READ PROPOSED CHANGES
TO THE MELUS CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
Print Proposed Changes in .doc file
(posted 7/2008)

ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this Society shall be THE SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF THE MULTI-ETHNIC LITERATURE OF THE UNITED STATES, hereafter referred to as MELUS. The Society shall be incorporated as a non-profit organization under the laws of the State of Connecticut or under the laws of the state to which the MELUS membership votes to move the Society hereafter.

ARTICLE II
Purpose of the Society
Section 1. MELUS is an organization for all people who are professionally interested in expanding the definitions of American literature. We seek to study all forms of this pluralistic literature, in all the languages of every culture, from pre-Columbian times to the present. MELUS is a forum for research and the dissemination of this research globally, [through the MELUS journal, MELUS NewsNotes and website, an annual national conference to heighten cultural awareness and diversity, as well as through books, articles and publications, panels, and professional meetings deemed appropriate by the members of the Society. The Executive Committee shall review all proposals to expand MELUS internationally to determine if these international groups are financially viable and willing to abide by the MELUS Constitution. No international organization may use the MELUS name without meeting these criteria.

Section 2. We recognize the importance of ethnic identity and the necessity of making both cultural and aesthetic judgments in regard to all literature, including the diversity that is called “American literature”; i.e., the literature of Asian-Americans, Afro-Americans, Native Americans, Puerto Ricans, Chicanos, Latinos, and Americans of European extraction like Italians and the Polish, and, specifically, religious ethnic groups such as Jews who have been ignored, misread, or underrepresented in the past. The Society endeavors to provide a more-balanced appreciation of the scholarly expertise of the people, cultures, and literatures that comprise the United States.

Section 3. We intend to recover forgotten literature, much of it written in languages other than English, which is now deposited in libraries of historical and fraternal societies, and private collections.

Section 4. We propose to study the ethnic component in all American literature. Many writers who have been classified as “mainstream” or canonical have been sensitive to the pluralistic nature of our society. “American” and “ethnic” writers have influenced each other; we propose to explore these influences.

Section 5. To realize these purposes MELUS will organize and]conduct public meetings, seminars, and conferences throughout the United States and the world. We will cooperate with other scholars and organizations to coordinate research, sponsor area and joint meetings, and the Society issues directories of the membership, bibliographies, and other appropriate publications.

Section 6. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be for the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, nor shall the Corporation participate in or intervene in any political campaign of any candidate for public office. MELUS does take stands on issues of educational and intellectual significance.

Section 7: The Corporation is organized and shall be operated exclusively for such charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes as the Executive Committee may approve and as are within the purposes herein expressed. The Corporation is not organized for pecuniary profit, and shall not engage in any activities for any pecuniary profit and no officer, member or employee of the Corporation shall receive any pecuniary profit from the operations thereof except repayment of expenses reasonably incurred in effecting or carrying out one or more of its activities. No part of any net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.

ARTICLE III
Membership
Members
Section 1. The membership consists of individuals and institutionswho have paid yearly dues as specified by the Executive Committee. Membership is maintained by payment of subsequent annual dues that are used to support the services provided to the members of the Society. An individual member has full voting privileges. Institutions, however, have no voting privilege. Should the Society designate some individuals as non-dues-paying (i.e., as honorary), they shall not vote.

Section 2. Payment of yearly dues entitles the member to receive the newsletter NewsNotes, the membership directory and electronic list, the Society’s online newsletter, and the journal. He/she is also entitled to participate and vote in any conference and business meeting organized by MELUS, subject to any applicable registration fees.

ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of a President, a Vice-President of Programming, a Secretary, a Treasurer, the Editor of NewsNotes, the Editor of the MELUS Journal, a Membership Chairperson, the Program Chairperson, and the Project Chairperson. This Committee is responsible for the operation of the Association, subject to review by the entire membership at the annual meeting.

Section 2. All officers of the Executive Committee (with the exception of the Editor of theJournal, are elected for a term of three years. They are eligible for reelection once. Should a vacancy occur, the position may be filled temporarily by an appointee of the Executive Committee. The Editor and Project Chairperson receive five year appointments from the Executive Committee, with no limitations on renewal of appointment.

Section 3. The Executive Committee may appoint ex officio members as situations warrant.

Section 4. The Executive Committee shall report on the year’s activities at the annual meeting. Details of that meeting including a complete financial statement shall be published in NewsNotes.

ARTICLE V
Publications of MELUS
Section 1. All publications of MELUS [whether or not financed by MELUS] shall be directed by an Editorial Board consisting of the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal and two appointees. Subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, the Editorial Board can form committees designed to create, promote, and sponsor various publications (monographs, etc.), in appropriate cases, nominating to the Executive Committee special editors for newly-created publications.

Section 2. The contents of the MELUS NewsNotes issues will be determined by the Editor of NewsNotes in consultation with the MELUS President and the necessary or appropriate Executive Committee officers.

ARTICLE VI
Meetings
Section 1. MELUS will meet at least once a year for the transaction of business by the membership. The meetings will take place at the annual MELUS Conference. Usually, the Executive Committee will also meet at the annual Modern Language Association Convention, and at other times as necessary. The President of the Executive Committee /MELUS will designate the place and time.

Section 2. Voting by proxy shall be allowed. [Such votes can be brought to the Executive Committee by any of the officers of the association, including the Society’s two Editors and Project Chairperson.

Section 3. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern meetings, unless a majority determines that an alternative procedure is preferable.

ARTICLE VII
Amendments and Ratification
Section 1. Any two (2) members of the Executive Committee or any five (5) members may petition that the Constitution be amended. With the support of the majority of the Executive Committee (polled by mail), the Amendment will be submitted to the entire membership. The vote will be conducted and mailed with a designated date posted for submission of ballots. The majority vote will rule. Should the Executive Committee not approve a submitted Amendment, a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the attending members of the business meeting can force submission of the Amendment to the entire membership. The majority of those voting will rule.

ARTICLE VIII
Effective Date of this MELUS Constitution
Section 1. This Constitution shall be effective after approval by a majority of the voting membership. Voting shall be conducted by mail with a designated date for return of ballots, and the results shall be disclosed at the next business meeting.

Article IX
Dissolution and Termination
Section 1. Upon termination and dissolution of this association the Officers shall proceed to wind up affairs of the association in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut in such case provided, paying all bills and debts of the association, and distributing remaining assets, if any, to such similar non-profit, tax-exempt, charitable, or educational institution as the Officers shall in their best discretion deem advisable, which charitable or educational institution shall be an organization included in the provisions of Section 501 © (3), 1954 Internal Revenue Code as amended from time to time. Upon dissolution and termination, no monies or profits whatsoever shall be paid to any officer or any other person except for compensation for services rendered or verified out-of-pocket expenses.

BY-LAWS

Article I
Membership Dues
Section 1. Annual dues will be established by the Executive Committee and based on the expenses of the Society and its different types of memberships (i. e. institutions, international members, retirees, and such). Membership begins January 1 of each year. Payment of dues shall allow the member to receive NewsNotes and the journal] and any other publication designated by the Executive Committee for distribution to the entire membership.

Patrons
Section 1. Individuals and institutions (such as colleges, universities, academic departments and programs, and other organizations) may serve as patrons by making annual contributions at a rate determined by the Executive Committee.

Article II
Change of Status
Section 1. If a member resigns during the year, his dues are forfeited. Should a member not pay his dues one year after a renewal notice, he shall cease to be a member in good standing, duly notified in writing by the Treasurer.

Keeping Informed
Section 1. Currently, the Society operates without a paid staff or office and depends on volunteer time and labor. While the Society will make every effort to keep accurate membership records, members should also take personal responsibility for keeping the Society informed of changes of address and other information vital to keeping in contact with the organization.

ARTICLE III
Nominating Committee
After the annual business meeting but not later than September 1, the President, with the consent of the Executive Committee, shall appoint a committee of three (3) members who will present a slate of nominations for officers. The entire membership shall be encouraged to assist in the nominating process. The slate will be presented at the business meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor. Election will be by mail ballot and shall be announced during the annual business meeting. A majority vote carries.

ARTICLE IV
Duties of MELUS Officers
Section 1. In addition to duties defined in the Constitution, the officers shall perform the duties traditionally associated with their various offices.

Section 2. The President shall chair meetings of the Society and coordinate all of the functions of the Society. He/she shall administer the Constitution and By-Laws throughout the year. With the elected members of the Executive Committee, he/she appoints all non-elected officers, reviews significant expenditures, and shall make arrangements for conferences, national and regional meetings, publications, etc. The President takes ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the Society’s programs and activities.

Section 3. The Secretary shall set the agenda and keep minutes of the Executive Committee and membership meetings and shall distribute copies to the Executive Committee before each meeting. The Editor of MELUS NewsNotes should receive a copy of the minutes in time to publish them in the first yearly—usually January--issue. In conjunction with the President, the Secretary will also notify the Executive Committee of the time and place of its annual meeting. The Secretary also serves as the liaison between the Executive Committee and the Editor of NewsNotes, the Webmaster/mistrix, the MELUS listserv moderator, and others involved with communicating internally and externally the activities and policies of the Society.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall establish and maintain a careful bookkeeping system in accordance with the requirements put forth by the non-profit corporation laws. He/she, as well, sends out to the President and the Membership Chairperson a monthly list of all checks received from the membership. He/She reports regularly to the Executive Committee about such matters as the percentage of dues which goes to the journal, regular payments to the journal, and regular financial statements received from the Managing Editor of the Journal, which the treasurer incorporates into his/her quarterly report and] will eventually present in an annual report at the business meeting. This officer also works with the Executive Committee on basic financial operations, such as designing a yearly budget, fulfilling contractual obligations, and receiving and keeping track of all MELUS funds, including membership and conference registration fees. Members of the Executive Committee may also call on this officer to assist in soliciting patrons, writing grant proposals and promoting other activities that support the financial health of MELUS.

Section 5. All records shall be in duplicate, one set housed in the home office of the corporation, the other in the possession of the officer concerned. With each change of office, records shall be delivered intact to the new officer. All past and present officers who hold important records of the Society shall send them to the MELUS archives.

Section 6. The Vice-President and Program Director shall coordinate the annual program , including the national MELUS conference and sessions at other regional and national conferences. The Program Chairperson directs preparations for the annual national MELUS Conference in consultation with the Executive Committee and local organizers. Once the MELUS President has secured a contract with a university that specifies the responsibilities of the campus and the Society, the Program Chairperson or his/her designate serves as a resource person for the campus coordinator, who is expected to follow the guidelines outlined in the MELUS Conference Handbook. The Vice-President and Program Director coordinate MELUS projects (i.e., bibliographies, abstracts, etc). Both shall develop procedures for future projects and programs.

Section 7. The Editorial Board -- the Editors of the MELUS journal and NewsNotes-- shall receive manuscripts, edit and prepare for publication all materials selected, and issue an annual report to the Executive Committee. It will, as well, coordinate any other publications. The Editor of the MELUS journal and NewsNotes are automatically voting members of the Executive Committee.

Section 8. The Editor of the MELUS journal is appointed by the MELUS President, in conjunction with the elected members of the Executive Committee. THE MELUS Editor shall receive manuscripts for publication consideration, and members of the Editorial Board will evaluate and referee submissions to the journal. Work recommended for publication will be edited and prepared for dissemination by the Editor and the MELUS editorial staff. The editor and the MELUS editorial staff shall keep timely and useful records of submissions and on-going discussions with authors and scholars. The Editor is a voting member of the Executive Committee.

Section 9. The Editor of the MELUS NEWSNOTES shall also be appointed by the President of MELUS in conjunction with the elected members of the Executive Committee and will oversee this on-line publication. The Editor shall in turn select a Webmaster to operate the NewsNotes and MELUS websites.

Section 10. All members of the Executive Committee shall be actively involved in the operation of the organization. They will be polled in order to prepare the agenda for the annual meeting.

Section 11. Membership Chairperson is charged with recruiting and welcoming new members and publicizing MELUS activities through distribution of MELUS brochures and other means. This officer will also keep the MELUS membership list up to date (using the Microsoft Access database provided by the Editor of the MELUS Journal and [the latest membership list from the Treasurer). This officer works in tandem with the Editor of the Journal and the Treasurer in responding to members’ and nonmembers’ inquiries about membership status, changes of address, and generally keeps vital lines of communication open between the Society and its current or potential membership. The Membership Chairperson finally coordinates the publication of the MELUS membership booklet.

Section 12. Graduate Student Representative. The Graduate Student Representative helps the Society address the specific needs and concerns of MELUS members who are currently graduate students and recruits new members and potential leaders for MELUS from among this population.

ARTICLE V
Prohibition on Officers
Section 1. No committee person or other officer of the corporation shall (a) receive, directly or indirectly, any salary, compensation or emolument from the Corporation, either as such officer or committee member or in any capacity, unless authorized by the By-laws and by the concurring vote of two-thirds of all the Members, or (b) be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract for furnishing supplies thereto, unless authorized by the By-laws or by the concurring vote of two-thirds of the committee persons.

ARTICLE VI
Meetings
Section 1. At the annual business meeting a quorum shall consist of a majority of the Executive Committee, at least one being the Chairperson or his/her officially designated replacement. Other meetings may be called by the Executive Committee (regional, joint, etc.) and committees may be created to meet the particular needs of such meetings.

ARTICLE VII
Amendments
Section 1. These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those eligible to vote. A member may propose an amendment, submit it to the Executive Committee where it must be approved by a majority. The Executive Committee will be polled. Written notice of the proposed amendment must be mailed by the Secretary to each member at least two (2) months before the annual meeting. Results of the voting will be announced at the annual meeting, with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of eligible members required for passage.

Article VIII
MELUS Awards
Section 1. The Executive Committee may confer a “Scholar of the Year” or “Lifetime Achievement” award.

Section 2. The MELUS Journal Editor and the Editorial Board may also confer an “Award for the Best Article of the Year” and the “Best Graduate Student Article Award for the Year.”

Signed this date: 1 May in 2004

President: Fred Gardaphe
Campus: State University of New York at Stony Brook

Vice President and Program Director: Wenying Xu
Campus: Florida Atlantic University

Secretary: Jesse Aleman
Campus: University of New Mexico

Treasurer: Kim Martin Long
Campus: Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania