CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S STUDIES ASSOCIATION
Download a full copy of the NWSA Constitution here (14 pages in word.doc)
Founding Preamble: (1977 [1982])
The National Women's Studies Association was formed in 1977 to further the social, political, and professional development of Women's Studies throughout the country and the world, at every educational level and in every educational setting. To this end, this organization is committed to being a forum conducive to dialogue and collective action among women dedicated to feminist education and change.
Women's Studies owes its existence to the movement for the liberation of women; the feminist movement exists because women are oppressed. Women's Studies, diverse as its components are, has at its best shared a vision of a world free from sexism and racism. Freedom from sexism by necessity must include a commitment to freedom from national chauvinism, class and ethnic bias, anti-Semitism, as directed against both Arabs and Jews; ageism; heterosexual bias - from all the ideologies and institutions that have consciously or unconsciously oppressed and exploited some for the advantage of others. The development of Women's Studies in the past decade, the remarkable proliferation of programs that necessitated this Association, is a history of creative struggle to evolve knowledge, theory, pedagogy, and organizational models appropriate to that vision.
Women's Studies is the educational strategy of a breakthrough in consciousness and knowledge. The uniqueness of Women's Studies has been and remains its refusal to accept sterile divisions between academy and community, between the growth of the mind and the health of the body, between intellect and passion, between the individual and society.
Women's Studies, then, is equipping women not only to enter society as whole, as productive human beings, but to transform the world to one that will be free of all oppression. This Constitution reaffirms that commitment. Ratified 1982.
The 1977 founding Preamble, with some changes in 1982, has introduced every NWSA Constitution. Although the constitution and the way it articulates NWSA's Mission have undergone revision, most recently in 2005, the historical Preamble marks the point of origin.
CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S STUDIES ASSOCIATION
Approved in 2005 to replace major sections of the Constitution ratified in 1998.
Article I: NAME
The Name of the organization is National Women's Studies Association (NWSA), Inc.
Article II: MISSION
NWSA seeks to promote the creation of a just world, free from all the ideologies and structures that oppress and exploit some for the advantage of others, in which all persons can develop to their fullest potential. In pursuit of these ends, the organization supports and promotes feminist teaching, learning, research, and service, wherever these occur, that seeks to understand and change oppressive structures and ideologies.
NWSA is committed to the development of scholarship and research that incorporates disciplinary, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, multicultural, and/or global methods and perspectives to advance the study and knowledge of all women, to create critical dialogue on the production of knowledge about and related to all women, and on the application of such knowledge to social and political practices and processes. To that end, we recognize the integral connection among scholarship, activism, and teaching.
NWSA is committed to the creation and growth of women's studies institutional units dedicated to teaching, research, scholarship, and community activism, and especially committed to the efforts of programs and departments to realize the research and scholarship missions of NWSA. In order to meet these goals, NWSA is also committed to a vision of academic work that includes the participation of faculty, students, women’s centers and other campus based organizations, and community scholars; the exchange of regional, national, and international scholars; and the presence of community organizations, both locally and globally, engaged in critical reflection and dialogue on the social meaning and use of research, scholarship, and teaching in women's studies more broadly conceived.
Article III: PROGRAM
The program of the National Women's Studies Association (NWSA) aims to make manifest and put into action the organization's general purpose. No program of NWSA shall be developed solely for the purpose of legislative lobbying or for intervening in any political campaign supporting or opposing a candidate who seeks public office.
Article IV: MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the organization will be available to individuals and groups involved in feminist teaching, learning, research, administration, activism, and service. Only individual members may vote.
Article V: DUES
Every person and group accepting the principles of NWSA and desiring membership in NWSA shall pay annual dues. Dues shall be established by the Governing Council and are payable by January 1 of each year. No one will be denied membership solely on their ability to pay.
Article VI: NATIONAL CONFERENCE
A national conference/convention will be convened in varying geographical locations with two purposes: first, to serve as an educational and inspirational force in and of itself; and second, to allow the governing bodies and constituent groups of NWSA to meet.
A. Participation in the national conference shall be open to all, subject to their registration and appropriate credentialing.
B. No one will present in the program of the national conference or vote in the Membership Assembly who is not a current member of NWSA, except in exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Governing Council.
Article VII: GOVERNANCE
A. Governing Council
The Governing Council serves as the Corporate Board of Directors of NWSA. The Governing Council shall enact resolutions passed by the Delegate Assembly as described in the Bylaws, consider recommendations forwarded by the Membership Assembly, ensure that the organization operates in a manner consistent with this Constitution and the Bylaws, and serve as the chief governing authority of the Association. When appropriate, the Governing Council may also develop policy and act on its own initiative as described in the Bylaws article _____, section ______. Only the Governing Council, and in some cases the Executive Committee, may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors as defined by Maryland law.
The Governing Council shall consist of the following:
1. Five Officers who shall be elected by the general membership.
2. Standing Committee chairs elected by the general membership.
3. The seven members of the Delegate Assembly Steering Committee.
4. The Executive Director, the editor of the NWSA Journal, the editor of NWSAction, the current on-site Conference Coordinator, and the Past President, who are ex-officio, non-voting members.
B. Officers
The officers of NWSA shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the National Conference Chair, all of whom are to be elected by the general membership in the annual general election.
1. The President shall be the NWSA spokesperson, convene the National conference(s), and convene and chair the Governing Council, the Membership Assembly, and the Executive Committee. The President shall also serve as a liaison to other organizations as necessary to support the mission and program of NWSA. The President shall work closely with the Governing Council and the Executive Director to coordinate the administrative tasks of the organization. The President shall perform such other duties as described in the Bylaws.
2. The Vice President serves in the absence of the President. The Vice President shall serve as a liaison between the Governing Council and the members of the Delegate Assembly and, when appropriate, chairs of ad hoc committees. The Vice President convenes and chairs the Delegate Assembly. The Vice President shall perform other duties as described in the Bylaws.
3. The Secretary shall be responsible for seeing that notice is given of all in-person meetings of the Delegate Assembly, Membership Assembly, Governing Council, and Executive Committee, and that minutes of such meetings are kept. The Secretary shall Chair the Internal Communications Committee, and shall perform such other duties as described in the Bylaws.
4. The Treasurer shall assist and provide oversight to the Executive Director in transactions pertaining to the organization's finances. The Treasurer shall chair the Finance Committee and shall perform other such duties as described in the Bylaws.
5. The National Conference Chair provides continuity and structural guidance to conference planning processes. The chair shall coordinate the intellectual content of the conference program to advance the mission and vision of NWSA. The National Conference Chair shall work closely and collaboratively with the Onsite Conference Chair and the Executive Director to plan the annual NWSA conference. The Chair is responsible for maintaining and executing policies related to NWSA Conferences. The National Conference Chair shall chair the Conference Committee and shall perform other such duties as described in the Bylaws.
C. Executive Committee
When convening the entire body is untenable, the Executive Committee may exercise certain powers of the Governing Council. The Executive Committee shall work closely with the Executive Director to ensure that the daily operation and affairs of the organization are carried out in a manner consistent with the governing documents and mission of NWSA. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and the National Conference Chair. The Past President may serve as an ex officio, non-voting member for one year after serving in office.
The Executive Committee is empowered to take action under the following circumstances:
1. Cases in which the Governing Council has elected to refer an issue to the Executive Committee. In such cases, the Executive Committee shall exercise such powers and function as provided in the resolution passed by the Governing Council.
2. In matters of routine administration which involve minor policy or procedural changes.
3. In extraordinary circumstances which require immediate response.
4. Cases in which legal counsel may be necessary. The advice of legal counsel may be solicited by an affirmative vote of the majority of Executive Committee members.
D. Standing Committees
Standing Committees are charged with particular operational tasks necessary for governance of the organization. Standing Committees may vary in size according to their workload. Specific responsibilities of Standing Committees and their Chairs may be found in the Bylaws.
1. Standing Committees chaired by Officers
a. Internal Communications
The Internal Communications Committee will be chaired by the Secretary. The Internal Communications Committee is charged with developing, maintaining, and facilitating effective means of communication within the organization.
b. National Conference
The National Conference Committee will be chaired by the NWSA National Conference Chair. This committee shall develop and review conference policy and procedure. The National Conference Committee includes, at least, the chairs of the subcommittees listed below. Other subcommittees may be created as needed.
1. Onsite Conference Coordinating Committee
The Onsite Conference Chair will chair the Onsite Conference Coordinating Committee. The Onsite Conference Coordinating Committee is responsible for organizing details related to on-site production of the conference.
2. Proposal Review Committee
The Program Committee is responsible for soliciting and reviewing conference paper, panel, roundtable, and workshop proposals, as well as other conference program proposals as needed, and for assisting the Executive Director in creating the program schedule for conference sessions, meetings, and other conference activities. The NWSA National Conference Chair may chair the Proposal Review Committee or appoint a chair.
3. Conference Accessibility Committee
The Conference Accessibility Committee is constituted by the NWSA Accessibility Committee and members of the Onsite Conference Coordinating Committee. The purpose of this subcommittee is to ensure that accommodations, meeting venues, and formal planned activities meet the standards established by the Americans with Disabilities Act and by the policies of NWSA. This committee shall be chaired by a qualified onsite coordinating committee member appointed by the Onsite Coordinator.
c. Finance
The Finance Committee is chaired by the Treasurer, and shall be constituted by at least two additional members. The Finance Committee is responsible for assisting and providing oversight to the Executive Director in producing the annual budget, long-range budget projections, and semi-annual budget reports to be presented to and approved by the Governing Council. The Finance Committee will also review recommendations made by the Executive Director regarding budget requests from Standing Committees and other groups.
2. Standing Committees Chaired by Elected Committee Chairs
The following Standing Committees shall be chaired by Standing Committee Chairs elected by the general membership. The elected Chairs of Standing Committees shall be members of the Governing Council.
a. Personnel
The Personnel Committee shall be responsible for conducting the Executive Director’s annual job performance evaluation, and the annual review of the Executive Director’s compensation and benefits, and for submitting these reports to the Governing Council. The Personnel Committee will serve in an advisory role to the Executive Director for supervision, evaluation, hiring, and termination of paid NWSA staff. The Personnel Committee shall be responsible for coordinating search processes for the position of Executive Director.
b. Elections
The Elections Committee conducts the annual general election, special elections for prematurely vacated seats, Delegate Assembly Steering Committee elections, and other elections as necessary. The Elections Committee is responsible for reviewing the election policies of all groups of the Delegate Assembly to ensure such policies are consistent with the NWSA Constitution, Bylaws, and Policy and Procedure Manual, and for monitoring compliance with documented elections procedures. Detailed information regarding elections can be found in the Bylaws, article ___ section ___ .
c. Fundraising
The Fundraising Committee actively assists the Executive Director in developing short-term and long-term fundraising strategies, and managing fundraising projects, annual and capital fund drives, as well as any special projects designed to create long-term financial security for NWSA. The Fundraising Committee is responsible for coordinating the Governing Council and member participation in fundraising efforts. The Treasurer shall serve as a member of this committee.
d. Membership Development
The Membership Development Committee is responsible for advising staff on maintaining and developing membership, including setting priorities for new membership categories and providing assistance with annual membership recruitment.
e. Program Administration and Development
The Program Administration and Development Committee is responsible for serving as a liaison with institutional women's studies programs; for developing research, documents, resources, and projects supporting the establishment and maintenance of such programs; and for developing pre-conference programming. Committee membership should reflect the diversity of departments, programs, and centers, as well as the differing types of institutions and educational levels in which they are located.
f. Ethics, Equity and Diversity
The Ethics, Equity and Diversity Committee is responsible for monitoring the implementation of NWSA’s affirmative action policy throughout all NWSA activities, and for developing guidelines for staff, publications, governing units, and the membership as a whole for achieving and maintaining the diversity and inclusiveness central to NWSA's purpose. The Ethics, Equity and Diversity Committee is responsible for proactively developing recommendations, proposals, and reports as part of an ongoing effort to help NWSA realize its commitment to challenge institutionalized oppression.
g. Women’s Centers
The Women’s Centers Committee advances the vital role that women’s centers play in the field of women’s studies. The Women’s Centers Committee supports the scholarship and best practices of women’s centers, including developing research, documenting resources, building network alliances, and designing projects supporting women’s centers.
h. Accessibility
The Accessibility Committee shall investigate and address NWSA member accessibility needs including, but not limited to, physical, financial, and internet-related accessibility. This committee shall review and monitor the implementation of NWSA’s accessibility policy. The Accessibility Committee’s primary responsibility is to facilitate members’ physical accessibility to the annual conference and NWSA Governing Council meetings. The Accessibility Committee Chair will serve on the Conference Accessibility Committee.
i. Educational Outreach and Programs Committee
The Educational Outreach and Programs Committee explores and develops programs that extend/expand educational offerings of the NWSA. This can include but is not limited to developing educational opportunities on issues of interest to the membership such leadership training, skills development, professional development, and anti-oppression consciousness-raising, at national conferences and meetings, or in other ways as appropriate.
E. Membership Assembly
The purpose of the Membership Assembly is to provide all members with an opportunity to identify and discuss issues of import to the operation and mission of NWSA, and to communicate issues of concern to the Delegate Assembly and Governing Council. The Membership Assembly will consider and vote upon proposed recommendations directed towards fostering and improving the organization. The Membership Assembly will meet at the time and place of the annual National Conference and will be convened and chaired by the President.
Recommendations, passed by the Membership Assembly, that urge the development and/or implementation of policies, procedures, or plans of action shall be forwarded to the Delegate Assembly, designated as either recommendations or proposed resolutions. Recommendations, passed by the Membership Assembly, that urge NWSA to make a public expression of concern or principle that does not require commitment of the Association’s resources, either in money or time of the Officers, shall be forwarded to the Governing Council. Recommendations are non-binding.
The Governing Council and/or Delegate Assembly may present non-binding referendums to the Membership Assembly for discussion and vote.
F. NWSA Delegate Assembly
The Delegate Assembly shall be the principal policy-making body of NWSA. The Delegate Assembly will meet at the time and place of the annual National Conference and will be convened and chaired by the Vice President.
The Delegate Assembly shall consider and vote on resolutions whose purpose is to do one or more of the following: 1) strengthen, improve, and/or advance the organization; 2) propose an amendment to the Constitution or Bylaws; 3) establish new operating policy, or revise and/or amend existing policy; 4) add new Constituent Groups and/or Standing Committees; 5) decide to make public NWSA’s position on an issue.
Resolutions, if passed by the Delegate Assembly, require the development and/or implementation of policies, procedures, or plans of action by the Governing Council on behalf of NWSA. A resolution may also recommend that NWSA make a public expression of concern or principle that does not require commitment of the Association’s resources, either in money or time of the officers. If a resolution is passed by the Delegate Assembly, it is forwarded to the Governing Council who must take appropriate action as described in the Bylaws, article ______ section ______.
1. The Delegate Assembly shall consist of the following:
a. The Officers of the organization: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and National Conference Chair.
b. The chair of each Standing Committee.
c. Seven members at-large elected by the general membership.
d. The chair of each formally recognized caucus as described in the Bylaws, article ____, section ____.
e. The chair of each formally recognized region as described in the Bylaws, article ____, section ___.
f. The chair of each formally recognized task force as described in the Bylaws, article ____, section ___.
g. The chair of each formally recognized interest group as described in the Bylaws, article ____, section ___.
2. The Delegate Assembly Steering Committee, convened and chaired by the Vice President, will solicit and compile proposed resolutions, and will organize the agenda for the Delegate Assembly Meeting. Members of the Steering Committee will also serve as representatives on the Governing Council, where they will represent the interests of their respective groups.
The Delegate Assembly Steering Committee shall be comprised of the following seven members:
a. the Lesbian Caucus Chair.
b. the Women of Color Caucus Chair.
c. one Regional Chair elected by the Regional Chairs.
d. one Caucus Chair elected by the Caucus Chairs, excluding the Lesbian Caucus and Women of Color Caucus Chairs.
e. one Interest Group Chair elected by the Interest Group Chairs.
f. one Task Force Chair elected by the Task Force Chairs.
g. one Member at Large elected by the Members at Large.
Article VIII: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
An Executive Director will be appointed and employed by the Governing Council to hold office at its discretion and shall be the year-round Executive Officer of the Association. The Executive Director will work under the direction of the Governing Council to execute the policies and strategic plan of NWSA in a manner that is consistent with this Constitution, the Bylaws, the NWSA Policy and Procedure Manual, and state and federal regulations. The Executive Director shall be responsible for providing continuity for the governing bodies of NWSA and for managing the daily operation and business of the Association. The appointment and/or reappointment of an Executive Director shall be contingent upon the financial state of the Association and on the findings of the annual performance evaluations. Specific responsibilities of the Executive Director are outlined in the Bylaws, article _______.
Article IX: CONSTITUENT GROUPS: REGIONS, CAUCUSES, TASK FORCES, AND INTEREST GROUPS
Formally recognized constituent groups are listed in the Bylaws. Each formally recognized constituent group must annually submit to the Vice President a current copy of Bylaws that are consistent with the mission, Constitution, Bylaws, and Policy and Procedure Manual of NWSA. The minimum number of members necessary to define a group as active is stipulated in the Bylaws, article ___, section _____. Membership in respective constituent groups shall be indicated on the NWSA membership form.
A. Regions
1. The purpose of regions is twofold:
a. To allow and encourage regional outreach, organizing, development, and networking.
b. To provide members of each region an elected chair whose primary duty is to represent the concerns and issues of the individual and group members of the region.
2. Each region designated in the Bylaws shall have a Regional Chair. Each Regional Chair shall solicit and compile the issues of concern from members of the region so that they may be represented at the Delegate Assembly.
B. Caucuses
Caucuses designate groups that are under-represented within society or NWSA as an organization.
C. Task Forces
The purpose of a Task Force is to focus on an issue or problem, relevant to the policies and principles of NWSA and women's studies, that can be addressed through action.
D. Interest Groups
The purpose of an Interest Group is to facilitate the association of those who wish to meet around a common scholarly interest.
Article X: ANCILLARY STRUCTURES
In addition to the Governing Bodies of NWSA, the work of the association may be implemented through the following structures, which shall be comprised of at least the following groups, committees, and advisory boards. Additional ad hoc committees may be constituted and convened as necessary.
A. Parliamentarian Committee
The Parliamentarian Committee shall be chaired by the Head Parliamentarian elected by the general membership, and shall include at least one other parliamentarian. The Head Parliamentarian shall be responsible for the interpretation of the Constitution and Bylaws, and ensure that appropriate procedures and rules of order are followed in association meetings, as outlined in the Policy and Procedure Manual. The Head Parliamentarian shall be present during Membership Assembly meetings and Delegate Assembly meetings, and shall arrange for a parliamentarian to be present at Governing Council meetings, and any additional (special) convocations during which major NWSA business is conducted. Under special circumstances, individual Caucus Groups, Interest Groups, Task Forces, or Regions may request the presence of a parliamentarian. Honoring such requests is at the discretion of the Head Parliamentarian, and is contingent upon the availability of Parliamentarian committee members.
The Parliamentarian may not participate in meetings, except to address issues of procedure. The Head Parliamentarian shall also update the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect passed amendments.
B. NWSA Conflict Resolution Committee
There shall be a Conflict Resolution Committee which will be a free-standing committee of at least seven members, elected by the general membership, which functions when called upon to resolve disputes brought to it from any part of NWSA. It is the responsibility of the Conflict Resolution Committee to review, revise, and approve NWSA’s Conflict Resolution Procedure, which is outlined in the Policy and Procedure Manual. The Governing Council and/or Executive Director may serve in an advisory role with regard to procedure. The Chair of the Conflict Resolution Committee, who shall be elected by the general membership, shall be responsible for convening the Committee and reporting its actions to the Governing Council. Actions that are Board Powers require approval from the Governing Council.
C. Advisory Boards
Advisory Boards are organizations whose conduct of business is independent, but in accord with the policies of NWSA. They will devise their own rules of order, but the Governing Council and/or the Executive Director may make suggestions to them, and they may make suggestions to the Governing Council or the Delegate Assembly. Advisory boards are listed in the Bylaws, article. ____, section ___.
Article XI: BYLAWS
Bylaws that further describe the implementation of this Constitution and are not inconsistent with this Constitution or other applicable laws may be adopted by an affirmative vote of a simple majority, after quorum is met, of both the Delegate Assembly and Governing Council.
Article XII: AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds, after quorum is met, of both the Delegate Assembly and Governing Council. A proposed amendment to the Constitution may be submitted, in writing, by any member to the President. Written notice of the proposed amendment, with pro and con statements, must be given to the membership at least sixty (60) days prior to the vote.
Article XIII: REVISION AND RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION
The Constitution shall be subject to a systematic evaluation with respect to all procedures and processes, during the 5th year of implementation. Details concerning the constitution of the Constitution and Bylaw Committee, as well as the review and revision procedure, are outlined in the Bylaws article ____. The resulting proposed draft shall be approved by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds, after quorum is met, of both the Governing Council and Delegate Assembly. It shall also be submitted to the Membership Assembly for discussion. It shall be published in the first issue of the NWSAction and/or on the NWSA website following the annual NWSA conference, prior to membership vote. A full membership vote shall then be conducted no later than six months following publication. An affirmative vote of a simple majority of voting members is necessary for ratification. If ratified, the Constitution shall be adopted at the closing ceremony of the following annual conference. Details regarding the ratification process can be found in the Bylaws, article ____, section.
This draft has been written by the Constitution and Bylaw Review Committee: Jo Trigilio (Chair), Lisa Burke, Gail Cohee, Betsy Eudey, Wendelin Hume, Leni Marshall, Colette Morrow, Juli Parker, Ann Russo, Sarah Tillery, Pat Washington, and Jacquelyn Zita (ex officio). 2005
Download a full copy of the NWSA Constitution here (14 pages in word.doc)