Bylaws

American Educational Research Association
Special Interest Group:
Middle Level Education Research

Bylaws

Article I.

NAME OF THE SIG

The name of this Special Interest Group (“SIG”) s Middle-Level Education Research SIG, (hereafter, the “SIG”).

Article II.

AFFILIATION OF THE SIG

The SIG is a Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association (hereafter,“AERA” or “Association”) established to facilitate the formation of research specialties of an intra- or cross-divisional nature and to increase the exchange of knowledge within research arenas of special interest, and for other reasons in keeping with achieving the purposes of the Association.

Article III.

GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF THE SIG

The SIG shall be governed by the Association’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and policies. The Bylaws, decisions and actions of the SIG shall not conflict with the Association’s Bylaws and policies, including the SIG Handbook and all guidelines, procedures and policies associated with the Association’s Annual Meeting and its program.

Article IV.

PURPOSE OF THE SIG: Middle-Level Education SIG

Section 1 .Purpose	The purpose of the SIG is to improve, promote, and disseminate educational research reflecting early adolescence and middle-level education.
Section 2. Methods	The methods used to achieve the purpose of the SIG will be the publication of research in newsletters/journals, presentations of research findings at an annual conference, and other professional activities deemed appropriate by the SIG.

Article V.

MEMBERSHIP IN THE SIG

Section 1. Eligibility.	Membership in the SIG shall be open to any AERA member who supports the purpose of the SIG and who pays the specified SIG dues and all additional fees required of SIG members by the Association.
Section 2. Joining the SIG.	AERA members shall join the SIG by paying SIG dues and Association fees through the AERA Central Office using the appropriate AERA print or electronic form.
Section 3. Members in Good Standing.	SIG members are considered ‘in good standing’ immediately upon the recording of their dues paid in full by the AERA Central Office.
Section 4. Length of Membership in the SIG.	The length of membership in the SIG shall be from the date membership dues are received in Central Office to the end of the AERA membership year as established by the Association. AERA members may join the SIG at any time, but SIG membership expires coterminously with AERA membership.
Section 5. Voting Rights.	All SIG members in good standing, fully paid in SIG dues, shall be entitled to vote for SIG officers and any other matter where a vote is taken or required.

Article VI.

OFFICERS

Section 1. Required Officers.	The SIG shall have a Chair and Secretary who shall be elected and shall serve as the two required officers. The SIG shall have any other officers that its members from time to time choose to designate.
Section 2. Other Officers.	The other officers of this SIG shall be Chair-Elect//Program Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Immediate Past Chair. The SIG Chair, Chair-Elect/Program Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past Chair, shall comprise the MLER Executive Committee (see Article X for a full description of this governing body). The Executive Advisor serves on the MLER Executive Committee, but is not an officer and is not a voting member of that body. (See Article VIII for more on the Executive Advisor).
Section 3. Eligibility to Hold Office.	All members in good standing of both AERA and the SIG and who are not restricted from holding a particular office due to requirements in the Association’s or the SIG’s Bylaws and policies shall be eligible to run as candidates for election as officers and for any office within the SIG.
Section 4. Length of Term of Office.	Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws, the term of the Immediate Past Chair, Chair, Chair-Elect/Program Chair, Chair-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be for two years. The term of each officer shall begin the day following the close of the AERA Annual Meeting and end on the last day of AERA Annual Meeting, two years from the election.
Section 5. Eligibility to Succeed to the Same Office for Consecutive Terms.	Because of the two-year length of term indicated in these Bylaws and the three year maximum term of office imposed by AERA, individuals shall not be eligible to be nominated and to succeed themselves to the same office for consecutive terms.
Section 6. Automatic Succession of Offices.	There shall be an automatic succession of the following offices, from Vice Chair to Chair-Elect/Program Chair to Chair to Immediate Past Chair, in that order such that the person elected as Vice Chair shall automatically assume the office of Chair- Elect/Program Chair following the completion of one term, then shall automatically assume the office of Chair following the completion of one term as Chair-Elect/Program Chair, then shall automatically assume the office of Immediate Past Chair following the completion of one term as Chair.
Section 7. Limit to Length of Service in One Office.	No person may serve in the same office for more than two consecutive years. The Chair of the SIG shall be charged with ensuring that this requirement is met. In emergency situations, the elected official may serve a three-year term upon approval of the MLER SIG Executive Committee.
Section 8. Officers as Members of AERA for Entire Term.	All individuals serving as officers of the SIG shall be members of AERA during their entire term of office.
Section 9. Vacancies.	Whenever any elected office is vacated for any reason before the term of that officer has been completed, the Chair shall on advice from the MLER Executive Committee appoint a replacement until new elections are held. This replacement shall assume the full duties and responsibilities of that office immediately upon appointment. In the case of the Chair being vacant, the MLER Executive Committee shall by majority vote elect an individual to complete the term of the Chair.

Article VII.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICERS

Section 1. Chair.	The Chair shall be responsible for (a) the general administration of the SIG; (b) ensuring that the SIG Bylaws are followed; and (c) acting as liaison between the SIG and AERA and the SIG and the SIG Executive Committee as well as national and international organizations involved with middle grades education. Additionally, the chair shall (d) preside at all meetings of the MLER Executive Committee and at the Annual Business Meeting; (e) act as parliamentarian or shall appoint a SIG member to serve in that role for each meeting; (f) appoint ad hoc committees as needed; and (g) provide leadership appropriate for the SIG’s continued growth and development. Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws, the Chair of the SIG shall appoint persons to assist officers, to chair committees or to carry out other work of the SIG.
Section 2. Secretary.	The Secretary shall be responsible for: (a) recording the minutes of all meetings and disseminating these minutes to the general membership; (b) conducting all elections; and (c) coordinating the mailing of SIG material as necessary.
Section 3. Treasurer	The Treasurer shall be responsible for: (a) managing the financial accounts of the SIG and the safekeeping of all financial documents of the SIG; (b) monitoring the SIG’s membership database; and (c) providing a financial report to the general membership at SIG meetings.
Section 4. Chair-Elect/Program Chair.	Chair-Elect/Program Chair. The Chair-Elect/Program Chair shall be responsible for: (a) acting as the Chair in the Chair's absence; (b) chairing the Program Committee (comprised of proposals reviewers, session chairs, and discussants); and (c) managing all correspondence with AERA in the establishment of the annual program. If there is a host or co-sponsoring organization, the individual serving as program chair of that organization shall be an ex-officio voting member of the SIG Program Committee.
Section 5. Vice Chair.	The Vice Chair shall be responsible for: (a) coordinating communication among SIG members (b) assisting the Chair and Chair-Elect/Program Chair in areas identified by the MLER Executive Committee; and (c) facilitating the development of the MLER SIG Position Statements.
Section 6. Immediate Past Chair.	The Immediate Past Chair shall be responsible for: (a) serving as chairperson of the Membership Committee; (b) assuming other duties as assigned by the Chair; and (c) assisting the Treasurer in maintaining the SIG's membership database.

Article VIII.

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Section 1. Non-Officer Leadership Positions.	The SIG may from time to time establish important leadership positions that are not officers of the SIG.
Section 2.Titles of Non-Officer Leadership Positions.	The SIG membership shall elect individuals to the following non-officer leadership positions to carry out leadership or task assignments of the SIG for the benefit of the SIG: Council Members (Councilors). Section 2a. Executive Advisor. The Executive Advisor shall be responsible for: (a) providing leadership toward the SIG's mission and strategic goals; (b) formulating plans and advising on policies for the accomplishment of the SIG’s objective, and upon approval of the MLER Executive Committee, shall be responsible for their administration; (c) continuing efforts to forge connections with the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE, formerly NMSA), The National Association of Professors of Middle Level Education, the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, the U.S. Department of Education, and other relevant organizations concerning issues pertinent to middle level education; (d) disseminating information through the SIG’s listserv, newsletter, meetings, conferences, and similar forums; (e) performing duties assigned by the MLER Executive Committee and shall inform the MLER Executive Committee of programs and procedures which contribute to the effectiveness of the SIG; and (f) serving as a non-voting, ex officio member of MLER Executive Committee. Because of the nature of the Executive Advisor position, it is essential to have someone fill this position who has a sense of the history of the MLER SIG. Typically this is a past chair or someone who has had a long term connection with the MLER SIG. There are no term limits regarding the length of service, but executive advisor serves at the will of the MLER SIG Executive Committee. Section 2b. Unless otherwise stated in these Bylaws, the current qualifications, eligibility requirements, duties, responsibilities, term limits, and manner and timing of appointment for each non-officer leadership position shall be posted on the SIG’s website. Section 2c. Individuals serving in non-officer leadership positions cannot serve, make motions or vote on the Executive Committee, although they may, from time to time and at the discretion of the Chair, be invited to participate and provide reports to the MLER Executive Committee.
Section 3. Eligibility.	All members in good standing of both AERA and the SIG and who are not restricted from holding a particular non-office leadership position due to requirements in the Association’s or the SIG’s Bylaws and policies shall be eligible for election to any non-officer leadership position within the SIG.
Section 4. Length of Term for These Leadership Positions.	Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws, the term of each Council Member, whether stated herein or on the SIG website, shall be for two years.
Section 5. Eligibility to Succeed to the Same Non-officer Position for Consecutive Terms.	Individuals are eligible to succeed themselves for the same non-officer leadership position.
Section 6. Non-Officers as Members of AERA for Entire Term.	All individuals serving in non-officer positions of the SIG shall be members of AERA during their entire term of office.
Section 7. Vacancies.	Whenever any non-officer position is vacated for any reason before the term has been completed, the Chair with the approval of the MLER Council (see shall Article XI for a description of the MLER Council) shall appoint a replacement until the date of the next elections cycle for that position. This replacement shall assume the full duties and responsibilities of that position immediately upon appointment.

Article IX

OTHER POSITIONS

Section 1. Non-Officer Support Positions.	The SIG may from time to time establish important positions that are not officers of the SIG.
Section 2. Titles of Non-Officer Support Positions.	The SIG Chair shall appoint individuals to the following non-officer positions to carry out task assignments of the SIG for the benefit of the SIG: Editor of SIG’s newsletter, Web Manager of SIG’s website, and Historian. Section 2a. Unless otherwise stated in these Bylaws, the current qualifications, eligibility requirements, duties, responsibilities, term limits, and manner and timing of appointment for each non-officer position shall be posted on the SIG’s website. Section 2b. Individuals serving in non-officer positions cannot serve, make motions or vote on the Executive Committee, although they may, from time to time and at the discretion of the Chair, be invited to participate and provide reports to the MLER Executive Committee.
Section 3. Eligibility.	All members in good standing of both AERA and the SIG and who are not restricted from holding a particular non-officer position due to requirements in the Association’s or the SIG’s Bylaws and policies shall be eligible for appointment to any non-officer position within the SIG..
Section 4. Eligibility to Succeed to the Same Non-officer Position for Consecutive Terms.	Unless otherwise specified or restricted in these Bylaws, individuals shall be eligible to be appointed to succeed themselves to the same non-officer position. Length of term will be decided by the MLER SIG Executive Committee.
Section 5. Non-Officers as Members of AERA for Entire Term.	All individuals serving in non-officer positions of the SIG shall be members of AERA during their entire term of office.
Section 6. Vacancies.	Whenever any non-officer position is vacated for any reason before the term has been completed, the Chair with the approval of the MLER Council (see shall Article XI for a description of the MLER Council) shall appoint a replacement. This replacement shall assume the full duties and responsibilities of that position immediately upon appointment.

Article X.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF NON-OFFICER POSITIONS

Section 1. Council Members (Councilors).	The Council Members (Councilors) are seven members of the SIG who shall be responsible for: (a) attending at all official SIG meetings, and (b) assuming leadership for standing and ad hoc committees
Section 2. Editor.	The Editor of the SIG’s newsletter, The Chronicle of Middle Level Education Research, shall be responsible for: (a) publishing a minimum of three issues of newsletter annually; and (b) serving as ex-officio, non-voting member of the MLER Executive Committee.
Section 3. Web Manager.	The Web Manager of the SIG’s website shall be responsible for: (a) maintaining and updating the content of the SIG website; (b) providing the SIG membership with easy electronic access to information regarding SIG-sponsored activities; and (c) serving as ex-officio, non-voting member of the MLER Executive Committee MLER Executive Committee.
Section 4. Historian.	The Historian shall be responsible for: (a) keeping the SIG’s history current; (b) submitting an annual report at the Annual Business Meeting and (c) serving as ex-officio, non-voting member of the MLER Executive Committee.

Article XI.

MLER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1.Membership.	There shall be an MLER Executive Committee consisting of the SIG Chair, Chair-Elect/Program Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past Chair, and Executive Advisor.
Section 2.Responsibility and Power.	The MLER Executive Committee shall have responsibility and power to direct and review the general affairs of the SIG within the limits set forth in these Bylaws and to provide leadership. Other duties and powers of this Committee are as follows: (a) appointment of the Executive Advisor; and (b) appointment of the non-officer positions including the Editor of the newsletter, Web Manager of the SIG website, and Historian.
Section 3. Meetings.	The MLER Executive Committee shall hold at least one meeting each year in person and shall communicate as needed throughout the year. One meeting is held during the Annual Meeting of AERA. An additional meeting is held at the annual conference of the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE) . The Chair shall be responsible for ensuring that these meetings are scheduled and held, and for creating and distributing the agenda for these meetings.
Section 4. Quorum and Decision-making.	A majority of the members of the MLER Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum, and decisions of the MLER Executive Committee shall be by a majority of those present, provided a quorum is present.

Article XII.

MLER COUNCIL

Section 1. Membership.	The MLER Council shall be made up of the MLER Executive Committee and seven members of the SIG who are elected in the same manner as officers. A graduate student may be included (appointed or elected) as an eighth council member. Council members must be current with both AERA and SIG membership dues.
Section 2. Responsibility and Power.	The MLER Council shall be the legislative and policy making body of the SIG. The MLER Council shall assume leadership for standing and ad hoc committees. Council members are expected to be in attendance at all official SIG meetings.
Section 3. Meetings.	The MLER Council shall hold at least one meeting each year at a time to be determined by the MLER Council during the AERA Annual Meeting. The Chair may call meetings of the MLER Council at other times and must call one upon petition of a majority of MLER Council member.
Section 4. Quorum and Decision-making.	Half the members of the MLER Council shall constitute a quorum, and decisions shall be by a majority of those present.

Article XIII.

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees.	The permanent standing committees shall be, the Nominating Committee (see Article XIII), and the Membership Committee. Section 1a. The Membership Committee will consist of Council Members (Councilors) and such persons the Chair or Chair-Elect/Program Chair appoints. Section 1b. The responsibility of the Program Committee shall be to arrange for the content and to make local arrangements for annual meetings. The Chair-Elect/Program Chair and the Vice Chair shall primarily have responsibility for content decisions—arranging for speakers and overseeing a blind review process for making decisions about papers to be presented. Section 1c. Other standing committees may be established by the MLER Executive Committee, the MLER Council, or the general membership. These committees shall be discontinued by the constituting body or by the MLER Council.
Section 2. Ad Hoc Committees.	Ad hoc committees may be established by the Chair, the MLER Executive Committee, or the MLER Council.
Section 3. Committee Membership	Committee membership: Section 3a. The Chair shall appoint the committee chair or co-chairs except as restricted by the bylaws. Section 3b. Each committee shall have at least three members. Section 3c. Any member of the SIG may be appointed as a chair or committee member. Section 3d. Any member of the SIG may request membership and shall be granted membership on any committee except the Nominating Committee.
Section 4. Subcommittees.	Subcommittees and their chairs may be appointed by the committee chair.

Article XIV.

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. Oversight of the Nominations and Elections Process.	The MLER Executive Committee shall be responsible for setting up, monitoring, and providing other oversight duties regarding all aspects of the nomination and election processes of the SIG.
Section 2. Nominations Commitee.	The Nominations Committee shall consist of Chair, Chair- Elect/Program Chair, Vice Chair, Immediate Past Chair, and Secretary.
Section 3. Nominations and Nomination Process.	Nominations Committee Section 3a. The Nominations Committee shall seek eligible individuals to serve as candidates for each elected officer and elected non-officer position. Section 3b. No SIG member may nominate an individual for any SIG office or elected non-officer position without the prior consent of that individual to be so nominated. Section 3c. The Chair shall encourage the membership and individuals involved in the nominations process to elicit at least two candidates for each office and elected non-officer position. Section 3d. By the deadline set by the Association, the Nominations Committee shall submit the names of the candidates and any other information required by AERA for inclusion in the AERA electronic ballot system. The deadline for this submission shall be determined by the Association.
Section 4. Date for Completion of Election Tabulation.	All election processes and tabulation of votes for designated officers and non-officer positions for the following year shall be completed within the timeline and deadline established by AERA in conducting its electronic election of Officers of the Association. The Chair of the Nominations Committee shall receive the results of the balloting from the Central Office.
Section 5. Notification of Results.	The Chair shall be responsible for reporting the results to the membership.

Article XV.

MEETINGS

Section 1. Annual Business Meeting.
The SIG shall hold its Annual Business Meeting in conjunction with the AERA Annual Meeting.

Section 2. Other Meetings. The SIG may hold other meetings at times and places approved by the Executive Committee.

Section 3. Officer and Committee Meetings. The Officers and Committees of the SIG shall meet when, where and as needed to conduct the business of the SIG or carry out the charges of the committee within the parameters and requirements of these Bylaws. The SIG Chair, other SIG officers and committee chairs shall set the meetings and notify all officers of the date, time, place and agenda or purposes of the meetings.

Section 4. Notice of Meetings. Announcement of day, time, and place of any official business meeting of the SIG membership shall be made as far ahead as is reasonably possible. In all cases, notice shall be communicated to members at least three weeks in advance.

Section 4a. On petition of twenty percent of the voting members, the MLER Council must call a business meeting to be held within three months of the date of the petition.

Section 5. Rules of Order. In all cases to which they apply and do not conflict with the provisions of these Bylaws and the Association Bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order (current edition) shall govern all business meetings of the SIG.he Chair shall be responsible for reporting the results to the membership.

Article XVI.

DUES AND OTHER FISCAL CONCERNS

Section 1. Dues.
Dues for the SIG shall be decided by vote of the SIG’s Executive Committee.

Section 2. Effective Date of Dues Increases. All changes in dues shall go into effect for all categories of SIG membership for the following membership year as determined by the Association.

Section 3. Allocation of SIG Assets. The Chair, in consultation with the MLER Executive Committee, shall authorize the expenditure of SIG funds for the purpose requested and approved.

Section 3a. The MLER Council shall provide for an operating budget.

Section 4. Overseeing the Allocation of SIG Assets. The Chair and the Treasurer shall have the joint responsibility to ensure that all SIG assets, including money collected via dues, are allocated and spent in ways and in a timely manner to fulfill commitments made by the SIG members or MLER Executive Committee, to pay fees to the Association, to pay debts and to enhance and promote the SIG and the purposes, goals and objectives of the SIG. .

Article XVII.

AERA-APPROVED AWARDS

Section 1. Name of the Awards.
The SIG shall present on an annual basis, when merited, the following Awards as approved by Council: Graduate Student Award and the Dick Lipka Lifetime Achievement Award.

Section 2. The Graduate Student Award. This award shall be presented to a graduate student for outstanding research in middle grades education.

Section 2a. The Graduate Student Award is presented to the individual or individuals who meet the following criteria as approved by the SIG and Council: Submission of an application (approximately 750 words) that describes the graduate student’s research and includes (a) the research question(s) or hypothesis(es), (b) the significance of the research to middle grades education, (c) the research design, (d) the findings, (e) the conclusions with implications for practice, and (f) references.

Section 2b. The process for determining the individual or individuals deserving of the Graduate Student Award is as follows: (a) distribute the call for applications on the SIG Web Site, SIG list serv, and SIG events; (b) collect applications for the award; (c) employ
a blind review evaluation process to score the applications; and (d) determine the winner based on reviewers’ scoring of the applications.

Section 3. The Dick Lipka Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a level of service and leadership in middle grades education who warrants this special recognition. The award is not given every year.

Section 3a. Richard “Dick” Lipka was the founding father of the Middle Level Education Research Special Interest Group (MLER SIG) and has been a guiding force in this organization since its inception. The Dick Lipka Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor that can be awarded by the MLER SIG.

Article XVIII.

TERMINATION/DISSOLUTION OF THE SIG

Section 1. Membership Decision to Voluntarily Dissolve the SIG.	Should it be decided that the SIG is no longer meeting the needs and serving the purposes for which it was founded, the SIG shall be voluntarily discontinued by a two-thirds vote of those voting in a postal, e-mail, or electronic ballot administered by the AERA Central Office. The results of this ballot shall be communicated in writing to the SIG membership, AERA Central Office and Chair of the SIG Executive Committee by the SIG Chair within one week of the counting of the votes.
Section 2. Other Circumstances that May Result in the Dissolution of the SIG.	The SIG may automatically be dissolved should its membership fall below the minimum number established by Council for active SIGs; should its members approve the merging of the SIG with one or more other SIGs, or for other reasons pursuant to the Bylaws of the Association and the SIG. In addition, a Special Interest Group may be dissolved by the AERA Council for good and sufficient reasons.
Section 3. Distribution of SIG Assets.	Should the SIG be discontinued for any reason, its assets shall be used to pay all outstanding debts and obligations. Any remaining funds shall be returned to the AERA.

Article XIX.

RATIFICATION AND AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Approval Process of the Initial Bylaws.	The process for approving the initial Bylaws shall be as follows, with the actions of AERA Council noted for the information of membership: Section 1a. The officers of the SIG shall decide the process for the construction of a draft of the Bylaws, and offer SIG members an opportunity to comment on this draft. The officers shall be responsible for making specific revisions, additions and/or deletions in the Bylaws based upon the feedback and suggestions. Section 1b. After the membership has provided feedback and input on the draft of the Bylaws, the Chair shall submit a copy of the draft to AERA Central Office for review. Central Office may send it back to the SIG Chair with comments for revisions or forward the Bylaws to the SIG Executive Committee for review and recommendation to Council for approval. The SIG Executive Committee may return the Bylaws to the SIG Chair to address specific concerns before making a recommendation to Council. Section 1c. AERA Council may require changes or revisions in the language of the Bylaws or amendments thereof prior to final approval. Once approved by AERA Council, the Chair shall be notified that the Bylaws are in effect and will stay in effect until notification in writing to Central Office of the favorable or unfavorable vote of SIG members. The SIG Chair and officers shall then complete the process of getting approval of the Bylaws by a vote of SIG members. The SIG Chair shall have 30 days to convey in writing to Central Office and the Chair of the SIG Executive Committee the dates and manner of voting decided upon by the SIG officers.
Section 2. Ratification.	After AERA Council approval, these Bylaws shall require a majority vote of those members voting electronically by postal, email, or electronic voting. The SIG Chair shall transmit in writing the manner, dates and results of this vote to Central Office within 10 days of the final count of the votes.
Section 3. Effective Date of Implementation.	These Bylaws shall take effect immediately upon receipt in writing to the SIG Chair by Central Office acknowledging the Chair’s written statement of the favorable vote of the SIG membership for the presented version of the Bylaws or amendment(s) thereof.
Section 4. Amendments to the SIG Bylaws.	These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of those members voting at a duly called Annual Business Meeting or a majority of the members voting by postal, e-mail, or electronic voting as designated by the Executive Committee or elsewhere within these Bylaws. Section 4a. Proposed amendments shall be made in either of the following ways: (a) The MLER Council may draw up proposals and submit them for ratification; or (b) Any SIG member may submit to the MLER Council, in writing, and signed by its sponsors, a proposed amendment or amendments. The MLER Council shall then submit the proposed amendment with any arguments or recommendations to the members of the SIG. Section 4b. An amendment of the Bylaws must receive fifty five percent of those voting to pass. Section 4c. An amendment to the Bylaws becomes effective upon acceptance unless otherwise specified on the ballot.

Article XX.

POSTING OF THE SIG BYLAWS

Within 30 days of Council approval of the SIG Bylaws and all amendments to the Bylaws, the entire set of Bylaws shall be posted on the AERA website for the SIG with the date of Council’s approval included and the Chair shall send an electronic communication to all SIG members announcing the posting of the Bylaws on the SIG website.

Forwarded to AERA Central Office: April 5, 2009
AERA Council Approval Date: June 27, 2009
MLER SIG Approval Date: February 24, 2010
Posting to MLER Website Date: February 28, 2010
Minor Revisions Sent for Membership Vote: February 10, 2012
MLER SIG Approval of Revisions Date: March 12, 2012
Posting to MLER Website Date: March 26, 2012

Section 1. Annual Business Meeting.	The SIG shall hold its Annual Business Meeting in conjunction with the AERA Annual Meeting.
Section 2. Other Meetings.	The SIG may hold other meetings at times and places approved by the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Officer and Committee Meetings.	The Officers and Committees of the SIG shall meet when, where and as needed to conduct the business of the SIG or carry out the charges of the committee within the parameters and requirements of these Bylaws. The SIG Chair, other SIG officers and committee chairs shall set the meetings and notify all officers of the date, time, place and agenda or purposes of the meetings.
Section 4. Notice of Meetings.	Announcement of day, time, and place of any official business meeting of the SIG membership shall be made as far ahead as is reasonably possible. In all cases, notice shall be communicated to members at least three weeks in advance. Section 4a. On petition of twenty percent of the voting members, the MLER Council must call a business meeting to be held within three months of the date of the petition.
Section 5. Rules of Order.	In all cases to which they apply and do not conflict with the provisions of these Bylaws and the Association Bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order (current edition) shall govern all business meetings of the SIG.he Chair shall be responsible for reporting the results to the membership.

Section 1. Dues.	Dues for the SIG shall be decided by vote of the SIG’s Executive Committee.
Section 2. Effective Date of Dues Increases.	All changes in dues shall go into effect for all categories of SIG membership for the following membership year as determined by the Association.
Section 3. Allocation of SIG Assets.	The Chair, in consultation with the MLER Executive Committee, shall authorize the expenditure of SIG funds for the purpose requested and approved. Section 3a. The MLER Council shall provide for an operating budget.
Section 4. Overseeing the Allocation of SIG Assets.	The Chair and the Treasurer shall have the joint responsibility to ensure that all SIG assets, including money collected via dues, are allocated and spent in ways and in a timely manner to fulfill commitments made by the SIG members or MLER Executive Committee, to pay fees to the Association, to pay debts and to enhance and promote the SIG and the purposes, goals and objectives of the SIG. .

Section 1. Name of the Awards.	The SIG shall present on an annual basis, when merited, the following Awards as approved by Council: Graduate Student Award and the Dick Lipka Lifetime Achievement Award.
Section 2. The Graduate Student Award.	This award shall be presented to a graduate student for outstanding research in middle grades education. Section 2a. The Graduate Student Award is presented to the individual or individuals who meet the following criteria as approved by the SIG and Council: Submission of an application (approximately 750 words) that describes the graduate student’s research and includes (a) the research question(s) or hypothesis(es), (b) the significance of the research to middle grades education, (c) the research design, (d) the findings, (e) the conclusions with implications for practice, and (f) references. Section 2b. The process for determining the individual or individuals deserving of the Graduate Student Award is as follows: (a) distribute the call for applications on the SIG Web Site, SIG list serv, and SIG events; (b) collect applications for the award; (c) employ a blind review evaluation process to score the applications; and (d) determine the winner based on reviewers’ scoring of the applications.
Section 3. The Dick Lipka Lifetime Achievement Award.	This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a level of service and leadership in middle grades education who warrants this special recognition. The award is not given every year. Section 3a. Richard “Dick” Lipka was the founding father of the Middle Level Education Research Special Interest Group (MLER SIG) and has been a guiding force in this organization since its inception. The Dick Lipka Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor that can be awarded by the MLER SIG.