BYLAWS
AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION
Updated November 17, 2020
Article I – Name
The name of the organization is the AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION. The AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION is incorporated as a nonprofit organization under the laws of the state of Georgia.
Article II – Purpose
The primary purpose of the AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION is the advancement of humanistic learning by encouraging the study of American authors and their works.
The AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION shall actively encourage fellowship and scholarly interaction among persons interested in American authors, their art, their ideas, and their times. Specifically, the AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION shall provide means for the various societies devoted to the study of American authors to cooperate in arranging conferences and other scholarly activities.
The AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION recognizes the importance of encouraging a wide variety of approaches, both established and innovational, to the study of American authors, including biographical and historical studies of an author’s life and times, bibliographical examinations and close readings of literary texts, as well as psychological, sociological, and other approaches.
To achieve its goals, the AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION shall sponsor an annual American literature conference. The AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION may also arrange other conferences and symposia, publish or support the publication of journals and books devoted to the study of American literature, offer both competitive and honorary awards to individuals, encourage the formation and development of literary societies with similar goals, and engage in other appropriate activities.
The AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION exists for educational and charitable purposes. It is opposed to discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, or region, but the ASSOCIATION will not take positions on political or social issues.
Article III – Membership
The AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION is a coalition of societies devoted to the study of American authors. Any member of a participating society is automatically a member of the AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION.
Until further notice, no dues shall be required for membership. The participating societies shall be expected to publicize the activities of the AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION and to assist in the arranging of conferences, but they shall not be expected to or required to provide any financial support.
Societies may be formally admitted to membership if they are approved by the Executive Board of the ASSOCIATION. Such societies must have in existence for at least three years as evidenced by a regularly appearing newsletter or journal, a well-maintained website, the organizing of scholarly conferences, participation in the activities of other scholarly organizations, or other appropriate activities. The AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION encourages the formation and development of organizations and societies devoted to the study of American authors and American literary culture and may permit such societies to participate in its conferences before meeting the official criteria for formal membership.
Any society may withdraw from participation in the AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION by written notification to the Executive Director or the Executive Board.
Article IV – Government
The AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION is governed by an Executive Board, which shall consist of three voting officers – an Executive Director, a Director, and an Executive Coordinator – and nine other voting persons chosen to represent the interests and diversity of the various societies. Each of the nine members of the Executive Board shall normally serve three-year terms, arranged so that three members are replaced each year.
The Executive Director has the primary responsibility for coordinating the activities of the AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION. He or she shall call and chair meetings of the Executive Board and also has the authority to form and appoint members of ad hoc committees.
The Executive Director and the Director have the primary responsibility for maintaining the financial stability of the ASSOCIATION, including negotiation of contracts with hotels and other conference venues, the collection of conference fees, the payment of debts, and the keeping of all appropriate and legally required records. They may also assist in the preparation of grant applications and development of endowments to support the activities of the ASSOCIATION.
The Executive Coordinator will assist the Executive Director and Director in the organization of conferences and other relevant activities. All three officers will consult with the Executive Board as needed.
The Executive Board will meet at least once each year at the ASSOCIATION’s annual conference. Its chief function is to provide advice and guidance to the officers. The procedures governing the meeting will follow the guidelines in the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.
Article V – Amendment of these Bylaws.
These bylaws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the Executive Board.
Article VI – Dissolution of the Organization.
In the event that the AMERICAN LITERATURE ASSOCIATION ceases its operations, any funds remaining in its accounts after all obligations are paid shall be distributed to another organization devoted to the study of American literature and chosen by the Executive Board.