The name of this organization shall be the History of Reading Special Interest Group.

The purpose of this organization is to encourage historical research in the field of reading and literacy; to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the history of reading and reading instruction; and to promote the development of a body of historical knowledge about reading and literacy.

Section 1. Membership is open to all persons who are members in good standing of the International Reading Association (IRA).

Section 2. Dues shall be set by the Executive Board and be collected by the treasurer.

Section 3. Upon payment of dues, non-IRA members ("Subscribers") may receive the group's newsletter and other information. They may neither stand for office nor vote.

Section 1. The elected officers of this organization shall be a president, two vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and two delegates-at-large to the Executive Board.

Section 2. All officers shall be nominated by the nominating committee and elected by SIG members responding by a set date to a ballot mailed to all members no later than one month prior to the annual business meeting. With the exception of the treasurer, their terms of office shall be for one year. The term of office for the treasurer shall be three years.

Section 3. The president shall preside at all meetings, appoint chairpersons of ad hoc committees, appoint the editor(s) of the newsletter and the archivist (with the approval of the Executive Board for both), and have charge of conducting the business of the organization.

Section 4. The first vice-president shall preside in the absence of the president, and assist the president in the execution of business. He/she shall be the chairperson of the Special Interest Group's annual program.

Section 5. The second vice-president shall chair the membership committee.

Section 6. The secretary shall keep all records of the organization and accurate minutes of all business meetings, and meetings of the Executive Board.

Section 7. The treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds for the organization; shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures; shall keep an up-to-date record of the list of members; and shall present a written report at each annual meeting to all members.

Section 8. The delegates-at-large to the Executive Board shall represent the membership at the Executive Board meetings.

Section 9. A vacancy in any office shall be filled by presidential appointment.

Section 1. A business meeting shall be held at least once annually. The business meeting generally will be held in conjunction with the annual program of the Special Interest Group at the annual convention of the International Reading Association.

Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the Executive Board.

Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the officers of the organization, the immediate past-president, the editor(s) of the newsletter, and the archivist.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet at least twice a year. The newly elected Executive Board shall meet immediately following the annual business meeting, and prior to the next annual business meeting, at the call of the president.

Section 1. The standing committees shall be as follows: Nominating, Membership, Editorial and Archival. With the exception of the Nominating Committee, the chairperson of each committee shall appoint the members of the committee.

Section 2. The Nominating Committee shall consist of a chairperson, who shall be the immediate past-president, a second member appointed by the current president and approved by the Board, and a third member elected by the Board. It shall be the function of the Nominating Committee to prepare a slate for the annual election and to present this slate by mailing a ballot to the membership no later than one month prior to the annual business meeting.

Section 3. The Membership Committee shall consist of a chairperson who shall be the second vice-president. It shall be the function of the Membership Committee to take appropriate measures to maintain and increase the group's membership.

Section 4. The Editorial Committee(s) shall consist of a chairperson, who shall be the editor(s) of the newsletter, and other members as the editor(s) see fit. It shall be the function of the Editorial Committee(s) to collect items of interest for the newsletter; solicit occasional papers to be published with the newsletter; and generally oversee the formulation, publication, and distribution of the newsletter.

Section 5. The Archival Committee shall consist of a chairperson, who shall be the archivist of the Special Interest Group. It shall be the function of the Archival Committee to collect papers presented at the group's annual meetings, and preserve other material of the group as directed by the Executive Board.

Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws may be made by a 2/3 majority of those SIG members responding by a set date to a ballot mailed to all members no later than one month prior to the annual business meeting, provided that written notice of the proposed Amendments has been mailed to the membership no later than two months prior to the annual business meeting.

Section 1. This organization shall be affiliated with the International Reading Association as a Special Interest Group.

The group's electoral year shall be compatible with the timing of the annual conventions of the International Reading Association. It shall run from May 1 of one year to April 30 of the next.