Bylaws

Draft Bylaws for the Nebraska CoSN Chapter

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be the Nebraska Chapter of the Consortium for School Networking (CoSNE), herein referred to as the Chapter.

The Chapter is sponsored by the Nebraska Association of Technology Administrators (NATA) in partnership with the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA)

Article II – Purpose

  1. Provide leadership collaboration, training, mentorship, and certification opportunities for technology administrators.
  2. Foster a supportive community for technology leaders to share best practices, insights, challenges, and solutions.
  3. Advocate for innovative solutions for educational technology in Nebraska.
  4. Align with the mission and objectives of the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN).

Article III – Membership

  1. Membership in the Chapter is open to individuals who are members of the Nebraska educational technology community, aligning with the goals of the Chapter grouped into the following membership categories:
    1. Active Membership
      1. Active members are persons who:
        1. Are engaged in educational technology leadership at a school and/or district level and,
        2. Have an active membership in CoSN through the individual’s institution.
    2. Affiliate Membership
      1. Affiliate membership is available to all other individuals engaged in educational technology management who do not qualify as or elect to be an active member.  Affiliate members may not serve directly on the Executive Board. Affiliate members also may not compose the majority of any committee of the organization except any committees created to address issues specific to affiliate members.
    3. Associate Membership
      1. Associate members are (1) individuals in the classroom who hold a principal or administrator position or license and who are not currently employed as an administrator at the school or district level, (2) non-administrator, licensed individuals from a school or district that supports the instructional program, or (3) individuals from higher education institutions.
    4. Student Membership
      1. Student members are non-administrators who are enrolled in a principal or administrator licensure program through a college or university. These individuals may maintain this category of membership as long as they are enrolled in a degree program
    5. Emeritus Membership
      1. Emeritus members are persons who were active members of CoSNE upon retirement and who wish to continue to benefit from and support CoSNE.
    6. All members must be current members of CoSN.
  1. Initial membership
    1. Active Membership:
      1. Bryan Dunne – Omaha Public Schools
      2. Cory Gearhart – Grand Island Public Schools
      3. Kevin Gross – Elkhorn Public Schools
      4. Joshua Jerome – Ogallala Public Schools
      5. Kirk Langer – Lincoln Public Schools
      6. Ross Louch – Crete Public Schools
      7. Nate Simons – Louisville Public Schools
      8. Rob Uchtman – Bennington Public Schools
    2. Affiliate Membership:
      1. Dorann Avey – Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)
      2. Andy Boell – Nebraska Cybersecurity Network for Education (NCNE)
      3. Scott Isaacson – ESU – Coordinating Council (ESUCC)

Article IV – Officers

  1. The officers of the Chapter shall be:
    1. President, 
    2. President-Elect,
    3. Secretary/Treasurer, 
    4. Immediate Past President, 
    5. Two (2) Ex Officio Nebraska Association of Technology Administrators (NATA) Members.
    6. Two (2) Ex Officio Affiliate Members (e.g. ESUCC, NCNE, NDE, ESU etc.)
  2. The officers, other than the President, shall be elected at the annual meeting.
  3. The President-elect shall automatically succeed to the office of President.
  4. The President shall automatically succeed to the office of the Immediate Past President.
  5. The elected officers shall take office at the close of the annual meeting at which their election takes place.
  6. The term of office for President, President-Elect, and Immediate Past President is one (1) year.
  7. The term of office for the Secretary/Treasurer and four (4) Ex Officio positions is two (2) years.
  8. If an officer dies, resigns, moves out of state, is unable to complete the term, or changes membership category, a replacement will be selected by the board at the next business meeting.
  9. No officer shall hold more than one position within the Chapter at a time.
  10. Only Active members of the Chapter are eligible to vote. 
  11. Must have five (5) voting members for a quorum.

Article V – Duties of Officers

  • The President shall preside at meetings and supervise committees.
  • The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in their absence and chair committees.
  • The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain minutes of meetings and financial records.
  • The Immediate Past President and Ex Officio members will support the activities of the organization in an operational and advisory capacity.
  • All officers shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses.

Article VI – Nominating and Elections

  • Nominations for President-Elect, Secretary/Treasurer, and Ex Officio members may be made by any member of the board.
  • Elections shall be held during the annual business meeting.
  • Election shall be by a written or electronic, secret ballot whenever more than one person has been nominated for an office.
  • A majority vote of the active members present and voting is required for the election of each office.
  • President.
  • The Executive Board shall have the authority to act on matters that do not require action by the membership.
  • The Executive Board may submit amendments to the bylaws with a three-fifths vote.

Article VIII – Meetings

  • The Chapter shall have at least one general membership meeting annually.
  • The Executive Board shall determine the time and place for the annual meeting.
  • The President may call special meetings with a three-fifths majority of the Executive Board.
  • The members present at the annual meeting or special meetings shall constitute a quorum.
  • The Executive Board will meet a minimum of two times annually.
  • Meetings and voting may be conducted via video conference technology and are not required to be in person.

Article IX – Committees

  • The Executive Board may create committees and appoint members as needed.
  • The President-Elect shall be the chair for any such committees.
  • The President shall be an Ex Officio member of all committees.

Article X – Parliamentary Authority

  • Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Chapter in all applicable cases.

Article XI – Amendments

  • The bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the active members present and voting or by a two-thirds electronic vote of active members.
  • Proposed amendments must be submitted to the members 30 days prior to voting and approved by a three-fifths affirmative vote of the Executive Board.

Article XII – Membership Dues

  • The Executive Board shall determine membership dues.
  • Membership fees are due by October 31st of the current year for current members.

Adopted: 01/30/2025

Amended: