ARTICLE VIII - STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 5 Titles and Duties

a. Negotiating Committees
Responsibilities - The Teacher Negotiating Committee shall negotiate with the Board of Education on the instructional program, salaries, terms, conditions of work, and matters related thereto, for all personnel in the Teacher Negotiating Unit. With the aid of appropriate Standing Committees, it shall prepare negotiation proposals to be approved by the Representative Assembly prior to being placed before the Board of Education. Each bargaining unit shall prepare its own proposals. The negotiating committees of all units shall meet with the Executive Council to decide upon common objectives. Upon reaching tentative agreement with the Board of Education on all matters in negotiations, all negotiating committees shall prepare and submit their reports and recommendations to the members of the Association in their respective units. The procedure for membership ratification of the negotiations agreements shall be developed by the Executive Council.
2. Membership - The Teacher Negotiating Committee shall consist of one member from each Teacher Unit Department, at least two additional members, and the Chairperson. Each other bargaining unit's committee shall be determined by that unit.

b. Grievance Committee
1. Responsibilities - Process all grievances filed according to the contractual agreement and develop Association positions on all matters pertaining to rights of Association members such as: academic freedom, leave, administrative discipline and dismissal, and grievance procedures, and shall compile data for support of such positions in negotiations.
2. Membership - The Teacher Unit committee shall consist of the Chairperson and at least four other members representing all Teacher Unit Departments. Each other bargaining unit's committee shall be determined by that unit.

c. Membership Services Committee
1. Responsibilities - Investigate, report, and monitor those benefits to which members are entitled as a direct result of membership, including but not limited to, group purchasing plans.
2. Membership - The committee shall consist of the Chairperson and other members appointed by the President.

d. Committee on Professional Development and Instructional Services
1. Responsibilities - Develop Association positions on all matters affecting instruction: professional autonomy, teacher recruitment and selection, continuing education, pre-service and in-service education and student teacher programs, staffing practices, evaluation, instructional facilities, equipment and materials, organization and methods for instruction, curriculum process and content. They shall initiate study and action, and compile data for support of such positions in negotiations.
2. Membership - The committee shall consist of the Chairperson and one member from each Department.

e. Committee on Human Relations
1. Responsibilities - Work to plan, develop, and promote activities as appropriate to further the civil and human rights of students and educators; to establish effective, cooperative relationships among teachers; between teachers, students, parents, and community organizations; to broaden and extend all areas of rights toward better human relations through the local association.

2. Membership - The committee shall consist of the Chairperson and members appointed by the President.

f. Committee on Public Relations
1. Responsibilities - Develop internal and external communications, report and clarify to the membership the policies and actions of the Representative Assembly and the Executive Council, develop cohesiveness among the members by insuring two-way communications, inform the public of educational issues which are of mutual concern, maintain liaison with community leadership in all major institutions to promote objectives of mutual interests, and maintain liaison with the Negotiations Committees and promote its aims and strategies.
2. Membership - The committee shall consist of a Chairperson and at least six other members.

g. Membership Committee
1. Responsibilities - Organize and conduct membership enrollment, assist the Secretary in maintaining complete and current membership lists, assist the Nominating and Elections Committee by providing accurate lists of eligible voting members, develop and conduct programs for the orientation of new teachers, and organize such social activities as may serve the needs of members.
2. Membership - The committee shall consist of the Chairperson and at least five other members, together representing the various Departments.

h. Legislative Committee
1. Responsibilities - Have broad concern for local, state, and national legislation affecting the interests of schools and teachers and the Association. It shall encourage members to exercise their civic and political rights and keep them informed about new legislation.
2. Membership - The committee shall consist of the Chairperson and other members appointed by the President.

i. Budgetary Review Committee
1. Responsibilities - Study and review the current budget of the City School District along with other comparable budgets, keep records and statistics pertinent to the membership's best interests, compile data for support of contract negotiations.
2. Membership - The committee shall consist of the Chairperson and a member from each Department.

j. Student Discipline Committee
1. Responsibilities - Study and report on matters of student discipline; select from among its members the RTA representatives to the Joint RTA/RCSD Student Discipline Committee membership.
2. Membership - The committee shall consist of the Chairperson and at least one member from each department.

k. Crime Victims Assistance Committee
1. Responsibilities - Investigate incidents in which teachers and are assaulted or otherwise made victims of crime during or as a result of the performance of their professional duties; develop a program for the Association to help members so victimized to file grievances when appropriate; work with all committees, officers and agents of the Association to promote safety in schools.
2. Membership - The committee shall consist of the Chairperson and other members appointed by the President.