Strategic Open Source (SOS) SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP BYLAWS

Note: taken straight from the Wiki ... format and all ...

====== Strategic Open Source (SOS) SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP BYLAWS ======

===== ARTICLE I: NAME AND LOCATION =====

The name of this organization is the Strategic Open Source (SOS) Special Interest Group. This organization is a division of the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA). TCEA is is a non-profit corporation, incorporated in the State of Texas. Hereafter, the Special Interest Group will be referred to as the SOS-SIG.

===== ARTICLE II: MISSION, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES =====

==== Section 1. Mission ====

The mission of the SOS-SIG is to build and activate a community of educators who promote and support opportunities for technological advancement and a broader educational foundation that Open Source software solutions bring to K-16 education.

==== Section 2. Purpose. ====

The purposes of the SOS-SIG remain consistent with TCEA Bylaws, and include (but are not limited to):

1. To promote opportunities for all students within the State of Texas to benefit from Open Source technology applications.

2. To develop guidelines for selecting, developing and implementingOpen Source technology applications for educational administration, school curriculum, and use in personal productivity and learning.

3. To encourage the implementation of Open Source technology in K-16 educational settings.

4. To develop an improvement processes for Open Source technology through formative assessments, evaluation and action research.

5. To develop Project Management Institute (PMBOK-based) project designs for the deployment of Open Source technology and application development

==== Section 3. Objectives ====

The objectives of the SOS-SIG are:

1. To create a community of educators that develops and  shares best practices using Open Source technology and application tools.

2. To maintain a Web presence that demonstrates the use of Open Source tools in K-16 education.

3. To  study and keep abreast of any new trends in Open Source technology and applications.

4. To promote cooperation, communication and advocacy among educators, students and parents in demanding the use of Open Source solutions in education.

5. To connect with other organizations involved in the K-16 educational to promote and advocate the use of Open Source technology.

===== ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP =====

==== Section 1. Qualifications ====

Active and retired members of the K-16 education community are the primary members of this SIG. These members contribute to the movement to bring Open Source technology and Open Source Applications to all school districts in Texas. Everyone that joins SOS-SIG must be a member of TCEA.
Business and Corporate memberships are non-voting memberships. Depending on their affiliations, members with multiple affiliations may or may not be voting members.

The key to identifying a dual relationship is whether profit is involved. As a non-profit organization that promotes free Open Source technology and applications; no financial gain may inure to any member. This also holds true for members who are employees of school districts and institutions of higher learning.

===== ARTICLE IV: DUES =====

==== Section 1. Establishment of Dues ====

Dues are $20 per year for all members. Any changes in dues must be initiated and accepted by the TCEA Board of Directors. TCEA will collect SOS-SIG dues when regular TCEA dues are collected. All membership categories join for the same membership fee.

==== Section 2. Membership Period ====

The membership period coincides with regular TCEA membership.

==== Section 3. Delinquency and Cancellation ====

TCEA will notify members concerning the renewal of their dues. TCEA and SOS-SIG membership must be current in order for members to maintain voting privileges.

==== Section 4. Membership Roster ====

TCEA will maintain the official SOS-SIG membership roster.

===== ARTICLE V: MEETINGS AND VOTING =====

==== Section 1. Regular Meetings ====

The SOS-SIG will hold at least one meeting a year at the state TCEA Convention. Additional meeting dates will be decided by the elected officers, and approved by a quorum of the membership at any scheduled meeting.

==== Section 2. Notice of Meetings ====

When SOS-SIG officer or Board Members call meetings, all members will be notified at least ten (10) days before that meeting.
All members are invited to attend all meeting, whether they are eligible to vote, or not. Non-voting members will be notified of all meetings. Non-voting members include:
* Corporate Members (for all meetings)
* Non-Board Members and non-officers (for Board Meetings)

==== Section 3. Voting ====


At all meetings of the voting membership, each member shall have one (1) vote and may take part and vote electronically via the TCEA Electronic Voting mechanism. A majority vote of those members present and voting shall govern. Voting rights of a member shall not be delegated to another nor exercised by proxy.

==== Section 4. Voting by Mail ====

Voting will be conducted by E-mail or other electronic means. A simple majority of all ballots cast will determine the winning vote.

==== Section 5. Cancellation of Meetings ====

The SOS-SIG must conduct at least one annual meeting during the time of the TCEA Convention.
Only the TCEA Board can cancel this requirement.


==== Section 6. Rules of Order ====

SOS-SIG meeting rules will follow the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order.
However, most of the SOS-SIG's business will be conducted electronically, and adherence to this formal structure mostly will be unnecessary.

===== ARTICLE VI: ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE =====

Qualifications for membership in the SIG, as well as the responsibilities and management of the SIG, shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

==== Section 1. Board of Directors ====

The Board of Directors of SOSSIG will consist of:

    * President
    * Vice-President/President Elect
    * Communications Officer
    * Treasurer
    * Past President
    * Member at Large
    * Regional Service Center Member
    * Higher-Education Member
    * Corporate Member^
    * Corporate Member^
   
^ Corporate Members are non-voting member

==== Section 2. Terms of Office ====

After the appointment of the initial officers and board members, all elected positions will be for a term of one year.
All officers except the president may hold the same office for one additional term. The president may not hold that office more than once.

===== ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS =====

==== Section 1. Officers ====

The officers of the SOS-SIG shall be President, Vice-President/President Elect, Communications Officer, Treasurer, and Past President. All offices shall be elected by the at-large membership of the SOS-SIG.

==== Section 2. Qualifications for Officers ====

When we trace through the steps of developing the SOS-SIG, we technically have no SOS-SIG until the TCEA Board of Directors approves the Bylaws.
Therefore, SOS-SIG cannot have members before that time. Therefore, there cannot be an election of officers until after the SOS-SIG gains TCEA approval.
Voting that is being conducted now is by TCEA Members, only...petitioning TCEA.

In this initial application for a SIG, if approved by the TCEA Board, a slate of Officers from a list of volunteers, and the TCEA Board will appoint the first officers.
The volunteers could prepare their credentials, and the TCEA Board could choose the people who seem most qualified.

The appointed slate of officers could serve until the first meeting of SOS-SIG at the TCEA 2007 Convention, when the initial set of officers would be voted in.

==== Section 3. Nomination and Election Procedures ====

All nominations for office and all voting will be made through E-mail. Nominations will due by the second Monday in January of each year.
Elections will be held at least two weeks before the TCEA Convention. Officers will be installed at the Annual Meeting that must be held during the TCEA Convention.

===== ARTICLE VIII: DUTIES OF OFFICERS =====

==== Section 1. President ====

The president is the top office of the SOS-SIG. The president presides over all meetings, and is a technical member of all committees.
The president is accountable to the SOS-SIG Membership, and to TCEA. With the responsibility of this office comes increased accountability and transparency.
The president serves to promote the will and consensus of the SOS-SIG, and acts to further the wishes of the membership (over special interest or self-interest).
Since all voting is to be conducted by E-mail, the president will move to fill vacancies for Board Member and officer positions by conducting nominations and electronic voting for the Membership at Large.
The SOS-SIG Board oversees the work of the president, but the authority to serve as SOS-SIG president is granted by the TCEA Board.

==== Section 2. Vice-President ====

The Vice-President shall succeed to the Presidency. He/she shall perform the duties of the President in the event of the President's inability to be present. The Vice-President will serve as Program Chairperson of all meetings.

==== Section 3. Communications Officer ====

The Secretary will record and present minutes for all SOS-SIG meetings. All minutes will be posted on the SOS-SIG Web site.
The secretary will work with TCEA staff to ensure the transparency of all SOS-SIG operations.
All SOS-SIG Web postings will be on TCEA equipment and under the ultimate control of TCEA.

==== Section 4. Treasurer ====

Each SIG functions under the financial and structural umbrella of the Association that retains all rights and responsibilities for the SIG name, publications, assets and liabilities.

The Treasurer will communicate the state of SOS-SIG finances to all members of the SOS-SIG and TCEA community by posting records on the SOS-SIG Website.
All financial operations and transactions will be conducted by TCEA staff.
The Treasurer will ensure that all financial transactions are open and transparent.
The Treasurer will keep a record of SOS-SIG membership.

==== Section 5. Past President ====

The Past President serves on the Board of Directors, and assists other officers in duties that the Board delegates.

===== ARTICLE IX: DISSOLUTION =====

All assets and revenue collected by SOS-SIG will be handled and controlled by TCEA.
No Officer or Member will receive compensation or remuneration of any kind.
TCEA can dissolve this SOS-SIG at any time.
SOS Officers and Board Members may be removed by Recall Petition, with a two-thirds majority of votes cast being required for the recall to pass.
If the SOS-SIG is non-functioning, an Officer or Board Member Recall Petition is preferable to dissolving the SOS-SIG.

===== ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS =====

SOS-SIg Bylaws can be amended or repealed by the SOS-SIG Membership. Then, all changes must then be approved by the TCEA Board of Directors.

There are two ways that changes to the Bylaws can occur.

1.) Members receive notice 30 days before a meeting when a vote will be taken
2.) Members can petition for a change that is then voted upon using electronic balloting

Any member can circulate a petition to change the SOS-SIG Bylaws, and only a simple majority of members is required. Since only a simple majority is required for passage of the change to the Bylaws, a meeting is not needed to approve a grassroots change to the Bylaws. The SOS-SIG Officer that receives the valid petition will validate the signatures, notify the rest of the SOS-SIG members  about the Bylaws change(s), and send the change(s) to the TCEA Board for final approval.

There is no need for a thirty day notice for Bylaws amendments that are developed by petition.