Official DCFA Constitution Revision Proposal Fall 2026

 

A Resolution to Ratify an Amended Constitution for the DCFA Offered by DCFA Council AY 2026-2027

 

Whereas the Dallas College Faculty Association (DCFA) represents Dallas College faculty;

 

Whereas Dallas College regards the Faculty Senate as the official representative structure for faculty to participate in the shared governance of the College;

 

Whereas the DCFA now has greater freedom and responsibility to act according to established standards and practices typical of 501(c)(5) labor organizations;

 

Whereas a 501(c)(5) labor organization’s core purpose is to advance the economic welfare, safety, and rights of its members;

 

Whereas the DCFA needs to update its Constitution to better align with the new official relationship with Dallas College;

 

Resolved, that the DFCA ratifies the following Amended Constitution as its official governing document during the general convention on November 6, 2026:

 

CONSTITUTION OF THE DALLAS COLLEGE FACULTY ASSOCIATION

Updated September 30, 2026

 

PREAMBLE

We, the Dallas College Faculty Association, in order to form a strong faculty organization to help address faculty needs of its membership now and in the future across all campuses and schools throughout Dallas College, do ordain and establish this Constitution. 

 

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of the organization shall be Dallas College Faculty Association (herein called DCFA).  

 

 

 

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES

The DCFA shall pursue, but it is not limited to, the following objectives:

a.   To promote professional development as well as economic and social welfare of the faculty;

b.  To establish open and effective lines of communication between faculty and pertinent parties;

c.   To provide legal assistance to members when appropriate.

 

ARTICLE III – AFFILIATION

 

The DCFA is an independent association and may affiliate with such other organizations as outlined in the Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE IV – LOCAL CAMPUS CHAPTERS

Section 1.  

Each legacy campus of Dallas College (Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake, and Richland) shall be eligible to maintain a local chapter of the DCFA. The local chapter’s membership will be composed of the dues-paying members of the DCFA who choose to affiliate with that chapter.

Members who teach at multiple campuses may join the chapter of their choice among the campuses where they are actively teaching.  

Section 2.

Each local campus chapter will elect its own campus council and shall consist of a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer and standing committee representatives, which shall be recorded in campus chapter constitutions and bylaws. 

Section 3.  

Nothing in the local campus chapters, including chapter constitution, bylaws or policies, may conflict with the DCFA Constitution and its Bylaws.

Section 4.

The duration of each campus chapter elected position is two years.      

 

Section 5.

Each campus chapter shall hold elections every 2 years during the spring semester, and the election of campus officers shall be completed no later than the last day of April. 

 

Section 6.  

Each elected, campus chapter president will serve as that chapter’s primary representative to the DCFA Council.

 

Section 7.

Any elected campus officer may be subject to recall election upon petition by (25%) of the membership from the officer’s home campus chapter. The elected campus officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote from the officer’s home campus chapter. 

 

ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 1.

The membership of this organization shall be no fewer than fifty (50) active members. 

 

Section 2.

The membership year shall be defined as the period of time from the convening of the annual DCFA convention in the fall semester extending to the convening of the annual DCFA convention the following fall semester. 

 

Section 3.

Active members shall be full-time professional employees of Dallas College on faculty schedule contracts who have paid dues to the DCFA. 

a. Bylaws shall stipulate provisions that pertain to an active faculty member who becomes an interim administrator. 

 

Section 4.

Persons who meet both of the following requirements shall be eligible for associate membership: 

a.       Part-time faculty of Dallas College 

b.      Not under contract as an administrator at Dallas College 

Associate members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges as active members except for holding office, assistance from the Legal Assistance Fund, and voting. 

 

Section 5.

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 they resume active status. A reserve member shall be entitled to receive such publications and service of the association as may be approved by the DCFA Council.

 

Section 6.

Dues will be established at an amount determined by the DCFA Council subject to the approval of a general convention. 

 

Section 7.

Any vested (10 years employment with 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. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI – FINANCE

 

Section 1. Legal Assistance Fund

The DCFA shall maintain a permanent legal assistance fund.

 

Section 2. Operating Expenses

The DCFA shall defray all necessary expenses for the operation of the association.

 

a.       The DCFA Council shall propose budget at each annual convention for consideration by the membership to meet the operation expenses of the DCFA. 

b.       The Bylaws stipulate provisions to maintain DCFA records.

 

Section 3. Charitable and Non-Operational Expenses

Contributions of any kind may be made only to such charitable or other organizations which qualify for tax exempt contribution under the United States Internal Revenue Code. Such contributions will be determined by majority vote of the DCFA Council.  

 

 

ARTICLE VII – DCFA GOVERNMENT

 

Section 1.  

The purpose of the DCFA shall be affected through its general conventions, DCFA Council, and authorized committees. The duties of each shall be as prescribed by the Constitution and Bylaws. 

 

Section 2.  

The general convention composed of the DCFA Council and the active members of the DCFA from each campus chapter shall serve as the legislative body of the organization.

 

ARTICLE VIII – DCFA FACULTY COUNCIL

 

Section 1.

The DCFA Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council or Faculty Council, shall serve as the executive body of the association attending to its business and administrating its policies prescribed by the general convention and by the Constitution and Bylaws between meetings of the general convention. 

 

Section 2.

The DCFA Council shall consist of each campus elected president or the local chapter’s selected representative. 

 

Section 3.

The officers of the DCFA shall be a president, a vice president, a recording secretary, and a treasurer.

 

 

Section 4.  

All Council members and officers shall be active members of the DCFA. 

 

 

Section 5.

The term of office for Faculty Council Officers shall begin June 1 and end May 31.  Incumbent officers shall remain in office until respective successors assume office.

 

Section 6.  

DCFA officer positions shall be elected by the members of the Council at their first regular scheduled meeting after their term of office begins. The officers shall be chosen from the members of the Council with no member holding more than one office. 

 

Section 7.  

In the event of the death or resignation of any Council officer, the Council, by majority vote, shall fill the vacancy from its membership within 30 days of vacancy.

 

Section 8.

The Bylaws shall provide descriptions of the DCFA Council officer’s duties and responsibilities.

 

Section 9.

The Bylaws shall provide for provisions regarding the impeachment and removal of DCFA officers.

 

Section 10.

No officer shall simultaneously serve in any other elected office of the DCFA or local chapter.

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX – COUNCIL MEETINGS

 

 

Section 1.

Admission to meetings shall be limited to DCFA members. Non-members may be admitted with the approval of the president or by majority vote of the Council.

 

Section 2.

A quorum for general meetings shall consist of a minimum of 5 members present. A majority vote in general meetings shall be binding.

Section 3.

Non-members may attend meetings upon invitation by the DCFA Council. Non-members shall not have discussion or voting privileges.

 

Section 4. 

Special meetings of the DCFA Council may be called by DCFA Council President or by a majority of DCFA Council and must be announced to the membership.

 

ARTICLE X – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

An executive director may be employed by the Council. 

 

ARTICLE XI – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall consist of the members of the Council.

 

 

ARTICLE XII – COMMITTEES

Section 1.

Standing and special committees shall be established by the general convention or Council of the DCFA. 

Section 2.

A council member will serve and preside, and if appropriate, delegate responsibilities over any authorized standing committee member.

 

 

ARTICLE XIII – OFFICIAL WEB SITE & PUBLICATION

The DCFA shall maintain a web site for the publishing of meeting minutes and other association records and shall publish a newsletter to keep members informed of association business and advocacy activities.

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the association.  

 

 

ARTICLE XV – AMENDMENT

Section 1.  

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the general convention as follows: 

A.                  Proposed amendments must be presented to the Council at least (30) days before the convention and must be published in the official publication at least (14) days before the convention.

B.                   Amendments will be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the membership who physically or remotely attend the convention. 

Section 2.  

The Bylaws shall be amended by a majority vote of those in attendance at any regular general convention.

A.                  Proposed amendments must be presented to the Council at least (30) days before the convention and must be published in the official publication at least (14) days before the convention.

B.                   Amendments will be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the membership who physically or remotely attend the convention. 

 

 

ARTICLE XVI – GENERAL CONVENTION

Section 1.  

A minimum of one general convention must be called annually by the Council. 

Section 2. 

A general convention may be held at the request of any three members of the Council or by a petition of ten (10) percent of the membership of the DCFA. Notice must be given to all members at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting. 

Section 3.

A Quorum shall consist of the members present physically or remotely.

Section 4.  

Action adopted by a majority vote shall be binding on the organization and its members. 

Section 5.  

Absentee voting may be provided for in the Bylaws.

 

 

ARTICLE XVII – ENABLING CLAUSE

Section 1.  

If ratified at the November 2026 convention, this constitution shall take effect March 1, 2027.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Constitution of the Dallas College Faculty Association

as amended

10/13/78, 3/23/79, 11/9/79, 11/4/88, 11/10/89,

11/15/91, 11/92, 11/7/97, 11/2/01, 11/13/2015, 8/20/2021,

9/30/2026

DCFA 2026 Convention on Friday, November 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM

The DCFA 2026 Annual Convention will be held on Friday, November 6, 2026 at 2:00 pm in person at the Dallas County Records Building. The Convention will be live-streamed for members to view remotely. Voting is in person or via virtual attendance.

An invitation to join us for the Annual Convention will be posted at least two (2) weeks prior to the event, but we encourage you to block out the afternoon on your calendar now to ensure you are able to attend and participate fully. Per the change to the Bylaws through the August 2021 convention, voting is allowed by proxy (with strict rules for designating a proxy) and the details for how voting will be conducted will be shared in the invitation along with the agenda.

Per the DCFA Constitution and Bylaws, if you have a proposal to amend the Constitution or Bylaws that you would like considered at the 2026 Annual Convention, it must be received by the DCFA Council Secretary and President at least one (1) month prior to the scheduled convention. This year proposals to amend the Constitution or Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Secretary, Jennifer Holland; the Convention Planning Chair, Jennifer Holland; and the Council President, Patrice Johnson, by Friday, October 16, 2026. It is strongly recommended that any resolutions to be considered also be submitted by this date. For simplicity, you are welcome to email your proposed motions to amend or resolutions to dcfacouncil@gmail.com (which sends a copy to all DCFA Council members).

Following submission, the DCFA Council will review the submissions with the parliamentarian and contact the authors if any changes are suggested before posting all proposed motions to amend by the required deadline of Friday, October 23, 2026 (two weeks prior to the Convention).

48th Annual DCFA Convention Agenda

48th Annual DCFA Convention

Friday, November 14, 2025, 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm

Agenda

Call to order: ~ 2:00 – 2:10 pm- Jennifer Siemantel

Welcome: ~ 2:10 – 2:15 pm

Motion for adoption of the agenda: ~ 2:15 – 2:25 pm

As chair of the convention, I propose that we accept the agenda for this meeting, including the rules for debate and voting, developed in consultation with the parliamentarian, Nathaniel Means.

Rules of Debate

For agenda items requiring consideration for a vote, debate will be limited to 2 minutes per person per agenda item.

Debate for any one agenda item shall not exceed 10 minutes, after which the president shall close the discussion on that item.

Resolutions from the Floor on items not specified on the agenda will be entertained – in writing– following the conclusion of all regular business listed on the agenda and time permitting, following the same limitation for debate as agenda items.

Voting – how, when, and where

For all agenda items under consideration for a vote following adoption of this agenda, the vote shall be postponed after close of discussion on that item and resumed either after the adoption of the budget or no later than 3:50 pm on a single ballot.

Final versions of all motions to amend the constitution and motions to amend the by-laws posted by the 14-day advance posting deadline on October 31, 2025, and all resolutions that were motioned and seconded with the agenda shall be included in the final online ballot for voting when called to after the adoption of the budget.

NOTE: You must be present, either in-person or virtually, to vote. In-person voting will be done by a physical raise of hands and members voting virtually will raise their virtual hand on Zoom.

A member who expects to be absent from a general or special convention may authorize someone else to act in his or her place at the meeting through a proxy executed in writing and supplied to the secretary no less that 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 the first vote for which the member is present.

Motion to Adjourn or Recess

If voting on the proposed amendment reaches a majority vote of members in attendance (virtually and physically), the chair will recognize the Parliamentarian to issue a motion to adjourn the meeting.

If the voting on the proposed amendment does not immediately reach a majority, at 4:00 pm the chair will call a close of the ballot (face-to-face and virtual) and will recognize the Parliamentarian to issue a motion to adjourn.

If for any reason the chair is unable to open the ballot by 3:30 pm, the chair may recognize the Parliamentarian to issue a motion to adjourn or to recess and return at a later date upon which the online ballot can be kept open for a reasonable amount of time for members to vote.

Introduction of new faculty present at convention; recognition of dearly departed

President’s Address- Jennifer Siemantel, including introductions and recognitions: 2:25 – 2:40 pm

Standing committee reports 2:40 – 3:20 pm (5 minutes each)

Communications – Geoff Manzi

Instructional Goals and Academic Freedom – Jennifer Siemantel

Welfare and Benefits – Patrice Johnson

Political Information – Geoff Manzi

Convention Planning – Jennifer Holland

Membership – Tamar Slider

Budget and Finance – Adrien Cuellar McGuire

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Tracie Hernandez

Treasurer’s Report - Adrien Cuellar McGuire

Adoption of 2025-2026 DCFA Budget – 3:20 – 3:30 pm

Adoption of the budget

Motions to transfer funds

Proposed Amendments to the DCFA Constitution – 10 minutes per agenda item.

The Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the general convention as follows:

Proposed amendments must be presented to the Council at least fourteen (14) days before the official publication goes to press.

Amendments will be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the membership in attendance provided the proposed amendment shall have been published in the official publication at least fourteen (14) days before the voting.

There were no proposed amendments to the DCFA Constitution prior to the deadline.

Proposed Amendments to the DCFA Bylaws – 10 minutes per agenda item

The Bylaws shall be amended by a 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.

PROPOSAL ONE: TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION COMMITTEE

Purpose: To better align with institutions that have made changes to their offices and titles resulting from the passage of SB 17, the Dallas College Faculty Association's Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) standing committee proposes a name change to the Representation & Belonging (R&B) Committee.

WHEREAS the current name of the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee no longer meets state requirements;

BE IT RESOLVED that the name should be changed to the Representation & Belonging (R & B) Committee.

Resolutions from the floor, time permitting 3:40 – 3:50 pm

Other proposed resolutions from the floor submitted in writing to the DCFA Secretary and President no later than the start of the convention.

No later than 3:50 pm – Chair opens voting on all resolutions that received a motion and second within this agenda. If a majority vote is achieved by all present (virtually and in person) at the time of voting, the chair will close the voting. If a majority vote is not achieved, voting will remain open for 60 minutes. If necessary, DCFA Council members and Convention Committee members will remain available in the convention throughout to answer questions, assist with technical difficulties, and for discussion, if desired.

Closing of the ballot and adjournment

Please note: Results may not be available until the auditing team completes review of the ballot (if necessary) and confirmation of proxies, which will take time. Please watch the DCFA Advance Blog at www.dccfa.blogspot.com for posting of the results when they are ready. If a majority vote is reached, results will be made available at the conclusion of the Convention.