Constitution of the Association for the Study of Eastern Christian History and Culture (ASEC)
Article I: Name
The name of the Association shall be the Association for the Study of Eastern Christian History and Culture (hereinafter referred to as “the Association”; abbreviated as “ASEC”)
Article II: Purpose
The Association is a scholarly, non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the study of Eastern Christian history and culture.
To this aim, ASEC seeks to a) encourage scholarship and research; b) advance effective teaching at all levels of education; c) promote publication and the dissemination of knowledge through the organization of meetings and conferences; d) foster closer communication and facilitate the exchange of ideas.
Article III: Members
Section 1
Membership in the Association shall be open to individuals having a professional scholarly interest in any aspect of Eastern Christian history and culture. Members who have paid their annual dues are regular members and are eligible to vote.
Section 2
Each applicant for membership has to fulfill at least two of the following three criteria:
1) Possession of advanced degree (at a minimum, MA or equivalent)
2) Academic affiliation
3) Scholarly publications
The Standing Membership Committee reserves the right to accept or reject each application based on the above criteria. (See Article IX, section 1).
Section 3
Student members shall be those who at the time of joining are involved in the active pursuit of graduate degrees. Graduate student members are eligible to vote but pay lower dues. Undergraduate students can become associate members and pay lower dues, but do not have the right to vote. Undergraduate associate memberships and graduate student memberships are limited to the period of verifiable student status.
Article IV: Meetings and Conferences
Section 1
An annual business meeting of the Association shall be held in each calendar year at the ASEEES Annual Conference.
Section 2
The annual business meeting shall be for the purposes of conducting the election of officers (as specified in Article VI), receiving reports of officers and committees and for any other business that properly shall arise. The agenda for the annual business meeting shall be proposed by the President (or in his/her absence, the Vice-President) at the meeting.
Section 3
Special meetings of the Association may be called by the Executive Council. The time, place and purpose of the meeting shall be announced to the members at least thirty (30) days in advance. Only the business indicated in the call for the meeting shall be transacted.
Section 4
The members present at the business meeting of the Association at the annual ASEEES conference shall be deemed to constitute a quorum.
Section 5
The Association will organize regularly scheduled conferences at a venue to be determined by its Executive Council.
Article V: Officers of the Association
The Officers of the Association are President, Vice-President and President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Editor of the ASEC Newsletter They constitute the Executive Council of the Association.
Section 1 Activities of the Officers
The President shall provide general leadership and supervision of the Association, shall preside at its meetings, shall charge and discharge committees, and shall appoint the chair and members of committees. The Vice-President shall act for the President in his or her absence and shall consult with, and act together, with the President. The Secretary shall maintain membership records of the Association, issue notices, and shall be responsible for communication with the membership. The Treasurer shall receive, disburse, and keep records of funds under the direction of the Executive Council, and shall make a financial report at the annual meeting. All records will be open for inspection by members of the Association. The Association’s business shall be formally transacted by correspondence (including electronic correspondence) between the Executive Council and the members of the Association. All actions taken by the Executive Council shall be duly reported to the membership.
Section 2
The Chair of the Standing Membership Committee is empowered to cast a tie-break vote. (see Article IX).
Section 3
The Association shall have a Newsletter Editor, appointed by the Executive Council, for a term of three years.
Section 4 Annual Budget
The Treasurer shall be required to present an annual budget for the approval of the membership at the Association’s annual business meeting.
Section 5 Membership Fee
Membership dues are assessed at a specified annual rate determined by the Executive Council of the Association.
Section 6 Association Business
The Association’s business shall be formally transacted by correspondence (including electronic correspondence) between the Executive Council and the members of the Association. All actions of the Executive Council shall be duly reported to the membership.
Article VI: Election of Officers.
Members elect the Officers of the Association at the annual business meeting of the Association. Officers are elected for three-year terms. Officers must be members in good standing.
Article VII: Publications
The Association shall publish a bi-annual Newsletter, distributed in electronic or print form to all members of the Association. If circumstances warrant, a third issue will be issued.
Article VIII: Affiliations
Section 1
Affiliations with scholarly organizations may be pursued if so voted by the Executive Council.
Section 2
Upon authorization of the Executive Council, and subject to the approval of the membership, the Association may affiliate or cooperate with and participate in other organizations concerned with the study of religious history and culture.
Article IX: Committees
Section 1
The Association shall have a Standing Membership Committee consisting of three full members, one of whom will act as Chair of the committee. The Membership Committee reviews all applications and forwards its decisions in written form to the Executive Council, which communicates the decision to applicants. It is understood that in the initial period of the Association’s organization, this function will be carried out by the Executive Council.
Section 2
Whenever deemed necessary, the Executive Council, will appoint committees with a specific mandate (hereinafter referred to as “special committees). Each special committee shall consist of at least three members in good standing. The special committees and their membership shall be determined by the President with the advice and consent of the Executive Council.
Section 3
The mandate and final resolutions of all special committees are subject to approval by the membership at the Association’s annual business meeting.
Article X: Amendments.
This constitution can be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Council, subject to subsequent ratification by two-thirds of those members present at the next annual business meeting of the Association.
Article XI: Dissolution.
In the event of dissolution of the Association, any assets remaining after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities of the Association shall be disposed of exclusively for the purpose of the Association to such organization(s) organized and operated exclusively for scientific or educational purposes, subject to the approval of the membership at the last business of the Association.