MCRSA By-Laws


Name
The name of the organization shall be The Mid-Continent Regional Science Association.

Objectives
1. To provide opportunities for scholars in Regional Science disciplines to present research ideas to peers in a supportive environment.

2. To provide an opportunity for scholars in Regional Science disciplines to publish their ideas in the Association’s journal.

3. To stimulate continued interest in Regional Science among professionals.

Membership
1. The membership of the organization shall be all who pay annual dues either separately or through the Association’s registration.

2. Student membership dues shall be one-half of the membership dues of a regular member.

3. All those who have paid dues are eligible to vote on the business of the Association at the business meeting.

4. Membership shall entitle the member to receive copies of the Association’s journal, Regional Science Perspectives. The subscription fee for the journal shall be collected at the same time that dues are collected.

Officers
1. The Association shall have the following officers who shall be elected by the membership at an annual business meeting. President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Past-President, and Mid-Continent representative to the National Regional Science Association Board. The terms of the office for elected officials shall be one calendar year or until the next annual business meeting following the election. The President-Elect shall automatically succeed the presidency of the Association after one year and the Past-President shall succeed to that office after the term of the presidency has expired. Except for the Vice-President succeeding the President and the Past-President, the Association Board of Directors shall appoint a replacement for an unexpired term should a vacancy occur.

2. The Association shall also have the following officers appointed by the President with approval from the Association Board of Directors: Local Arrangements Chair, Program Chair, Regional Science Perspectives Editor, and Chair of the Nominating Committee. The terms of the office for these appointments will be determined by the Association Board of Directors.

3. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers of the Association (Article IV.1). Appointed officers shall serve on the Board as non-voting, ex officio members. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for selecting the location of the annual meeting hosted by the Association. The Board of Directors shall also be responsible for the long-range planning of the Association. Finally, the Board of Directors shall be responsible for recommending dues levels, journal subscription fees, constitutional amendments, and the annual business meeting agenda for the approval by the Membership at the business meeting.

Duties of the Officers
1. The President of the Association shall preside over all meetings of the Association and the Association Board of Directors. The President shall appoint the nominating committee, with the approval of the Board of Directors, prior to the Association’s business meeting. The President shall appoint additional committees, as the need requires. The President holds the duly authorized signature for all legal matters regarding the Association that are approved by the Membership or the Association Board of Directors. The President shall call at least one annual meeting of the Association Board of Directors and any additional meetings as may be needed to conduct the business of the Association. The President shall assume other duties and responsibilities as determined by the Association Board of Directors.

2. The Past-President shall assist the President in the conduct of the President’s duties, primarily in an advisory capacity.

3. The President-Elect shall assist the President in the conduct of the President’s duties. The President-Elect shall assume other duties and responsibilities as determined by the President and the Association Board of Directors.

4. The Vice-President shall also assist the President in the conduct of the President’s duties. The Vice-President shall preside over all meetings of the Association and the Association Board of Directors in the President’s absence. The Vice-President shall become the President of the Association should the office of the President become vacant. The Vice-President shall assume other duties and responsibilities as determined by the President and the Association Board of Directors.

5. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep the records of the Association and shall be responsible for all the funds of the Association. The Secretary/Treasurer shall work with the Program Chair in securing and disbursing all money associated with the Annual Meeting and business meeting of the Association. The Secretary/Treasurer shall work with the editor of Regional Science Perspectives in collecting and disbursing all money associated with the journal. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep the minutes of all business conducted by the Association or the Association Board of Directors. The Secretary/Treasurer shall assume other duties and responsibilities as determined by the President and the Association Board of Directors.

6. The Association Representative to the National Association Board shall represent the Association in all business brought before the National Board. The Representative shall report back to the Association Board of Directors and the Association on all matters from the National Board that affects the Association.

7. The Local Association Chair shall have responsibility for securing hotel accommodations, meeting rooms, meals, entertainment, and other requirements as host for the annual convention.

8. The Program Chair shall have responsibility for soliciting submissions, reviewing submissions, and organizing the program for the annual convention. The Program Chair shall work with the Secretary/Treasurer in the collection and disbursement of all funds associated with the convention.

9. The Editor of the Association Journal, Regional Science Perspectives, shall oversee the publication of the journal. Duties include: maintaining a current list of volunteer reviewers for journal submissions, organizing the submissions for publication, and finding a publisher for the journal. The Editor shall work with the Secretary/Treasurer but be ultimately responsible for all financial transactions relating to the journal.

10. The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall call a meeting once a year prior to the annual meeting of the Board of Directors to nominate officers for the coming year. The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall present the slate of nominees to the Board of Directors and shall report the nominations to the Association Membership during the annual meeting.

Committees
1. There shall be one standing committee of the Association: The Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall be chaired by the appointed chair and shall consist of two additional members appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. The term of the office for the chair shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The term of office of the other two members of the committee shall be one calendar year.

Annual Meeting
1. There shall be an Annual Meeting of the Association at a place and time determined by the Association Board of Directors.

2. The Annual Meeting shall have as its primary purpose the presentation and discussion of papers and ideas relevant to the field of Regional Science.

3. A portion of each Annual Meeting shall be devoted to a business meeting. The authorized voting members at the business meeting shall consist of all dues paying members present. The business meeting shall elect the officers of the Association for the coming year, shall vote on dues and journal subscription fees upon recommendation from the Association Board of Directors, shall vote on any proposed amendments to this Constitution, and shall discuss and vote on all other issues brought before the Membership. Roberts Rules shall stand as the operating rules of order for the business meeting. The business meeting shall be chaired by the Association President.

Amendments to the Constitution
1. Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by the Association Board of Directors at the annual meeting of the Membership. Amendments may also be proposed by the Membership, provided the amendment is signed by at least five members and submitted to the Association President at least four weeks prior to the annual meeting. The President shall be responsible for distribution of the amendment to the membership at the annual business meeting along with any recommendations on its passage by the Association Board of Directors.

2. Amendments shall be accepted when an absolute majority of members attending the annual business meeting vote for approval. All amendments shall appear as an addition to this Constitution from that time.

Amendments