9 Miss. Code R. § 8-6-6.1
The name of the organization shall be the Mississippi eLearning Association (MELA).
The Mississippi eLearning Association was formed to ensure the Mississippi Virtual Community College (MSVCC) continues to provide an effective, efficient, quality, educational experience for all MSVCC students.
Membership in this organization shall be granted to the Chief eLearning Officer (CELO) appointed by the college president for each college participating in the MSVCC consortium and individuals at participating MSVCC colleges working in eLearning.
Resource advisors from outside the group (IT, Faculty, and/or Staff) may serve on various subcommittees to support the Association's needs.
Individuals working for the Mississippi Community College Board and/or Mississippi Association for Community Colleges designated as eLearning support staff serve as resource advisors to the Association.
There shall be three officers of the Association consisting of a President, President- Elect, and Secretary who serve one-year terms in each office in succession.
Members are appointed to serve as officers utilizing the randomly generated Officer Schedule (Appendix N) which ensures all colleges serve within the Association in a fair and equitable manner. Every college must serve, however; if a college has a limited number of office personnel and/or a new director/eLearning coordinator, the college will be allowed to request delaying their rotation for a year and then will serve as secretary the following year. Officers that do not serve as a director of eLearning at their college will need the approval from their supervisor to serve.
Each officer shall serve for a one year-term commencing on August 1st. At the conclusion of their term on July 31st, the Secretary will succeed to the office of President-Elect, and the President-Elect will succeed to the office of President.
The express duties of the President shall be as follows:
* To serve as Chair during MELA Meetings.
* To serve as an acting member of the Administrative Committee.
* Represent MELA at MACC and AOA meetings as needed.
* Submit the MSVCC Calendar to the Academic Officers Association.
The express duties of the President-Elect shall be as follows:
Chief eLearning Officer (CELO) of their local college or as approved by the CELO.
* To attend all meetings of the Association.
* To plan and organize the MELA Retreat.
* To discharge the duties of the President in the absence of the President.
* To serve as an acting member of the Administrative Committee.
* Establish and operate technologies during MELA Meetings (virtual and physical).
* To stand in for Chair in the event of his or her absence.
The express duties of the Secretary shall be as follows:
* To attend all meetings of the Association.
* To serve as an acting member of the Administrative Committee.
* To record the minutes of all meetings of the Association including the annual Retreat.
* To distribute the minutes to all members of the Association within one week of the meeting.
Regular meetings shall be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. However, if at any meeting it is determined by a majority of the Association that the next regular meeting is unnecessary, such meeting shall not be held.
Association members may add items to the agenda by 12:00 p.m. on the Monday before the meeting. The order of business at the regular meetings, and other meetings as applicable, is as follows:
* Call to Order
* Approval of Minutes for the proceeding meeting
* Approval of Agenda for Current Meeting
* Unfinished Business
* New Business
* Action Items
* Open Forum
* Adjournment
A Retreat, hosted by the appointed President-Elect, will take place annually at the date, time, and location determined by the President-Elect.
Strategic Planning for the MSVCC shall be conducted bi-annually.
Special meetings may be called by the President or by a two-thirds majority of the Association.
Notice of each meeting shall be given by the President to the Association, by email, not less than seven days before the meeting.
The Association may only take official action and conduct official business when two-thirds majority of the membership is present.
Any member may request the Association discuss or take formal action on a particular subject. Once the motion has been made, the motion must be seconded by a member. One representative per college may cast a vote. No college may vote by proxy or absentee ballot.
Committees are utilized to develop and implement the Strategic Plan, which guides the MSVCC in achieving its vision for the current cycle (typically four years). The purpose of the strategic planning cycle is to provide quality, accessible, and flexible instructional offerings through the utilization of instructional technologies while ensuring integrity, supporting students, and providing resources for faculty success.
The Association shall maintain the following standing committees: Administration Committee, Quality Committee, and Support Committee. Each committee's members are tasked with a subset of topics related to the goals and operation of the MSVCC.
MELA Committee | Primary Topics | Members |
Administration | Policies & Procedures Strategic Plan Calendar (Creation and Submission to AO group) Budget & Grants Officer Elections Committee Oversight | President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Immediate Past President. Ex-Officio Member: MCCB Assistant Executive Director for eLearning & Instructional Technology |
Quality | Pedagogy Instructional Design Accessibility Integrity Evaluation Standards Diversity Alignment Engagement and Interaction | Association Members with Experience in the Primary Topics of the Committee Ex-Officio Member: MCCB |
Support | Proctoring MSVCC Academy Training Instructional Technology Resources for Faculty and Students Enrollment Tool LTIs and Vendors/Partnerships | Association Members with Experience in the Primary Topics of the Committee Ex-Officio Member: MCCB |
Each standing committee shall consist of a Chair, Secretary, and Association Members. Each member is expected to be an active participant within the committee.
* Schedule meetings
* Prepare agendas
* Preside over meetings
* Prepare and deliver committee reports
Each chair shall serve for a two-year term.
* Consider and make recommendations to the Association.
* Develop goals and objectives in alignment with the goals of the MSVCC.
* Define metrics, set timelines, and track progress of goals and objectives.
The chair shall call meetings of the standing committee as the business of the Association requires. However, Committees are required, at a minimum, to meet bi-annually (once in the fall semester and spring semester). Notice of the meeting shall be given by the Chair, by email, not less than seven days before the meeting.
The chairs of committees are responsible for keeping the Association informed of committee activities by way of reports. It is expected that reports shall be given:
* During monthly meetings as scheduled; and
* During the Annual Retreat, emphasizing the current and future goals and objectives related to strategic planning.
A two-thirds majority of the Association may amend these By-Laws when necessary. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Secretary to be sent out with regular Association announcements.
A two-thirds majority of the Association may recommend that the Association be dissolved.
These Bylaws were adopted at the Association meeting on this day (INSERT DATE)
9 Miss. Code. R. § 8-6-6.1