RISTE Bylaws

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Rhode Island Society of Technology Educators (RISTE) is to promote excellence in education through the integration of existing and emerging technologies.

Article I. Name

The Rhode Island Society of Technology Educators (RISTE) shall be the name of the Association, also to be referred to throughout this document as Association. The Association shall also be known as “The Rhode Island Society for Technology in Education” to align with the International Society for Technology in Education.

Article II. Purpose of Organization

Section 1. The Rhode Island Society of Technology Educators is an educational Association dedicated to the improvement of education in Rhode Island through the use of technology.

Section 2. The purpose for which the Association is organized is educational, within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law, that is exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational organizations.

Section 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, this Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law.

Section 4. In the event of dissolution, the residual assets of the organization will be turned over to one or more organizations which themselves are exempt as organizations described in Sections 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Code, or to the Federal, State, or Local government for exclusive public purpose.

Article III. Goals

The Association will:

1. Provide a network of educators and other professionals throughout the state of Rhode Island who incorporate, implement or maintain technology in education.
2. Serve as a conduit for technology information and communication to various stakeholders
3. Encourage membership in the Association.
4. Improve the quality of educational technology for all institutions of learning.
5. Work for the welfare of students, the advancement of technology in education, and the improvement of instructional opportunities.
6. Promote the involvement of concerned individuals with the growth and development of technology in education.

Article IV. Membership

The membership of the Association shall be composed of individuals who may be technology directors/coordinators, technology coaches, or educators interested or engaged in implementing or incorporating educational technology in Rhode Island K-12 schools, school districts, school consortia and collaboratives, or education service agencies. They hold membership in the Association, provided they meet the membership requirements laid out by the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee shall determine procedures for application for membership, eligibility of applicants, type of memberships, membership privileges, and membership dues.

Paid membership shall extend 1 (one) year from the date of sign up and may be automatically renewed at the member’s discretion. Members whose dues are in arrears do not enjoy full membership benefits or voting privileges and will be reduced from full membership status. Less than full membership classes will be considered active for 2 (two) years from the member’s last interaction with the Association, at which time they may be marked inactive and dropped from the membership rolls.

All Rhode Island schools both public and private, school districts, school committees, school consortia and collaboratives, and education service agencies are considered to be Organization Members for the purpose of establishing joint purchasing agreements and utilizing services offered by the Association. Organization Members do not enjoy full membership benefits, but employees of those organizations may join the Association and represent the interests of their employer to the Association.

Vendors and sponsors of the Association are not full members of the Association, do not have voting privileges, and may not serve on the Board of Directors.

Article V. Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall consist of 12 members elected by the membership on a staggered schedule.

There shall be a category of board member known as a board member emeritus who serves in an advisory capacity and is nominated and elected by the board of directors.

The Board of Directors shall meet four times a year. The Executive Committee shall determine the time and place of the meetings and shall provide notice by electronic mail. The president shall preside. A quorum is made of the majority of those members present, but in no event does a quorum consist of less than 3 board members.

Article VI. Executive Committee

The officers of this organization shall form an Executive Committee that will have the authority to handle the business of the Association between meetings of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director shall be an ex-officio member of the Committee, as shall any other board members emeritus appointed to the Executive Committee by the Board of Directors. In the event that a member of the Executive Committee is unable to complete their term of office or fulfill the assigned duties, the Executive Committee may appoint a replacement to fill the unexpired term.

Article VII. Voting

The Board of Directors shall determine who are members with voting privileges. A quorum is made of the majority of those voting members present. Each voting member shall have one (1) vote.

Article VIII. Dues

The amount of the dues shall be set by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Article IX. Meetings

The Annual Meeting of the Association will be held yearly between March 1 and June 30. A quorum shall consist of the voting-eligible members present. Questions shall be decided by a simple majority. Notification of member meetings shall be provided by electronic mail to the address provided by the members.

Article X. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Association will be July 1 through June 30.

Article XI. Committees

The president shall have the authority to set up such committees as are needed and to appoint committee chairpersons with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Article XII. Officers and Their Duties

The officers shall consist of: president, secretary, treasurer, and an ex-officio executive director. Officers may be, but are not required to be, elected members of the board of directors, and shall serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. Individuals are not limited on the number of terms they may serve as an officer, so long as the Board of Directors reaffirms their appointment annually. Should an Officer resign, the Board of Directors may appoint a new officer to fill the unexpired term.

The Board of Directors may, at their option, appoint a vice or deputy for any officer position who is intended to succeed the current officer in a future term and will receive guidance, tutelage and mentoring from the current officer. Officers may delegate some or all of their duties to a properly appointed vice or deputy officer and may authorize a vice or deputy officer to act on their behalf in their absence, but officers still maintain ultimate responsibility for ensuring those duties are performed.

The president shall:

1. Be appointed by the board of directors for a one year term.
2. Call and preside at all official meetings of the Association.
3. Appoint chairpersons of committees, other than the Nominating Committee.
4. Represent the association at official functions and in matters of importance to the Association.
5. Authorize expenditures of the association in keeping with the actions of the Executive Committee and its budget.
6. Serve as a member of the Executive Committee.

The secretary shall:

1. Be appointed by the board of directors for a one year term.
2. Keep a record of the meetings and actions of the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and the Association and see that actions requiring communication with members, other individuals, or groups are carried out as required.
3. Receive the report of the Nominating Committee and see that it is sent to the membership in accordance with the stipulations in the bylaws.
4. Serve as a member of the Executive Committee.

The treasurer shall:

1. Be appointed by the board of directors for a one year term.
2. Have overall authority for all accounts and funds of the Association.
3. Work cooperatively with the executive director, who will handle day-to-day financial transactions of the Association.
4. Establish the account(s) of the organization, as approved by the Executive Committee.*
5. Establish procedures for the deposit of funds and the maintenance of the organization's properties.
6. Receive and disburse all funds of the organization as authorized by the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors.
7. Maintain a record of all financial transactions and report as requested to the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and annually to the Association at the annual meeting.
8. Make his or her records available for audit prior to the annual meeting.
9. Serve as a member of the Executive Committee.

*This does not mean that the Executive Committee must authorize every payment. If a budget is approved by the Board of Directors, items contained in that budget are automatically authorized for payment as funds are available.

The executive director shall:

1. Be responsible for and maintain a log of all day-to-day activities.
2. Be responsible for implementing the goals, policies and mission statement of the Association.
3. Be accountable directly to the Executive Committee or, at its option, the president.
4. Assist in the administration and governance of the Association.
5. Handle day-to-day financial transactions of the Association, working cooperatively with the treasurer.
6. Assist members with their needs.
7. Assist in planning professional development workshops, trade shows, monthly meetings, and all related professional development activities.
8. Promote and liaison the Association via appropriate means.
9. Advocate the Association’s mission, goals and positions with the Rhode Island General Assembly and the State Department of Education,
10. Track legislation, which might affect the Association and its members, keeping the Executive Committee and the members aware of important issues.
11. Develop and maintain an Association library of resources and records.
12. Gather for and disseminate information to the Executive Committee and members, as is appropriate.
13. Perform other duties as appropriate and assigned by the Executive Committee.**
14. May delegate duties as is appropriate.
15. Receive a monthly stipend for executing his/her duties.
16. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee.

**See Executive Director’s Job Description for the Executive Director’s specific duties and responsibilities.

Article XIII. Election of Board Representatives

An online election shall take place each year for the Board of Directors’ representatives. Terms for the Board of Directors Representatives will be three years. Individuals are limited to a maximum of 2 (3 year) terms. Appointments to fill vacancies shall not be counted against this term limit. After taking 1 election off, they may be nominated again to a board seat.

Board seats will have staggered terms. From time to time it may be necessary to adjust the staggering of terms to account for appointments made to fill vacancies, and this will be decided by the Board of Directors at the recommendation of the Executive Committee.

The Board of Directors will appoint a Nominating Committee. (Section A) The Nominating Committee will announce the election and nominations will be accepted from March 1 – April 1. The Nominating Committee will submit the names of the candidates for Board of Directors representatives to the Secretary after ascertaining that each candidate is willing to serve if elected. In the event that the number of nominees does not exceed the number of vacancies, the Secretary shall cast a single vote for the entire slate of Nominees and they shall be declared elected. If this is not the case, the Secretary will prepare the ballot and online voting will take place from May 1 – June 1. Election results will be communicated to the general membership. The new Board of Directors representatives will begin serving on July 1. Should a member of the Board of Directors resign, the Board of Directors may appoint a new member to serve the remainder of the term or for a full term, at their option.

Section A. Nominating Committee

The purpose of the Nominating Committee is to credential each candidate so that he/she qualifies (Section B) for election to the Directors.

The Nominating Committee will consist of at least 3, no more than 5 qualified members of the Association as defined in Article IV. The President may not sit on the Nominating Committee as a voting member. Membership on the Nominating Committee does not preclude the inclusion of regular qualified members as defined in Article IV in addition to Directors or Officers.

The duration of the Nominating Committee shall be from approximately March 1st until April 1st when the Secretary has accepted the recommendations.

Section B. Qualification for Election

Any qualified member under Article IV is eligible for election to the Board of Directors with the following conditions:

Vendors and sponsors of the Association and their employees are not eligible for election to the Board of Directors.

Full membership must be attained prior to appearing on the ballot and maintained for the duration of the term.

Article XIV. Board members emeritus

Board members emeritus shall be selected from those board members who have served on the board of directors with distinction and excellence. Board member emeritus serve for a 1 year term. As they are advisory members, board member emeritus may serve regardless of any board of directors term limits, and may serve consecutive 1 year terms at the pleasure of the board.

Section A. Method of Service to the Board

Board member emeritus should provide institutional knowledge, mentor new officers or board members, and work to develop increased institutional capacity.

A board member emeritus shall be entitled to receive all written notices and information which are provided to the board of directors, to attend all board meetings, to participate in meetings of any committees in which they serve, and are encouraged to attend all other events conducted by the organization.

A board member emeritus shall not be counted in determining if a quorum is present at a meeting, entitled to hold office, or entitled to vote at any board meeting.

Section B. Eligibility

Board member emeritus must be a current or former member of the organization’s board of directors who has: served the organization’s board of directors with distinction, held an important leadership role, made significant contributions, or engaged in major volunteer or advocacy activities in his or her service on the board, and has completed the term(s) for which he or she was appointed.

Section C. Election

The executive committee of the board will consider potential candidates and may nominate one or more individuals for a board emeritus position. The executive committee will present the nomination(s) along with supporting statements to the organization’s board of directors for its consideration. A simple majority vote of directors at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to approve an appointment.

Article XV. Parliamentary Authority

The latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order will govern the Association in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the organization's bylaws or any special rules of order.

Article XVI. Amendment of Bylaws

These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting-eligible members attending a regular or specially called meeting of the Association, or may be included as a referendum style question during electronic elections, provided that notice of the proposed changes has been sent to the membership not less than 30 days prior to the meeting or election.

These Bylaws stand as amended and adopted on May 2, 2023