CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I: Name

1. The name of the organization shall be the Arkansas Museums Association, Inc.

ARTICLE II: Purpose

1. The purpose of this Association is to support Arkansas museums through the promotion of professional standards in Arkansas museums; the encouragement of interaction and cooperation between museums, related institutions, and persons affiliated with them; and the development of public support for and interest in Arkansas museums.

ARTICLE III: Membership

1. Membership shall be open to museums, cultural centers, related institutions, organizations, and persons sympathetic with the aims of the Association.

ARTICLE IV: Dues

1. Annual dues for all forms of membership shall be set at rates as recommended by a committee appointed by the president, and subject to membership approval at each annual meeting. All renewals for each class of membership shall be due in March, and shall run from March to March. All dues shall be paid to the treasurer. The membership shall be empowered to change the dues structure and amounts recommended by the president’s committee by a simple majority of the paid members present at any annual meeting.

ARTICLE V: Officers and Government

1. Elected officials, district representatives, and the past president shall be members of the Arkansas Museums Association at the time of the annual meeting.

2. The elected officers shall be president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and newsletter editor. Officers shall serve a two year term and can succeed themselves for one additional two year term.

3. Four district representatives shall be elected: one from each of Arkansas’ congressional districts. These district representatives shall be staggered, with two of the district representatives being newly elected at any given annual meeting.

4. The elected officers, the district representatives, and the past president shall constitute an Executive Board authorized to conduct the business of the Association between annual meetings.

5. A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of six members.

6. Should a vacancy occur in the presidency, the vice-president shall assume that office. All other vacancies on the Executive Board shall be filled by the simple majority vote of a quorum of the Executive Board.

7. The president shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board, and shall perform such other duties as the Executive Board may direct.

8. The vice-president shall perform the duties of the president in case the president is absent or incapacitated, and such other duties as the Executive Board may direct.

9. The secretary shall keep the minutes of the Association and of the Executive Board, and shall present a report of the activities of the Association at the annual meeting.

10. The treasurer shall have custody of all monies belonging to the Association, shall account of all expenditures and receipts, and shall report thereon at the annual meeting of the Association, and to the Executive Board whenever so directed by them. The treasurer shall file all tax information as required by law, on behalf of the Association.

11. The newsletter editor shall be responsible of producing and mailing the official quarterly newsletter of the Association.

ARTICLE VI: Meetings

1. During each year, there shall be an annual meeting held in March. The meeting shall be held in a suitable location, at a date to be designated by the Executive Board. The meeting may be changed by a simple majority vote of paid Association members.

2. Annual meeting notices shall be sent to all members at least 30 days in advance of that meeting.

ARTICLE VII: Committees

1. The budget committee shall be a standing committee composed of the treasurer, who shall serve as chair, the president, and the vice-president.

2. The nominating committee shall be a standing committee composed of the vice-president, who shall serve as chair, and two other Association members chosen by the chair.

3. The awards committee shall be a standing committee composed of a chair to be appointed by the president.

4. Ad hoc committees may be formed at the discretion of the president, to meet the current needs of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII: Association Archives

1. The Association shall deposit annually its non-current files with the Shiloh Museum, 118 West Johnson Avenue, Springdale, Arkansas, 72764

ARTICLE IX: Amendments

1. This constitution may be altered, amended, or repealed, or a new constitution may be adopted at any annual or special meeting of the membership by the affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members present, provided notice of the proposed alteration, amendment or repeal or adoption be contained in the notice of such a meeting.