Labor Markets and Economics Section Bylaws 11/05

The Labor Markets and Economics Section is a constituent organization of the Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA). The Section shall provide a forum for the exchange of ideas about interest area and for the professional education of practitioners and researchers in that interest area.

The goal of the Section is to advance and disseminate knowledge about the interest area, and to improve its processes. Activities of the Section may include:

a. Submission of proposals for sessions for the annual meeting program of the LERA

b. Organization of section meetings, workshops and/or training sessions at LERA Annual Meetings, Chapter and other meetings
c. Encouragement of professional interaction and collaboration among interest area practitioners and researchers.

d. Contribution of articles and ideas to the LERA Newsletter, Perspectives on Work, research volumes, Listservs, the LERA websites and other LERA publications.

e. Appointment of a representative for the Perspectives Editorial Advisory Board (term 3 years) and of two representatives from the section to serve as readers for the annual LERA Refereed Papers Competition.

f. Focus on bringing together opportunities for alliances between LERA and related academic and professional organizations.
g. Operating an Internet discussion list or maintaining a webpage on the LERA website.
h. Any other related activities.

Membership is open to all members of the national LERA who are interested in advancing knowledge in the field of examples. An annual Section meeting will be held at each LERA annual meeting.

Section policy, consistent with the bylaws, will be determined by a simple majority of Section members present at each annual Section meeting. A quorum of three (3) members shall be sufficient. The Section will consider agenda items or action suggested by any section or LERA member received via postal or e-mail in advance of the meeting. Minutes of each meeting may be prepared if deemed necessary by those present. A secretary may be designated for this purpose.

In the period between annual Section meetings, the Section shall be governed by the Chair and/or co-chair. The Chair/Co-Chair shall be elected for a 3-year term and the Chair or the Co-Chair shall preside at the annual Section meeting. Candidates for Chair shall be nominated from the floor at the annual Section meeting and the Chair shall be elected by a simple majority of those present. . Nominations may also be submitted to the Chair in writing or by e-mail from any Section member in advance of the meeting.

These bylaws will take effect at the 2006 annual meeting of the Section and may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting at any annual Section meeting. Any proposed amendments should be posted on the LERA website at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. They may also be amended by a simple majority of those voting in a postal or e-mail ballot of the Section members.

Consistent with the LERA Constitution and tax laws that govern 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organizations, this Section may act as a forum for constructive dialogue on policy matters, but it will not act in a lobbying capacity unless there is a consensus among Section members and written advance approval from the LERA Executive Board.