(This page contains the first 4 of the 10 articles that form the OABE Bylaws and is meant to convey a sense of OABE's Mission.)

Article I Organizational Name

The name of the association shall be the Oregon Association for Bilingual Education hereinafter referred to as OABE.

Article II Organizational Form & Purpose

OABE is an all volunteer consensual membership association whose central purpose shall be to promote the philosophy and practice of bilingual and multicultural education in Oregon schools and other appropriate agencies and institutions.

Article III Organizational Structure

Section 1. The Association

The general body of OABE meets as an association on relevant issues, to share information, solve problems, and make recommendations on policies, strategies, priorities and direction of services to federal, state, and local agencies concerned with bilingual education. OABE provides a network of information, and will proactively identify issues, concerns, trends, ideas, and solutions to social, educational, civil, and health issues for culturally and linguistically diverse groups in Oregon.

Section 2. The Executive Council

The executive council, elected from OABE members, provides leadership and operational functions for the association. It will conduct general meetings of the membership, plan and oversee annual conferences, and interact with association members regarding policies, strategies, priorities, and direction of the organization. During interim periods between annual conferences, the Executive Council is responsible for the operational decisions of OABE.

Section 3. Executive Council Membership

The Executive Council of OABE shall consist of a President, a President Elect, an immediate Past President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Parliamentarian, a Member at Large, institutional representatives from Higher Education College/University, Educational Service Districts and School Districts from geographic areas which are aligned with across the state of Oregon. All officers must be active members of OABE and NABE.

Section 4. SubCommittees

Standing Sub Committees of OABE may be: Fund Raising, Political Action, Membership, Research, Publications, Scholarship, and the Program Committees. All Standing Sub OABE Bylaws

Committees shall consist of at least three members and will be chaired by a member of the Executive Council.

Ad Hoc Sub Committees may be established by the Executive Council.

Members of Standing and Ad Hoc Sub Committees shall be appointed by the Executive Council.

Appointment to any Standing Sub Committee shall be for one year.

Article IV Membership

Section 1. Membership

Membership in OABE shall be extended to all persons who are interested in bilingual and multicultural education, are supportive of its goals and objectives will abide by its constitution, bylaws, and policies and will remit payment for membership dues. Active membership will require the payment of annual dues and will allow the active member to be eligible for holding office and voting on OABE matters. Memberships are effective January 31 to January 30. Members who apply in the months of November, December or January will become active members effective January 31.

Section 2. Rights

A member of OABE shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of OABE, the right to vote, and to hold elected or appointive office. All of Article IV, Section 3a through 3d will enjoy full voting rights. Each institutional membership shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 3. Categories of Membership

Categories of Membership will be as follows:

a) Professional

c) Parent or Student

d) Paraprofessional/Classified

e) Institutional

g) Sponsor