Mississippi Association of International Educators Constitution

Article I – NAME

The name of the organization shall be Misssissippi Association of International Educators (MAIE).

Article II – PURPOSE

The purpose of MAIE is to promote the advancement of international education, exchange, and global workforce development in the state of Mississippi. In order to meet fully our stated mission, MAIE is committed to the following objectives:

1. To promote and recommend professional and ethical standards as set forth by NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
2. To develop and recommend procedures, policies, and practices which are appropriate for international education, exchange, and global workforce development.
3. To provide professional development opportunities for MAIE membership.
4. To disseminate relevant and pertinent information related to international education, exchange, and global workforce development to MAIE membership.
5. To support, nurture, and enhance international education activities and practices at the local level, specifically to reach out to community and junior colleges, private colleges, public school districts, and private primary and secondary schools in Mississippi.
6. To support activities that promote the internationalization of the state of Mississippi .

Article III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Eligibility

Any person committed to upholding the mission, purpose, and values of the association may apply for membership.

Section 2: Application

Membership is by application to the MAIE State Chair.

Section 3: Dues

Dues may be determined by the Executive Board with the consent of a simple majority of those present at any annual meeting of the Association.

Article IV – OFFICERS

Section 1: Executive Board

The MAIE Executive Board shall consist of the following officers: a) MAIE State Chair; b) MAIE State Chair Elect; c) Secretary-Treasurer; d) the State Representative to NAFSA Region VII and other state members holding Regional or National Offices; e) International Services Area Representative; f) International Admissions Area Representative; g) Study Abroad Area Representative; h) MAIE Past State Chair.

Section 2: Appointed Positions

The MAIE shall have the following appointed positions: a) Web Designer/Master; b) Task Force Leader(s)

Section 3: Duties

MAIE State Chair: The State Chair shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the organization. The State Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and will discharge all official duties pertaining thereto. The State Chair shall oversee all disbursement of funds. The State Chair may form task forces and appoint leaders as needed.

MAIE Chair Elect: The Chair Elect, in coordination with the State Chair, shall be responsible for the organization of the annual programs and meetings. In the absence of the State Chair, the Chair Elect will have executive authority.

MAIE Past State Chair shall serve as advisor to the MAIE State Chair and MAIE State Chair Elect.

Secretary/Treasurer: The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain the records of the Association, report Association activities to the State and Regional membership, notify members of meetings, and disburse funds with the approval of the State Chair.

The State Representative to NAFSA shall be the liaison between MAIE and NAFSA.

MAIE Area Representatives shall assist the Chair Elect in planning annual programs and meetings.

Web Designer/Master shall develop and maintain the MAIE website.

Task Force Leaders shall be appointed to manage specific tasks as they are recognized by the Executive Board.

Section 4: Elections

The election of Officers and the State Representative shall take place at the annual spring meeting of the association. The Chair Elect shall be elected by members on an annual basis. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be elected on a three-year basis. The State Representative shall be elected on a three-year basis. Area Representatives shall be elected on a two-year basis. The Web Designer/Master and Task Force Leaders shall be appointed by the State Chair in consultation with the Executive Board.

Upon resignation of an officer, the remaining officers shall by consensus, appoint a member to fill the remaining term of the resigning officer.

Article V – MEETINGS

There shall be at least one meeting/conference of the MAIE per year to be held during the early spring. There shall be at least one additional meeting of the MAIE Executive Board per year usually held in the fall. Each year there shall be at least one outreach training session per State Area for a target group, e.g., community/private colleges, public/private secondary/primary schools, businesses, etc.

Article VII – CONSTITUTION

Section 1: Adoption

The MAIE shall be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership present at the 2004 Conference March 1-2, 2004.

Section 2: Amendments

The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at the annual meeting. Amendments shall be proposed to the Executive Board by November 1st. Membership will be made aware of any proposed amendments at least 30 days prior to the spring meeting.

Article VIII – RATIFICATION

The membership and Executive Board hereby approved these by-laws of the MAIE at the annual meeting of the membership on March 2, 2004 at Long Beach, Mississippi.

__________________________

Molly J. Watkins, State Chair

March 2, 2004
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Amended February 17, 2006 by assembly of MAIE membership at the annual state meeting.

Phil Bonfanti, State Chair

Description of Responsibilities

MAIE State Chair

• Term: One year
• Appointment: By previous nomination and election as MAIE State Chair Elect. Qualifications: Should have at least one year of full-time experience in international education in the state of Mississippi.
• Responsibilities: Serve a Chief Executive Officer for MAIE.
• Call and lead all meetings for the MAIE and Executive Board representing the interests of international educators and community volunteers in Mississippi.
• Serve as resource person for international educators in Mississippi by raising awareness of opportunities for professional developments, services, participation, ethical practice, and funding available through NAFSA and MAIE.
• Foster the goals of international education.
• Appoint officers to the Executive Board as allowed under the MAIE Constitution, and provide oversight and supervision of Executive Board members.
• Serve as mentor to the MAIE State Chair Elect and work closely with the Executive Board.

MAIE State Chair Elect

• Term: One year
• Appointment: By nomination and election during the spring meeting.
• Qualifications: Should have at least one year of full-time experience in international education in the state of Mississippi.
• Responsibilities: Coordinate and preside over the annual conference in the spring.
• Assume the duties of State Chair in the absence of the Chair.
• Foster the goals of international education.

MAIE Secretary/Treasurer

• Term: Three years
• Appointment: By nomination and election during the spring meeting.
• Qualifications: Should have at least one year of full-time experience in international education in the State of Mississippi.
• Responsibilities: Maintain the records and membership database.
• Report Association activites to the State and Region.
• Provide a financial report at the MAIE spring meeting.
• Disburse funds with the approval of the State Chair.

Mississippi Representative to NAFSA Region VII

• Term: Three years
• Appointment: By nomination and election during the spring meeting.
• Qualifications: Should have at least one year of full-time experience in international education in the State of Mississippi.
• Responsibilities: Serve as liaison to NAFSA Region VII and MAIE.
• Promote the interests of Mississippi international educators and inform state members of important information related to NAFSA, international education, and advocacy for international education.
• Attend regional team training meetings.

State Area Representatives

• Term: Two years
• Appointment: By nomination and election during the spring meeting.
• Qualifications: Should have at least one year of full-time experience in international education in the State of Mississippi.
• Responsibilities: Serve as liaison between the members in the regions of Mississippi and MAIE.
• Coordinate and facilitate the outreach training sessions.