Texas Classical Association

Constitutional Revisions Committee Report

Executive Board and TCA Business Meetings

University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX

November 7-8, 2014

In accordance with Bylaw 6 of the TCA Constitution, a constitutional revisions committee – John Chu of Health Careers H.S.from San Antonio, TX, and Andre Stipanovic of The Hockaday School from Dallas, TX – was formed by TCA President Andre Stipanovic to review and suggest possible amendments to the existing TCA constitution.

As of this report, six changes have been considered for inclusion in the 2014 constitution.

FIRST, the constitution currently allows an individual to take on editor responsibilities for the TCA Newsletter. However, since 2009, the content of the newsletter, which includes conference and scholarship information, has shifted online under, and has been folded into, the auspices of the TCA Web Manager. Therefore, the TCA constitution should be amended to reflect this de facto reality already in place for a number of years.

The membership of the Texas Classical Association is asked to consider and approve the following amendments to the TCA Constitution:

That Article II, Section 3, Part F:

  1. The TCA Newsletter Editor
  2. shall edit and publish the TCA Newsletter for the membership as needed and submit an electronic version of this publication to the Web Manager

Shall be removed from the TCA Constitution, and

That Article II, Section 3, Part H:

  1. The Web Manager
  2. shall edit and oversee all TCA publications, current news and links to other sites of interest to Texas Classicists on the World Wide Web

Shall be amendedto Article II, Section 3, Part G:

  1. The Web Manager
  2. shall edit and oversee all TCA publications, current and timelynews and links to other sites of interest to Texas Classicists on the World Wide Web
  3. shall announce the annual conference in the fall and scholarships offered in the fall and spring

That Article V, Section 3:

  • Section 3. The TCA Newsletter shall be sent to all members each year, announcing the annual conference in the fall and the scholarships in the spring, plus other timely news as is appropriate.

Shall be removed from the TCA Constitution, and

That Article V, Section 4:

  • Section 4. A TCA World Wide Web site shall be maintained by the Web Manager, providing electronic access to reports, documents, forms, current news, and links to other sites of interest to Texas classicists, as well as any other information that can be effectively distributed via this medium.

Shall be amended to Article V, Section 3:

  • Section 3. A TCA World Wide Web site shall be maintained by the Web Manager, providing electronic access to reports, documents, forms, current news, conference information, scholarship opportunities,and links to other sites of interest to Texas classicists, as well as any other information that can be effectively distributed via this medium.

That all other references to the “Newsletter Editor” or “TCA Newsletter”, as seen in

Article II, Section 1 andArticle VIII, Section 2,

Shall be removed from the TCA Constitution.

SECOND, under the current membership types listed under Article I, Section 4, Part B, the “Joint” membership category has been rendered defunct since the most recent constitutional amendments, and has already been removed from conference registration materials.

The membership of the Texas Classical Association is asked to consider and approve the following amendment to the TCA Constitution:

That Article I, Section 4, Part B:

  1. Joint: membership for couples who want all of the benefits of membership but only one copy of TCA publications

Shall be removed from the TCA Constitution.

THIRD, the executive board has considered further changes tothe existing membership categories for three reasons:

  1. to better represent the TCA membership,
  2. to clarify the language used in labeling said categories, and
  3. to remain consistent with membership policies of other professional organizations.

The membership of the Texas Classical Association is asked to consider and approve the following amendments to the TCA Constitution:

That Article I, Section 4, Part E:

  1. Life: honorary membership bestowed for exceptional service rendered to the association

Shall be amendedto Article I, Section 4, Part D:

  1. Emeritus/Emerita: honorary membership bestowed for exceptional service rendered to the association

That Article I, Section 4, Part E:

  1. Lifetime: members may pay a one-time dues fee of $500.00 for a lifetime membership to the association

Shall be added to the TCA Constitution.

That Article I, Section 4, Parts A, B, C, D, and E:

  1. Regular: a member who pays annual dues
  2. Joint: membership for couples who want all of the benefits of membership but only one copy of TCA publications
  3. Student: open to college or university students enrolled in Classical Language, History or Civilization courses
  4. Retired: teachers who are members at the time of their retirement qualify
  5. Life: honorary membership bestowed for exceptional service rendered to the association

Shall be amendedto Article I, Section 4, Parts A, B, C, D, and E:

  1. Regular: a member who pays annual dues
  2. Student: open to college or university students enrolled in Classical Language, History or Civilization courses
  3. Retired: teachers who are members at the time of their retirement qualify
  4. Emeritus/Emerita: honorary membership bestowed for exceptional service rendered to the association
  5. Lifetime: members may pay a one-time dues fee of $500.00 for a lifetime membership to the association

FOURTH, every year, the keynote speaker at the TCA fall conference awards the TCA Professional Scholarship in the name of an individual of his or her choosing. The TCA Constitution should reflect and acknowledge this long standing tradition.

The membership of the Texas Classical Association is asked to consider and approve the following amendment to the TCA Constitution:

That Article VIII, Section 3, Part A, Subsection 4:

  • The keynote speaker at the annual TCA fall conference shall award the TCA Professional Scholarship in the name of an individual of his or her choice.

Shall be added to the TCA Constitution.

FIFTH, the growth of Classical studies programs at both public and private institutions in recent years, spurred on by the influx of teachers new to the field, have necessitated a renewed interest in, and focus on, outreach. It cannot be overstated how critical outreach is to the health of not only the association, but the entire Classics community in Texas.

The membership of the Texas Classical Association is asked to consider and approve the following amendment to the TCA Constitution:

That Article III, Section 4, Part C, Standing Committees:

  1. The Outreach Committee shall have three members and concentrate on outreach with Classical scholars, educators, and institutions throughout Texas. The committee shall also assist the President-elect and Area representatives with teacher recruitment, training, and placement.

Shall be added to the TCA Constitution.

SIXTH, every five years, the Executive Board discusses and considers amendments to the TCA Constitution at its annual meeting, the day before the TCA luncheon and business meeting. Prior versions of the constitution required that proposed amendments be provided for the Executive Board with at least one week’s notice. However, because the board dedicates time during its annual meeting to discuss amendments, this requirement may no longer be necessary.

The membership of the Texas Classical Association is asked to consider and approve the following amendment to the TCA Constitution:

That Article VI, Section 2:

  • Section 2. Proposed amendments must be presented in writing to the Executive Committee at least one week prior to the date of the meeting at which the amendmentis to be introduced.

Shall be amended to Article VI, Section 2:

  • Section 2. Proposed amendments must be presented in writing to the Executive Committee by the date of its annual fall meeting, at which the executive board will review and confirm the amendments to be put forth to the TCA membership at the annual fall luncheon and business meeting.

TCA Constitutional Revisions Committee:Andre Stipanovic and John Chu