Bylaws of the Political Communication Interest Group of AEJMC
[Approved 8/2012]
Constitution
The Political Communication Interest Group supports AEJMC members who are scholars and/or teachers of political communication courses, including those in the areas of journalism, broadcasting, advertising/marketing and political information/public relations. Political communication is a unique area that combines elements of newswork, entertainment and related industries. The IG is designed to provide networking, resources, scholarship and programming with a balanced agenda that focuses on teaching, scholarship and issues of professional freedom and responsibility. This agenda is pursued through activities at the national convention and regional meetings as well as the organization’s newsletter, blog, Facebook group and listserv.
Mission
The IG’s mission is to provide networking and resources and to promote scholarship on political communication issues. We engage in a wide variety of research within the subfield of political communication such as American political communication, international and comparative political communications, and interactions among the media, citizens, public officials, and governments. The IG also facilitates outreach for its members to scholarly and professional organizations.
Article 1: Membership
Section 1. Membership is open to faculty, staff, professionals, and graduate students at journalism, mass communications and media studies institutions conducting research in various areas of political communication, providing instruction to college undergraduate and graduate students, or individuals in related professions who have an interest in political communication instruction and/or research. A regular member must have paid interest group dues prior to the annual meeting.
Section 2. Interest group funds will be deposited with the AEJMC Treasurer (Article 2, Section 8), who will provide reports to the Executive Committee on a regular basis. Additional funds will be deposited in appropriate separate accounts by the AEJMC treasurer.
Section 3. Only regular members, as outlined in Section 1, are entitled to voting rights and considered members in good standing.
Section 4. Membership in the IG does not include AEJMC membership (Article 2, Section 3).
Section 5. The Political Communication IG dues are proposed by the Executive Committee and approved by voting members attending the annual business meeting.
Article 2: Meetings
Section 1. The IG annual meeting will coincide with that of the AEJMC convention (Article 5, Section 7). The meeting will be scheduled for any evening or morning of the convention and located in the convention hotel or a nearby location selected by the Chair.
Section 2. Special meetings may be called in association with any plan or activity designed to execute the stated functions of the IG, upon a consensus of an Executive Committee quorum.
Section 3. Approval of decisions of the Political Communication IG and its Executive Committee will be by majority vote of members who are present and voting.
Section 4. Robert’s Rules of Order will be the parliamentary procedure used in the IG.
Section 5. Each regular member will be entitled to one (1) vote in elections, and one (1) vote on all issues or proposals presented at the annual or special meeting of the political IG.
Section 6. The Executive Committee may meet at least once annually during the annual AEJMC convention. Additional meetings can be established as the Executive Committee determines. For procedural purposes, the Head may present propositions to the Executive Committee and poll its membership by postal, electronic mail, fax, or telephone. Meetings via telephone conference calls or other interactive means shall be deemed official meetings. Such balloting shall constitute performance of the advisory function of the Executive Committee between annual meetings.
Section 7. Executive Committee members may consider amendments to the IG bylaws at any time. Proposed amendments must first be approved by the Executive Committee and brought before the membership at the business meeting. A majority vote of the membership in good standing, present and voting at any annual meeting, may then amend these bylaws. For a vote to occur, sufficient notice of the proposed amendment must be submitted via postal, e-mail or fax in advance of the meeting.
Article 3: Nominations & Elections
Section 1. The Vice Head/Program Chair will become the Head and the First Research Chair will become the Vice Head/Programming Chair at the time of the election. The Second Research Chair becomes the First Research Chair.
The Executive Committee will send notice to members before the annual meeting announcing the positions open for election. The officers that will be open for election will be the Second Research Chair, Teaching Standards Chair, Professional Freedom and Responsibility Chair, Communication Chair(s), Secretary/Membership chair, and the Graduate Student Liaison. The past Head will serve on the Executive Committee as an ex-officio member.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall:
• Announce the individuals who will move up to Head, Vice Head/Programming Chair, and Research Chair.
• Invite nominations for other positions from the floor
• Develop and distribute ballots
• Conduct the election of officers and Executive Committee members
Upon completion of the election, the interest group head (unless otherwise designated) will present the results of the winning candidates.
Section 3. Elections will occur at the annual meeting. Only IG members are allowed to vote in the elections. Special elections may occur via postal, e-mail or online. In the event of a special election, the communications officer will obtain a list of current Political Communication IG voting members from the AEJMC membership director. The communications officer will assure all ballots are mailed or e-mailed to eligible voting members.
Section 4. A candidate for office will be elected if the candidate receives more votes than those cast for any other contender for that office.
Section 5. Following a successful completion of an election of the Vice Head the holder of that office will automatically succeed to, and possess all the rights and responsibilities of, the IG Head. The incoming head’s term will begin the day immediately following the election of the new vice chair.
Article 4: Terms & Duties of Officers
Section 1. The IG Executive Committee will consist of: Head, Vice Head/Program Chair, Communications Chair(s), Research Chairs, Teaching Standards Chair, Professional Freedom and Responsibility Chair, Secretary/Membership Chair, and Graduate Student Liaison. The former president will serve as an ex-officio member. The officers of the Political Communication IG will serve from the day after the election at the annual meeting through the day of the election at the next annual meeting. They are not eligible to succeed themselves in office, although they can be reelected to the office after a period of one (1) year, and can serve in other IG offices immediately. The Head, Vice Head/Programming Chair and Communications officer(s) are responsible for planning and implementing a program designed to achieve the goals of IG as established by the Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 2. The Head will be the Executive Officer of the Political Communication IG and administer its affairs and funding with the advice of the Executive Committee and in the best interest of the Constitution and Bylaws.
Additional duties:
● The Head is also responsible for the appointment of necessary committee members; preserve order and enforce the Constitution and Bylaws.
● Perform all duties of a presiding officer if necessary; prepare the annual report to be mailed to AEJMC headquarters by June 15 of the Head’s own term.
● As outgoing Head, he or she must update the annual report immediately after the end of the AEJMC’s fiscal year, Sept. 20.
● He or she will also serve on the Executive Committee as an ex-officio member the year after his or her term ends.
Section 3. The Vice Head/Program Chair will carry out duties assigned by the Head that are directed toward accomplishing the stated goals of political communication IG as established by the Constitution and Bylaws.
Additional duties:
● If the office of Head becomes vacant for any reason, the Vice Head will immediately assume the title and responsibilities of Head.
● The Vice Head will preside in the absence of the Head.
● In light of advancement to Head following an unexpected departure, the Vice Head will promote the First Research Chair to Vice Head, the Second Research Chair to First Research Chair and appoint a new Second Research Chair. In the event that the Head and Vice Head are unable to complete their terms, the Executive Committee will convene and elect IG members to serve as Head and Vice Head until the next annual meeting.
● The Vice Head/ Program Chair will attend the winter meeting of the AEJMC, and, with the advice and recommendations of the Executive Committee, decide on what panels and research sessions the IG will host.
Section 4. The Communications Chair(s) will be in charge of communicating information from the Executive Committee to the membership.
Additional duties:
● Communication to IG members
● Publication of the IG newsletter
● Maintain the division blog
● Create other social media to communicate and connect with IG members.
● Perform all duties assigned by the Head or Vice Head in accordance with the Political Communication IG Constitution and Bylaws
Section 5. In accordance with AEJMC bylaws, the IG Research Committee Chairs seek to enhance the scholarly activities of political communication and journalism.
Additional duties:
● Present academic honors on behalf of AEJMC for commendable scholarly achievements in political communication research
● Promote and administer all of the group’s research activities, including those scheduled for the annual convention
● Work in conjunction with the Head, Vice Head, and other officers in achieving the program objectives for the annual convention
● Submit an annual research activities report to the IG Head for his or her annual report.
● Officially select the winner of the McCombs Shaw Award for Best Student Paper and the top three paper awards based on the reviews provided by IG paper judges.
● The Second Research Chair will serve as head of the committee to choose the best political communication research article published during the last academic year.
Section 6. The Teaching Standards Committee Chair seeks to enhance the teaching activities of political communication and journalism.
Additional duties:
● Promote and administer all of the group’s teaching activities, including those scheduled for the annual convention
● Work in conjunction with the Head, Vice Head and other officers in achieving the program objectives for the annual convention
● Submit an annual teaching activities report to the IG Head for his or her annual report.
Section 7. The PF&R committee chair, in accordance with AEJMC bylaws, is concerned with freedom of expression, legally and intellectually ethical issues among media educators and practitioners, media criticism and accountability, minority affairs and liaison between educators and professionals. The PF&R committee chair seeks to enhance press freedom and ethics activities of political communication and journalism.
Additional duties:
● Promote and administer all of the group’s freedom of expression and ethics activities, including those scheduled for the annual convention
● Work in conjunction with the Head, Vice Head and other officers in achieving the program objectives for the annual convention
● Submit an annual research activities report to the IG Head for his or her annual report
Section 8. The Graduate Student Liaison will work closely with the Communications Chair to inform and recruit graduate students who might be interested in Political Communication IG membership. The Graduate Student Liaison may also work with the Graduate Student Interest Group to develop programming of mutual interest to both groups.
Additional duties:
● Work in conjunction with the Head, Vice Head and other officers to develop programs and functions to appeal to graduate students
● Facilitate communication between graduate students, professors, and professionals in the group
● Contribute to the IG newsletter and social media outlets with a focus on topics interesting to graduate students.
Section 9. Secretary/Membership Chair: The Secretary/Membership Chair will take and keep minutes of the IG annual meeting, all Executive Committee meetings, and any other IG records. The Secretary/Membership Chair will post minutes on the IG blog.
Additional Duties:
● Keep track of the voting members of the IG and their contact information.
● In conjunction with the Communications Chair, promote the IG to other AEJMC members as well as political communication researchers in other academic organizations.
Section 10. All officers delineated in Sections 1 through 9 represent the IG Executive Committee and will make brief reports on their activities for presentation at the annual meeting.
Section 11. In the event any of the committee chairs (research, teaching, PF&R) resign or is unable to fulfill the functions of the office, the Executive Committee will fill the vacancy until the next annual meeting.
Section 12. Of those invited for an Executive Committee meeting, a quorum is represented by two-thirds attendance. For the purposes of efficiently conducting IG business, the chair may present propositions to the Executive Committee and poll its members by postal, e-mail, fax, online, or by telephone. Such balloting will constitute performance of the advisory function of the Executive Committee between annual meetings.
Section 13. Executive Committee members are expected to attend AEJMC’s annual convention and the Political Communication IG annual meeting. Barring a reasonable schedule conflict, personal emergency, or hardship, any member of the Executive Committee who does not attend the annual AEJMC convention or IG meeting can be removed from office upon recommendation by the IG chair and a majority vote of the members attending the annual meeting. Once a position is declared vacant, the members can elect another IG member to fill that unexpired term.
Section 14. The treasurer of the Political Communication IG will be the Treasurer of AEJMC (Article 5, Section 6). The IG Head will assume responsibility of non-routine expenditure of funds with approval of the Vice Head and a majority of Executive Committee members. Routine expenditures of funds can include, but are not limited to, mailing labels, food and facilities for the annual meeting, plaques and monetary awards to top paper winners. Non-routine expenditures of funds can include, but are not limited to, travel involving IG liaisons with professional organizations. The Head, in consultation with the Vice Head and the Executive Committee, also may authorize limited expenses for non-AEJMC-member convention speakers in accordance with AEJMC’s convention expenses policy. If a question arises as to the propriety of a proposed expenditure, it will be submitted to AEJMC’s executive director or Executive Committee for resolution.
This Constitution and Bylaws were adopted and set forth on 8/11/2012.
AEJMC BYLAWS
http://www.aejmc.org/_about/constitution.php
[Approved 8/2012]
Constitution
The Political Communication Interest Group supports AEJMC members who are scholars and/or teachers of political communication courses, including those in the areas of journalism, broadcasting, advertising/marketing and political information/public relations. Political communication is a unique area that combines elements of newswork, entertainment and related industries. The IG is designed to provide networking, resources, scholarship and programming with a balanced agenda that focuses on teaching, scholarship and issues of professional freedom and responsibility. This agenda is pursued through activities at the national convention and regional meetings as well as the organization’s newsletter, blog, Facebook group and listserv.
Mission
The IG’s mission is to provide networking and resources and to promote scholarship on political communication issues. We engage in a wide variety of research within the subfield of political communication such as American political communication, international and comparative political communications, and interactions among the media, citizens, public officials, and governments. The IG also facilitates outreach for its members to scholarly and professional organizations.
Article 1: Membership
Section 1. Membership is open to faculty, staff, professionals, and graduate students at journalism, mass communications and media studies institutions conducting research in various areas of political communication, providing instruction to college undergraduate and graduate students, or individuals in related professions who have an interest in political communication instruction and/or research. A regular member must have paid interest group dues prior to the annual meeting.
Section 2. Interest group funds will be deposited with the AEJMC Treasurer (Article 2, Section 8), who will provide reports to the Executive Committee on a regular basis. Additional funds will be deposited in appropriate separate accounts by the AEJMC treasurer.
Section 3. Only regular members, as outlined in Section 1, are entitled to voting rights and considered members in good standing.
Section 4. Membership in the IG does not include AEJMC membership (Article 2, Section 3).
Section 5. The Political Communication IG dues are proposed by the Executive Committee and approved by voting members attending the annual business meeting.
Article 2: Meetings
Section 1. The IG annual meeting will coincide with that of the AEJMC convention (Article 5, Section 7). The meeting will be scheduled for any evening or morning of the convention and located in the convention hotel or a nearby location selected by the Chair.
Section 2. Special meetings may be called in association with any plan or activity designed to execute the stated functions of the IG, upon a consensus of an Executive Committee quorum.
Section 3. Approval of decisions of the Political Communication IG and its Executive Committee will be by majority vote of members who are present and voting.
Section 4. Robert’s Rules of Order will be the parliamentary procedure used in the IG.
Section 5. Each regular member will be entitled to one (1) vote in elections, and one (1) vote on all issues or proposals presented at the annual or special meeting of the political IG.
Section 6. The Executive Committee may meet at least once annually during the annual AEJMC convention. Additional meetings can be established as the Executive Committee determines. For procedural purposes, the Head may present propositions to the Executive Committee and poll its membership by postal, electronic mail, fax, or telephone. Meetings via telephone conference calls or other interactive means shall be deemed official meetings. Such balloting shall constitute performance of the advisory function of the Executive Committee between annual meetings.
Section 7. Executive Committee members may consider amendments to the IG bylaws at any time. Proposed amendments must first be approved by the Executive Committee and brought before the membership at the business meeting. A majority vote of the membership in good standing, present and voting at any annual meeting, may then amend these bylaws. For a vote to occur, sufficient notice of the proposed amendment must be submitted via postal, e-mail or fax in advance of the meeting.
Article 3: Nominations & Elections
Section 1. The Vice Head/Program Chair will become the Head and the First Research Chair will become the Vice Head/Programming Chair at the time of the election. The Second Research Chair becomes the First Research Chair.
The Executive Committee will send notice to members before the annual meeting announcing the positions open for election. The officers that will be open for election will be the Second Research Chair, Teaching Standards Chair, Professional Freedom and Responsibility Chair, Communication Chair(s), Secretary/Membership chair, and the Graduate Student Liaison. The past Head will serve on the Executive Committee as an ex-officio member.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall:
• Announce the individuals who will move up to Head, Vice Head/Programming Chair, and Research Chair.
• Invite nominations for other positions from the floor
• Develop and distribute ballots
• Conduct the election of officers and Executive Committee members
Upon completion of the election, the interest group head (unless otherwise designated) will present the results of the winning candidates.
Section 3. Elections will occur at the annual meeting. Only IG members are allowed to vote in the elections. Special elections may occur via postal, e-mail or online. In the event of a special election, the communications officer will obtain a list of current Political Communication IG voting members from the AEJMC membership director. The communications officer will assure all ballots are mailed or e-mailed to eligible voting members.
Section 4. A candidate for office will be elected if the candidate receives more votes than those cast for any other contender for that office.
Section 5. Following a successful completion of an election of the Vice Head the holder of that office will automatically succeed to, and possess all the rights and responsibilities of, the IG Head. The incoming head’s term will begin the day immediately following the election of the new vice chair.
Article 4: Terms & Duties of Officers
Section 1. The IG Executive Committee will consist of: Head, Vice Head/Program Chair, Communications Chair(s), Research Chairs, Teaching Standards Chair, Professional Freedom and Responsibility Chair, Secretary/Membership Chair, and Graduate Student Liaison. The former president will serve as an ex-officio member. The officers of the Political Communication IG will serve from the day after the election at the annual meeting through the day of the election at the next annual meeting. They are not eligible to succeed themselves in office, although they can be reelected to the office after a period of one (1) year, and can serve in other IG offices immediately. The Head, Vice Head/Programming Chair and Communications officer(s) are responsible for planning and implementing a program designed to achieve the goals of IG as established by the Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 2. The Head will be the Executive Officer of the Political Communication IG and administer its affairs and funding with the advice of the Executive Committee and in the best interest of the Constitution and Bylaws.
Additional duties:
● The Head is also responsible for the appointment of necessary committee members; preserve order and enforce the Constitution and Bylaws.
● Perform all duties of a presiding officer if necessary; prepare the annual report to be mailed to AEJMC headquarters by June 15 of the Head’s own term.
● As outgoing Head, he or she must update the annual report immediately after the end of the AEJMC’s fiscal year, Sept. 20.
● He or she will also serve on the Executive Committee as an ex-officio member the year after his or her term ends.
Section 3. The Vice Head/Program Chair will carry out duties assigned by the Head that are directed toward accomplishing the stated goals of political communication IG as established by the Constitution and Bylaws.
Additional duties:
● If the office of Head becomes vacant for any reason, the Vice Head will immediately assume the title and responsibilities of Head.
● The Vice Head will preside in the absence of the Head.
● In light of advancement to Head following an unexpected departure, the Vice Head will promote the First Research Chair to Vice Head, the Second Research Chair to First Research Chair and appoint a new Second Research Chair. In the event that the Head and Vice Head are unable to complete their terms, the Executive Committee will convene and elect IG members to serve as Head and Vice Head until the next annual meeting.
● The Vice Head/ Program Chair will attend the winter meeting of the AEJMC, and, with the advice and recommendations of the Executive Committee, decide on what panels and research sessions the IG will host.
Section 4. The Communications Chair(s) will be in charge of communicating information from the Executive Committee to the membership.
Additional duties:
● Communication to IG members
● Publication of the IG newsletter
● Maintain the division blog
● Create other social media to communicate and connect with IG members.
● Perform all duties assigned by the Head or Vice Head in accordance with the Political Communication IG Constitution and Bylaws
Section 5. In accordance with AEJMC bylaws, the IG Research Committee Chairs seek to enhance the scholarly activities of political communication and journalism.
Additional duties:
● Present academic honors on behalf of AEJMC for commendable scholarly achievements in political communication research
● Promote and administer all of the group’s research activities, including those scheduled for the annual convention
● Work in conjunction with the Head, Vice Head, and other officers in achieving the program objectives for the annual convention
● Submit an annual research activities report to the IG Head for his or her annual report.
● Officially select the winner of the McCombs Shaw Award for Best Student Paper and the top three paper awards based on the reviews provided by IG paper judges.
● The Second Research Chair will serve as head of the committee to choose the best political communication research article published during the last academic year.
Section 6. The Teaching Standards Committee Chair seeks to enhance the teaching activities of political communication and journalism.
Additional duties:
● Promote and administer all of the group’s teaching activities, including those scheduled for the annual convention
● Work in conjunction with the Head, Vice Head and other officers in achieving the program objectives for the annual convention
● Submit an annual teaching activities report to the IG Head for his or her annual report.
Section 7. The PF&R committee chair, in accordance with AEJMC bylaws, is concerned with freedom of expression, legally and intellectually ethical issues among media educators and practitioners, media criticism and accountability, minority affairs and liaison between educators and professionals. The PF&R committee chair seeks to enhance press freedom and ethics activities of political communication and journalism.
Additional duties:
● Promote and administer all of the group’s freedom of expression and ethics activities, including those scheduled for the annual convention
● Work in conjunction with the Head, Vice Head and other officers in achieving the program objectives for the annual convention
● Submit an annual research activities report to the IG Head for his or her annual report
Section 8. The Graduate Student Liaison will work closely with the Communications Chair to inform and recruit graduate students who might be interested in Political Communication IG membership. The Graduate Student Liaison may also work with the Graduate Student Interest Group to develop programming of mutual interest to both groups.
Additional duties:
● Work in conjunction with the Head, Vice Head and other officers to develop programs and functions to appeal to graduate students
● Facilitate communication between graduate students, professors, and professionals in the group
● Contribute to the IG newsletter and social media outlets with a focus on topics interesting to graduate students.
Section 9. Secretary/Membership Chair: The Secretary/Membership Chair will take and keep minutes of the IG annual meeting, all Executive Committee meetings, and any other IG records. The Secretary/Membership Chair will post minutes on the IG blog.
Additional Duties:
● Keep track of the voting members of the IG and their contact information.
● In conjunction with the Communications Chair, promote the IG to other AEJMC members as well as political communication researchers in other academic organizations.
Section 10. All officers delineated in Sections 1 through 9 represent the IG Executive Committee and will make brief reports on their activities for presentation at the annual meeting.
Section 11. In the event any of the committee chairs (research, teaching, PF&R) resign or is unable to fulfill the functions of the office, the Executive Committee will fill the vacancy until the next annual meeting.
Section 12. Of those invited for an Executive Committee meeting, a quorum is represented by two-thirds attendance. For the purposes of efficiently conducting IG business, the chair may present propositions to the Executive Committee and poll its members by postal, e-mail, fax, online, or by telephone. Such balloting will constitute performance of the advisory function of the Executive Committee between annual meetings.
Section 13. Executive Committee members are expected to attend AEJMC’s annual convention and the Political Communication IG annual meeting. Barring a reasonable schedule conflict, personal emergency, or hardship, any member of the Executive Committee who does not attend the annual AEJMC convention or IG meeting can be removed from office upon recommendation by the IG chair and a majority vote of the members attending the annual meeting. Once a position is declared vacant, the members can elect another IG member to fill that unexpired term.
Section 14. The treasurer of the Political Communication IG will be the Treasurer of AEJMC (Article 5, Section 6). The IG Head will assume responsibility of non-routine expenditure of funds with approval of the Vice Head and a majority of Executive Committee members. Routine expenditures of funds can include, but are not limited to, mailing labels, food and facilities for the annual meeting, plaques and monetary awards to top paper winners. Non-routine expenditures of funds can include, but are not limited to, travel involving IG liaisons with professional organizations. The Head, in consultation with the Vice Head and the Executive Committee, also may authorize limited expenses for non-AEJMC-member convention speakers in accordance with AEJMC’s convention expenses policy. If a question arises as to the propriety of a proposed expenditure, it will be submitted to AEJMC’s executive director or Executive Committee for resolution.
This Constitution and Bylaws were adopted and set forth on 8/11/2012.
AEJMC BYLAWS
http://www.aejmc.org/_about/constitution.php