Bylaws

Approved 2025

Article I – NAME

The name of this organization is the Florida College English Association. It may be commonly referred to as FCEA in this document and elsewhere.

Article II – PURPOSE

To provide a forum for exploring the professional concerns of those individuals involved in college English and related subjects. 

Article III – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section 1. MEMBERSHIP.

  • Membership in the FCEA is open to all those with a professional interest in the purposes described above. Membership takes effect upon payment of annual dues and is subsequently maintained through the end of the calendar year.
  • Membership may be revoked at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Such members shall be notified of the intention of the Board to consider membership revocation and shall be given the opportunity to be heard before the Board. A two-thirds vote of Board Members is required for the revocation

Section 2. DUES.

  • Annual dues of FCEA are by calendar year and are set by the Executive Board.
  • Annual dues may be paid separately or as part of the FCEA conference fees.

Article IV – OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. Board of Directors Positions.

  • The FCEA Board of Directors includes the Executive Board and the Appointed Board.
  • The Executive Board officers are President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past President. The Executive Board members are elected for terms of two years, with the exception of the Past President, who serves in the year following the presidency. The Executive Board members are eligible for re-election after each two-year term.
  • The Appointed Board positions serve roles in support of FCEA. The positions, including the length of term, are determined by the Board of Directors and may change to accommodate the evolving needs of the organization. 

Section 2. Board of Directors Eligibility.

  • The Board of Directors elects the Executive Board.
  • The President and Vice-President must have served on the Board of Directors for at least one year and have attended at least one FCEA conference before their tenure begins.
  • The immediate Past President of FCEA serves as an Executive Board member for one year. After one year, the Past President may continue to serve as an Appointed Board member.
  • The Appointed Board members are appointed by the President, in consultation with the Executive Board. The President may choose to hold elections for Appointed Board positions or make appointments based on interviews of candidates.
  • Appointed Board positions are provided for representatives of the journals supported by FCEA.

Section 3. Attendance.

  • All Board members are expected to attend the Board of Directors meetings.
  • All Board members must attend a minimum of one meeting per year to maintain their position. Failure to attend at least one Board meeting per year is grounds for dismissal from the Board. The President, in consultation with the Executive Board, may override an automatic dismissal.
  • If a Board member must miss a meeting, they should contact the President prior to the meeting and provide an update on their activities to share with the Board since the last Board meeting was held.

Section 4. Board of Directors Duties.

  • The Board of Directors serves as the governing and policymaking body of FCEA.
  • The President organizes and presides at meetings, coordinates and appoints Board Members, acts as official spokesperson for FCEA, and performs all other tasks requiring executive action.
  • The Vice-President serves as conference coordinator, conducts business in the absence of the President, and performs other special tasks when requested by the President.
  • The Secretary takes minutes at Board of Directors meetings and delivers them to the President within thirty days of such meetings.
  • The Treasurer maintains financial and other organizational records, organizes payments for dues and conference registration fees, remits payment for FCEA bills, and assumes responsibility for FCEA’s yearly taxes.
  • The Webmaster maintains and updates the FCEA website, including conference announcements and registration, the Officers’ page, and other pages.
  • The CEA Liaison maintains relations with the national organization and communicates news and information between the FCEA and the CEA.
  • The Communications Chair maintains the FCEA mailing list and sends email communications to members.
  • The Social Media Coordinator maintains the organization’s social media accounts and posts regular updates on social media.
  • The Recruitment Chair conducts regional outreach for FCEA.
  • The Archivist collects and maintains past documents for FCEA in the designated forums.
  • The Publisher Liaison maintains professional relationships with industry publishers.
  • The Student Liaison conducts outreach for FCEA at regional universities and colleges.
  • Members-at-Large are appointed as needed by the President, in consultation with the Executive Board.
  • Journals funded by FCEA are expected to have a representative on the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Vacancies.

  • A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Vice-President for the balance of the term.
  • A vacancy in the office of Vice-President shall be filled by an election, if possible. The President, in consultation with the Executive Board, can appoint a Vice-President until the next Board of Directors meeting.
  • Vacancies in the office of Secretary or Treasurer can be filled through appointment by the President, in consultation with the Executive Board, until the next Board of Directors meeting.
  • A vacancy in the Appointed Board will be filled by a new appointment, as described in section 2.

Article V – ELECTIONS

  • The Board of Directors elects the Executive Board and may be called to elect Appointed Board members, at the discretion of the President.
  • Elections take place during the Annual General Meeting or as needed in the case of vacancies.
  • Elections may be held in person or virtually by secret ballot.

Article VI – MEETINGS

  • There shall be a minimum of three Board of Directors meetings per year. 
  • There shall be an Annual General Meeting, which includes a Board of Directors meeting.
  • Meeting dates will be emailed to the Board of Directors. FCEA members will be notified of the Annual General Meeting.
  • FCEA members may speak or present at the Annual General Meeting for up to five minutes, unless otherwise approved.

Article VII – COMMITTEES

The President, in consultation with the Executive Board, appoints committees as necessary to carry on the work of FCEA or to complete special projects.

Article VIII – AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

The bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors, provided that written notice of the proposed change is given to the Board of Directors at least one month before voting takes place at the indicated Board of Directors meeting.

Article IX – DISSOLUTION

The FCEA may be dissolved if three-fourths of the Board of Directors vote to do so in open voting, provided written notice of such vote is sent to all Board members at least thirty days before the indicated Board of Directors meeting. In the event of dissolution, all debts will be paid, and any remaining funds will be transferred to the College English Association.

Bylaws revised and approved 2025.