 |
|
Bylaws of the American Forensic Association
|
Return to
AFA Home Page
Section
I. Annual Dues
Annual dues shall be established at
the General Business Meeting. Dues may vary from year to year and between membership
categories.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section II.
Membership
Section 1: Regular
Memberships
Regular membership shall be available
to any person supporting the purposes of this Association, and shall include all
privileges including voting, receipt of all Association publications, and the
opportunity to serve as an officer and on committees.
Section 2: Life
Memberships
Life membership shall be available to
any person supporting the purposes of this association upon payment of a one-time
fee that will entitle that person to all privileges of the Association including
voting, receipt of all Association, publications, and the opportunity to serve
as an officer and on committees.
Section 3: Student
Memberships
Student membership shall be available
to any person supporting the purpose of this Association who is enrolled at an
institution of higher education and pursing a degree, whether undergraduate or
graduate. Student membership shall include the privileges of voting, receiving
all Association publications, and serving on committees.
Section 4: Institutional
Memberships
Institutional and Library memberships
shall be available to any educational institution, department, library, or other
organization, and shall include the privilege of receiving all Association publications.
Section 5: Emeritus
Memberships
Emeritus memberships shall be granted
to members who have retired from their institutions, who have either continuous
Regular membership for fifteen years of noncontinuous membership for twenty years,
or who have been nominated by the National Council and approved by a vote of the
Association in recognition of distinguished service to the profession. Emeritus
members shall have all privileges including voting, receipt of all Association
publications and the opportunity to serve as an officer and on committees.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section III.
Election of Officers
Section 1:
Nominations
The Nominating Committee shall present
the names of two Regular, Life or Emeritus members of the Association for each
position to be elected not later than thirty days prior to the General Business
Meeting at which nominations for officers shall be received. The Committee shall
ascertain that each nominee has received a Bachelors degree and will serve if
elected. This slate of nominees shall be distributed to the membership at the
same time as the Preliminary Agenda for the General Business Meeting. An opportunity
shall exist for additional nominations to be made by the membership at the General
Business Meeting.
Section 2:
Conduct of Election
Election of officers shall then be determined
by a mail ballot sent to all Regular, Life, Student, and Emeritus members of the
Association, with a deadline for returning ballots to be determined by the Executive
Secretary. Newly-elected officers shall assume office and their respective duties
on July 1 immediately following the election. They shall hold office until their
terms expire and their successor are elected. To be elected, a candidate must
receive a majority vote by secret ballot. In the event no candidate received a
majority of the first ballot, a second ballot shall be conducted with only the
names of the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the first
balloting included.
Section 3:
Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy for any elected
office because of death, resignation, or other cause, the President, with the
consent of the National Council, shall appoint any eligible Regular, Life, or
Emeritus member to complete the unexpired portion of that term, or until a special
election is held, whichever comes first.
Subsection
i: President
In the event that the office of President
is vacated, the Vice-President shall assume that office and complete the remaining
portion of that term. Following completion of the unexpired term, the person serving
as President shall proceed to fill her or his regular two-year term in the office.
Subsection
ii: VicePresident
In the event that the office of Vice-President
is vacated, and interim appointment may be made according to the procedures stated
I this section, or in accordance with Subsection iii. If the latter alternative
is selected, a Special Election may be held for the office of Vice-President,
the winner of which shall succeed to the Presidency. A Special Election for the
office of President may also be hald concurrent with the next General Election.
Under no circumstances, however, shall the interim Vice-President succeed to the
Presidency by virtue of the interim appointment.
Subsection
iii: Special Elections
A Special Election may be held if the
National Council determines such action to be in the best interest of the Association,
and consistent with the Association's Constitution and By-laws, Insofar as possible,
a Special Election shall be held in accordance with the provisions of Sections
III, 1 and 2.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section
IV. Duties of the Officers
The National council, under the leadership
of the President and with the aid of Standing and Special Committees, shall be
responsible for planning policy, utilizing personnel, and executing policy once
adopted.
Section 1.
The President.
The President shall be required to perform
the usual duties of such an officer including the power to call meetings of the
National Council, the power to appoint members of Standing Committees with the
advice and consent of the National council, and the power to appoint members of
Special Committees unless the original motion formulating the Special Committee
shall designate another method of appointment.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section 2.
The Vice-President.
Besides those duties assigned by the
President or National Council, the Vice-President shall be responsible for developing
all Association sponsored programs and meetings at the Annual Convention.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section 3.
The Vice-President for High School Affairs
The Vice-President for High School Affairs
shall have the special responsibility for representing the needs and concerns
of high school forensics professionals to the Association, for representing the
Association to high school forensics professionals, and for fulfilling other responsibilities
assigned by the President or National Council.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section 4.
The Executive Secretary
The Executive Secretary shall be responsible
for the general operations of this Association. The duties assigned by the National
Council shall include, but not be limited to, soliciting and maintaining memberships;
collecting dues and other revenues; paying financial obligations in a timely manner;
organizing and distributing Association publications such as the Tournament Calendar,
Directory, and AFA Newsletter; serving as liaison to other professional
organizations; coordinating the Job Clearing House; implementing, monitoring and
administering programs and policies of the Association; assisting committees with
duties and responsibilities; distributing all mail ballots and chairing a "teller's"
committee; and gathering, maintaining and distributing information appropriate
to the Association and forensic professionals.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section 5.
The Recording Secretary
The Recording Secretary shall be responsible
for recording minutes of all General Business Meetings of the Association, and
of all meetings of the National Council. The Recording Secretary also serves as
editor of the AFA Newsletter.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section 6.
Two-Year College Representative
It shall be the special responsibility
of the two-year college representative to the National Council to discover the
needs, and make plans for the development and implementation of policies designed
to promote the purposes of this Association for and in this specific constituency.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section 7:
Reports of Officers
Each officer shall make a report outlining
her or his responsibilities and actions during the preceding year to the membership
at the General Business Meeting.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section
V. Bonded Officers
The Executive Secretary shall be bonded.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section VI.
Caucuses
Section 1:
Forming Caucuses
Caucuses may be formed through the following
procedures: A petition requesting establishment that includes the names of at
least twenty-five Regular, Life, Student, or Emeritus members of the Association
shall be submitted to the National Council stating the purpose and justification
for the proposed caucus. The petition shall then be presented to a General Business
Meeting accompanied by a statement from the National Council of endorsement or
opposition. If approved by a vote at the General Business Meeting, the caucus
shall be established.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section 2:
Officers
Each caucus shall be responsible for
determining the nature and selection of officers and their respective duties,
and its individual projects so long as they are complementary to the purposes
of this Association and to the policies and programs enacted through the National
Council, committees and members. When membership of a caucus reaches fifty, it
shall be granted representation to the National Council, and shall select its
own representative.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section 3:
Annual Report
Each caucus shall submit a report to
the National Council and to the membership at the General Business Meeting.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section 4:
Caucus Dues
Caucus shall be permitted to collect
dues from members provided that all collections and disbursements are processed
by the Executive Secretary. Any disagreements that may arise between a Caucus
and the Executive Secretary over collections or disbursements shall be resolved
by the National Council.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section
VII. Committees
Committees shall be of the following
types: Standing, Chartered, Nominating, and Special. All committees shall report
to the General Business Meeting and, upon request of the President, to the National
Council.
Section 1.
Standing Committees
Standing Committees shall be appointed
by the President with the advise and consent of the National Council Efforts shall
be taken to assure appropriate representation of membership interests, constituencies,
and geographic distribution. Standing Committees shall consist of six members
serving for three-year, staggered terms, and shall select their own chair, who
shall vote on Committee business only in the case of a tie. In the event of death
or resignation of a member from any Standing Committee, the President shall appoint
a person to fill the unexpired term with the advice and consent of the National
Council. Members of Standing Committees shall not serve more than two complete,
consecutive terms on the same committee. At the beginning of each Presidential
term, the President shall, with the advice and consent of the National Council,
present a specific charge to each Committee consistent with the responsibilities
identified in this section. The following shall be Standing Committees of the
Association.
Subsection
i. Finance
The Finance Committee shall be responsible
for planning and overseeing the Association's fiscal affairs including creating
an annual budget and presenting it to the General Business Meeting, monitoring
on a regular basis the collection and expenditure of funds by the Executive Secretary,
assuring timely and complete audits are conducted as necessary, and recommending
policy to ensure the financial health of the Association.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Subsection
ii. Professional Development and Support
The Professional Development and Support
Committee shall be responsible for developing and supporting the highest standards
of professional conduct within forensics, and for representing the professional
interests of this Association's members to all appropriate constituencies. Included
within the responsibilities of this Committee will be the following: develop and
promote standards concerning the duties, evaluation, and tenure of forensic educators;
and development and maintain a consulting program to assist in the development
and support of forensics professionals at all educational levels. Additional responsibilities
may be assigned as appropriate.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Subsection
iii. Educational Development and Practices
The Educational Development and Practices
Committee shall be responsible for developing, reporting, and promoting practices
that strengthen forensic pedagogy, whether in classrooms, forums, competition,
or other circumstances. Included within the responsibilities of this committee
will be the following: develop, maintain and distribute information on establishing
and promoting argumentation and forensics within curricula; develop and promote
ways of increasing broad participation in forensic activities; examine, assess,
and evaluate forensic practices in light of the purpose of this Association; and
maintain and interpret the AFA Code of Ethics as it relates to educational practices.
Additional responsibilities may be assigned as appropriate.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Subsection
iv. Research
The Research Committee shall be responsible
for the encouragement, development, and evaluation of research activity throughout
the profession. Any official research conducted or awards presented in the name
of this Association shall have the approval of this Committee.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Subsection
v. Publications
The Publications Committee shall have
primary responsibility for planning, supervising, and monitoring all publications
sponsored by this Association, and shall have the additional responsibility of
conducting a search for and nominating to the National Council editors of AFA
sponsored publications.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section 2.
Chartered Committees
Chartered Committees shall be created
for special, on-going activities by approval of a specific Charter by the Association's
voting members.
Subsection
i: Formation
Members of this Association desiring
that such a Committee be established shall submit a proposed Charter to the National
Council stating the purpose and justification for the proposed Committee, and
procedures for conducting the proposed Committee's business. The petition shall
then be presented to a General Business Meeting accompanied by a statement from
the National Council of endorsement or opposition. Upon approval by a vote at
the General Business Meeting, the Charter shall then be submitted on a mail ballot
to all eligible voting members of the Association. This ballot shall include a
summary of the pro and con arguments from the discussion at the General Business
Meeting, and shall include a deadline for return to be established by the Executive
Secretary. The Charter shall be granted if supported by a majority of those members
eligible and voting. The size of these Committees, selection of members, and duties
and responsibilities shall be delineated within the approved Charter. Each Chartered
Committee shall present a report of its activities at the General Business Meeting.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Subsection
ii: Chartered Committees
The following are Chartered Committees
of this Association:
Subsection
(i). National Debate Tournament
The National Debate Tournament Committee
shall have the responsibility for planning and conducting the National Debate
Tournament.
Subsection
(ii). National Debate Tournament Board of Trustees
The National Debate Tournament Board
of Trustees shall be responsible for all financial matters pertaining to the National
Debate Tournament including establishing a budget for each Tournament, establishing
assessments and fees for subscribing schools, and negotiating and approving any
agreements with hosting or sponsoring institutions contingent upon approval by
the National Debate Tournament Committee. The Board shall have sole responsibility
for all negotiations with any agent(s) financing the National Debate Tournament,
and for establishing the legal framework appropriate for the execution of its
duties. This Board shall consist of five members appointed by the President of
this Association for five-year, staggered terms.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Subsection
(iii). National Individual Events Tournament
The National Individual Events Tournament
Committee shall have the responsibility for planning and conducting the National
Individual Events Tournament.
Subsection
(iv). National Individual Events Tournament Board of Trustees
The National Individual Events Tournament
Board of Trustees shall be responsible for all financial matters pertaining to
the National Individual Events Tournament including establishing a budget for
each Tournament, establishing assessments and fees for subscribing schools, and
negotiating and approving any agreements with hosting or sponsoring institutions
contingent upon approval by the National Individual Events Tournament Committee.
The Board shall have sole responsibility for all negotiations with any agent(s)
financing the National Individual Events Tournament, and for establishing the
legal framework appropriate for the execution of its duties. This Board shall
consist of five members appointed by the President of this Association for five-year,
staggered terms.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section 3.
Nominating Committee
A Nominating Committee shall have the
responsibility for submitting a list of nominees for all elected officers in accordance
with the provisions of Section III: Election of Officers.
Subsection
i: Membership
This Committee shall consist of five
members who shall serve a two-year term concurrent with those of national officers,
and shall be elected by mail ballot. No one who has served as a member of the
immediately preceding Nominating Committee shall be eligible for membership.
Subsection
ii: Election
The Executive Secretary shall issue
a call to the membership for nominations to this Committee not later than thirty
days prior to the General Business Meeting. These individuals, up to five, receiving
the greatest number of nominations from the call, and who are eligible and willing
to serve, shall be announced at the Meeting, and shall be included on the mail
ballot. Additional nominees for the Committee shall be obtained from the floor
at the General Business Meeting such that a total number of nominations to be
included on the mail ballot shall equal at least ten. The ballot shall be mailed
to all eligible voting members, and each may vote for up to five. The five individuals
receiving the greatest number of votes on the mail ballot shall constitute the
Committee In the event of a tie for the final position, all those involved in
the tie shall be appointed to the Committee.
Subsection
iii: Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy occurring
on the Nominating Committee, the President, with the advice and consent of the
National Council, shall appoint an eligible member to complete the unexpired portion
of that term.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section 4.
Special Committees
Special Committees may be appointed
by the President, except where the motion creating the Committee shall designate
an alternative method of appointment. Special Committees shall be appointed for
two years or until their assignment is completed, whichever is shorter.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section VIII.
Affiliates
Section 1:
Negotiating Affiliation
When an organization with objectives
consistent with those of the AFA requests affiliation, the President of the AFA
or his/her representative(s) shall enter into discussions to prepare a Memorandum
of Affiliation that outlines the mutual obligations and basis of agreement for
affiliation. The Memorandum may be as simple or as complex as agreed to by the
negotiators. Upon approval of the Memorandum by the National Council and by the
appropriate agency of the organization seeking affiliation, the affiliation shall
be submitted to the AFA Business Meeting. Upon approval by the Business Meeting,
the organization shall be recognized as an Affiliate.
Section 2:
Representation on National Council
Upon petition of fifty members of AFA
who also certify that they are members of the Affiliate, the Affiliate may select
a non-voting representative to the AFA National Council.
Section 3:
Changes in Memorandum of Affiliation
Changes in the Memorandum of Affiliation
must be presented to the Business Meeting of the AFA accompanied by a statement
of endorsement or opposition from the National Council. Organizations will cease
to be Affiliates when disaffiliation is requested by the Affiliate or by action
of the AFA Business Meeting, if an AFA initiated disaffiliation. A motion for
disaffiliation at the Business Meeting must be accompanied by a statement of endorsement
or opposition from the National Council.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section
IX. Editors of American Forensic Association Publications
Section 1:
Selection
The editors of American Forensics Association
publications shall be nominated by the Publications Committee and appointed by
the National Council. Editors shall have the authority to appoint such associate
editors as are necessary to complete their responsibilities. The terms of associate
editors shall be concurrent with that of the editor. In the event of death or
resignation of an editor or associate editor, the appropriate authority as designated
herein may appoint a replacement to complete the unexpired term.
Section 2:
Term
The editor of Argumentation and Advocacy:
The Journal of the American Forensics Association shall serve a three-year
term.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section
X. Agenda for General Business Meetings
Section 1:
Preparation
It shall be the responsibility of the
President, in conjunction with the National Council and Executive Secretary, to
prepare and distribute a preliminary agenda to every member at least thirty days
prior to a General Business Meeting. The first item on the preliminary agenda
shall be approval of a complete agenda for the General Business Meeting.
Section 2:
Additions to Agenda
Any member having items to be considered
at the General Business Meeting that are not included in the published, preliminary
agenda should so inform the President or Executive Secretary at least one week
prior to the Meeting. All items submitted should be presented in writing, and
should include specific wording of the actionable item supported by a brief justification.
A complete agenda, including all additional items, shall be prepared by the President
and the National Council, and shall be presented for approval as the first item
of business at the General Business Meeting. Approval of the complete agenda by
those attending the General Business Meeting shall constitute the order of business.
Any modification to the approved complete agenda shall be governed by Section
XI rules of procedure.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section
XI. Quorums for General business and National Council Meetings
A quorum for a General Business Meeting
shall exist when twenty members with voting privileges are present. A quorum for
a National Council meeting shall exist when a majority of the officially designated
and recognized members are present.
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section
XII. Rules of Procedure
General Business Meetings and National
Council Meetings shall be conducted according to the procedures prescribed in
Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised (1990 edition).
Return to the
Contents of this Page
Section
XIII. Amendment
These By-Laws may be amended by a majority
vote at any General Business Meeting, provided that the proposed amendment shall
be mailed to those members with voting privileges at least thirty days prior to
the date of the General Business Meeting; or without prior notice by a two-third
majority of those present and voting at the General Business Meeting.
Return to the Contents of this Page
Approved 1992; Amended 1998, 2004.
