SDA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I - NAME
THE NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION SHALL BE THE SOUTHERN DEMOGRAPHIC
ASSOCIATION,
INC.
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ARTICLE II - PURPOSES
SECTION 1. The Southern Demographic Association, Inc.
(SDA)
is a scientific and educational corporation of the Commonwealth of
Virginia.
It is composed of persons with professional interest in demography and
population studies. As set forth in the charter of incorporation,
its purposes are to supplement and complement the demographic programs
of educational institutions, research organizations, and state and
local
government agencies in the South (as defined in the by-laws). The
SDA will (a) serve as an organized channel of information concerning
programs,
facilities, and demographic research in the region; (b) encourage broad
multi-disciplinary studies of population trends and changes in the
region
and their social, economic, and environmental determinants and
consequences;
(c) generally advance demographic research and training in the region;
and (d) serve other purposes that further public understanding of the
significance
of Southern population patterns.
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ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. Members of SDA shall consist of individuals and
organizations with a professional commitment to its purposes who pay
annual
dues in the amounts established from time to time by the Board of
Directors
(the Board). There shall be different classes of membership as
specified
in the by-laws.
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ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1. There shall be a Board of Directors consisting
of the president, the president-elect, the secretary-treasurer, the
immediate
past president, and at least three directors, one of whom shall serve
as
vice-president and one of whom shall be a legal resident of Virginia.
SECTION 2. The Board shall meet at least twice a year,
once in conjunction with the annual meeting of the members and the
other
at a time and place determined by the Board. Other meetings may
be
called by the president, as required. At board meetings a quorum
shall consist of four (4) members.
SECTION 3. The Board shall have responsibility for the
management and control of the activities and publications of SDA,
for the
administration and custody of property and funds, and for relations
with
other professional organizations. Actions of the Board shall be
communicated
to the members.
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ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
SECTION 1. The officers of SDA shall be a president, a
president-elect,
a vice-president, and a secretary-treasurer, elected as specified
herein
and in the by-laws. The president is the chair-person of the
board
and the chief officer of SDA. The vice-president is
vice-chairperson
of the Board and shall discharge the presidential duties in the absence
or disability of the president.
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ARTICLE VI - ELECTIONS, TERMS OF OFFICE, AND
FILLING
VACANCIES
SECTION 1. There shall be an annual election by mail
ballot
to elect a president-elect and at least one director, and to fill any
elective
offices that have been vacated in the previous year. Special
elections
by mail ballot shall be held on the recommendation of the Board.
SECTION 2. The terms of office of the president and the
president-elect shall be one year, after which they shall succeed to
the
offices of immediate past president and president, respectively.
SECTION 3. The vice-president shall be elected by the
Board
from among the directors not holding other office, and shall serve in
that
office no longer than one year.
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ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. Standing or temporary committees required to
conduct
the activities of SDA shall be appointed by the president, with the
approval
of the Board.
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ARTICLE VIII - MEETING OF MEMBERS
SECTION 1. There shall be one regular meeting annually of
the members, which shall be held at a time and place designated by the
Board. Special meetings may be held on the call of the Board.
SECTION 2. The secretary-treasurer shall give adequate
written notice of the time and place of meetings to each member in good
standing.
SECTION 3. At each regular
meeting,
the members shall:
a. Receive a report from the president on the activities of the
Board
since the last such meeting.
b. Receive a report from the secretary-treasurer on the activities
of the office for the year, including financial and membership
statements.
c. Receive reports from committees as required.
d. Make suggestions for activities to be considered by the Board.
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ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed
by the Board, or by a petition to the Board signed by at least
twenty-five
(25) members. A proposed amendment shall be communicated to the
members
and discussed at the next meeting of the members. Within sixty
(60)
days after the meeting, the Board shall formulate the final wording of
the proposed amendment and direct the secretary-treasurer to submit it
to the members in good standing for ratification by mail ballot.
An amendment shall become effective following ratification by
two-thirds
of the members casting ballots.
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ARTICLE X - BY-LAWS
SECTION 1. Definitions and procedures that require
flexibility
shall be governed by the
by-laws,
provided
they are not in conflict with the Constitution.
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ARTICLE XI - RATIFICATION
SECTION 1. This Constitution became effective in its
original
version on November 1, 1980. It was revised to reflect the change
of name of the organization from Southern Regional Demographic Group to
Southern Demographic Association, which was approved October 12,
1987.
The present version will become effective on the first day of the month
following ratification, 1 July 2001.
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