• Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority used at business meetings, in combination with these rules of order.

• The NJ State Professional Teaching Standards Board and County Professional Development Boards are considered public bodies and shall conduct business and provide notice of meetings in accordance with N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq. Open Public Meetings Act.

• The NJ State Professional Teaching Standards Board, County Professional Development Boards, and Local Professional Development Committees shall adhere to N.J.A.C. 6:11-13 and shall reference such code for all duties and actions regarding the Professional Development for Teachers requirements.

• Members of the State Professional Teaching Standards Board are appointed according to NJAC 6:11-13. Should a member be unable to fulfill his / her term, a signed letter of resignation should be sent to the Commissioner of Education with a copy to the PTSB Chair. The Commissioner of Education, or his or her designee, shall serve ex-officio on the board.

• Members shall attend and participate in regularly scheduled board meetings. After a member’s third absence within one year, the secretary shall notify the member and the Chair. The Chair shall discuss the issue with the member and may recommend that the Commissioner confer with the constituent group to discuss replacement.
• A quorum shall consist of a majority of the total number of voting members.

• Members shall review the agenda at the beginning of each meeting and will have the right to provide input.

• All members shall be given the opportunity to participate in dialogue/debate on issues presented to the board, and shall respect and consider the ideas of all other members. To ensure the orderly transaction of business, members shall focus on the agenda.

• Members shall receive the agenda and supporting written materials at least one week prior to regular meetings. In a circumstance where the agenda must be revised, the revisions shall be announced at the respective meeting, immediately after quorum is established.

• According to N.J.A.C. 6:11-13, the board elects its own administrative officers. The officers of the Professional Teaching Standards Board shall serve for a 2-year term, renewable once, consecutively, and until their respective successors are elected. Terms shall begin in February. A voluntary ad hoc nominating committee shall be formed at the regular business meeting each December. The charge shall be to develop a slate of officers for presentation to the board at the following regular business meeting. The PTSB shall elect a Chair, a Vice Chair, and a Secretary. Should an elected administrative officer be unable to fulfill his / her term, a signed letter of resignation shall be sent to the electing body (PTSB members) in care of the presiding Chair and a successor shall be elected at the next regular meeting.

• In order to accomplish the duties of the board, the Chair shall appoint and charge standing and ad hoc committees to work under the supervision of the board, or according to its specific instructions; such committees of the board shall report to the board.

• Administrative officers shall retain voting privileges.

• Officer’s duties:

Duties of the Chair:
The Chair shall conduct meetings according to the adopted parliamentary authority and rules of order and shall perform all duties incidental to such office.

Duties of the Vice Chair:
The Vice-Chair shall, in the absence of the Chair, perform all of the Chair’s duties.

Duties of the Secretary:
The Secretary shall maintain a record of board business, develop the official minutes of meetings, and assist the Chair and Vice Chair with duties as assigned.

Administrative support:
The Department of Education, Office of Standards and Professional Development provides administrative support to the board in the fulfillment of its duties.

• The Chair is the official spokesperson for the board, unless he / she authorizes another. All critical communications, including written comments, should be directed through the Chair. Members may provide progress reports to constituent groups.

• The PTSB is currently an advisory body. Members shall not misrepresent an adopted position of the board, nor shall they speak publicly about policy until the Commissioner of Education has approved such policy. The Commissioner of Education shall make the initial public release of PTSB information or action.

• A listserve may be utilized to disseminate information, share ideas between regular business meetings, and for the timely collection of data specific to board duties. The listserve shall be reserved for board / committee work only. Members are not obligated to respond to listserve discussions.

• Members must reveal any affiliation with a specific provider, shall not represent the interests of any specific provider, and shall avoid participation in any activity that would give the appearance of a conflict of interest.

• Members shall not accept monetary gifts or other considerations that are intended to influence the decisions of the board.

• These rules of order shall be upheld and monitored regularly by all members, and shall be reviewed by an ad hoc committee on an annual basis each January.

Reviewed and adopted by the PTSB on this 9^th day of March 2001.