Revised June, 2009

Collaborative and Endorsement Policy
All proposals for use of the name of the National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA) must be presented to the Executive Board for acceptance or rejection. The NSELA shall make position statements only on matters that are clearly deemed to be of significance to science education/and or science leaders. All official position statements of the NSELA must be approved by the Executive Board. Proposed NSELA projects and activities, including joint activities proposed by other groups, shall be evaluated according to the purpose and structure of the NSELA.

Code of Ethics
The Executive Board of the NSELA recognizes that there are rules of ethical conduct which must be observed if a high degree of moral conduct is to be secured and if the membership confidence is to be maintained. The rules of ethical conduct of this resolution, as adopted, shall be followed by all members of the Executive Board.

• No Executive Board member shall directly or indirectly, solicit any gift or accept or receive any gift whether in the form of money, service, travel, entertainment, hospitality, or in any form, under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence him/her or could reasonably be expected to influence him/her in the performance of his/her official duties or was intended as a reward for any official action on her/his part.
• No Executive Board member shall disclose confidential information acquired by her/him in the course of her/his official duties or use such information to further her/his personal interest.
• No Executive Board member shall receive, or enter into any agreement, expressed or implied, for compensation for services to be rendered in relation to any matter that is before the Executive Board.
• Any Executive Board member who has, will have, or later acquires an interest in any actual or proposed interest with another person, organization or corporation shall disclose the nature and extent of such interest in writing to the President and Executive Director as soon as he/she has knowledge of such actual or prospective interest. Such written disclosure shall be made part of the records of the organization. "Interest" means a direct or indirect monetary or material benefit. Once disclosure has been made by a member of the Executive Board with respect to an interest with a particular person, corporation or association, no further disclosure needs to be made.
• Any Executive Board member who shall knowingly and intentionally violate any of the above may be censored, suspended or removed from office.

Any of the above actions requires a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board. A copy of this code of ethics shall be distributed to all members of the Executive Board on a yearly basis as determined by the Executive Director.

NSELA Executive Board
President
President-Elect
Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Directors - Regions A, B, C, D, E, F
Professional Development Coordinator (non-voting)
Executive Director (non-voting)
NSTA representative to the board (non-voting)

NSELA Standing Committees
Standing Committees may include: Affiliates, Awards, Finance, Informal Education, Membership, Multicultural, Nominations/Elections, NSTA Representative, Professional Development, Policy/Standard Operating Procedures, Position Statements, Public Relations, Publications, Safety, Strategic Planning and/or other committees determined by the Executive Board.

Working Groups
Working Groups may include: STEM Education, Professional Learning Communities, Standards/Accountability, Research/Policy and/or other groups as determined by the Executive Board.

Affiliates
Arizona Science Education Leadership Association
Central California Science Education Leadership Association
Florida Science Education Leadership Association
Illinois Science Education Leadership Association
Long Island Science Education Leadership Association
Louisiana Association of Science Leaders
Maryland Science Supervisors Association
Massachusetts Association of Science Supervisors
Michigan Science Education Leadership Association
New Jersey Science Education Leadership Association
New York State Science Education Leadership Association
North Carolina Science Leadership Association
St. Louis Area Science Leaders Network
Southern California Association of Science Specialists
Tennessee Science Education Leadership Association
Texas Science Education Leadership Association
Virginia Science Education Leadership Association
Washington State Science Leadership Association

Operations and Procedures

1.00 Organization
1.10 Description
The National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA) was formed as a not-for-profit organization to promote leadership in science education. The organization has members from most of the 50 states and territories, as well as several other countries. Membership is open to anyone in the field or interested in the field of science education leadership.

1.20 By-laws
The by-laws are the guide and legal governing documents of the Association. They may be changed and amended according to the conditions set forth in the current document. A copy of the Association's by-laws is provided on this website. Procedures for changes are listed in the by-laws.

1.30 Administration
The executive board (officers and regional directors), who are elected by the membership, governs the Association. The executive director, professional development coordinator, and NSTA representative serve as non-voting ex-officio members of the executive board. The job descriptions of the executive board positions are provided on this website. The board directors include the officers, regional directors, and standing committee chairs who are appointed by the president and serve at the pleasure of the board. A listing of these committees is printed in the preface of this operations manual on the NSELA website. Job descriptions for committee chairpersons are provided on this web site.

1.40 Goal
The Association promotes leadership in science education by organizing annual professional development and leadership institutes and by publishing newsletters and a journal. The Association also encourages similar organizations as state or local science education leadership groups to become affiliated for the common purpose. The Association also promotes leadership through its annual awards program.

1.50 Membership
Membership in the organization is open to anyone interested in the field of leadership in science education. A membership chairperson will be appointed by the president to an undesignated term to handle all membership matters. These will include sending out membership information, brochures, and renewal notices. The membership list will be kept current by the chairperson. The membership list may be sold to other organizations only by the approval of the board. Membership lists will also be made available for officers and members of the board.

1.60 Regions
The Association will divide the membership into six regions, which will include the states, territories, and other countries. These regions are adjusted as needed to match the distribution of our members.

2.00 Meetings
2.10 Annual Meeting
The Association will have at least one annual meeting of the membership. The executive board may have their business meeting prior to the membership meeting. The Association will meet in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) annual conference.

2.20 Area Meeting
A second business meeting can be held in association with the NSTA fall area meeting, site to be determined by the board of directors.

2.30 Meeting Location
The executive director, in consultation with NSTA, will determine the physical location of the business and membership meetings. The executive director will also request that a block of rooms in the same hotel be reserved for officers, directors, and committee chairs of the association. The executive director will send out a request for rooms to the board of directors in order that the required number is confirmed. The executive director will also make any arrangements with the hotel for meals and breaks or any special room arrangements.

2.40 Quorum
A majority of those eligible to vote will constitute a quorum. These include the directors and the elected officers (Executive Board). Chairs of committees and other non-elected members of the board of directors do not have a vote but can make and second motions. This follows the rationale of committee chairs being familiar with their committee workings more closely than others and should be better informed.

2.50 Board Book
The executive director will prepare a book for every member of the board prior to the annual business meeting. This book will include the date, time and location of the meeting; the agenda; any motions and recommendations to be made to the board; as well as any other items to be brought to the board. If at all possible, the board book should be prepared well in advance of the meeting and be available to the board members prior to the annual meeting.

2.60 Meeting Agenda
The president will set the agenda for the annual business and membership meetings with the assistance of the executive director. The board of directors will submit any recommendations or motions to be acted upon by the board. It is recommended that committees do the majority of their work prior to the annual meetings. Any motions or recommendations can be supported by brief summaries.

2.70 Conduct of Meeting
2.71 Robert's Rules of Order The president will conduct all meetings in accordance with the most recently copyrighted Robert's Rules of Order or other meeting guide decided upon by the board.

2.72 Parliamentarian A parliamentarian will be appointed by the president to ensure proper procedures are followed according to Robert's Rules of Order or other approved meeting guide. This position is held at the pleasure of the president and is honorary only.

2.80 Emergency Procedures
2.81 Executive Committee On certain occasions when actions are needed to be taken between board meetings, the executive committee (officers) will function as the governing body of the Association. This committee shall include the president, president-elect, past-president, secretary, and treasurer. The executive director will also be a non-voting, ex officio member of the committee. Any decision made by the executive committee will still have to be approved by the board.

2.82 Special Balloting In the event that a board vote is necessary between meetings, the president may poll the executive board (officers and directors) either by phone, mail, or by e-mail. This vote shall be recorded by the secretary as an official action by the board.

2.90 Minutes
The secretary will take minutes of all meetings, using any type of recording device or any other assistance, and will send these minutes to all board members in a timely manner.

3.00 Financial Procedures <
3.10 Budget
An annual budget will be prepared by the treasurer with the assistance of the executive director and will be reviewed by the president, past president and president-elect. The executive board will approve this budget at the annual meeting. The budget can be amended at other meetings, but only if funds are available. Deficit budgets are not allowed.

3.20 Fiscal Year
The fiscal year will be from January 1 until December 31.

3.30 Bank Accounts
Bank accounts may be set up in the home area of the treasurer. The treasurer shall ensure access to any accounts by having the president, president-elect, and the executive director as co-signatures on the account. The co-signatories will not be allowed to withdraw or spend any funds from the accounts except in the event that the treasurer is incapable of doing so and with the consent of the board.

3.40 Fiscal Agent
The treasurer shall act as the fiscal agent of the Association. Any bank statements or other financial statements of the Association will be mailed to the treasurer. All financial records will be kept by the treasurer to include the budget, all credits for reimbursements, tax records, and any other fiscal records.

3.50 Audits
The fiscal agent will keep all records and accounts open for an informal audit by the board or for official audits by an independent accounting agent. Time and place of any audits can be determined by the fiscal agent and at his/her convenience. Any official audits will also take place at a time and place determined by the fiscal agent. Frequency of these audits are at the discretion of the board and when needed to meet the requirements of the IRS tax code.

3.60 Reimbursement
3.61 Definition
Certain expenses of the board and executive committee will be partially reimbursed. These will be mainly for travel to the annual meeting and area meetings. These amounts are to be determined each year by the board. Reimbursement forms will have to be filed with the fiscal agent before reimbursement can be made.

3.62 Directors
Directors who have filed all their bi-annual reports are eligible for the partial travel reimbursement to the annual meeting and the area meeting. Other members of the board of directors may receive reimbursement for some expenses based on the current approved budget, the availability of funds, and the completion of their duties and their bi-annual reports.

3.63 Executive Director
The executive director will receive reimbursement for any business expenses occurring as part of his/her job. These expenses, salary, and any travel reimbursements will be determined in the contract with the executive director and approved by the board.

3.63 Other Expenses
The Association will not be responsible for any expenses not listed in the budget.

3.70 Taxes
The treasurer is to maintain all tax records in accordance with the regulations for a 501 3(c) organization. It will also be the duty of the treasurer to file yearly tax statements to the IRS. This duty may be transferred to the Executive Director by way of his/her contract.

3.80 Investments
The board may see fit to invest part of the Association's assets into interest bearing accounts. While the accounts may bring revenue to the association, these accounts must be set up in order that the Association can get to the principal in a timely manner if the need arises. Any and all investments are to be handled by the treasurer with reports made at all the meetings as part of the budget report. All records and statements of the accounts are to be held by the treasurer. Any investing or changes in the accounts must be done with the approval of the board.

4.00 Executive Director
4.10 Duties
The association shall employ an executive director to carry on many of the functions of the organization. Salary and expenses will be determined by the board and agreed to in a written contract to be reviewed annually. Some duties assigned to elected officers in the Operations Manual may be transferred to the executive director by way of provisions in his/her contract.

4.20 Annual Review
The position of the Executive Director will be reviewed each year at the annual meeting during a closed session. An assessment of the job done will be given to the current executive director at the end of the session.

5.0 Elections
5.10 Procedures
Elections will be conducted annually. The duties of the chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee will include conducting the elections by preparing a list of candidates and ballots. The officers to be elected are the president-elect, secretary, and treasurer. Regional directors will be elected to staggered three year terms: Regions A and C, Regions B and E, and Regions D and F will be elected in the same year respectively.

5.20 Elections
Elections are conducted and tabulated by electronic ballot. The chair of the Nominations/Elections committee will convey results to the president, who will notify candidates of the results. New officers will be installed at the annual membership meeting and appropriate changes will be made to the NSELA website.

5.30 Tie Votes or Recounts
In the event of a tie vote or a contested election, the executive board will determine final action.

6.00 Membership Services

6.10 Publications
6.11 Newsletter The major publication of the Association is the newsletter, The Navigator. The editor shall be appointed by the president and will serve at the pleasure of the board. The editor will be responsible for publishing the newsletter. The editor will set deadlines for articles to be published and to inform the board of these deadlines. The newsletter is available to members and non-members on the NSELA website.

6.12 Journal The Association will publish a scholarly journal at least once a year. The editor will be appointed to an undesignated term and will serve at the pleasure of the board. The editor will be responsible for soliciting articles, setting up a panel of referees, publishing and distributing the journal. The board will determine any stipend. The journal is considered a membership service.

6.13 Directory The membership directory will be published on the Association’s website. The directory will contain the membership and their addresses. Current officers, directors, and membership chairpersons, along with their contact information, will be listed on the NSELA website.

6.14 Other Publications Other publications may be published by the Association as the executive board may see fit.

6.15 Advertising Fees The Association may charge fees for advertising in any of its publications. These fees are set by board action.

6.20 Position Statements
In the event that the Association wishes to state its position on issues relevant to the field of science education or science education leadership, it may do so through the development of position statements. These statements are developed through a committee whose chairperson is appointed by the president and serves at the pleasure of the board. Position statements are written by the committee and approved by the executive board. As new position statements are approved by the board, they will be posted on the web site. These position statements should be reviewed on a periodic basis, but no less often than every five years, to see if they conform to current issues. Any non-relevant statements may be rescinded with board approval.

6.30 Awards

6.31 Committee An awards committee will be established by the Association whose chairperson is appointed by the president and serves at the pleasure of the board. The committee will select recipients of awards of the association.

6.32 The Outstanding Science Education Leader Award This is the oldest and most prestigious award given by NSELA. The recipient will come from the membership and is given to that person who has shown outstanding leadership in science education. No active board member may receive this award until they have retired from the board for at least two years.

6.33 Outstanding Administrative Support Award This award will be given to an administrator, whose primary responsibility is outside of the area of science instruction, who supports the science program in their school or district.

7.00 Conferences and Institutes
7.10 Annual PDI
The Association will hold an annual national professional development institute (PDI) in conjunction with the national conference of the National Science Teachers Association. The PDI will be held on the Wednesday preceding the first day of the NSTA conference. The chairperson of the national PDI will be the past president of the Association working with the professional development coordinator, and executive director.

7.20 Area PDI
The Association may hold an area PDI preceding an NSTA area conference if the executive board grants approval.

7.30 Summer Leadership Institute
Local or state organizations or groups may wish to sponsor the summer leadership institute, but must present proposals to the board for approval. Such group must work in coordination with the Executive Director and Professional Development Coordinator. All programs must be approved by the board and are subject to guidelines imposed by the board, executive director and professional development coordinator. The institute will be self-supporting and will have as its purpose to promote leadership in science education. Conference fees may be charged for participants, but the Association encourages other funding to cover much of the costs. The Association will not be responsible for any debts of the conferences as well as any losses. Any surplus of funds will revert to the Association by previous agreement.

8.0 Affiliations
8.10 Affiliates of the Association
The Association may see fit to affiliate with groups and organizations whose purposes are similar by the approval of the board. The association is also an affiliated organization of NSTA and by doing so allows the Association's president or designee to sit on the NSTA Alliance of Affiliates.

8.20 Affiliates to the Association
The Association invites local, state, and national organizations that have similar interests to become an affiliate. Groups wishing to become affiliates of NSELA must make application and be approved by a vote of the Executive Board. There is no affiliation fee.

8.30 NSTA Professional Development Director
The Association will have the NSTA Professional Development Director sit on the board of directors as a non-voting ex-officio member. Members of the Association are encouraged to run for this position. If any active board member is so elected, they will in turn resign their position in the Association. This is in agreement with NSTA.