ASSC BYLAWS

ARTICLE 1 - NAME AND PURPOSE

1. The name of the organization shall be the "Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness".

2. The purpose of this organization shall be:

to encourage research on consciousness in cognitive science, neuroscience, philosophy, and other relevant disciplines in the sciences and humanities, directed toward understanding the nature, function, and underlying mechanisms of consciousness.

ARTICLE 2 - MEMBERSHIP

1. The Society shall consist of two classes of members: Members and Affiliates.

2. Members of the Society shall be persons who are interested in the advancement of the scientific study of consciousness. Members shall be entitled to the rights and privileges of the Society without restriction.

3. The minimum standard of election to membership shall be:

a. receipt of a doctoral degree based in part on evidence of proficiency in an area of research relevant to the advancement of the scientific understanding of consciousness and conferred by a graduate school that is regionally accredited or that has achieved accreditation with five years of the year the doctoral degree was granted, or one of equivalent standing outside the U.S. or

b. evidence of sustained and significant contributions to scientific study of consciousness, and

c. such other qualifications as may be deemed appropriate by the Membership Committee.

4. Affiliates shall consist of the following classes: student, individuals in related disciplines who do not meet the requirements for membership described in 2.3a, and organizations. Requirements for affiliates shall be an interest in the advancement of the scientific study of consciousness and such other requirements as set by the Membership Committee. Affiliate members shall not vote.

6. Dues for members and the several classes of affiliates are set by the Board of Directors of the Society and are paid to the Society annually.

7. All Members and Affiliates shall be treated without discrimination on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or mental or physical disability. This does not preclude the Society from carrying out activities or programs which have as the goal the amelioration of conditions that may restrict members from full participation in the Society or its activities.

ARTICLE 3 - OFFICERS, DUTIES, AND TERMS OF OFFICE

1. The elected officers of the Society shall consist of a President-elect, President and Past President and six Members-at-Large of the Boards of Directors. Each shall perform the usual duties of the respective office and specific duties provided elsewhere in these Bylaws or as assigned by the Board of Directors. Elections for officers shall normally be held every two years. The President shall serve a three-year term as President-elect, President and Past President. The Members-at-Large shall serve three-year terms, two to be elected every year. The officers may not hold any other offices on the Board of Directors or, with the exception noted in Article 4.7, serve as chair of any standing committee.

2. Candidates of President and Members-at-Large shall be Members of the Society. Officers shall be elected by preferential e-mail ballot sent to Members.

3. The Board of Directors shall annually appoint an Executive Secretary and a Treasurer who need not be Members-at-Large and who shall serve as ex-officio members of the Boards without voting privileges unless they are Members-at-Large of the Board of Directors.

4. In the case of the President's prolonged absence, incapacity, death, or resignation, the President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President. In the case of the resignation, death or prolonged absence of a Member-at-Large, the Board may replace that Member by appointing another person to serve during the remainder of his or her term.

ARTICLE 4 - COMMITTEES

1. The Committees of the Society shall consist of such standing Committees as may be provided by these Bylaws and such special Committees as may be established by the Board of Directors.

2. The President, President-elect, Past President and Members-at-Large shall constitute the voting members of the Board of Directors.

3. The Board of Directors shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Society, performing the duties and abiding by the limitations specified in these Bylaws. Actions of the Board of Directors affecting Society policy are subject or approval by a majority vote of the members voting at the Society meeting, or by approval by a majority vote of the members voting at the annual meeting, or by special e-mail ballots as decided upon by the Board of Directors. In the case of actions taken at the Society meeting a special e-mail ballot to review such actions may be requested by 5% of the members. A request to review shall be sent to the President within thirty days following the annual meeting. The ballot shall be circulated to the membership.

4. The standing Committees shall consist of the following: Convention, Elections, Membership and Publications. The members of each Committee and the Committee chair shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. Members' terms shall be staggered, with as equal number of new members being appointed each year.

5. Members of the Membership Committee shall serve three-year terms. The Chair is appointed for a one-year term but the appointment may be renewed at the option of the President. It shall be the responsibility of this Committee to implement the standards concerning the qualifications for membership in all classes of applicants or for changes in membership status.

6. Members of the Publications committee shall serve five-year terms. The Chair is appointed for a one-year term but the appointment may be renewed at the option of the President. The Publications committee shall oversee the publications of the Society, make recommendations to the Board of Directors on publication policies, subscription rates, annual budgets, and other matters relevant to the over-all program.

7. Members of the Convention Committee shall serve for a term of two years. It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to plan and to oversee the conduct of the annual meeting at a time and place specified by the Board of Directors. The Committee may appoint subcommittees or individuals outside of its own membership to assist in local arrangements, and preparing the program.

8. Members of the Election Committee shall serve for a term of three years. The Committee shall secure nominations by mail ballot for President-elect and Members-at-Large from the Members, and shall prepare slates of nominees such that diversity and balance among the members of the Board of Directors shall be maintained. The Committee shall ascertain whether the nominees are qualified and willing to serve if elected and shall be responsible for making a preferential count of the election ballots and reporting the results to the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 5- ACTIVITIES

1. An annual or biennial meeting of the Society shall be held for the transaction of business and presentations regarding research on consciousness.

2. The Society may establish or acquire newsletters, journals, or other publications.

3. The Board of Directors may provide for the formation and dissolution of Divisions, interest groups, regional chapters and other units within the society.

ARTICLE 6 - RULES OF PROCEDURE

1. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order (Newly Revised) shall govern the Society in all cases to which they are applicable and which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Society might adopt.

ARTICLE 7 - AMENDMENTS

1. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds votes of members who reply to a email ballot sent to the total membership. Bylaws amendments may be initiated by the Board of Directors or by petition of 5% of the total membership.

2. Periodically the Board of Directors shall appoint a special committee to review the then-current Bylaws and the operation and structure of the Society and make recommendations about them to the Board.

ARTICLE 8 - DISSOLUTION

1. In the event of the dissolution or termination of the Society, all of the assets and title to and possessions of the property of the Society shall pass to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or if the AAAS no longer exists, to a similar scientific society selected by the Board of Directors.