Article I: Name and Affiliation
The organization will be known as the CSTA Greater Houston chapter (hereafter referred to as Chapter), a local chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association (hereafter referred to as CSTA).
The Chapter is a legal and separate entity from the CSTA and the CSTA’s incorporation status and tax status do not extend to the Chapter unless the chapter is approved by CSTA to join a future CSTA IRS group tax exemption.
Article II: Purpose
CSTA is a membership organization that supports and promotes the teaching of computer science and other computing disciplines. CSTA provides opportunities for K-12 teachers and students to better understand the computing disciplines and to more successfully prepare themselves to learn and teach computer science.
The mission of the Chapter is to further the mission of the CSTA and to encourage the sharing of ideas and activities for computer science teachers in the Greater Houston area.
The policies of the Chapter shall not reflect any political partisanship, nor any preference, discrimination, or limitation based upon sex, race, or religious affiliation.
Article III: Membership
Section 1: Membership Standing
All members of the Chapter shall be members in good standing of the CSTA.
Section 2: Minimum membership
The Chapter shall have a minimum of ten (10) members, not all from the same institution.
Article IV: Governance
Section 1: Elected Leadership
The Chapter shall be governed by the Immediate Past-President, President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer elected by the membership of the Chapter. No member of the Chapter shall receive compensation for serving in the leadership of the Chapter.
Elections will be held once a year during the Fall semester. All elected chapter leaders should be CSTA+ members. To run for chapter leadership positions, members should have attended at least 50% of chapter meetings the previous year.
The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer will be elected on a two-year schedule with the President and Treasurer being elected on even-numbered years and the Vice-President and Secretary being elected on odd-numbered years. Each of these roles will be elected for two-year terms on opposite years.
Section 2: Duties of the Leadership
The President of the Chapter is responsible for scheduling and chairing leadership meetings, meetings of the membership, and communicating with the CSTA Chapter Liaison. The President is responsible for setting the agenda for meetings. The President is also responsible for planning regular general membership meetings, including location, agenda, speakers, and other related activities. The President is also responsible for setting a plan for the Chapter activities for the coming year.
The Vice-President of the Chapter is responsible for chairing meetings of the membership in the President’s absence. The Vice-President will assist in the setting of the agenda for meetings, and planning regular general membership meetings, including location, agenda, speakers, and other related activities.
The Secretary of the Chapter is responsible for sending out meeting notices and maintaining meeting minutes and the membership roster. The Secretary is also responsible for keeping a record/history of all of the Chapter’s activities.
The Treasurer of the Chapter is responsible for the financial management of the Chapter.
The Immediate Past-President of the Chapter is responsible for ensuring a smooth transition in leadership. This individual provides guidance to the President and Vice-President on all issues relating to Governance. The Immediate Past-President will assist in setting the agenda for meetings.
Section 3: Meetings.
The Chapter shall hold regular membership meetings. One meeting per year shall include the election of the Chapter leadership.
Section 4: Appointed Leadership Positions
The following additional leadership positions will be appointed by the leadership of the Chapter to help with the running of the Chapter:
The Community/Industry Partner of the Chapter collaborates with local organizations, businesses, and institutions to foster meaningful partnerships that enhance educational opportunities, resources, and career pathways for chapter members in the field of CS education.
The Advocacy Lead of the Chapter is responsible for promoting awareness, engagement, and action on key issues affecting CS education and advocating for policies that support the advancement of CS within the region and the greater educational community.
The Communications Officer for the Chapter is responsible for coordinating public media coverage, social media, and member notification of events, and can be a spokesperson for the chapter.
With Houston being such a large geographic area, we will appoint four (4) Regional Area Leads for the chapter. The Southwest, Southeast, Northwest, and Northeast Chapter Area Leads will be responsible for promoting events and driving membership in their respective regions. Additionally, they will select a location to host one (1) in-person chapter meeting or event per year in their region.
All appointed advisors will be non-voting members of the leadership. Any additional duties for appointed leadership positions will be assigned by the elected chapter leadership members.
Section 5: Order of Succession
The Vice President of the chapter will take over the role of President if the President is unable to perform his or her duties and/or steps down from their role. If any other chapter leadership member is unable to perform his or her duties and/or steps down from their role, an alternate shall be appointed by a majority vote of the elected and appointed chapter leadership.
Article V: Chapter Obligations
Section 1: Annual Report
The Chapter shall submit an annual report to the CSTA consisting of the activities of the Chapter during the preceding year and the proposed plan for the Chapter for the upcoming year.
Section 2: Membership Roster
The Chapter shall submit a complete membership roster (including contact information) to the CSTA at least semi-annually. (June & December)
Section 3: Leadership Roster
The Chapter shall submit a complete roster of the Chapter leadership (including contact information) to the CSTA annually and whenever changes occur in leadership or contact information.
Section 4: Other Obligations
The Chapter shall promptly provide other information to CSTA as requested.
Article VI: Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended by a vote of 2/3 of the Chapter membership and approval of the CSTA Board of Directors.
Article VII: Dissolution
The Chapter may be dissolved by a vote of 2/3 of the Chapter membership or by the CSTA Board of Directors. Upon the dissolution of the Chapter, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by a court of competent jurisdiction in the county in which the principal office of the Chapter is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes. Any funds remaining for the Chapter upon dissolution and after the payment of legitimate debts shall revert to CSTA.
Adopted 09.14.23