Washington Chapter Guidance Document

Guidance Document of the Washington Chapter of the Pacific Northwest Region

Association for Learning Environments

Adopted: November 15, 1983
Amended: March 9, 1994
Amended: February 7, 1996
Amended: March 23, 2000
Amended: November 9, 2004
Amended: February 2013
Amended: August 22, 2014
Amended: February 10, 2021

Introduction

The Washington Chapter of the Pacific Northwest Region of the Association for Learning Environments (the Association) is a Non-Profit Organization made up of individuals whose professional activities involve a responsibility of one or more of the following areas: planning, designing, constructing, equipping, administering and/or maintaining the physical environment with an emphasis on pre K-12 of education. The Chapter seeks to further the goals of education by providing services, activities, and knowledge related to the development of superior educational facilities.

The purpose of this Chapter shall be to assist the Association and the Region to implement their programs, to serve as a vehicle for the local activities of the Association and the Region, and to provide a forum for members of the Chapter to meet and discuss matters of common interest and concern.

The chapter seeks to attain the following goals and objectives:

Article 1. Advocacy

1.1

To establish an advocacy program encouraging all communities to support quality educational facilities as an integral part of a quality educational program.

1.2

To support the highest professional standards for all members through the exchange of ideas and practices associated with the design of educational facilities.

1.3

To encourage and assist in comprehensive educational planning by public and private school systems.

Article 2. Education

2.1

To promote educational and quality professional development opportunities for facility planning professionals and educational institutions, agencies and personnel through workshops, conferences, exhibits, and meetings with related associations.

Article 3. Research

3.1

To identify and disseminate educational facility research.

3.2

To promote research in the design and construction of educational facilities.

3.3

To review regulations and codes pertaining to educational facilities.

3.4

To help achieve the objectives and support the activities of the Association, its Regions and Chapters.

Article 4. Membership

4.1

Any member in good standing of the Association whose residence and/or place of business is in the state/province of Washington shall automatically become a member of this chapter, unless otherwise specified by the member. members residing in geographic areas bordering adjacent states may choose to become a part of a separate chapter with that state.. No additional dues are collected by this chapter.

4.2

Membership privileges shall include:

4.3

Individual members in good standing are entitled to one vote for all chapter business and elections. Official designated representatives of Corporations/Institutions that are members in good standing are entitled to the same privileges as individual members.

4.4

Non-Association members whose professional activities involve PK-12 facility administration, planning, design, construction, equipping, or maintenance may attend chapter meetings as a non-member. However, should non-members desire to be kept informed of chapter activities, functions and meetings, they will be assessed a fee as established by the Board of Directors.

Article 5. Governance

5.1

Members shall be notified of all chapter meetings at least ten (10) days prior to such meeting. Chapters shall meet at least four (4) times annually. Each year an annual meeting of the members of the Chapter shall be held at such time and at such place as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, for the purpose of electing directors, and for the transacting of such other business properly coming before the meeting.

5.2

Matters requiring approval, including the election of officers, shall be by a simple majority vote of those present at the chapter meeting or participate through approved on-line voting methods. The number of members present at a Chapter Meeting shall constitute a quorum for purposes of transacting business at that meeting.

5.3

The officers shall administer the affairs of the chapter in accordance with the limits of authority set forth by the membership.

5.4

The fiscal year shall be from January 1 to December 31.

5.5

The chapter may generate income to fund activities through seminar fees, grants, donations, etc.

5.6

The address of the chapter shall be determined by the President during his/her term of office.

5.7

Amendments to Charter and Bylaws must be submitted to the Chapter Officers in written form a minimum of ten (10) days before voting. Approval requires a simple majority vote of officerspresent, or a simple majority of mail ballot. All amendments must be submitted to the International Board of Directors for final approval.

Article 6. Chapter Officials

6.1

Board of Directors – The Board of Directors shall consist of the Executive Officers and at least three (3) members elected at-large by the membership of the Chapter. The Board of Directors has the option of designating one of the at-large director positions as Eastern Washington Liaison if a need is perceived to enhance ties with Eastern Washington. All directors shall be members in good standing with the Association. In addition to the elected members, members of the Washington Chapter who are officers in the Pacific Northwest Region and/or are officers in the Association will serve as ex-officio voting members of the Board of Directors. All members of the Board of Directors shall have one vote on matters that come before the Board. Matters voted on by the Board of Directors must receive a minimum of four (4) votes to be approved. The Board shall be in full control of the management of the affairs of the chapter as subject to the by-laws and directives of its membership. Meetings of the Board shall be held at least three (3) times per year. Each director shall be given at least seven days notice of upcoming meetings.

A vacancy in an executive office or director position may be filled until the next election by presidential appointment with concurrence of the Board of Directors. Should the office of president-elect become vacant, the Board of Directors shall conduct a special election of the membership to fill the vacant position.

Officers or directors may be removed from the Board of Directors, with or without cause, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a meeting called for that purpose.

6.2

Executive Officers – Chapters shall be governed by at least four (4) officers. They may include: Past-President, President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Secretary and Treasurer will serve a 2-year term. Chapter may elect to combine Secretary and Treasurer positions. The President-elect is elected for a (3) three year term, serving as President-Elect, President, and Past-President. To qualify to serve in the Presidential track, officers shall be a member of the Washington Chapter for at least two years and have served on the Washington Chapter board for at least one year. At-Large Directors shall be elected for a (1) one year term. At-Large Directors may serve a maximum of three, one year terms as an At-Large Director. Service as an At-Large Director shall not preclude a member from seeking election to a board office or to the Eastern Washington Liaison At-Large Director position for up to an additional three (3) years.

President

President-Elect

Past-President

Secretary

Treasurer

Article 7. Region and the Association

7.1

Policies and Procedures – As a chapter of the Region and the Association, the Chapter hereby agrees to be bound by all policies and procedures which the Region or the Association may adopt from time to time. Such policies and procedures may include: policies concerning (i) financial reporting and fiscal management, (ii) contracts with third party vendors and others, (iii) restrictions on public endorsements or public positions on issues or events affecting the Region, the Association or its members, (iv) Chapter affiliation with other organizations, (v) periodic reporting of Chapter activities to the Region and the Association, (vi) educational conferences or programs that may compete with conferences or programs sponsored by the Region or the Association, (vii) amendments of these Bylaws or similar documents, or (viii) such other matters as determined by the Region or the Association from time to time.

7.2

Prior Approval – In addition to any restrictions or limitations contained in policies and procedures adopted by the Region or the Association, the Chapter shall not take any of the following actions without the prior written consent of the Region and the Association:

Article 8. Dissolution

8.1

On the dissolution of the Chapter, all remaining assets shall be distributed to the Region.