By-Laws of the Catharine Maria Sedgwick Society
Adopted at the Annual Meeting of the Society, May 25, 2001
I. Name
The name of the society is the Catharine Maria Sedgwick Society.
II. Purpose
The Catharine Maria Sedgwick Society (CMSS) promotes the study and awareness of Sedgwick's life and works. It aims to increase availability and access to her writings and offers a forum for established and emerging scholars, as well as others interested in Sedgwick, to exchange ideas, research, and pedagogical strategies.
III. Membership
The membership of the Society shall be open to persons and institutions who apply for membership and continue to pay annual dues or subscribe to a lifetime membership. Only individual members in good standing shall have the right to vote, hold office, or present at CMSS-sponsored forums. The Society may from time to time elect Honorary members.
IV. Dues
Annual dues of the Society are as follows: Regular member: $10; Institutional member: $25; Student member: $5; Lifetime member: $200.
V. Officers
[Updated list of Officer Positions and Descriptions, posted on 4 Nov. 2018 (PDF): CMSS_Info]
The Executive Board shall consist of the following officers with the following responsibilities:
President–presides at the annual meeting of the membership, designates a recording secretary at meetings, convenes a meeting of the executive council, consults with the advisory board, formulates policies and projects that promote the mission of the society, in particular, creating liaisons with societies and institutions and promoting access and availability to Sedgwick's work, and assists other officers.
First Vice-President, Programs–coordinates and develops activities and programs for the Society and serves as director of the Sedgwick symposium or other Society-hosted conferences.
Second Vice-President, Programs–assists the first vice president in coordinating and developing activities and programs of the society, orchestrates calls for papers and organizes society panels for external conferences such as those held by the American Literature Association (ALA) and the Society for the Study of American Women Writers (SSAWW).
Vice-President, Newsletter–produces and distributes the Society newsletter, which is published at least annually.
Vice-President, Finance/Membership–maintains a membership list, solicits new members, collects dues, and pays all bills.
All officers are elected to three-year terms by simple majority of the members who vote via an official ballot distributed by electronic or regular mail.
VI. Advisory Board
Advisory board members are selected by the executive board and invited to serve in this capacity for a period of three years. They may serve consecutive terms at the executive board's invitation. Advisory board members provide advice regarding the Society's direction and activities, including Sedgwick-related publications. In addition, they promote the Society wherever feasible.
VII. Meetings
The Society, in non-Symposium years, meets in conjunction with the annual conference of the American Literature Association. During the years in which the Symposium is held, the meeting will take place at the Symposium. In addition, the executive board may arrange Society programs at other times and places, such as panels and/or social gatherings at meetings of the ALA and the SSAWW, or other venues. All members of the Society shall be encouraged through open calls for papers to participate in the Society's programs.
The Catharine Maria Sedgwick Society Newsletter is the official publication of the Society. The newsletter shall regularly print notices, notes, queries, announcements, reviews, and other materials. Each member will receive one free copy of each issue of the newsletter, which will be published at least annually.
IX. Amendments to the By-laws
These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of members who vote on same, which may be carried out in person at the annual meeting or via electronic or regular mail. All proposed amendments must be circulated among the entire membership at least one month prior to the mail ballot deadline.
X. Dissolution of the Society
Upon dissolution of the Society, all assets belonging to the society after the discharge of any and all outstanding obligations shall become the property of a Sedgwick-related institution approved by the executive board. (Especially shall no member or other individual be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the Society's assets upon dissolution of the Society.)
By-Laws Amendment, adopted July 15th, 2002
As of the vote of Sedgwick Society members on July 15, 2002, several changes were approved in the Society By-Laws. The title or duties of two executive committee positions were amended in Section V, and changes in the language of Section VII were approved, as follows:
Section V. Officers: Second Vice-President, Programs — has primary responsibility for organizing Society-sponsored panels at external conferences and assists the First Vice-President, as needed, in coordinating other activities and programs of the Society.
Vice-President, Communications — produces and distributes the Society newsletter, which is published at least once annually, and communicates other matters of interest to the membership as needed.
Section VII. Meetings: The selection committee for any CMSS-sponsored conference panel shall consist of at least one member from the Executive Board plus two additional members from either the Executive or Advisory Boards whenever possible, or from the general membership if necessary. Whenever the Society issues an open call for papers for a non-Symposium panel, a blind submission process shall be administered. Anyone submitting a proposal for a non-Symposium panel is ineligible to serve on the selection committee for that panel.