By-Laws

Article I. Name

This association shall be known as the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance (NJSAA)

Article II. Statement of Purpose

The NJSAA educates the public about New Jersey’s history, government, and other arts and sciences, and supports the efforts of others engaged in similar activities. It sponsors programs to further knowledge about teaching and researching New Jersey at all educational levels, from kindergarten through college and to out-of-school adults; informs appointed and elected officials about the interests and concerns of those who teach about and research New; encourages and recognizes individuals and organizations for notable contributions to teaching about and studying New Jersey; and engages in related activities as necessary.

Article III. Membership

Section A. Members

Membership in the NJSAA is available to anyone. Members are required to pay annual dues, and are eligible for all the privileges of such membership, including the right to vote and hold office.

Section B. Dues

The amount of annual membership dues will be set by the approval of two-thirds of the Board of Directors no later than the last meeting of the calendar year. Dues shall be payable on the first day of July.

Section C. Meetings

Meetings of the membership will be held a minimum of four times a year.

Article IV. Administration

The administration of the NJSAA shall rest with the officers and the Board of Directors. No officer, director, committee chair, or committee member may receive any salary or other compensation from the NJSAA.

For the purposes of financial administration, the fiscal year of the NJSAA shall begin on July 1 and end on the ensuing June 30.

Section A. Officers and Responsibilities

Chair. Calls all meetings and presides over them. If the chair is unable to attend, he/she will designate another officer to preside. He/she also chairs the Executive Committee and serves as an ex officio member and chair of the Board of Directors. The chair also carries out such other duties and responsibilities as are defined herein.

Treasurer. Collects all dues, pays all the bills of the organization, with the authorization of the chair, and maintain its financial records.

Secretary. Records and distributes the minutes of all meetings, and maintains and keeps records of the organization’s correspondence. If the chair is unable to call a meeting, the secretary can authorize an emergency meeting.

Membership Chair. Maintains the membership lists, issue renewal notices, and promotes the organization to potential new members and the public. The Membership Chair also maintains the NJSAA website.

Section B. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the organization. It shall manage the affairs of the organization between regular membership meetings and perform other functions as specified herein.

Section C. Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall consist of chairs of the standing committees and one “at-large” director elected from the membership. The Board of Directors sets the amount of annual membership dues and establishes standing and temporary committees, with the concurrence of the chair.

Section D. Term of Office

The term for all NJSAA offices shall be three years.

Section E. Standing and Temporary Committees

Standing Committees are the Nominations Committee and committees that develop recommendations for the NJSAA’s annual awards, including Author Awards, Teacher Awards, the Paul A. Stellhorn Undergraduate Student Paper Award, the Graduate Student Paper Award, and the Roger H. McDonough Librarianship Award.

• The Board of Directors may with the concurrence of the chair establish temporary committees for specific purposes.

• Chairs of standing and temporary committees are appointed by the Executive Committee. Committee members are chosen by committee chairs in consultation with the NJSAA chair.

Section F. Elections

The Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominations Committee and its chair in the spring of every third year for the purpose of holding an election. The Nominations Committee shall develop a list of nominations to the NJSAA’s offices for approval by the Executive Committee. The chair of the Nominations Committee shall send the approved list of nominees to all members in good standing. “Good standing” means that the member has paid dues for the current year. The chair of the Nominations Committee shall conduct the election before July 1 at a regular membership meeting and officers and directors shall assume office on September 1.

Article V. Amendments

Amendments to these by-laws may be adopted at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present, providing that the text of the proposed amendments has been included with the notice of that meeting. Voting by proxy is not allowed.

Article VI. Dissolution

In the event that the organization should cease to exist, all assets, including all monies and property of any kind, shall be transferred to an organization or organizations that enjoy exempt status in accordance with the provisions of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C.A.). None of the organization's assets shall be distributed to the benefit of any private individual or member, Director, or Officer of the organization.

Article VII. Ratification

The by-laws shall be ratified if approved by three-quarters of the members present at a regular meeting.

Adopted December 16, 2005.

Revised May 11, 2007.

Revised December 4, 2012.