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". The values of STAO/APSO include: accountability, excellence, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity, respect, responsibility, teamwork.

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 the six elected Officers of the corporation including President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer and 5 Members-at-large appointed by the membership. The President shall be the chair of the Board of Directors.
4.2 STAO/APSO shall be managed by an Executive Committee consisting of the Officers of the corporation and 4 elected Committee Coordinators, including Curriculum Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, Professional Development Coordinator and Partnership Coordinator. The President shall be the chair of the Executive Committee.
4.3 Only members of STAO/APSO will be eligible for election or appointment. To be eligible for election to the office of President Elect, a candidate shall have served one full term in an elected position. Elections and Appointments shall be made in accordance with the Bylaws
4.4. Regional Councillors must be practising elementary or secondary school science educators. One Regional Councillor will be elected to represent each of the geographically defined areas of Ontario as 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 Standing Committee Chairs, excluding the Chair of the Current Conference Planning Committee and Future Conference Planning Committee, are elected from the entire membership. The Chair of the Current Conference Planning Committee and Future Conference Planning Committee are appointed by the Board of Directors.
4.6. STAO/APSO members may be appointed by the Board to represent stakeholder groups as determined by the Board of Directors.
4.7 An Honorary 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. Terms of Office
4.9.1. Board Members-at-large shall serve for a three-year term.
4.9.2 The Committee Coordinators will serve for a term of two (2) years. They may be re-elected for a subsequent term or terms.
4.9.3 Members who represent other organizations or constituencies will serve as Representatives to STAO/APSO for a term of two (2) years or less as determined by
the organization or constituency they represent.
4.9.4 The Past President and Vice President shall serve for a term of one (1) year. The President Elect will serve a term of two years, the first as President Elect and the
second as President.
4.9.5 The Secretary and Treasurer shall serve for a term of three (3) years. They may be re-elected for a subsequent term or terms.
4.9.6 The Conference Chairs shall hold their positions until the conclusion of the conference for which they are Chairs.
4.9.7 The position of Honorary President shall be for a renewable one (1) year term.
4.9.8 The Committee Chairs shall serve for a term of 2 years.
4.9.9 The members of Standing Committees and Ad hoc Committees shall serve for a one-year term.
4.9.10 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 9 Standing Committees including: Secondary Curriculum, Elementary Curriculum, Safety, Promotion, Website, Current Conference Planning Committee, Future Conference Planning Committee, ScienceWorks, and External Relations.
5.2 There shall be Regional Committees as outlined in the By-Laws.
5.3 Ad Hoc Committees may be appointed as outlined in the By-laws.
5.4 Committee members are appointed annually by the STAO Board of Directors. 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 in consultation with the respective Committee Coordinator.
5.5 Each committee is responsible to the Executive through a Committee Coordinator.

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.