Bylaws

In accordance with the IRA Bylaws, IRA members are to be notified of proposed bylaws changes and given the opportunity to submit their comments to the Board.  At the October 27-28, 2011, meeting of the IRA Board of Directors, the Board voted to propose the following changes to the bylaws and would like you to review them and submit your comments to bylaws@reading.org  Once the Board has reviewed comments from the membership, a final vote on the proposed changes will take place at the February 24-25, 2012, meeting of the IRA Board of Directors.

• Download the proposed bylaws

Explanation for Bylaw Change Article V Section 6. B. (p. 2)

The Budget Committee now consists of the entire Board (rather than a subset of the Board) so that all Board members are part of the budgeting process.

Proposed Text:

The Budget Committee shall be comprised of a committee of the entire Board, with the President as chairperson, and at least one (1) exter­nal financial expert appointed by the Board to act as a nonvoting advisor. The Budget Committee’s primary function is to assist and advise the Board in fulfilling its financial oversight responsibilities with respect to one (1) establishing an annual budget, (2) ensuring that the budget reflects Board policies and priorities, and (3) forecasting budgetary needs for multiple years. The full charter of this Committee shall be set forth in the policies and procedures of the Association.

Explanation for Bylaw Change Article V Section 6. E (p. 3)

The Board voted to change the name of the former Headquarters Committee to Evaluation Committee to more closely identify the role of that Committee.

Proposed Text:

The Evaluation Committee shall comprise the chairperson as appointed by the president-elect from the senior Board class and two (2) additional members of the Board (one (1) from the junior and freshman classes). The President, President-elect, and the Vice President shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members. The Evaluation Committee shall have responsibil­ity to: (1) check and review the maintenance of an organized and accessible file of Executive Director evaluations, and (2) review and evaluate the performance of the Executive Director annually as per the published Board integrated schedule. The full charge of the Evaluation Committee shall be set forth in the policies and procedures of the Association.

Explanation for Bylaw Change Article VIII Section 2. A. 1. (p. 6) and Article VIII Section 2 B. 1 (p.6)

National Affiliates are now referred to as International Affiliates and this change has been made in the bylaws.

Proposed Text:

Section 2 A. 1.

1. Each nominee must be a current member in good standing of the Association and a current member of a local council and of a state or provincial council or international affiliate whenever the nominee resides in an area served by such councils and/or affiliates.

Section 2. B. 1.

1. Each nominee must be a member in good standing of the Association and a current member of a local council and of a state or provincial coun­cil or international affiliate whenever the nominee resides in an area served by such councils and/or affiliates.