Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be the Illinois Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (ITDHH)

Article II - Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to foster professional growth of teachers of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing and to promote the quality of education for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing in the state of Illinois. Furthermore, it shall be the purpose of this organization to promote cooperation and unification among all state services and agencies serving persons who are deaf and hard of hearing in the State of Illinois.

Article - III
Section 1. Membership in this organization shall be of four classes: Active (regular), full-time student , retired, life-time. (3/02)

Section 2. Active membership in this organization shall be open to persons actively engaged or who have been actively engaged in the education of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing in the state of Illinois and shall be eligible to hold office in our organization.

Section 3. Student membership in this organization shall be open to full-time students in teacher preparation programs.

Section 4. Active Out of State membership in this organization shall be open to all persons associated and interested in the education of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing who reside outside of the state of Illinois and are not engaged in the education of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing in Illinois. Out of State members will pay active member fees and will be considered members of the Out of State area. Active Out of State members are not eligible to hold office on the Executive Board. (3/02)

Article IV - Voting
All members of this organization shall be entitled to one vote in all decisions made by the membership at large.

Article V - Officers
Section 1. The elected officers of this organization shall be a three-year presidency (president-elect, president, past president), a two-year secretary, a three-year treasurer and a two-year area chairperson(s) terms.

Section 2. The Executive Board of this organization shall consist of past-president, president, president-elect, secretary, and treasurer. (3/02)

Section 3, Board positions shall consist of area chairpersons, chairpersons of all standing committees, and one representative from each of the recognized teacher training program. (3/02)

Section 4. Vacancies in the elected offices may be filled by special appointment by the Executive Board of this organization. (3/02)

Article VI - Meetings and Quorum
Section 1. A meeting of the general membership shall be held annually. (3/02)

Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the president of this organization. When matters of business require the action of a special meeting of the membership at a time when not deemed advisable or feasible, such business shall be transacted by mail if authorized by the Board. A method of mailing balloting shall be determined by the Board for such meetings.

Section 3. One-third of the general membership of this organization present shall constitute a quorum.(3/02)

Section 4 Fifty-one percent of the board including three executive board members shall constitute a quorum. (3/02)

Article VII - Amendments
Section 1. The constitution may be amended at any meeting of the whole organization by a two-thirds vote, a quorum being present.

Section 2. When matters of the constitution arise requiring general membership action at a time when a general membership meeting would not be deemed advisable or feasible, the Board may call a special meeting, by mail, setting forth the specific issues or proposals on which a decision is sought. A ballot shall be enclosed setting forth the issues with an appropriate space for members to indicate their approval or disapproval and to sign their names. The membership chairperson will assist in its procedure and the secretary will retain in record all proceedings which result from it.

Section 3. By-laws and Policies of this organization may be adopted, amended or repealed by any Board meeting of this organization by a majority vote, a quorum being present. (3/02)

Article VI I - Rules
Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the procedure of this organization.

Article IX - Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of the organization, and after the payment of its just debts and obligations, any remaining assets shall be transferred to another non-profit, tax-exempt organization as the Board may direct, qualifying under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.