RHODE ISLAND FOR LANGUAGES ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION


ART. I.  The name of this organization shall be the Rhode Island For Languages Association.  Its purpose is to promote and encourage the teaching and study of world languages, their literatures and cultures, especially in the Rhode Island area.   It is a non-profit organization, no part of whose income or assets may accrue to the individual benefit of its members in exchange for services rendered.


ART. II. Membership in the Association shall be open to all interested persons upon payment of the annual dues established by the Board of Directors. 


ART. III. The Association may affiliate with any regional or national organization of similar aims and interests under such terms as may be approved by the Board of Directors and the membership.


ART. IV.  The Officers of the Association shall be a President, Past President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Advocacy Chair, and Treasurer to be elected in such manner and for such terms as are indicated in the By-Laws.


ART. V.  The general direction of the Association shall be under the leadership of a Board of Directors, consisting of the Officers and six Directors, the latter to be elected in such manner and for such terms as are indicated in the By-Laws.  The Board of Directors shall also include the Presidents of the Rhode Island or regional chapters of the National Language Associations, as voting members provided that they are members of RIFLA.


ART. VI. This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any business meeting, providing that notice of any proposed amendment has been given to the members at least fifteen days before the meeting.


ART. VII.  The Association may be dissolved at any business meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present, provided that notice has been mailed to the members at least thirty days prior to the meeting.  In the event of dissolution, any assets of the Association shall be distributed in such a way as to further promote and encourage the teaching and learning of world languages in the State of Rhode Island.


BY-LAWS


1. The Association shall hold at least three meetings every year except in the case of war or state-wide emergency.


2. The Officers of the Association shall be elected for a term of two years at its regular Spring Meeting.  The Officers may not be re-elected without a lapse of two years between terms, except for the Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.  The six Directors shall also be elected for two year terms, three being elected each year.  Unless no other candidates agree to accept the nomination directors may not be elected without a lapse of two years between terms.  A Nominating Committee, chosen by the Board of Directors, shall present a slate of candidates.  Every effort shall be made to obtain a Board which is representative of the various languages and levels of instruction found in the Association.  Nominations may also be made from the floor and, in the case of contest, voting may be by ballot.  The new Officers and Directors shall take office at the conclusion of the meeting.


3. Standing Committees. The following standing committees shall beestablished and maintained : Conference committee, Seal of Biliteracy committee,Professional Development, Nominations committee, Awards committee. Othercommittees may be created or dissolved on an ad hoc basis. Unless otherwisespecified below, committee chairs and members, with recommendation by theNominations Committee, shall be appointed by the Executive Board members. Eachcommittee shall establish and maintain guidelines to accomplish its variousresponsibilities.


4. Vacancies occurring among the Officers, other than the President, and among the Directors, may be filled by the Board of Directors for the interim preceding the next election. Vacancies may be filled by new non-voting members who may be officially voted in the following term. 


5. The President shall preside at meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors and shall be charged with carrying out the policies and programs established by the Board.  The President shall call at least two meetings of the Board of Directors and may call more as necessary.  The Vice-President fulfills the President’s functions in their absence and succeeds to the  office of the President in the event of incapacity or resignation.  The Vice-President shall also serve as Program Chair.  The Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer shall have the duties usually belonging to those offices and the latter shall submit annual reports to the Association.  The duties of the Corresponding Secretary shall consist primarily of general correspondence with the membership via snail mail, e-mail or other electronic means. 


6. The annual dues shall be proposed by the Board of Directors and approved by a majority vote of the members of the Association at a regular business meeting and become effective the calendar year following their adoption.

Dues are payable to the Treasurer by September 1 for the following school year. 


7. The By-Laws may be amended at any business meeting by a majority vote.


8. Upon retirement, members of the Association in good standing may be nominated by the Board of Directors to the status of “Member Emeritus.”  Such members will enjoy all of the privileges of members, but they will not be required to pay dues. 



Revisions:

Revised August, 2023 with all amendments.  



Dues Updates: 

Dues were set at $12.00 May 7, 1996. 

Dues raised to $15.00 as of Jan 1, 2015. Voted on by membership at May Dinner 2014.

Dues raised to $20.00 as of Jan 1, 2018. Voted on by membership at May Dinner 2017.

Dues proposal to increase dues from $20.00 to $25.00 as of Jan 1, 2020; increase student membership from $4.00 to $10.00 as of Jan 1, 2020 Approved Fall Conf 2019

Dues proposal to change to tiered as of Sept 1, 2023; 1 year $25, 2 years $45, 3 years $60 ; Approved May 18, 2023


To Contact RIFLA:

Email: riflainfo@gmail.com

Mailing address: RIFLA, PO Box 95Foster, RI 02825-1326

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