|
DSG By-Laws Adopted before the 2000 Pittsburgh AAG Meeting |
| Article I. Name The name of this organization is the Disability Specialty Group (DSG) of the Association of American Geographers. Article II. Mission Statement The mission of the DSG is to foster communication between members and to encourage research, education and service that addresses issues of disability and chronic illness. The group will provide support and advocate with disabled members of the Association, while working closely with other specialty groups to promote common interests and develop intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary projects. Article III. Membership 1. Any member of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) may join the DSG. 2. Any member of DSG may hold elected office. 3. The annual dues will be $4.00 for regular AAG members and $1.00 for students and retirees. 4. The AAG Office will verify membership each year after payment of AAG dues. Article IV. Officers 1. The DSG is governed by a fivemember Board of Directors elected from the membership of the group: a chairperson, a secretarytreasurer, and three directors. 2. The chairperson will serve for a term of two years, and may not serve consecutive terms. The chairperson will be the chief executive officer. The chairperson will preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors. In the event of the chairperson’s absence, the secretarytreasurer will preside. The chairperson will make all required reports to the AAG Council and Office. The chairperson will periodically update the DSG homepage on the Worldwide Web. 3. The secretarytreasurer will be elected for a twoyear term, and may serve consecutive terms. The secretarytreasurer will record the minutes of each meeting of the Board of Directors and transmit the minutes to the Board of Directors and to the AAG Office within 60 days of such meeting. The secretarytreasurer shall maintain an account of all incomes and expenditures of the DSG. An annual financial report will be presented to the Board of Directors. The secretarytreasurer will supervise elections. 4. Two of the three directors will be elected from the DSG membership atlarge; one is elected from the student membership. All directors are elected for twoyear terms and may not serve consecutive terms. The directors are responsible for coordinating or organizing special, paper, and panel sessions and workshops for AAG national and regional meetings and for leading other DSG activities. 5. Board members will assume office on July 1 following their election. Terms of office will end on June 30. 6. Nominations for elections will be solicited of the entire membership by email annually. 7. All officers will be elected by ballots distributed by email at least two weeks before the annual business meeting, and counted at that meeting. 8. The officers will serve staggered terms as follows: The chairperson, secretarytreasurer, and one director will be elected during odd numbered years. The remaining two directors (one of whom must be a student) will be elected during even numbered years. 9. In the event an officer's position becomes vacant during the first year of a twoyear term, a replacement to serve the second year will be elected from the membership at the next annual AAG meeting. Otherwise the position will remain vacant. Any person elected to fill the second year of a vacated office will be eligible the following year to seek a full twoyear term for the same office. During any such time that either the office of chairperson or secretarytreasurer is vacant, the duties of that office will become the responsibility of the remaining officer, who in turn may ask the directors to help in the discharging of those duties. Article V. Meetings 1. The DSG will hold at least one general membership business meeting annually, usually at the AAG annual meetings. This business meeting will be used to review the previous year’s activities, vote on any outstanding business, and plan activities for the coming year. 2. The DSG Board of Directors will hold at least one meeting annually, usually at the AAG annual meeting. A quorum of three is necessary to conduct business. The Board may also transact business and vote by email. Article VI. Committees and Sponsored Activities 1. The chairperson may, with the approval of a simple majority of the Board of Directors, appoint committees to undertake or sponsor specific projects and activities related to the DSG mission. These sponsored activities may include convening workshops and short courses; organizing research and outreach projects; publishing Web pages, newsletters, and other materials; and making awards. 2. Permanent standing committees may be formed if approved, as to mission and rules of membership, by a simple majority of members attending an annual business meeting. Appointments to standing committees are made by the chairperson with the approval of a simple majority of the Board of Directors. Article VII. Ratification and Amendment of Bylaws 1. These bylaws will become effective when (a) approved by members of the e-mail discussion list GEOGABLE (Issues relating to geography and disabilities); and (b) approved by the Association of American Geographers. 2. Amendments to the bylaws may be proposed by any member of the DSG, but must be received by the chairperson at least two (2) months before the next business meeting. All members will then be notified over e-mail of the proposed changes prior to the next annual business meeting to allow for discussion and input. A simple majority of the members is required to amend the bylaws. |