Sec. 1. This organization shall be known as the Ohio Classical Conference. Its purpose shall be the support and the promotion of classical studies and the study of Latin and Ancient Greek in the state of Ohio at all educational levels, as well as the common professional interests of its members. To accomplish its purpose, the Ohio Classical Conference shall hold an annual meeting, publish an online newsletter titled Lectiones, maintain a current list of teachers and programs related to classical studies and languages at all educational levels within Ohio, and sponsor scholarships and sponsor or publicize related activities.
Sec. 2. Since the Ohio Classical Conference has been organized and is operated exclusively foreducational purposes, no part of its net earnings shall ever inure to the benefit of any member or officer. In the event of its termination or dissolution, any assets remaining after the payment of any and all debts shall be assigned to the American Classical League as part of that association’s assets for educational purposes.
Article II. Affiliation
Sec. 1. The Ohio Classical Conference, as the statewide representative of Ohio teachers of classical languages, is affiliated with the Ohio Foreign Language Association (OFLA) according to the terms of the OFLA constitution.
Article III. Membership
Sec. 1. Any person interested in Classical studies shall be a member of the Ohio Classical Conference upon payment of the annual dues. Members shall pay annual dues prior to the annual meetings, except for life members. All dues will be announced on the website each year.
Article IV. Government
Sec. 1. Officers. The elected officers shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
Sec. 2. Executive Council. The Council of the Ohio Classical Conference shall consist of the elected Executive Officers and members appointed by the President in consultation with the other Executive Officers. The Web Master shall be appointed by the president, renewable annually. The Site Coordinator for each annual meeting shall be appointed by the president. Ad hoc members of the executive council shall be appointed by the president.
Article V. Executive Officers
Sec. 1. President. The President shall be the chief executive of the OCC and shall exercise the responsibilities usually associated with this office. The President shall be responsible for organizing and preparing the program for the annual meeting with input from the Executive Council.
Sec. 2. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall act for the President in the latter’s absence. The Vice-President shall be responsible for outreach and membership development and for that part ofthe annual meeting or other duties delegated by the President.
Sec. 3. Secretary. The secretary shall record and archive the minutes of the executive council of the OCC and of OCC business meetings, shall oversee all communications within the OCC in coordination with the web-master, and serve in such capacities as the executive officers shall decide.
Sec. 4 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for receiving and recording membership dues and for the supervision of the finances of the OCC and annual conference. The Treasurer shall be chair of the finance committee.
Sec. 5 Web Master. The Web Master shall be appointed by the president. S/he will curate the website of the OCC, its primary outreach tool. In consultation with the Executive Council, the Webmaster will be responsible for sending out announcements of OCC events.
Article VI. The Executive Council
This Council shall consider matters to be brought before the OCC at its annual business meeting and conduct the business of the OCC.
Article VII. Meetings
The Executive Council will meet monthly, either virtually or in person, at a time mutually agreed upon. There shall be an annual meeting of the OCC to promote the professional interests of the membership. It shall normally take place in the fall of the year at such time and place selected and approved by the Executive Council. In conjunction with this annual meeting, there shall be abusiness meeting open to the general membership.
Article VIII. Elections and Terms of Office
Sec. 1. Executive Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of OCC members by electronic means one month before the annual meeting.
Sec. 2. A slate of nominees shall be presented to the general membership through email at least two weeks before the start of voting. Members may nominate themselves or others for an Office, in the latter case the nominee should be contacted and give consent to serve if elected.
Sec. 3. Three members are to be appointed to the Executive Council each year by the President in consultation with the other Executive Officers, for terms of up to three years and renewable. In addition, the President shall fill any vacancy on the Council by appointing a replacement for the balance of any unexpired term.
Article IX. Committees
Sec. 1. OFLA. The Ohio Classical Conference shall be represented at the OFLA Executive Board meetings by an OCC member appointed by the OCC President; the OCC representative shall report to the OCC Executive Council on the activities of OFLA.
Sec. 2. Awards. An Awards Committee, consisting of the treasurer and two other members, one of whom shall serve as chair, shall be appointed by the President and shall report to the Executive Council. The Awards Committee shall establish criteria for scholarships and other awards, shall prepare the application forms to be distributed, shall direct the Web Master to distribute those forms,and shall select the recipients. Moreover, this same committee shall oversee the awarding of the Hildesheim Vase and make recommendations for additional awards.
Sec. 3. Nominations. The President, immediately upon assuming office, shall appoint a chairperson and two other members who shall be charged with preparing a slate of nominees for election at the subsequent annual meeting.
Sec. 4 Membership Committee. The membership committee, under the vice-president, will discuss and implement membership initiatives and plans to solicit and maintain membership in the OCC. The vice-president will select committee members.
Sec. 5. Other committees may be appointed by the President as the need arises.
Sec. 6. All Committee members shall serve for three years, with the possibility of reappointment. All Committee members serve at the pleasure of the President.
Article X. Amendments
This document may be amended by the OCC. Discussions of amendments may take place at any regular business meeting of the OCC. Subsequently, the amendment must be advertised on the OCC website for a month in order to give all OCC members an opportunity to vote on the proposed amendment. Amendments shall pass by a majority of all voting members. Such amendments shall go into effect immediately.
Article XI. Adoption of Constitution.
This constitution shall become effective immediately upon ratification by members voting for its adoption at a formal business meeting of the Conference. Its adoption shall nullify any previous constitution of the Conference.and rewrite it to reflect the realities of the present moment in our organization. We finished our draft in July of this year. Now we plan to put the revised constitution up for a vote at the annual meeting of the Ohio Classical Conference on Saturday 14 October 2023 on the campus of Columbus Academy in Gahanna, Ohio. We have scheduled a webinar on Tuesday 22 August 2023 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom and invite all members to attend, hear about the revisions, ask questions and make comments before the vote in October.
