Bylaws of the CT Caucus

Mission Statement

The mission of the CT Caucus is to advocate for the interests of the continuing track (CT) faculty at the University of Delaware.

Membership

Faculty who receive an appointment to a University of Delaware continuing track faculty position are automatically a voting member of the CT Caucus. CT Membership is ongoing unless a member asks to be removed or the member is no longer a CT faculty member or is no longer employed by the University of Delaware.

Objectives

The Caucus will carry out its mission by:

  • Raising awareness of UD CT issues;
  • Soliciting input on issues from CT faculty;
  • Encouraging membership in the Caucus;
  • Providing a formal voice for CT faculty to express their concerns and opinions
  • Advocating on behalf of CT faculty to various bodies inside and outside the university;
  • Encouraging opportunities for CT professional development and growth;
  • Promoting a work environment and employment practices that are fair to CT faculty;
  • Working in collaboration with other caucuses and groups on issues of common concern.

Governance

The Caucus shall have a Governing Board, charged with leading the Caucus in its activities.

  • Board Membership
    • The Board shall be composed of seven members, including the Executive Committee.
    • Board members are expected to attend board meetings and general Caucus meetings, to participate in conducting official business, and to generally support the work of the Caucus.
    • A member of the Board may be recalled by the following procedure: a petition signed by 10% of the Caucus membership or 2/3s of the Board must be forwarded to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will hold a special election within 10 days by mail-in or e-mail ballot. A Board member may then be removed by a 2/3s vote of the members of the Caucus. Remaining Board members can 1) hold the seat empty until the following general election or 2) hold a special election to replace the Board member.
  • Elections and Terms
    • Members at large shall serve for staggered three-year terms and executive committee members shall serve for staggered two-year terms.
    • Elections will be held by the Caucus membership each year in the Spring, with guidance from the sitting Board.
    • Elections shall be announced to the general membership at least one month before the election.
    • Nominations and self-nominations will be collected by the Executive Committee, who will submit the list of eligible candidates to the general membership two weeks before the vote is scheduled.
    • Each Caucus member may vote for up to as many candidates as there are open Ballots showing more selected candidates are invalid. The candidates with the highest number of votes shall be elected to the Board. In the event of a tie of two candidates, a tiebreaker ballot shall be held as soon as possible. Only CT Caucus members are eligible to vote.
    • Except for the inaugural Board, members may vote electronically for Board positions.
    • Board terms begin June 1.
    • CT Caucus elections may be held electronically by systems deemed by the Board to be reasonably secure for the purpose, and enfranchisement will be restricted to voters who have been authenticated as UDel users.
  • Loss of a Board Member
    • Should a Board member need to step down from her/his position, the Board member shall submit a letter of resignation to the Co-Chairs.
    • Any vacated position on the Board shall be filled at the next regularly scheduled general election, unless the Executive Committee chooses to hold an electronic ballot earlier.
    • If the chair of a committee leaves the Board, the co-chairs of the Caucus shall appoint one of the other Board members or a committee member to step into the chair role.
  • Executive Committee. Each year all vacant officer positions are filled by election with a simple plurality vote of the members of the Caucus who are present at the election meeting. Except for the inaugural Board, officer terms begin following June 1, immediately following the election
    • Co-Chairs:
      • The two Co-Chairs shall serve staggered two-year terms.
      • The responsibilities of the Co-Chairs are to call and conduct meetings, to represent the Caucus to various university bodies, and to serve as spokespersons for the Caucus.
    •  Clerk:
      • The Clerk shall serve a two-year term.
      • The responsibilities of the Clerk are to keep records of Board and Caucus business, to manage the Caucus’s communication needs, and to monitor voting.
    •  Secretary:
      • The Secretary shall serve a two-year term.
      • The responsibilities of the Secretary are to manage membership records, encourage Caucus membership, and manage the financial resources of the Caucus, if any.
  • Interim Officer Positions
    • Should a Chair, Secretary, and/or Clerk need to step down from their position before their term is complete, the Board may elect a current voting Caucus Member (including current Board members) to step into that role.
    • The position would be considered an “Interim” position until the next general. election.
    • The Interim position will have all the rights and responsibilities herein outlined above.
    • If the Interim officer chooses NOT to run for the position at the next general election, s/he may serve out the remaining term of her/his original position, if any term remains.
  • Meetings and Conducting Business
    • The Board shall meet at least twice each fall and spring semester.
    • The Board shall meet with the general Caucus membership at least once each semester. The date and time will be announced at least fourteen days in advance for general meetings.
    • General Meetings may be called by one of the Co-Chairs or any two Board members.
    • In between General Meetings, official Board business may be conducted by e-mail or conference call.
    • The Board may meet in closed executive session upon majority vote of Board members.
    • A quorum of a simple majority of current Board members is required to conduct official business.
    • A simple majority vote of members present at the General Meeting is required to pass orders of business, unless otherwise specified in the Bylaws. Only CT Caucus members are eligible to vote on orders of business.
  • Committees
    • Much of the work of the Caucus will be conducted by The Board may appoint Caucus members to serve on ad-hoc or standing committees.
    • Each committee shall appoint a member as chair.

Amending the Bylaws

Any member of the Caucus can propose an amendment to the bylaws by submitting the proposal to the Clerk who will notify the general membership of the proposed amendment. Amendments will be voted on at the next general meeting at least two weeks after the proposal of the amendment. Amendments shall be adopted by a two- thirds majority vote of the members of the Caucus who cast votes.

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