ARTICLE I - NAME

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATION

ARTICLE V - DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

ARTICLE Vl - MEETINGS

ARTICLE VII - NOMINATION AND ELECTION PROCESS

ARTICLE VIII - OFFICERS AND TERMS

ARTICLE IX - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

ARTICLE X - PSA STANDING COMMITTEES

ARTICLE XI - FINANCES

ARTICLE XII - FISCAL YEAR

ARTICLE XIII - UNIT BYLAWS

ARTICLE XIV - AUTHORITY

ARTICLE XV - AMENDMENTS

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ARTICLE I - NAME

SECTION 1. This organization shall be known as the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) Professional Staff Association, hereinafter referred to as PSA.

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ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

SECTION 1. It shall be the purpose of PSA to strengthen and unify the professional staff employees and to improve their salaries, working conditions, benefits, and policies.

SECTION 2. It shall further be the purpose of PSA to speak with a common voice on matters pertaining to employment; and to present the interests of PS employees to the MCCCD Governing Board, administration, and other authorities. MCCCD shall also benefit from having its interests presented to the Professional Staff employees through the PSA leadership.

SECTION 3. It shall further be the purpose of PSA to encourage and promote the professional skills and standards of service of its members within their professional capacities.

SECTION 4. It shall further be the purpose of PSA to represent the Professional Staff employees in Collaborative Policy Development sessions.

SECTION 5. It shall further be the purpose of PSA to collect dues and utilize funds as needed for the attainment of these purposes and for the general benefit of its membership.

SECTION 6. PSA shall abide by all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

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ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1 - ELIGIBILITY

A. Any regular employee as defined in the "Professional Staff Policy Manual" is entitled to membership in PSA.

SECTION 2 - MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

A. Membership-at-Large shall be open to all eligible Professional Staff employees. Members-at-Large shall constitute those persons who elect not to pay dues at the District level.

B. Members-at-Large shall not be granted any benefits offered exclusively to dues-paying members. Members-at-Large shall only be allowed to vote on the ratification of proposals resulting from the Collaborative Policy Development sessions.

SECTION 3 - ASSOCIATION MEMBER

A. Associate membership shall be open to all eligible Professional Staff employees.

B. Associate members shall constitute those persons who elect to pay dues at the District level; and shall be afforded all advantages and privileges offered to dues-paying members.

C. All officers of the Executive Board shall be Associate members for at least two (2) years prior to holding an executive office. All Unit Presidents, Unit Representatives and Alternates, and Committee Chairs of PSA shall be Associate members.

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ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATION

SECTION 1 - COMPOSITION

A. The District PSA leadership shall be composed of an Executive Board and an Executive Council.

SECTION 2 - DISTRICT PSA EXECUTIVE BOARD

A. The District PSA Executive Board will be comprised of these elected officers: President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Policy Chair.

SECTION 3 - DISTRICT PSA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

A. The District PSA Executive Council will be comprised of the Executive Board, each Unit President, Unit Representatives, and the Chairs of the Standing Committees as defined in Article X.

SECTION 4 - REPRESENTATIVES

A. Each Unit shall elect one (1) Representative for every fifteen (15) Professional Staff employees covered under the Professional Staff Policy Manual, and one (1) additional representative for any portion of fifteen (15) thereafter, to serve on the Executive Council.

SECTION 5 - STANDING COMMITTEES

A. The PSA Standing Committees shall be as defined in Article X of this Constitution.

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ARTICLE V - DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

SECTION 1 - EXECUTIVE BOARD


A. The Executive Board shall represent PSA, both generally and specifically, in all dealings with the District: its Governing Board, Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, College Presidents, administrators, management, and other employee groups.

B. The Executive Board shall either serve as or comprise part of the PSA Collaborative Policy Development Team.

C. The Executive Board shall determine and/or recommend policy and procedures with respect to the overall management and operation of PSA.

D. The Executive Board shall make recommendations on and oversee the proper management and disbursement of Professional Growth Funds (i.e. PEL, PSD, Internship, Summer Conference, etc.).

E. The Executive Board shall verify each Unit's designated number of Representatives prior to the first meeting of the Executive Council.

SECTION 2 - EXECUTIVE COUNCIL PSA.


A. The Executive Council shall conduct and vote on the business of PSA.

B. The Executive Council shall act as liaison between the general membership and the PSA leadership. The Executive Council shall diligently represent the interests of PSA.

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ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS

SECTION 1 - EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS

A. The Executive Board shall meet once each month when necessary prior to the Executive Council meetings to discuss agenda items for the Council meetings as well as to conduct business that falls within the purview of the Executive Board duties and responsibilities. The time, place, and date shall be determined by the members of the Executive Board.

B. The Executive Board may also meet at any time when pertinent business and/or issues arise. These meetings can be called by either the President and/or by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board members.

SECTION 2 - EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS

A. The Executive Council shall meet a minimum of ten times a year. The place and time of these meetings shall be determined by the Executive Council.


B. All general elections shall be conducted at an Executive Council meeting.

SECTION 3 - ASSOCIATION MEETINGS

A. An Association meeting is defined as a meeting attended by any PSA member and presided over by the District PSA President.

B. An Association meeting shall be held at least once each semester to solicit input and to disseminate information to the membership.

C. The Association meeting schedule shall be determined by the Executive Council.

SECTION 4 - SPECIAL MEETINGS

A. Special meetings may be called by the District PSA President or by a simple majority of the Executive Council.

B. In such an event, the calling party shall present an agenda forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting; and only those items listed on the agenda will be discussed or acted upon.

SECTION 5 - RATIFICATION

A. Ratification meetings may be called by the District PSA President.

B. The purpose of ratification meetings shall be to discuss and vote upon the acceptance/rejection of the "Professional Staff Policy Manual" resulting from the Meet and Confer process.

C. All Professional Staff employees will be invited to attend and participate in the ratification process.

D. The Ratification meeting will be called within seven (7) working days of the conclusion of the Collaborative Policy Development process.


SECTION 6 - ATTENDANCE

A. Any Executive Board member or Executive Council member absent from four (4) Executive Board or Executive Council meeting in one fiscal year, may be replaced on a permanent basis.

SECTION 7 - VOTING RIGHTS

A. Each member of the Executive Board and Executive Council shall have one vote each. Alternate Representatives may vote only if attending as a replacement for an absent Representative.

SECTION 8 - QUORUM

A. A quorum shall be necessary to conduct the official business of PSA.


B. A quorum is defined as at least three (3) members of the Executive Board for Executive Board meetings. A quorum for the Executive Council meeting includes the definition for the Executive Board plus a simple majority of the balance of the Executive Council.

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ARTICLE VII - NOMINATION AND ELECTION PROCESS

SECTION 1 - ELIGIBILITY

A. A person seeking nomination for an Executive Board position must have been an Associate Member (District and Unit dues-paying) of PSA for a minimum of two (2) years as of the date of the election for that position.

B. Eligibility will be verified by the presiding Secretary and President (or their designee) of the Executive Board prior to the date of being placed on the Nomination Ballot.

SECTION 2 - NOMINATIONS

A. The Nomination Ballot shall be determined, verified, and available to Associate members prior to the end of April.

B. A Nomination Committee will be chaired by the Past-President and/or designee and will be confirmed by the Executive Board. The Nomination Committee shall solicit candidates for available Executive Board positions and submit a slate of candidates on a Nomination Ballot to the Executive Board and Election Committee.

SECTION 3 - ELECTIONS

A. The Election of officers for the Executive Board shall be held in April prior to the last day of accountability for 9-month PSA employees.

B. The Immediate Past President and/or designee will establish an Election Committee to oversee and conduct the Election.

C. A slate of candidates for office in PSA will be developed by the Election Committee and presented to the Executive Council at the March Executive Council meeting.

SECTION 4 - INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

A. All seated and newly elected officers shall assume their offices on July 1st of each year.

B. Installation of all seated and newly elected officers shall be conducted at the PSA Summer Conference.

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ARTICLE VIII - OFFICERS AND TERMS

SECTION 1 - OFFICERS

A. The officers of the Executive Board shall be as defined in Article IV, Section 2.

SECTION 2 - TERMS OF OFFICE

A. The President-Elect shall be elected annually and serve for a period of one year.

B. The Secretary and Treasurer may serve up to two (2) consecutive terms. The term of office for the Secretary begins July 1, in the odd-numbered years.  The term ends 2 years later when the successor assumes office. The term of office for the Treasurer begins July 1, in the even-numbered years.  The term ends 2 years later, when the successor assumes office.


C. The office of President-Elect is a three (3) term commitment. The President-Elect shall assume the position of President following the completion of his/her term; and following his/her completion as President, shall assume the position of Immediate Past President.

D. At the expiration of the term as Immediate Past President, he/she may not serve on the Executive Board for a minimum of two (2) full years unless deemed necessary by the Executive Board and approved by the Executive Council.

E. The Chairperson of the Policy Committee shall be elected every two (2) years and shall hold office for no more than two (2) consecutive terms.

SECTION 3 - FlLLING VACATED OFFICES

A. Should an Executive Board position (other than President) be vacated prior to the end of the term, the President shall notify the Executive Council immediately.

B. At the next scheduled Executive Council meeting, the President shall call for eligible nominees, and a vote to fill the vacancy.

C. The newly elected officer shall serve the unexpired term of the vacated office.


D. In the event the President Elect office is vacated, there shall be an emergency meeting called by the Executive Board to decide the process for filling the office.

SECTlON 4 - REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

A. Whenever a majority of the Executive Council agrees that an officer has been grossly negligent in the duties of office, or has not served in the best interest of PSA, then the Executive Council shall recommend that the office be declared vacant.

B-. The officer in question shall have the right to appear before the Executive Council of the Whole to hear allegations, and to present rebuttals, prior to a vote taken by the Executive Council.

C. Removal from office shall be confirmed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Council.

D. The vacancy shall be filled according to Section 3 of this article.

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ARTICLE IX - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1 - PRESIDENT

A. The President shall preside over all Association meetings.

B. The President shall serve as a liaison between District-wide, unit, and Professional staff employees.

C. The President shall act as an ex-officio member of all PSA committees.

D. The President shall appoint representatives of PSA to fill vacancies on committees (with the exception of those committees and chairs that require election).

E. The President shall be the official spokesperson in representing the views and position of Professional Staff employees.

F. The President shall be responsible for preparing and distributing agendas for Executive Board, Executive Council, Association, Collaborative Policy Development and special meetings.

SECTION 2 - PRESIDENT-ELECT

A. The President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence and as defined in Article VII Section 2 (C).

B. In the event that the President's office is vacated, the President-elect shall assume the office of President for the remainder of that term, and the succeeding term.

C. The President-Elect shall serve as the Executive Board's representative to the Summer Conference Committee.

SECTION 3 - IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

A. The Immediate Past President shall advise the President at his/her request.

B. The Immediate Past President shall chair the Nomination and Election Committee.

C. The Immediate Past President shall act as the Parliamentarian to PSA.

SECTION 4 - SECRETARY

A. The Secretary shall be the official recordkeeper of PSA.

B. The Secretary shall record and distribute minutes of the Execute Board, Executive Council, Association, and Special meetings.

C. The Secretary shall maintain the official files, correspondence, and committee reports.

SECTION 5 - TREASURER

A. The Treasurer shall be the official financial officer for PSA.

B. The Treasurer shall be responsible for opening, recording, and maintaining permanent financial records and statements of account for all PSA monies (with the exception of Professional Growth Funds). This includes all disbursements and collection of funds.

C. The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining a current list of all Associate members.

D. The Treasurer shall cooperate fully with the Audit Committee.

SECTION 6 - POLICY CHAIR

A. The Policy Chair shall be responsible for gathering and preparing information to present during Collaborative Policy Development and periodical review the Professional Staff Policy Manual.

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ARTICLE X - PSA STANDING COMMITTEES

SECTION I - COLLABORATIVE POLICY DEVELOPMENT TEAM

A. The Collaborative Policy Development Team shall be comprised of the members of the Executive Board and a minimum of two (2) additional Associate members.

B. Each Associate member of the Collaborative Policy Development Team may serve a two (2) year term.

SECTION 2 - PROFESSIONAL STAFF DEVELOPMENT (PSD)

A. Membership of this committee shall be comprised of one (1) representative from each Unit.

B. Committee members may serve a two (2) year term.

C. Committee members shall be Associate members.

D. The purpose of the Professional Staff Development committee is to develop procedures, oversee, and award PSD funds allocated through the Collaborative Policy Development process.

E. The Chair of the PSD Committee shall be a voting member of the Executive Council.

F. The Chair shall make regular reports to the Executive Council with respect to the activities of the PSD Committee.

G. The Chair of the PSD Committee shall be elected by the PSD Committee members and shall serve a term of one (1) year.


H. The President of PSA shall be on the distribution list for all correspondence for the PSD Committee.

SECTION 3 - INTERNSHIP COMMITTEE (PSI)

A. There shall be one (1) member from each Unit to serve on the Internship Committee.

B. Committee members may serve a two (2) year term.

C. Committee members shall be Associate members.

D. The purpose of the Internship Committee is to develop procedures, oversee, and award Internship funds allocated through the Collaborative Policy Development process.

E. The Chair of the Internship Committee shall be a voting member of the PSA Executive Council.

F. The Chair shall make regular reports to the Executive Council with respect to the activities of the Internship Committee.

G. The Chair shall be elected by the membership of the Internship committee, and shall serve a term of one (1) year.

H. The President of PSA shall be on the distribution list for all correspondence for the PSI Committee.



SECTION 4 - PAID EDUCATIONAL LEAVE (PEL) COMMITTEE

A. There shall be one (1) member from each Unit to serve on the PEL Committee.

B. Committee members may serve a two (2) year term.

C. Committee members shall be Associate members.

D. The purpose of the PEL Committee is to develop procedures, oversee, and award PEL funds allocated through the Collaborative Policy Development process.

E. The Chair of the PEL Committee shall be a voting member of the PSA Executive Council.

F. The Chair shall make regular reports to the Executive Council with respect to the activities of the PEL committee.

G. The Chair shall be elected by the membership of the PEL Committee,and shall serve a term of one (1) year.



H. The President of PSA shall be on the distribution list for all correspondence for the PEL Committee.



SECTION 5 - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EBAC)

A. Membership on EBAC shall be comprised of one (1) elected member, the President of PSA, and an elected alternate.

B. Elected and Alternate members shall serve a two (2) year term and may serve two (2) consecutive terms.

C. Committee members shall be Associate members.

D. The responsibility of the PSA EBAC Committee is to meet as necessary to study, discuss, and propose changes in the benefits for Professional Staff employees.

E. An EBAC member shall make regular reports to the Executive Council with respect to the activities of the EBAC committee.

SECTION 6 - ELECTION COMMITTEE

A. Members of the Election Committee shall be appointed by the Past President or designee.

B. Committee members shall be Associate members.

C. The purpose of the Election Committee is to develop procedures, oversee, and conduct the annual election of officers.

D. The Chair of the Election Committee shall be the sitting Immediate Past President or designee.

SECTION 7 - SUMMER CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

A. There shall be one (1) member from each Unit to serve on the Summer Conference Committee.

B. Committee members shall be Associate members.

C. The purpose of the Summer Conference Committee is to plan, oversee, and conduct the PSA Summer Conference

D. The Chair-shall be the sitting President-Elect or his/her designee.

E. The Chair shall make regular reports to the Executive Council with respect to the activities of the Summer Conference Committee.

SECTION 8 - AUDIT COMMITTEE

A. The Audit Committee shall consist of the President and two (2) associate members appointed by the PSA Executive Council.

B. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to conduct an annual review and audit of the PSA financial records.


C. The Chair shall be elected by the membership of the Audit Committee.


F. The Chair shall make a year end Audit Report at the September PSA Executive Council meeting.

SECTION 9 - AD HOC COMMITTEES

A. The President of PSA may form Ad Hoc Committees, as needed, to perform specific duties.

B. The Chair of said Committees may be appointed by the President.


SECTION 10 - FINANCIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (FAC)



A. PSA representation on the FAC shall be comprised of the current President of PSA and one (1) elected representative.


B. The responsibility of the members of FAC is to meet as necessary to study, discuss and make recommendations on budget related matters.


C. The elected representative shall serve a three (3) year term and may serve two consecutive terms.


D. Elected representative shall be an Associate member.

SECTION 11 - DIVERSITY COUNCIL

A. PSA representation on the Diversity Council shall be comprised of the current President of PSA and one (1) elected representative.

B. The responsibility of the members of the Diversity Council is to meet as necessary to study, discuss and make recommendations on diversity related matters.

C. The elected representative shall serve a three (3) year term and may serve two (2) consecutive terms.

D. Elected representative shall be an Associate member.

SECTION 12 - OUTSTANDING PSA MEMBER COMMITTEE

A. The Outstanding PSA Member Committee shall be comprised of the Immediate Past President and four (4) additional Associate members appointed by the PSA Executive Council.

B. The purpose of the Outstanding PSA Membership Committee shall be to review and select one professional staff associate member for the Outstanding PSA Member award.

C. The Chair shall be the Immediate Past President or his/her designee.

D. The award shall be presented at the Summer Conference.

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ARTICLE XI- FINANCES

SECTION I - DUES

A. All Professional Staff employees are encouraged to pay dues. The amount of dues for each fiscal year shall be determined at the Executive Council meeting in Ap;ril.

B. Dues will be collected through December 15th for continuing employees.

C. For new employees hired after December 15th, membership dues will be assessed at one-half the current rate.

D. Dues shall expire on June 30th for all Associate members.

SECTION 2 - EXPENDITURES

A. The Executive Board shall recommend an annual budget and submit same to the Executive Council for approval by the first Council meeting of the fiscal year.

B. Once the budget is approved, the Executive Board shall approve all budgetary expenditures as are requisite, normal, and pertinent to the operation and general business of PSA.

C. Non budget expenditures exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) must be voted upon by the Executive Council.

D. The PSA President shall have discretionary authority to expend up to one hundred dollars ($100) per annum for PSA business without the Executive Board or Executive Council approval.

SECTlON 3 - OTHER FUNDS

A. PSA may raise and deposit other funds pursuant to all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

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ARTICLE XII - FISCAL YEAR

SECTION 1

A. The fiscal year of PSA shall begin on the first day of July and shall end on the last day of June.

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ARTICLE XIII - UNIT BYLAWS

SECTION 1

A. Each Unit shall adopt Bylaws for the governing of PSA at the Unit level.

B. This Constitution shall supersede any and all Unit bylaws; no Unit Bylaws may be written to circumvent the purpose or intent of this Constitution.

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ARTICLE - XIV - AUTHORITY

SECTION 1

A. Robert's Rules of Order (Revised) shall be the parliamentary authority for PSA on all matters of questions not covered by this Constitution.

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ARTICLE XV - AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1

A. Any proposed amendment or revision to this Constitution must be submitted in writing to the PSA Executive Council at least ten (10) calendar days prior to being voted upon.

B. Amendments or revisions of this Constitution must be approved by two-thirds of the PSA Executive Council.

C. Upon adoption, copies of the revised or amended Constitution shall be conveyed to each member of the Executive Council; and to the Vice Chancellor of Human Resources.