Justice Studies Association - ADMINISTRATION

ABOUT JSA/ ADMINISTRATION / CONSTITUTION/ BY-LAWS

JSA ADMINISTRATION: Print Version
Constitution - By-Laws

As an association dedicated to writing about, protesting for, and practicing forms of justice that take into account the needs of all in any given situation, Justice Studies Association seeks to achieve these goals in its own administrative practices. Its Constitution and By-Laws, still works in progress, are designed to foster freedom among JSA members to achieve their own goals and those of the association simultaneously.

CONSTITUTION OF JUSTICE STUDIES ASSOCIATION
-Article I. Name
-Article II. Objectives
-Article III. Membership
-Article IV. Officers
-Article V. Official Publications
-Article VI. Committees
-Article VII. Meetings
-Article VII. Special Funds and Endowments
-Article IX. Amendments

Article I. Name
Section 1. The Association shall be known as the Justice Studies Association

Article II. Objectives
Section 1. The objectives of the Justice Studies Association is to foster research, writing, and action for justice without violence among scholars, activists, and practitioners.

Article III. Membership
Section 1. Any person who is interested in the objectives of the association shall be eligible for membership. The forms and conditions of membership are set forth in the By-Laws

Article IV. Officers
Section 1. The officers of the association shall be directly chosen by the membership. The positions shall be: President; President-Elect; Past President; Vice President; Vice-President-Elect; Secretary; and Treasurer and the members of the Executive Committee. The Vice-President and Vice-President Elect shall serve terms of one year after which they shall assume the position of President and Vice-President for a term of one year. The Secretary shall be selected for a term of three-years and is ineligible for re-election. The Treasurer shall be chosen for an unlimited term.

Section 2. The Association shall establish an Executive Committee from among its members. The Committee shall be the directive body of the Association except insofar as the Constitution and By-Laws delegate governmental functions to the officers or committee members.

Section 3. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of seventeen voting members. The ex-officio members shall be the President; Past-President; President-Elect; Vice-President; Past-Vice President; Vice-President Elect; Secretary; and Treasurer. The nine members-at-large shall be elected for staggered three-year terms, with three elected each year. No member-at-large shall be eligible for re-election to the Committee as a member-at-large until one year after the expiration of the prior term, and no individual shall be eligible for re-election as a member-at-large of the Committee after having served two such terms.

Section 4. As the administrative body of the Association, the Executive Committee shall be responsible for the formulation of policy and the general direction of the affairs of the Association. It shall have the authority to fill vacancies in the elective membership occasioned by death, resignation, or failure to elect, such as s appointees to hold office until replaced by officers elected at the next annual meeting. In the event of an anticipated absence of six or more months of a member of the Executive Committee, the Committee may appoint a temporary replacement to serve with all rights and responsibilities of regular membership for the term of the anticipated absence. The Committee holds the authority to interpret the Constitution and the By-Laws of the Association. When the Council is not in session, the Secretary may make such provisional rulings as are necessary for the operation of the Association, subject to review by the Committee at its next meeting.

Article V. Official Publications
Section 1. The Association shall maintain a journal called Contemporary Justice Review and a newsletter called Justitia.

Section 2. The Association shall issue other regular and occasional publications as it deems necessary in the promotion of its objectives.

Article VI. Committees
Section I. The Executive Committee may establish ad hoc and permanent committees as it deems necessary for the successful conduct of the Association's affairs.

Article VII. Meetings
Section 1. The President shall call at least one convention each year at a time and place to be determined by a committee established by the Executive Committee. Part of the convention shall include a Business Meeting at which the Officers and the Committee of the Association shall report to the membership of the Association and respond to questions from the membership.

Section 2. At the Annual Business Meeting, which shall be held during the annual convention, any member of the association may place an item on the agenda.

Article VII. Special Funds and Endowments
Section 1. The Association may solicit and receive special funds and endowments for its maintenance and for conference scholarships for its members and others in need. The acceptance and expenditure of such funds shall be authorized by the Executive Committee.

Article IX. Amendments
Section 1. The Constitution may be amended by two-thirds affirmative vote of those voting in a referendum submitted by mail to the voting members of the Association.

Section 2. Amendments may be proposed by the Executive Committee or by petition of at least ten percent of the voting members of the Association.

Section 3. All proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be communicated to the voting membership at a least fifty days prior to the vote on the amendment.

BY-LAWS of JUSTICE STUDIES ASSOCIATION
Adopted June 2004

ARTICLE I. NAME
The Association shall be known as the Justice Studies Association [or JSA].

ARTICLE II. MISSION
The Justice Studies Association (JSA) is an international not-for-profit membership association established in 1998 to: foster writing and research about, the practice of, and activism for justice without violence; provide venues in the form of an annual conference and a journal of progressive thought to address issues of criminal, social, restorative, and economic justice; foster a sense of community among scholars, activists, and practitioners of justice interested in creating a global community; and to welcome scholars from all disciplines to think and write about issues of justice from an interdisciplinary and global perspective;

The Justice Studies Association seeks to effect personal and structural change in social arrangements that cause harm and to articulate ideas that will effect change in social policies in order to meet the needs of all.JSA is a radical alternative to existing academic associations whose interests and questions-asked are largely determined by the parameters of the nation-state and globalizing market.
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ARTICLE III. ADVISORY BOARD

SECTION 1.
Commitment to Diversity
The Advisory Board shall represent the age, color, race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical disability, economic status, religion, educational, and geographical diversity of the Association's membership.

SECTION 2.
Commitment to the Principles of Restorative Justice
In all actions taken on behalf of JSA, in any decisions made on behalf of the Association, and in the conduct of its routine business, members of the Advisory Board shall agree to respect the fundamental principles of restorative justice.

SECTION 3. Membership
The Advisory Board shall consist of no more than fifteen members, with full representation apportioned in accordance with the Association's goals and commitment to diversity. The officers of the Association and Chairs of Association Committees shall serve as members of the Advisory Board for the duration of their terms of service.

SECTION 4. Selection
The members of the Advisory Board not identified in Section 3 above shall be appointed by consensus at the Association’s Annual Meeting. To be eligible for a position on the Advisory Board, an individual must be a current member of the Association.

SECTION 5. Vacancies
The Advisory Board may appoint JSA members to fill vacancies on the Board between Annual Meetings. At the Annual Meeting, the JSA membership may ratify these appointments individually by consensus.

SECTION 6. Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the members of the Advisory Board shall include fiscal management of the Association, establishment of an operational framework for the Association, hiring and other personnel and administrative matters, active participation on committees, regular attendance at Executive Committee meetings, and continued commitment to the Association's mission.

SECTION 7. Meetings
The Advisory Board shall meet as necessary, but at least two times per year. These meetings may be held in person, electronically, or by conference call as appropriate.

SECTION 8. Quorum
Seven or more members of the current Advisory Board shall constitute a quorum. If the Advisory Board has six members or fewer, two-thirds of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION 9. Removal
Advisory Board members may be removed by two-thirds vote of the members of the Advisory Board, for one or more of the following reasons: unexcused failure to fulfill the responsibilities, qualifications, and/or duties listed above; and/or for any other malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance determined by the Advisory Board to interfere with the functioning of the organization. The President of the Association must inform the member of the Board that removal is imminent and the member will be given a chance to be heard by the Board before a vote is taken.

SECTION 10. Ex-officio Membership
Ex-Officio membership in the Advisory Board may be granted by consensus of the Board to any JSA member who serves the organization actively. Ex-Officio members are non-voting members of the Advisory Board.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
SECTION 1. Officers
The officers of the Association shall be President, Vice President, Communications Director, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President.

SECTION 2. Duties

President
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association; shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee; and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President shall, with the approval of the Executive Committee, appoint all Chairs and committees not otherwise provided for, and shall sign all contracts and obligations authorized by the Executive Committee for the Association. The President shall perform all other duties usually pertaining to the office.

Vice President
The Vice President shall assist the President, shall perform the duties of the President in the President’s absence, and may assume the role of President should the President resign, become ill, or otherwise be unable to fulfill the role of President.

Communications Director
The Communications Director shall keep and make available to the membership the minutes of the Executive Committee’s meetings and of the Annual Meeting. The Communications Director shall insure that all official records of the Association are kept and passed on to her/his successor as necessary. The Communications Director may be assigned additional responsibilities as determined by the Executive Committee.

Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have fiscal oversight responsibility for the Association, and shall provide guidance to the Executive Committee in the areas of financial planning, revenue concerns, and fund-raising. The Treasurer shall prepare the Association’s annual budget for adoption by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall ensure that full and accurate accounts are kept, that all debts are paid as scheduled, and that payments are made in accordance with the budget. The Treasurer shall ensure that regular financial statements and reports are available to the Association membership and the Executive Committee. The Treasurer may have other duties assigned by the Executive Committee.

Immediate Past President
The Immediate Past President shall serve as an advisor to the Executive Committee and be the steward of the Association’s history.

SECTION 3. Executive Committee
The Officers of the Association shall constitute the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may act on behalf of the Advisory Board and shall exercise such power and authority as may be delegated to it by the Advisory Board. The Executive Committee shall report regularly to the Advisory Board on all actions taken. The Executive Committee may make decisions to cooperate or affiliate with other societies and associations. All actions taken by the Executive Committee shall be communicated promptly to the Association membership.

The Executive Committee may meet electronically or by conference call. Decisions made at these meetings have the same effect as decisions made in person. If an Executive Director of the Association is hired or is otherwise instituted, that person shall be an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 4. Elections
Officers shall be elected by majority vote of the Advisory Board at their first regular meeting after the Annual Meeting. This meeting should be held during the annual JSA Conference.

SECTION 5. Terms of Office
Officers serve two-year terms. Officers may serve no more than two terms in any one office.

SECTION 6. Vacancies
Vacancies shall be filled by a majority vote of the Advisory Board at its next meeting. An officer so elected shall fill out the unexpired term of her/his predecessor.

ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. Qualifications
The Association will maintain an anti-discrimination policy.
Membership is open to any individual or organization who supports the philosophy and purposes of the Association.

SECTION 2. Dues
Members are required to pay dues as established by the Executive Committee.

SECTION 3. Voting
Each dues paying member shall be entitled to one vote.

SECTION 4. Rights
Members may attend all meetings of the Association. Each member is entitled to one subscription to Contemporary Justice Review and to receive the Association's newsletter JUSTITIA. The Executive Committee may establish a discounted fee schedule for those members who wish to maintain their voting rights but who do not wish to receive the Association’s publications. All members of the Association shall have the right to vote and to hold elected office in the Association.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. Standing Committees
Standing committees may include: Membership, Nominating, Finance, Program, Constitution and Bylaws, Public Policy, Communications, Awards, Resource Development, and Personnel & Policies.

a. Chairs.
The Chair of each standing committee shall be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Advisory Board. Each Chair shall make an annual report to the Executive Committee.
b. Ad Hoc Committees
Ad hoc committees may be created, and members appointed, as necessary.
c. Committee Membership
Committee membership, with the exception of the Executive Committee, is open to all JSA members, with the approval of the Chair of the committee itself.

SECTION 2. Program Committee

a. Chair
The Program Chair shall have responsibility for the Association’s annual conference. The Program Chair shall be responsible for or delegate responsibility for those duties commonly associated with organizing JSA conferences, including, but not limited to: consulting with the President on conceptualizing the conference theme, inviting keynote speakers, organizing awards, distributing Requests for Participation, organizing the agenda, publicizing and advertising the conference, communicating with the Executive Committee, and making local site arrangements. The Program Chair will be responsible for convening and staffing committees to assist in program development, evolution, and production, as needed.

b. Committee Members The Program Committee shall consist of three JSA members, selected by the Program Chair at least two years before the conference for which the Committee is responsible.

SECTION 3. Committee on Awards

a. Duties The Committee on Awards shall have oversight of all JSA awards and shall consult with the Advisory Board on policies and procedures for all awards, including the establishment of new awards.

b. Membership The Committee shall consist of two JSA members, one of whom may be the Immediate Past President of the Association.

ARTICLE VII. FISCAL POLICIES

SECTION 1. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall be January 1 through December 31.

SECTION 2. Accounts and Audits
The books and accounts of the Association shall be kept in accordance with recognized accounting practices and the provisions of applicable state and federal law.

ARTICLE VIII. ANNUAL MEETING

SECTION 1. Purpose
A meeting of the membership of the Association shall be held each year. At this meeting, appointments to the Advisory Board and other committees will be made, and the necessary business of the association will be conducted.

SECTION 2. Quorum
No fewer than fifteen members of the Association shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION 3. Voting
Action at the Annual Meeting of the membership shall be by a simple majority of the membership present and voting.

ARTICLE IX. PUBLICATIONS

SECTION 1. Journal
The Association shall maintain a journal called Contemporary Justice Review. The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for the editorial management of the publication.

SECTION 2. Newsletter
The Association shall publish a newsletter called Justitia. The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for the editorial management of the publication.

SECTION 3. Other Publications
The Association may issue other publications as it deems necessary.

ARTICLE X. INDEMNIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES

SECTION 1. Derivative Actions
The corporation shall indemnify its Advisory Board and its officers against judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses and cost, including attorneys fees, in connection with any claim asserted against the leader, officers and employees by action in court or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person was a leader or officer of the corporation and acting in good faith for a purpose which such person reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the corporation, and not unlawful.

SECTION 2. Other Actions
Indemnification shall be provided in the manner and to the full extent afforded by Section 722 through 726 of the New York State Not-for-Profit Corporation Law; and as permitted by such law, the corporation may provide additional indemnification pursuant to: an agreement, action of the Advisory Board or Executive Committee, or by provision of these laws.

SECTION 3. Nonexclusivity
Sections 1 and 2 of this article shall be exclusive, and shall include, by implication, any and all rights and remedies available to the Corporation, the Executive Committee, the Advisory Board, officers and employees by statute or otherwise, including, but not limited to the purchase and maintenance of insurance to fund the aforementioned indemnification pursuant to Section 727 of the New York State Not-for-Profit Corporation Law.

ARTICLE XI. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
When matters of procedures are not specifically covered by the bylaws, policies and procedures, or by specific rules adopted by the Association, the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority.

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the eligible members present and voting at any meeting of the membership of the Association, provided that the proposed amendment has been made available to the membership for at least thirty (30) days prior to the close of the election. Such voting may be done by mail or by other means.

ARTICLE XIII. DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution of this corporation all funds and property of the corporation shall be distributed to not-for-profit corporations (within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code) with purposes similar to those set forth in Article II, that the Executive Committee of this organization may select, and in no event shall any of the funds or property be distributed to any of the members or used for any other purpose.

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