PACE Bylaws (adopted March 2026)

ARTICLE I: NAME

A. The name of this organization shall be Oklahoma Postsecondary, Adult Career Education (OkPACE) and shall function as the Oklahoma Postsecondary, Adult Career Education (OkPACE) Division of the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education.

B. OkPACE bylaws, policies, and operating procedures shall conform to the OkACTE bylaws and any applicable policies adopted by the OkACTE Executive Committee.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of OkPACE shall be to:

A. Foster and promote professional linkages among and between members of the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education who are providing, or are interested in providing training and services to adults, business and industry.

B. Serve as a forum for providing professional development, sharing information and solutions associated with the delivery of training and services to adults, business and industry.

C. Serve to promote the importance of partnerships between career and technology education and adults, business and industry.

D. Serve to promote the value of career and technology education in national, state and local economic development efforts.

E. Facilitate the dissemination of model and innovative adult, business and industry training and services programs.

F. Promote the development of legislative initiatives, which foster adult, business and industry training and services.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

A. OkPACE shall maintain a minimum of 200 members as of June 30 to retain divisional status in accordance with OkACTE bylaws. If membership falls below this level, OkPACE will follow the corrective timeline and procedures established by OkACTE.

B. A member is defined as an individual or institution that maintains good standing in the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education (OkACTE), and who subscribes to the purpose statements in Article II.

C. OkPACE shall have one membership classification which is further defined within the OkPACE Policies and Guidelines.

D. The annual membership period shall be from July 1 to June 30 each year.

E. Annual dues shall be paid in United States Dollars, with such dues held by the association in an account approved by the Executive Committee.

F. Membership in OkPACE shall be open to all individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

ARTICLE IV: OkPACE DIVISIONAL STRUCTURE

OkPACE OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. The officers of the organization shall be President, President-Elect, Immediate Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter and Vice President.

B. These officers will constitute the OkPACE Executive Committee.

C. The OkPACE Board of Directors shall consist of the OkPACE Executive Committee, the ODCTE, OkPACE Advisor, Committee Chairs, and any liaison(s) appointed by the OkPACE President.

D. The officer(s) attending the ACTE Convention as voting delegates for OkPACE shall be determined by the following order: President, President-Elect, Immediate Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, and Vice President. In the event that these officers cannot fill the voting delegate position, the Executive Committee will appoint a representative to serve as the OkPACE voting delegate.

E. OkPACE provides a $500 stipend to attend the ACTE Convention for the OkPACE President or assigned voting delegate(s).

ARTICLE V: GOVERNING BODIES

A. Members

a. Business of OkPACE shall be conducted by the members at the business meetings held at the OkPACE Spring Conference and Oklahoma Summit.

B. OkPACE Executive Committee

C. OkACTE

D. ACTE

ARTICLE VI: FINANCE

A. FISCAL YEAR

a. The fiscal year of the Division shall be determined by the Executive Committee and shall be consistent with the fiscal year of OkACTE unless otherwise approved.

B. FUNDS AND FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT

a. All funds of the Division shall be used solely to further the purposes and objectives of the Division and OkACTE. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the general oversight of the Division's financial affairs.

C. BUDGET

a. An annual operating budget shall be prepared and approved by the Executive Committee.

b. The approved budget shall serve as the financial plan for the Division for the fiscal year.

D. EXPENDITURES

a. Expenditures of Division funds shall be made in accordance with the approved budget and Policies and Guidelines adopted by the Executive Committee.

E. FINANCIAL RECORDS

a. Accurate financial records shall be maintained for all Division funds.

b. Such records shall be subject to review in accordance with OkACTE Requirements and applicable policies.

F. AUDIT OR FINANCIAL REVIEW

a. The Division's financial records shall be reviewed or audited in a manner consistent with OkACTE Policies or as otherwise directed by the Executive Committee.

G. COMPLIANCE

a. All financial activities of the Division shall comply with the bylaws, policies, and procedures of OkACTE.

ARTICLE VII: ELECTION OF OFFICERS

ELECTIONS, TERMS OF OFFICE AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

A. Election of all officers will follow the procedure and requirements detailed in the Policies and Guidelines.

B. Officers shall serve terms as defined in the Policies and Guidelines.

C. Vacancies in any elected office shall be filled by the Executive Committee in accordance with procedures outlined in the Policies and Guidelines.

ARTICLE VIII: OFFICER DUTIES

A. The officers shall perform all duties as assigned in the Policies and Guidelines.

ARTICLE IX: COMMITTEES

A. The establishment of committees shall be determined by the Policies and Guidelines.

ARTICLE X: MEETINGS

A. Executive Committee meetings shall be scheduled at regular intervals throughout the year, including the OkPACE Annual Retreat, Conference Planning meetings, and any other meeting deemed necessary by the OkPACE President.

B. Meetings of the Executive Committee and the membership may be conducted in person or by electronic means approved by the Executive Committee.

C. A quorum for meetings of the OkPACE Executive Committee shall consist of a majority of the Executive Committee members.

D. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of the lesser of ten percent (10%) of the active membership or fifty (50) members present in person or by electronic means approved by the Executive Committee.

E. Notice of membership meetings at which official business is to be conducted shall be provided to the membership in advance using methods approved by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE XI: ESTABLISHMENT OF POLICIES

A. The OkPACE Executive Committee shall establish written policy as needed for OkPACE operations.

B. Such policies shall be recorded in the minutes and compiled into a written set of policies that reflects the date of adoption and the authority by which the policy was adopted.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

A. The OkPACE Executive Committee must approve all proposed amendments, notify the membership, and set the date and method for voting.

B. Proposed amendments shall be posted no less than 30 days in advance of the vote. Amendments shall be voted on and adopted by a 2/3 vote of OkPACE members present and voting, or a majority vote of members returning an electronic ballot.

ARTICLE XIII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

A. OkPACE shall utilize the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order as a guide for establishing parliamentary procedures and methods for conducting its business. Specifically, OkPACE is not bound by Robert's Rules of Order and may establish and use any reasonable procedures and methods which allow for fair and open discussion, deliberation and voting within committees and/or the general membership, as applicable and prescribed within these bylaws.

B. Such procedures and methods shall be documented in the Policies and Guidelines and may be revised from time to time to ensure fair and open discussion, deliberation, and voting.

ARTICLE XIV: INDEMNIFICATION

A. To the fullest extent permitted by law, OkPACE shall indemnify and hold harmless its officers, Executive Committee members, committee members, and agents for actions taken in good faith in the performance of their duties on behalf of the Division.

ARTICLE XV: DISSOLUTION

A. In the event that the OkPACE Division is dissolved, all assets remaining after payment of outstanding debts and obligations shall be transferred to the New and Related Services Division of the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technical Education.