OVERVIEW

NWSA has evolved since 1977 into a complex organization responsive to regional constituencies as well as to individual and institutional members.

Policy implementation and the general administration of NWSA are overseen by the Governing Council.

Allison Kimmich serves as the Executive Director.

Resolutions and Recomendations for 2008

Resolutions and recommendations submitted for consideratiion at the 2008 Conference Membership Assembly and Delegate Assembly can be viewed at resolutionsrecommendations.php

To submit a Recommentation or Resolution, please go to recsandres.php

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE National Women's Studies Association CONSTITUTION

Dissolve the current NWSA constitution and adopt the proposed by-laws that were circulated to the membership in December 2007, with any subsequent amendments to be proposed in advance of the Delegate Assembly meeting in accord with the current by-laws amendments process and which are available on our web site at bylaws.php, effective at noon on Sunday, June 22, 2008."

The National Women's Studies Association Governing Council is proposing this process after consultation with NWSA's lawyer and after a lengthy process that began with NWSA strategic planning in the spring of 2007 and has continued with membership and NWSA leadership involvement in reviewing the proposed revised bylaws available at bylaws.php

Implementing the bylaws is a key element of the NWSA strategic plan and a benchmark under the Association's current Ford Foundation grant.

For more information visit amendment.php

NWSA GOVERNING BODIES

MEMBERSHIP ASSEMBLY

All NWSA members are encouraged to attend and participate in the Membership-Assembly.

The Membership-Assembly meets annually at the conference to vote on Recommendations. 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. Recommendations that urge NWS 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.

DELEGATE ASSEMBLY

The Delegate assembly is the principal policy-making body of NWSA. It meets once a year at annual conference to 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. If a resolution is passed by the Delegate Assembly, it is forwarded to the Governing Council who must take appropriate action.

GOVERNING COUNCIL

The Governing Council meets three times a year and administers policy. The Governing Council serves as the Corporate Board of Directors of NWSA. It enact resolutions passed by the Delegate Assembly, and considers recommendations forwarded by the Membership Assembly. When appropriate, the Governing Council may also develop policy and act on its own initiative.

For complete information about governance and for position descriptions, see the Constitution

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE POSITIONS

NWSA has several standing committees working and advising on various issues and tasks.
if you are interested in serving on any of this please contact Allison Kimmich at: allison.kimmich@nwsa.org, unless otherwise indicated.

Accessibility
Works with the Executive Director, the National Conference Chair, and leaders of NWSA’s groups and committees to ensure that reasonable accommodations render all NWSA activities and projects accessible to people with disabilities; shall collaborate with the Ethics, Equity, and Diversity Committee to review NWSA policies, policy proposals, programs, and activities to ensure that they are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, affirmative action goals, ethical goals relative to the mission of NWSA, and NWSA goals to increase diversity, inclusiveness, and to provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities; shall propose policy and programs designed to increase inclusion of people with disabilities within all parts of the organization; and is responsible for addressing issues of accessibility and accommodations for people with disabilities brought to it by the governing bodies, constituent groups, elected leaders, and individual members of NWSA.  

Educational Outreach and Programs
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; The Committee oversees the NWSA Graduate Scholarship and Travel Grant awards process, and works with other NWSA entities to coordinate awards recognitions at the National Conference. Contact the chair at edoutreach@nwsa.org. 

Elections
assists the Elections Chair in conducting the elections, soliciting candidates for leadership position, and ensuring that NWSA election procedures are followed.   In consultation with the Executive Director and/or Constituent Group Chairs, the Elections Committee shall research and recommend means for conducting NWSA elections. 

Ethics, Equity and Diversity
shall review NWSA policies, policy proposals, programs, and activities to ensure compliance with affirmative action goals, ethical goals relative to the mission of NWSA, and NWSA goals to increase diversity and inclusiveness; shall propose policy and programs designed to increase diversity and inclusivity within all parts of the organization, especially within governance and within membership; and is responsible for addressing issues of ethics, equity, and diversity brought to it by the governing bodies, constituent groups, elected leaders, and individual members of NWSA. 

Finance
in collaboration with the Executive Director, the Committee shall develop and review finance policies; advise and assist the Executive Director in writing the annual budget to ensure consistency with the plans and mission of the organization; review semi-annual financial reports submitted by the Executive Director; advise the Executive Director and the Governing Council on financial priorities; provide oversight to the financial operations of the association and report any financial irregularities, concerns, and/or opportunities to the Governing Council; work in collaboration with Executive Director to oversee short and long-term investments; and may provide recommendations for the selection of an auditor and work with the auditor. 

Fundraising Committee
Collaborates with the Executive Director to develop fundraising strategies and policies aimed at increasing the financial stability and resources of the organization; shall collaborate with the Executive Director  and other appropriate committee chairs to establish and implement a fundraising plan that incorporates an array of appropriate fundraising vehicles; is responsible for recruiting and involving members of the Governing Council in fundraising efforts; monitors fundraising efforts to ensure that ethical practices are in place, that donors are acknowledged appropriately, and that fundraising efforts are cost-effective; and may take the lead in certain types of outreach efforts, as needed.

Internal Communications
Works in collaboration with the Executive Director to develop and facilitate internal communication systems. The committee shall also assist the Secretary in seeing that notice is given of all Governing Council, Delegate Assembly, and Membership Assembly meetings, and for recording the minutes at each of these meetings and making those minutes publicly available.  See also Assistant Secretary position below.

Membership Development
will work with the Executive Director to develop strategies for increasing membership and will develop, revise, and/or enhance new membership materials. 
Contact the chair at: membership@nwsa.org

National Conference
(including Proposal Review, On-Site, and Accessibility Subcommittees)
Assist the in the search for potential, future conference sites; suggest sites, solicit proposals from potential host institutions, and investigate the viability of potential conference locations; review conference-related contract proposals and serve in an advisory capacity for contract negotiations; and assist in the review and development of policies and procedures related to conference planning.

Onsite Conference Coordinating Committee
Works in collaboration with the Executive Director and the National Conference Chair to help ensure that conference planning is in accord to with NWSA’s mission, policies and procedures, shall work in collaboration with the Executive Director to manage the site budget, and is responsible for logistics, scheduling, and planning entertainment and ancillary events.    

Personnel
Functions in an advisory role to the Executive Director for supervision, evaluation, hiring, professional development, and termination of paid NWSA staff; will conduct an annual job performance assessment of the Executive Director and, at the pre-conference Governing Council meeting, shall provide the Governing Council an annual, written job performance report; is partially responsible for recommending salary increases and benefits packages for the Executive Director;  and is responsible for handling conflicts that arise between the Executive Director and the staff.

Program Administration and Development
shall plan and host an annual pre-conference for Women’s Studies administrators.  The Program Administration and Development Committee shall organize and administer projects that address the needs of Women’s Studies administrators.  Note: the PA&D Committee elects an Advisory Council to coordinate their efforts.  Nominees are also sought for Advisory Council members. 

Women’s Centers
the primary responsibility is to plan the annual Women’s Centers Pre-conference.  The Committee shall also work collaboratively with Women’s Studies programs and departments to advance an understanding of how women’s centers can promote activism and inform research and teaching in Women’s Studies; work proactively toward the inclusion of women’s centers issues in presentations, sessions, panels, and speakers in the annual Conference; and organize and administer projects that address the needs of Women’s Centers’ administrators and staff.  Note: the Women’s Centers’ Committee elects an Advisory Council to coordinate its efforts.  Nominees are also sought for Advisory Council members. 

Assistant Parliamentarians: The Parliamentarian Committee shall be chaired by the Head Parliamentarian and shall include at least one other parliamentarian.  The parliamentarians 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.  Assistant Parliamentarians may be asked by the Head 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.   Parliamentarians may not participate in meetings, except to address issues of procedure.

Assistant Secretary shall serve as the Secretary for the Delegate Assembly meetings. The Assistant Secretary is responsible for recording minutes of the Delegate Assembly meeting, and for submitting the text of passed resolutions to the Governing Council prior to the post-conference Governing Council meeting.