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About Us - Constitution

ARTICLE I: Name

The name of this organization shall be known as the Science Teachers' Association of Ontario/Association des Professeurs de Sciences de l'Ontario. STAO/APSO is an incorporated non-profit organization and registered as such with the Province of Ontario.

ARTICLE II: Objectives

The objectives of STAO/APSO are to stimulate and improve the teaching of science in Ontario, to coordinate the activities of its members, and to disseminate information related to science teaching to said members. The mission statement for STAO/APSO is "to encourage excellence in science education through leadership and service".

ARTICLE III: Membership

Membership in STAO/APSO shall be open to any individual, institution or corporation interested in science education.

ARTICLE IV: Government

4.1 STAO/APSO shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a) an Executive Committee, Regional Councillors and Committee Chairs who are elected, b) Representatives of other organizations who are appointed by those organizations, and c) Conference Chairs who are non-voting, ex-officio members appointed by the STAO Board of Directors. One must be a STAO/APSO member in good standing to hold a position on the Board of Directors.

4.2 The Executive Committee shall consist of the following voting officers: the immediate Past-President, the President, the First Vice-President, the Second Vice-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Professional Development Coordinator, the Regional Director and the Member-at-large.

4.3 Only members of STAO/APSO in good standing will be eligible for election to one of the positions on the Executive Committee. To be eligible for election to the office of President, a candidate shall have been elected to serve one full term on the Board of Directors.

4.4 Regional Councillors are elected from practising elementary or secondary school science educators. One Regional Councillor will be elected to represent each of the geographically defined areas of Ontario as designated by the Board of Directors of STAO/APSO and outlined in the by-laws. Science educators include all science classroom teachers, consultants and coordinators or other educators having an interest in science education. The Regional Councillor must actively be involved with science education within the boundaries of the region that will be represented.

4.5 Committee Chairs, excluding the Conference Chairs, are elected from the entire membership to serve as chairs of the Standing Committees. Conference Chairs are appointed by the Board of Directors.

4.6 The Representatives are appointed by the STAO Board of Directors in consultation with the organizations they represent.

4.7 An Honourary President may be appointed by the Board of Directors to the position of ex-officio member of the Executive Committee.

4.8 Elections shall be carried out as outlined in the By-laws.

4.9 Term of Office

  • 4.9.1 The Regional Director, Professional Development Coordinator, Regional Councillors and Committee Chairs will serve for a term of two (2) years. They may be re-elected for a subsequent term or terms.
  • 4.9.2 Representatives will serve for a term of two (2) years or less as determined by the organization they represent.
  • 4.9.3 The Past President, President, First and Second Vice President, Member-at-large and Honourary President shall serve for a term of one (1) year.
  • 4.9.4 The Secretary and Treasurer shall serve for a term of three (3) years. They may be re-elected for a subsequent term or terms.
  • 4.9.5 The Conference Chairs shall hold their positions until the conclusion of the conference for which they are Chairs.
  • 4.9.6 The position of Honourary President shall be for a renewable one (1) year term.
4.10 No person may be elected or appointed as a voting member of the Board of Directors if he/she is involved in the ownership or operation of a business that has a contract with STAO/APSO . Any member of the Board of Directors becoming involved in such a business during his/her term of office shall resign his/her position.

ARTICLE V: Committees

5.1 There shall be nine (9) Standing Committees and Regional Committees for Regions 1 through 5. The Standing Committees shall be as follows: Membership, Secondary Curriculum, Current Conference, Future Conference, External Relations, Internal Relations, STAOCom, Elementary Curriculum and Safety . There shall be one Regional Committee from each STAO/APSO Region, as outlined in the By-laws. Ad hoc Committees may be formed by the Board of Directors as deemed necessary.

5.2 Each committee shall be composed of STAO/APSO members in good standing appointed by the STAO Board of Directors for a two (2) year term. Members of a committee may be re-appointed at the end of their term. The number of members on a committee will be determined by the Committee Chair or Regional Councillor in consultation with the Executive liaison.

5.3 Annually, the Committee Chairs and Regional Councillors will recommend to the Board of Directors the names of the new members of their committees for approval.

5.4 A member of the Executive Committee shall be appointed to each committee to act as a liaison.

5.5 Each Standing Committee is responsible to the Board of Directors through the Committee Chair.

Article VI Meetings

6.1 A general meeting of the membership shall be held annually.

6.2 Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least twice annually.

6.3 Meetings of each committee shall occur at least annually.

6.4 All meetings will be conducted in accordance with the Meeting By-law.

Article VII Amendments

7.1 An amendment to the Constitution may be made by any member of STAO/APSO at the Annual Meeting, provided that notice and details of the amendment have been provided to the Board of Directors of STAO/APSO in writing at least three (3) months prior to the date of the said Annual Meeting, and be published in the Crucible prior to the Annual Meeting;

7.2 The amendment is adopted if it is approved by a three-quarter majority of the STAO/APSO members present at the Annual Meeting, providing that the number of members attending said meeting is at least equal to that required for a quorum.
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