Research Council on Mathematics Learning 

CONSTITUTION

Adopted September 1976
Amended August 1978
Amended April 1987
Amended January 2026

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this non-profit Association shall be Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML), hereafter referred to as Council.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE 

The Research Council on Mathematics Learning seeks to stimulate, generate, coordinate, and disseminate research efforts designed to understand and/or influence factors that affect mathematics learning.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 -  Types of Membership

  • Regular Membership Regular membership shall be open to all individuals with mailing addresses within the United States who submit completed application forms and dues 
  • Student Membership Student membership shall be open to individuals who are certified as undergraduate or graduate students by a college or university instructor with mailing addresses within the United States who submit completed application forms and dues.
  • International Membership Regular membership shall be open to all individuals with mailing addresses outside the United States who submit completed application forms and dues.

Section 2 - Privileges of Membership

  • Regular and International Members – Regular and International members shall be accorded all rights and privileges normally provided to members of research, scientific, educational, and professional associations including the right to vote, hold office, receive publications and to participate in conferences.
  • Student Members Student members (undergraduate and graduates) shall have the right and privilege to participate in conferences and receive selected Council publications. In addition, graduate student members may vote, and be elected to serve on standing committees and as student ambassador to the Board.

Section 3 - Protection of Membership Rights

The RCML Board may censure, expel, or suspend any member for cause following due process procedures provided by the By-Laws of the Council.

ARTICLE IV. GENERAL ORGANIZATION

Section 1 – Officers

There shall be the following elected officers of the Council: President, President-Elect and Past-President; Vice-President for Publications, Vice-President-Elect for Publications and Past-Vice President for Publications; Vice-President for Conferences, Vice-President-Elect for Conferences and Past-Vice President Conferences;  Secretary; and Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect and Past-Treasurer. The officers comprise the RCML Board.

Section 2 – President

The President shall be the presiding officer of business meetings and conferences, shall call special meetings when necessary, shall hold non-voting ex-officio membership on standing committees, shall coordinate activities of standing committees, and shall provide leadership for the attainment of the purposes of the Council.

The President-Elect or Past-President, whichever exists during the current year, shall be the presiding officer in the absence of the President, shall aid the President in the executive responsibilities, and shall assume the office of the President should that office be vacated. 

Section 3 – Vice-President for Conferences

The Vice-President for Conferences shall be the presiding officer in the absence of the President, the Past-President, or the President-Elect, shall assume responsibility for coordination of conferences, and shall compile an accurate account of all activities of the office.

The Vice-President-Elect or Past-Vice-President for Conferences, whichever exists during the current year, shall be the presiding officer in the absence of the Vice President for Conferences, shall aid the Vice President in the executive responsibilities, and shall assume the office of the Vice President should that office be vacated.

Section 4 – Vice-President for Publications

The Vice-President for Publications shall be the presiding officer in the absence of the President, Past-President, President-Elect, or Vice-President for Conferences, shall assume responsibility for coordination of publications, and shall compile an accurate account of all activities of the office.

The Vice-President-Elect or Past-Vice-President for Publications, whichever exists during the current year, shall be the presiding officer in the absence of the Vice President, shall aid the Vice President in the executive responsibilities, and shall assume the office of the Vice President should that office be vacated. 

Section 5 – Secretary

The Secretary shall maintain minutes of business meetings, shall assist the officers with official correspondence, and shall keep official records of the Council and the Board. Should the office be vacated the President will appoint a replacement.

Section 6 – Treasurer

The Treasurer shall collect dues and other monies owed to the Council, shall maintain the Council's non-profit status, shall transact financial business upon recommendation from the Board, and shall maintain accurate financial records.

The Treasurer-Elect or Past-Treasurer, whichever exists during the current year, shall be the presiding officer in the absence of the Treasurer, shall aid the Treasurer in the executive responsibilities, and shall assume the office of the Treasurer should that office be vacated.

Section 7 – Graduate Student Ambassador

The Graduate Student Ambassador is appointed by the President for a one-year term to the Board.

Section 8 – Committees

There shall be standing and special committees of the Council as provided in the By-Laws of this Council.

Section 9 – Board

  • Voting Members The Board will consist of the following officers: President, Past-President or President-Elect, Vice-President for Conferences, Vice-­President for Publications, , Secretary, and Treasurer.
  • Non-voting Members (ex-officio) The non-voting members of the Board will consist of Past-Vice-President or Vice-President-Elect for Conferences and Publications, Past-Treasurer or Treasurer-Elect, and the Graduate Student Ambassador (or any other special appointed positions)

ARTICLE V. COUNCIL MEETINGS

Section 1 – Annual Business Meeting

An official Annual Business Meeting shall be held at the Annual Conference at such time and place as determined and announced by the Board.

Section 2 – Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Council shall be called by the President at the direction of the Board under the provisions stipulated in the By-Laws of this Association.

Section 3 Rules of Order

The business of the Council shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, except where otherwise specified in the By-Laws of the Association.

Section 4 Quorum

A quorum for the annual and/or special meetings of this Council shall be the members present.

ARTICLE VI. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS 

A standing Elections Committee shall perform duties of soliciting nominations, conducting elections, and reporting election results to the Board and membership in a timely manner. Processes for this committee shall be provided for in the By-Laws of this Association.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS TO THIS CONSTITUTION

This Constitution may be amended by the following procedures:

Section 1 – Amendments proposed by members

  • Any Regular or International Member(s) may propose amendments.
  • Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Board not less than sixty days prior to the Annual Business Meeting.
  • The Board shall consider all proposed amendments and deliver their recommendations to the Regular and International Members (not Student Members) at the Annual Business Meeting.
  • Proposed amendments to this Constitution recommended by the Board for adoption will be acted upon by the Regular and International Members. Approval requires two-­thirds majority of the Regular and International Members who vote. Voting will occur by electronic ballot.

Section 2 – Amendments proposed by the Board

  • The Board may propose amendments.
  • Proposed amendments shall be approved by the Board.
  • The Board shall deliver their recommendations to the Regular and International Members for review at least 30 days prior to a vote.
  • Proposed amendments to this Constitution for adoption will be acted upon by the Regular and International Members. Approval requires two­-thirds majority of the Regular and International Members who vote. Voting will occur by electronic ballot.