The UEA House of Delegates Directing YOUR Association

The UEA House of Delegates Directing YOUR Association through the democratic process. 1

The UEA House of Delegates l l Sets Overall Policy l Directs Action l Approves the Budget l 2 Legislative Governing Body of UEA Follows Parliamentary Procedure

Rules and Resolutions Committee l l Writes and Edits Resolutions l Reviews the Governing Documents l 3 Reviews and Refers Items to the House Holds at Least One Open Hearing

The UEA House of Delegates Input Process 1. 2. Write up your proposal. 3. Submit your proposal by the deadline. 4. Answer questions at the Open Hearing. 5. 4 Discuss and refine your Idea. Speak to your proposal at the House.

It’s an Open Process! l l Any member can be elected as a delegate. l 5 Any UEA member can submit items. Any delegate can speak or make motions.

Majority Rule If you can convince a majority of the delegates that your idea is a good one, it will become the policy of the UEA. 6

What types of proposals can I make? l l New Business Items l Legislative Program Amendments l Budget Amendments l 7 Resolutions Governing Document Amendments

Resolutions “A Resolution is a formal expression of opinion, intent, belief, or position of the Association. ” In other words, the UEA Resolutions state what we, as an organization, stand for. 8

Resolutions The Resolutions are important because they provide direction for the activities of the Association. What we stand for, determines what we do. 9

It is easy to write a Resolution 1. Use this opening: “The UEA …” 2. Pick a resolution verb: i. e. “believes, supports, urges, affirms, encourages, recognizes, recommends, insists, …” 3. 10 Make your statement.

New Business Items (NBI) l “New Business Items call for a specific action by the Association. ” l New Business Items are very powerful. They allow the House of Delegates to direct the UEA to do something specific. 11

It is easy to write an NBI Simply your New Business Item with the words: “The UEA will …” 12

NBI Verbs New Business Items can direct the UEA to: organize, sponsor, research, publish, develop, establish, collect, maintain, distribute, collaborate, investigate, etc. 13

The UEA Legislative Program guides our Legislative Lobby Team. It is updated annually by the Board of Directors after appropriate hearings. The main Legislative Program and the “Legislative Priorities” Document are 14 voted on separately.

Legislative Program Amendments The UEA Legislative Program and the Legislative Priorities can be amended by a majority vote of the House of Delegates. 15

The UEA Budget guides the Board of Directors and our Executive Director in managing the financial resources of the Association. 16

Budget Amendments The Budget can be amended by a majority vote of the House of Delegates. 17

The UEA Governing Documents The Governing Documents describe how our Association is structured and how it functions. Any structural changes to the UEA must be done by the House of Delegates by amending our governing documents. 18

The UEA Governing Documents l l Constitution l Bylaws l 19 Articles of Incorporation Standing Rules

Articles of Incorporation The Articles of Incorporation is the document, filed with the State, that gives us our legal status as a non-profit corporation. It is rarely amended. 20

Constitution The UEA Constitution is the “fundamental document governing the structure and operation of the Association. ” The Constitution defines membership and affiliation requirements, provides for officers and a Board of Directors, and establishes the House of Delegates as the legislative body of the UEA. 21

Constitutional Amendments Amending the UEA Constitution requires both a majority vote of the House of Delegates and a majority vote of the members. 22

Bylaws The UEA Bylaws “deal with the matters of the Association not covered by the Constitution. ” The Bylaws govern Association membership, dues, meetings, elections, officers, the Board of Directors, committees, and the Uni. Serv program. 23

Bylaw Amendments The Bylaws can be amended by a majority vote of the House of Delegates. Any changes become effective at the end of that session of the House. 24

Standing Rules The Standing Rules govern the House of Delegates and its committees. They are the rules and procedures by which the House operates. 25

Standing Rule Amendments The House re-adopts the Standing rules, at the beginning of each session. Any amendments go into effect immediately. 26

Get Involved! The House of Delegates meets each year in the spring. Please plan to attend and participate. We need your input! 27

Remember … UEA is YOUR Association 28