Article I: Name
The name of this organization is the NORTH DAKOTA GEOGRAPHIC ALLIANCE, hereafter referred to as "NDGA."
Article II: Purpose
The NDGA purpose is to promote the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge, foster innovation in geographic education, and encourage stewardship and conservation of Earth's natural and cultural resources in North Dakota pre-kindergarten through 12th grade teaching and learning.
Article III: Membership
There are two NDGA membership categories.
1. North Dakota teacher membership: North Dakota teacher membership is available to all K-12 teachers who are currently employed by North Dakota public and/or private schools.
2. General membership: Open to all other interested persons.
Article IV: Governance
An Administrative Board governs the NDGA.
1 Membership: The Board consists of twelve voting members as follows: five North Dakota teacher members, five general members, one North Dakota Department of Public of Instruction member, and one Minot State University Development Foundation member. The North Dakota teacher representatives are to be elected by the North Dakota teacher members and are to serve for staggered five-year renewable terms so one term ends each year. The general member representatives are to be elected by the general members and are to serve for staggered five-year renewable terms with one term ending each year. The Department of Public Instruction and Minot State University Development Foundation members are to be appointed by their respective organizations and are to serve at the pleasure of those organizations. Nonvoting Board members (if different) are the NDGA Administrative Director, Newsletter editor, Magazine editor, and Board designated project coordinators (see Article VI).
2 Committees: The five North Dakota teacher members, the Department of Public Instruction member, and the Minot State University Development Foundation member are the committee responsible for making recommendations pertaining to expenditure of income from the National Geographic Society managed North Dakota Geography Education Fund. Otherwise the entire Board may establish committees and duties for those committees as needed and desired.
3 Duties: The entire Board authorizes the NDGA annual program and budget plan (subject to recommendations made by the committee responsible for recommendations pertaining to expenditure of the North Dakota Geography Education Fund income) and employs the NDGA Administrative Director, Newsletter Editor, Magazine Editor, and project coordinators (see Article VI). The entire Board also establishes privileges/responsibilities for each membership category and establishes membership dues. The entire Board authorizes and approves grant proposals and financial reports in accordance with funding agency requirements. The entire Board selects a nominating committee to solicit and nominate candidates prior to each NDGA election.
4 Board organization and meetings: Voting Board members elect a Chairperson and Secretary (paid staff may do the work if requested by the elected Chairperson and Secretary). The Board may establish other officers and may delegate responsibilities to those officers. The full Board meets at the NDGA Annual Meeting. Other Board and committee meetings may be at the Chairperson's or committee chairperson's option and may be telephone conference calls. The Board and committees may authorize the use of mail ballots. At meetings called at least two weeks in advance a quorum is a majority of voting members. If a meeting is called with less than two weeks notice (or if a mail ballot is being used) a quorum is all voting members. Board and committee meeting minutes are public and available to any NDGA member on request. In all other matters Board and committee meetings are conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.
Article V: Publications and Programs
NDGA publishes the North Dakota Geographic Alliance Magazine and the Dakota Alliance Newsletter. NDGA also holds an annual membership meeting. NDGA may organize and operate other appropriate geography and/or geography education programs and/or publish other appropriate geography and/or geography education publications consistent with current North Dakota school needs and/or membership desires and with NDGA funding availability.
Article VI: Project Coordinators
The NDGA Board may designate project coordinators to administer Board approved NDGA projects. Normally project coordinators are to represent funding partners working with NDGA on a specific grant or contract funded project. Designated program coordinators are to serve for the duration of the designated program unless the Board specifies otherwise. Designated project coordinators during their terms of office may participate as nonvoting Board members.
Article VII: Administrative Office
The NDGA Administrative Office will be in Minot, North Dakota, and the Minot State University Business Office will serve as the NDGA fiscal manager.
Article VIII: NDGA Calendar: Operating and Fiscal Year and Elections
The NDGA calendar is based on a September 1 through August 31 operating and fiscal year. Terms of office for Board members begin on September 1 and end on August 31. Annual NDGA elections will be held each May and will be by mail ballot. Special elections may be scheduled as needed. A call for nominations is to be mailed to NDGA members at least one month prior to each election. A Board-appointed nominating committee will review all nominations to verify qualifications and make additional nominations (if needed) before finalizing the ballot. Short biographies and written position statements are to be requested from all candidates and are to be supplied with ballots to all NDGA members. Mail ballots will be sent to all NDGA members at least two weeks prior to the required return date.
Article IX: Amendments and ratification
This constitution may be ratified and/or amended by special NDGA election. Prior to that special election the Board established under the previous constitution is to be a nominating committee and is to nominate a full slate of candidates to fill all elected Board positions (required by this constitution). The special election is to be by mail and ballots must be mailed to all current dues-paying NDGA members at least two weeks prior to the ballot return date. A two-thirds majority of returned mail ballots is necessary for ratification and/or to adopt amendments. When ratified this constitution is to take affect immediately following ratification and a second special election is to be promptly held to fill all elected Board positions.