Contact:

Gustavo Balderas
(503) 648-3127
balderasg@hsd.k12.or.us

OALA By-Laws and Collective Agreements

The name of this organization shall be the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators (OALA).

VISION

To create a forum for Latino administrators and educational leaders that promotes equity in leadership positions throughout the state of Oregon.

MISSION

The mission of the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators (OALA) is to promote Latino educators, both current and aspiring into positions of leadership through mentorship, networking, and professional development.  OALA will affect the educational interests of all students in Oregon, particularly those of Latino heritage in order to ensure their educational success.

To create a forum for Latino administrators and educational leaders that promotes equity in leadership positions throughout the state of Oregon.

1. To promote Latino educators into leadership positions.

• Provide professional development for career advancement.
• Serve as a clearinghouse for administrative vacancies.
• Provide mentoring and support for aspiring administrators.

2. To ensure educational equity for all students especially those of Latino heritage.

• Increase researched based educational programs geared to meet the unique needs of Latino students.
• Serve as role models, mentors and advocates of the Latino community.

3. To advocate at the federal, state, and local level for equitable educational policies impacting Latino students.

• Prioritize resources to impact policies and programs focusing on traditionally
  underserved students.
• Provide advocacy for representation on boards and committees on the regional, state, and federal levels and on educational agencies.
• Use scientifically based research to inform state and local entities through discussion, reflection, and formulation of position statements and
  recommendations from the association.

4. To disseminate data related to the changing demographics and their implications for schools in Oregon.

• To examine statistically disaggregated data related to minority students i.e. ethnicity, socio- economic status, test scores, drop out rates, higher education enrollment, and graduation rate.
• Aggressively pursue the recruitment and retention of Latino educators
  proportionate to the Latino student population in Oregon.

5. To develop strategic partnerships with organizations throughout the state that acknowledges and supports the accomplishments of Latino youth.

• Hispanic chamber of Commerce
• EI Consulado de Mexico
• Oregon Bilingual Educators council
• Oregon Council on Hispanic Advancement
• Institutions of Higher Education
• Others

6. To provide opportunities to build the capacity in the organization and of its members.

• Provide a forum where various areas of expertise are shared.
• Promote a professional learning community culture within the organization.
• Sponsor and organize statewide events and conferences.

Membership in OALA shall be classified as active AND honorary. Active membership shall be extended to administrators in K-12, Post secondary, Oregon Department of Education, aspiring administrators.

Honorary membership shall be extended to individuals in recognition of their interest and service in promoting the goals of OALA. Honorary members shall include all rights and privileges of OALA members except the right to vote and hold office.

Annual membership is established upon payment of OALA dues.

The annual membership dues of the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators shall be fixed by action of OALA Board and shall cover the period from July 1 to June 30.

The officers of OALA shall be a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and historian.

DUTIES:

President: The president shall preside at all meetings of OALA and may sign all letters, reports, and other communications to the OALA membership. It shall also be the president's responsibility, in conjunction with the other officers to compile and set the agenda for all OALA meetings. The president shall perform all duties incidental to the office of the president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the membership.

Vice President: The vice president shall preside in the absence of the president and perform all duties as assigned by the president. In this capacity, the vice president will represent OALA as the office dictates.

Treasurer: The treasurer will be responsible for maintaining all financial records of OALA along with the filing of all necessary documentation with governmental entities for the official operation of OALA.

Secretary: The secretary will keep the minutes of all regular and special OALA meetings. The secretary shall promptly transmit to each member the minutes of such meetings and see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of the bylaws. The secretary will maintain the register of membership inclusive of names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. The secretary shall perform other duties as assigned.

Historian: The historian shall maintain the archives of OALA.

The OALA Board shall consist of seven voting members, the five officers, and two members at large. OALA will strive to provide diverse geographic representation in the board.

General membership meetings shall be held twice a year, once in winter and in the summer.

The Board shall meet a minimum of four times a year or as often as the Board deems necessary.

Annual membership dues are to be determined upon vote of the Board members.

The Board shall fill vacancies in offices; determine the amount of the annual dues; direct the manner of approval and payment of bills; have the accounts of OALA audited annually; establish such commissions and committees as are necessary to carry out the work of OALA; advise the President concerning Committee appointments; and exercise all powers and prerogatives of OALA.

The following protocol is established to govern the release of statements which might be construed as official OALA statements or positions.

• A recommended position on an issue for distribution to a governmental agency or the press will be brought to the OALA Board for consideration.
• Discussion will be held on the merits of taking a particular position and the impacts of such on the membership and the organizations mission.
• The OALA Board comprised of the president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, historian, and two at large OALA members will meet to discussion the issue.
• A majority vote of the Board will be required for the position statement to be
  adopted.

Terms of Office: The President, Vice- President, Treasurer, Secretary, Historian all serve a term of two-years. The two at-large members shall each serve a term of three years, with their terms so divided that a balance of new and experienced members is maintained.

Members of the OALA Board will nominate potential new board members. Additional nominations may be made by current OALA members by correspondence including email at the time of the report to the Board.

Eligibility: Any active member of OALA is eligible to hold the position of officer of OALA when elected or appointed in the manner prescribed in these operating procedures.

Elections: The election of officers of GALA shall be by written ballots or consensus of the Board.

Responsibilities: The president will serve as a voting member of the COSA Board of Directors. The OALA Board designee will serve on the COSA Conference planning Committee. The OALA Vice President will serve on the COSA Legislative Committee.

Assumption of Office: Those newly elected shall assume office on July 1 of each year and shall serve until successors are chosen. The Vice-President of the past year shall serve as President the following year.

Vacancies: The OALA Board is empowered to fill any vacancies that may occur except as provided above.

Definition of relationship pending formal association with COSA.

Group agreements and consensus shall be the parliamentary authority of OALA subject to the By-Laws and special rules, which have been, or may be adopted.

Proposals for amending these By-Laws must be submitted in writing to the OALA Board. Such proposals shall be sponsored by at least three active members. Proposals that are in order shall become effective when ratified by two-thirds of the members of the OALA.

OALA -- Code of Ethics

• We agree to be respectful of one another even when we disagree on a position, issue, or topic.
• We agree to follow the protocols stated in the OALA By-Laws for developing official position statements.
• We agree to read all materials or information provided in order to be well-informed members.
• We agree to represent the organization in a professional and ethical manner.
• We agree to employ inclusive decision-making models.
• We agree to remain focused on our mission and goals.
• We agree to provide opportunities for leadership experience and professional growth to all of our members.
• We agree to distribute an agenda and minutes for all meetings.
• We agree to remain solution-oriented.