CALACS Constitution Amendments Final

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Constitution Canadian Association for Latin American and Caribbean Studies

(CALACS)

Original text (1998) Proposed amendments (2013) Comments 1. Name 1. Name

The name of the Association shall be the Canadian Association for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, hereafter referred to in this Constitution as the Association.

The name of the Association shall be the Canadian Association for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, hereafter referred to in this Constitution as the Association.

2. Nature and Structure 2. Nature and Structure

The Association shall be a learned society acting with the legal status of a non-profit organization. In addition to the national character of its overall organization, the Association shall be composed of Regional Chapters.

The Association shall be a learned society acting with the legal status of a non-profit organization.

We do not have and do not foresee any regional chapters. As such, this provision is moot.

3. Purposes and functions 3. Mission and function of the Association The mission of the Association is given constitutional status

3.1. The purposes of the Association shall be: 3.1. The mission of the Association shall be: 3.1.1. to provide the infrastructure to support an interdisciplinary,

international community of academics, researchers, young scholars, NGOs, Latin American and Caribbean communities and policy makers. This community will be promoted and supported through an effective and efficient association with a diverse membership that promotes academic excellence through Congresses, conferences, lectures, publications and digital communications. The Association will bring together a diverse community of scholars actively involved in teaching and research about the Latin American and Caribbean regions and contribute to the development of active networks of researchers to collaborate, share and mobilize knowledge related to Latin American and the Caribbean. The Association will be a resource to academics, researchers, policy makers and the media through its publications and by collecting and maintaining an extensive and accessible database of Latin American and Caribbean researchers.

3.1.2. to encourage the study of Latin American and Caribbean communities resident in Canada

3.1.2. to facilitate personal contact and exchange of information among those engaged in related fields of Latin American and Caribbean teaching and research in Canada and abroad,

Deleted These aspects have been integrated elsewhere

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3.1.3. to promote the successful integration of graduate students studying Latin America and the Caribbean and their communities in Canada into academic and professional networks

This is consistent with our current Board's practices and with the integration of student members to the Board, which will be dealt with further below in this Constitution.

3.1.3. to foster throughout Canada and specially within the universities, colleges and other centres of higher education, the expansion of information on and interest in Latin America and the Caribbean,

3.1.4. to foster throughout Canada and specially within the universities, colleges and other centres of higher education, the expansion of information on and interest in Latin America and the Caribbean,

3.1.4. to represent the academic and professional interests of Canadian Latin Americanists.

3.1.5. to represent the academic and professional interests of Canadian Latin Americanists and Caribbeanists.

Reference to Caribbean studies and scholars have been systematically added

3.2. The functions of the Association shall be: 3.2 The functions of the Association shall be: 3.2.1. to compile and maintain a database of persons and organizations interested in Latin American and Caribbean Studies;

3.2.1.to compile and maintain a database of persons and organizations interested in Latin American and Caribbean Studies;

3.2.2. to gather and distribute, at regular intervals, information on membersactivities, academic programs, special publications, and such other developments in the field of Latin American and Caribbean Studies as may be of general interest to the membership;

3.2.2. to gather and distribute, at regular intervals, information on membersactivities, academic programs, special publications, and such other developments in the field of Latin American and Caribbean Studies as may be of general interest to the membership;

3.2.3. to issue such publications on learned contributions to Latin America and the Caribbean understanding as shall be considered desirable;

3.2.3. to issue such publications on learned contributions to Latin America and the Caribbean understanding as shall be considered desirable, most notably the Canadian Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Studies;

The Associations Journal is given constitutional status

3.2.4. to assess the financial and human resources available in Canada for teaching and conducting research on subjects involving Latin America and the Caribbean;

Deleted The Association does not have the human and financial resources necessary to do this.

3.2.5. to organize and hold conferences on Latin America and the Caribbean at regular intervals;

3.2.4. to organize and hold conferences on Latin America and the Caribbean at regular intervals, most notably its annual Congress;

Our annual Congress should have constitutional status and be mentioned here

3.2.6. to sponsor, within the various universities, colleges, and other centres of higher education of Canada, lecture series and occasional lectures on Latin America and the Caribbean;

3.2.5. to sponsor, within the various universities, colleges, and other centres of higher education of Canada, lecture series and occasional lectures on Latin America and the Caribbean;

3.2.7. to foster the development of academic programs in all subjects related to Latin American and Caribbean studies in Canada;

3.2.6. to foster the development of, and advocate for, academic programs in all subjects related to Latin American and Caribbean studies in Canada;

Advocacy is one of the main, on-going tasks of the Association.

3.2.8. to promote excellency in the training of students engaged in Latin American and Caribbean studies, both in Canadian universities, colleges, and other centres of higher education and through exchange or extension programmes; and

3.2.7. to promote excellency in the training of students engaged in Latin American and Caribbean studies, both in Canadian universities, colleges, and other centres of higher education and through exchange or extension programmes; and

3.2.9. to adopt any other measures to achieve the purposes 3.2.8. to adopt any other measures to achieve the purposes of the

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of the Association as set out above in Section 3.1 of this article.

Association as set out above in Section 3.1 of this article.

4. Language 4. Language The languages to be used by the Association shall be as follows;

The languages to be used by the Association shall be as follows;

4.1. All documents of central value, including the Constitution and its amendments, and notices, program announcements, and minutes of conferences shall be recorded and distributed to the membership in both English and French.

4.1. All documents of central value, including the Constitution and its amendments, as well as notices and event announcements shall be recorded and distributed to the membership in both English and French.

We do not publish the minutes of our conferences. They should therefore not be present in our Constitution.

4.2. At general meetings, conferences and committee meetings, the official acceptable languages shall be English or French or Portuguese or Spanish.

4.2. At Congress, general meetings, conferences and committee meetings, the official languages shall be English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, all having equal status and preference.

The original wording is awkward.

4.3. Official correspondence, the Newsletter, the Journal, or such other publications as the Association may issue from time to time, other than those mentioned in Article 4.1 shall be expressed in English or French or Portuguese or Spanish, depending upon whichever language couched the original expression, unless convenience and common courtesy dictate otherwise.

4.3. Official correspondence, the Newsletter, the Journal, or such other publications as the Association may issue from time to time, other than those mentioned in Article 4.1 shall be expressed in English or French or Portuguese or Spanish, depending upon whichever language couched the original expression, unless convenience and common courtesy dictate otherwise.

5. Membership 5. Membership

5.1. Membership in the Association is open to anyone with a scholarly or other professional interest in Latin American and Caribbean studies or their communities in Canada.

Membership should be open to very wide categories, so as to attract as many potential members as possible

5.1. There shall be four categories of membership: 5.2. There shall be three categories of membership: 5.1.1. Regular voting members. They shall be Canadians who are involved either in teaching courses relating to Latin American and Caribbean Studies or in conducting research on topics involving Latin America and the Caribbean, or they shall be other qualified persons, within or outside of Canada, accepted for membership in this category,

5.2.1. Regular members. These are voting members, from Canada and abroad, in good standing. In order to promote participation from Canadian students and Latin America and Caribbean-based scholars in general, the Association will establish a scale of fees based on income and residence

The category was too restrictive.

5.1.2. Student voting members. These shall include persons interested in Latin American and Caribbean Studies who are engaged in full-time graduate or undergraduate programmes at recognized colleges or universities,

5.2.2. Student members. These voting members shall include persons interested in Latin American and Caribbean Studies who are engaged in graduate or undergraduate programmes at recognized colleges or universities or other institutions of higher learning, who shall pay a reduced fee

The reduced fee for student members is given constitutional status.

5.1.3. Institutional members. These shall be academic, business, governmental, or private institutions interested in

5.2.3. Institutional members. These shall be academic, business, governmental, or private institutions interested in Latin America and

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Latin America and Caribbean Studies. Caribbean Studies. 5.2.4. Only members mentioned in 5.2.1 and 5.2.2 shall have the right to

vote on matters relating to the operation of the Association and to hold office therein.

5.2.5 Membership shall be acquired by application to the Secretary, who shall establish the necessary procedures.

Amended for consistency with other provisos in the Constitution.

5.2.6. Membership dues shall be recommended yearly for the different categories of membership by the Board of Directors and shall be approved by the two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at the General Meeting of the Association. Members who fail to pay their dues by the convening of the annual Congress shall cease to be members in good standing of the Association.

We are switching to a yearly cycle, so this should be consistent with that.

5.1.4. Honorary members. These shall be persons invited by two-thirds (2/3) of the entire Board of Directors in exceptional circumstances, because of their distinguished contribution to Latin American and Caribbean Studies, to be designed as honorary members.

5.3. Distinguished fellows: These shall be persons invited by two-thirds (2/3) of the entire Board of Directors in exceptional circumstances, because of their distinguished contribution to Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Distinguished fellows shall be honoured at a special meeting of the CALACS Congress following their nomination. They are expected to remain or become members in good standing of the Association.

The Association will no longer provide free, lifetime memberships, but will continue to honour distinguished scholars in the field.

5.1.5. Only members mentioned in 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 shall have the right to vote on matters relating to the operation of the Association and to hold office therein.

Deleted See 5.2.4

5.2. Membership shall be acquired by application to the Administrator. Cases in which the membership eligibility is in doubt shall be decided by the Executive Committee.

Deleted See 5.2.5

5.3. Membership dues shall be recommended every eighteen (18) months for the different categories of membership by the Board of Directors and shall be approved by the two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at the General Meeting of the Association. There shall be no initiation fee. There shall be no dues for honorary members. Members who fail to pay dues for a period of six (6) months following the expiration of their former dues shall cease to be members in good standing of the Association.

Deleted See 5.2.6

6. Executive Committee 6. Executive Committee The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Officers of the Association:

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Officers of the Association, all of whom shall be residents of Canada:

This amendment is necessary for legal purposes.

6.1. The President. This person shall be a member in 6.1 The President. This person shall be a member in good standing, and Implementation of the yearly cycle.

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good standing, and shall normally have been a member of the Board of Directors prior to or during the term in which he or she is nominated and shall serve for eighteen (18) months after election by the membership.

shall normally have been a member of the Board of Directors prior to or during the term in which he or she is nominated and shall serve for two years after election by the membership.

If for any reason the President should become unable to fulfill his or her duties during his or her term in office, then the Vice-President shall assume the Presidency and shall continue as President for the remainder of that term.

If for any reason the President should become unable to fulfill his or her duties during his or her term in office, then the Vice-President shall assume the Presidency and shall continue as Acting President for the remainder of that term, with full responsibility for the privileges and obligations of this position.

Consistency with current practices.

The duties of the President shall include: The duties of the President shall include: 6.1.1. The chairing of all meetings of the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and the Association;

6.1.1. The chairing of all meetings of the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and the Association;

6.1.2. The appointment, in consultation with the Executive Committee, of members to the standing committees as may be found appropriate from time to time; and

6.1.2. To appoint, in consultation with the Executive Committee, members of Standing Committees and Ad hoc Committees as may be found appropriate from time to time


6.1.3. The proposal to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of any new measures and policies which he or she may deem necessary to achieve the purposes and functions of this Association as set forth in Article 3 of this Constitution.

6.1.3. The proposal to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of any new measures and policies which he or she may deem necessary to achieve the purposes and functions of this Association as set forth in Article 3 of this Constitution.

6.1.4. To ensure that the Board complies with its own Policies and Procedures and those legitimately imposed upon it from outside the organization.


6.1.5. To invite a) members and non-members to Executive Committee and Board of Directors meetings, when the Associations business so requires. b) individuals, most notably the Associations Past Presidents, as counsellors or advisors to the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors. In both cases, such persons shall have voice in the meeting, but no vote.


6.2. The Vice-President. This person shall be a member in good standing, and shall normally have been a member of the Board of Directors prior to or during the term in which he or she is nominated and shall serve for eighteen (18) months after election by the membership.

6.2. The Vice-President. This person shall be a member in good standing, and shall normally have been a member of the Board of Directors prior to or during the term in which he or she is nominated and shall serve for two years after election by the membership.

Implementation of the yearly cycle.

Should the position of Vice-President become vacant for any reason, then one of the members of the Association shall be selected by majority vote of the Board of Directors to act as Vice-President (interim) until the end of the term.

Should the position of Vice-President become vacant for any reason, then one of the members of the Association shall be selected by majority vote of the Board of Directors to act as Acting Vice-President until the end of the term, with full responsibility for the privileges and obligations of this


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position. The duties of the Vice-President shall include: The duties of the Vice-President shall include: 6.2.1. The organization or supervision of the organization of conferences and special events with the support of the Executive Council on behalf of the Association;

6.2.1. The organization or supervision of the organization of Congress and special events in consultation with the Executive Council and the Board of Directors on behalf of the Association;


6.2.2. Those delegated to this office by the President or Board of Directors; and

6.2.2. Those delegated to this office by the President or Board of Directors; and

6.2.3. The duties of the President in the event of the absence, incapacity, resignation, or death of the latter. In case of the Presidents definitive resignation, the Vice-President shall fulfill the remnant of his uncompleted term under the title of Acting President.

6.2.3. The duties of the President in the event of the absence, incapacity, resignation, or death of the latter. In case of the Presidents definitive resignation, the Vice-President shall fulfil the remnant of his uncompleted term under the title of Acting President.

6.3. The Secretary-Treasurer. This person shall be a member in good standing and shall normally have been a member of the Board of Directors prior to or during the term in which he or she is nominated and shall server for three (3) years after election by the membership.

6.3. The Secretary. This person shall be a member in good standing and shall normally have been a member of the Board of Directors prior to or during the term in which he or she is nominated and shall serve for two (2) years after election by the membership.


If for any reason the Secretary-Treasurer should become unable to fulfill his or her duties during his or her term, a replacement shall be chosen by the remaining members of the Board of Directors to act as Secretary-Treasurer for the remainder of the term.

If for any reason the Secretary should become unable to fulfill his or her duties during his or her term, a replacement shall be chosen by the remaining members of the Board of Directors to act as Acting Secretary for the remainder of the term, with full responsibility for the privileges and obligations of this position.


The duties of the Secretary-Treasurer shall be to assume responsibility for regular business of the Association Head Office and to appoint, with the approval of the Executive Committee, as many assistants as may be necessary. The latter will be employees of the Association, who will administer under his/her supervision, the following provisions:

The duties of the Secretary shall be: The positions of Secretary and Treasurer are being split and specific duties assigned to each.

6.3.1. The conduct of official correspondence of the Association;

6.3.1. to conduct the official correspondence of the Association;

6.3.2. The notification of the membership of meetings, conferences, special events, and other business of the Association.

6.3.2. to notifiy the membership of Congress, meetings, conferences, special events, and other business of the Association.

6.3.3. The recording and distribution of minutes of meetings of the membership, the Board of Directors, and Executive Committee;

6.3.3. to record and distribute the minutes of meetings of the membership, the Board of Directors, and Executive Committee;

6.3.4. The maintenance of a membership roll and such other records as are required for the conduct of the Association;

6.3.4. to maintain a membership roll and such other records as are required for the conduct of the Association;

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6.3.5. The collection and safekeeping of the funds of the Association;

Deleted See 6.4.2.

6.3.6. The formulation and distribution of financial and other reports relating to the conduct of the business of the Association prior to the General Meeting; and

Deleted See 6.4.3.

6.3.5. in conjunction with the Treasurer, to assume responsibility for regular business of the Association Head Office and to appoint, with the approval of the Executive Committee, the Office Coordinator and his/her assistants. The latter will be employees of the Association, who will administer it under his/her supervision.

6.3.6. to appoint, with the approval of the Executive Committee, as many interns, graduate student assistants and volunteers as may be necessary.

6.3.7. Such other duties as may be delegated to that office by the Executive Committee.

6.3.7. Such other duties as may be delegated to that office by the Executive Committee.

6.4. The Treasurer. This person shall be a member in good standing and shall normally have been a member of the Board of Directors prior to or during the term in which he or she is nominated and shall serve for two (2) years after election by the membership.

If for any reason the Treasurer should become unable to fulfill his or her duties during his or her term, a replacement shall be chosen by the remaining members of the Board of Directors to act as Acting Treasurer for the remainder of the term.

The duties of the Treasurer shall be: The positions of Secretary and Treasurer are being split and specific duties assigned to each.

6.4.1. Collect membership dues, donations, dues from special events 6.4.2. The collection and safekeeping of the funds of the Association; 6.4.3. to formulate and distribute the financial and other reports relating to

the conduct of the business of the Association prior to the General Meeting; and

6.4.4. to review CALACS compliance with CRA and renew Charity Status on an annual basis

6.4.5. Such other duties as may be delegated to that office by the Executive Committee

6.5. The election of the members of the Executive Committee will follow shall alternate over a two year period: the President and the Secretary will be elected on odd years, the Vice-President and the Treasurer will be elected on even years.

6.4. The Executive Committee shall meet as often as is required to fulfill the duties delegated to it by the Board of Directors.

6.6. The Executive Committee shall meet as often as is required to fulfill the duties delegated to it by the Board of Directors.

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6.7. Other vacancies of the Executive Committee shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, provided that, at the next General Meeting, the vacancy be permanently filled according to the provisions in this Constitution.

Consistency with current practice.

6.8. No member of the Executive Committee shall receive any remuneration for his/her services to the Association.


7. Board of Directors 7. Board of Directors 7.1. Persons sitting on the Board of Directors shall be members in good standing of the Association. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the Officers of the Association, six (6) Members at Large, the Editor and the Managing Editor of the Journal, and the past President.

7.1. Persons sitting on the Board of Directors shall be members in good standing of the Association. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the Officers of the Association, six (6) members at large, 2 student members, the Editor and the Managing Editor of the Journal, an ex-officio member representing the institution hosting the Association and the past President.

Two student members and a representative of CALACS host institution are added to the Board.

The Board of Directors shall be representative of the regional structure of the Association and of the different fields of Latin American and Caribbean studies.

The Board of Directors shall be representative of the regional structure of the Association and of the different fields of Latin American and Caribbean studies.

The Board is responsible for maintaining the connection between CALACS and its members.


7.2. The duties of the Board of Directors shall be to supervise the achievement of the purposes and functions of the Association as specified in Article 3 of the Constitution with the advice of the Executive Committee.

7.2. The duties of the Board of Directors shall be to supervise the achievement of the purposes and functions of the Association as specified in Article 3 of the Constitution with the advice of the Executive Committee.

7.2.1. Making recommendations to the General Meeting regarding membership dues;

7.2.1. Making recommendations to the General Meeting regarding membership dues;

7.2.2. Establishing the financial policies for the Journal, appointing its Editors and Editorial Board, and receiving the Report from them;

7.2.2. Establishing the financial policies for the Journal, appointing its Editors and Editorial Board, and receiving the Report from them;

7.2.3. Reporting to the General Meeting on all matters pertaining to its responsibility;

7.2.3. Reporting to the General Meeting on all matters pertaining to its responsibility;

7.3. Fifty percent (50%) of members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for a meeting. Each member present at a meeting shall have one vote, except that the President, or Vice-President acting in his/her place, shall cast a vote only in the event of a tie. Decisions shall be reached by majority vote.

7.3. Fifty percent (50%) of members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for a meeting. Each member present at a meeting shall have one vote, except that the President, or Vice-President acting in his/her place, shall cast a vote only in the event of a tie. Decisions shall be reached by majority vote.

7.4. Members at large shall be elected to three (3)-year terms. Terms shall be on a rotating basis, with three (3) persons elected each eighteen (18) months. They shall hold

7.4. Members at large shall be elected to two (2)-year terms. Terms shall be on a rotating basis, with three (3) regular members and one (1) student member elected every year. They shall hold office from the date and time


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office from the date and time at which the Electoral Officer reports their election to the General Meeting.

at which the Electoral Officer reports their election to the General Meeting.

7.5. A member of the Board of Directors shall be subject to removal from office for just cause following a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the remaining members of the Board of Directors.

7.5. A member of the Board of Directors shall be subject to removal from office for just cause following a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the remaining members of the Board of Directors.

7.6. The office of a member of the Board of Directors shall be automatically vacated:

7.6. The office of a member of the Board of Directors shall be automatically vacated:

7.6.1. If he/she shall resign his office by delivering a written resignation to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association;

7.6.1. If he/she shall resign his office by delivering a written resignation to the Secretary of the Association;

7.6.2. If he/she is found to be a lunatic or become of unsound mind;

Deleted Irrelevant provisos

7.6.3. If he/she becomes bankrupt or suspends payments of compounds with his creditors;

Deleted Irrelevant provisos

7.6.4. If at a specific general meeting of members a resolution is passed by more than two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at the meeting that he/she be removed from office; or

7.6.2. If at a specific general meeting of members a resolution is passed by more than two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at the meeting that he/she be removed from office.

7.6.5. On death. Deleted Irrelevant provisos 7.7. Vacancies for unexpired terms of non-executive members of the Board of Directors shall be filled at the next General Meeting, provided that the Board of Directors by majority vote may, by appointment, fill the vacancy with a member in good standing of the Association.

7.7. Vacancies for unexpired terms of non-executive members of the Board of Directors shall be filled at the next General Meeting. As an interim measure, the Board of Directors by majority vote may, by appointment, fill the vacancy with a member in good standing of the Association.

7.8. No member of the Board of Directors shall receive any remuneration for his/her services to the Association.

7.8. No member of the Board of Directors shall receive any remuneration for his/her services to the Association.

8. Elections 8. Elections 8.1. Nominations for the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Members at large shall be made from among the voting members in good standing. All nominations require the supporting signatures of at least two members in good standing of the Association. In the event that insufficient nominations have been presented, alternative candidates may be proposed at the General Meeting with the support of the majority of the voting membership.

8.1. Nominations for the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Members at large shall be made from among the voting members in good standing. All nominations require the supporting signatures of at least two members in good standing of the Association. In the event that insufficient nominations have been presented, alternative candidates may be proposed at the General Meeting with the support of the majority of the voting membership.

Consistency with wording of the Constitution.

8.2. The President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Members at large shall be elected by secret ballot at the

8.2. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Members at large shall be elected by secret ballot at the General Meeting.


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General Meeting. Student members of the Board shall be elected exclusively by the student members of the Association.

8.3. An Electoral Officer appointed by the Board of Directors shall supervise the electoral process. The Electoral Officer must be a member of the Association. However, he/she may neither vote for nor hold any position on the Executive Committee during his/her mandate, except as noted in paragraph 8.3.5 below. Appointment of the Electoral Officer shall be made in conjunction with the General Meeting and he/she shall hold the position until the next General Meeting. Terms are renewable, and his/her duties shall be:

8.3. An Electoral Officer appointed by the Board of Directors shall supervise the electoral process. The Electoral Officer must be a member of the Association. However, he/she may neither vote for nor hold any position on the Executive Committee during his/her mandate, except as noted in paragraph 8.3.5 below. Appointment of the Electoral Officer shall be made in conjunction with the General Meeting and he/she shall hold the position until the next General Meeting. Terms are renewable, and his/her duties shall be:

8.3.1. The notification of all voting members of the call for nominations for all positions to be filled;

8.3.1. The notification of all voting members of the call for nominations for all positions to be filled;

8.3.2. Receiving the nominations and verifying their eligibility with the Associations Head Office;

8.3.2. Receiving the nominations and verifying their eligibility with the Associations Head Office;

8.3.3. Preparing the ballots containing the names of the persons approved by the Executive Committee for the positions sought;

8.3.3. Preparing the ballots containing the names of the persons approved by the Executive Committee for the positions sought;

8.3.4. Collecting and counting the ballots and reporting the results to the General Meeting; and

8.3.4. Collecting and counting the ballots and reporting the results to the General Meeting; and

8.3.5. Casting the deciding vote in the event of a tie in the election of members of the Board of Directors.

8.3.5. Casting the deciding vote in the event of a tie in the election of members of the Board of Directors.

8.4. In the event of failure of the Electoral Officer to discharge his/her duties, the Executive Committee shall appoint a new Electoral Officer.

8.4. In the event of failure of the Electoral Officer to discharge his/her duties, the Executive Committee shall appoint a new Electoral Officer.

9. General Meeting 9. General Meeting 9.1. A General Meeting of the voting members shall be held once every eighteen (18) months, usually during the course of the Conference.

9.1. A General Meeting of the voting members shall be held once every year, usually during the course of the Congress.


9.2. The General Meeting shall be convened by the President.

9.2. The General Meeting shall be convened by the President.

9.3. The membership shall be notified of the nominations to the Board of Directors, and of the date, place, and agenda of the General Meeting, at least two (2) weeks prior to the holding of the meeting.

9.3. The membership shall be notified of the nominations to the Board of Directors, and of the date, place, and agenda of the General Meeting, at least two (2) weeks prior to the holding of the meeting.

9.4. Twenty-five (25) voting members shall constitute a quorum for the General Meeting.

9.4. Twenty-five (25) voting members shall constitute a quorum for the General Meeting.

9.5. Voting shall be by a show of hands, with the 9.5. Voting shall be by a show of hands, with the exception of the election

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exception of the election of persons to or removal of persons from the Board of Directors, which shall be conducted in accordance with Articles 8 and 7.6.4 of this Constitution.

of persons to or removal of persons from the Board of Directors, which shall be conducted in accordance with Articles 8 and 7.6.2 of this Constitution.

9.6. A majority of the votes cast shall carry a motion, with the exception of specific cases otherwise specified in this Constitution.

9.6. A majority of the votes cast shall carry a motion, with the exception of specific cases otherwise specified in this Constitution.

9.7. The Board of Directors shall analyze the desirability and feasibility of establishing electronic voting procedures in the future.

10. Extraordinary General Meetings 10. Extraordinary General Meetings 10.1. The Board of Directors or the President or Vice-President shall have the power to call, at any time, an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of the Association. The Board of Directors shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting of members on written requisition of at least fifty (50) members in good standing.

10.1. The Board of Directors, the President or the Acting President shall have the power to call, at any time, an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of the Association. The Board of Directors shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting of members on written requisition of at least fifty (50) members in good standing.


11. Finances 11. Finances 11.1. The Associations financial records shall be kept on an annual, calendar-year basis. All references to year in articles pertaining to financial matters in this Constitution shall be interpreted to refer to the calendar year.

11.1. The Associations financial records shall be kept on an annual, calendar-year basis. All references to year in articles pertaining to financial matters in this Constitution shall be interpreted to refer to the calendar year.

11.2. The financial records of the Association shall be audited at the end of each financial year by a firm of chartered accountants to be selected by the Administrator in consultation with the Executive Committee. This report shall be submitted to the membership at the General Meeting.

11.2. The financial records of the Association shall be reviewed at the end of each financial year by a firm of chartered accountants to be selected by the Office Coordinator in consultation with the Executive Committee. This report shall be submitted to the membership at the General Meeting.


12. Chapters Deleted These provisos are moot 12.1. Members of the Association living in one of the geographical regions of Canada (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies, and BC & Yukon) may organize themselves as regional Chapters of the Association.

Deleted

12.2. The objectives of these Chapters shall be to promote the purposes of the Association in their specific region.

Deleted

12.3. The creation of a Chapter and its constitution shall be subject to endorsement by the General Meeting of the Association.

Deleted

12.4. Each such Chapter shall hold a General Meeting at Deleted

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which its officers shall be elected by secret ballot. 12.5. Each such Chapter shall submit a report of its activities to the General Meeting of the Association.

Deleted

12.6. If a particular Chapter has not held its own General Meeting nor submitted reports to the Associations General Meeting for two consecutive terms, it shall be deemed to be dissolved.

Deleted

13. The Canadian Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Studies

12. The Canadian Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Studies

13.1. The Canadian Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Studies shall be the official publication of the Association.

12.1. The Canadian Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Studies shall be the official, peer reviewed publication of the Association.

The peer-reviewed nature of the Journal is given constitutional status.

13.2. It shall include contributions in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish and related to any of the fields of interest of the membership.

12.2. It shall include contributions in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish and related to any of the fields of interest of the membership.

13.3. It shall be published under the responsibility of an Editor, one or several Associate Editors, a Managing Editor, and an Editorial Board appointed by the Board of Directors. All such persons shall be members in good standing of the Association.

12.3. It shall be published under the responsibility of an Editor, one or several Associate Editors, a Managing Editor, and an Editorial Board appointed by the Editor and ratified by the Board of Directors. All such persons shall be members in good standing of the Association.


12.4. It shall be published under the principles of transparency and according to the highest standards of the publishing industry

13.4. Members of the Editorial Board shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, which can be renewed by the Board of Directors.

12.5. Members of the Editorial Board shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, which can be renewed by the Board of Directors.

13.5. The Editor and the Managing Editor shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years, which can be renewed by the Board of Directors.

12.6. The Editor and the Managing Editor shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years, which can be renewed by the Board of Directors.

13.6. The Editor and the Managing Editor shall report every eighteen (18) months to the Board of Directors or as required.

12.7. The Editor and the Managing Editor shall report at each meeting of the Board of Directors or as required.


14. Amendments 13. Amendments 14.1. Only the General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting shall have the power to amend the Constitution.

13.1. Only the General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting shall have the power to amend the Constitution.

14.2. Any voting member may propose amendments to the Constitution.

13.2. Any voting member may propose amendments to the Constitution.

14.3. Notice of motion to prose amendments to the 13.3. Notice of motion to propose amendments to the Constitution shall be

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Constitution shall be distributed to the membership at least six (6) weeks in advance of the meeting at which such amendments shall be considered.

distributed to the membership at least six (6) weeks in advance of the meeting at which such amendments shall be considered.

14.4. To be adopted, a motion to amend the Constitution requires at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast.

13.4. To be adopted, a motion to amend the Constitution requires at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast.

14.5. All constitutional amendments come into effect upon approval of the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs of Canada.

13.5. All constitutional amendments come into effect upon approval of the competent department of the Government of Canada.

An order to avoid a constitutional amendment every time the names and responsibilities of the different ministries change.

15. Dissolution 14. Dissolution In case of dissolution of the Association, all assets shall be returned to the donors in accordance with Article III (I) A and B of the Tax and Revenue Bylaws.

In case of dissolution of the Association, all assets shall be returned to the donors in accordance with Article III (I) A and B of the Tax and Revenue Bylaws.

Documents

CALACS Constitution Amendments Final