BYLAWS AMENDMENTS (PROPOSALS)
Bylaws Amendment #1.
Add Personnel Committee to Article VI as new Section 5, move current Section 5. Other Committees to become Section 6.
Proposed new committee text:
- Section 5. Personnel Committee. The Personnel Committee shall consist of three persons: The MESA President as chair, and two senior Fellow Members from the Board of Directors—one of whom may be the Past President (if available)—appointed by the President in consultation with the Executive Director. The Committee shall conduct the annual review of the Executive Director, address any personnel issues that arise, and assess the staffing needs of the Association in collaboration with the Executive Director. The Committee shall submit its report and recommendations annually to the Board of Directors for approval.
Current Wording | Proposed Change | If adopted, will read: |
Section 4. Publications Committee. The Publications Committee shall consist of five persons: the Editor of the International Journal of Middle East Studies, the Editor of the MESA Review of Middle East Studies (formerly known as the MESA Bulletin), one elected Member of the Board of Directors appointed by the Board, and two members-at-large appointed by the Board. The Editors of the two journals continue to serve on the Committee as long as they hold their editorial positions, the members-at-large serve for a period of three years, and the Member of the Board serves for two or three years, depending upon his or her tenure on the Board. The Member of the Board other than the editors of IJMES and the MESA Review of Middle East Studies shall be the Chair. The Committee shall coordinate and review the publication activities of the Association, and report annually to the Board of Directors. Section 5. Other Committees. The Board may constitute such other committees of Directors, Officers, employees, members, or other persons, with such functions, powers and duties as the Board shall provide. Each such committee shall operate in accordance with these Bylaws and the directives of the Board. Eligibility for membership shall be determined by the Board, and all such committees shall report their activities to the full membership annually. The names of the members of each committee and their terms of office shall be made known to the members at least annually. | Section 4. Publications Committee. The Publications Committee shall consist of five persons: the Editor of the International Journal of Middle East Studies, the Editor of the MESA Review of Middle East Studies (formerly known as the MESA Bulletin), one elected Member of the Board of Directors appointed by the Board, and two members-at-large appointed by the Board. The Editors of the two journals continue to serve on the Committee as long as they hold their editorial positions, the members-at-large serve for a period of three years, and the Member of the Board serves for two or three years, depending upon his or her tenure on the Board. The Member of the Board other than the editors of IJMES and the MESA Review of Middle East Studies shall be the Chair. The Committee shall coordinate and review the publication activities of the Association, and report annually to the Board of Directors. Section 5. Personnel Committee. The Personnel Committee shall consist of three persons: The MESA President as chair, and two senior Fellow Members from the Board of Directors—one of whom may be the Past President (if available)—appointed by the President in consultation with the Executive Director. The Committee shall conduct the annual review of the Executive Director, address any personnel issues that arise, and assess the staffing needs of the Association in collaboration with the Executive Director. The Committee shall submit its report and recommendations annually to the Board of Directors for approval.
Section | Section 4. Publications Committee. The Publications Committee shall consist of five persons: the Editor of the International Journal of Middle East Studies, the Editor of the MESA Review of Middle East Studies (formerly known as the MESA Bulletin), one elected Member of the Board of Directors appointed by the Board, and two members-at-large appointed by the Board. The Editors of the two journals continue to serve on the Committee as long as they hold their editorial positions, the members-at-large serve for a period of three years, and the Member of the Board serves for two or three years, depending upon his or her tenure on the Board. The Member of the Board other than the editors of IJMES and the MESA Review of Middle East Studies shall be the Chair. The Committee shall coordinate and review the publication activities of the Association, and report annually to the Board of Directors. Section 5. Personnel Committee. The Personnel Committee shall consist of three persons: The MESA President as chair, and two senior Fellow Members from the Board of Directors—one of whom may be the Past President (if available)—appointed by the President in consultation with the Executive Director. The Committee shall conduct the annual review of the Executive Director, address any personnel issues that arise, and assess the staffing needs of the Association in collaboration with the Executive Director. The Committee shall submit its report and recommendations annually to the Board of Directors for approval.
Section 6. Other Committees. The Board may constitute such other committees of Directors, Officers, employees, members, or other persons, with such functions, powers and duties as the Board shall provide. Each such committee shall operate in accordance with these Bylaws and the directives of the Board. Eligibility for membership shall be determined by the Board, and all such committees shall report their activities to the full membership annually. The names of the members of each committee and their terms of office shall be made known to the members at least annually. |
Bylaws Amendment #2.
Update petition signature threshold:
Update number of members required for petitions in five places. Current number is 25, changing to 75.
- Article III. Section 4. b. 1) seventy-five
- Article IV. Section 7: seventy-five members (Fellows); seventy-five Student Members
- Article V. Section 2: seventy-five fellows
- Article VIII. 75 voting members
Current Wording | Proposed Change | If adopted, will read: |
ARTICLE III. Section 4. Resolutions a. The Board of Directors may present resolutions to the Annual Members Meeting. b. Any member of the Association in good standing with voting rights may, subject to the following rules, present resolutions at the Annual Members Meeting. 1). Resolutions must be received in writing by the office of the Executive Director of the Association not later than two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting; must be signed by at least twenty-five members of the Association in good standing with voting rights; must not be more than 300 words in length including background material; and must deal with a matter of concern to the Association or to the academic profession. | ARTICLE III. Section 4. Resolutions a. The Board of Directors may present resolutions to the Annual Members Meeting. b. Any member of the Association in good standing with voting rights may, subject to the following rules, present resolutions at the Annual Members Meeting. 1). Resolutions must be received in writing by the office of the Executive Director of the Association not later than two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting; must be signed by at least | ARTICLE III. Section 4. Resolutions a. The Board of Directors may present resolutions to the Annual Members Meeting. b. Any member of the Association in good standing with voting rights may, subject to the following rules, present resolutions at the Annual Members Meeting. 1). Resolutions must be received in writing by the office of the Executive Director of the Association not later than two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting; must be signed by at least seventy-five members of the Association in good standing with voting rights; must not be more than 300 words in length including background material; and must deal with a matter of concern to the Association or to the academic profession. |
ARTICLE V. Section 2. Election of Officers. The President-Elect shall be elected biennially by the members. The Nominating Committee, described in Article VI, Section 2, shall nominate Fellows as candidates for office. It shall nominate two Fellows for the office of a President-Elect. Additional nominations may be made by petition from the membership to the Nominating Committee. Any Fellows Member may be nominated a candidate for Officer by a petition signed by twenty-five Fellows in good standing provided the nominee has agreed to run and the petition is received at the Secretariat by the tenth of June. The Committee shall, with the help of the Executive Director, conduct the election. Ballots shall be provided by the Secretariat in sufficient time so that they may be reasonably returned by a deadline before the Annual Meeting. The Nominating Committee may instruct the Executive Director to count the ballots and to have the results certified by a notary public. A plurality of the votes cast shall be required for election. Only the Ballots of members in good standing shall be counted. In preparing the list of nominees, the Nominating Committee shall keep in mind the desirability of having representation on the Board from the various sections of the United States and Canada, as well as scholars representing interests in the several regions of the Middle East and the various disciplines represented in Middle Eastern studies. Vacancies of Officers caused by failure to elect the full slate thereof or caused by death or resignation, or increase in the number of Officers may be filled by a majority vote of the Board at a special meeting called for that purpose or at any regular meeting. New Officers will fill out the term of existing Officers. | ARTICLE V. Section 2. Election of Officers. The President-Elect shall be elected biennially by the members. The Nominating Committee, described in Article VI, Section 2, shall nominate Fellows as candidates for office. It shall nominate two Fellows for the office of a President-Elect. Additional nominations may be made by petition from the membership to the Nominating Committee. Any Fellows Member may be nominated a candidate for Officer by a petition signed by | ARTICLE V. Section 2. Election of Officers. The President-Elect shall be elected biennially by the members. The Nominating Committee, described in Article VI, Section 2, shall nominate Fellows as candidates for office. It shall nominate two Fellows for the office of a President-Elect. Additional nominations may be made by petition from the membership to the Nominating Committee. Any Fellows Member may be nominated a candidate for Officer by a petition signed by seventy-five Fellows in good standing provided the nominee has agreed to run and the petition is received at the Secretariat by the tenth of June. The Committee shall, with the help of the Executive Director, conduct the election. Ballots shall be provided by the Secretariat in sufficient time so that they may be reasonably returned by a deadline before the Annual Meeting. The Nominating Committee may instruct the Executive Director to count the ballots and to have the results certified by a notary public. A plurality of the votes cast shall be required for election. Only the Ballots of members in good standing shall be counted. In preparing the list of nominees, the Nominating Committee shall keep in mind the desirability of having representation on the Board from the various sections of the United States and Canada, as well as scholars representing interests in the several regions of the Middle East and the various disciplines represented in Middle Eastern studies. Vacancies of Officers caused by failure to elect the full slate thereof or caused by death or resignation, or increase in the number of Officers may be filled by a majority vote of the Board at a special meeting called for that purpose or at any regular meeting. New Officers will fill out the term of existing Officers. |
ARTICLE IV. Section 7. Election of Members of the Board. The Nominating Committee, described in Article VI, Section 2, shall annually nominate four Fellows as candidates for two vacancies of the Fellows Members of the Board. The Nominating Committee shall biennially nominate two Student Members for the one vacancy of the Student Member of the Board. Additional nominations may be made by petition from the membership to the Nominating Committee. Any Fellows Member may be nominated a candidate for Fellows Member of the Board by a petition signed by twenty-five Fellows in good standing provided the nominee has agreed to run and the petition is received at the Secretariat by the tenth of June. Any Student Member may be nominated a candidate for Student Member of the Board by a petition signed by twenty-five Student Members in good standing provided the nominee has agreed to run and the petition is received at the Secretariat by the tenth of June. The Committee shall, with the help of the Executive Director, conduct the election. Ballots shall be provided by the Secretariat in sufficient time so that they may be reasonably returned by a deadline before the Annual Meeting. The Nominating Committee may instruct the Executive Director to count the ballots and to have the results certified by a notary public. A plurality of the votes cast shall be required for election. Only the Ballots of members in good standing shall be counted. In preparing the list of nominees, the Nominating Committee shall keep in mind the desirability of having representation on the Board from the various sections of the United States and Canada, as well as scholars representing interests in the several regions of the Middle East and the various disciplines represented in Middle Eastern studies. The six Fellows Members of the Board shall be elected by the members of the Association. These six Fellows Members shall be elected from the Fellows by a plurality of the vote cast, with two Fellows Members being elected each year. Each person elected a Fellows Member of the Board shall continue in office until his or her term of three years has expired or until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualifies, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Bylaws. The Student Member of the Board shall be elected by the members of the Association. The Student Member of the Board shall be elected from the Student Members by a plurality of the vote cast, with one Student Member of the Board being elected every odd-numbered year. The elected Student Member of the Board shall continue in office until his or her term of two years has expired or until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualifies, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Bylaws. Additional Members of the Board to fill any vacancy or vacancies caused by failure to elect the full number of members or the death, resignation or removal of any member may be elected by a majority of the remaining Board of Directors. The term of office begins after the Annual Meeting which follows his or her election. Only Fellows in good standing shall be eligible to serve as Fellows Members of the Board of Directors. Only Student Members in good standing shall be eligible to serve as a Student Member of the Board of Directors. | ARTICLE IV. Section 7. Election of Members of the Board. The Nominating Committee, described in Article VI, Section 2, shall annually nominate four Fellows as candidates for two vacancies of the Fellows Members of the Board. The Nominating Committee shall biennially nominate two Student Members for the one vacancy of the Student Member of the Board. Additional nominations may be made by petition from the membership to the Nominating Committee. Any Fellows Member may be nominated a candidate for Fellows Member of the Board by a petition signed by | ARTICLE IV. Section 7. Election of Members of the Board. The Nominating Committee, described in Article VI, Section 2, shall annually nominate four Fellows as candidates for two vacancies of the Fellows Members of the Board. The Nominating Committee shall biennially nominate two Student Members for the one vacancy of the Student Member of the Board. Additional nominations may be made by petition from the membership to the Nominating Committee. Any Fellows Member may be nominated a candidate for Fellows Member of the Board by a petition signed by seventy-five Fellows in good standing provided the nominee has agreed to run and the petition is received at the Secretariat by the tenth of June. Any Student Member may be nominated a candidate for Student Member of the Board by a petition signed by seventy-five Student Members in good standing provided the nominee has agreed to run and the petition is received at the Secretariat by the tenth of June. The Committee shall, with the help of the Executive Director, conduct the election. Ballots shall be provided by the Secretariat in sufficient time so that they may be reasonably returned by a deadline before the Annual Meeting. The Nominating Committee may instruct the Executive Director to count the ballots and to have the results certified by a notary public. A plurality of the votes cast shall be required for election. Only the Ballots of members in good standing shall be counted. In preparing the list of nominees, the Nominating Committee shall keep in mind the desirability of having representation on the Board from the various sections of the United States and Canada, as well as scholars representing interests in the several regions of the Middle East and the various disciplines represented in Middle Eastern studies. The six Fellows Members of the Board shall be elected by the members of the Association. These six Fellows Members shall be elected from the Fellows by a plurality of the vote cast, with two Fellows Members being elected each year. Each person elected a Fellows Member of the Board shall continue in office until his or her term of three years has expired or until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualifies, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Bylaws. The Student Member of the Board shall be elected by the members of the Association. The Student Member of the Board shall be elected from the Student Members by a plurality of the vote cast, with one Student Member of the Board being elected every odd-numbered year. The elected Student Member of the Board shall continue in office until his or her term of two years has expired or until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualifies, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Bylaws. Additional Members of the Board to fill any vacancy or vacancies caused by failure to elect the full number of members or the death, resignation or removal of any member may be elected by a majority of the remaining Board of Directors. The term of office begins after the Annual Meeting which follows his or her election. Only Fellows in good standing shall be eligible to serve as Fellows Members of the Board of Directors. Only Student Members in good standing shall be eligible to serve as a Student Member of the Board of Directors. |
ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by 1) The Board of Directors or 2) by petitions signed by 25 voting members in good standing. All amendments shall be governed by the regulations contained in Article III, Sections 4 and 5, except that amendments must have a two-thirds majority of those voting. | ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by 1) The Board of Directors or 2) by petitions signed by All amendments shall be governed by the regulations contained in Article III, Sections 4 and 5, except that amendments must have a two-thirds majority of those voting. | ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by 1) The Board of Directors or 2) by petitions signed by 75 voting members in good standing. All amendments shall be governed by the regulations contained in Article III, Sections 4 and 5, except that amendments must have a two-thirds majority of those voting. |
Bylaws Amendment #3.
Increase notice period for receipt of resolutions by an additional week.
Update resolutions to be received three weeks in advance, currently two weeks before the Annual Meeting
- Article III. Section 4. b. 1
Current Wording | Proposed Change | If adopted, will read: |
Section 4. Resolutions a. The Board of Directors may present resolutions to the Annual Members Meeting. b. Any member of the Association in good standing with voting rights may, subject to the following rules, present resolutions at the Annual Members Meeting. 1). Resolutions must be received in writing by the office of the Executive Director of the Association not later than two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting; must be signed by at least twenty-five members of the Association in good standing with voting rights; must not be more than 300 words in length including background material; and must deal with a matter of concern to the Association or to the academic profession. | Section 4. Resolutions a. The Board of Directors may present resolutions to the Annual Members Meeting. b. Any member of the Association in good standing with voting rights may, subject to the following rules, present resolutions at the Annual Members Meeting. 1). Resolutions must be received in writing by the office of the Executive Director of the Association not later than | Section 4. Resolutions a. The Board of Directors may present resolutions to the Annual Members Meeting. b. Any member of the Association in good standing with voting rights may, subject to the following rules, present resolutions at the Annual Members Meeting. 1). Resolutions must be received in writing by the office of the Executive Director of the Association not later than three weeks prior to the Annual Meeting; must be signed by at least twenty-five members of the Association in good standing with voting rights; must not be more than 300 words in length including background material; and must deal with a matter of concern to the Association or to the academic profession. |
Bylaws Amendment #4.
Add a miscellaneous provision:
Add a new section in ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
- Section 9. Virtual Meetings and Participation by Certain Electronic Means
Subject to the provisions of applicable statutes and these Bylaws, any meetings of the Members and meetings of the Directors, including Annual Meetings, may be held virtually or in a hybrid format approved by the Board of Directors through the use of any means of communication by which all Members and Directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting and have a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting. A Member or Director participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting.
Current Wording | Proposed Change | If adopted, will read: |
ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | |
None | Section 9. Virtual Meetings and Participation by Certain Electronic Means. Subject to the provisions of applicable statutes and these Bylaws, any meetings of the Members and meetings of the Directors, including Annual Meetings, may be held virtually or in a hybrid format approved by the Board of Directors through the use of any means of communication by which all Members and Directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting and have a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting. A Member or Director participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting. | Section 9. Virtual Meetings and Participation by Certain Electronic Means. Subject to the provisions of applicable statutes and these Bylaws, any meetings of the Members and meetings of the Directors, including Annual Meetings, may be held virtually or in a hybrid format approved by the Board of Directors through the use of any means of communication by which all Members and Directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting and have a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting. A Member or Director participating in a meeting by this means is deemed to be present in person at the meeting. |