| Bylaws of the Coalition of Reading and English Supervisors of Texas, Inc. |
The Legend:
The RED text are words and punctuation to delete.
The underlined language is new language and punctuation.
Article I. Name
The name of the corporation shall be the Coalition of Reading and English Supervisors of Texas (CREST), serving the entire state of Texas.
Article II. Purposes
The purposes of this corporation shall be:
1. To promote the improvement in the teaching of all phases of the language arts at all levels of instruction.
2. To act as a clearing house in circulating information of value and in keeping members posted as to the latest educational movements and
findings.
3. To stimulate professional development
4. To encourage open discussion about the teaching of language arts
5. To bring inspirational leaders in the fields of education and communication before the group/
6. To cooperate with other educational groups related to the teaching of language arts.
Article III. Membership and Dues
Section 1 – Eligibility: anyone who is interested in the purposes of the organization is eligible for membership.
Section 2 – Active Members: Membership in CREST shall become effective upon payment of dues for the fiscal year beginning September 1
and ending August 31. each meeting attended with a completed registration form.
Section 3-Dues: Dues for annual membership in CREST shall be set by the Executive Board with the approval of the voting members.
Section 4 Arrears: Any member whose dues are in arrears more than six months shall be eliminated from the membership roster.
Section 5 - IRA/NCTE Membership:
a. CREST shall be in good standing and entitled to be representation as a special interest council at the meetings of the International Reading
Association Delegates Assembly if at least 10 members have paid dues to IRA for the current year. “Each special interest council of the
(International Reading) Association shall be entitled to one delegate, provided the delegate has paid dues for the current year to the
(International Reading) Association…One person may represent only one council in the Assembly. A council may send an alternate for each
delegate; an alternate may vote only when the delegate is absent.”
b. CREST shall be in good standing and entitled to representation at the meetings of the National Council of Teachers of English Delegates
Assembly if at least 25 members have paid dues to NCTE for the current year.
Article IV. Elected and Appointed Officers
Section 1 – Elected Officers:
a. The officers of CREST shall be a president, a president-elect, and immediate past president, and a secretary. Each of these officers shall
be elected, with the exception of the immediate past president.
b. Any member in good standing who is also a member of both the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers
of English shall be eligible to hold an office in CREST.
Section 2 – Appointed Officers:
Membership secretary, a Membership secretary/treasurer, and five regional representatives shall be appointed by the President of CREST. A
parliamentarian may also be appointed as needed.
Section 3- Term of Office:
a. The term of office of the president, president-elect, immediate past president and secretary shall be two years. The membership secretary’
s term of office shall be indefinite.
b. The change of officers, with the exception of secretary and membership secretary/treasurer, shall occur in even-numbered years. The
change in the offices of secretary and treasurer shall occur in even numbered years (if necessary).
c. At the expiration of the President’s term of office, he/she shall become the Immediate Past President for a period of two years.
Section 4 – Election:
a. Every other year the Nominating Committee, composed of at least three (3) members appointed by the President and approved by the
Executive Board, shall present to the corporation nominations for elective offices at the spring meeting of CREST. Each nominee must be a
member of both the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. Voting shall be by written ballot.
Nominations may also be made from the floor. Voting shall take place at that same spring meeting.
b. Advance consent shall be secured by the committee from each candidate.
c. The secretary shall be responsible for reporting the newly elected officers to both IRA and NCTE headquarters using the official forms
provided and by the date specified on the forms.
Section 5 – Installation:
a. Each officer shall assume the duties of the office at the beginning of the new fiscal year following his/her election.
b. The fiscal year shall begin July 1 and end June 30. All records maintained by all officers shall be given to incoming officers by July1.
Section 6 – Vacancies: Positions of elected and appointed officers other than that of president-elect that fall vacant during the year shall be
filled by appointment of the President with the approval of the Executive Board. If the president-elect position becomes vacant, the President
shall follow the normal procedure used in selecting a slate of officers that culminates in an election at the subsequent spring or fall meeting.
Section 7 – Duties of the President: The President shall exercise general leadership and supervision over the affairs of CREST, implementing
its purposes. S/he shall (a) act as executive officer and shall preside at all meetings, including those of Executive Board; (b) announce the
results of the election at the business meeting and shall introduce the newly elected officers; (c) shall approve all official communications
sent out in the name
of CREST in cooperative efforts with other organizations; and (c) shall be the liaison officer between CREST and related language arts
organizations (e.g., International Reading Association, Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts).
Section 8 – Duties of the President-Elect: The President-Elect shall (a) preside in case of absence or resignation of the President; (b) shall
serve as chairperson of the Program Committee; (c) shall serve as ex-officio member of all committees and perform any duties assigned to
him or her by the President; and (d) shall succeed to the office of President for the ensuing term.
Section 9 – Duties of the Immediate Past President: The Immediate Past President shall serve in an advisory capacity on the Executive
Board. IT shall also be his or her responsibility to publish a newsletter for membership at least twice a year.
Section 10 – Duties of the Secretary: The Secretary shall (a) keep a record of all annual meetings of CREST, as well as those of the
Executive Board: (b) keep record of all actions and committee reports; (c) prepare and keep a permanent book of the minutes of all meetings
and furnish a copy of such minutes in each newsletter; and ,(e) report the newly elected officers to both the International Reading
Association and the National Council of Teachers of English headquarters using the official form provided and by the dates specified on the
forms.;
and (f) the Secretary shall provide the Executive Board a copy of the minutes within two (2) weeks of the board and business meetings of
CREST.
Section 11 – Duties of the Membership Secretary/Treasurer: The Membership Secretary/Treasurer shall (a) maintain the corporation’s
membership list, and tax-exempt mailing permit; (b) provide a membership list annually to members; (c) inform members when a lapse of
membership occurs and (d) perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Board.
Section 12 – Duties of the Treasurer: The Membership Secretary/ Treasurer shall (a) (d)receive all funds of CREST and deposit them in a
bank approved by the Executive Board; (b) (e)disburse funds as authorized by the Executive Board; (c) (f) keep an accurate ledger of
receipts and report of the financial status at each meeting of CREST; (d) (g) solicit donations for CREST functions; and (e) (h) provide a
bond for an amount fixed by the Executive Board; and (f) (i) assist each incoming president with a financial audit. ; and (j) perform other
duties as assigned by the Executive Board.
Section 13 12 – Duties of the Regional Representatives: The five regions of Texas shall be the Northern Region, the Eastern Region, the
Southern Region, the Western Region, and the Central Region. as outlined in the current edition of the Texas State Reading Association
handbook. The regional representatives must be members in good standing with the National Council of Teachers of English and the
International Reading Association. They shall coordinate the activities of CREST with those of related organizations in their regions.
Regional representatives shall (a) act as a liaison for CREST in their region; (b) submit articles to the Past-President on happenings in their
region two times yearly for the CREST newsletter; (c) encourage membership in CREST from their region; (d) serve on CREST committees
as needed; and (e) work and help at the two annual CREST meetings.
Article V. Executive Board
Section 1 – Function: The Executive Board shall exercise general supervision over the affairs of CREST. It shall have the general power to
administer the affairs between meetings and shall report its actions to the membership for approval.
Section 2 – Composition: The Executive Board shall consist of all current elected and appointed officers of CREST, and the chairpersons of
all standing committees. The program directors of reading and English language arts for the Texas Education Agency shall be ex-officio
members of the Executive Board but shall have no voting privileges.
Section 3 – Meetings: The executive Board shall meet in conjunction with each fall and spring meeting of CREST. No fewer than two (2)
meetings shall be held each year. The Executive Board shall be empowered to hold additional meetings as it shall deem necessary on the call
of the President, at such times and places the President may determine
Section 4 – Quorum: A quorum shall consist when fifty percent of the Executive Board members are present.
Article VI. Assembly
Section 1 – Composition: The assembly shall consist of the Executive Board and all other members of CREST.
Section 2 – Function: The assembly shall be the legislative body and shall have full power and authority over the affairs of CREST within the
limits set by these bylaws. It shall have authority to review decisions made by the Executive Board and to accept or reject them.
Section 3- Quorum: A quorum shall consist of members holding ten percent of the votes to entitled to be cast, represented in person or
proxy.
Section 4: The assembly of CREST shall meet at least two (2) times each year.
Section 5 – Notification of Meetings: All members in good standing shall be notified of the date, time, and place of each meeting through the
CREST e-newsletter.
Section 6 – Amendments to the Bylaws: The assembly of CREST shall have the power to amend these bylaws as provided in Article VIII.
Article VII. Committees and Appointed Officials
Section 1 – Ad Hoc Committees: The President may appoint ad hoc committees with the approval of the Executive Board.
Section 2 – Appointed Officials: The chairperson of each committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive
Board.
Article VIII. Non-Profit Status Requirement
Section 1. Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes, including , for such
purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the
corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Section 2. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, trustees, officers,
or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services
rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in section 1 hereof and in Article II of this
Constitution.
Section 3. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be carrying on the propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence
legislation, and the organization shall not participate in or intervene in (including publishing or distribution of statements) any political
campaign on behalf of or in opposition t any candidate for public office.
Section 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be
carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding
section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c) (2) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Section 5. Upon dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal
government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets no so disposed of shall by disposed of by a court of
Competent Jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to
such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
Article IX. Amendments to Bylaws
Section 1- Origin: Proposed amendments may be submitted to membership at any meeting. The Executive Board or any member may submit
the amendments. Written copies of proposed amendments must be forwarded to the President at least thirty days prior to the meeting at
which the proposed amendments are to be acted upon by the membership. In turn, the Secretary shall forward copies of the proposed
amendments to the members at least two weeks in advance of the meeting at which they are to be acted upon or the proposed
amendments shall be printed in the newsletter prior to the meeting at which they are to be acted upon.
Section 2 – Voting: Amendments may be adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of a quorum of the membership, provided that a copy of the
proposed amendment has been mailed to each member or posted in the e-newsletter. Copies of all approved amendments shall be sent to
both IRA and NCTE headquarters, as well as TSRA and TCTELA state president.
Article X. Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the corporation in all cases to which they are applicable, and in
which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws or special rules of order of this corporation.
Revised September 28, 1998
Revisions September 22, 2002
The RED text are words and punctuation to delete.
The underlined language is new language and punctuation.
Article I. Name
The name of the corporation shall be the Coalition of Reading and English Supervisors of Texas (CREST), serving the entire state of Texas.
Article II. Purposes
The purposes of this corporation shall be:
1. To promote the improvement in the teaching of all phases of the language arts at all levels of instruction.
2. To act as a clearing house in circulating information of value and in keeping members posted as to the latest educational movements and
findings.
3. To stimulate professional development
4. To encourage open discussion about the teaching of language arts
5. To bring inspirational leaders in the fields of education and communication before the group/
6. To cooperate with other educational groups related to the teaching of language arts.
Article III. Membership and Dues
Section 1 – Eligibility: anyone who is interested in the purposes of the organization is eligible for membership.
Section 2 – Active Members: Membership in CREST shall become effective upon payment of dues for the fiscal year beginning September 1
and ending August 31. each meeting attended with a completed registration form.
Section 3-Dues: Dues for annual membership in CREST shall be set by the Executive Board with the approval of the voting members.
Section 4 Arrears: Any member whose dues are in arrears more than six months shall be eliminated from the membership roster.
Section 5 - IRA/NCTE Membership:
a. CREST shall be in good standing and entitled to be representation as a special interest council at the meetings of the International Reading
Association Delegates Assembly if at least 10 members have paid dues to IRA for the current year. “Each special interest council of the
(International Reading) Association shall be entitled to one delegate, provided the delegate has paid dues for the current year to the
(International Reading) Association…One person may represent only one council in the Assembly. A council may send an alternate for each
delegate; an alternate may vote only when the delegate is absent.”
b. CREST shall be in good standing and entitled to representation at the meetings of the National Council of Teachers of English Delegates
Assembly if at least 25 members have paid dues to NCTE for the current year.
Article IV. Elected and Appointed Officers
Section 1 – Elected Officers:
a. The officers of CREST shall be a president, a president-elect, and immediate past president, and a secretary. Each of these officers shall
be elected, with the exception of the immediate past president.
b. Any member in good standing who is also a member of both the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers
of English shall be eligible to hold an office in CREST.
Section 2 – Appointed Officers:
Membership secretary, a Membership secretary/treasurer, and five regional representatives shall be appointed by the President of CREST. A
parliamentarian may also be appointed as needed.
Section 3- Term of Office:
a. The term of office of the president, president-elect, immediate past president and secretary shall be two years. The membership secretary’
s term of office shall be indefinite.
b. The change of officers, with the exception of secretary and membership secretary/treasurer, shall occur in even-numbered years. The
change in the offices of secretary and treasurer shall occur in even numbered years (if necessary).
c. At the expiration of the President’s term of office, he/she shall become the Immediate Past President for a period of two years.
Section 4 – Election:
a. Every other year the Nominating Committee, composed of at least three (3) members appointed by the President and approved by the
Executive Board, shall present to the corporation nominations for elective offices at the spring meeting of CREST. Each nominee must be a
member of both the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. Voting shall be by written ballot.
Nominations may also be made from the floor. Voting shall take place at that same spring meeting.
b. Advance consent shall be secured by the committee from each candidate.
c. The secretary shall be responsible for reporting the newly elected officers to both IRA and NCTE headquarters using the official forms
provided and by the date specified on the forms.
Section 5 – Installation:
a. Each officer shall assume the duties of the office at the beginning of the new fiscal year following his/her election.
b. The fiscal year shall begin July 1 and end June 30. All records maintained by all officers shall be given to incoming officers by July1.
Section 6 – Vacancies: Positions of elected and appointed officers other than that of president-elect that fall vacant during the year shall be
filled by appointment of the President with the approval of the Executive Board. If the president-elect position becomes vacant, the President
shall follow the normal procedure used in selecting a slate of officers that culminates in an election at the subsequent spring or fall meeting.
Section 7 – Duties of the President: The President shall exercise general leadership and supervision over the affairs of CREST, implementing
its purposes. S/he shall (a) act as executive officer and shall preside at all meetings, including those of Executive Board; (b) announce the
results of the election at the business meeting and shall introduce the newly elected officers; (c) shall approve all official communications
sent out in the name
of CREST in cooperative efforts with other organizations; and (c) shall be the liaison officer between CREST and related language arts
organizations (e.g., International Reading Association, Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts).
Section 8 – Duties of the President-Elect: The President-Elect shall (a) preside in case of absence or resignation of the President; (b) shall
serve as chairperson of the Program Committee; (c) shall serve as ex-officio member of all committees and perform any duties assigned to
him or her by the President; and (d) shall succeed to the office of President for the ensuing term.
Section 9 – Duties of the Immediate Past President: The Immediate Past President shall serve in an advisory capacity on the Executive
Board. IT shall also be his or her responsibility to publish a newsletter for membership at least twice a year.
Section 10 – Duties of the Secretary: The Secretary shall (a) keep a record of all annual meetings of CREST, as well as those of the
Executive Board: (b) keep record of all actions and committee reports; (c) prepare and keep a permanent book of the minutes of all meetings
and furnish a copy of such minutes in each newsletter; and ,(e) report the newly elected officers to both the International Reading
Association and the National Council of Teachers of English headquarters using the official form provided and by the dates specified on the
forms.;
and (f) the Secretary shall provide the Executive Board a copy of the minutes within two (2) weeks of the board and business meetings of
CREST.
Section 11 – Duties of the Membership Secretary/Treasurer: The Membership Secretary/Treasurer shall (a) maintain the corporation’s
membership list, and tax-exempt mailing permit; (b) provide a membership list annually to members; (c) inform members when a lapse of
membership occurs and (d) perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Board.
Section 12 – Duties of the Treasurer: The Membership Secretary/ Treasurer shall (a) (d)receive all funds of CREST and deposit them in a
bank approved by the Executive Board; (b) (e)disburse funds as authorized by the Executive Board; (c) (f) keep an accurate ledger of
receipts and report of the financial status at each meeting of CREST; (d) (g) solicit donations for CREST functions; and (e) (h) provide a
bond for an amount fixed by the Executive Board; and (f) (i) assist each incoming president with a financial audit. ; and (j) perform other
duties as assigned by the Executive Board.
Section 13 12 – Duties of the Regional Representatives: The five regions of Texas shall be the Northern Region, the Eastern Region, the
Southern Region, the Western Region, and the Central Region. as outlined in the current edition of the Texas State Reading Association
handbook. The regional representatives must be members in good standing with the National Council of Teachers of English and the
International Reading Association. They shall coordinate the activities of CREST with those of related organizations in their regions.
Regional representatives shall (a) act as a liaison for CREST in their region; (b) submit articles to the Past-President on happenings in their
region two times yearly for the CREST newsletter; (c) encourage membership in CREST from their region; (d) serve on CREST committees
as needed; and (e) work and help at the two annual CREST meetings.
Article V. Executive Board
Section 1 – Function: The Executive Board shall exercise general supervision over the affairs of CREST. It shall have the general power to
administer the affairs between meetings and shall report its actions to the membership for approval.
Section 2 – Composition: The Executive Board shall consist of all current elected and appointed officers of CREST, and the chairpersons of
all standing committees. The program directors of reading and English language arts for the Texas Education Agency shall be ex-officio
members of the Executive Board but shall have no voting privileges.
Section 3 – Meetings: The executive Board shall meet in conjunction with each fall and spring meeting of CREST. No fewer than two (2)
meetings shall be held each year. The Executive Board shall be empowered to hold additional meetings as it shall deem necessary on the call
of the President, at such times and places the President may determine
Section 4 – Quorum: A quorum shall consist when fifty percent of the Executive Board members are present.
Article VI. Assembly
Section 1 – Composition: The assembly shall consist of the Executive Board and all other members of CREST.
Section 2 – Function: The assembly shall be the legislative body and shall have full power and authority over the affairs of CREST within the
limits set by these bylaws. It shall have authority to review decisions made by the Executive Board and to accept or reject them.
Section 3- Quorum: A quorum shall consist of members holding ten percent of the votes to entitled to be cast, represented in person or
proxy.
Section 4: The assembly of CREST shall meet at least two (2) times each year.
Section 5 – Notification of Meetings: All members in good standing shall be notified of the date, time, and place of each meeting through the
CREST e-newsletter.
Section 6 – Amendments to the Bylaws: The assembly of CREST shall have the power to amend these bylaws as provided in Article VIII.
Article VII. Committees and Appointed Officials
Section 1 – Ad Hoc Committees: The President may appoint ad hoc committees with the approval of the Executive Board.
Section 2 – Appointed Officials: The chairperson of each committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive
Board.
Article VIII. Non-Profit Status Requirement
Section 1. Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes, including , for such
purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the
corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Section 2. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, trustees, officers,
or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services
rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in section 1 hereof and in Article II of this
Constitution.
Section 3. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be carrying on the propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence
legislation, and the organization shall not participate in or intervene in (including publishing or distribution of statements) any political
campaign on behalf of or in opposition t any candidate for public office.
Section 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be
carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding
section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c) (2) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Section 5. Upon dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal
government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets no so disposed of shall by disposed of by a court of
Competent Jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to
such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
Article IX. Amendments to Bylaws
Section 1- Origin: Proposed amendments may be submitted to membership at any meeting. The Executive Board or any member may submit
the amendments. Written copies of proposed amendments must be forwarded to the President at least thirty days prior to the meeting at
which the proposed amendments are to be acted upon by the membership. In turn, the Secretary shall forward copies of the proposed
amendments to the members at least two weeks in advance of the meeting at which they are to be acted upon or the proposed
amendments shall be printed in the newsletter prior to the meeting at which they are to be acted upon.
Section 2 – Voting: Amendments may be adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of a quorum of the membership, provided that a copy of the
proposed amendment has been mailed to each member or posted in the e-newsletter. Copies of all approved amendments shall be sent to
both IRA and NCTE headquarters, as well as TSRA and TCTELA state president.
Article X. Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the corporation in all cases to which they are applicable, and in
which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws or special rules of order of this corporation.
Revised September 28, 1998
Revisions September 22, 2002
CREST
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