BYLAWS OF THE AERA OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME (OST) SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG)
Article I: Name The name of the organization is Out-of-School Time Special Interest Group (OST SIG).
Article II: Affiliation The organization, Out-of-School Time, is a Special Interest Group 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 OST SIG shall be governed by the bylaws and articles of incorporation of the AERA. OST SIG bylaws shall not conflict with the bylaws and articles of incorporation of AERA.
Article IV: Purpose The purpose of the OST SIG is to provide a forum for researchers in out-of-school time teaching and learning to share resources and become each others' resources; to provide venues and opportunities to present related research; and to bring additional resources to AERA.
Article V: Membership Section 1 - Eligibility. Membership in OST SIG shall be open to any dues-paid AERA member who supports the purpose of the organization and who pays the specified SIG dues. Section 2 - Duration. AERA members may join OST SIG by paying OST SIG dues through the AERA online membership system. AERA members may join OST SIG at any time, but OST SIG membership expires parallel with a given AERA membership. OST SIG membership may be for either one or two years, but members who join the OST SIG for two years must also be two-year AERA members. Section 3 - Voting Rights. All OST SIG members in good standing, fully paid in SIG dues, shall be entitled to vote for officers. Section 4 - Dues. The amount of OST SIG dues may be modified by a majority of the OST SIG members voting by e-mail or at the annual business meeting held during the AERA annual meeting.
Article VI: Officers Section 1 - General. Officers of OST SIG shall be elected by a majority of members voting each year immediately following the AERA annual meeting. Voting will occur by e-mail balloting. The elected officers shall comprise the Executive Committee that shall conduct all business of the SIG in the interim between the annual business meetings. Section 2 - Eligibility. All members in good standing with both AERA and OST SIG shall be eligible for election as officers. Section 3 - Terms. The term of each office shall be for one year, expiring at the end of each year's annual AERA meeting, with the exception of the Program Chair. The Program Chair is a two-year term, with the first year serving as Program Chair and the second year serving as President. No person may serve in any single office for more than two consecutive terms. Section 4 - Offices. The following offices shall compose the executive committee of OST SIG: 1) President; 2) Program Chair; 3) Secretary/Treasurer; 4) Membership Director; 5) Newsletter Editor; and 6) Website Manager. Section 5 - Election Procedures. Each year, prior to the annual AERA meeting, the President shall send out a call to nominations, including position descriptions and nominee applications (e.g., person's statement of purpose, qualifications, short biography). The nominations will be collected by the president, and a pre-business meeting will be called with the Executive Committee to discuss the nominees and the ballot. Following the Executive Committee call, a ballot and full applications will be sent out to the OST SIG members. Nominees will be introduced at the OST SIG business meeting and via e-mail for all absentee members. The elections shall take place immediately following the AERA annual meeting; all members will vote via email ballots. Election shall require a majority of votes cast; a tie vote shall be broken by a consensus vote of the outgoing Executive Committee.
Article VII: Duties of Officers Section 1 - President. The President shall be responsible for the general administration of the OST SIG and act as liaison between the SIG and AERA. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and at the annual business meeting. The President shall appoint ad hoc committees as needed. Section 2 - Program Chair. The Program Chair shall coordinate OST SIG activities and the substantive sessions for the AERA annual meeting. The Program Chair shall be allowed to request an appointment of a Program Co-Chair. The appointments must be approved by the President. In year two, the Program Chair will transition to the position of President in order to ensure continuity in officer membership and processes. Section 3 - Secretary/Treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for the safekeeping of all financial documents and any official correspondence and meeting minutes of OST SIG. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for making catering and audio/visual arrangements at all OST SIG substantive sessions and at the annual OST SIG business meeting. The Secretary/Treasurer will coordinate any awards programs on behalf of the SIG. Section 4 - Membership Director. The Membership Director shall oversee efforts to increase membership in the OST SIG. The Membership Director shall be responsible for providing monthly membership updates to the Executive Committee, welcoming new members, and tracking departed ones. Section 5 - Newsletter Editor. The Newsletter Editor shall compile and disseminate a newsletter by e-mail or other means at least twice a year. Section 6 - Website Manager. The Website Manager shall develop the OST SIG website and oversee content development and quarterly updates.
Article VIII: Meetings Section 1 - Annual Meetings. There shall be an OST SIG 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 President in conjunction with the Executive Committee. 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 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 by submitted for review by the Executive Committee at least a week prior to the annual business meeting.
Article X: Discontinuation In the event that the purpose of OST SIG 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 OST SIG 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.