BYLAWS
The name of this organization shall be the Southwestern Division, Association of American Geographers (SWAAG).
The objectives and purpose of this organization will be to further professional investigations in geography; to encourage the application of geographic findings in education, government, and business; and to improve and elevate the public image of geography.
The SWAAG is organized in accordance with Article VI of the Constitution of the Association of American Geographers (AAG). Nothing herein contained shall be construed as contradictory to that constitution, and in case of conflict the Constitution and the Council of the AAG shall be considered the final authorities.
The membership of SWAAG shall consist of all members of the AAG whose Association mailing addresses lie within the bounded area of the Southwestern Division as now or subsequently fixed by the AAG Council.
The officers of SWAAG shall be Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer, all of whom shall be members of the Division and the Association. The officers of SWAAG and the immediate past Chair shall constitute the Executive Committee. The immediate past Chair of SWAAG shall be considered available to the incumbent Chair as advisor, and in this capacity will serve in the absence of the Chair. In the event of vacancy in the office of Chair, the immediate past Chair shall resume that office, serving until the next annual meeting of the SWAAG. The Division shall be represented on the Council of the Association by an elected Councilor, as authorized by the National Constitution and Bylaws.
The officers of SWAAG shall serve for a term of two years, holding office from one week after the close of the fall annual meeting of SWAAG (1995, 1997, etc.). The Councilor shall be elected for a term of three years (Election: Fall 1994, 1997, 2000, etc.).
The Chair shall appoint a nominating committee for each and all elections to be composed of three persons representing at least two states and three institutions of the Southwestern Division. At least one nominee, with appropriate vita, for each position shall be submitted to those in attendance at the Fall annual meeting preceding the election year. Nominations may also be made by members by petition. Petitions must be supported and bear the signatures of twenty members in good standing. Petitions must be submitted within three weeks of the meeting at which the nominating committee announces its nominations. The elevation of the Secretary to the office of Chair, and Treasurer to Secretary, although commonplace, shall not be considered automatic.
Election of the Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be by a mail ballot distributed by the Secretary to SWAAG members, and collected by the Chair, with a majority vote required of ballots received for election. Election will be held following the appropriate Fall meeting. Special elections may be called by the Executive Committee.
Membership in SWAAG is extended to members of the AAG without payment of additional dues or fees, except as hereafter noted. Membership in SSSA is encouraged for all SWAAG members. Registration fees for the Fall meeting of SWAAG may be charged each attendee to cover the necessary expenses of holding such meetings. SWAAG membership dues or special fees are not excluded from future consideration by proper action of the membership.
1. Serve as presiding officer at Executive Committee or
any business meeting of SWAAG.
2. Represent SWAAG at Council meetings of
the AAG when the Councilor elected to represent SWAAG is unable to attend.
3. Appoint an interim Secretary or Treasurer when vacancies occur in those
offices between annual meetings of SWAAG.
4. Appoint members and chair of
such standing committees as may be considered necessary.
5. Be SWAAG
representative to the SSSA.
6. Act on behalf of SWAAG in circumstances not
otherwise covered by the Bylaws.
7. Send letters of thanks to meeting
sponsors and their university administrators.
8. Receive and be responsible
for the counting of election ballots.
1. File such reports as are required by the AAG and its
publications.
2. Carry on all other correspondence for SWAAG as needs
arise, or as directed by the Chair.
3. Maintain and pass on to the
successor, in good order, the records of SWAAG.
4. Distribute, by mail,
ballots for the election of officers and ratification of Bylaws revisions.
5. Publish newsletter.
1. Conduct all financial transactions of SWAAG,
including specifically filing the annual request for the Division's membership
rebate from the Central Office of AAG. Registration fee rebate of the SSSA
will be forwarded each year to the Treasurer.
2. Appoint the panel for
student paper competition.
1. The duties of the councilor are as provided in the National Constitution.
1. Conducts business between SWAAG meetings.
2.
Recommends policies for consideration at SWAAG meetings.
3. Advises and
works with SWAAG committees.
SWAAG will meet each Spring in association with the SSSA and as a separate division each Fall hosted by an institution within the geographical limits of the Southwestern Division.
At the Fall meeting the business of SWAAG shall be transacted.
The host institution will appoint a local arrangements committee which will be responsible for planning and supervising arrangements, program, field trip(s), and similar activities for the Fall divisional meeting. The format and program for the meeting proposed by the committee should be in consultation with the Chair of SWAAG.
At each meeting, student papers entered in competition will be judged by an appropriate panel. The amount of monetary awards will be determined by the Executive Committee. The panel of judges will be appointed by the Treasurer. Awards will be made at the conclusion of the program.
SWAAG may establish, subject to the approval of the Council of the AAG, research projects and/or publications.
Where not inconsistent with these Bylaws or the AAG Constitution, Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of SWAAG business.
SWAAG members in attendance at business meetings shall constitute a quorum. Elections will be determined by simple majority of votes cast.
These Bylaws may be revised or amended by proposing such revisions or amendments at the Fall business meeting. A mail ballot will be sent by the Secretary to all SWAAG members; a two-thirds majority of ballots received will determine the results.
[Bylaws as revised in 1995]