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CESJ Bylaws

Article I: Name

The name of the organization is Critical Educators for Social Justice (CESJ).

Article II: Affiliation

The organization, Critical Educators for Social Justice (CESJ) is a Special Interest Group (SIG) of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), pays annual dues to AERA, and participates in the AERA annual meeting.

Article III: Representative Authority

This Special Interest Group abides by the bylaws and articles of incorporation of the AERA. The SIG bylaws do not conflict with the bylaws and articles of incorporation of AERA.

Article IV: Purpose

The members of this Special Interest Group are committed to teach, promote, and implement the principles of critical pedagogy in order to establish an educational movement grounded in the struggle for social and environmental justice, human rights and economic democracy.

The members of this SIG are committed to cultural, linguistic, political, and economic self-determination within our classrooms, schools and communities.

A major goal of this SIG is to foment a serious educational process that cultivates intellectual rigor, creativity, critical engagement, and active participation in the world.

We believe that education, as a form of critical understanding, plays a crucial role in transforming society; therefore, we recognize the significance of sustaining the committed participation of educators whose work is founded upon these principles.

A significant objective of this Special Interest Group is to promote communication and collaboration among critical educators and researchers working in public schools, universities and community education programs through networking and the creation of multiple avenues for consistent communication and the establishment of alliances and goals between its membership.

Article V: Membership

Section 1 – Eligibility

Membership in CESJ is open to dues-paid AERA members.

Section 2 – Duration

AERA members join SIG/CESJ by paying dues through AERA Central Office. AERA members may join SIG/CESJ at any time, but membership expires along with a given AERA membership. SIG/CESJ membership may be for either 1 or 2 years, but members joining the SIG for 2 years must continuously be members of AERA for 2 years.

Section 3 – Voting Rights

All SIG/CESJ members in good standing, fully paid in SIG dues, may vote for SIG representatives.

Section 4 – Dues

The amount of SIG/CESJ dues may be modified by a majority of the SIG members voting by e-mail or at the annual SIG business meeting.

Article VI: Representatives

Section 1 – General

Representatives of SIG/CESJ are elected by a majority of SIG members voting each year prior to the AERA annual meeting. In the year in which these bylaws are accepted by the membership, voting will take place at the annual meeting. The elected representatives will comprise a Representatives Committee of SIG/CESJ and conduct the business of the SIG in the interim between annual business meetings. This committee will convene periodically during the year (with at least one physical meeting and other distance meetings as needed) to coordinate and support the work of the SIG. This work may include the following: membership, newsletters, program planning, supporting focus groups and/or other designated projects. It is also a responsibility of the Representative Committee to connect and network with other SIG groups of AERA to promote efforts within the mission of this SIG.

Section 2 – Eligibility

All members in good standing of both AERA and SIG/CESJ are eligible for election as representatives and to vote.

Section 3 – Terms.

The terms of each representative shall be for 2-3 years, expiring at the end of the second annual AERA meeting after election. In the second year or third year, each elected position shall serve as “past representative” to mentor and coordinate work with newly elected representatives.

Section 4 – Elected Roles

The following roles shall compose the Representative Committee for SIG/CESJ:

1. AERA SIG Representative;
2. Fiscal Representative;
3. Communications Representative;
4. Program Representative;

Section 5 – Other Roles

Persons to assist these representatives or to carry out the work of the SIG may be appointed by the Representative Committee. Such positions include any that will best embody the spirit and work that is part of the work of this SIG.

Currently these roles include:

1. an ongoing Program Co-Representative to provide continuity in terms of program technical processes;
2. Webspinner to support a permanent website and assist the Communications Representative with posting the newsletter and other communications ;
3. Elders to maintain historical continuity and advise;
4. Fire Starters to lead focus groups within the SIG;

Section 6 – Election Procedures

Each year prior the annual AERA meeting, the Representative Committee will appoint two Nominating Representatives, one of whom is the Past Nominating Representative. Members of the SIG are encouraged to nominate candidates and/or self nominate. We encourage active participation of the widest number of people possible. These representatives will present a list of candidates to the SIG/CESJ members 90 days prior to the annual meeting. Voting will take place between 30-60 days prior to annual meeting. The Representative Committee will tabulate the votes and communicate results to the CESJ membership no later than 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Election will require a majority of the votes cast.

Article VII: Representative Responsibilities

Section 1 – AERA SIG Representative

The SIG AERA Representative coordinates and works with the Representative Committee to carry out the work of the SIG.

• Maintains official contacts with AERA
• Works with other AERA SIGS on issues and projects related to the mission of the SIG
• Co-facilitates meetings with past SIG Representative and other representatives.
• Provides agenda for annual business meeting in collaboration with other representatives
• Communicates with and encourages Fire Starters
• Coordinates at least one meeting a year for Representative Committee in addition to the annual business meeting.
• Past SIG Representative supports newly elected SIG Representative in order to provide continuity and serves as one of the Nomination Representatives.

Section 2 – Fiscal Representative

The Fiscal Representative has the following responsibilities:

• Handles all fiscal matters for the SIG and prepares an annual fiscal report.
• Receives and maintains membership list from AERA
• Helps recruit new members by providing information on website and in SIG newsletter on processes for joining SIG, paying dues, and so on.
• Arranges refreshments for the annual SIG business meeting.

Section 3 – Communications Representative

The Communications Representative has the following responsibilities:

• Keeps minutes of official meetings
• Oversees the webspinner/website
• Organizes the newsletter and other communications in collaboration with other representatives and the membership at large.
• Sends newsletter and other information to the list serve.
• Mails newsletter and information to the membership

Section 4 – Program Representative

Serves with the Appointed Program Representative to:

• Accepts proposals
• Assigns reviewers
• Sees that reviews are returned
• Makes decisions about proposals based on program criteria
• Checks to be sure authors of proposals are notified and the proposals have been listed in the AERA program
• Seeks advice of current representatives, elders, and/or the membership when issues arise
• Revises program criteria in response to SIG membership input in collaboration with Representative Committee

Section 5 – Appointed Roles

• Program Representative serves with elected Program Representative to ensure continuity of the proposal process and technical assistance with regard to AERA program procedures. May be appointed for more than 2 years.
• Webspinner: A webspinner will be appointed to develop and maintain the SIG website and the SIG Listerv. This will be a paid position overseen by the Communications Representative.

Section 6 – Other Roles

• Elders: The Elders serve as the “weavers” of the SIG’s history. We want to build on previous work and intentions in order to understand more fully our present and future directions. Anyone significantly involved in building the SIG can join this circle.
• Fire Starters: We know there are special interests and critical issues that arise within the membership of this SIG. We encourage members to organize others around these issues and to make use of the website, the listserv, the newsletter and the business meeting itself to communicate. Fire Starter groups may want to propose areas of focus for proposals for the following year’s AERA meeting.

Section 7 – Criteria for serving in any formal capacity.

• Commitment to the SIG and its mission
• Have a realistic vision about the time necessary to participating in the SIG and its related activities
• Be willing to meet at least once a year in addition to the annual business meeting. Travel costs will be paid from SIG dues.
• Be willing to work collaboratively with others in SIG leadership roles.

Article VIII: Meetings

Section 1 - Annual Meetings

There shall be a SIG/CESJ 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 Program Representative.

Section 2 – Additional yearly meeting

There shall be one additional annual meeting of the Representative Committee to carry out the work of the SIG.

Article IX: Ratification and Amendments

Section 1 – Ratification

These bylaws will take effect upon a majority vote of those members voting the next business meeting.

Section 2 – Amendments

These bylaws may be amended by a majority of members voting at the annual business meeting.

Article X: Discontinuation

In the event that the purpose of SIG/CESJ is fulfilled by another organization or it is unable to maintain membership in AERA, the organization may be discontinued by a majority vote of the SIG members. Should the SIG discontinue, its assets will be used to pay all outstanding debts and obligations. Any remaining funds will be donated to the American Educational Research Association.

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