BYLAWS *(2000 - archived)

ARTICLE I – Name

The name of the association shall be the Florida Reading Association.

ARTICLE II – Nature and Purpose

Section 1 – Nature. The Florida Reading Association shall be a professional organization for individuals who are concerned with the improvement of reading.

Section 2 – Purpose. The purpose of the Florida Reading Association shall be:

1. To promote membership in and partnership with the International Reading Association and to support the development and on-going activities of local councils, special interest councils, and student councils.

2. To improve the quality of reading instruction at all levels by:

a. encouraging the study of the nature of the reading process,

b. stimulating, promoting, and establishing research dealing with all aspects of reading,

c. acting as a clearinghouse for information relating to reading,

d. encouraging, supporting, and contributing to the development of high-quality teacher education programs, both pre-service and in-service.

e. sponsoring conferences and meetings.

3. To develop an awareness of the impact of reading among all individuals by:

a. Encouraging the development of worthwhile reading tastes and permanent interests in reading,

b. Promoting the formation of a lifetime habit of reading,

c. Developing an appreciation of the value of reading.

4. To be actively involved with legislative matters that deal directly with the goals and objectives of the Florida Reading Association.

5. To promote the development among all peoples of a level of reading proficiency that is commensurate with each individual’s unique capacity.

6. To promote mutual understandings and cooperation among educators in elementary school, junior high, high school special areas, college, and leadership positions and with individuals in other organizations having interest in reading.

ARTICLE III – Membership

Section 1 – Eligibility. Membership in the Florida Reading Association shall be open to all persons interested in the teaching or supervision of reading at any school level, to parents, and to all others interested in the purpose of the Florida Reading Association.

Section 2 - Active Members. Membership in the Florida Reading Association for the fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30 shall become effective upon payment of dues.

Section 3 – Dues. Dues for annual membership in the Florida Reading Association shall be established by the Florida Reading Association Board of Directors with the approval of the Delegates Assembly.

Section 4 – A council shall be in good standing and entitled to representation at the meeting of the International Reading Association Delegates Assembly if at least ten members have paid dues to the association for the current year.

ARTICLE IV – Officers

Section 1 – Officers. The elected officers of the Florida Reading Association shall be the president, vice president, and vice president-elect. The recording secretary, corresponding secretary, state director of membership development, and treasurer shall be appointed by the president with the approval of the Board of Directors. Any Florida Reading Association member in good standing, who is also a member of the International Reading Association and her/his local council, is eligible for election or appointment as an officer of the Florida Reading Association.

Section 2 – Term of Office. The term of the vice president-elect shall be one year. She/he shall then automatically succeed to the office of vice president for one year. She/he shall then automatically succeed to the office of president for one year. At the expiration of her/his term as president, she/he will become past president and shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors for a period of one year. The president will appoint the recording secretary, corresponding secretary, state director of membership development, and treasurer. Selection of state director of membership development shall follow IRA guidelines of State Director of Membership Development.

Section 3 – Time of Assuming Office. Each officer shall assume the duties of her/his office as of July 1 of that year and shall continue to serve for the duration of her/his term.

Section 4 – Vacancy of Office Between Elections. In the event of a vacancy between elections in the office of president, the vice-president shall continue her/his present office and shall also assume the duties of the vacant office. In the following year, this person shall become president. Should the office of vice president become vacant, the vice-president-elect shall serve the unexpired portion of the vice president’s in addition to continuing her/his duties as vice president-elect, and at regular election, the membership shall elect a new vice president-elect. In the event of a vacancy in the office of vice president-elect, the Board of Directors shall have the power to fill the vacancy until the next election is held.

Section 5 – Duties of the President. The president shall act as the executive officer of the Florida Reading Association. She/he shall preside at all meetings of the Florida Reading Association, shall act as chairperson of the Board of Directors and shall exercise general leadership and supervision over the affairs of the Florida Reading Association in implementing its purpose. She/he shall countersign all contracts and other instruments of the Florida Reading Association.

Section 6 – Duties of the Vice President. The vice president shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors and chairperson of the Program Committee. She/he shall assume and perform the duties of the president in the absence, incapacity, or resignation of the president.

Section 7 – Duties of the Vice President-elect. The vice president-elect shall: (1) serve as a member of the Board of Directors, (2) serve as vice chairperson of the Program Committee, (3) serve as Annual Conference chairperson, (4) circulate proposed bylaw amendments to each member at least thirty (30) days in advance of the Delegates Assembly at which the amendments are to be voted on, and (5) fulfill any other duties assigned to her/him by the Board of Directors.

Section 8 – Duties of the Recording Secretary. The recording secretary shall: (1) execute the duties essential to the recording of all business and happenings at all general meetings and all meetings of the Board of Directors, (2) keep a permanent book of the minutes of all meetings, and (3) cooperate fully with her/his successor by turning all records of her/his office at the expiration of her/his term.

Section 9 – Duties of Corresponding Secretary. The corresponding secretary shall (1) serve as editor of the FRA Newsletter, (2) handle incoming and outgoing correspondence at the discretion of the president and carry out directions from general meetings and/or the Board of Directors regarding needed correspondence and notices.

Section 10 – Duties of the State Director of Membership Development. The State director of Membership Development shall: (1) be responsible for plans to secure new members for the Florida Reading Association and the International Reading Association, (2) be chairperson of the Membership Committee, (3) be responsible for ensuring that an accurate record of the Florida Reading Association members is maintained and available for the efficient operation of the Florida Reading Association, (4) give a membership report at every FRA Board meeting, and (5) cooperate fully with his/her successor-by turning over all records of the office at the expiration of the term.

Section 11 – Duties of the Treasurer. The treasurer shall: (1) execute the duties essential to the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date records, (2) have custody of the Florida Reading Association’s funds which shall be deposited in the name of the Florida Reading Association, and (3) sign checks and drafts in behalf of the Florida Reading Association for the disbursement of funds in accordance with the policy of the Board of Directors, (4) provide a bond to be filed with the recording secretary, (5) cooperate fully with an annual audit, and, (6) within thirty (30) days of her/his retirement from office turn over all funds, accounts and books to her/his successor.

Section 12 – Office of IRA State Coordinator. The IRA State Coordinator shall be elected by the Board of Directors for a three-year term and shall be eligible for a second three-year term. Qualifications and procedures for electing the IRA State Coordinator shall follow the International Reading Association Criteria for Selection of a Coordinator and Procedure for the Selection of State Coordinators.

Section 13 – Duties of the IRA State Coordinator. The IRA State coordinator shall: (10 maintain accurate records of chartered councils within Florida, (2) support the Florida Reading Association, local councils, and special interest councils in the performance of their duties, (3) promote the organization of additional councils, (4) maintain continuity and stability in the Florida Reading Association by arranging a workable system of communication between all councils in Florida, (5) collect the officer report forms from the local councils and forward the new officers information to the IRA headquarters by the date specified, (6) attend activities for Council Leaders and Delegates Assembly at the International Reading Association Annual Conference, and (7) attend regional workshops for council leaders.

ARTICLE V – Board of Directors

Section 1 – Function. The Board of Directors shall exercise general supervision and control over the property and affairs of the Florida Reading Association. It shall have the general power to administer the affairs of the Florida Reading Association between meetings of the Delegates Assembly and shall report its actions to the next Delegates Assembly. It shall decide on questions involving association with other professional organizations and shall supervise the execution of approved policies. Its actions shall have the approval of the members at a Delegates Assembly.

Section 2 – Composition. The Board of Directors shall consist of (1) the past president, the president, the vice president, the vice president-elect, the recording secretary, the corresponding secretary, the State Director of Membership Development and the treasurer; (2) the IRA State Coordinator; (3) the district directors; (4) the editor of The Florida Reading Quarterly; (5) elected representatives from the Florida Reading Association’s special interest councils; (6) advisors and elected representatives of student reading councils; and (7) committee chairs and special coordinators appointed by the president. Voting members are the Executive Committee and the district directors.

Section 3 – Regular meetings. The president shall set at least two (2) regular meetings of the Board of Directors each fiscal year. At the first regular meeting of the Board of Directors, the calendar for the year shall be established with the approval of the Board of Directors. At the first regular meeting of the Board of Directors, the president shall appoint with the approval of the Board of Directors, the standing committees for the current fiscal year.

Section 4 – Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the president or a simple majority of the members of the Board of Directors. The person(s) authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may arrange the place and time for holding such special meetings. Written notice of any special meeting shall be mailed to each member of the Board of Directors at least thirty (30) days prior to the special meeting.

Section 5 – Quorum. A majority of the voting members (50% plus one) of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.

Section 6 – Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors may be filled until the next succeeding election by appointment of the president and approval of the Board of Directors then in office.

Section 7. – Budget. The Board of Directors shall modify and/or accept the annual budget as prepared by the Executive Committee. The budget shall then be presented to the Delegates Assembly for modification and/or acceptance.

ARTICLE VI – Delegates Assembly

Section 1 – Composition. The voting members of the Delegates Assembly shall consist of the Board of Directors and certified delegates from local, student, and special interest councils. Each council of ten to fifty (10 – 50) members who have paid dues to the Florida Reading Association (based on Florida Reading Association membership as of April 30 prior to the Annual Conference) shall be entitled to one delegate and an additional delegate for each fifty (50) additional members who have paid dues to the Florida Reading Association. One person may represent only one council in the Delegates Assembly. The membership secretary shall certify how many delegates each council shall have. A council may name an alternate for each delegate; an alternate may vote only when the delegate is absent. All members of the Board of Directors are ex-officio members of the Delegates Assembly. Members who do not have voting privileges in the Delegates Assembly may attend Delegates Assembly meetings and have privileges of the floor.

Section 2 – Function. The Delegates Assembly shall be the legislative body of the Florida Reading Association and shall have full power and authority over the affairs of the Florida Reading Association within the limits set by these bylaws. It shall have the authority to review decisions made by the Board of Directors and accept or reject them.

Section 3 – Quorum. A quorum shall consist of twenty (20) percent of all those eligible to vote in the Delegates Assembly.

Section 4 – Meetings. The Delegates Assembly shall meet concurrently with the Annual Conference. Each local and special interest council shall be notified at least thirty (30) days in advance of this meeting.

Section 5 – Amendments to the Bylaws. The Delegates Assembly shall have the power to amend these bylaws as provided in Article XII.

Section 6 – Parliamentarian. At the discretion of the president, a parliamentarian may be appointed to advise the president as chairperson of the Board of Directors meetings and the Delegates Assembly.

ARTICLE VII – Election of Vice President-elect

Section 1 – Mode of Election. The vice president-elect shall be elected by mail ballot.

Section 2 – Nominations. The Administrative Committee shall serve as the nominating and elections committee. It shall be the responsibility of this committee to prepare a slate of two (2) nominees for the office of vice president-elect. In preparing for the slate, the committee shall be responsible for securing advance consent from all nominees before presenting the slate to the Board of Directors for its approval prior to the Annual Conference. Recommendations for nominees shall be made by the membership at large.

Section 3 – Mailing of Ballots and Reporting. The ballot, including vitae and photographs (with provisions for write-in candidates), shall be mailed to each active member of the Florida Reading Association by February 1. From the time ballots are postmarked, forty-five (45) days shall be allowed for the return of ballots; ballots must be received no later than March 17. The Administrative Committee chairperson shall be responsible for counting the ballots and immediately certifying the results to the president who in turn shall notify the nominees. A plurality of votes cast shall constitute an election. In case of a tie, the election shall be decided by the vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII – Election of District Director

Section 1 – Mode of Election. The district directors shall be elected by mail ballot.

Section 2 – Nominations. The IRA State Coordinator shall write a letter to the president of each local council requesting at least two (2) nominees for election as district director of the district in which the local council is located; for districts with more than one local council, the office of district director shall not be held for more than one term by any one council. The position of district director must be rotated from council to council throughout the district; a council not wishing to nominate candidates may decline the turn. All nominees shall be members of the local council, the Florida Reading Association, and the International Reading Association.

Section 3 – Mailing of Ballots and Reporting. The IRA State Coordinator shall prepare a separate ballot for each district, listing all local council nominees for that district. A copy of the appropriate ballot shall be mailed to each Florida Reading Association member on record as of January 31 in the district. All ballots shall be returned to the IRA State Coordinator who shall tabulate the ballots and notify the local council presidents and the nominees of the results of the election. The election shall be completed by April 1.

Section 4 – Term of Office. District directors shall serve for a term of three years beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30 with one-third (1/3) of the district directors elected each year. District I, District VI, District XIII, and District XV shall comprise Cycle A. District II, District IX, District XI, District XII, and District XIV shall comprise Cycle B. District III, District IV, District VII, District VIII, and District X shall comprise Cycle C. The election shall begin with Cycle A in 1986. District directors may not be elected more than one term. An appointed district director may be elected for her/his own term. The current district director shall be responsible for turning all of her/his correspondences and records over to the new district director by July 1, following the election.

ARTICLE IX – Committees

Section 1 – Committee Structure. The committees of the Florida Reading Association shall consist of four (4) standing project committees and four (4) standing organization committees. There shall be a carryover of at least one (1) member of any outgoing standing committee into the membership of the newly formed standing committee. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be a member of at least two (2) committees: one (1) project and one (1) organization.

Section 2 – Executive Committee (Project). The Executive Committee shall be composed of the president (who shall serve as chairperson), the vice president, the vice president-elect, the past president, the recording secretary, the treasurer, the State Director of Membership Development, and the IRA State Coordinator. The Executive Committee shall prepare the annual budget, shall supervise and review the work of all committees, shall prepare the agenda for the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Delegates Assembly, and shall perform other responsibilities as directed by the chairperson. It shall meet at the call of the chairperson.

Section 3 – Publicity and Publications Committee (Project). The Publicity and Publications Committee shall assume responsibility for directing and supervising the publications of the Florida Reading Association. The editors of the various publications shall be ex-officio members of the Publicity and Publications Committee. Implementation of other publications approved by the Board of Directors may be assigned to ad hoc committees appointed by the Committee. Editors of such publications should maintain liaison with the Publicity and Publications Committee. Members of the Publicity and Publications Committee may be delegated responsibility for a close consultative relationship with ongoing publications of the Florida Reading Association.

Section 4 – Governmental Relations Committee (Project). The Governmental Relations Committee shall be responsible for the dissemination of all information concerning changes in legislation and certification that may affect the teaching of reading.

Section 5 – Studies and Research Committee (Project). The Studies and Research Committee shall encourage the study of important issues in reading, promote understanding of the purpose of research, and disseminate reports of research throughout Florida.

Section 6 – Program Committee (Organization). The Program Committee shall make plans for the Annual Conference and other such meetings as may be authorized by the Board of Directors. The vice president shall be chairperson of the committee and the vice president-elect shall be the vice-chairperson.

Section 7 - Council Development Committee (Organization). The Council Development committee shall be responsible for stimulating the organization of new councils and for assisting councils to carry on their duties. District directors are members of this committee; other members may be appointed at the discretion of the Council Development Committee. The IRA State Coordinator shall be the chairperson of the Council Development Committee.

Section 8 – Membership Committee (Organization). The Membership Committee shall be responsible for plans to secure new members in councils, the Florida Reading Association, and the International Reading Association, and assist the State Director of Membership Development, who will serve as the chairperson of the committee.

Section 9 – Administrative Committee (Organization). The Administrative Committee shall conduct the selection of the vice president-elect as delineated in Article VII, Sections 2 and 3 of these Bylaws. It shall serve as the Bylaws and Policy Handbook Committee, and shall make recommendations for revisions and/or amendments to the Board of Directors as needed. The Administrative Committee shall review scholarship applications and present its recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval. The chairperson of the Administrative Committee shall be the immediate past president who shall also be a member of the Executive Committee.

Section 10 – Standing Committee Appointments. The chairperson and members of standing committees shall be appointed annually by the president with the approval of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws.

ARTICLE X – State Association and Affiliates (Councils)

Section 1 – State Council. The Florida Reading Association council is formed by duly appointed representatives and chartered by IRA. The state coordinator shall be a member of the state and regional steering committee. A state council may secure a charter from the office of the executive director with the approval of the chairpersons of the Membership and the Council Development Committees. Such councils shall have bylaws which are in accord with the bylaws of the association and which will provide representation for each participating council in the state. The state council shall elect its own officers and determine the amount of and collect its own dues. Each state council in good standing is entitled to one representative in the Delegates Assembly of the IRA. The purpose of these councils shall be to promote the development of local, student, and special interest councils and to organize stimulating programs at a level not usually attainable by a local council.

Section 2 – Local Councils. A council may be formed by ten or more members in any locality in which no local council is operative. This article and section also apply to student councils formed at colleges and/or universities in Florida. A local council may secure a charter from the office of the executive director with the approval of the chairperson of the Membership and the Council Development Committees. A local council shall have bylaws that are in accord with the purposes of the bylaws of the association. It shall elect its own officers, determine the amount of and collect its own dues, and organize its own programs. Each local council in good standing is entitled to one or more representatives in the Delegates Assembly as stated in Article XI. Members of a local council may belong to the state association and/or the IRA. Officers of a local council must belong to IRA.

Section 3 – Rights and Privileges of Councils. Local and state councils may have members who are not members of IRA: however, these nonmembers shall be encouraged to become members of the association. Nonmembers shall have none of the privileges of association members. Officers, board members, and representatives of all councils to the Delegates Assembly must be members of IRA.

Section 4 – Standing of Councils. A council shall be in good standing and entitled to representation at the Delegates Assembly if at least ten members have paid dues to the association for the current year. However, the charter of any council may be suspended or revoked for due cause by the approval of a majority of the board.

Section 5 – Special Interest Councils. A special interest council may be formed by ten or more individual members of the association who represent: (1) a group particularly interested in some aspect of reading; (2) particular academic professional groups such as clinicians, college professors, etc. A special interest council may secure a charter from the office of the executive director with the approval of the chairpersons of the Membership and Council Development Committees. Each special interest council in good standing is entitled to one representative in the Delegates Assembly as stated in Article VI, Section 1. Each special interest council shall elect its own officers and board members, who shall be individual members of the association, and shall determine the amount of and collect its own dues.

ARTICLE XI – Representation of the Florida Reading Association at the International Reading Association Delegates Assembly

Each state council of the Association shall be entitled to one delegate, provided the delegate has paid dues for the current year to the Association. One person may represent only one council in the Delegates Assembly. A council may send an alternate for each delegate; an alternate may vote only when the delegate is absent. Members who do not have voting privileges in the Delegates Assembly may attend Delegates Assembly meetings and have privileges of the floor.

ARTICLE XII – Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, latest edition, shall govern the proceedings of the Florida Reading Association, except in such cases as are governed by the bylaws and special rules adopted by the Florida Reading Association.

ARTICLE XIII – Amendments

Section 1 - Origin. Amendments to the Bylaws shall be proposed by: (1) the Administrative Committee subject to approval of the Board of Directors; or (2) a majority of the voting members present at a Delegates Assembly of the Florida Reading Association, provided a quorum has been declared. All proposed amendments shall be sent to IRA before presenting them to the members for adoption.

Section 2 – Procedures for Amending. Amendments may be adopted by: (1) the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members present at a Delegates Assembly, after presentation at the previous meeting and/or provided that the proposed amendment has been mailed to each voting member at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting of the Delegates Assembly; or (2) mail ballot to all active members of the Florida Reading Association. If mail ballot is used, only the ballots returned to the chairperson of the Administrative Committee within thirty (30) days after the date ballots were mailed to the members shall be counted. An amendment shall be declared adopted after it has been approved by two-thirds (2/3) of those members voting who have returned their ballots within the prescribed time, provided the ballots are returned by at least twenty-five (25) percent of the voting members.

ARTICLE XIV – Dissolution

In case of the dissolution of the Florida Reading Association, and assets remaining after the payment of debts or provisions therefore shall revert to the International Reading Association.