Article I. Purpose
Section 1.01 The purposes of this organization are to:
A. Provide a professional network to enhance the exchange of information and ideas, as well as to encourage the discussion of topics related to preparing middle level educators.
B. Contribute to the development of an expanded middle level research base, and provide additional means for sharing and disseminating current research and best practices among those across Pennsylvania and beyond interested in middle level education.
C. Serve actively as advocates for the middle level education movement, especially in terms of promoting middle level concepts among various publics commonly dealt with in the preparation of middle level educators.
D. Share in the advocacy for the middle level movement by supporting the stated purposes and goals of the Pennsylvania Middle School Association.
Article II. Membership
Section 2.01 Membership in the Pennsylvania Professors of Middle Level Education (PA-POMLE) will be institutional. Any Pennsylvania institution of higher education with a PDE approved Middle Level Certification program is invited to join. All professors from member institutions shall be considered official members of the group.
Article III. Finances
Section 3.01 PA-POMLE will support its activities by annual dues paid by member institutions in the amount of $100 per academic year. Dues will be collected at the beginning of the fall semester each year.
Section 3.02 Dues will be collected, records will be maintained, and funds will be disbursed by the organization treasurer.
Article IV. Leadership
Section 4.01 The leadership of PA-POMLE will consist of:
(a) President: The President will organize three (3) annual meetings and chair the meetings. The president will also help organize research possibilities within the group.
(b) Vice-President/President-Elect: The Vice-President will organize advocacy activities for the organization. In case of the President’s absence, the Vice-President will chair the meeting.
(c) Secretary: The Secretary will take minutes of all meetings and send them to all individual members within two (2) weeks following each meeting. Any official correspondence will be sent by the Secretary. The Secretary will also maintain the PA-POMLE e-mail and mailing list.
(d) Treasurer: The Treasurer will maintain all the funds of the group in a public financial institution. The Treasurer will notify member institutions when and where to send dues each fall. The Treasurer will also present an annual report to the membership.
Section 4.02 Terms of office.
(a) President: The first President will be elected and serve a two year term.
(b) Vice-President/President-Elect: The Vice-President will be elected and serve for two years and, as President-Elect, will move into the office of President at the end of the Vice-Presidential term.
(c) The Secretary will be elected and will serve a two year term and may be reelected.
(d) The Treasurer will be elected and will serve a two year term and may be reelected.
(e) Elections will be held at the final meeting in the spring of even numbered years and newly elected officers begin their terms on the July 1 following their election.
(f) All voting may be conducted electronically as well as in person. Voting will be done by individual members, not by the member institutions.
(g) All voting decisions will be determined by a simple majority of the votes cast.
Section 4.03 The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer must all be from different member institutions at the time of their election to office.
Article V. Meetings
Section 5.01 Meetings will be held three (3) times each academic year. There will be a Fall meeting, a Spring meeting, and a meeting at the annual PMSA PDI conference.
Section 5.02 Fall and Spring meetings will rotate from place to place across Pennsylvania by invitation of member institutions. If more than one invitation is received, preference will be given to the invitation from the geographic area not visited recently by PA-POMLE.
Section 5.03 Fall and Spring meetings will generally be held from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. Lunch and snacks will be provided by the host institution and will be paid for by PA-POMLE. Travel and any overnight accommodations are the responsibility of the individuals attending.
Section 5.04 The PMSA-affiliated meeting will be held during a scheduled break-out session(s) during the PDI conference. Members are encouraged to join PMSA (either as individuals or institutions) but PMSA membership will not be a prerequisite for participation in PA-POMLE.
This constitution was formally approved and adopted on March 1, 2010 by a unanimous vote of one or more representatives from the following 18 colleges/universities (listed in alphabetical order).
Cabrini College Mansfield University
California University of PA Messiah College
Clarion University Millersville University
DeSales University Penn State Harrisburg
Edinboro University Philadelphia Biblical University
Gannon University Robert Morris University
Kutztown University Shippensburg University
Lebanon Valley College Waynesboro University
Lycoming College West Chester University
NOTE: On July 1, 2012 the Pennsylvania Middle School Association (PMSA) changed its name to Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education (PAMLE). All references to Pennsylvania Middle School Association and/or PMSA in this constitution are hereby changed to Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education and/or PAMLE to reflect the new name of this affiliated organization.