BYLAWS
OF THE
DALLAS COLLEGE FACULTY ASSOCIATION
(Herein called DCFA)
Proposed Revisions 10/16/2026
ARTICLE I – PURPOSES AND AFFILIATION
The purposes of the DCFA shall include, but are not limited to, improving its members’ professional abilities and to maximize faculty earning potential and working conditions, sponsoring seminars and courses for its members, participating in teacher conventions, and process grievances, ensuring academic freedom, and keeping its members informed of its activities through regular meetings and newsletters. DCFA serves as a professional organization that supports Dallas College faculty, promotes communication and collaboration, provides a forum for faculty perspectives and professional interests, and advances the success of the students and communities served by Dallas College. As such, the DCFA may affiliate with other organizations by a majority vote of the members of the DCFA.
ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Active members shall be full-time professional employees of the Dallas College on faculty schedule contracts who have paid dues to the DCFA. Current full-time Dallas College faculty (regardless of contractual status as “permanent” or “temporary,”) are to join DCFA as Active Members. Annual dues for Active Members shall be $100.
Part-time faculty of Dallas College or persons not holding a non-faculty schedule contract with Dallas College are eligible to join DCFA as Associate Members. Annual dues shall be $35.
Any person who has been an active member in DCFA may, upon request, continue their affiliation as a reserve member during any period of time in which their employment status does not qualify them for active membership. A reserve member shall have the privilege of requesting automatic transfer to active membership at the time he resumes active status. Annual dues for reserve members shall be $25.
Faculty hired for the Spring semester shall be eligible to join DCFA for $75 for their first academic year.
Members shall pay annual dues to their designated local DCFA chapter. Members assigned to multiple campuses may select the campus chapter with which they wish to affiliate.
All dues must be paid by the first week of November, unless extended by the vote of the Convention, or within thirty days after the beginning of the fall or spring semester for new employees.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES
Section 1.
Active members shall be entitled to the following privileges
- Be eligible to run for and hold DCFA office unless the member, as part of their assigned duties for the district, is participating in the evaluation of other full-time faculty, including performing classroom evaluations, filling out and/or signing evaluation documents, or commenting on or recommending faculty to Deans, VPI’s, or Presidents for continuation of or changes in employment status.
- Be able to vote in DCFA matters.
- Be able to vote for officers in the local chapters.
Section 2.
Associate members shall be entitled to all privileges as active members except holding office, assistance from the Legal Assistance Fund, and voting.
Section 3.
A vested (10 years employment with the Dallas College) faculty member who retires from Dallas College, and who has for the 10 years immediately preceding such retirement been an active member of the DCFA, shall be automatically named Member Emeritus. Members Emeritus shall be entitled to all privileges of active membership except the holding of office and voting on usual faculty matters (they may, however, vote on matters concerning retired faculty). Said MEMBERS EMERITUS shall be deemed lifetime members and be assessed no dues or other fees for membership.
ARTICLES IV – LEGAL ASSISTANCE FUND
Section 1.
A permanent legal assistance fund shall be established and maintained by the DCFA.
- The fund will be supported by a percentage of yearly membership dues. The percentage will be established by the Council and approved by the general convention.
- This fund shall be maintained by the treasurer of the DCFA in an account separate from the DCFA treasury funds.
Section 2.
The legal assistance fund will be used to provide legal assistance and other necessary help for DCFA members involved in contractual and/or academic freedom disputes within Dallas College. The Council will supervise the expenditure of these funds and the selection of an attorney. Legal assistance funds are available to:
- Faculty who have been active members of the DCFA for two consecutive years immediately prior to the year in which they request assistance; and
- Faculty who have become active members in the first year that they are eligible to become active members.
- Faculty who lapsed in membership or failed to join the Dallas College Faculty Association due to a pandemic or catastrophic event, shall be exempt from limitations on eligibility for legal assistance outlined in Article IV, Section 2 of the Bylaws.
ARTICLE V – FINANCE
Section 1.
The DCFA shall defray all necessary expenses of operating and maintaining an office.
Section 2.
The Council may hire a bursar to keep financial records for the DCFA and to disperse funds at the direction of the Council in accordance with the approved DCFA budget. The bursar may not be a member of the Council.
Section 3.
The Council shall publish the proposed DCFA budget on the DCFA website at least 30 days in advance of the annual convention, and publish through the Advance blog, a notification that the proposed budget has been published.
Section 4.
DCFA chapter funds shall be kept under the master DCFA account to facilitate accounting and annual filing to support tax-exempt status, to maintain 501(c)(5) nonprofit status of the DCFA. Chapter funds may only be expended upon approval of the chapter, according to the provisions of the chapter constitution and bylaws, and with the signature of the chapter officers as stipulated by the chapter bylaws.
Article VI - OFFICERS
Section 1.
The term of office for all officers and members shall begin June 1. The slate of officers will be known by the last day of the Spring semester.
Section 2.
The president shall be the official representative of the DCFA in its contact with the government, civic, professional, business, and other organizations, institutes, and groups for the purpose of advancing the objectives of the DCFA. The president shall have the power to appoint an official representative from the Council if unable to be the official representative.
- The president shall:
(1.) preside over all Council meetings and general conventions.
(2.) serve as ex-officio member of all committees.
(3.) call special meetings of the Council and, with the approval of two or more Council members, call for a general convention.
(4.) appoint a parliamentarian subject to the approval of the Council
(5.) attend monthly meetings of the Dallas College Board of Trustees and report significant outcomes to the Faculty Council.
(6.) perform all other appropriate duties as may be assigned by the Council and/or the general convention.
- The vice-president shall:
(1.) preside in the absence of the president.
(2.) serve as chairman of standing and special committees as directed by the council and/or general convention.
(3.) perform the duties of the president when the president is absentia
(4.) assume such responsibilities as may be assigned by the president, the Council, and/or the general convention.
- The recording secretary shall:
(1.) keep an accurate record of the regular and special meetings of the general convention and Council and convey such records to the DCFA office for publishing,
(2.) serve as chairperson of standing and special committees as directed by the Council and/or general convention
(3.) assume such responsibilities as may be assigned by the president, the Council, and/or the general convention.
- The treasurer shall:
(1.) maintain an account for all DCFA funds.
(2.) give a monthly account of DCFA funds to the Council.
(3.) give an annual account of the DCFA funds to the general convention.
(4.) be responsible for the disbursement of all funds.
(5.) disburse money above what is allocated in the budget only after approval by the Council or
general convention.
(6.) be responsible for the preparation of a budget for consideration by the Council.
(7.) serve as chairperson of standing and special committees.
(8.) assume such responsibilities as may be assigned by the president, the Council, and/or the general convention.
(9.) submit records for an annual audit or review, with procedures for such an audit or review being authorized by the DCFA Council.
(10.) supervise the bursar for the DCFA.
(11.) working in conjunction with the bursar, inform their successor of membership, tax, and filing responsibilities and such matters, to facilitate an orderly transition of the financial affairs of the association.
- The standing committee chairperson shall:
(1.) serve as chairperson of a standing committee as assigned by the Council or general convention.
(2.) assume such responsibilities as may be assigned by the president, the Council, and/or the general convention.
ARTICLE VII – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Executive Director shall assume such responsibilities as may be assigned by the Council and/or general convention.
ARTICLE VIII – THE COUNCIL
Section 1.
The Council shall by majority vote:
- serve as the coordinating body of the DCFA and shall act in areas not specifically designated to some other authority.
- be responsible to the members whom they represent.
- act in accordance with the constitution and bylaws of the DCFA.
- act on recommendations and resolutions of standing and/or special committees.
- consider and act on the budget as submitted by the treasurer.
- order payments of monies
- approve the employment of the Executive Director.
Section 2.
The Council will meet once each month for regular business meetings. The local chapters will meet two times each semester.
Section 3.
Special meetings of the Council, beyond regular monthly business meetings, may be called by any two members of the Council. Notice of all special meetings shall be sent to all Council members at (3) days prior to the meeting outlining the business to be transacted.
Section 4.
Emergency meetings of the Council may be called by a majority of the members of the Council. Notice of emergency meetings shall be sent to all Council members prior to the meeting. All emergency meetings do not require three days advance notice.
Section 5.
A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum for any regular, special, or emergency meeting.
Section 6.
The Council will conduct a biennial survey of the Dallas College faculty in the spring semester, beginning in 2008. The survey will assess faculty morale, attitudes and relations with campus and district administration. The results of the survey will be reported to the membership no later than the end of the spring term in which the survey is conducted.
Section 7
Non-members may attend meetings upon invitation by the DCFA Council. Non-members shall not have discussion or voting privileges.
Section 8
Special meetings of the DCFA Council may be called by the DCFA Council President or by a majority of the DCFA Council and must be announced to the membership.
ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES
Section 1.
There shall be the following standing committees;
Instructional Goals;
Welfare and Academic Freedom;
Communication;
Political Information;
Membership;
Convention;
Budget and Finance;
and Professional Development
Section 2.
Standing committees shall be composed of an ex officio non-voting chairperson chosen by the Council, and one member elected by each DCFA chapter.
Section 3.
All Chairperson of standing committees shall be elected or selected by the Council. The committee members shall be elected or selected by their local chapters.
Section 4.
Standing committee chairperson will be chosen from the members of the Council and all committee members must be active members of the DCFA.
Section 5.
All standing and special committees will report to the Council. Committees will have the power to investigate and to recommend action to the Council.
Section 6.
Duties of standing and special committees. All committees will be empowered by the Council to investigate problems and proposals in the area of their jurisdiction and to make recommendations for appropriate action to the Council. Committees will undertake specific action only at the direction of the Council.
Section 7.
The jurisdiction of the standing committees shall be:
- Instructional Goals committee:
(1.) Curriculum and Curriculum revision
(2.) Faculty-student ratio
(3.) Faculty evaluation process
(4.) Instructional support services
(5.) Open hearing procedures
(6.) Procedures for appeal of unfair evaluation
(7.) Others as assigned by the Council
- Welfare and Academic Freedom committee:
(1.) Salary and benefits
(2.) Faculty schedule and workload
(3.) Faculty contract
(4.) Freedom of choice in instructional mode
(5.) Definition of academic freedom
(6.) Current legal status of academic freedom(7.) Others as assigned by the Council
- Communication committee:
(1.) Publish the DCFA Newsletter
(2.) Press relations
(3.) Procedures for public announcements
(4.) Faculty communication
(5.) Others as assigned by the Council
- Political Information
(1.) Establish a political database of all DCFA members to include precinct numbers, state representative and senatorial districts, and U.S. congressional districts
(2.) Establish a similar database of all faculty retirees
(3.) Generate interest in local elections affecting the Dallas College
(4.) Disseminate relevant political information regarding candidates and issues affecting and Dallas College
(5.) Serve as a political liaison to other professional organizations
(6.) Others as assigned by the Council
- Membership
(1.) Conduct the annual membership campaign
(2.) Recruit new members
(3.) Maintain current and historical memberships databases
(4.) Others as assigned by the Council
- Convention Planning
(1.) Plan all details of annual convention
(2.) Plan all details of post-convention reception
(3.) Others as assigned by the Council
- Budget and Finance
(1.) Plan the annual DCFA budget
(2.) Conduct an annual financial review of all expenses from the previous three fiscal years.
(3.) Others as assigned by the Council
h. a. Professional Development
(1.) Create and develop professional development opportunities
(2.) Identify and publish professional development opportunities
(3.) Others as assigned by the Council
ARTICLE X – HEADQUARTERS
The DCFA shall maintain a legal address at such a location as determined by the council.
ARTICLE XI – OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
Section 1.
The official publication of the DCFA shall be named by the Council.
Section 2.
The purpose of the DCFA publication shall be to:
- promote the objectives of the DCFA
- inform the membership of the progress of the work of the Council and committees.
- publish such information as pertains to the activities of the DCFA in achieving its objectives and such news as is of interest to the membership of the DCFA as a whole
Section 3.
The DCFA publication shall be published under the guidance of the Communications Committee Chairperson and with the assistance of the Communication Committee.
Section 4.
The DCFA publication shall be operated within the budget unless otherwise directed by the Council.
ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENT
These Bylaws shall be amended by the majority vote of the members present at a general convention. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws may be offered by the Council or any standing committee at least one month before a general convention, and must be published for all members to review at least two weeks before a general convention.
ARTICLE XIII – GENERAL CONVENTION
Section 1.
A general convention must be held no later than November 15, of each year. The Council shall establish the date of the general convention, and the standing committee meeting dates, no later than Sept. 1 of each year.
Section 2.
A special convention may be held at any time when called by the Council or petitioned by the membership, with ten (10) days notice sent to all members.
Section 3.
A member who expects to be absent from a general or special convention may authorize someone else to act in their place at the meeting through a proxy executed in writing and supplied to the secretary no less than one hour prior to the opening of a general or special convention. No individual may act on behalf of more than five (5) members at a time, counting the individual holding the proxies. If the member decides to attend the meeting, their proxy becomes void upon casting of the first vote for which the member is present.
ARTICLE XIV – VIRTUAL CONVENTIONS, ONLINE VOTING, AND PROXY REPRESENTATION
Section 1.
The definition of “members present” includes anyone attending any face-to-face, hybrid, or 100% online convention. The Council, Parliamentarian, or any other acting authority may not preclude members from attending, participating, and voting via electronic technology during any general or special convention based on references to “members present” in the Constitution (Article XVI, Section 3) and Bylaws (Article XII).
Section 2.
The Council shall provide online/electronic means for members to attend, participate, and vote at any general or special convention.
Section 3.
In accordance with Article XVI, Section 5 of the Constitution, which provides for absentee voting at a convention, any voting member may select another voting member by signed proxy to participate and vote on their behalf. The signed proxy shall be sent to the secretary of the association no less than one hour prior to the opening of a general or special convention.
Bylaws of Dallas Community College Faculty Association as amended:
9/30/77, 10/30/78, 3/23/79, 11/89/79,
4/25/80, 11/5/82, 11/85, 11/14/86, 11/4/21, 11/10/89,
11/15/91, 11/7/97, 11/12/98,
11/3/2000, 11/2/2001, 11/8/02, 11/2005, 11/9/07,
11/11/16, 11/10/17, 11/8/2019, 8/20/2021, 11/12/2021, 11/12/2022
Updated: 10/16
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