By-Laws for the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance (NJSAA)

 Article I. Name

            This association shall be known as the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance (NJSAA) and is incorporated as a nonprofit organization under the laws of the State of New Jersey.

Article II. Statement of Purposes

            The NJSAA was founded to bring together individuals involved in the study of New Jersey. The purpose is to further knowledge about teaching and researching our state, at all educational levels, K-College and beyond; to promote our interests and concerns to state agencies and politicians; and to recognize individuals who have made notable contributions in our field.

Article III. Membership

            Section A. Members
            Membership in the NJSAA is offered to all those who are committed to the stated purposes of the organization. Members are required to pay their regular membership dues, and are eligible for all the privileges of such membership, including the right to vote and hold office.

            Section B. Dues
            The annual membership dues will be set by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors no later than the last meeting of the calendar year. Dues shall be due on the first day of July of each year.

            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 may receive any salary or other compensation from the NJSAA.

            Section A. Officers and their responsibilities
            Chair. Shall call all meetings, and preside over them. If the chair is unable to attend, he/she will designate another officer to preside.
            Treasurer. Shall collect all dues, pay all the bills of the organization, and maintain its financial records.
            Secretary. Shall record and distribute the minutes of all meetings. If the chair is unable to call a meeting, the secretary can authorize an emergency meeting.
            Membership Chair. Shall maintain the membership lists, issue renewals, and work to advertise the organization to potential new members.

            Section B. Executive Committee
            The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the organization.

            Section C. The Board of Directors
            The Board of Directors shall consist of chairs of the standing committees, and one “at-large” director.

            Section D. Terms of Office
            The terms of office shall be three years.

            Section E. Standing Committees
            Author Awards
            Teacher Awards
            Paul Stellhorn Student Paper Award
            Roger McDonough Librarianship Award

Nominations Committee
           

And other committees established in the future by the Board of Directors. Chairs of standing committees are appointed by the Executive Committee.

            Section F. Elections
            The Executive Committee will appoint a Nominations Committee every spring when an election needs to be held. The chair of the committee will send a ballot (by mail or email) to all members. Elections will be held by July 1, and officers and directors will assume office on September 1.

Article V. Amendments

            Amendments to these By-laws may be adopted at any meeting of the members of the organization by a two-thirds vote of the members present in person, providing that the text of the proposed amendments has been included with the notice of that meeting.

Article VI. Dissolution

           In the event that the organization should cease to exist, the assets, all monies and/or 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, member, Director, or Officer of the organization.

 Article VII. Ratification

            The by-laws shall be ratified by a ¾ vote of the members present at a regularly scheduled meeting.

Adopted December 16, 2005. Revised May 11, 2007