PIER Bylaws


Professional International Educators Roundtable

San Diego Organization Bylaws

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be the Professional International Educators Roundtable (PIER San Diego County).

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be:

A. To aid members to better serve and work with international students and scholars;

B. To assist members in their professional development;

C. To keep abreast of DHS rules and regulations as they affect members;

D. To collaborate with local, state, federal, DHS, NAFSA, and other relevant organizations on matters of concern to the membership; and

E. To promote on-going cultural understanding.

Article III - Membership

Section 1. The membership shall be open to any person whose responsibility and/or interest is in the area of international education.

Section 2. Member dues shall be paid once a year and per person, not per organization.

Section 3. The membership period is from September 1 to August 30 the following year.

Section 4. Article II shall extend only to those individuals or organizations who join PIER in good faith and do not exploit access to the membership roster.

Section 5. Membership is non-transferrable and membership fee is non-refundable.

Article IV - Finances

Section 1. The budget of the organization shall be based on revenue generated from membership dues and other projects approved by the Executive Board.

Section 2. Expenses in excess of $100.00 shall be approved by a majority of members of the Executive Board.

Section 3. The Treasurer shall present a financial report of the organization at each scheduled meeting of the organization.

Section 4. The PIER Chair shall be named on the PIER bank account along with the PIER Treasurer.

Article V - Officers

Section 1. The officers of the organization shall be a Chair, Chair-Elect, Membership Coordinator, Communications Coordinator and Treasurer.

Section 2. Eligibility: All officers shall have been active members of PIER for at least one year. Chair and Chair-Elect shall have at least two years of international education experience.

Section 3. Terms of Office: The PIER Chair and Chair-Elect are one-year positions, with the PIER Chair-Elect moving into the position of Chair. The PIER Chair must serve as PIER Chair-Elect one year prior to serving as Chair. They shall serve from July 1 of the year elected to June 30 two years later. The Treasurer, Communications Coordinator and Membership Coordinator shall serve a two-year term from July 1 of the year elected to June 30 of the two-year period. The Chair and Chair-Elect shall serve a one-year term from July 1 of the year elected to June 30 of the one-year period. The Chair-Elect shall move into the Chair position on July 1 of the year elected.

Section 4. Elections: Elections shall be scheduled for no later than June 15 of the current election year. Nominations for the next year’s Executive Board shall be submitted and ballots distributed, electronically prior to June 15 of the current election year.

Section 5. Special Elections: A special election shall be conducted to fill a vacancy in the positions of Chair-Elect. The Executive Board shall distribute ballots, electronically immediately following notification of the vacancy to the Team.

Section 6. The PIER Chair and PIER Chair-Elect, with majority consent of the Executive Board, may fill vacancies in all other positions. The elected person must meet the general eligibility requirements.

Article VI - Duties of the Officers

Section 1. The Chair shall conduct the business portion of PIER meetings; prepare a written agenda and announcement for each scheduled PIER meeting; serve as liaison with DHS, NAFSA and any other relevant organizations; preside over Executive Board meetings and any training sessions; oversee any recognition presentations; maintain the PIER social media presence and oversee PIER website content; organize elections of the next year’s Executive Board vacancies, and oversee the general operation of PIER. The Chair must be named on the PIER bank account along with the PIER Treasurer. The Chair must be willing to submit necessary personal documentation required to gain access to the PIER bank account (such as identification, social security number, signature, etc.)

Section 2. The Chair-Elect shall preside over meetings in conjunction with and/or in the absence of the Chair; assist the Chair with any necessary duties; oversee the PIER Mentor Program as applicable; and coordinate the annual New Professionals Workshop to assist members in their professional development. The Chair-Elect shall transition into the Chair position on July 1 of the year elected.

Section 3. The Membership Coordinator/Treasurer shall actively develop the membership of PIER by recruiting new PIER members who may be underserved in the international education community; collect dues and issue receipts; maintain the membership list; prepare an updated list of membership monthly; update membership application form annually; accept and review annual application forms; and maintain an e-mail roster of members. The Membership Coordinator/Treasurer shall maintain financial transaction records; receive revenue and dues; and present financial reports at each scheduled PIER meeting. The Membership Coordinator/Treasurer must be willing to submit necessary personal documentation required to gain access to the PIER bank account (such as identification, social security number, signature, etc.)

Section 4. The Communications Coordinator shall take minutes at each PIER and Executive Board meeting; provide minutes of the previous meeting to PIER members; e-mail notices of meetings, agenda and information of relevance to the PIER membership; create, email and update the bi-monthly PIER newsletter; coordinate and update all web content. Working with the PIER Chair, shall update and maintain the PIER website content and layout.

Section 5. All Officers will assist with meetings, workshops or other duties when necessary.

Section 6. In the absence of both the Chair and the Chair-Elect, the other Executive Board members present at the meeting or event will preside over the meeting or activity.

Article VII - Meetings

Section 1. Six bi-monthly meetings will be held beginning fall of one year to June 30 of the following year or as recommended by the Executive Board.

Section 2. Bi-monthly meeting dates and times shall be determined by the Executive Board annually.

Section 3. Role of the Host: The Host shall make arrangements for meeting facilities, necessary supplies, and logistical information with the Chair.

Section 4.  All PIER meeting notes and transcripts that are distributed by PIER are intended to document information and ideas exchanged during official PIER meetings. 

Article VIII - The Executive Board

Section 1. The officers of the PIER organization as identified in Article V shall constitute the Executive Board.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the PIER organization between its meetings; shall fix the date, time and place of programs, special events and workshop; shall make recommendations to the organization; shall perform such other duties as are specified in these by-laws; and shall have the authority to fill the vacancies as needed where provisions for replacement are not provided by these by-laws. The Executive Board shall be subject to the orders of the organization and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the organization.

Section 3. The Executive Board shall meet as necessary throughout the year to plan the upcoming year’s schedule of meetings, workshops and events.

Article IX - Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and to which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order the organization may adopt.

Article X - Amendments to Bylaws

These by-laws can be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by a two-thirds vote from registered members present on the day of the regular meeting, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing to the membership at least thirty days in advance of the meeting.  Non-registered attendees will not be eligible to vote

                                                    
Article XI – PIER Bylaws Review

These bylaws can be reviewed at any time, but must be reviewed at least once every two years.

Adopted 06/21/2018