Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented

Bylaws (Revised September 2006)

Mission

It is our belief that all human beings have an inherent right to develop their full potential. The purpose of the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented is to foster an understanding of all gifted children and their exceptional needs and to advocate for appropriate education through partnerships with educators, parents, administrators, legislators, and the general public.

Article I Name

The name of this organization shall be the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT). It is incorporated under the laws of the state of Colorado as a nonprofit corporation with tax-exempt status.

1.1 Use of Association Name References to, or use of the Association’s name in conjunction with media or other public statements made by the Board of Directors, Affiliate presidents, or independent contractors of the Association should adhere to the following use of the name.

1.2 Official Use of the Name The Executive Council may designate a member of the Association to speak on its behalf. Individuals designated as spokespersons should reference their statement to the Association. In such cases, the individual should use such expressions as “As Chair of the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented….” When making statements concerning the Association. Individuals given such authorization should take care not to make statements contrary to existing Association policy.

Article II Purposes

2.1 Purpose The purposes are educational and charitable.

2.2 Goals The goals are as follows:

Serve as a public advocate concerning the needs of gifted and talented children.

Disseminate information to school personnel, parents, and public officials concerning the nature and education of gifted and talented children.

Encourage and assist the development of local affiliate groups to support gifted and talented children.

The Association will accomplish its goals through the following:

Educators’ Conference

Parent Day

Legislative Day

Administrators’ Breakfast

Meetings of the Board of Directors

Publications of the Association

Other events as necessary

2.3 Dissolution Upon dissolution of the Association, after paying or making provisions for payment for all liabilities of the Association, the assets shall be distributed to the active Colorado affiliates of the Association. The Board of Directors shall determine final distribution of the funds within the parameter of Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

2.4 Funds The funds of the Association shall be obtained from membership fees and donations (including, for example, gifts and bequests in the form of cash, securities, or other property) and other sources that are specified by the Board of Directors, providing that any/or all sources of funds are in compliance with the tax-exempt status of the Association.

2.5 Cultural Diversity CAGT concurs with the National Association for Gifted Children that gifted and talented children come from all social, economic, cultural, and ethnic strata. It, therefore, is the policy of CAGT to respect in a reasonable manner, in all its activities, those unique behaviors, beliefs, language, religious traditions, and values held by culturally diverse groups.

Article III Membership and Dues

3.1 There shall be the following classes of memberships:

Regular Member

Lifetime Member

Honorary Member

Institutional Member

Corporate Sponsor Member

Regular Membership in the Association shall be open to any individual desiring to foster the purposes of this Association. Regular membership includes the right to vote and hold office.

Lifetime Membership is held by past presidents of the Association. Lifetime membership includes the right to vote and to hold office.

Honorary Membership is held by individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary service to gifted children and who have been formally recommended by the majority of the Board of Directors. Honorary membership includes the right to vote and hold office.

Institutional Membership is held by a non-profit commercial entity as acknowledged by the Board of Directors. Corporate Sponsor membership does not include the right to vote or hold office.

3.2 Any individual or organization desiring to foster the purposes of this Association shall be eligible for membership regardless of sex, race, color, creed, or nationality.

3.3 Membership in the Association shall become active upon completion of an application and payment of dues.

3.4 Dues are payable to the Association on an annual basis.

3.5 Failure to pay dues within three months after annual expiration dates designates a member inactive and will suspend the privileges of voting, holding office and receiving publications. A membership that has become inactive or has lapsed may be reinstated by payment of dues for the current year.

3.6 Dues for each class of membership are set by the Board of Directors and reviewed every two years.

Article IV Board of Directors

4.1 The Board of Directors of the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented shall consist of the elected Executive Council, appointed Board Members, and the Affiliate presidents.

4.2 The Board of Directors shall be the administrative and policy-making body of the Association and shall exercise general supervision and control over the property and affairs of the Association.

4.3 The Board of Directors shall set the budget of the Association.

4.4 The Board of Directors shall meet at least four times a year.

4.5 The President is authorized to consult with the Board by mail, telephone, e-mail, and if necessary, secure a proxy vote should important decisions of the Board have to be made between meetings.

4.6 The decision of the Boar of Directors will be made by a majority vote of those present at Board Meetings.

4.7 The members of the Board are entrusted with the overall management and direction of the organization, according to the Bylaws and Board-adopted policies. They shall act in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the organization.

4.8 Technical assistance for Association business may be obtained through independent contractors as needed and approved by the Board of Directors.

4.9 Eligibility Any regular, lifetime, or honorary member is eligible to vote and hold office.

4.10 Terms Elections shall be held every two years, and office shall commence on the first day of January. Elected Executive Council Members serve for two years.

4.11 The elected officers of the Association, also know as the Executive Council, shall be as follows:

President

President-Elect

Immediate Past President

Treasurer

Secretary

4.12 The duties and responsibilities of the elected and appointed officers will be delineated in a Board of Directors’ Handbook, which will be maintained and reviewed every two years.

Article V Appointed Positions

5.1 Eligibility Any regular, lifetime, or honorary member is eligible to serve in these appointed positions.

5.2 Terms Appointments shall be made by the Executive Council as needed. Appointed positions serve at the pleasure of the Executive Council.

5.3 The appointed positions to the Board of Directors of the Association shall be as follows:

Family Outreach Committee Chair

Communications Committee Chair

Legislative Liaison and Advocacy Chair

Educator Liaison and Membership Chair

University Liaison

Community Liaison

Student Liaison

Program Committee Chair

Affiliate Coordinator

5.4 The duties and responsibilities of the elected and appointed officers will be outlined in a Board of Directors’ Handbook, which will be maintained and reviewed every two years.

Article VI Honorary Board Members

6.1 The Executive Board may recognize and authorize Honorary Board Members to join the Board of Directors. These individuals will represent various constituencies and serve as advisors to the Board.

Colorado Department of Education Liaison

Elected Officials

Community Members

Article VII Affiliates

7.1 An Affiliate may be formed by ten or more persons in any community.

7.2 An Affiliate will be granted recognition by the Board of Directors of the Association. An Affiliate shall have Bylaws of its own that in accord with the purpose of the Association’s Bylaws. An Affiliate shall elect or appoint its own officers and organize its own programs.

7.3 Affiliates are not covered by the Association’s 501(c)(3) non-profit umbrella. Affiliates seeking non-profit status must apply to the Internal Revenue Service for this designation.

7.4 Affiliates are accountable to the Association for expenditure of Association funds and must submit receipts prior to any reimbursement of funds.

7.5 Affiliate presidents are encouraged to attend the Association’s Board Meetings and are entitled to vote at all Board Meetings.

7.6 Affiliates send copies of affiliate newsletters to the Association President.

7.7 Affiliate presidents meet annually with the Association’s President.

7.8 Affiliates may link to the Association’s web site through a designated process developed by the Board of Directors.

7.9 Upon dissolution of the Affiliate after paying or making provisions for payment for all liabilities of the Affiliate, the assets shall be distributed to the Association for one or more exempt purposes within the parameters of section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Article VIII Budget and Financial Policy

8.1 The fiscal year for the Association and budget purposes shall be January 1 through December 31.

8.2 The bookkeeper will prepare the Association’s budget in collaboration with the Executive Council for presentation to the Board.

8.3 The president, president-elect, treasurer, and bookkeeper may sign checks.

Article IX Publications

9.1 Publications of the Association include all print, audiovisual, and computer-generated materials that may be mailed or distributed to Association members and other audiences.

Article X Indemnification

10.1 Indemnification To the full extent permitted by and in accordance with the procedures prescribed in the laws of the state of Colorado, the Association shall indemnity any and all of the Board of Directors for certain expenses and other amounts paid in connection with legal proceedings in which any such persons become involved by reason of serving in any such capacity with or for the Association.

Article XI Amendments

11.1 Each proposed change to the bylaws shall be presented and voted on separately from any other.

11.2 Amendments of these bylaws may be proposed to the Board of Directors by any active Association member.

11.3 Following the proposal for an amendment, the issues will be discussed in a regular or special meeting of the Board. The Board will then decided to submit the proposed amendment to the membership for their vote.

11.4 Bylaws and amendments shall be submitted to the membership one month prior to the Annual Meeting held at the Fall Conference. A vote shall be taken by the members at the Annual Meeting to ratify or reject the proposed bylaws and amendments. Proposed bylaws and amendments shall be accepted or defeated by a majority vote of the membership.