BY-LAWS OF
THE ASSOCIATION OF CENTERS FOR THE STUDY OF CONGRESS INC.
[Adopted May 7, 2004; Article VII amended effective July 1, 2006; Article V amended and Article IX added, May 8, 2009; Articles I-VI amended May 20, 2011]
ARTICLE I
NAME: The name of the organization shall be the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress, Inc. (referred to hereafter as "the Association").
LOCATION: The location of the Association for fiscal purposes shall be the institutional office of the Treasurer. For other purposes, the office of record shall be the institutional office of the President.
FISCAL YEAR: The fiscal year of the Association for purposes of budget and tax reports shall be July 1 through June 30.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSES: The Association of Centers for the Study of Congress (ACSC) supports a wide range of programs designed to inform and educate students, scholars, policy-makers and members of the general public about the history of Congress, the legislative process, and current issues facing Congress. It encourages the preservation of material that documents the work of Congress, including the papers of Representatives and Senators, and supports programs that make those materials available for educational and research use.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERS: There are two categories of membership: Institutional and Individual. Institutions meeting at least two of the following criteria are welcome to apply for membership:
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The organization has, as a primary mission, the study of Congress.
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The organization maintains and makes available the archives of a United States Representative or Senator.
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The organization pursues educational initiatives and public programs related to Congress.
INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS: Prospective institutional members shall submit an application, which is subject to approval by the Executive Committee. Each institutional member has one vote regardless of the number of individual members who may represent the voting institution at the annual meeting.
Members may vote either in person or by electronic means. Voting shall be overseen by the Secretary and/or designated members of the Executive Committee.
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS: Individuals who have an interest in the mission of the Association are invited to join but will not be voting members. Individual memberships do not require approval.
DUES: The Association may levy dues and related benefits upon recommendation of the Executive Committee, subject to a majority vote of the eligible membership. Dues will be assessed in January for the calendar year.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS: There shall be a President, Secretary, and Treasurer, all of whom must be representatives of institutional members. No two officers may be from the same institution. Terms shall be for two years. Officers may succeed themselves, but are limited to one consecutive reelection in that office, except for the office of Treasurer. No person can hold more than one office concurrently.
DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT: The President shall preside at meetings of the Association, arrange meetings, set meeting agendas, represent the Association nationally, and, in coordination with the general membership and committees, carry forth Association initiatives.
DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY: The Secretary shall attend all meetings, record all proceedings and votes, give notice of all meetings of the Association, and maintain the Association's minutes, membership, and legal nonfinancial records.
DUTIES OF THE TREASURER: The Treasurer shall keep all financial books of the Association, deposit and be responsible for all monies of the Association, present financial reports as required by the Executive Committee, and assist with the preparation of the Association's budget. As insurance against any emergency situation, the Treasurer shall ensure that the President also has online access to the bank accounts of the Association.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: At least two months prior to the annual meeting in years in which officers are to be elected, the Secretary shall solicit nominations from the membership. The Executive Committee, acting as a nominating committee, shall present a slate of officers to the membership for a vote either at the annual meeting or by electronic means prior to it. If at the annual meeting, a quorum must be present. If electronically, the total number of votes cast must be at least equivalent to a quorum.
REPLACEMENT OF OFFICERS: In the event that any officer is unable or unwilling to fulfill the term to which s/he was elected, the Executive Committee will designate one of its members to assume the duties of that officer until such time as an election by the membership can be arranged.
REMOVAL OF OFFICERS: Members may require the removal of any officer by a two-thirds vote.
ARTICLE V (amended May 8, 2009)
COMMITTEES: Committees may be established by the membership as needed. Each committee shall have a Chairperson, who will in turn be responsible for overseeing the activities of that committee and reporting them to the Association President and the membership.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers, four members appointed by the Association President, and three ex officio members representing respectively the Center for Legislative Archives of the National Archives, the U.S. Senate Historical Office, and the U.S. House of Representatives Office of History and Preservation.
ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEES: Committees, working groups, and task forces may be established by the President, Executive Committee, or membership as needed. Each committee shall have a Chairperson, who will in turn be responsible for overseeing the activities of that committee and reporting them to the President and the membership.
ARTICLE VII (amended July 1, 2006)
DUES and REGISTRATION FEES: The Association may levy dues upon recommendation of the Executive Committee, subject to a majority vote of the full membership.
DUES: A dues structure for the Association was adopted at the annual meeting of the members in May 2006. It was subsequently ratified in June 2006 by a majority vote of the full membership, pursuant to the provisions of Article VII of these bylaws, with an effective date of July 1, 2006.
REGISTRATION FEES: At the annual meeting in May 2006 the Association established a registration fee for members attending the annual meeting. This fee was set at $200 per member in attendance effective with the annual meeting scheduled for May 2007.
Non-members desiring to attend the annual meetings of the Association will pay a registration fee of $250. The registration fees are subject to change in future years. Setting the registration fees will be the duty of the Association’s Executive Committee and does not require further ratification by a vote of the full membership or any change in these bylaws.
DUES STRUCTURE:
Supporting Institutional Membership: $1,000 per year. This level of dues waives the annual meeting registration fee for two members of the Supporting Institution. Supporting Institutional Members whose dues are paid are entitled to one vote.
Regular Institutional Membership: $500 per year. This level of dues waives the annual meeting registration for one member of the Institution. Regular Institutional Members whose dues are paid are entitled to one vote.
Individual Membership: $50 per year. This level of dues does not include any waiver of the annual meeting member registration fee and does not include voting privileges.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS: These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the general membership in response to a written resolution presented by a member.
ARTICLE IX (added May 8, 2009)
DISSOLUTION: In the event of the dissolution of the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress, its property, funds, and other assets shall be transferred to whatever organization or organizations operated exclusively for charitable, educational, and/or scientific purposes as the executive committee may determine, provided such organization or organizations qualify as tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code of the United States.