Society Business

Society By-Laws

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1. Name of the Organization

   1. The name of the organization shall be: Sarah Orne Jewett Society.

2. Purpose

   1. The purpose of the Sarah Orne Jewett Society is to offer Jewett scholars and other interested persons an opportunity to share in the study and appreciation of the life and works of this author. Through annual meetings, special conferences, cooperation with other educational organizations, publications, the website and other media outlets, the Sarah Orne Jewett Society provides a forum for Jewett studies.

   2. The purpose for which the Sarah Orne Jewett Society is organized is exclusively educational within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.

   3. Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws, this organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.

3. Membership

   1. Membership is open to anyone interested in the study and appreciation of Sarah Orne Jewett’s work.

   2. Membership dues shall be set by the Executive Board.

   3. Membership in the Sarah Orne Jewett Society is open to all persons who subscribe to the purposes set forth in these bylaws. SOJS shall not discriminate in any way against members or potential members on the basis of race, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, physical disability, or sexual identity and orientation.

   4. The Sarah Orne Jewett Society will maintain a membership roster containing names and contact information. The Sarah Orne Jewett Society will also maintain such books and records that may be required by law and that are consistent with the purposes of the organization.

   5. Membership in the Sarah Orne Jewett Society will cease when a member submits written resignation to the Treasurer. Termination of membership shall be recorded in the membership roster. All rights and privileges of a member will cease upon termination of membership.

   6. Each member will have voting rights in matters coming before the Sarah Orne Jewett Society at general membership meetings.

   7. Each member will be eligible for election to office or committee membership in the SOJS.

4. Meetings

   1. An annual membership meeting shall be held for reporting to the membership and conducting business; this meeting can be held at ALA, SSAWW, or another appropriate conference, but must occur at least once a year.

   2. In addition to the annual membership meeting, meetings may be held at other conferences or virtually. The notice of a conference (through calls for papers, announcements, and so on) also constitutes notice that a meeting will be held.

5. Officers and Their Responsibilities

   1. The officers of the Sarah Orne Jewett Society shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. If the Executive Board deems that one or more of these positions is not necessary or a suitable candidate is not found, then the position shall remain vacant.

   2. The President shall serve as the head of the Executive Board, preside at the annual meeting of the Society and at special Society meetings, insure that sessions on Jewett are organized for conferences with some regularity, and have general supervision of the Society, including the appointment of committee chairs and members as appropriate, and the assignment of tasks to other officers as needed. The President shall ordinarily propose a topic for and chair at least one SOJS session at a conference, with no more than two years between conferences with a Jewett panel or joint panel with another society. In consultation with the Executive Board, the President shall prepare an agenda for the annual meeting and any special Society meetings. The President or his/her/their designee shall act as representative of the Society to other organizations. If the President is incapacitated, the Vice-President shall perform these duties.

   3. The Vice-President shall ordinarily propose a topic for and chair one Jewett session at the annual American Literature Association convention. The Vice-President will also fulfill other duties as directed by the Board.

   4. The Secretary shall take and distribute minutes of all meetings of the Society and of the Executive Board, shall keep minutes of previous meetings, and shall cause a written record of these meetings to pass on to the next Secretary. The Secretary shall communicate important information about past meetings to members.

   5. The Treasurer shall collect membership dues and keep financial and membership records and shall maintain stewardship of the finances of the Society. The Treasurer shall report, in writing, at least once annually to the Executive Board on the financial status of the Society, including giving a written report on all income to and disbursements of the Society.

   6. Each officer and member at large shall serve for a term of four years, excepting the Treasurer, who serves for a two-year renewable term. If an officer cannot perform his or her duties, the position can be filled by a vote from the Executive Board until elections are held.

   7. Topics for conferences may be selected from proposals made by any member at a Jewett session at the prior year's convention or by proposals solicited by the Society in advance.

   8. Officers are encouraged to propose sessions on Jewett at regional conferences.

6. Executive Board

   1. The governing body of the Sarah Orne Jewett Society shall be the Executive Board. The Board shall be composed of the four officers of the Sarah Orne Jewett Society.

   2. The Executive Board shall meet at least once a year.

   3. The Executive Board shall review the financial status of the Society at each annual meeting and be empowered to appropriate funds from the Treasury for Society business. The Executive Board shall supervise the actions of any committees and exercise all powers not herein assigned to other parties.

   4. Robert's Rules of Order or, when possible/necessary, Committee of the Whole shall govern the Executive Board and the Society in all parliamentary situations.

7. Elections

   1. Officers and members of the Executive Board shall be elected by ballot vote every four years at the annual meeting.

8. Amendments

   1. Amendments to the Society constitution may be proposed by the Executive Board or by any Society member presenting a petition signed by at least three other members. All proposed amendments must be presented to the President at least one month prior to the meeting at which the vote on the proposed amendment would take place.

   2. The Sarah Orne Jewett Society constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members participating in the vote. Such a vote may be conducted online, via e-mail, and/or at annual ALA meetings.

9. Dissolution

   1. The Sarah Orne Jewett Society may be dissolved upon recommendation of the Executive Board and a two-third majority vote of the members. Intention to introduce a motion of dissolution must be announced by email or online to all members at least one month in advance.

   2. In the event of dissolution, all assets remaining after liabilities have been met shall be disposed of in a manner specified by the motion of dissolution and consistent with the provisions of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.