Special Interest Group on Research Use

SIGRU By-Laws

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Article I: Name

The name of the organization is the Special Interest Group on Research Use.

Article II: Affiliation

The organization, Special Interest Group on Research Use (SIG-RU), is a Special Interest Group (SIG) of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and, as such, pays annual dues to AERA and participates in the AERA annual meeting.

Article III: Governing Authority

The Special Interest Group on Research Use (SIG-RU), shall be governed by the bylaws and articles of incorporation of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). SIG-RU bylaws shall not conflict with the bylaws and articles of incorporation of AERA.

Article IV: Purpose

The purpose of the Special Interest Group on Research Use (SIG-RU) is to generate and disseminate knowledge related to the ways in which research is used to improve education policy and practice, and to foster improvement of the dissemination and use of research findings. Pursuant to these purposes SIG-RU may elect to publish its own journal, or hold occasional conferences supplementing AERA meetings.

Article V: Membership

Section 1 — Eligibility. Membership in SIG-RU shall be open to any interested parties who support the purpose of the organization, irrespective of their dues-paid status with AERA, however, members are encouraged to maintain active membership in AERA to increase the profile of research use issues within the Association.

Section 2 — Duration. Members may join SIG-RU by paying SIG-RU dues to SIG-RU officers or through the AERA Central Office using the appropriate AERA form. Members may join SIG-RU at any time, but SIG-RU membership expires coterminously with a given AERA membership if AERA membership is maintained. SIG-RU membership may be for either 1 or 2 years, but AERA members joining SIG-RU for 2 years must coterminously be members of AERA for 2 years.

Section 3 — Voting Rights. All SIG-RU members in good standing, fully paid in SIG dues, shall be entitled to vote for SIG-RU officers.

Section 4 — Dues. The amount of SIG-RU dues may be modified by a majority of the SIG-RU members voting by e-mail or at the annual SIG-RU business meeting held during the AERA annual meeting. Minimum dues levels must be consistent with current AERA policies.

Article VI: Officers

Section 1 — General. Officers of SIG-RU shall be elected by a majority of SIG members voting each year prior to the AERA annual meeting by postal or e-mail balloting. The elected officers shall comprise the Executive Committee of SIG-RU and shall conduct all business of the SIG in the interim between the annual business meetings.

Section 2 — Eligibility. All members in good standing of both AERA and SIG-RU shall be eligible for election as officers (SIG-RU Officers must be active members of AERA).

Section 3 — Terms. The term of each office shall be for 1 year, expiring at the end of each year's annual AERA meeting. No person may serve in any single office for more than 3 consecutive terms.

Section 4 — Offices and Executive Committee. The following offices shall compose the Executive Committee of SIG-RU: (1) Chair; (2) Program Chair; (3) Secretary; (4) Treasurer. Persons to assist these officers or to carry out other work of the SIG may be appointed by the Chair, as needed.

Section 5 — Election Procedures. Each year prior to the annual AERA meeting the Chair, in consultation with the Executive Committee, shall appoint a Nominating Committee of no less than 2 and no more than 4 persons. The Nominating Committee shall present the slate of candidates to the SIG-RU members, and the designated Chair of the Nominating Committee shall specify a ballot due date as part of dissemination of ballots and shall receive ballots by postal and/or e-mail. The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall announce the outcomes of the elections to the Executive Committee and all candidates at least 1 week prior to beginning of the AERA annual meeting. Election shall require a majority of votes cast; a tie vote shall be broken by a coin flip conducted at the AERA annual meeting by the Chair of the Nominating Committee or in the Chair's absence a designee of the outgoing Executive Committee.

Article VII: Duties of Officers

Section 1 — Chair. The Chair shall be responsible for the general administration of the SIG-RU and act as liaison between the SIG and AERA. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and at the annual business meeting. The Chair shall appoint ad hoc committees as needed.

Section 2 — Program Chair. The Program Chair shall act as Program Chairperson for the AERA annual meeting at which their term expires.

Section 3 — Secretary/Treasurer. The treasurer shall be responsible for the safe keeping of all financial documents of SIG-RU.

Section 4 — Secretary. The Secretary shall compile and disseminate a newsletter by e-mail or other means at least twice a year, and maintain records of official correspondence and meeting minutes.

Article VIII: Meetings

Section 1 — Annual Meetings. There shall be a SIG-RU business meeting held each year in conjunction with the AERA annual meeting. Arrangements for the time and place of this meeting are the responsibility of the Program Chair.

Section 2 — Governing Procedures. Issues of procedure not covered by these bylaws shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order (Revised). Article IX: Ratification and Amendments

Section 1 — Ratification. These bylaws shall take effect upon a two-thirds vote of those members voting at a duly called business meeting or a two-thirds of the membership by postal or e-mail voting. Section 2 — Amendments. These bylaws may be amended by two-thirds of those members voting at either the annual business meeting or by e-mail. All proposed amendments must be submitted for review by the Executive Committee at least 7 days prior to the annual business meeting.

Article X: Discontinuation

In the event that the purpose of SIG-RU is fulfilled by another organization or it is unable to maintain membership in AERA, the organization may be discontinued by a vote requiring approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the SIG. Should SIG-RU discontinue, its assets shall be used to pay all outstanding debts and obligations. Any remaining funds shall be donated to the American Educational Research Association.