The Alabama Association of School Board Members is hereby recognized as the organization and representative agency of the members of the school boards of Alabama.
The State Superintendent of Education, the State Department of Education and the boards of education of the county and city systems are hereby empowered and authorized to cooperate with the Alabama Association of School Board Members in its in-service training program for school board members and in encouraging and fostering cooperation among the school boards affiliated with the Alabama Association of School Board Members.
Members of the state, county and city boards of education are authorized to pay dues to and also may incur reasonable traveling and subsistence expenses in attending meetings of the Alabama Association of School Board Members with which it is affiliated. Such dues and expenses may be paid as other expenses are paid by such boards of education.
Ala. Code § 16-1-6 (1975)