Constitution of The Society for Historical Archaeology - Society for Historical Archaeology

Amended 15 July 2011

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be The Society for Historical Archaeology.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The Society for Historical Archaeology [an educational not-for-profit organization] advocates for a global perspective in the study and protection of historical and underwater cultural resources by educating the public and policy makers and providing a valued resource for knowledge exchange, professional development, and the maintenance of high ethical standards.

ARTICLE III – POWERS

The society shall have the power to receive, administer, and disburse dues and other grants to further its ends; to acquire, to hold absolutely or in trust for the purposes of the society, and to convey property, real and personal; to publish reports, newsletters, bulletins, journals, and monographs; to affiliate with other organizations in the pursuit of common aims, and to appoint delegates or representatives to such organizations; and to engage in such other activities as are in keeping with the purpose of the society.

ARTICLE IV – PUBLICATIONS

The society shall issue an official publication, entitled Historical Archaeology, and such other publications for which the bylaws shall provide.

ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. There shall be three categories of membership: individual, institutional, and adjunct, within which there may be one or more types. The types of membership and the privileges of each shall be determined by the board of directors. Section 2. Membership in the society is open to all persons or institutions in any way concerned with historical archaeology research upon payment of such dues as may be assessed.

ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS

The society shall hold an annual meeting and an annual business meeting as provided in the bylaws. The members of the society present at an annual business meeting shall constitute a quorum, but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than fifty (50) members whose dues are current and who otherwise are in good standing.

ARTICLE VII – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. The board of directors shall consist of four (4) officers (president, president-elect, secretary, treasurer), six (6) directors, an editor representing research programs, an editor representing communications programs, and the chair of the Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology (ACUA), an affiliated organization, who shall duly represent the interests of the ACUA. Section 2. The president shall serve for a term of two (2) years. The president-elect shall serve for a term of two (2) years before assuming the office of president. A previous president may be nominated for the office of president-elect. The secretary, treasurer, and directors shall serve for terms of three (3) years and shall be eligible for re-election. The president, president-elect, secretary, treasurer, and directors shall be elected by the members in good standing through official ballots distributed and tabulated as provided in the bylaws. Section 3. One editor representing research programs shall be elected by the members in good standing from the board appointed research editors and one editor representing communication programs from the board appointed communications editors. Voting shall be through official ballots distributed and tabulated as provided in the bylaws. These board positions shall be for a period of three (3) years with terms staggered so as to conclude at different times. Section 4. The new members of the board of directors shall assume their positions at the close of the annual business meeting and shall hold office until their successors are installed.

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS

Section 1. The board of directors or ten (10) percent of the members of the society in good standing may propose that the constitution and/or bylaws be amended, repealed, or altered in whole or in part. Such changes may be effected by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast by either electronic or mail ballot to be returned within thirty (30) days of notification. Section 2. The board of directors may adopt additional standing rules in harmony herewith, but shall not alter the constitution or any bylaws adopted by the members of the society.

ARTICLE IX – DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution of this society, either voluntarily or involuntarily, the members of the society shall not be entitled to any of the assets, but the same shall be delivered or paid to one or more not-for-profit educational organizations with objectives similar to those of The Society for Historical Archaeology. The recipients shall be determined by the board of directors. Any provision herein notwithstanding, distribution of such assets shall be subject to the control and approval of the appropriate court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.