Article I. Name
The name of the chapter shall be the Northern Illinois Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG).
Article II. Purpose
The purpose of the chapter conforms to that of the national organization. It proposes to promote and improve the teaching of German in the area covered by this chapter, and to encourage a spirit of cooperation and good fellowship among its members.
Article III. Membership
Section 1. Any teacher of German or anyone interested in the teaching of German may join the chapter and the national association upon payment of the annual dues as specified by the by-laws of the national association. No one can be a member of the chapter alone. All chapter members belong first to the national association. Membership will be retained by the continued payment of the annual dues.
Section 2. The annual dues, which include a subscription to the official publications of the national association, are payable in September of the membership year for which they are intended. Only members in good standing may exercise the privileges of membership. Membership is on an academic year basis (September 1-August 31).
Section 3. Graduate and undergraduate students who are certified by the chairperson of their department may become student members upon payment of the annual dues for student membership.
Section 4. A teacher who at the time of retirement has been a member of AATG may elect emeritus membership. The dues for this type of membership are defined in the by-laws of the national organization.
Section 5. Honorary membership in the AATG may be granted only in accordance with the stipulations in the national constitution.
Article IV. Officers, Nominating Committee and Elections
Section 1. The officers of the chapter are: President, Vice-President (who is the President-Elect), Secretary, Treasurer, Chairperson of the Testing and Awards Program, Program Chairperson, Membership Chairperson, and the Immediate Past President.
Section 2. The President and Vice-President are not to be reelected to the same office immediately. The Chairperson of the Testing and Awards program may be reelected to his/her office any number of times. The remaining officers may be reelected to the same office once only. All provisions of this section are subject to the limitations imposed in Article V., Section 3.
Section 3. The term of office for all officers shall be two years. Officers shall be elected by plurality vote at the spring meeting. In even-numbered years a Secretary; Chairperson of the Testing and Awards Program and a Membership Chairperson shall be elected. In odd-numbered years, a Vice-President (who is President-Elect), a Treasurer, and Program Chairperson shall be elected.
Section 4. The Immediate Past President is responsible for soliciting and submitting a slate of candidates for chapter-officers to the membership. Nominations from the floor may be added to the slate.
Section 5. With respect to these nominations, and to all committee appointments and officers of the Chapter, the aim shall be to secure as equitable a representation as possible of secondary school and college interests within the Chapter. It is suggested that at least two officers be college teachers and at least two officers be school teachers, and, whenever possible, terms of office should alternate between school and college members.
Section 6. Whenever an elected officer is unable to complete his/her designated term of office, the Executive Council shall temporarily fill the vacancy by appointment, except in the case of the President, when the Vice-President shall become President; at the next regular meeting of the Chapter, a member shall be elected to fill the balance of the term.
Section 7. The President shall be the official representative of the Chapter at national meetings of the AATG. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and of the Executive Council, which meetings s/he shall also call.
Section 8. The Vice-President shall assist the President as requested and assume the duties of the President in the latter's absence. The Vice-President is President-Elect and shall become President at the end of his/her term of office. The Vice-President shall edit and mail the Chapter newsletter and shall, in consultation with the President prepare and mail to Chapter members notices of meetings and other pertinent information.
Section 9. The Secretary shall keep minutes of meetings of the Executive Council and of the chapter, shall mail "Chapter Reports" to the official organ of the AATG for publication, and shall assist the Membership Chairperson, if so requested.
Section 10. The Treasurer shall be in charge of all financial dealings and transactions involving the Chapter and shall report at each Chapter meeting on the financial status of the Chapter.
Section 11. The Chairperson of the Chapter Testing and Awards Program shall be the chief administrator and area coordinator of the National AATG Testing Program for High School Students and shall direct the local AATG Awards Program. The Chairperson may, with the approval of the Executive Council, appoint a maximum of five (5) additional members to assist him/her in his/her duties.
Section 12. The Program Chairperson shall be responsible for preparing a program for each Chapter meeting, either by securing a speaker or providing for other activities.
Section 13. The Membership Chairperson shall have the responsibility of maintaining and developing membership and keeping accurate records.
Section 14. The immediate Past President shall be a member of the Excecutive Council with duties as stated in Article IV, Section 4.
Article V. Administration
Section 1. The administration of the Chapter shall be in the hands of an Executive Council consisting of the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Chairperson of the Testing and Awards Program, the Membership Chairperson, the Program Chairperson, the Immediate Past President, and any Chapter member who holds national AATG office. The policies and actions of this Council shall be subject to the direction and approval of the Chapter. The President may invite additional persons to attend Executive Council meetings in a non-voting capacity.
Section 2. The Executive Council shall meet prior to each Chapter meeting and at such other times as the President may direct. Special meetings may be called upon request of one half of the members of the Council.
Section 3. No person shall serve on the Executive Council for a period of longer than twelve consecutive years.
Article VI. Meetings
Section 1. There shall be two regular meetings each calendar year, one in the spring and one in the fall.
Section 2. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the Executive Council or by request of a least ten per cent (10%) of the members of the Chapter.
Section 3. The members present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum.
Article VII. Bylaws
Bylaws may be adopted or changed at any semi-annual meeting of the chapter by a majority vote of the members present, provided that such proposed bylaws have been read at a previous meeting or submitted to the members in typewritten or printed form at least three weeks prior to the meeting.
Article VIII. Amendments to the Constitution
The constitution of the chapter may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present at any regular meeting. Such amendments may be proposed by the Executive Council or by written notice to the Executive Council by at least four members of the chapter provided that such proposal has been read at a previous meeting or submitted to the members not later than three weeks in advance of the meeting at which action is to be taken. The secretary shall submit such proposed amendment or amendments to the membership at least three weeks prior to the time of final action.