By-Laws Amendments have been received for the October 2025 Elections/ Annual Membership Meeting.
Note:  Any election changes (such as number of members, terms, etc.) would take effect for the 2025 Membership Meeting / Election.

 

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#72: Title: Clarify Membership Age

Purpose: As TES expands virtually beyond the NYC area, our By-Laws should make sure they
do not violate local laws with regards to age of majority. For example, in Alabama & Nebraska,
the age of majority is 19 and in Mississippi & Puerto Rico the age of majority is 21.

Original Wording:

1. Qualifications: Any person who has attained the age of Eighteen (18) …
2. Application: … certifying that the applicant is over Eighteen (18) years of age …

Amended wording:

1 Qualifications: Any person who has attained the age of Eighteen (18) or age of majority of their local
residence …
2. Application: … certifying that the applicant is over Eighteen (18) years of age or age of majority of their
local residence

 

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#73: Title: Clarify and Modify Arbitration and Grievance Procedures

Purpose: Revise the grievance procedures and clarify the roles of Arbiter.  Add section on Arbitration Committee.

Amended Wording:
Article 3, Section 6:  Procedures for Suspension, Revocation, or Denial of Membership:  Said suspension, revocation of membership, or denial of application for membership shall only take place after a vote of the Board.  This vote must be by two-thirds (2/3) of an absolute majority of the Board.  The sanctioned party shall receive proper notice from the Secretary and have the right to appeal to the ad hoc Arbitration Committee within nine (9) months of receipt of said notice.

Article 8 Title: Change “Grievance Committee” to “Arbiter”

Article 8, Section 1:  An Arbiter will be elected biennially by the general membership at large.  The Arbiter’s term shall be extended until the conclusion of an ongoing grievance action.  The Arbiter shall limit their volunteer commitment to the organization to minimize the potential for conflicts of interest.  At the beginning of each new Arbiter’s term, prior to assuming any other duties, the Arbiter shall appoint a second, who shall act in the Arbiter’s stead in the event that the Arbiter needs to recuse themself from a particular grievance, or if they should otherwise become unavailable, whether temporarily or for the remainder of their term.  Such a second shall be confirmed by a majority of the Board of Directors.

New Section:  Grievances and Arbitration Committee

1. Grievances:  Any member, previous member whose membership has been expired for nine (9) months or less, or individual who has had their membership suspended, revoked, or denied within nine (9) months of notification of such action, shall be entitled to place a grievance on the agenda for discussion, provided it is given to any Board member in writing at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to an open Board meeting.  The grievance will be addressed that evening when possible or tabled for further action by a majority vote of the Board members present.  If the individual does not receive satisfaction, and their grievance is eligible for Arbitration, they may submit the matter to the Arbitration Committee, as defined below.
2. Arbitration Committee:  The ad hoc committee will consist of one member selected by the Board, one member selected by the allegedly offending party, and the elected Arbiter (or Arbiter’s Second if applicable).
3. Arbitration Eligibility:  Only the following types of motions passed by the Board may be reviewed by the Arbitration Committee.  The Arbiter will make the determination if said grievance applies and standing is proper:
4. Motions regarding Suspension, Revocation, or Denial of Membership within nine (9) months of receipt of action and proper notice.
5. Motions that violate Federal, State, or local laws.
6. Motions that violate or are in conflict with TES’ Creed and/or By-laws.
7. Motions that unfairly target individuals for sanction.
8. Motions that violate ethical community standards.
9.    Motions that violate proper procedures defined in TES’ By-Laws.
10. The Arbiter shall determine the timetable for the Arbitration proceedings and shall render the final decision(s) of the Arbitration Committee, which shall be binding on all parties.  All decision(s) should be fair and unbiased, align in accordance with past precedent, and uphold the highest ethical community standards.

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74: Title: Reduce Voting Board Size to 7 Members (from 9)

Purpose: Reduce the size of the Board to make administration less clunky, while still maintaining
a large enough Board to reflect some of the diversity in our community.

ARTICLE VI – DIRECTORS:
Original Wording: Management of TES Association: A Board of Directors, which shall consist of the
Parliamentarian and 9 voting members …

Amended Wording: Management of TES Association: A Board of Directors, which shall consist of the
Parliamentarian and 7 voting members …

Note: Normal quorum for board meetings remains at 5.

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75: Title: Elect All Board Members to a 2-Year Term (Eliminate 1-Year Terms)

Purpose: Eliminate one year terms for simplicity and clarity.

ARTICLE VI – DIRECTORS:
Original Wording:
Election and Terms: At the annual meeting the members shall elect Directors to any open
seats. An open seat is any seat on the Board of Directors in which the previous Director’s term
has expired, or which was filled by appointment since the last election. The four candidates
receiving the highest vote totals in this election shall be elected to hold office for the subsequent
two years. Open seats beyond these four shall be filled for the subsequent year by the candidate
receiving the next highest vote total, and so on until either all seats are filled or the pool of eligible
candidates is exhausted. …

Amended Wording:
Election and Terms: At the annual meeting the members shall elect Directors to any open
seats. An open seat is any seat on the Board of Directors in which the previous Director’s term
has expired, or which was filled by appointment since the last election. The candidates receiving
the highest vote totals in this election shall be elected to hold office for the subsequent two years,
until either all seats are filled or the pool of eligible candidates is exhausted. …