DOCUMENT OF UNDERSTANDING

There are obvious commonalties in language, cultural and economic institutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. These commonalties notwithstanding, there has not yet developed a close interaction among the technical/community further education colleges in these countries. A better understanding of educational programs and developments could be mutually beneficial to institutions of each country, and cooperative activities could both improve and extend present educational offerings. Therefore, an alliance of technical/community further education colleges known as a postsecondary International Network (PIN) has been established.

The purpose of the Postsecondary International Network (PIN) is to improve and expand the means by which the technical/community further education college serves its own community, and recognizing the community's place in an international setting. The goals of PIN are:

1. To provide an international forum for studying critical issues that affect postsecondary education;

2. To improve curricula to prepare students to live in a global society;

3. To facilitate communications among areas of administration, curriculum, instructional methods, faculty, staff and student services;

4. To provide an opportunity for networking and exchange for staff members; and to cooperate in arrangements for international visits;

5. To share information about international contacts among PIN members;

6. To share information about other agencies and associations that have similar interests; and
   
7. To work in partnership with other PIN members in the delivery of programs and to include the private sector in so doing.
   

PIN membership is currently open to institutions in Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Executive Board can approve the membership of additional countries, consequent upon which colleges within that country are eligible for membership.

Membership will be available in two tiers: full members and provisional members. All members will be technical/community or further education institutions, publicly or privately funded, or their equivalents.

1. FULL MEMBERSHIP

The minimum criteria for full members are as follows:

1. The institution should provide evidence that the President (or equivalent) is committed to the "Understanding" as described under "Purpose" of PIN.
   
2. The institution should be committed to incorporating an international dimension into existing/future college programs and services.
   
3. The institution should pay dues annually at the full rate as set by the PIN Executive Board.

Full and provisional members shall be sponsored by a current member and approved by a two-thirds vote of the PIN Executive Board.

Continued membership is dependent on meeting the minimum criteria for each tier and satisfying membership responsibilities as determined by the PIN Executive Board.

The full members from each country shall be limited to a number set by the Executive Board.

 

 

 

2. PROVISIONAL MEMBERSHIP

The minimum criteria for provisional membership is as follows:

1. The president/principal of the institution wishes to explore or expand its commitment to international education as described under "Purpose" of PIN.
   
2. The institution pays half of the annual dues as set by the PIN Executive Board.

The Executive Board shall determine the numbers and responsibilities of the provisional members.

 

Full members agree to the following:

1. Presidents will serve, when elected, as members of the PIN Executive Board and attend meetings of the Board; plan conferences, etc.
   
2. Presidents or their designees will attend the annual meeting.
   
3. Institutions will participate in the PIN's programs and projects, at least every other year.
   
4. Institutions will contribute to a semi-annual newsletter.
   
5. Additional responsibilities may be approved annually by the PIN Executive Board.

Full members will receive the following benefits:

1. Opportunity for the President to provide leadership through cooperation with other executives to advance the purpose of PIN.
   
2. Stipends for faculty projects as approved by PIN.
   
3. Support for research/development projects as supported by PIN.
   
4. Opportunity to participate in grant funded projects submitted by PIN.
   
5. Semi-annual newsletter and occasional papers on PIN projects.

 

In recognition of previous service, former presidents of member colleges and former officers of PIN may be invited to be named as honorary members. Honorary members will be invited to attend and participate in meetings, although they will not have a vote. Honorary members will regularly receive mailings from PIN.

Article III: FEES

The membership fees will be established by the Executive Board and collected by the Executive Board Chair. PIN will:

1. Assess membership fees annually for full and provisional members on January 1; provisional members will pay half the rate of full members;

2. Collect fees solely for the purpose of furthering the activities of the network; and

3. Disburse funds to defray costs accrued against the network in a fashion approved by the Executive Board.

Article IV: ORGANIZATION

The organization of PIN provides for a membership forum and an Executive Board.

Membership Forum:

The membership forum will be composed of a representative from each of the full and provisional member institutions. The forum will seek to meet annually to make recommendations to the Executive Board. Notice of meetings must be circulated three months prior to their occurrence.

 

Executive Board:

Membership on the Executive Board will consist of three full members from each country. The Board will elect a Chair and Vice-Chair for two-year terms. Normally, the officers will be selected from different countries.

The Executive Board will meet at least once a year at which time it will:

1. Plan and develop objectives and activities for the organization;
   
2. Initiate policies and implement policies of the network;
   
3. Make recommendations regarding annual membership fees;
   
4. Review, in context, the participation of PIN members and make decisions about continued memberships;
   
5. Determine the budget for administrative tasks of the organization;
   
6. Communicate the decisions taken at its meeting to the membership in semi-annual newsletters; and
   
7. Facilitate the securing of external resources for PIN projects and encourage members to do the same.

Administrative and Treasurer Support:

The PIN Executive Chair will arrange for the administrative and treasury tasks of the organization to be carried out. It is expected that the PIN Executive Board will seek to facilitate the involvement of staff concerned.