BYLAWS

Politics of Education Association

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of the organization is Politics of Education Association.

ARTICLE II: AFFILIATION

The Politics of Education Association is a "Special Interest Group" of the American Educational Research Association. The politics of Education Association exists in its own right, however, and will continue to exist if its affiliation with AERA should be discontinued for some reason in the future.

ARTICLE III: NATURE AND PURPOSE

The purpose of the Politics of Education Association is to foster and support the conduct, dissemination, discussion, and application of research on the political functions and outcomes of education at all levels, with the final view of contributing to the betterment of society.

As a Special Interest Group (SIG) of AERA, the Politics of Education Association supports the stated purposes of SIGs: "To enhance the purposes of AERA by providing for the substantive and methodological communication and promulgation of areas of special interest in the broad field of educational research and development. In particular, the Politics of Education Association has the following objectives in keeping with its AERA membership:

1. To foster and support research on political processes, policy, and outcomes relevant to education,

2. To collect and disseminate data, research, and findings on politics of education to policy-makers, practitioners, and scholars in the field of education and elsewhere, and

3. To unite scholars, practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, and others interested in the pursuit of research and development on educational politics, policy, and related issues.

Further, the Politics of Education Association in an eleemosynary organization. It and its property are irrevocably dedicated to charitable and educational purposes, and no part of its net income or assets shall be inured to the benefit of its officers, members thereof, or to the benefit of any private person.

ARTICLE IV: STRUCTURE

Section 1: Governance Format

The Association shall be governed by an Executive Committee, made up of three elected officers, including a President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and by two Members elected-at-large. All general policies shall be made by the Executive Committee with the exception of changes in the Constitution or dues which shall be set by the Association membership as specified in Section 5 below. Furthermore, the Executive Committee shall seek the approval of the membership by mail or at the regular annual meeting of the Association on all policies that seem likely to have a profound effect on the long-term functioning and well being of the Association.

The election of officers and at-large Members of the Executive Committee shall be held by simple majority of the dues paying members present at the annual meeting of the Association, using a secret written ballot. In preparation for the election, the Secretary shall serve as head of the Elections and Membership Committee to solicit candidates throughout the Association for officers and Members at-large; further, members may be nominated from the floor at the business meeting.

Section 2: Membership

The Association shall welcome both "producers" and "consumers" of research on the politics and policies in education. All persons who apply for membership shall pay dues set by the membership and shall be deemed "members in good standing" with the privileges and responsibilities thereof. Members of the Politics of Education Association need not be members of AERA, but with the understanding that benefits and privileges pertain only to PEA and not to AERA in general. Failure to pay dues by the time of the annual meeting may likely disqualify individuals from voting at the business meetings and from other privileges of membership.

Section 3: President

The major administrative and leadership role lies with the President who is elected for a two-year term of office, in alternate years with the Secretary, and not to be reelected in the next election period. The President shall have authority to appoint committees and members, to be spokesperson for the Association, and to provide overall direction and coordination within the framework provided by the Executive Committee and membership.

The President shall present an annual report (in writing or orally) on the state of the Association to the members at the annual meeting. This leader shall preside over all business meetings of the Association and Executive Committee. In the event the President cannot attend, the Secretary and then the Treasurer shall preside. When a majority of the Executive Committee is present, business of the organization can be carried on.

The President shall assume duties as of May 1, during the year in which s/he is elected and shall continue in office through April 30, two years hence. At the end of each calendar year, the President shall submit a report on the activities of the PEA to the membership.

Section 4: Secretary

The Secretary shall be elected to a two-year term of office, in alternate years to the President, and shall be eligible to consecutive reelection only once. This officer shall take office on May 1, to end her/his tenure on April 30, unless reelected. The responsibilities of the Secretary are to keep all minutes and records, and maintain all membership prior to the annual meeting. Immediately thereafter, the Secretary, unless he or she is running for reelection or for other offices, shall conduct a mail balloting election for President, Secretary, Treasurer, and At-Large Members. If the Secretary is running, then the President may select an Election Committee Ad Hoc Chairperson to handle the elections.

Section 5: Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be elected for a two-year term of office, to take over as of May 1, through April 30 two years hence, to coincide with the President's term. The Treasurer may be reelected consecutively only once. The duties of the officer shall be to propose an annual budget to be approved by the Executive Committee, pay PEA bills authorized by the leadership, maintain adequate financial records, and monitor all outstanding dues and fees. At the annual meeting, the Treasurer shall make an annual financial report to the membership.

Section 6: Members-At-Large of the Executive Committee

In addition to the three elected officers, the Executive committee is comprised of two at-large Members. They shall be elected on a staggered basis, with no more than one leaving office in any given year. They will take office on May 1, with the rest of the officers, and shall leave office two years hence on April 30. Their duties are to meet at least once yearly to vote on key issues, budgets, and policies of the Association. If necessary, votes may be made by telephone or by mail, should the officers so decide.

Section 7: Program Chairperson and Program Committee

The President shall appoint a chairperson of the Program Committee to conduct the planning and execution of scholarly and business meetings during the year, particularly paper sessions, and other scholarly meetings during the annual AERA meetings and elsewhere. This Program Chairperson shall recommend to the President a slate of potential members to the committee after which the President shall respond by appointing the members for one or two terms, not to exceed the term of office of the Program Chairperson. The responsibilities of the Program Chairperson, in conjunction with the Program Committee, are to referee papers and symposia, and to make all necessary arrangements for the meetings. This person shall serve for two years, and may be reappointed only once.

Section 8: The Bulletin Editor

The Editor of the PEA Bulletin shall be appointed to a three-year term by the President of the Association. The Editor may recommend to the President other members to serve on an editorial committee. The responsibilities of the Editor are to produce a number of Bulletins during the year, as well as other written material as deemed necessary or important by the Editor, President, or Executive Committee. The Editor shall consult with the President and Executive Committee concerning the financing of the Bulletin and the board policies pertinent to its publication.

Section 9: Election and Membership Committee

The Secretary of the Association shall chair a committee to solicit members and to carry out elections. Members of this Committee shall be appointed by' the President, in Consultation with the Secretary and Executive Committee. Their tasks shall include the solicitation of members for the PEA, the handling of the nominations procedure, the mailing out and collection of ballots, and the final tabulations. Should the Secretary be a candidate for office, the leadership of the Election Committee shall be delegated to the Committee Assistant Chairperson, as designated by the President and Executive Committee.

Section 10: Other Committees

The President shall appoint such other committees, and their Chairpersons, as may be necessary, in consultation with the Executive Committee and other Committees. Permanent Committees can be appointed without, necessarily, amending the Bylaws.

ARTICLE V: OPERATIONS

Section 1: Financial Policies

Dues shall be set by the membership at the annual meeting. The Executive Committee shall have authority to commit funds of the Association, within reason. Major expenditures, under the discretion of the President, shall be brought to the general membership by mail or at the annual meeting for their vote. These funds shall be housed in a bank at the location of the Treasurer.

The funds and property of the Association are irrevocably dedicated to eleemosynary purposes.

Section 2: Removal of Officers

Should the membership wish to recall an officer or Executive Committee At-Large Member, a petition must be circulated and signed by one-third of the members in good standing. If the requisite number of signatures are received, the officer or member at large may be voted out of office by a simple majority by mail or at the next meeting of the Association.

Section 3: Vacated Officers

When any elected officer or committee member leaves office through resignation, removal, or other means before the end of the full term is completed, the office shall be declared vacant and the Executive Committee, minus the leaving party, shall appoint by simple majority vote an Acting officer or committeeperson for the duration of the year, at which time an election shall be held at the annual meeting to fill the post for the duration of the elected term.

Section 4: Pledge of Nondiscrimination

The Politics of Education Association shall in no way discriminate in membership, practices, or purpose against people or groups on the basis of race, religion, sex, affectional preferences, or national origin.

Section 5: Effective Date

These Bylaws shall take effect immediately upon the approval of two-thirds of the paid membership who are in attendance at the annual meeting during which time they are voted upon. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the present membership at an annual meeting, or by a two-thirds vote of the membership in good standing taken through the mail, whichever the Executive Committee or membership shall decide. (Adopted by vote of the Association March 22, 1982)

Section 6: Discontinuation of the Association

If the Executive Committee so recommends, and if two-thirds of the members in good standing so vote, the Association shall be discontinued, at which time the assets of the organization shall be used to pay all outstanding bills and debts, and the remaining funds shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation, or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States.