Constitution & by Laws – Cabrillo College

Constitution

Cabrillo College Federation of Teachers AFT Local 4400

Article I – Name

This organization shall be called the Cabrillo College Federation of Teachers (CCFT).

Article II – Objective

We, the CCFT, shall be a democratically controlled faculty organization supporting quality education at Cabrillo College and working for the best interests of the Cabrillo College faculty.

Article III – Membership

Membership is open to any academic employee of Cabrillo College whose position does not require an Administrative Credential.

Article IV – Structure

The Council:

The membership will manage the union through the CCFT Council, which will consist of the Executive Board, standing committee Chairs and Council Representatives.

Executive Board:

The Executive Board will consist of six elected and four appointed officers. The elected officers shall be the President and two Co-Vice Presidents, elected together, each serving three-year terms, and a Treasurer, Historian, and Organizing Chair, elected on alternate years, each serving two-year terms. One Co-Vice President shall be an associate faculty member and the other shall be a full-time faculty member. The appointed officers shall be the Grievance Officer, the Chief Negotiator, the Associate Committee Chair and the Communications Director. The Committee on Political Education (COPE) Chair and the College Planning Council (CPC) Representative shall also be appointed; these representatives may attend Executive Board meetings as non-voting members. The Executive Board will carry on the day-to-day running of the union under the direction of the Council and membership with the support of the Executive Director. The Executive Board and/or the Executive Director will hire and supervise additional staff subject to the approval of the Council. Any member who has served on the Council or on a CCFT committee, has been appointed by the CCFT to a campus committee, or has been an active participant in CCFT activities is eligible to run for an office. Nominations and elections will be run according to the by-laws.

Committee Chairs:

CCFT Committee Chairs will be appointed by the Executive Board from the members of that committee and will serve a one-year term. Any member may be a Committee Chair.

Executive Director:

CCFT will employ an Executive Director. This position supports the day-to-day running of the CCFT under the direction of the Council.

Council Representatives:

Council representatives will comprise the Membership/Education Committee, be voting members of the Council, and will serve a two-year term. The number of Council representatives from each division will be specified in the by-laws. Any union member of a division may run for a seat from that division.

ARTICLE V – Committees

CCFT Committees will be overseen and directed by the Council, which can create or dissolve committees as appropriate. Any member of the union may serve on a CCFT committee with the exception of the Negotiating Team and the Grievance Committee. These two committees will be appointed by the Executive Board and approved by the Council. Standing CCFT committees will be: the Organizing Committee, the Adjunct Committee, and the Committee on Political Education (COPE). Ad hoc CCFT committees will be the Election Committee, the Contract Development Committee, the Grievance Committee, and any other committee needed as determined by the Council and/or the Executive Board. Committees will operate as specified by the by-laws.

ARTICLE VI – Meetings

General Membership:

Meetings of the general membership will be held at least bi-annually. The Council, or ten percent of the membership, may call additional general meetings as needed. All members must be notified of general meetings two weeks in advance.

Council:

The Council will meet at least eight times per year. All Council members must be notified at least one week in advance of a meeting. In urgent circumstances, the Executive Board may call a Council meeting on 24-hour notice, provided that every reasonable effort is made to contact every Council member.

ARTICLE VII – Finance

Regular dues will be fixed by a majority vote of members present at a general membership meeting, or by secret ballot of the membership, provided notice of any contemplated increase has been announced two weeks in advance. Mandated increases in required affiliation fees will be automatic. The Council will approve an annual budget to be administered by the Executive Board. The budget may include discretionary and/or emergency funds.

ARTICLE VIII – Amendment

The constitution of CCFT may be amended by a two-thirds majority of those voting in the following ways: 1) The proposed amendment is read at a regularly scheduled general membership meeting, distributed to the membership by mail, and voted on by mail or central ballot box. OR 2) The proposed amendment is read at a regular general membership meeting and a vote is taken at the next regular general membership meeting. OR 3) The amendment is submitted to the Council for a two-thirds vote of recommendation, and then distributed by mail to the membership with voting done by mail or central ballot box.

ARTICLE IX – Availability of the Constitution

Three copies of the Constitution and all future amendments shall be submitted to the National Office of the AFT. Copies of the Constitution shall be made available to all members upon request after joining the CCFT. The Constitution is available on-line at the CCFT website.

ARTICLE X – Negotiations

The CCFT Council will establish Contract Development Committee(s) as needed. The negotiating team will be appointed as needed by the Executive Board with the approval of the CCFT Council. Every effort will be made to create a balanced representation of faculty on the negotiating team in regard to divisions and Adjunct/Contract faculty. After a negotiated agreement with the administration has been reached, the CCFT Council and the Executive Board each must recommend ‘for’ or ‘against’ ratification. The proposal(s) and the recommendations of both the Council and the Executive Board are to be submitted to the union membership for their consideration prior to ratification voting.

By-Laws

Cabrillo College Federation of Teachers

ARTICLE I – Dues

The regular annual dues of the Federation will be equal to 1.50 % of gross salary for all unit members, including overload units and summer and winter sessions. The dues will be payable each September first and February first or by payroll deduction to the CCFT treasurer.

ARTICLE II – Amendment

The by-laws of CCFT may be amended by: 1) A simple majority of those voting in the following ways: a) The proposed amendment is read at a regularly scheduled general membership meeting, distributed to the membership by mail, and voted on by mail or central ballot box. OR b) The amendment is submitted to the Council for a simple majority of those voting recommendation, then distributed by mail to the membership with voting done by mail or central ballot box. OR 2) By a two-thirds vote of the CCFT Council. Proposed amendments shall be distributed to the faculty for informational purposes at least seven days prior to Council action.

ARTICLE III – Meetings

Meetings will be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

ARTICLE IV – Associate Membership

Emeritus/retired faculty, unemployed faculty, students, and Cabrillo College personnel not in the bargaining unit may be Associate Members of the union, paying voluntary reduced dues, having no vote, not serving on committees or holding office. They may not be represented by CCFT in any issue.

ARTICLE V – Duties of Officers and Executive Director

President:

Shall serve on, convene, and direct the CCFT Council.
Shall oversee the operation of all CCFT committees and appoint CCFT representatives to Cabrillo committees.
Shall serve as ex officio member of all committees.
Shall chair meetings of the general membership.
Shall sign all necessary papers and documents.
Shall write a regular newsletter article.
Shall make a monthly presentation to the Cabrillo College Governing Board.

President and Co-Vice Presidents:

Shall represent the local when and where necessary, including at the state and national levels.
Shall meet regularly with the President of the college and the Vice-Presidents of StudentServices, Instruction, and Administrative Services.

President or Co-Vice Presidents:

Shall serve on, convene, and direct the Executive Board.
Shall report significant correspondence to the Council.

Co- Vice Presidents:

Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board and the CCFT Council.
Shall serve on, convene, and direct the Election Committee.
Shall serve on, convene, and direct the Contract Development Committee.
The associate Vice President shall serve on and work in conjunction with the Associate Committee.
May serve on the negotiations team if so appointed by Executive Board and Council.

Treasurer:

Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board and the CCFT Council.
Shall oversee and coordinate all activities listed below. Additional staff with appropriate skills, selected by the Executive Board, may assist in accomplishing these activities as delegated by the Treasurer.
Shall receive, record, and deposit all monies.
Shall forward all per capita dues and current membership lists to the National Office of the American Federation of Teachers and to other affiliated organizations to keep this Federation in good standing at all times. Special care will be taken to see that per capita tax through June 30th is sent to the National Office no later than 15 days prior to the opening date of the National Convention to assure that delegates from the CCFT may be seated.
Shall pay all bills authorized by the adopted budget, retaining vouchers for invoices.
Shall work with the Cabrillo Business Office on payroll deductions.
Shall keep adequate records available at all times for the Council and audit.
Shall present a monthly written report to the CCFT Council.

Historian:

Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board and the CCFT Council.
Shall serve as a resource to the Executive Board, Council, and membership regarding the history of the CCFT at Cabrillo.
Shall carry out additional tasks as directed by the President or Executive Board.

Organizing Chair:

Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board, the CCFT Council and as Chair of the Membership-Education Committee.
Shall develop and provide appropriate union education activities, materials and resources for the Council, Executive Board, and membership.
Shall serve as a member of the Election Committee.
Shall carry out additional tasks as directed by the President or Executive Board.

Grievance Officer:

Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board and the CCFT Council.
Shall serve on, convene, and direct the Grievance Committee as necessary.
Shall act on all grievances submitted orally or in writing to the CCFT.
Shall present to the Executive Committee recommendations for handling grievances.
Shall educate faculty about the Contract and grievance procedures.

Chief Negotiator:

Shall negotiate with the Administration as directed by the Executive Board and the Council.
Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board and the CCFT Council.

Associate Committee Chair:

Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board and the CCFT Council.
Shall serve on, convene, and direct the Associate Committee in collaboration with the associate Vice President.
Shall present to the Executive Board and the Council important associate faculty issues.
Shall work with Council representatives to assure associate faculty participation.

Communications Director:

Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board and the CCFT Council.
Shall work with the Executive Board and Council to publish information about relevant issues.
Shall publish and distribute a regular online newsletter; hard copies will be made avaialable as needed.
Shall function within a publications budget set by the Council.
Shall work closely, along with the President, with other campus and off-campus media, including newspapers, TV, and radio, at the direction of the Council.
Shall be responsible for CCFT publicity.

Executive Director:

Shall answer correspondence and issue notices at the direction of the President.
Shall report significant correspondence to the Council.
Shall oversee the maintenance of the CCFT website.
Shall keep recorded minutes of all meetings and make such minutes available at the following meetings.
Shall maintain files, history and records of all publications.
Shall keep membership lists and provide current membership lists to the Council.
Shall work with the Communications Director to oversee CCFT publicity.
Shall respond to member questions about contract rights, union benefits and union programs.
Shall maintain and develop communication with community labor organizations including the CFT.
Shall staff the CCFT office.
Shall plan and conduct meetings as necessary.

Council Representatives:

Shall serve on the CCFT Council and the Membership/Education Committee.
Shall transmit information to their respective divisions.
Shall facilitate faculty access to union committees.
Shall interpret union actions to members in divisions.
Shall assist in membership drives.
Shall participate in providing union education.
There will be one Council representative for each 20 members, or fraction thereof, in the Division. Where possible, Council representatives of divisions will include both contract and adjunct faculty, encompassing faculty from occupational, transfer, and academic specialist programs. The Elections Committee shall be responsible for determining the division in which each member will vote.

ARTICLE VI – Duties of Committees

Organizing Committee:

Shall plan and execute a dynamic program to insure the growth and vitality of the CCFT.
Shall disseminate information and interpret union activities to members in divisions.
Shall act as a catalyst to encourage member participation on committees and to facilitate member access to the union.
May call meetings at the department or division level.
Shall conduct surveys at the request of the Council.

Grievance Committee:

Shall advise the Grievance Officer as needed.
Shall serve as a resource for faculty members regarding contract language and grievances.

Committee on Political Education (COPE):

Shall study relevant proposed legislation, proposed initiatives, candidates for elected office, and initiate recommendations.
Shall present records of government officials.
Shall recommend to the CCFT Council disbursement of COPE funds (e.g. political contributions).
Shall encourage members to participate in COPE activities and contribute to COPE funds through salary deductions.

Associate Committee:

Shall keep the Council and campus community apprised of associate faculty issues.
Shall convene associate faculty meetings and activities.
Shall communicate with associate faculty.
Shall work with Council representatives to assure associate faculty participation.

Contract Development Committee(s):

Shall solicit faculty input and formulate proposals for contract negotiations.
Shall present proposals to the Council before said proposals are given to the Negotiating Team or are made public.

Election Committee:

Shall consist of the Co-Vice Presidents, the Membership-Education Chair, and other CCFT members as needed.
Shall monitor membership lists and run the CCFT elections.

Negotiating Team:

Shall negotiate with the Administration as directed by the Executive Board and the Council.

ARTICLE VII – Elections

The Election Committee will prepare and oversee an election during the spring semester. Other elections may be held as necessary. The Election Committee will poll the membership for nominees for all open seats on the Council, including officers. A member may nominate her/himself or may be nominated by others with the nominee’s consent. A ballot listing nominees will be distributed to the entire membership. Elections will be by secret ballot with one vote per member. In case of a tie, a runoff election will be held. Votes will be counted by the Election Committee and results announced within 24 hours of the closing of the polls.

ARTICLE VIII – Quorums

A quorum must be present for any CCFT body to do business. A quorum shall be considered to consist of the following: General membership meetings – 10% of the general membership Council meetings – 50% of voting members of the full Council. Executive Board meetings – 50% of voting members of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE IX – Convention Delegates

Official Local delegates to AFT and CFT conventions will be approved by the Council in accordance with CFT procedures. Every effort will be made to cover the travel, registration and per diem costs of such delegates. Decisions regarding amounts of monies to be covered will be decided by the Council prior to the appointment of the delegates. Delegates shall prepare and present written and/or oral reports to Council and membership.

ARTICLE X – Replacement of Officers/Council Representatives

Should a seat on the Council or Executive Board become vacant, the Executive Board shall appoint, with the approval of the Council, a replacement until such time as an election can be held. If a Council member misses two consecutive regular meetings, after consultation with that member, the Council may declare that seat to be vacant and the position in need of replacement.

ARTICLE XI – Audit

The Council will arrange an annual audit or CPA review of the Local’s finances by an independent auditor.