WVCSS Constitution

ARTICLE I: Name

This Association shall be known as the West Virginia Council for the Social Studies (WVCSS). The term “Social Studies” is used to include history, economics, sociology, civics, geography, anthropology, political science, psychology, social studies skills, and all modifications or combinations of subjects identified and accepted by the WVCSS Board. WVCSS shall be affiliated with the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).

ARTICLE II: Purpose

The purpose of the Council shall be:

A. To improve social studies learning in the schools by sponsoring social studies events, programs and communications for West Virginia educators and students.

B. To cooperate with the National Council for the Social Studies and state and local education organizations in the improvement of education, particularly social studies education.

C. To advocate for public policy that recognizes the central role of and supports the effective implementation of social studies education.

ARTICLE III: Membership and Dues

A. Active membership in this Council shall be open to all elementary, secondary, and college teachers of the social studies, and other individuals interested in social studies education regardless of age, race, sex, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation or national origin.

B. Annual dues for active membership shall be determined by the WVCSS Board. Upon payment of dues, active membership shall be good for the period of time specified in the dues schedule.

C. Affiliate membership for organizations interested in the social studies may be achieved by applying to the WVCSS Board, which shall determine the fee and guidelines for affiliated membership.

ARTICLE IV: WVCSS Executives

A. The Executives of the WVCSS shall be the President, President-Elect, Executive/Recording Secretary, Treasurer, one at-large member per Congressional district, one elementary educator at-large member, one middle school educator at-large member, one high school at-large member, and one collegiate social studies educator at-large member.

B. The President, President-Elect, Executive/Recording Secretary, Treasurer, at-large Representatives and council committees shall be elected by the General Membership for two-year terms.

C. The President shall call, prepare agendas for, and preside over meetings of the WVCSS Board. If the president(s) is unable to officially represent the organization for any reason, that role will be filled by the president-elect(s).

D. The President-Elect shall perform the duties of the President when the President is absent or incapacitated as determined by a majority vote of the WVCSS Board.

E. The Treasurer shall maintain account books, deposit and disburse funds at the direction of the President or WVCSS Board; and provide the President and WVCSS Board with periodic reports of the Council’s financial status with a summary of financial activity.

F. The Executive/Recording Secretary shall maintain records of all Board meetings and decisions, and be responsible for all communications between the Board and the General Membership.

ARTICLE V: WSCSS Board Members and Responsibilities

A. Voting members of the WVCSS Board shall include all members elected by the General Membership.

B. WVCSS Board members shall be members in good standing of the WVCSS.

C. Executives and at-large Representatives may be considered to have resigned from their positions if they fail to attend two consecutive WVCSS Board/General Membership meetings in a year, do not actively complete their proportion of volunteer work expected of an At-Large Representative, and if they do not respond positively to subsequent inquiries.

D. The WVCSS Board shall set the dues for active and affiliate membership; determine and implement WVCSS Board policy; supervise Council programs; administer WVCSS awards program; and by September 1 of each year, establish the calendar of meetings and events for the year. Said calendar of meetings and events will be distributed to all WVCSS members.

ARTICLE VI: General Membership Meetings

A. General Membership meetings are called by the WVCSS Board and shall be open to all active and affiliate members of the WVCSS.
ARTICLE VII: Quorum

A. A quorum necessary for WVCSS Board meetings shall be a simple majority of its executive and at-large membership.

B. A quorum of the General Membership meetings shall be a simple majority of WVCSS members who are present and in good standing.

ARTICLE VIII: Policies

Policies/business decisions made by WVCSS Board and/or General Membership shall require a majority vote of those present and voting for adoption, providing that notice requirements have been fulfilled.

ARTICLE IX: Awards

A. The Lynn Rupp/Lynn Bennett Award for WV Social Studies Excellence will be awarded to a WVCSS member each year to recognize their outstanding service to WVCSS and to WV social studies education. The WVCSS Executive Board will choose the award recipient through an internal nomination process.
This award is named for the Lynns, Dr. Lynn Rupp, and Mrs. Lynn Bennett, West Virginia social studies educators who committed their lives to supporting social studies educators by teaching pre-service educators, supporting teachers in the classroom, and providing first-class professional development throughout the state. The Lynn Rupp/Lynn Bennett Award for WV Social Studies Excellence seeks to honor their legacy and to recognize those with the same hearts as Dr. Lynn Rupp and Mrs. Lynn Bennett for bettering social studies education here in West Virginia.
Dr. Lynn Rupp spent three decades teaching secondary social studies education at WV Wesleyan College, serving as the department chairman and Director of the master’s in education program. She was awarded the college’s exemplary teaching award in 2004. Mrs. Lynn Bennett worked as an educator and principal in Doddridge County, spending the last years of her teaching career as the program director of RESA VII. In retirement, Lynn created Bennett Educational Consulting so she could continue to provide high-quality professional development to WV educators. Both Lynns contributed greatly to the improvement of social studies education throughout the state of West Virginia. They were a dynamic duo, serving as program directors of three Teaching American History grants known as American HEART.

B. The WVCSS Distinguished Teacher of the Year will be opened for nominations from September 1 to December 15th of each year. Nominees will be contacted and encouraged to complete the WVCSS Distinguished Teacher of the Year application form. Nominees will not be considered without completing all sections of the application. The award winner will be chosen by the WVCSS Board.

1. One to three letters of support provided by colleagues, administrators, parents, and/or students/former student. The nominator is encouraged to write one of the letters of recommendation. However, it is not a requirement that the nominator write a letter.
2. Resume/CV written by the nominee
The resume should include the following information:
a. Name, home address, and home phone number
b. School, school address, school phone number, and e-mail address
c. Teaching assignments and grade level
d. List professional duties and accomplishments
e. Opportunities for Leadership
f. Professional Development in Social Studies
g. Published Lesson Plans and Presentations
h. Innovations in social studies curriculum
3. Professional Belief Statement will be written by the nominee (300 words or less) with your philosophy of teaching while explaining the importance of teaching social studies and its impact on students.
4. Award Criteria:
a. The teacher must be a full-time teacher teaching K-12 social studies.
b. The teacher must be recognized by colleagues as an excellent social studies teacher.
c. The teacher must utilize social studies strategies that foster inquiry and the development of social studies.
d. The teacher must have an ongoing interest in improving his/her knowledge and skills in social studies instruction
e. The teacher does not need to be a current WVCSS member to be nominated or to be an award recipient. Winners will receive a FREE WVCSS Conference (the organization will cover their conference costs and hotel room).
f. The recipient will be awarded a plaque during the conference.
C. Additional awards may be established by the WVCSS Board. The criteria for each award shall be determined by the board.

ARTICLE X: Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws

A. Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by any member of the WVCSS. A majority vote of WVCSS Board is required to put proposed Constitutional amendments from the General membership on a ballot for ratification. A majority vote by the General Membership at a General Membership meeting is required for ratification of all amendments.

B. By-laws may be amended by a majority of the WVCSS Board members present and voting at WVCSS Board meetings when a quorum is present.