I.  Name
The name of the chapter shall be the South Texas Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German.

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 fellowship among its members.

III. Membership
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 a chapter alone. All chapter members belong first to the national association. Membership will be retained by the continued payment of the annual dues.

2. The annual dues, which include 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.

3. Graduate and undergraduate students who are certified by the chairperson of their department may become student members upon payment of the annual due for student membership.

4. A teacher who at the time of retirement has been a member of AATG for at least fifteen years may elect emeritus membership. The dues for this type of membership are defined in the by-laws of the national organization.

5. Honorary membership in the AATG may be granted only in accordance with the stipulations in the national constitution.

IV. Officers, Nominating Committee and Elections
1. The officers of the chapter are the president, the vice-president, the secretary and the treasurer (or secretary/treasurer). They shall be elected for a term of two years and are eligible for reelection.

2. The nominating committee shall be constituted in accordance with the appropriate section(s) of Robert's Rules of Order. This committee asks for suggestions for nominations from the membership and shall present a slate of officers. The slate shall be made known to all chapter members at least two weeks prior to time of election. Election shall be made by  all chapter members present at the meeting during which an election is held.  Nominations may also be made from the floor.

3. All officers must be members of the national AATG organization. Any member who is not a paid member of the national AATG organization as of December 31 of each year shall be considered to have resigned his/her office. It shall be the responsibility of the President and the Vice-Presidents to confirm the membership status of all chapter officers and to notify the remaining chapter officers of any resignation through non-payment. No chapter officer shall preside at any meeting at which he or she is not a current paid member of the national AATG organization

V. Administration
The administration of the chapter shall be in the hands of the executive council, which consists of the officers provided for in Section IV. In addition, the ex- president of the chapter may be a member ex-officio, of the executive council for one year following his/her retirement from office.

VI. Meetings

 The chapter shall meet at least once a year. The time and place of the meeting shall be determined by the president after due consultation with the executive council. The members present at any session shall constitute a quorum.  Special meetings may be held at the request of the president or any two members of the executive council.

VII. Changes in 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 not later than four 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.

VIII. By-Laws
1.   By-laws may be adopted or changed at any annual meeting of the chapter by majority of the members present, provided that notice of the proposed changes is sent to all the members at least thirty days prior to such meeting.

2.     Annual Program

The president shall be responsible for the annual program and shall arrange for the program announcement to reach the chapter secretary/treasurer in sufficient time to permit circulation to chapter members.

3.        Minutes of Previous Meetings

It shall be the policy of the Chapter to have the minutes of the previous meeting distributed and approved at the next chapter meeting.

4.    Duties of Chapter Officers

The responsibilities of the president include:
a.Planning for meetings of the chapter in consultation with the remaining chapter officers. b.Conducting all chapter and executive council meeting.
c.Submitting all required information to the national AATG office in a timely fashion such that the South Texas Chapter remains in compliance with the AATG National Constitution and by-laws.
d.Submitting announcements and correspondence to chapter members in a timely fashion

The responsibilities of the vice-president include:
       a. Representing the president to conduct all meetings and official business in the absence of the president.
       b. Assisting the president as requested in the operation of the Chapter.
The responsibilities of the secretary/treasurer include:
       a. Representing the president to conduct all meetings and official business in the absence of the president and vice-president.
       b. Assisting the president as requested in the operation of the chapter.
       c. Keeping an accurate record of the chapter and executive council meetings.
       d. Submitting copies of all minutes to the executive council for distribution to the membership.
       e. Keeping an accurate record of the Chapter's finances, including submitting all financial reports as required by the National Association.
       f. Payment of expenses authorized by the executive council and the deposit of funds received from the national association from chapter events.
       g. Advising the executive council as to the Chapter's financial situation.

A pproved by the membership on September 14, 2002.

Questions:mailto:esaucier@juno.com