GCCE BYLAWS

ARTICLE ONE: NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The organization shall be called the Georgia Consortium of Clinical Educators (GCCE).

 

ARTICLE TWO:  PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION

The purpose of this organization shall be to support physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students working in the academic or clinical arenas, in the provision of excellent clinical education for students enrolled in physical therapist or physical therapist assistant programs within the state of Georgia.

 

ARTICLE THREE:  OBJECTIVES

• To provide a vehicle for encouraging and enhancing communication among all individuals involved in clinical education.

• To encourage the coordination of clinical education experience requests with adherence to national recommendations.

• To serve as a resource for participating clinical educators to foster best practice strategies in clinical education.

• To provide continuing education in areas pertinent to clinical education.

• To encourage the expansion and involvement of clinical educators in Georgia in the education process.

• To participate in advocating when aspects of clinical education become threatened.

 

ARTICLE FOUR:  MEETINGS

The organization shall meet at least three times a year to conduct business. Meetings may be held virtually or in person. The purpose of the Annual Meeting shall be to provide programming to the clinical education membership and to transact organization business.  Any substantive decisions of the organization must be voted on by at least 55% of the voting membership.  

 

ARTICLE FIVE:  MEMBERSHIP

• Voting members:

  • One Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education/Director of Clinical Education (ACCE/DCE) representing each CAPTE-accredited, entry-level physical therapist and physical therapist assistant program in the State of Georgia that has paid annual dues.

  • Two Site Coordinators of Clinical Education (SCCEs) as approved by the executive committee, serving a 2-year term.

  • A voting member may resign by providing written notice to the Board of Directors. A voting member may be removed with or without cause by a vote of the BOD. Further, if a voting member resigns or is expelled from GCCE membership, such officer shall automatically cease to serve as officer of the GCCE.

• Non-voting members

  • Any ACCE/DCE from an academic program that has achieved candidacy status from CAPTE.

  • Any academic faculty from a program that has not paid dues.

  • Any SCCEs in GA.

  • Any physical therapy clinical instructor (Clinical Instructor) in GA.  

 

ARTICLE SIX:  OFFICERS, ELECTIONS, DUTIES

The elected officers shall be:

• Executive Director: elected by the voting membership.

• Director: elected by the voting membership.

• Secretary: elected by the voting membership.

• Treasurer: elected by the voting membership.

• Together these four individuals will serve as the Executive Committee.  

 

The Executive Director shall preside over all meetings of the organization and always have in mind the best interests of the organization, set the meeting agenda, and serve as the representative to ACAPT Clinical Education Commission.

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The Director shall be an ex-officio member of all committees and/or task forces. Additionally, the Director shall serve as the APTA Georgia Education Liaison. In the event the Executive Director cannot carry out his/her duties, the Director will preside until a new Executive Director is appointed.

 

The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the organization and shall keep an accurate attendance count for all meetings and maintain and communicate all website changes and updates with the website manager.

 

​The Treasurer shall maintain custody of the organization's funds and shall keep accurate financial records in accordance with State and Federal Law. The Treasurer shall report the organization’s financial status at each meeting.

 

The Executive Committee may appoint other committees and/or task forces as needed to assist with operations.

 

Officers shall be elected annually during the month of December and shall begin the term of office on January 1. Elections for officers may be made electronically. Terms of office for all positions shall be two years. The Director and Treasurer elections will be held in odd years, and the Executive Director and Secretary elections will be held in even years. 

 

ARTICLE SEVEN:  AMENDMENTS

Any amendments to these bylaws shall be approved by 2/3 of the voting membership. Amendments to the bylaws should be shared with the voting members at a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the meeting. 

 

ARTICLE EIGHT:  FINANCES

Dues shall be collected annually in January through the 31st. The executive committee shall set the dues amount. All dues' changes approved by the Executive Committee will become effective on the first of the Association’s next fiscal year.