About AFLA
AFLA was founded in 1967 as the Alaska Foreign Language Association by Dr. Bruce Gordon, then chair of the Foreign Language Department at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, along with other language teachers from Fairbanks and Anchorage. Dr. Gordon had been the Alaskan delegate at the founding of ACTFL in 1966.
In 1979, Dr. Wolf Hollerbach, then chair of the UAF Foreign Language Department, along with Doug Bruce, Spanish and German teacher at Lathrop High School, met with teachers in Anchorage to revive the organization. A statewide conference was held at UAF in March, 1983, supported by a $45,000 grant from the state legislature.
Renamed Alaskans for Language Acquisition in 1996 to better reflect the concept of learning any world language, AFLA continues to grow. For over 37 years AFLA has worked to reach every corner of the state in an attempt to support new and existing world language programs.Alaskans For Language Acquisition
Constitution & Bylaws
I. Name
The name of the organization shall be Alaskans for Language Acquisition (AFLA).
II. Aim
This organization is organized exclusively for educational purposes. Its aim shall be to promote the study of world languages in Alaska and to serve the professional development of world language teachers.
III. Membership: Chapters
Membership in AFLA is open to all those persons sharing the aims set forth in Article II above. The annual membership fee shall be determined by the Executive Committee subject to approval by the membership. Members may be organized into chapters made up of at least ten members.
IV. Officers: Executive Committee
The officers of AFLA shall be: a Past President, President, President-Elect, Interior Representative, Southcentral Representative, Southeastern Representative, Rural Representative, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers shall be elected for a term of two years.
Terms shall be staggered. In the selection of candidates, consideration shall be given to representation by level (elementary, secondary, college) and by language. If possible, two of the officers shall be located close to each other to permit frequent consultation.
V. Affiliations
By vote of the Executive Committee the organization may join in the work of other educational bodies of wider scope by means of official delegates elected by the Executive Committee for the necessary term or appointed temporarily by the President in case of urgent necessity.
VI. Annual Meeting
An annual meeting shall be called by the President. Voting power shall be lodged in members present or represented at the meeting.
VII. Amendments
The constitution may be amended as follows: Amendments may be offered by a member of the Executive Committee or by petition signed by ten members in good standing; upon a majority vote by the Executive Committee, a proposed amendment will be mailed to all members at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting; it may be adopted by a tow-thirds vote of the members present or represented.
BY-LAWS
I. Membership
A. The organization offers a regular and, at a reduced rate, special student membership. Those who have paid their current membership fee for the calendar year shall be considered members in good standing with the right to vote for officers and for other matters submitted for approval at the annual meeting or by mail.
B. The annual dues shall be fixed by the Executive Committee no later than November 1 to take effect the following January 1.
C. Members whose dues have not been paid by March 1 shall be suspended. Reinstatement to active status shall follow payment of dues.
D. Chapters may be formed by any group of ten members in good standing. There shall be no geographical restrictions on the jurisdiction of any chapter or upon the right of any member of AFLA to belong to the chapter of his /her choice.
II. Election of Officers
A. All officers shall be elected at the annual meeting by a majority vote of members present or represented.
B. The term of office in every case begins September 1 and runs for two (2) years.
C. The President, President-elect, and the Treasurer shall be elected in EVEN years and the Representatives in ODD years.
D. Vacancies. In the case of death, resignation, or disability of the President, the President Elect who shall succeed him/ her until the next regular election shall be elected by the Executive Committee. In case of a vacancy or vacancies in other offices, the President shall be empowered to appoint a replacement for the unexpired term.
III. Duties of the Office
A. The President shall be responsible for the administration of the organization. He/She shall be alert to consider new activities which might promote the interests of the Organization. The President may Appoint a Secretary to help carry out organization business. The Secretary may attend meetings of the Executive Committee but shall not have the right to vote.
B. The Regional Representatives shall assist in the various duties which the President may assign to them and especially in a sustained effort to increase membership and to establish and maintain liaison with world language teachers in the various regions of Alaska. They are responsible for calling regional meetings as needed. The President Elect shall preside at the annual meeting in the absence of the President.
C. The Treasurer shall have charge of income, payments, and financial records. He/She shall keep the President apprised the status of the organization and cooperate with him/her in the promotion of its interests. He/She shall make an annual report on the membership and finances of the Association.
D. The Executive Committee shall appropriate money, initiate projects, and govern the Association under the chairmanship of the President. The actions of the Executive Committee are subject to review by the members of the Association at the annual meeting.
IV. Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting shall be held at the time and place determined by the Executive Committee. Because of distances involved, members who are unable to attend shall be allowed to vote by proxy.
V. Affiliation
The Organization shall affiliate with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and with the Pacific Northwest Council on Foreign Languages (PNCFL).
VI. Amendments
The bylaws may be changed or amended at any time by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Any such action must be presented for confirmation by the members of the Association at the next annual meeting.
Revised October 2000