Members Discussion Forum: AHA Constitution Changes

In the September issue of Perspectives we introduced a number of proposed changes in the constitution that Council approved at its June, 2007, meeting. An identical version of the proposed changes appeared here from October 1 through 15, with an invitation for comments from members.

The comments received from members pointed out a few editing and formatting errors, and others reflected a need for further information about the changes. Perhaps most significantly, a number of members expressed concerns about the petition required to place items before the business meeting. We should have noted that this requirement currently appears in the Association's by-laws, so this was not a new requirement. This was intended to enshrine the opportunity for petition in the constitution, while raising the threshold for petitions. Given the ease with which petitions can be circulated on the Internet, we initially thought it made sense to raise the bar a bit, from 25 members to one percent of the membership. In light of the concerns expressed about this provision and with Council's approval, the 1 percent requirement has now been deleted. So the requirement reverts back to 25 members described in the bylaws.

 

Article VI: Divisions

Existing Text With Mark Up

Section 1: There Council of the Association shall have three divisions: shall be a Research Division, a Teaching Division, and a Professional Division. of the Association, each with its appropriate vice-president and divisional committee. Each division shall act under the direction of the Council, and be comprised of a vice-president and three other members elected to that division.

Section 2: It shall be the duty of the Research Division, under the direction of the Council, to help promote historical scholarship, to encourage the collection and preservation of historical documents and artifacts, to ensure equal access to information, and to foster the dissemination of information about historical records and research.

Section 3: It shall be the duty of the Teaching Division, under the direction of the Council, to collect and disseminate information about the training of teachers and about instructional techniques and materials, and to encourage excellence in the teaching of history in the schools, colleges, and universities.

Section 4: It shall be the duty of the Professional Division, under the direction of the Council, to promote integrity, fairness, and civility in the practice of history, to collect and disseminate information about employment opportunities, and to help ensure equal opportunities for all historians, regardless of individual membership in the Association.

 

Proposed Revised Text

Section 1: The Council of the Association shall have three divisions: a Research Division, a Teaching Division, and a Professional Division. Each division shall act under the direction of the Council, and be comprised of a vice-president and three other members elected to that division.

Section 2: It shall be the duty of the Research Division to help promote historical scholarship, to encourage the collection and preservation of historical documents and artifacts, to ensure equal access to information, and to foster the dissemination of information about historical records and research.

Section 3: It shall be the duty of the Teaching Division to collect and disseminate information about the training of teachers and about instructional techniques and materials, and to encourage excellence in the teaching of history in the schools, colleges, and universities.

Section 4: It shall be the duty of the Professional Division to promote integrity, fairness, and civility in the practice of history, to collect and disseminate information about employment opportunities, and to help ensure equal opportunities for all historians, regardless of individual membership in the Association.

Explanatory Notes

 

AHA Member's Comments on Article VI: Divisions

4 members have commented
as of 6:11:45 AM 5/23/13
View oldest comments first
Refresh page

Digital History
I think perhaps Randy Shifflett assumed a bias toward paper and against electronic as the latter was not specifically mentioned. In my reading of the clause those of us interested in electronic scholarly communication will be fine. Research Professor, Holly Shulman

—Ms. Holly C. Shulman , Posted: November 08, 2007 4:17 PM

Article VI, Sec. 4
It's a great idea to strengthen and clarify the functions of the Professional Division on integrity, fairness, and civility--essential components of professionalism. Professor Alexandra M. Nickliss

—Dr. Alexandra M. Nickliss , Posted: November 05, 2007 11:33 AM

Digital History
Agree with Peter Hoffer on the idea of division's having freedom to agree on their own decisions. Section 2 implies promotion and dissemination of scholarship and archival collections by traditional printed formats and on-site venues. My suggestion would be to revise to indicate support in all forms of collection, production, archiving, access, and dissemination.

—Prof. Crandall A Shifflett , Posted: October 13, 2007 12:38 PM

A good idea
Having the divisions' members sit with council and having the divisions then arrive at their own decisions without looking over their (collective) shoulder at the council is a good idea.

—Prof. Peter C. Hoffer , Posted: October 04, 2007 1:53 PM

The period for discussion is now past. However, additional revisions are being prepared, and will be posted for further commentary on or about October 19th.

Article I: Name
Article II: Purpose
Article III Membership 12 Comments | Last Comment Posted: 2:59 PM Nov 02, 2007
Article IV: Officers 4 Comments | Last Comment Posted: 2:18 PM Nov 12, 2007
Article V: Council 3 Comments | Last Comment Posted: 2:13 PM Nov 01, 2007
Article VI: Divisions 4 Comments | Last Comment Posted: 4:17 PM Nov 08, 2007
Article VII: Business Meeting 4 Comments | Last Comment Posted: 1:24 PM Oct 15, 2007
Article VIII: Committees 2 Comments | Last Comment Posted: 12:43 PM Oct 14, 2007
Article IX: Elections 7 Comments | Last Comment Posted: 9:40 PM Nov 06, 2007
Article X: Amendments 3 Comments | Last Comment Posted: 7:06 PM Nov 01, 2007
Article XI: Bylaws
Article XII: Interim Procedures