CONSTITUTION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES

Formerly the European Community Studies Association

By Executive Committee action, the Association's name has changed to European Union Studies Association™ effective 1 July 2001.

PREAMBLE

To foster a critical understanding of the Member-States, historical development, institutions, processes, policies, programs, issues, and problems of the European Union (EU), the European Union Studies Association [formerly European Community Studies Association] (the Association) is hereby constituted. The Association exists to develop a community of persons in North America interested in the EU and to raise the level of knowledge about the EU. The Association welcomes members from all academic disciplines, the business sector, and the public sector.

ARTICLE I. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Association shall promote the study and public awareness of the EU in the following ways: facilitating research projects and other collaborative works among the Association members in order to increase the published literature on the EU; encouraging links between The Association and European counterpart associations and individual Europeans for the purpose of transatlantic cooperation; publishing a newsletter; holding conferences and workshops; organizing panels on the EU at conferences and workshops sponsored by other organizations; seeking and disbursing funds to support The Association's activities; drawing upon the membership to speak publicly on EU issues; and undertaking other programs, activities, and projects deemed appropriate.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Association shall be open to all persons and institutions who have paid annual dues. Annual dues shall be established by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE III. FINANCES

The Association shall collect and expend monies derived from membership dues and other sources. The Association shall seek and disburse funds by itself and in cooperation with other organizations.

ARTICLE IV. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The organs of The Association shall be an Executive Committee, an Advisory Council, an Editorial Board, and The Association Meeting. The officers of the Association shall be a Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

Section 1. Executive Committee The seven-person Executive Committee shall be elected by the membership. Members of the Executive Committee shall serve for a four-year term. No person can sit on the Executive Committee for two consecutive terms; nor can a person serve on the Executive Committee more than eight years total in his or her lifetime. Past membership on the Executive Committee shall be counted towards the eight-year limit. Beginning with the ECSA Executive Committee election of 2001, the term for three of the seven positions of the Executive Committee will be four years and that of the remaining four positions will be two years. When the latter four positions are subject to election in 2003, their term will be increased to four years. The Executive Committee shall elect from its members the Chairperson, the Vice-Chair and the Secretary. The Chair of ECSA will serve a term of two years. No person can serve as Chair of ECSA for more than a single term. The Executive Committee shall also appoint the Treasurer who, if not an elected member of the Executive Committee, shall be an ex officio member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be confirmed in office at the Association's biennial membership meeting after a mail poll of Association membership. The Executive Committee may appoint an Administrative Director to manage and coordinate the activities of the Association. The Administrative Director shall be an ex officio member of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Advisory Council

The Advisory Council shall consist of distinguished individuals interested in the EU. Its members shall be invited to serve by the Executive Committee.

Section 3. Editorial Board

The Editorial board shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and shall consist of no more than five members including the Editors.

Section 4. The Meeting

The Meeting shall be the plenary organ of The Association and shall be held no less than once every two years.

ARTICLE V. FUNCTIONS

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for achieving the objectives of The Association as contained in Article I. It shall appoint the Advisory Council, the Editorial Board and its Editor, a Nominating Committee, and all other committees it deems appropriate. The Advisory Council shall assist the Executive Committee in achieving the objectives of the Association. The Editorial Board shall compile, produce, and distribute all Association publications. The Meeting shall affirm the election of The Association's officers and offer recommendations concerning The Association's activities. The Chairperson shall conduct all meetings of the Executive Committee and The Association, shall be an ex officio member of the Advisory Council, and shall submit regular reports on The Association's activities to the membership. The Treasurer shall receive and disburse funds to support The Association's activities and shall submit regular reports to The Association.

ARTICLE VI. VOTING PROCEDURES

All decisions shall be by simple majority vote.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS

The Executive Committee shall receive proposals for amendments from members. Amendments shall be ratified by The Association membership.

Amended August 1999
Amended August 1997