Over the years the association has accumlated many documents, which are stored in the PSA archives. Below are a few which are updated every year.
PSA RESOLUTION*: PACIFIC SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION STATEMENT AGAINST THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROHIBITING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
The following resolution was unanimously endorsed by the PSA Council in 2004 and passed by a vote of the membership of the association in May of 2004.
WHEREAS the Pacific Sociological Association (PSA) comprises sociologists and kindred professionals who study, among other things, sex and gender, sexualities, families, children, religion, culture, and systems of inequality and their effects, and WHEREAS the PSA is dedicated to advancing sociology as a scientific discipline and profession serving the public good, and
WHEREAS a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman intentionally discriminates against lesbians and gay men, as well as their children and other dependents, by denying access to, according to the U.S. General Accounting Office, over 1100 U.S. Federal protections, benefits, and responsibilities extended automatically to married couples, and
WHEREAS we believe that the official justification for the proposed constitutional amendment is based on prejudice rather than empirical research, and WHEREAS sociological research has repeatedly shown that systems of inequality are detrimental to the public good,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Pacific Sociological Association strongly opposes the proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
*Sponsored by the PSA GLBT Committee
Financial Report from the Executive Director, Dean S. Dorn
Fiscal Year January 1 to December 31, 2006
There were 1,276 paid PSA members in 2006. There were 703 paid faculty members and 573 paid student members. In addition, the meeting in Hollywood was well attended, with 545 paid faculty registrations and 519 paid student registrations for a total of 1,064 paid registrants. Below is the financial report for the calendar year 2006. The Audit Committee approved this report at its meeting in the PSA office in Sacramento in February 2007.
Financial Report for the Sacramento Office for 1-1-06 to 12-31-06
Income (in dollars)
Donations 4,909.50
Manuscript Fees 715.00
Memberships 23,013.00
Registration Fees 30,099.50
Misc 724.75
UC Press 41,903.71
________________________________
Total Income 101,365.46
Expenses (in dollars)
Annual Meeting 28,099.57
Awards 4,650.00
Clerical 3,000.00
Editorial Office 7,172.16
Bounced Checks 99.00
Misc. Expense 12.58
Phone 78.13
Postage 7,177.24
Refunds 311.00
Xeroxing
Travel 405.69
Supplies 4,057.08
ASA Advertising
Honorarium Ex Dir 7,500.00
Assets to CD Account
Assets to Endowment
Fund 19,500.00
Printing/Graphics 11,300.23
Liability Insurance 516,.00
Credit Card Cost 1,441.09
________________________________
Total Expenses 95,319.77
Assets
Check Book 12/31/06 20,258.99
CD Endow Fund 12/31/06 131,814.68
CD general fund 12/31/06 30,207.52
________________________________
Total Assets 12/31/06 182,281.19
Cost Per Member 53.54
Two council meetings are held during the annual conference, the first for the continuing Council and the second for the incoming Council
2006-2007 PSA Council Meeting Minutes, Oakland, Friday March 30th Virginia Mulle, Secretary
President Charles Hohm brought the 2006-07 PSA Council to order at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 16, 2007 during the 78th Annual PSA Meeting in Oakland. Council members present were: Charles Hohm, Jodi O’Brien, Beth Schneider, Marilyn Fernandez, Phylis Cancilla Martinelli, Dean Dorn, Roberta Lessor, Keith Farrington, Amy Wharton, Jan Stets and Charles Powers. Also present were Don Barrett and Richard Serpe, co-editors of Sociological Perspectives, and Ginny Mulle, Secretary.
Don Barrett reported that there have been a steady and relatively high level of submissions to Sociological Perspectives; that there have been increasing problems with obtaining reviews in a timely manner; and that while other publishers have expressed interest in the journal we will be staying with UC Press as they move toward using Manuscript Central, an electronic manuscript processing system. He further reported that there had been three applications for editor/co-editor of the journal and that one withdrew due to a lack of support from his campus, leaving two active applications.
Council member Roberta Lessor presented a third draft of the PSA Mission Statement. Discussion ensued regarding various sections of the statement regarding the purpose and endorsements of the association. It was decided that there were both goals and objectives embedded in the statement; that Council members were in agreement on the sentiments expressed in the statement; but that more work was needed on the wording of the statement.
Council member Keith Farrington reported preliminary results of the Membership Survey that was sent to 1232 PSA members with 331 (26%) responding. Respondents were in general engaged members whose participation/attendance at meetings was based on whether or not they presented at the meetings. The survey showed that what respondents liked best about the meetings was interacting with friends and colleagues, and the quality of sessions and papers presented was what they liked least. Overall, respondents believed that the PSA does its job effectively, that the overall quality of work presented is not as good as it could be, and that the association could become more intellectually and physically diverse. There was discussion with suggestions and recommendations on all areas of the report. A second wave of the survey will be sent out, as well as a different survey to Division I universities.
President Hohm stated that this was the largest meeting in regard to number of sessions, and thanked Karen Sternheimer for an awesome job as Program Chair. He was excited about the Presidential sessions and encouraged all to attend, and that he was overall very pleased with the program.
Executive Director Dorn reported that there were 1179 members of the PSA, and that the financial base of the association was solid. He stated that there might be future increased costs to subsidize the journal, as well as expenses for moving the journal. Richard Serpe suggested that a new ‘sustaining member’ category of membership be developed with an increased membership cost.
Dorn informed Council that the ASA had approached him regarding the PSA adopting the ASA Code of Ethics. If the association were to adopt the Code they would need to develop implementation language, but that there were models to follow. Council members supported the adoption of the Code.
President Hohm adjourned the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
2007-2008 PSA Council Meeting Minutes, Oakland, April 17, 2007 Virginia Mulle, Secretary
President Jodi O’Brien brought the 2007-08 PSA Council to order at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 18, 2007 during the 78th Annual PSA Meeting in Oakland. Council members present were: Jodi O’Brien, Charles Hohm, Judith Treas, Marilyn Fernandez, Beth Schneider, Robert O’Brien, Dean Dorn, Jan Stets, Charles Powers, Rosemary Powers, Candan Duran-Aydintug, and Belinda Robnett. Also present were Ginny Mulle, Secretary, and guest Charles Varano, chair if the Publications Committee.
Chair Varano announced that the publications committee has selected, by a unanimous vote, Marilyn Fernandez and Charles Powers as the new co-editors of Sociological Perspectives. They were selected because the committee preferred the two editor format, and that Marilyn and Chuck had presented a strong, elaborate proposal, they had institutional support, Marilyn would be the first female editor of the journal, both Chuck and Marilyn have offered good reviews and have both contributed a great deal to the PSA. Chuck Hohm moved, Bob O’Brien seconded, and the Council unanimously accepted the nomination of Fernandez and Powers as the new co-editors of Sociological Perspectives.
President O’Brien reported that Mako Fitts and Gary Kinte Perry of Seattle University will serve as co-chairs of the 2008 PSA Annual Meeting Program Committee. President O’Brien and the committee plan to emphasize regional issues and politics, such as Native American and tribal issues, and methodologies that will engage with the complexities of the time. Each committee member will be responsible to organize an invited session with high profile panelists, and a focus will be on educating session moderators toward continued, involved communication with their session participants.
Executive Director Dorn and Secretary Mulle attended all committee meetings on Friday and Saturday. The Endowment Committee recommended that the number of student travel awards be increased from 30 to 40; Student Affairs hosted a very successful reception, and both eth Nominations and Committee on Committees will be working on developing the 2008 fall ballot. The Committee on Teaching will draft a new set of guidelines regarding the nomination process for the Distinguished Contributions to Teaching Award, and the Membership Committee will develop a list of suggestions addressing membership issues through re-thinking sessions at the annual meeting, both to be presented to Council. COFRAT will develop a “Manifesto of Responsibility” outlining what responsibilities faculty have to their institutions and that institutions have to faculty.
A subcommittee of Council was appointed to review and make recommendations regarding adoption of the ASA Code of Ethics as well as an implementation procedure if adoption is recommended. Beth Schneider and Candan Duran-Aydintug volunteered to be members of the subcommittee.
A fourth draft of the PSA Mission Statement was presented and discussed. Beth Schneider moved, Chuck Hohm seconded, and the following mission statement was unanimously be adopted: “The mission of the Pacific Sociological Association is to advance scholarly research on all social processes and areas of social life, to promote high quality teaching of sociological knowledge, and to mentor the next generation of sociologists. Consistent with principles of scientific investigation, the PSA endorses engagement of sociologists in areas of social justice and social responsibility. The Association accomplishes its mission by convening an annual meeting and publishing its journal, Sociological Perspectives.” It was suggested that the new mission statement be sent to the chairs of the PSA committees and that each committee be responsible to provide one goal.
Council unanimously delegated authority to the 2007-08 Nominations and Committee on Committees to solicit nominations for elected office and appointments to positions on various committees.
President O’Brien moved, Bob O’Brien seconded, and Council unanimously approved that 40 student travel awards of $100 each be given to students who are members of the association and are on the program of the 2008 Annual PSA Meeting to be held in Portland.
Discussion regarding the location of the 2009 annual meeting resulted in a recommendation that the Site Selection Committee explore an “inland” versus a “coast” location. Inland cities mentioned to investigate were Tucson and Phoenix/Tempe, AZ.
Executive Director Dorn thanked everyone on Council for giving his or her time and energy to working for the PSA. President O’Brien thanked Dorn and Mulle for their work during the year, and congratulated Fernandez and Powers on their selection as co-editors of Sociological Perspectives.
President O’Brien adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
2005 - 06 PSA Council Meeting Minutes, Hollywood CA, April 21, 2006
by Virginia Mulle, Secretary
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by President Peter Nardi. Present were council members Phylis Cancilla Martinelli, Dean Dorn, Tina Martinez, Nicole Raeburn, Chuck Hohm, Beth Schneider, Paul Lopez, Keith Farrington, Roberta Lessor and Secretary Virginia Mulle.
Don Barrett and Richard Serpe, Co-editors of Sociological Perspectives reported that the journal continues to do well, and in the most recent Institute for Scientific Information it had moved up in ratings (currently is in the top ten of sociological journals). New submissions have increased by 47% since last year; gender diversity in submissions has remained steady around 40%; 54% of admissions were quantitative compared to 80% last year, however, acceptances for this year remain at 60% quantitative; and the journal is servicing a broader range of authors and those from more prestigious institutions. However, the economics of operating the journal and relations with UC Press have been problematic In particular, the combination of increased number of submissions and time required to manage this complex operation required far more time and resources than were possible under the amounts budgeted for the journal. Support from the dean’s office at Kent State University enabled the publication of the journal to continue. Serpe stated that institutional support for the editor(s) is necessary or the PSA will have to incur those costs. However, the present membership and registration fees can not cover these costs. (See the Editor’s Report for more detail).
Major problems with UC Press were getting the journal published on time, and the lack of a web based management program. Dorn stated that other publishers (Blackwell, Springer, and Sage) have expressed interest in publishing the journal, and that all three are automated.
During this upcoming year, it will be necessary to find a new editor(s) for the journal and a new press. An announcement to recruit a new editor(s) has appeared in the PSA Web site for over a year and there has been no interest expressed by PSA members. Dorn stressed that networking with colleagues to find an editor(s) is a high priority for council members; members of the present editorial board should be approached regarding their interest in becoming an editor(s).
Keith Farrington presented five “actionable items” to the council from “The State of the PSA” subcommittee:
Lessor addressed the possibility of connecting the increased stature of Sociological Perspectives to the membership – perhaps attracting more journal authors to the annual meeting as presenters. Schneider suggested that each regional meeting could decide to select a mini-conference held within the larger annual meeting to attract those from more prestigious institutions. Both suggestions were received with positive comment and support.
Dorn reported that audit committee member Angela Block reviewed the financial records, PSA checkbook, bank statements and files and certified that the financial accounts of the PSA were in order for the fiscal year January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2006. Audit committee member Deborah Paterniti was unable to review the records prior to the annual meeting but will do so as soon as possible after the meeting.
Dorn reported that the PSA newsletter the Pacific Sociologist will continue to be published out of the PSA office at CSU Sacramento.
President Nardi reported that the 2006 annual meeting was an overwhelming success; there were many papers submitted to the theme of the meeting; that 880 had pre-registered and a robust 1000 members were expected to complete registration. He thanked Sally Roskoff, Program Chair, for the excellent work she did in organizing the meeting.
Secretary Mulle reported for Awards Committee Chair Laura Grindstaff that in all cases the decisions for winners for this year were harmonious and unanimous; that there were many nominations in several categories; and the pools were generally very strong. Mulle presented a proposal to the council from Chair Reid Helford of the ad hoc Committee on Community Colleges that the committee become a standing committee. The proposal was accepted unanimously by the council. As this is an amendment to the constitution, the proposal will appear on the fall 2006 PSA ballot as a referendum item to be voted on by the membership.
Executive Director Dorn addressed several issues in his report to the council. Membership for the year is approximately 1260 and students comprise approximately 44% of that membership. He also indicated that the association ended fiscal year 2005 with a balance in all accounts of over $144,000. (See the Executive Director’s Financial report for more detail). Dorn reported that the Endowment Fund had a total income of $19,776 at December 31, 2005, and expenses of $2,500 (for twenty-five $100 student travel awards), and that the value of the endowment fund at Dec. 31 was $101,327.40.
The health of the endowment fund is partially due to the fact that the honorarium of the executive director has been donated back to the fund, but that this situation needs to be addressed. While Dorn reported that he plans to continue as executive director, it will become necessary to hire a new executive director and the association will most likely have to pay, in part, the salary of that director. In addition, if institutional support for Sociological Perspectives is not forthcoming for future editor(s), endowment fund monies may have to support its publication. It may be that an increase in membership dues and registration fees for the association will have to be considered by he council.
Dorn reported that he had purchased a sixth LCD projector for the association, which saves enormously in rental fees at the annual meeting - in Hollywood over $20,000.00 was saved in AV rental costs.
President Peter Nardi was thanked by the Council for his service as president, as well as were Council members whose terms were ending. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. by President Nardi.
2006 - 07 PSA Council Meeting Minutes, Hollywood CA, April 23, 2006
by
Virginia Mulle, Secretary
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by President Charles Hohm. Present were council members Peter Nardi, Phylis Cancilla Martinelli, Dean Dorn, Jodi O’Brien, Beth Schneider, Paul Lopez, Keith Farrington, Marilyn Fernandez, Roberta Lessor, Amy Wharton, Jan Stets, Charles Powers, Marcella Gemelli and Secretary Virginia Mulle.
President Hohm reported on the status of the 2007 annual meeting to be held in Oakland. Karen Sternheimer of USC is the program chair and the theme of the meeting will be “Sociology in the Academy.” Hohm plans to conduct a survey of college and university administrators (deans and provosts) regarding the place and stature of sociology and sociologists in the academy.
Secretary Mulle reported that the ad hoc Community on Community Colleges was pleased with the support of the council regarding their proposal to become a standing committee of the PSA. She presented a statement from the Committee on Freedom of Research and Teaching (COFRAT) regarding academic freedom and the attack on college and university professors considered too liberal for the academy. Two changes were made and unanimously approved by council: that in lieu of specific language regarding academic freedom that the link to the AAUP 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure website be included, and that GLBT and disabled persons be added to the list of traditionally underrepresented minority groups. Lessor moved to accept the referendum and Nardi seconded as amended. The referendum will appear on the 2006 ballot for a vote by the PSA membership.
Business carried over from the 2005-2006 meeting on April 21was then discussed. Dorn introduced the topic of raising membership dues and annual meeting registration fees. Membership dues and registration fees are very low and in fact have not been raised since 1981. Dues are currently $20 for faculty and $15 per year for students; meeting registration is $35 for faculty and $17.50 for students. Dorn compared these to other regional associations: dues are $65 and registration fees are $65 for the Eastern Sociological Association; dues are $50 and registration fees $50 at the Midwest. O’Brien suggested that the council consider graduated increases. Schneider said that it is a fact that expenses will be increasing for the association (publication costs for Sociological Perspectives and salary for future executive director) and moved that faculty dues be raised by $10 to $30, and student dues be raised by $5 to $20. Discussion followed and Schneider amended her motion that faculty dues and meeting registration fees each be raised to $40, and that student dues be raised to $15 and meeting registration fees to $20. O’Brien seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed. Thus, the new fee structure will go into effect for 2007 membership dues and annual meeting registration:
A second business item carried over was a discussion of Farrington’s report from the “The State of the PSA” subcommittee. He distributed a hard copy of the actionable items presented at the 2005-06 council meeting on April 21. Lessor presented a draft copy on the mission of the PSA which included statements on research, teaching and mentoring, and asked whether taking a political stance should be part of the PSA mission. Martinelli, Dorn and Schneider stated that social responsibility, social justice, public engagement, taking a stand on public policy, and promoting and assuring academic freedom have a always been part of the historical fabric of the PSA. Lessor will continue to work on a mission statement and distribute drafts via email to council members. Past-President Nardi thanked Farrington and Lessor for their work on the subcommittee, and recommended that the survey be developed over the summer and distributed in early fall.
Mulle reported that members of the PSA Membership Committee, Jill Weigt, Kari Norgaard and Amy Orr have volunteered to help Farrington in the development and analysis of the survey. Hohm raised the issue if the PSA should be concerned regarding the decrease in research one university membership, and he will be personally inviting people from these universities (Stanford, Berkeley, San Francisco) to the Oakland meeting. It was decided that data obtained from the survey will inform discussion in the future.
Dorn moved to delegate authority to the 2006-2007 Nominations and Committee on Committees for nominations for elective office and appointed positions on the PSA committees. Powers seconded and the motion was unanimously passed. Mulle announced that the 2005-06 Nominations Committee had already developed the fall 2006 ballot, and that it was the first time that the ballot had been completed by the annual meeting. Candidates for president, vice president, council, and the nominations, publications, and committee on committees were announced.
Dorn moved and Powers seconded the motion for council approval for “at least 25-30” $100 travel awards from the Endowment Fund to students listed on the 2007 program; it passed unanimously.
Dorn announced that the PSA archives will be permanently housed in the CSU Sacramento library archives. He suggested that information listed for each candidate on the fall ballot be limited on the printed ballot and in detail on the PSA website, and council agreed.
Discussion was held regarding the site for the 2008 annual meeting. O’Brien expressed her preference that the meeting not be held in Seattle as the cost would be prohibitive. Tacoma was suggested but deemed not as attractive an alternative; Portland was brought forth as both affordable and accessible; Vancouver, BC is the preferred choice by O’Brien but passport requirements, an increased airfare tax and city cost may limit it as an option. Dorn and O’Brien will explore these possibilities and report back to the council.
Dorn reminded council that a new editor(s) need to be found for Sociological Perspectives, and that the new editorial offices need to be opened as of July 1, 2007. He reiterated that personal networking will be the key. Hohm will craft a letter to be sent to all deans and chairs of sociology programs in the PSA region soliciting recommendations and support for potential editors of the journal.
President Hohm thanked Past-President Peter Nardi, Executive Director Dean Dorn and Secretary Virginia Mulle for their work for the PSA. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. by President Hohm.
Resolution in Support of Academic Freedom. This resolution was adopted by vote of the membership in November 2006
The Pacific Sociological Association, cognizant of the attacks on both academic freedom and civil liberties, hereby reaffirms its commitment to the principles of academic freedom and civil liberties generally, and goes on record that we strongly support the AAUP (2005) position concerning academic freedom; Accordingly, our professional association shall vigorously resist any and all attacks on both academic freedom and civil liberties. Further, we pledge our commitment as a professional association, to stand in opposition to those who strive to limit such protections, whether as individuals or through their organizations, and to provide solidarity with faculty and students alike who may become the targets of such campaigns.
THE PSA MANIFESTO ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM (adopted by Council Spring 2008)
“COFRAT is concerned with the maintenance of academic freedom among sociologists and with the development and maintenance of fair and equitable procedures and practices for employing, promoting, and terminating the employment of sociologists in the western region of the United States…”
“The…Committee on Freedom of Teaching and Research…seeks information on problems sociologists may be having in protecting their rights to academic freedom of inquiry and expression…There are also pressures on some institutions and departments to adjust their curricula to accommodate the needs of particular corporate interests. Individual scholars who do not conform to these trends may find themselves at a disadvantage when their teaching and scholarship are evaluated for promotion and tenure. If you are aware of similar instances, or of related problems of concern to COFRAT, the committee wants to hear from you…” (Taken from the PSA Web Site, our emphasis)
______________________________________
PREAMBLE: In recent years there has been an immense escalation of attacks on academic freedom emerging from various spheres of American society. In addition to overt attacks on the work of researchers, teachers, practitioners, and others in Academia from conservative evangelical and other anti-intellectual groups, even more insidious intrusions into the freedom of scholars to pursue their inquiries have occurred through the “corporatization of the Academy” . Whether the attacks come from right wing organizations attempting to control curricula and professorial speech, such as occurred in 2006 at UCLA , Columbia, NYU, and a variety of other institutions , or whether the attacks emanate from self-appointed moral entrepreneurs who attempt to control and define scholarly research, they require strong responses from the academic community. Accordingly, the COFRAT, reflecting our deep concern about protections for researchers, teachers, practitioners, and others in Academia, and recognizing the responsibility of scholars as well as institutions of higher learning to act to protect academic freedom, recommends to the PSA that we adopt the following:
MANIFESTO ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM:
The Pacific Sociological Association hereby declares its strong support, and will move when necessary to enforce, the following academic freedom protections and responsibilities of researchers, teachers, practitioners, and educational institutions:
Protections for researchers, teachers, practitioners and others:
• Researchers, teachers, and practitioners have the right to pursue all relevant areas of inquiry, subject only to the review of their peers and institutional review boards where required.
• Researchers, teachers, and practitioners are free to pursue all ideas, ideologies, points of view, and teaching methodologies they deem necessary to conduct their classes and/or research and to do so without any constraint or sanction or threat of constraint or sanction from inside institutional or outside communal or corporate sources.
• Researchers, teachers, and practitioners have the right, without any constraint or sanction or threat of constraint or sanction from inside institutional or outside communal or corporate sources, to express whatever political position or system of values they choose to express, providing only that such expressions are germane to the subject matter being researched or under discussion in the classroom.
• Researchers, teachers, and practitioners have the right to define their area(s) of expertise, subject only to the review of their peers.
• Researchers, teachers, and practitioners have the right to belong to any organizations they choose without any constraint or sanction or threat of constraint or sanction from communal, corporate, or institutional sources.
Responsibilities of researchers, teachers, practitioners and others:
• Researchers, teachers, and practitioners should have a thorough scholarly knowledge of their areas of expertise and to be able to conduct research, teach, or practice competently in those areas of expertise.
• Researchers, teachers, and practitioners should respect their institution and/or employer, colleagues, students, and staff and treat those with whom s/he works professionally and with integrity.
• Researchers, teachers, and practitioners should respect and encourage a diversity of opinion/views and speak out and combat any forms of discrimination based on age; gender; race; ethnicity; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; disability; health conditions; or marital, domestic, or parental status.
Responsibilities of institutions:
• Institutions should insure that its researchers, teachers and practitioners are free to pursue all ideas, ideologies, points of view, and teaching methodologies they deem necessary to conduct their classes and/or research and to do so without any constraint or sanction or threat of constraint or sanction from the institution or outside communal or corporate sources.
• Institutions should insure that its researchers, teachers and practitioners are free, without any constraint or sanction or threat of constraint or sanction from institutional or outside communal or corporate sources, to express whatever political position or system of values they choose to express, providing only that such expressions are germane to the subject matter being researched or under discussion in the classroom.
• Institutions should insure that its researchers, teachers and practitioners have the right to define their area(s) of expertise, subject only to the review of their peers.
• Institutions should insure that its researchers, teachers and practitioners have the right to belong to any organizations they choose without any constraint or sanction or threat of constraint or sanction from the institution or external communal or corporate sources and to defend their employees against such constraints or sanctions.
Institutions should insure that structures are in place to guarantee open and transparent communication between its administration and its researchers, teachers and practitioners and, so far as possible, that administration work toward inclusiveness in its decision making.
ENDNOTES
Cf. Glenn A. Goodwin, “Corporatization and the Demise of the Academy,” paper presented at the annual meetings of the Association for Humanist Sociology, Covington, Kentucky, November, 2000; Glenn A. Goodwin, “From Blue Jeans to Three-Piece Suits: On the Emergence of Western University*, Inc.” The Other Side. Vol. I & II, 1989-90. *[Not the real name]; Los Angeles Times, “Wired Into the Curriculum: Tech Titans Gave Millions to Start Sage Hill School in Newport Beach, and They Want A Say in How and What Students Learn”, Monday, October 9, 2000, Section C, pp. 1f.
Cf. “Expose ‘Radical UCLA Teacher, Get $100” . Retrieved January 19, 2006 from http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/01/19/ucla.radicals.reut/index.html
Cf. Alec Magnet, Staff Reporter of the Sun, “Nine Professors At Columbia Are Deemed ‘Dangerous’”. An interesting recent fictional account of such “control” is found in Philip Roth’s novel, The Human Stain (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000). See also, Russell Jacoby, “The New PC: Crybaby Conservatives,” The Nation Magazine, April 4, 2005, pp. 11-16; Kevin Mattson, “A Student Bill of Rights,” The Nation Magazine, April 4, 2005, pp. 16-18; Scott Sherman, “The Mideast Comes to Columbia,” The Nation Magazine, April 4, 2005, pp. 18-24. Concerning teaching, generally, an interesting and increasingly popular method of instruction by c0lleagues across the country is the “dialogical approach” advocated by Paulo Freire in his The Pedagogy of the Oppressed (N.Y.: Herder and Herder, 1970).
Approved by voting members Fall 1991
Amended by voting members Fall 1993
Amended by voting members Fall 1995
Amended by voting members Fall 1997
Amended by voting members Fall 2003
Amended by voting members Fall 2006
Amended by voting members Fall 2007
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE
PACIFIC SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I. NAME
The organization shall be known as the Pacific Sociological Association.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
A.II.Section 1. The purpose of the Association shall be to promote sociological research and the teaching of sociology in the Pacific Region of North America.
A.II.Section 2. The Association is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, including making distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).
A.II.Section 3. No part of the net earnings of the Association shall be used for the personal benefit of or be distributable to its members, Officers, including Members of Council, or other private persons except that the Association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this article, including, without limitation, the publication of SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES and THE PACIFIC SOCIOLOGIST. No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall consist of propaganda dissemination or other attempts to influence legislation, and the Association shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by (a) an Association exempt form Federal Income Tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), or by (b) an Association, contribution to which are deductible under Section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).
A.II.Section 4. Upon dissolution of the Association, Council shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all liabilities of the Association, dispose of all assets of the Association exclusively for purposes of the Association in such manner or to such organization or organizations, organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes as shall, at the time, qualify as an exempt organization or organizations, under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal revenue Law), as Council shall determine. Any of such assets, not so disposed of, shall be disposed of by any court of competent jurisdiction, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Any person committed to the purposes of this Association shall be eligible for membership. The forms of membership and the privileges and dues of members are set forth in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
A.IV.Section 1. Council shall be the governing body of the Association, except insofar as the Constitution and By-laws delegate governing functions to specific Officers or to committees.
A.IV. Section 2. Council shall consist of the Officers of the Association, which are a President, President-Elect, Past President, Vice President, Vice President-Elect, Past Vice President, Executive Director, six Members of Council elected at-large, one graduate student elected at large for a one-year term, and for one year following his or her term, the Past Executive Director.
A.IV.Section 3. The President shall preside at business sessions of the Annual Meeting, shall preside as chair of Council, and shall be responsible for implementation of policies set by Council. When Council is not in session, the President may make decisions and take actions on behalf of the Association in the absence of prior existing policy, provided that such decisions and actions are subject to ratification by Council at its next meeting. The President shall normally consult with Council prior to taking such actions.
A.IV.Section 3.a. The President, with assistance of the Vice President, shall be responsible for the program of the Annual Meeting with full discretion to select assistants in planning and administering the meeting.
A.IV.Section 3.b. In the event of death, resignation, prolonged absence, or inability to serve of an appointed or elected member of any committee, the President may appoint a member of the Association to complete the unexpired term.
A.IV.Section 3.c. The President and/or the Executive Director shall sign contracts on behalf of the Association with the approval of Council.
A.IV.Section 4. The President-Elect shall be elected for a term of one year, after which year, the President-Elect shall become President. In the event of death, resignation, absence, or inability to serve of the President-Elect, the Vice President-Elect shall become President-Elect; corresponding replacement shall occur for President, and Past President.
A.IV.Section 5. Immediately following his or her term as President, the President shall become Past President for one year. The Past President shall serve as chair, without vote, of the Nominations Committee and shall be responsible for expressing, in appropriate ways, the appreciation of the Association to home institutions of Annual Meeting participants and to home institutions of others who have served the Association in important ways during the preceding year.
A.IV.Section 6. No person who has served as President shall be eligible for re-election to the office of President-Elect. No person who has served as Vice President shall be eligible for re-election to the office of Vice President-Elect.
A.IV.Section 7. The Vice President-Elect shall be elected for a term of one year after which year the Vice President-Elect shall become Vice President for one year. The Vice President shall assist the President in planning the program for the Annual Meeting. The Past Vice President shall serve as chair, with outvote, of the Committee on Committees.
A.IV.Section 8. The Executive Director shall be the administrative officer of the Association. The Executive Director shall be responsible for the principal correspondence of the Association and shall record the transactions of the Association and of Council. The Executive Director shall receive and have custody of the funds of the Association, discharge its obligations and maintain its accounts. The Executive Director shall be responsible for the preparation of the annual budget for the Association and the submission thereof for the approval of the Council. If needed and to assist with the discharge of the above obligations, the Executive Director, with the approval of Council, may appoint a Secretary and/or Treasurer. The Executive Director, with Council Approval, shall specify the specific duties and obligations of the appointed Secretary and/or Treasurer. The Secretary and/or Treasurer shall be appointed for a three-year term and shall be eligible for reappointment by Council for additional three-year terms. The Executive Director shall be a Member of Council, shall work closely with all committees of the Association, and shall perform such other duties as Council may assign.
The Executive Director shall be appointed by Council for a term of three years and shall be eligible for reappointment by Council for additional three-year terms. At the close of the Executive Director's term, he or she shall remain in office after the Annual Meeting until accounts of the Association have been audited and transferred to the new Executive Director. The retiring Executive Director shall serve on Council for one year beyond his or her term of office.
A.IV.Section 9. The six at-large Members of Council shall be elected by the entire voting membership of the Association, but each Division shall be represented by two of the six at-large Council members at all times. The term of office for the six at-large Council members shall be two years, with three retiring and three elected each year (one from each Division). The Graduate Student Council member shall be elected for a one-year term, with rotation between Divisions. The Graduate Student Member shall be elected to serve on the Council during the year in which the annual meeting is held in the Division in which his or her college or university is located.
A.IV.Section 10. As the governing body of the Association, Council shall be responsible for formulation of policy and general direction of the Association. Authority to interpret the Constitution and By-Laws resides in Council. When Council is not in session, the President may act on behalf of the Association as specified in Article IV, Section 3.
A.IV.Section 11. Council shall meet twice annually at the time of the Annual Meeting of the Association. At the first annual meeting of Council, incoming Officers shall be invited to attend as observers and may participate in discussion upon recognition by the chair, but shall not be voting members. At the second meeting of Council, retiring Officers shall be invited to attend as observers and may participate in discussion upon recognition by the chair, but shall not be voting members.
A.IV.Section 12. In the event of death, resignation, absence, or inability to serve of any Officer other than the President, President-Elect, or Past-President, Council may appoint a member of the Association to assume the duties of that office until the office can be filled at a regular election or until the Officer is able to re-assume duties of that office.
A.IV.Section 13. Except as otherwise provided in the Constitution and By-laws, all Officers shall end their term of office at the close of the first meeting of Council at the Annual Meeting of the Association, and new Officers shall start their term of office at the same time.
A.IV.Section 14. Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, no person holding an elective office in the Association shall be eligible to stand for election to another elective office if the term of office for the second office overlaps with the term of the position for which that person has already been elected.
ARTICLE V. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
A.V.Section 1. The Association shall, as its resources permit, maintain a journal entitled SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES and a newsletter, THE PACIFIC SOCIOLOGIST. The Association may issue additional publications consistent with purposes of the Association, in accordance with provisions in the By-laws.
A.V. Section 2. The editor of SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES and the editor of the PACIFIC SOCIOLOGISTS shall be appointed by Council as follows: (a) the Publications Committee shall submit a list of nominees for Editor to Council; (b) Council may modify this list by adding or deleting names; (c) Council shall rank order names on the resulting list; and (d) the President shall negotiate with persons on the list, in rank order, until an Editor-elect has agreed to serve. The Editor-elect shall serve for a period of up to one year prior to assuming the position of Editor. The Editor shall serve for a term of three years and may be reappointed by Council for a second three-year term. No Editor shall serve more than two consecutive terms.
A.V. Section 3. The Editor shall provide Council and the Publications Committee with timely reports on all aspects of SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES and the PACIFIC SOCIOLOGIST.
ARTICLE VI. PERMANENT COMMITTEES
A.VI.Section 1. PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
There shall be a Publications Committee consisting of the Editor of SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES and the Editor of the PACIFIC SOCIOLOGIST, who shall serve ex officio without a vote, and six members elected at-large by the entire voting membership of the Association for three-year terms, but each Division shall be represented by two of the six committee members at all times. The chair of the Publications Committee shall be appointed each year by the President from among elected members of the Committee. The Publications Committee shall take responsibility for formulation of policies for all publications of the Association. Such policies shall take effect upon ratification by Council.
A.VI.Section 1.a. The Publications Committee shall each year receive recommendations from the Editor of SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES for appointment of Associate Editors each to serve a three-year term of office. No one who has served a term of office as Associate Editor shall again be eligible for appointment to that office until after three calendar years have elapsed since termination of the prior appointment.
A.VI.Section 1.b. The Publications Committee shall ensure timely reports from the Editors to Council and to the Publications Committee on all aspects of operations and editorial policy, shall from time to time evaluate performance of the Editors and of Associate Editors, and shall make appropriate recommendations to Council.
A.VI.Section 1.c. The Publications Committee shall negotiate with publishers for production and distribution of such publications as Council may authorize. Contracts for such production and distribution shall be signed, on behalf of the Association, by the President and the Secretary Treasurer. The Contract Monitoring Committee shall ensure that the Publications Committee periodically reviews adequacy of all such contracts and makes recommendations to Council.
A.VI.Section 1.c. The Publications Committee shall recommend to Council candidates for the office of Editor-elect in a timely fashion in order to ensure a period of up to one year prior to assumption of office as Editor.
A.VI.Section 2. NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
There shall be a Nomination Committee consisting of the Past President, serving ex officio without a vote, and three members elected at-large by the entire voting membership of the Association for three-years terms. One elected member shall retire each year on a rotating basis so that a member from each successive geographical Division is elected each year. The Past President shall chair the Nomination Committee. Except as otherwise provided in the Constitution or By-laws of the Association, the Nomination Committee shall nominate two candidates for each elective vacancy. While there shall be no geographical residency requirements for positions of President-Elect and Vice President-Elect, the Nominations Committee shall attempt to nominate candidates of scholarly distinction in such a manner that no region will be favored in the long run.
A.V. Section 3. COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES
There shall be a Committee on Committee consisting of nine members elected by the entire membership at large. Each year, three members, one elected from each Division, shall start and three will end their term of office. The Committee shall recommend appointments to each committee of the Association in such a manner that northern, central, and southern regions are represented. The Committee shall make its recommendations to Council. Council shall review, modify, and act on recommendations for committee appointments at its first meeting of the Annual Meeting of the Association.
A.VI.Section 4. STANDING COMMITTEES
The Association shall provide, through the By-laws, for establishment of such additional Standing Committees as may be required to conduct affairs of the Association.
A.VI.Section 5. AD HOC COMMITTEES
The President may, with approval of Council, appoint Ad Hoc Committees to serve during his or her term of office.
ARTICLE VII. ELECTIONS
A.VII. Section 1. All officers of the Association described in Article IV above and members of the Publications Committee, Nominations Committee, and Committee on Committees shall be elected at large by the entire membership of the association by mail, including electronic, ballot in accord with procedures described in the by-laws.
A.VII. Section 2. Each election ballot shall include an invitation to members to suggest themselves or other members for committee service. These names shall be forwarded to the President and to the Committee on Committees for consideration.
ARTICLE VIII. MEETINGS
A.VIII.Section 1. The Association shall hold an Annual Meeting consisting of a program of papers and discussions and a business session. Place of meeting shall rotate annually form Southern Division to the Central and to the Northern Division and back to the Southern Division. In the event of emergency, the President, with approval of a majority of Council may dispense with the Annual Meeting or with the normal rotation among the Divisions.
A.VIII.Section 2. At the Business Meeting, a majority of the voting members present may (a) place items on the agenda of that Business Meeting and (b) pass courtesy resolutions. If at least fifty voting members are present, a majority may pass resolutions to be submitted for ratification by the voting members of the Association by mail, including electronic, ballot, provided such resolutions have been submitted in writing to the Executive Director no later than 9:00 a.m. of the scheduled day of the Business Meeting. Such resolutions shall be submitted for ratification within 45 days of the Business Meeting at which they were passed by the voting members present, and if approved by a majority of the voting members returning mail, including electronic, ballots, shall be considered to be an action of the Association.
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS
A.IX.Section 1. The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of those returning ballots in a referendum submitted by mail, including electronic, to the voting members of the Association, provided votes in favor are not less than one-fourth of the total membership of the Association.
A.IX.Section 2. Amendments may be proposed by Council or by written petition to Council from fifteen members of the Association or by majority vote at an annual Business Meeting at which at least fifty voting members are present.
A.IX.Section 3. Proposed amendments must be discussed at an annual Business Meeting at least one month prior to mailing, including electronic, a referendum for membership approval.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I. AREA AND DIVISIONS
The Association shall serve the western region of the United States. The Northern Division shall include Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. The Central Division shall include northern California (Fresno and north; Fresno's north latitude is 36_50', south latitude is 36_42'30"), Hawaii, Nevada (except Las Vegas), Utah, and Colorado. The Southern Division shall include Arizona, the area south of Fresno in California, New Mexico, as well as Las Vegas and the area south of it in Nevada and the Mexican states of Baja California, Sonora, and Chihuahua
ARTICLE II. DUES
Dues shall be paid annually and structured into at least two categories. The first category shall be for students and others who annually earn less; the second shall be for faculty and others who annually earn more. Council shall establish the amount for dues and the income criteria for each category. The amount for students and others who annually earn less, shall be significantly lower than for faculty and others who annually earn more.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
A.III.Section 1. Members in good standing shall be entitled to attend and participate in meetings of the Association upon payment of the registration fee, to vote in election, and to receive a copy of each issue of SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES and THE PACIFIC SOCIOLOGIST. Good standing is defined as having paid dues for the current year.
A.III.Section 2. Members in good standing shall be eligible to be elected to office and to permanent committees, and to serve on standing committees of the Association with the following exceptions. Graduate student members shall be eligible to be elected to Council for a one-year term to fill a graduate student position on Council. Graduate student members shall also be eligible to be elected to permanent committees, but not to the other offices of the Association, and they shall be eligible to serve on standing committees of the Association, but not on the Awards Committee.
A.III.Section 3. A student member is a person whose principal occupation is that of student. No person shall be eligible for student membership for more than five years.
A.III.Section 4. Emeritus or emerita memberships recognized prior to the 1982 membership year shall continue, with full membership privileges and remission of dues. No emeritus or emerita memberships shall be awarded after the 1982 membership year.
A.III.Section 5. The membership year shall be from January 1 through December 31.
ARTICLE IV. STANDING COMMITTEES
A.IV.Section 1. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
The Membership Committee shall assist the Officers of the Association in recruitment and maintenance of membership in the Association and shall advise the Officers in the interpretation of provisions in the Constitution and By-laws dealing with membership. The Membership Committee shall consist of six members of the association, appointed by Council upon recommendation by the Committee on Committees, from among whom the chair shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Council. The term of office for each committee member shall be three years; each year two members start, one from each Division, and two members end their term of office.
A.IV.Section 2. ASSOCIATION AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Association Audit Committee shall audit the financial records of the Executive Director at the end of each fiscal year, and also whenever the Executive Director retires from office, and shall certify the accuracy of the records to the President. The Association Audit Committee shall normally consist of two members of the Association appointed by the President-Elect with the approval of the Council. The term of membership will be three years.
A.IV.Section 3. CONTRACT MONITORING COMMITTEE
The Contract Monitoring Committee shall advise the Council in regard to the negotiation, provision, renewal, and workability of all contracts. The Contract Monitoring Committee shall normally consist of two members of the Association appointed by the President-Elect with approval of the Council. The term of membership will be three years.
A.IV.Section 4. MEETING SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE
The Meeting Site Selection Committee, composed of the President as chair, the President-Elect, and the Executive Director shall organize and coordinate information about potential sites for the Annual meeting and report to Council in order to facilitate site selection decisions by Council.
A.IV.Section 5. AWARDS COMMITTEE
The Awards Committee shall administer procedures and arrangements for bestowal of all awards by the Association. The Awards Committee shall consist of six members of the association, appointed by Council upon recommendation by the Committee on Committees, from among whom the chair shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Council. Normally, the Awards Committee shall divide itself into subcommittees, such that each member, except the chair, shall serve as a Principal Judge for one of the Association's awards and as Secondary Judge for another. The Awards Committee chair shall be, ex officio, a third member of each subcommittee thus formed. Alternative subcommittee arrangements may also be made at the discretion of the chair as required by the nature of the workload in a given year. Each subcommittee will report its recommendations for awards to the committee of the whole for consideration and ratification. The term of office for each committee member shall be three years; each year two members start, one from each Division, and two members end their term of office. The Committee on Committees shall consider qualifications for review of particular awards in making recommendations for service on the Awards Committee. The chair of the Committee shall be appointed from the membership at large by the President with the approval of Council.
The Awards Committee shall establish and maintain its own procedures, and criteria for the bestowal of each of the various awards, with occasional modifications as necessary, subject to the approval of Council. The Awards Committee may, at its discretion, elect to bypass bestowal of any award in any interval during which, in its judgment, there is a shortage of meritorious nominations for that award.
A.IV.Section 6. COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN SOCIOLOGY
The Committee on the Status of Women in Sociology shall monitor the participation of women in the discipline and in the affairs of the Association and shall report to the Council and to the membership of the Association its findings and recommendations for enhancing such participation. This committee shall consist of six members of the Association, from among whom a chair shall be appointed by the President with approval of Council. The term of office for each committee member shall be three years; each year two members start, one from each Division, and two members end their term of office.
A.IV.Section 7. COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES IN SOCIOLOGY
The Committee on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Sociology shall monitor the participation of members of racial and ethnic minorities in the discipline and in the affairs of the Association and shall report to the Council and to the membership of the Association its findings and recommendations for enhancing such participation. This committee shall consist of six members of the Association, from among whom the chair shall be appointed by the President with approval of Council. The term of office for each committee member shall be three years; each year two members start, one from each Division, and two members end their term of office.
A.IV.Section 8. COMMITTEE ON TEACHING SOCIOLOGY
The Committee on Teaching shall concern itself with issues relating to the teaching of sociology at both the undergraduate and graduate levels including teaching theory and methods, curriculum program development, and other professional concerns related to teaching sociology. The Committee shall explore ways of improving the teaching of sociology through such efforts as organizing teaching workshops and regular paper and/or panel sessions at the annual meetings and/or through other appropriate means. The Committee shall help solicit nominations to be sent to the Awards Committee for the PSA excellence in teaching award and shall from time to time organize a reception and/or other gathering at the annual meetings in order to facilitate networking among members of the Association interested in the teaching of sociology. The Committee shall maintain effective liaison with the American Sociological Association's Section on Undergraduate Education, with the ASA's Teaching Resource Center, and with other professional organizations that focus on teaching. The Committee shall consist of six members of the Association, from among whom the chair shall be appointed by the President with approval of Council. The term of office for each committee member shall be three years; each year two members start, one from each Division, and two members end their term of office. Attention should be given to the effort to broadly represent the various types of teaching institutions in the PSA region.
A.IV.Section 9. COMMITTEE ON FREEDOM OF RESEARCH AND TEACHING
The Committee on Freedom of Research and Teaching shall be concerned with the maintenance of academic freedom among sociologists and with the development and maintenance of fair and equitable procedures and practices for employing, promoting, and terminating the employment of sociologists in the western region of the United States. This committee may investigate complaints referred to it by members, shall develop appropriate procedures for conducting such investigations, and shall report to Council results of all such investigations with recommendations for Council action. This Committee shall consist of six members of the Association, from among whom the chair shall be appointed by the President with approval of Council. The term of office for each committee member shall be three years; each year two members start, one from each Division, and two members end their term of office.
A.IV.Section 10. COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS
The Committee on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights shall monitor and report to Council its assessment of issues of civil liberties and civil rights pertaining to sociologists within the discipline, the Association, and the region. This committee shall consist of six members of the Association. Three members shall be appointed by Council upon recommendation by the Committee on Committees, from among whom the chair shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Council. Additionally, each of the following committees shall designate one of its own members to serve as liaison: Committee on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Sociology, Committee on the Status of Women in Sociology, the Committee on the Status of Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals. The term of office for the three appointed committee members shall be three years; each year one member starts and one member ends the term of office.
A.IV.Section 11. COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDERED PERSONS IN SOCIOLOGY
The Committee on the Status of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Persons in Sociology shall monitor the participation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons in the discipline and in the affairs of the Association. The committee shall report to Council the status and concerns of homosexuals within the region. This committee shall consist of six members of the Association, from among whom the chair shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Council. The term of office for each committee member shall be three years; each year two members start, one from each Division, and two members end their term of office.
A.IV.Section 12. STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
The Student Affairs Committee shall concern itself with the participation of both undergraduate and graduate students in the Association and the discipline, such as planning activities for students at the annual meeting, including student paper sessions and roundtables and a student reception. This committee shall consist of six members of the Association, from among whom the Chair shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Council. The term of office for each committee member shall be three years; each year two members start, one from each Division, and two members end their term of office.
A.IV.Section 13. COMMITTEE ON PRACTICE, APPLIED, AND CLINICAL SOCIOLOGY
The Committee on Practice, Applied, and Clinical Sociology shall concern itself with matters that relate to the application and practice of sociology, including its clinical applications, such as monitoring the participation of applied sociologists in the Association and planning activities associated with practice sociology at the annual meeting. This committee shall consist of six members of the Association, from among whom the Chair shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Council. The term of office for each committee member shall be three years; each year two members start, one from each Division, and two members end their term of office.
A.IV. Section 14. ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE
The Endowment Committee shall be concerned with matters that relate to the PSA Endowment Fund, including planning activities designed to raise money for the fund, establishing procedures for use of the fund, and recommending to Council specific ways interest from the fund will be used. This committee shall consist of six members of the Association, from among whom the Chair will be appointed by the President with approval of Council. The term of office of each committee member shall be three years; each year two members start, one from each Division, and two members end their term of office.
A.IV Section 15 SOCIAL CONSCIENCE COMMITTEE
The Social Conscience Committee shall be concerned with identifying a worthy community-based organization in the city in which the PSA holds its annual meeting, for the purpose of honoring the organization through the PSA program and/or with a monetary donation from the PSA. The Committee shall recommend to Council the amount of the donation. This committee shall consist of three members who live in the city (or adjacent to it) in which the annual PSA meeting is held. The President with approval of Council will appoint the Chair. The term of office of each committee member will be for one year.
A.IV Section 16 COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY COLLEGES
The Committee on Community Colleges shall concern itself with matters that relate to the participation of community college faculty in the Association and the discipline, such as planning activities for community college faculty at the annual meeting and monitoring their participation. This committee shall consist of six members of the Association, from among whom the Chair shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Council. The term of office for each committee member shall be three years; each year two members start, one from each Division, and two members end their term of office.
ARTICLES V. ELECTIONS
A.V.Section 1. All Members of Council and members of Permanent and Standing Committees elected by the membership at large shall be elected by a mail, including electronic, ballot under the following procedures:
(a) As soon as practical after the Annual Meeting, the Executive Director shall place in the hands of the Nominations Committee a list of those who have occupied all offices of the Association since its founding and a list of the paid up membership eligible to hold office.
(b) The Nominations Committee shall select two nominees for each elective position to be filled. Not later than October 15, they shall instruct the Executive Director to prepare a ballot listing these nominees and leaving one blank space under each position for additional write-in nominations by the membership.
(c) Ballots shall be sent out to the membership prior to November l, with instructions to vote for positions either by checking names of nominees listed or by writing in names of additional nominees. A date for returning ballots, no later than January 1, shall be noted on the instructions accompanying the ballots. The Chair of the Nominations Committee shall receive and count ballots.
(d) Election shall be final unless the name of a member eligible to hold an elective
position in the Association is written in for a particular position by at least one-tenth of those returning ballots. In the latter event, the member shall be considered nominated for that position, and a new ballot shall be sent out as expeditiously as possible for voting on all positions for which new nominees are thus presented.
(e) The Chair of the Nominations Committee shall notify the President and the Executive Director of election results. All ballots cast, together with copies of pertinent data and records of the Nominations Committee, shall be submitted to the President immediately after the report of the Committee has been completed and, if found accurate, shall be certified by him or her to the Association as true and accurate. The Executive Director shall hold originals of all such material for a period at least eighteen months.
A.V.Section 2. The Executive Director shall record the results of the mail, including electronic, ballot and all other voting by the Association and shall announce the newly elected Officers to the membership by a general mailing, including electronic, prior to the Annual Meeting.
A. V. Section 3. Each election ballot shall include an invitation to members to suggest themselves or other members for committee service, these names to be forwarded the to the Committee on Committees for future consideration.
ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS
A.VI.Section 1. The exact time and place of the Annual Meeting shall be determined by Council at least one year in advance. In the event of unusual circumstances, the President may, with the approval of a majority of Council, change the time and place of the Annual Meeting.
A.VI.Section 2. The Annual Meeting shall be devoted principally to a program of papers and discussions, arranged at the discretion of the President.
A.VI.Section 3. A business session shall be conducted at each Annual Meeting. The purposes of the annual business session are to allow the officers to report to the membership and seek their advice, and to allow the membership to offer proposals and ask questions of the officers. In addition to other matters, the annual business sessions shall include a membership report and financial report by the Executive Director, report of the publication activities by the Editor, and a discussion of time and place and conduct of the next Annual Meeting.
A.VI.Section 4. Among Pacific region sociologists, only those who are members in good standing of the Pacific Sociological Association shall be eligible to present papers, organize or chair sessions, or otherwise participate as presenters in the Annual Meeting program. Foreign sociologists, not including Canadians, who are invited to participate in the Annual Meeting program by the Program Committee or a session organizer, and members of other disciplines similarly invited, may participate in the program without being Association members and without paying the registration fee. Sociologists from areas other than the Pacific region may participate in the program without membership in the Association, but will be assessed the registration fee.
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
Amendments to the By-laws shall be effected by a mail, including electronic, ballot submitted to the membership. A proposed amendment shall be considered approved by the membership if it is approved by a majority of those returning their ballots, provided that the favorable votes are not less than one-sixth of the members of the association. Amendments may be initiated by a majority of Council, by written petition of at least fifteen members of the Association, or by majority vote at the annual Business Meeting at which at least fifty voting members of the Association are present.
