Bylaws of Dade Reading Council
The name of this organization shall be the Dade Reading Council, Inc., hereinafter referred to as "the Council." The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Council in all cases in which they are inconsistent with the Bylaws of the Council. This name has jurisdiction in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Section 1 - NATURE The Council shall serve as a unified voice committed to promoting reading as an essential tool for life-long learning and literacy. The Council is affiliated with the Florida Reading Association (FRA) and the International Reading Association
(IRA).
Section 2 - PURPOSES The purposes of the Council shall be: 1) to sponsor and/or provide a variety of projects which promote literacy; 2) to assume a leadership role in issues and policies which effect literacy; 3) to promote an increase in active membership in the Council as well as FRA and IRA; 4) to support the continued professional growth of all educators; 5) to develop community awareness of the purposes of the Council and promote active community involvement and participation in the Council's concerns and projects; and 6) to foster a working relationship with other organizations concerned with literacy.
Section 1 - ELIGIBILITY Membership in the Council shall be open to all persons interested in furthering the purposes of the association.
Section 2 - ACTIVE MEMBERS Membership in the Council shall become effective upon payment of Council dues for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Section 3 - DUES The General Board prior to the beginning of each school year shall set the amount of dues.
Section 1 - OFFICERS The officers of the Council shall be President, Vice President(s), recording secretary, treasurer, the immediate past presidents and the advisor. Any member,
in good standing, who is also a member of FRA and IRA, is eligible for election as Vice President(s) of the Council.
Section 2 - TERM OF OFFICE The term of office of the President shall be for one year.
The term of office of the Vice President(s) shall be for one year. The Vice President(s)
will automatically succeed to the office of President for one year. The recording secretary, corresponding secretary and treasurer are each appointed for a one year term by the President and may serve additional terms if reappointed by the incoming President.
Section 3 - TIME OF ASSUMING OFFICE Each officer shall assume the duties of their office at the conclusion of the installation meeting and shall continue to serve for the duration of the term or until a successor can assume duty.
Section 4 - DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT The President shall preside at all Council assemblies and General Board and Executive Board meetings and provide leadership in implementing the purposes of the Council. The President or designee shall serve as delegate to FRA and IRA. The President may be one of two authorized signatures on all checks. The President shall, in consultation with the Vice President(s), appoint the recording secretary, the treasurer, the advisor and whatever committee chairs are deemed necessary.
Section 5 - DUTIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT(S) The Vice President(s) shall assist
the President in the implementation of the purposes of the Council. In the absence of the President, the Vice President(s) shall assume the duties of the President. The Vice President(s) may be one of two authorized signatures on all checks.
Section 6 - DUTIES OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY The recording secretary shall keep an accurate record of all business and meetings of the Executive Board and General Board. The recording secretary shall keep a permanent book of all the minutes of all meetings.
Section 7 - DUTIES OF THE TREASURER The treasurer shall have custody of the funds of the Council, which shall be deposited in the name of the Council, and shall keep records of the financial transactions of the Council. The treasurer shall receive monies due to the Council from the Council from the respective chairs and deposit the same. The treasurer shall be one of the two authorized signatures on all checks for the disbursement of funds in accordance with the approval of the Executive Board. The treasurer will submit a written financial report at each General Board meeting showing itemized disbursements and revenues.
Section 8 - DUTIES OF THE PAST PRESIDENT(S) The immediate past President(s) shall serve on the Executive Board by virtue of having served as President(s).
Section 9 - DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR The advisor shall assist the President and the General Board as need arises.
Section 10 - VACANCY OF OFFICE BETWEEN ELECTIONS In the event of a vacancy
between elections in the office of the president, the Vice President(s) shall continue their present office and shall also assume the duties of the vacant office. In the following year, this person shall become President. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Vice President(s), the Board shall have the power to fill the vacancy.
Section 1 - COMMITTEES There shall be such standing committees as shall be necessary to provide an efficient General Board. All committees shall transmit their recommendations and action plans to the General Board. Action plans will be periodically reviewed.
Section 2 - BYLAWS COMMITTEE The bylaws committee shall annually assess the adequacy of the bylaws of the Council.
Section 3 - BUDGET COMMITTEE The budget committee shall be chaired by the treasurer. The committee will submit a proposed budget for the year to be voted on by the General Assembly.
Section 1 - FUNCTION The Executive Board shall exercise general supervision over the property and affairs of the Council and shall supervise the execution of policies and actions approved by the membership.
Section 2 - COMPOSITION The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice President(s), recording secretary, treasurer, immediate past President(s), and advisor.
Section 3 - QUORUM A quorum for a meeting of the Executive Board shall consist of five members.
Section 4 - MEETINGS The Executive Board will meet as the President deems necessary.
Section 1 - COMPOSITION The General Board shall consist of all officers, committee chairs, and the advisor.
Section 2 - QUORUM A quorum shall consist of nine members of the General Board.
Section 3 - MEETINGS The President shall call meetings of the General Board monthly.
Section 1 - COMPOSITION The General Assembly shall consist of the Executive Board and all other members of the Council.
Section 2 - FUNCTION The General Assembly shall approve the annual budget and the Bylaws.
Section 3 - QUORUM A quorum shall consist of those present and eligible to vote in the General Assembly. A minimum of 25 eligible members shall be necessary to conduct the business of the Council.
Section 4 - MEETINGS The General Assembly shall meet a minimum of three times each year. The final meeting shall include the installation of officers for the next year. The election of the Vice President(s) shall take place at the meeting preceding the final meeting.
Section 5 - AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS The Assembly of the Council shall
have the power to amend these bylaws as provided in Article XI.
Section 1 - REPRESENTATION AT THE DELEGATE ASSEMBLY OF THE FLORIDA READING ASSOCIATION AND INTERNATIONAL READING ASSOCIATION The representation at delegate assemblies shall be as specified in the bylaws of the respective
organization. The President or designee is the first delegate to these assemblies.
Section 1 - In case of the dissolution of this Council, any assets remaining after payment of debts or provision thereof shall revert to the International Reading Association.
Section 1 - Any member of the Council may propose Amendments to the bylaws. A proposed amendment shall be presented to the Executive Board for discussion. The proposed
amendment shall then be presented in writing and voted upon at the next Council Assembly meeting. Amendments as adopted shall be incorporated into these bylaws.