Revised May, 2004

ARTICLE I: NAME AND AREA SERVED
The association shall be called the Oregon Reading Association, serving the State of Oregon.

ARTICLE II: NATURE AND PURPOSE
The purposes of the association shall be: 1) coordinate the efforts and activities of the local IRA councils in the State of Oregon; 2) to encourage the study of literacy at all levels; 3) to sponsor conferences and meetings; 4) to promote mutual understanding and cooperative work among educators at all levels; 5) to stimulate and promote research in developmental literacy; 6) to study the various factors that influence progress in literacy; 7) to publish the results of pertinent and significant investigations and practices in the field of literacy; 8) to assist in the development of more adequate teacher-training programs; 9) to act as an intermediate clearinghouse for information related to literacy.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section 1 – Eligibility: Membership in the Oregon Reading Association shall be open to all persons engaged in the promotion of literacy, and to all others interested in the purposes of the association.

Section 2 – Active Members: Membership in the council shall become effective upon payment of annual association dues.

Section 3 – Association Dues: Dues for annual membership in the association shall be set by the Board of Directors and are payable to the Director of Membership at the state or local level and are due upon renewal notice.

Section 4 – Arrears: A member whose dues are delinquent should be notified immediately, before the name is removed.

Section 5-International Dues: Membership in the International Reading Association shall be strongly recommended. Dues to the International Reading Association, which provide members with voting and discount privileges and subscriptions, may be paid directly to IRA headquarters.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section 1-Officers: The elected officers of the association shall be a vice president, a president-elect, a president, a secretary, and immediate past president. Appointed officers shall be those of treasurer and a director of membership. Appointment of these officers shall be made by the Board of Directors. Any ORA member in good standing, who is also a member of the International Reading Association, is eligible to be an officer of the association. The position of state coordinator is voted on by the Executive board and then the selected name of the individual is forwarded to IRA headquarters for approval.

Section 2-Term of Office: The term of office of the vice president shall be one year. The vice president shall then automatically succeed to the office of president-elect for one year, and at the expiration of that term shall become president for one year. In the event of a vacancy in the office of vice president or president-elect, the president and the remaining officer may serve a second term immediately following his/her term in office. The terms of secretary shall be 2 years: The terms of the treasurer and director of membership shall be three years. These officers may serve additional terms immediately following their first term in office. The term of office for the state coordinator is three years. The term of office for state coordinator can be extended through approval of the ORA Board and permission from IRA headquarters.

Section 3-Time of Assuming Office: Each officer shall assume the duties of office following the spring election, no later than July 1.

Section 4-Duties of the Vice President: The vice president shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors and as a member of the Executive Board. The vice president will also fulfill other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors. Should the office of president-elect become vacant, the vice president shall serve the unexpired portion of the president-elect’s term in addition to the term to which the vice president was elected.

Section 5-Duties of the President-Elect: The president-elect shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors, and liaison of the Conference Committee. The president-elect shall assume and perform the duties of the president in the event of the absence, incapacity, or resignation of the president. Should the office of president become vacant, the president-elect shall become the president immediately and shall serve the unexpired portion of the president’s term in addition to the year for which the president-elect was elected. In the event that, for any reason, the president-elect is unable to assume the duties of president immediately, the vice president shall assume the duties of president.

Section 6-Duties of President: The president shall act as the executive officer of the association. The president shall preside at all meetings of the association, shall act as chairperson of the Board of Directors and the Executive Board, and shall exercise general leadership and supervision over the affairs of the association, implementing its purposes. The President shall notify the Board of Directors of the date, time and place of all general meetings at least two weeks before the meeting. The President is responsible for the state handbook listing local council officers and members of State Committees and distributes it by October 1 to all Board of Directors and committee chairs.

Section 7-Duties of Treasurer: The treasurer shall: 1) maintain accurate and up-to-date records; 2) have custody of the funds of the association which shall be deposited in the name of the Oregon Reading Association, which is an affiliate of the International Reading Association; 3) cooperate fully with the successor by turning over up-to-date records within thirty (30) days of retirement from office.

Section 8-Duties of Secretary: The secretary shall: 1) record the happenings of all association meetings of the Board of Directors and send the minutes to the Board of Directors immediately following the meeting; 2) keep a permanent book of minutes of all meetings; 3) circulate proposed amendments to each member at least 30 days in advance of the meeting at which the amendments are to be voted upon; 4) cooperate fully with the directions from association meetings and/or meetings of the General Board regarding needed correspondence and notices; 5) send approved minutes and notices to Professional Development Associate and the state coordinator; 6) cooperate fully with the successor by turning over an up-to-date record within thirty (30) days of retirement from office.

Section 9 -Duties of Director of Membership: The director of membership shall: 1) collect dues and turn all money over to treasurer in a timely fashion 2) keep an accurate record of total membership, including latest addresses and telephone numbers; 3) provide every council with such current list; 4) notify all members when their dues are due; 5) plan ways to secure new members and retain present members; 6) determine the number of delegates needed to form a quorum for the delegates assembly; and 7) assist local council leaders with needed information for honor council status.

Section 10-Duties of State Coordinator: The state coordinator shall; 1) serve as a liaison between ORA and IRA; 2) coordinate a yearly leadership workshop to train local council leaders; 3) serve as a member of the Board of Directors, Executive Board, Budget Committee and Nominating Committee; 4) provide IRA yearly with the names, addresses, and IRA membership numbers of all State and local council officers within the IRA designated guidelines; 5) assist in the formation of new councils and help to maintain strong local councils throughout the state; 6) travel whenever possible to local council meetings in support of programs; and 7) serve as a spokesperson within the state for the International Reading Association.

Section 11-Interim Replacement: In the event of any vacancy the Board of Directors shall have the power to fill the vacancy until the next regular election.

ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1-Function: The Board of Directors shall exercise general supervision over the property and affairs of the association. It shall have the general power to administer the affairs of the association between board meetings and shall report its actions to the membership for approval.

Section 2-Composition: The Board of Directors shall consist of all current officers, a representative of each local council (two-three years), and the state coordinator.

Section 3-Meetings: The first meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held within a reasonable time after election and no later than October 1, in order that the standing committees may be appointed with a greater part of the official year remaining for their specific work, and in order that the yearly calendar may be established with the Executive Board. The Board of Directors shall be empowered to hold such meetings as it shall be deemed necessary on the call of the president, at such times and places as the president may determine. No fewer than three (3) meetings shall be held each year.

Section 4-Quorum: A quorum for a meeting of the Board of Directors shall consist of (6) members.

ARTICLE VI: DELEGATES ASSEMBLY

Section 1-Composition: The delegates assembly shall consist of the Board of Directors, and delegates from each local council. Local councils shall be represented by one delegate for each 25 members.

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

Section 3-Quorum: A quorum shall consist of a majority of those eligible to vote as delegates in the assembly as determined by the director of membership.

Section 4-Meetings: The delegates assembly of the Oregon Reading Association shall meet when deemed necessary by a majority of local councils or the Board of Directors.

Section 5-Notification of Meetings: At least two (2) weeks in advance of each meeting the corresponding secretary shall notify all delegates of the date, time, and place of the meeting.

Section 6-Amendments to the Bylaws: The delegates assembly shall have the power to amend these bylaws as provided in Article XIII.

ARTICLE VII: NOMINATIONS/APPOINTMENTS/ ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1-Election: All officers, except the president, president elect, treasurer, director of membership and state coordinator shall be elected by April 1st.

Section 2-Nominating Committee: Serving on the nominating committee shall be the president, president-elect, vice president, and state coordinator. The committee shall prepare a slate of nominees annually. Each nominee must be a member of the Oregon Reading Association and the International Reading Association. Advanced consent from each nominee shall be secured by the Committee. The Committee will also be charged with selecting committee chairs for all the committees for the next year. All recommendations will be taken to the Board of Directors for approval.

Section 3-Mode of Election: The officers may be elected at the annual state conference or by a mail ballot, at the direction of the Board of Directors. The ballot will contain a short vita of each nominee. Space shall be provided on the ballot form for write-in candidates. The results of the election shall be announced through the ORAcle newsletter. If the Board of Directors chooses to conduct the election by mail, the ballot shall be mailed to each active member at least four weeks prior to the date the ballots are to be counted. The date for return shall be clearly printed on the ballot. The president shall be responsible for reporting the newly elected officers to IRA Headquarters and to the state coordinator by April 15, using the official forms provided by IRA.

Section 4 - Term of Office: Each elected officer shall assume the duties of office on July 1 following the spring election and shall continue to serve for the duration of the term.

ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES

Section 1-Standing Committees: There shall be such standing committees as specified in Sections 2 through 11 of this article.

Section 2-Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall be composed of the past president, president, president-elect, vice president, director of membership, state coordinator, secretary, calendar and committee coordinator, and treasurer. Members of the Executive Committee shall: 1) serve on the Budge Committee; 2) determine the agenda for the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Delegates Assembly; 3) attend an annual planning meeting where the vision, goals, projects and programs for the association are formulated; and 4) develop the changes for all the committees in the form of recommendations to be approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 3-Committee on Studies and Research: The Committee on Studies and Research shall seek to disseminate information throughout the association. They shall encourage the members to study issues that merit their efforts.

Section 4-Program Committee: The president-elect or an appointed member shall be chairperson of the Program Committee. This committee shall: 1) plan, coordinate, and conduct the annual state conference.

Section 5-Nominating Committee: The committee shall: 1) prepare a slate of nominees annually; and 2) select committee chairs for all the committees for the next year. All recommendations will be taken to the Board of Directors for approval.

Section 6-Budget Committee: The Budget Committee: 1) shall examine the income and expenditures of the association and shall be responsible for preparing the annual budget for approval by the Board of Directors; 2) shall plan for and have an annual audit of the books; 3) budget committee membership shall consist of the Executive Board.

Section 7-Auditing Committee: The Auditing Committee shall make an annual audit. The Auditing Committee must be comprised of al least 3 members not on the Budget Committee.

Section 8-Bylaws Committee: The Bylaws Committee: 1) shall continuously study the bylaws of this association to determine if they are meeting the current, as well as foreseeable needs; and 2) shall be aware of the ongoing proceedings of the Association and make recommendations to the Board of Directors if association practices are not in line with the bylaws.

Section 9-Intellectual Freedom Committee: The Intellectual Freedom Committee shall: 1) keep the association’s membership informed of issues that are being dealt with internationally, nationally and on a state level; and 2) monitor censorship issues at the state level and make at least one annual written report about the issues in Oregon.

Section 10-Legislative Committee: The Legislative Committee shall: 1) inform association members of current legislative issues that relate to literacy in a timely fashion; 2) make at least one written annual report regarding issues in the State; and 3) create an awareness among lawmakers that ORA is a resource when literacy issues are addressed.

Section 11-Five Year Planning Committee: The Five Year Planning Committee shall: 1) create a 5 year plan that makes recommendations for goals and direction for the association, and develops long range plans for future conferences which might include formats and budget recommendations; 2) meet yearly to revise the plan and add to the future; and 3) consist of the Executive Board, past presidents, state coordinators and former ORA officers.

Section 12-Number of Standing Committees: The number of standing committees may be increased or decreased upon the recommendations of the Board of Directors.

Section 13-Number of Committee Members of Committees: The number of committee members on standing committees shall not be fewer than three (3) members.

Section 14-Mode of Appointment and Terms of Standing Committees: The chairs of the Standing Committees will be nominated by the Nominating Committee with approval by the Board of Directors and will serve for one year unless specified otherwise by charges to the committee.

Section 15-Chairpersons of Standing Committees: The chairpersons of each standing committee shall: 1) select at least two other association members to serve on their committee; 2) review the charges given from the Board of Directors and plan ways to carry them out; 3) submit reports of progress to Board in a timely fashion; and 4) submit a final report to the Board with expenditures and progress on listed goals listed and recommendations for continued goals.

Section 16-Special Committees: Special Committees may be authorized from time to by the Board of Directors.

Section 17-Number of member of special Committees: The number of members of special committee shall not be less than three (3) association members.

Section 18-Mode of Appointment to Special Committees: The members and chairperson of special committees will be appointed by the president with approval by the Board of Directors and/or members at a meeting.

Section 19-Special Committee Charges: The Special Committee will meet and report directly back to the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX: REPRESENTATION AT THE ANNUAL ASSEMBLIES

Section 1-Representation Annual IRA Assembly: Representation of the Oregon Reading Association at the Delegates Assembly of the International Reading Association shall be in accordance with the bylaws of the International Reading Association as specified in Article VII, Section 1, which reads in part as follows:

“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.”

ARTICLE X: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order newly revised, shall govern the proceedings of this association, except in cases governed by the constitution, bylaws, and special rules adopted by this association.

ARTICLE XI: DISSOLUTION In case of the dissolution of this association, any assets remaining after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the association will revert to the IRA.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

Section 1-Origin: Amendments to the bylaws shall be proposed by 1) a quorum of the Board of Directors; 2) the Bylaws Committee; and 3) by a majority of the voting members present at a meeting of the association. All proposed amendments shall be sent to the Council Coordinator at IRA Headquarters before presenting them to the members for adoption.

Section 2-Procedures for Amending: Amendments may be adopted by the affirming vote of two-thirds of the members present at a meeting of the council provided a quorum has been declared. (See Article VI, Section 3) The amendments must have been presented first at the previous meeting, and/or the proposed amendments circulated to each voting member at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting at which the voting on the amendments is to take place.

Section 3-Incorporation: Amendments adopted as described in Section 2 shall be incorporated into these bylaws. Copies of all amendments shall immediately be sent to the Council Coordinator at IRA Headquarters and to the state president and state coordinator.