The name of this organization shall be the West Virginia Adult Education Association, Inc.(WVAEA, Inc.).

To give leadership to the development of life-long learning in West Virginia by:

• unifying interested individuals and groups;
• publicizing recent adult education findings, techniques and methodologies;
• encouraging participation in local, state and national adult learning and education conferences;
• taking an advocacy role in adult education issues; and
• promoting and/or sponsoring conferences and workshops appropriate to the field.

1. Active- persons presently or formerly employed in adult education; all volunteer literacy providers; members of organizations in fields related to adult education; curent or former customers of adult education services; undergraduate and/or graduate students with a interest in adult education.
2. Associate- institutions, schools, organizations, business or individuals that do not wish to obtain voting status.

1. Active members shall be entitled to all privileges of WVAEA, Inc. membership including the right to vote and hold office.
2. Associate members shall be entitled to all privileges of WVAEA, Inc. membership EXCEPT the right to vote and hold office.

1. The dues for active and associate members shall be set by the Board of Directors and shall be listed in the WVAEA, Inc. Standing rules.
2. Dues are payable one year in advance, and dues for new members shall be pro-rated quarterly according to the current rate, and shall be payable at each member's anniversary date.
3. Under special circumstances, annual dues may be reduced or waived by the Board of Directors.

The officers of the WVAEA, Inc. shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

1. The President shall:
1. serve as the principal officer of the association and as its spokesperson and representative to the public;
2. preside at all meeting of the general membership, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee.
2. The Vice President shall:
1. preside in the absence of the President;
2. suceed to the office of President if it becomes vacant.
3. The Secretary shall:
all meetings of the general membership, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee;
1. prepare copies of the minutes for distribution at the next meeting of the Board of Directors; and
2. prepare an annual report for the Annual meeting.
4. The Treasurer shall:
1. make all deposits and pay all approved expenses;
2. prepare a written report for each meeting of the Board of Directors;
3. prepare an annual written financial statement for the Annual Meeting;
4. prepare a proposed budget for the association to be approved at the Annual Meeting; and
5. prepare a proposed budget for the start of the new fiscal year.
5. The Past President shall act as the transition officer from one administration to another.

The officers shall be elected by the active membership at the Annual Meeting of the Association with terms starting January 1 of the following year.

The officers shall assume their duties at the start of the new fiscal year (January 1) and shall serve for two (2) years. No officer shall serve in the same position for more than two (2) consecutive terms.

The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers and the immediate past president of the association.

1. act in an advisory capacity to the President and decide matters of urgency between meetings of the Board of Directors; and
2. render a full report of its acts at the next meeting of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall consist of the Executive Committee, nine (9) Directors elected at-large, the Chairman of the Board Development Committee, and not more than four (4) Ex-officio Board members elected at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Section 2: DUTIES

The Board of Directors shall:

1. serve as the governing body between Annual Meetings;
2. manage the business of the association;
3. implement the decisions of the membership; and
4. fill vacancies for an unexpired term that may occur in any office, except President.

1. The terms of the nine (9) at-large Directors shall be three years, served on a rotation basis, three (3)elected each year at the Annual Meeting. The new Directors shall assume their duties January 1 of the following year. No Director may be elected to serve successive terms.
2. The Board Development Chair shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for a term of two (2) years.
   No Board Development chair may be elected to serve more than two (2) successive terms.
3. The terms of the Ex-officio members shall be for one (1) year.
4. If a board member is unable to perform his or her required duties, the Board of Directors may request the resignation of that member.

Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held quarterly and/or when called by the President or by a majority of the members of the Board.

Twenty (20) percent of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for any meeting.

The Board Development Committee shall consist of a Chair and two (2) at-large members.

1. The committee shall:
1. function throughout the year in order to identify potential candidates to represent the adult education community;
2. solicit recommendations for candidates from the entire membership.
3. prepare a slate of candidates, all of whom are current, active members of the association and in agreement with their nomination, to present at the Annual Meeting:
• at least one (1) candidate for each office;
• at least five (5) candidates for Director, three to be elected;
• at least five (5) candidates for Board Development Committee, three (3) to be elected, with the candidate receiving the highest number of votes to serve as Chair; and
• at least one (1) candidate for the unexpired term of any director;
4. provide to each potential candidate, an explanation of the responsibilities of specific board positions prior to their agreement to have their placed on the ballot; and
5. prepare ballots and serve as tellers at the election during the Annual Meeting. If a Board Developmen committee chair or member is nominated for any position, the association President shall appoint an alternate teller.
2. The chair of the committee shall serve as a member of the WVAEA, Inc. Board of Directors.

1. The Chair and two (2) at-large members of the Board of Development Committee shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for a term of two (2) years.
2. The Chair and Board Development Committee members cannot be elected to serve more than two (2)consecutive terms.

The President of the association shall serve as an ex-officio member of all standing and special committees.

1. The following shall be Standing Committees:
1. Awards
2. Conference
3. Finance
4. Legislative
5. Membership
6. Public relaltions and Communications
7. Research
8. Student Organizations
2. The President shall appoint the Chair of each committee with the conference of the Board of Directors.
3. Membership to each committee shall be appointed by the committee Chair in cooperation with the President.

The President with the consent of the Board of Directors, may appoint ad hoc committees.

1. There shall be an annual Meeting of the association for the purpose of conducting association business and conducting elections.
2. The Annual Meeting shall be at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors.
3. There shall be an installaltion of the new leadership at the close of the Annual Meeting with terms to begin January 1 of the following year.

Additional meetings of the membership of the association may be called by the Board of Directors, or by petition of at least ten (10) percent of the active membership.

Twenty (20) percent of the active members from the current association roster voting at any general meeting shall constitute a quorum.

1. The election of the Officers, Directors and Board Development Committee shall be held at the Annual Meeting.
2. The Board Development Committee will provide a slate of candidates. Nominations may be accepted from the floor.
3. The active membership is eligible to vote.
4. There shall be no proxy votes.
5. The candidates receiving the most votes cast for each position shall be declared elected. In case of a tie, there shall be a run-off election.

Local chapters of the WVAEA, Inc. may be formed with the approval of the Board of Directors. Rules for establishment of affiliations and local chapters may be included in the Standing Rules.

1. The WVAEA, Inc. Secretary shall maintain complete records of its minutes and activities.
2. The WVAEA, Inc. Treasurer shall maintain current and complete records of its financial accounts.
3. The Membership Committee shall maintain an up-to-date roster of all active and associate members. This roster shall contain name, address, phone, and date of admission to association.
4. All records and accounts of the WVAEA, Inc. may be inspected by any current active committee.

A list of Standing Rules in addendum to the association Bylaws may be attached so long as they are not in conflict with said Bylaws.

The parliamentary authority for this organization shall be Roberts' Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

These Bylaws may be amended with a two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting at any Annual meeting or specially called meeting of the active membership, provided a copy of the proposed amendments and the rationale has been mailed to each member at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.

The Standing Rules may be amended with a majority vote of the members present and voting at any Annual Meeting, any specially called meeting of the membership, or any meeting of the Board of Directors. No prior notification is necessary.

The administration and fiscal year for operation is January 1 through December 31.

1. Dues for membership in the association shall be:
   Active                    $16.00
   Active Student     $10.00
   Associate              $ 8.00
   
2. Dues are payale to the Membership Chair who will up-date the official roster and send payments to the Treasurer for deposit.
   
3. Following their appointment, Chairs of Standing and Special Committees shall provide at the next meeting of the Board of Directors a plan of work for their committee for the year. Committee chairs are expected to present a written or oral report of their activities at each board meeting. If reports are not submitted, the board will request the president to take action.
   
4. All expenses of the association, not covered by the annual budget, shall be approved by the Executive Committee
   
5. The president may appoint a parliamentarian.
   
6. The secretary, in consultation with the President, shall send notification of the Board of Directors at least 10 days prior to each meeting.
   
7. Directors are expected to attend all scheduled board meetings. Those who travel to scheduled board meetings and do not have existing funds allocated for travel may be compensated at the rate of $25.00 per meeting. Committee Chairs who attend will be reimbursed for travel at the same rate.
   
8. The WVAEA, Inc. student affiliate, BOLT (Building Opportunties for Learning Together), is a student organization specifically designed to serve the needs of adult students in adult education and literacy programs. All functions and activities of the student organization will be monitored by the WVAEA, Inc. Student Organization Committee with Board Approval.