Constitution and By-Laws

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

LYDIA MARIA CHILD SOCIETY

Approved on ­­31 August 2016 by the LMCS Executive and Advisory Boards with votes of approval by Sarah Olivier, Tracey Daniels-Lerberg, Sandra Burr, Carolyn Karcher, Karen L. Kilcup, Dana D. Nelson, Robert Fanuzzi, Bruce Mills, Jane Sciacca, Constance L. Jackson, and Hildegard Hoeller

 CONSTITUTION

 Article I: Name and Object

Section 1:

The name of the society is the Lydia Maria Child Society, (hereafter the LMCS).

Section 2:
The mission of the LMCS is as follows: The Lydia Maria Child Society (LMCS) promotes the awareness and appreciation of Child’s life and works and facilitates the exchange of ideas, information, research, and pedagogies relating to Child and her visions for social equality. In carrying forward Child’s legacy, our Society supports the pursuit of social justice and inclusive excellence through education, academic scholarship, creative projects, and social action.

Article II: Officers of the Executive Board

Section 1:
The officers of the Executive Board shall be the President; Vice President of Programs, Vice President of Membership and Records, Vice President of Inclusive Excellence and Social Action, Vice President of Communications, and Vice President of Digital Resources.

Section 2:
The position of the President shall be filled on a volunteer basis subject to a 2/3 approval of the Executive Board and a 2/3 approval of the Advisory Board. In the event that two or more persons volunteer for the position of President, the President shall be elected by a majority vote of the members voting and shall serve a three-year term. The President shall preside at the LMCS’s annual meeting and call additional meetings when necessary; shall facilitate communication and collaboration amongst Executive Officers and members; shall consult with the advisory board; shall create and implement policies, programs, and operations that further the LMCS’s mission and promote the LMCS with assistance from the Executive Board; shall build partnerships with other academic societies and community organizations; and shall work collaboratively with the VP of Communications to create and edit a Society newsletter or appoint another officer or member to do so.

Section 3:
The position of the Vice President of Programs shall be filled on a volunteer basis subject to a 2/3 approval of the Executive Board and a 2/3 approval of the Advisory Board. In the event that two or more persons volunteer for the position of VP of Programs, the VP of Programs shall be elected by a majority vote of the members voting and shall serve a three-year term. The VP of Programs shall create and organize programs and activities for the LMCS; shall organize LMCS panels for national conferences (or shall appoint another member to organize), including the ALA and the SSAWW conferences, by sending out calls for papers, helping to secure a chair, and establishing a fair review process; and shall plan and implement programming that reflects the LMCS’s commitment to social justice with the assistance of the Executive Board.

Section 4:
The position of Vice President of Membership and Records shall be filled on a volunteer basis subject to a 2/3 approval of the Executive Board and a 2/3 approval of the Advisory Board.  In the event that two or more persons volunteer for the position of VP of Membership and Records, the VP of Membership and Records shall be elected by a majority vote of the members voting and shall serve a three-year term. The VP of Membership and Records shall process new memberships and renewals; shall update and maintain all records/receipts of member dues and financial transactions of the LMCS; shall advise the Executive Board on budgets for programming; shall prepare an annual financial report to be presented at the LMCS’s annual meeting; shall manage subscriptions to the LMCS listserv (i.e. process new requests to join the listserv); and shall recruit new members with the assistance of the Executive Board.

Section 5:
The position of Vice President of Inclusive Excellence and Social Action shall be filled on a volunteer basis subject to a 2/3 approval of the Executive Board and a 2/3 approval of the Advisory Board.  In the event that two or more persons volunteer for the position of VP of Inclusive Excellence and Social Action, the VP of Inclusive Excellence and Social Action shall be elected by a majority vote of the members voting and shall serve a three-year term. The VP of Inclusive Excellence and Social Action shall create and organize programs and initiatives that are rooted in principles of social justice and equality with the assistance of the Executive Board; shall provide guidance to the Executive Board on creating and maintaining exemplary standards of inclusive excellence in membership, programming, and operations; shall advise in the creation of culturally diverse panel topics and selections for conferences; and shall lead in the development of social action initiatives that are feasible for the LMCS to undertake.

Section 6:

The position of Vice President of Digital Resources shall be filled on a volunteer basis subject to a 2/3 approval of the Executive Board and a 2/3 approval of the Advisory Board. In the event that two or more persons volunteer for the position of VP of Digital Resources, the VP of Digital Resources shall be elected by a majority vote of the members voting and shall serve a three-year term. The VP of Digital Resources shall maintain and grow the LMCS website, blog, and other digital projects; shall build social media platforms and help promote society events; shall assist in the development of online resources for teaching and studying Child as well as encouraging social justice pedagogies and projects; and shall recruit and appoint members to assist in any or all of these duties.

Section 7:

The position of Vice President of Communications shall be filled on a volunteer basis subject to a 2/3 approval of the Executive Board and a 2/3 approval of the Advisory Board. In the event that two or more persons volunteer for the position of VP of Communications, the VP of Communications shall be elected by a majority vote of the members voting and shall serve a three-year term. The VP of Communications shall oversee LMCS communications; shall moderate the listserv; shall send emails and announcements to members; shall assist the Society in building partnerships with other academic societies and community organizations; shall work collaboratively with the President (or the President’s appointee) to create and edit a Society newsletter; and shall assist the VP of Digital Resources in creating and maintaining web and blog content and other digital media.

Article III: Executive Board and Advisory Board

Section 1:
There shall be an Executive Board constituted as follows:
The President, who acts as Chair of the Executive Board;
The five Vice Presidents.

Section 2:

The Executive Board members must become members of the LMCS and pay dues (unless they are honorary members).

Section 3:

The Executive Board shall conduct the business, set fiscal policy, and oversee the general interests of the LMCS. The Executive Board shall fix the amount of dues and the date upon which any change of dues becomes effective. It may appoint such committees as it deems necessary. It shall convene at the annual business meeting of the LMCS at the ALA conference and through phone/online meetings as it deems appropriate, in consultation with the President. At the annual business meeting, the Executive Board shall oversee the appointment of members to committees, the approval of the budget, the consideration of reports and recommendations from the officers and committees, the discussion of policies and of instructions that should be given to the appointed officers, and the transaction of other such business as may come before it. It shall report on its deliberations and actions through the LMCS listserv, website, and/or newsletter. The Executive Board shall, as necessary, solicit the advice of the Advisory Board.

Section 4:
There shall be an Advisory Board, constituted as follows:
The immediate past President, who shall serve a three-year term;

At least six additional members appointed by the Executive Board and serving three-year terms.

Section 5:

The Advisory Board appointees must become members of the LMCS and pay dues (unless they are honorary members).

Section 6:
The Advisory Board shall provide advice regarding the LMCS’s direction and activities; shall attend the meetings and the programs of the LMCS when possible; shall promote the LMCS wherever feasible; shall participate in elections; and shall vote on the approval of Executive Officers when only one person volunteers for an Executive Officer position.

Article IV: Members

Section 1:
Membership in the LMCS shall be open to:

Any person who applies for membership, upon payment of one year’s dues or more;

Any cultural or educational non-profit organization who applies for membership, upon the payment of one year’s institutional dues or more; and

Any honorary members of the society. Honorary members shall be elected by a favorable 2/3 vote of the Executive Board and be exempt from the payment of dues.

Section 2:
Any member whose dues are six months in arrears shall be dropped from the rolls. Members who are so dropped may be reinstated at any time by the payment in advance of one year’s dues.

Section 3:
Only individual members in good standing shall have the right to vote or hold office in the LMCS. Accepted presenters for conference sessions sponsored by the LMCS shall be asked to become members of the LMCS and pay dues for one year.

Article V: Newsletter

 Section 1:

The LMCS newsletter shall be the official publication of the LMCS. It shall be published at least once annually and shall be financially supported by the LMCS. Features may include brief articles, notes and queries, pedagogical resources on Child and social justice, announcements of awards and publications or other projects, announcements concerning meetings and happenings of the LMCS, and other material of a brief nature related to Child or her visions for social equality.

Section 2:

The President and the VP of Communications shall be the editors of the LMCS newsletter. They shall report on their work to the other Executive Board Officers. They shall appoint members in good standing to work on the newsletter when necessary.

Section 3:

The LMCS newsletter shall be distributed to the LMCS membership through the listserv. Paper copies shall be provided to members only upon request and may differ from the electronic versions in regards to design and layout.

Article VI: Affiliations

Section 1:
The LMCS is an affiliated member of the American Literature Association (ALA) and the Society for the Study of American Women Writers (SSAWW). The Executive Board shall ensure the continuation of the LMCS’s affiliated status with these organizations.

Section 2:
The LMCS may apply for affiliation with other societies at the discretion of the Executive Board and pending a favorable 2/3 vote of Executive Officers.

Article VII: Various

Section 1:
The Executive Board shall adopt bylaws consistent with the provisions of the Constitution, upon any matter of concern to the LMCS.

Section 2:
The Executive Board shall adopt such regulations and rules as may be necessary to give full force and effect to the Constitution and By-laws and to determine their procedures.

Section 3:
Amendments to this document may be proposed by the Executive Board or by petitions created by any LMCS member in good standing. Such proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the President of the LMCS at least thirty days prior to the annual business meeting of the LMCS. At this meeting, the amendments shall be submitted to a vote, a favorable vote of two-thirds of the voting members of the Executive Board being required for approval. Proxy votes shall be handled in the manner specified in the By-laws, Article II, Section 6. Amendments approved by the Executive Board shall be submitted to the members of the LMCS via the listserv within three months of the Executive Board’s approval. Ratification shall require a favorable vote of the majority of the members voting.

Article VIII:  Dissolution

Section 1:
The Society may be dissolved upon recommendation of a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board and approval by two-thirds of the LMCS members who vote on the question of dissolution. At least one month must be allowed for return of all ballots.

Section 2:
Upon termination and dissolution of this association the President and Vice Presidents shall carry out all tasks necessary to concluding the business of the Association, including, but not limited to, placement of LMCS records and papers in an archive and notification to the general membership of the LMCS’s dissolution.

Section 3:
Upon dissolution of the LMCS, all assets belonging to the Society after the discharge of any and all outstanding obligations shall be donated to a non-profit institution devoted to the pursuit of social equality and approved by the Executive Board. (Especially shall no member or other individual be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the LMCS’s assets on its dissolution.)

BY-LAWS

Article 1: Name and Object

Section 1:
The name of this society shall be the Lydia Maria Child Society, (hereafter the LMCS).

Section 2:
The mission of the LMCS is as follows: The Lydia Maria Child Society (LMCS) promotes the awareness and appreciation of Child’s life and works and facilitates the exchange of ideas, information, research, and pedagogies relating to Child and her visions for social equality. In carrying forward Child’s legacy, our Society supports the pursuit of social justice and inclusive excellence through education, academic scholarship, creative projects, and social action.

Section 3:
The Bylaws of the Society shall at all times be in compliance with the Constitution of the LMCS.

Article II: Officers of the Executive Board

Section 1:
The President shall be elected in accordance with Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of the LMCS. Any person volunteering for the office of President for the first time shall submit a written statement explaining their qualifications and interest in the position to be circulated amongst the Executive Board, Advisory Board, and membership of the LMCS two months prior to the start of their prospective term. The President may be reappointed, by a vote of 2/3 of the voting members of the Executive Board, for additional terms of office not to exceed three years each. The Executive Board shall be notified in writing by the President at least one year before the expiration of a given term indicating whether or not she or he wishes to seek reappointment.  If the President wishes to seek reappointment, s/he will designate a member of the Executive Board to conduct this vote and to advise the President and the Executive Board of the results. If the office of the President should become vacant, through any cause, the Executive Board shall appoint an interim President for the remainder of the three-year term, if possible from the Executive Board or the LMCS membership.

Section 2:
The Vice Presidents of Programs, Membership and Records, Inclusive Excellence and Social Action, Communications, and Digital Resources shall be approved or elected in accordance with Article II, Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Constitution of the LMCS. Any person volunteering for the offices of Vice President for the first time shall submit a written statement explaining their qualifications and interest in the position to be circulated amongst the Executive Board, Advisory Board, and membership of the LMCS two months prior to the start of their prospective term. If the office of either of these Vice Presidents shall, through any cause, become vacant, the Executive Board shall appoint an interim Vice President for the remainder of the three-year term, if possible from its membership. She or he shall be eligible to succeed herself/or himself in accordance with the approval or election process described in Article II, Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Constitution of the LMCS.

Section 3:
The Officers shall serve without compensation.

Section 4:
Annual Executive Board meetings will ordinarily be held at the ALA conference. Annual business meetings shall be open to all members of the Society. The President may, at her/his discretion, decide upon an alternative venue for the annual meeting. The President may, at her/his discretion, call additional meetings of the Executive Board, which may be conducted via phone or other form of electronic communication.

Section 5:
The President shall prepare the agenda for the annual meetings of the Executive Board. Agendas, including the complete texts of all proposals requiring formal action by the Executive Board, shall be sent to all Executive Board Officers in advance of the meeting.

Section 6:
Executive Board Officers unable to attend a business meeting for a valid reason may submit a proxy vote in writing to the President prior to the meeting. The proxy vote shall address itself to a specific resolution, shall be in writing, and shall include the caster’s name.
A proxy vote shall not be applied to a resolution introduced subsequent to the proxy. The proxy shall be considered valid if it addresses the sense of the resolution even if that resolution is amended in minor elements. If a question shall arise in this regard, the applicability of the proxy shall be made by the presiding officer of the LMCS.

Section 7:
Except where specified in the LMCS’s constitution or bylaws, a majority vote of the Executive Board, including those casting proxy votes, will be sufficient for approval of a proposal.

Section 8:
The President shall preside at the annual business meeting. In her or his rulings from the chair s/he shall be guided by the provisions of the constitution and bylaws. The President shall cause official minutes of the business meeting to be prepared, which shall include a record of all motions and their disposition, together with all votes cast thereon, when recorded. Minutes of the business meeting shall be shared via the LMCS listserv.

Article III: Advisory Board

Section 1:
The Executive Board Officers may, at their discretion, fill any vacancy in the Advisory Board by designating any member of the Society in good standing to serve on the Advisory Board for the remainder of the three-year term.
Section 2:
The 2/3 majority approval of the Advisory Board for volunteering Executive Board Officers will be conducted by the President through email. The President will share the results with the volunteers, the Advisory Board, and the Executive Board.
Article IV: Dues

Section 1:
Individual member and institutional member dues shall be based on a calendar year beginning July 1.

Section 2:
Regular Membership: $10.00
Student/Independent Scholar Membership: $5.00

Institutional Membership: $25.00
Lifetime Membership: $200.00

Section 3:
The dues schedule established in Article IV, Section 2 of these by-laws, may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

Article V: Committees

Section 1:
The Executive Board as described in Article III, Section 3, of the Constitution shall appoint such committees as it deems necessary. All committees are bodies of the LMCS and shall function at the discretion of the Executive Board and with the Executive Board as the final supervisor of their activities.

Section 2:
In pursuance thereto, the Executive Board shall define the jurisdiction of each committee, shall determine its budget, and shall decide upon its basic policies and procedures. The functions of such a committee shall be specified when the committee is designated, and the committee shall cease to exist upon the completion of the task assigned, or, automatically, at the end of a maximum three-year period.

Section 3:
All committees shall report on their activities in writing to the President at least one month in advance of the annual business meeting of the LMCS. The President shall distribute such reports to the members of the Executive Board and any officers and members in attendance shall discuss them.

Section 4:
Whenever any vacancy shall occur in the membership of a committee, the Executive Board, may, at its discretion, designate any member of the Society in good standing to serve ad interim as a member of the committee in question.

Article VI: Amendment of the Bylaws
Section 1:
These by-laws may be amended at the annual meeting of the LMCS by a 2/3 majority of the members present, or by email when proposed amendments are distributed to the entire membership of the LMCS via the listserv and approved by 2/3 of the members’ returning ballots. All proposed amendments must be circulated among the entire membership at least one month prior to the annual meeting or the email ballot deadline.

Executive Board members unable to attend a business meeting for a valid reason may submit a proxy in writing to the President prior to the meeting in accordance with Article II, Section 6, of these bylaws.