As part of our efforts to become a full affiliate of the World History Association, our members need to approve and adopt a constitution for Mountain West. Below please find our Working Constitution. There will be an open comment period from January 1, 2011 to April 15, 2011, during which time enrolled members may submit comments and suggestions regarding this document. After April 15, these comments and suggestions will be compiled and submitted to all members for final approval.
CONSTITUTION OF THE MOUNTAIN WEST WORLD HISTORY ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
The name of this society shall be the Mountain West World History Association.
ARTICLE II
The association will function as an affiliate of the World History Association, and it will be bound by the requirements for affiliate relationships as directed by the constitution and bylaws of the World History Association.
ARTICLE III
The geographical boundaries of the Mountain West World History Association will include the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.
ARTICLE IV
SECTION 1
As an affiliate of the World History Association, the Mountain West World History will restrict its activities to the states listed in Article III, and it will not infringe on the activities of any other affiliates of the World History Association.
SECTION 2
The Mountain West World History Association will maintain cooperative and positive relations with the World History Association.
SECTION 3
The Mountain West World History Association will have a representative on the council of affiliates with the power to make recommendations to the Executive Council of the World History Association.
ARTICLE V
The object of the association shall be the promotion of studies of world history through the encouragement of research, teaching, and publication. The association shall promote activities that will increase historical awareness, understanding among and between peoples, and global consciousness. The association will provide help to the teachers of world history and venues for the discussion of the theories, methods of study, and the teaching of world history.
ARTICLE VI
Membership in the association shall be open to any person interested in history upon the payment of one year’s dues. Any member whose dues are in arrears shall be dropped from the roll. Members who have been so dropped may be reinstated at any time by the payment in advance of one year’s dues. Only members in good standing shall have the right to vote or to hold office in the association.
ARTICLE VII
The affairs of the Association shall be under the supervision of a Steering Committee consisting of at least eight teachers and professors of World History elected from the membership of the Association. Every effort should be made to insure that the members of the Steering Committee be broadly representative of the geographic and employment diversity of the Association's membership. The Steering Committee shall conduct the business of the Association; plan meetings; set, collect, and expend dues and other revenues of the Association; appoint committees, nominate officers for election by the membership; and do whatever else may be appropriate. In preparing its Officers' nominations, the Steering Committee shall ensure that the list is representative of the geographic and employment diversity of the Association's membership. Members of the Steering Committee shall serve three-year, staggered terms of office and are eligible for re-nomination and re-election.
ARTICLE VIII
The officers of the Association shall include a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. They shall be elected every two years by the Association's Members and are eligible for re-nomination and re-election. The officers shall assume their duties immediately upon election and serve as ex officio members of the Steering Committee. Any vacancies that might occur during the terms of office shall be filled by vote of the Steering Committee. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Steering Committee and at the annual meeting of the Association and shall present for consideration by the Steering Committee policies for the conduct of the Association. The president shall serve ex officio on all standing or ad hoc committee which may be created by the Association and oversee all work with other organizations, conferences, institutions, and individuals. The Vice-President shall assist the President and, in the absence of the president shall serve as presiding officer and perform such other presidential duties as may be required. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Association and of its Steering Committee, and shall attend to all correspondence of the Association. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all funds, making collections and disbursements as directed by the Steering Committee, and preparing an annual report of the Association's finances for the Association's members.
ARTICLE IX
The financial year of the Association shall be from July 1 through June 30. The annual meeting of the Association shall take place during each fiscal year at a time and place established by the Steering Committee. At this meeting, the Association shall elect Steering Committee members. The Association's Officers shall be elected from the Steering Committee's nomination list by a mail ballot prior to the annual meeting so that its results may be announced there.
ARTICLE X
All income from dues, conference fees, publication income, and all monies received as gifts (except as may be stipulated by the gift itself) are considered general revenues and may be used to further the objectives of the Association as determined by its Steering Committee.
ARTICLE XI
Amendments to the Constitution may be adopted by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members voting solicited by a mail ballot following a discussion of the proposed amendment at the annual meeting. Proposed amendments to the Constitution should be included with the notice of call for the annual meeting.