The name of the Association shall be the Illinois Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages and Bilingual Education (Illinois TESOL-BE or ITBE). The Association is an affiliate of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL).
A. Illinois TESOL-BE is a professional, non-profit organization for the strengthening, at all levels, of instruction and
research in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages and in bilingual education through the promotion of
scholarship, the dissemination of information, and advocacy, in cooperation with other groups and organizations
having similar concerns.
B. Illinois TESOL-BE respects and celebrates the home languages and cultures of its members and of all English
language learners and bilingual speakers.
A. Membership in Illinois TESOL-BE shall be open to any individual who are involved with teaching English to speakers
of other languages, bilingual education, or other related fields.
B. In principle and in practice, Illinois TESOL-BE values and seeks diverse and inclusive participation within the field of
English language teaching. Illinois TESOL-BE promotes involvement and broad access to professional opportunities
for all and works to eliminate any kind of discrimination including, but not limited to, language background, race,
creed, color, ethnicity, gender and gender identity, health/medical condition, religion, age, sexual orientation,
nationality, disability, appearance, geographic location, or marital status.
C. A member shall be a member-in-good-standing upon application and payment of the dues of the organization, as
established by the Executive Board.
D. Members in good standing shall be entitled to participate in the activities of Illinois TESOL-BE, including votes of the
general membership, attendance at all meetings of the Association, and membership in a Special Interest Group
(Refer to Bylaws, Article I, for membership benefits).
E. All votes of the general membership shall be by a simple majority of those voting, unless otherwise stipulated in the
Constitution or Bylaws.
A. A general election shall be held annually. The Nominations Chair, the Past-President, shall request names of
nominees to the various offices from the general membership. A final slate of candidates shall be approved by the
Executive Board and submitted to the membership for a vote.
B. All elected Executive Board members shall assume office on July 1 and be introduced to the general membership at
the first fall meeting of the Association.
A. A vacancy in the Office of President shall be immediately filled by the Vice President, who shall serve for the
remainder of this term and for the duly-elected term. A presidential appointee shall then fulfill the duties of the Vice
President during the year of the vacancy.
B. A vacancy in the Office of Vice President shall be filled by a special general election. The election shall be conducted
within 45 days of the day of vacancy. The Executive Board shall submit the name(s) of nominee(s) for that election. If
the election is not completed by July 1, the outgoing president shall remain in office until the election is completed.
C. A vacancy in a member at large position shall be filled by presidential appointment with the approval of the Executive
Board. The appointee shall hold office until the following election. The Nominations Committee shall provide the names
of suitable candidates to fill the remaining one-/two-year vacancy. These names shall be presented as part of the
annual slate of candidates for office.
D. A vacancy in any appointed position (such as Convention Committee Chair) shall be filled by the Executive Board with
a two-thirds vote. The length of the appointment shall be decided by the Board, not to exceed the remainder of the
term being vacated. The membership grants the Executive Board the ability to fill a vacant board or vacated position
with another candidate that will be appointed to the vacant or vacated position without a call for a general vote to the
membership, but rather only with a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board. This candidate will be considered a full
member of the ITBE Executive Board as long as the candidate is a member and in good standing. The term of a
member voted onto the Board in this manner will not exceed the general appointed term of the vacated position.
E. A vacancy in the position of SIG Chair or Regional Chapter representative shall be filled by a special election of the
SIG or Regional Chapter membership no later than the conclusion of the next meeting of the SIG or Regional Chapter.
A. A request for resignation of a member of the Executive Board may be made upon a two-thirds vote of the members of
the Executive Board. The request for resignation shall be made in writing either electronically or otherwise by the
President and submitted to the board member following a discussion by the Executive Board about the removal.
Following this action, if the member chooses not to resign, then the member may be removed by a two-thirds vote of
the Executive Board at a subsequent meeting. The member shall be given the opportunity to defend his/her case prior
to this final vote. If the member cannot be contacted, or does not respond to the request for resignation before the next
scheduled board meeting, they waive their right to defend their case and may be immediately removed with a two-
thirds vote of the members of the Executive Board.
B. Any member of the Executive Board may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the membership as a whole.
A. The Association shall hold an Annual Business and Professional Meeting, called the Illinois TESOL-BE Annual
Convention, for the purposes of professional development and advancement. The time and place of the Annual
Convention shall be determined at least ten months in advance.
B. There shall be at least two professional development meetings (e.g. webinars, workshops, etc.) of the Association per
year, not including the Annual Convention, for the purpose of professional development.
The fiscal year of Illinois TESOL-BE shall be July 1 through June 30.
A. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board or by petition to
the Executive Board of any ten members in good standing of the Association.
B. Any proposed amendment must be presented with full rationale to the Association membership within ninety days of
its acceptance by the Executive Board.
C. Each Association member will be issued a ballot and allowed thirty days to vote.
D. An amendment shall be considered enacted if two-thirds of those voting approve. Counting and certification of any vote
shall be done by the Executive Secretary and the President, and shall be announced to the Executive Board and to
the Association membership .
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