Conference Guidelines
GUIDELINES for the SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN TEACHERS' CONFERENCE
PURPOSE
To encourage Christian education withing the conference;
To meet for mutual encouragement and fellowship;
To broaden our understanding of the Scriptures;
To improve our teaching methods.
OFFICERS
The officers shall consist of a president (male), vice-president (male), and secretary/treasurer (male or female).
TERMS
The president and secretary/treasurer are to be elected for two year terms in even numbered years.
The vice-president is to elected for a two year term in odd numbered years.
The term of office shall begin on the first day of June of the year elected.
Officers and committee members shall not be elected for more than two consecutive terms.
Schools shall come to a consensus for each elected position, and each school shall receive one vote. Ties shall be decided by lot.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
President
To conduct the meetings of the conference;
To lead the afternoon and closing devotions at the spring conference;
To appoint people to fill vacancies within the conference;
To make sure that the conference rules committee has organized the spring conference.
Vice President
To assume the duties of the president in his absence;
To serve as chairman of the conference rules committee;
To notify members of the conference date and agenda at least two weeks prior to the spring conference;
To formally thank the host congregation and presenters.
Secretary/Treasurer
To keep the minutes of the conference;
To collect conference fees each August from all member schools according to each school's previous year's enrollment;
To reimburse any presenters for materials or travel expenses as requested;
To reimburse the athletic and academic committees for the cost of awards.
COMMITTEES
The committees of the conference shall be the conference rules committee, the academic committee, and the athletic committee.
The conference rules committee shall consist of three members including the conference vice-president.
The academic and athletic committees shall consist of four members; three to be elected by the conference.
The chairman of each of these committees shall be a principal appointed by the conference president.
TERMS of COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The conference rules committee shall serve two-year terms and shall be elected on a staggered basis.
The academic and athletic committee members shall serve three-year terms and shall be elected on a staggered basis.
DUTIES of COMMITTEES
Conference Rules Committee shall
set up topics, speakers, and the agenda for the spring conference;
nominate teachers to fill offices and committee positions according to prioritized interest, ability, and eligibility on a rotating basis;
notify teachers of their nominations and the duties the would be expected to perform;
update the prioritized office list and oversee positions of new officers and committee members;
keep a record of former conference agendas.
select another presentation.
Academic Committee shall
organize the spring academic day(one day event) including:
preparing for the quiz bowl and another rotating activity (ex/ spelling bee, social studies fair, forensics competition, etc.)
reviewing and updating all information and procedures for each activity;
informing the conference principals regarding plans for the upcoming school year during the summer principals' meeting;
sending copies of rules to all conference schools;
sending entry forms to all conference schools;
selecting judges according to prioritized interest and ability survey responses;
making sure that all conference schools have proper guidelinesand information for participants to use in preparation for the competitions;
contacting the MLHS representative to coordinate building use;
getting awards and MLHS scholarships and overseeing their distribution;
reporting results from the past academic day to the conference during the spring meeting;
requesting input from the conference regarding potential academic competitions to consider for the future;
organize the fall spelling bee (every other year in even years) including:
sending copies of rules and procedures to all conference schools;
sending entry forms to all conference schools;
making sure that all conference schools have proper lists for participants to study;
selecting judges according to a rotating schedule;
contacting the MLHS representative to coordinate building use;
selecting pronouncers as needed;
getting awards and MLHS scholarships and overseeing their distribution;
activities approved by conference to organize academic competitions include:
foresics
spelling bee
science fair
social studies fair
art fair
quiz bowl
Athletic Committee shall
Organize with MLHS athletic director the boys' and girls' basketball tournaments including gathering information about participating teams.
Organize the spring track and field day including:
sending information to all the conference schools;
assigning teachers their duties for the meet;
acquiring the necessary equipment to operate the meet;
supervising the events at the meet;
getting awards and overseeing their distribution.