere to Chapter policies, shall constitute grounds for removal.
ARTICLE IX. ELECTIONS
Section 1
Senators will be elected in our Spring Chapter Meeting held in February and will begin serving April 1.
Section 2
The number of senators to be elected is established at the state level based on total chapter membership as of January 15.
Section 3
The nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected as Senators. Alternate senators who are replacing absent senators may vote at the EC meetings and state senate meetings and shall be chosen as replacements in order based on the number of votes received when elections were held.
Section 4
A Nominating Committee appointed by the President is charged with soliciting nominations for Officers and Senators from the membership and compiling the list of nominees for the Elections Meeting.
Section 5
Announcements of the Chapter Election Meeting must be sent by email to the membership at least two weeks prior to the Election Meeting.
Section 6
Individuals who notify the Secretary by January 15 of their intent to run for office may include a brief Candidacy Statement in writing to be circulated at the Elections Meeting.
Section 7
Voting will be done by secret ballot; only members present at the Election Meeting may vote.
Section 8
Announcements of the results will be made by the President to the membership within one week after the Elections Meeting.
ARTICLE X. STATE UFF SENATE
Section 1
The Chapter President shall be a Senator.
Section 2
During the February membership meeting, the Chapter shall elect the remainder of its Senators in conformity with the State UFF Constitution.
Section 3
When Senatorial positions become vacant, the Executive Council shall appoint alternates.
ARTICLE XI. RULES OF ORDER
Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern in all cases not covered by the By-laws.
ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS
The By-laws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of those present and voting at a membership meeting if the members have been notified at least two weeks in advance of a proposed amendment to the By-laws.

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[last updated: March 23 2019]