Committee on Women in Agricultural Economics

ARTICLE I. NAME AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1. Name. The name of this section shall be the Committee of Women in Agricultural Economics (CWAE), a section of the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association. Hereinafter it is referred to as the "CWAE" and the "Association", respectively. In the event of any conflict between the bylaws of this section and the constitution or operating polices of the Association, those of the Association shall prevail.

Section 2. Goals. The goals of the CWAE shall be the same as that of the Association as stated in its constitution and nothing in these bylaws shall be inconsistent with the Association constitution or operating polices.

Section3. Statement of Purpose. The Objective of this CWAE shall be:

a: to promote the welfare of women agricultural economists by representing their interests within the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) and b. to engage in activities which will encourage the professional advancement of women agricultural economists

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership. Membership in this CWAE is open to all interested members of the Association who pay the dues established by the CWAE. All classes of Association members shall enjoy the privileges of the CWAE.

Section 2. Resignation. Any member may resign CWAE membership by writing the executive director of the Association.

Section 3. Termination. Termination of membership or reinstatement shall be on the same basis as for membership in the Association.

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS AND TERMS OF OFFICE

Section 1. Officers. The officers of CWAE shall consist of a chairperson, vice-chairperson; past chairperson; four members-at large, elected from the membership.

Section 2. Terms of Office. The elected members of the Board shall serve for a term of two (2) years. The chair, upon completion of the term, shall automatically succeed to the office of past chairperson.

Section 3. Duties. The duties of the officers shall be those customarily performed by such officers together with those responsibilities prescribed by the constitution and operating policies of the Association, by CWAE's bylaws, and such other duties as may be assigned by the CWAE executive committee.

a. The CWAE chair shall preside at all meetings of the CWAE, execute the decisions and recommendations of the CWAE Board, appoint all committees authorized by these bylaws, develop the CWAE annual budget, represent the CWAE to the Association, and sign vouchers for CWAE expenses and transmit them to the executive director of the Association for payment.

b. The CWAE vice chairperson shall assume the duties of the chairperson in the absence of the chair. The vice chairperson shall also assist in developing CWAE's program sessions for the Association's annual meeting.

c. The CWAE shall keep a record of the proceedings of the CWAE and the CWAE board, receive a list of members from the Association and send members such notices as the business of the CWAE may require, conduct the assigned correspondence of the CWAE, submit to the executive director of the Association results of the CWAE election by the date set by AAEA policies, prepare a report covering CWAE activities for the year and submit it to the executive director of the Association for review by the executive board, also by the date set by AAEA policies, notify the executive director of the Association of any dues to be assessed by the CWAE for the following calendar year, sign vouchers for CWAE expenses and transmit them to the executive director of the Association for payment and receive the CWAE financial reports from the executive director of the Association.

ARTICLE IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. Duties. The CWAE Board manages the affairs and activities of CWAE. The Board shall have full power to conduct, manage and direct the business affairs of the CWAE in accordance with these bylaws and with the constitution and operating policies of the Association.

Section 2. Composition. The Board consists of eight members: the current chairperson, the past chairperson, the vice- chairperson, four members-at-large; elected from the membership, and a representative of the AAEA Board. Board members must be members of the AAEA.

Section 3. Representation. Nominees for membership on the CWAE Board shall be chosen to represent the broad spectrum of CWAE membership.

Section 4. Term. Elected members-at-large of the CWAE Board shall serve for a term of two (2) years on a rotated basis such that one-half of the members are elected each year.

Section 5. Vacancies. The CWAE Board shall fill vacancies on the CWAE Board. Any individual so appointed shall serve for the remainder of the governance year. At the next annual election the CWAE shall elect a member to complete the members unexpired term.

ARTICLE V. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. Nominations. The elections subcommittee solicits names of potential nominees for the vice-chairperson and at-large positions. Names of potential nominees are to be solicited from the membership in the newsletter preceding the ballot (typically in the winter) or by other means if necessary. The members of the CWAE shall be notified of the positions to be filled and shall be solicited for suggestions for nominees for CWAE offices and members-at-large. The nominating committee shall nominate two (2) or more candidates for each elective position. No nominee's name is to be placed on the ballot unless the nominee has confirmed a willingness to serve if elected.

Section 2. Elections. Board members are elected by members in a vote such as an electronic or mail-in ballot. The chairperson is elected every other year and becomes chairperson September 1 immediately following the election. After a two-year term, the chairperson serves as past-chair for two years. The vice-chair is the runner-up in the election for the chair. If the chair becomes vacant during the course of the year, the vice-chairperson succeeds to that office. The four at-large members serve two-year terms that begin on September 1 of the year they are elected. Two at-large members are elected each year so that terms are staggered.

Section 3. Results. The chair of the elections subcommittee shall report the results of the election to the executive director of the Association by August 15.

Section 4. In case of the occurrence of a tie, the tie breaker will be a run off via electronic voting or other confidential means by the membership.

ARTICILE VI. Permanent and Standing Subcommittees

Section 1 Permanent Subcommittees. The permanent subcommittees and their duties are:

Elections--The Elections Subcommittee compiles the list of nominees for the Board; tabulates the ballot; notifies the board, the candidates, and the newsletter editor of the election outcome; and addresses election procedures.

Membership--The Membership Subcommittee provides membership services, keeps a roster of members and addresses the recruitment of new members.

Newsletter--The chairperson of the Newsletter Subcommittee is the editor of the newsletter. Other subcommittee members provide assistance in the planning and production of the newsletter.

Section 2 Standing Subcommittees. Standing subcommittees may be at any time added or dissolved by the chairperson. Some standing subcommittees and their duties are:

Arrangements--The Arrangements Subcommittee arranges meetings, luncheons and social gatherings at the AAEA annual meetings.

Employment--The Employment Subcommittee identifies job opportunities and disseminates information, particularly through CWAENET and the CWAE Newsletter.

Fellowship--The Fellowship Subcommittee manages the Sylvia Lane Mentor Fellowship Program: fund-raising; announcing, selecting and placing fellows.

Graduate Students--The Graduate Students Subcommittee identifies and addresses the particular needs of graduate student members and strives to increase the involvement of graduate students in the AAEA.

Professional Activities--The Professional Activities Subcommittee plans, encourages and coordinates professional activities at the AAEA annual meetings. The subcommittee provides statistical information as needed on the status of women in the profession.

CWAENET--The CWAENET Subcommittee manages the list and the postings for the Internet discussion group.

Tracking--The Tracking Subcommittee conducts the longitudinal survey of women and minorities in the profession.

International--The International Subcommittee organizes international outreach events and co-ordinates with the IAAE.

ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS

Section 1. Business Meeting. The CWAE shall hold a business meeting annually in connection with the annual meeting of the Association. A quorum for transaction of business at a CWAE meeting shall consist of fifteen (15) qualified voting members or 5 percent of the members of the CWAE whichever is smaller.

Section 2. Board Meetings. The CWAE Board shall meet upon the call of the chair of at the request of a simple majority of the members of the CWAE Board. Conference phone calls may substitute for a meeting. A majority of the members of the CWAE Board including at least two (2) of the officers shall constitute a quorum for either physical or conference call meetings. In the absence of a quorum, a meeting of the CWAE Board shall adjourn to another date.

ARTICLE VIII. FISCAL

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year for the CWAE shall be the same as the fiscal year for the Association.

Section 2. Dues. Members of the CWAE shall pay annual dues. The secretary shall notify the executive director of the Association no later than August 31 of the amount for the following year. Dues are paid in advance on the same basis as the Association dues. Funds collected shall be deposited in the general funds of the Association and credited to the CWAE.

Section 3. Budget. The annual CWAE budget shall be prepared by the chair-elect and submitted by the date set by AAEA policies to the executive board of the Association.

Section 4. Dissolution. In the event of the dissolution of the CWAE or revocation of its charter, all CWAE funds remaining after the discharge of all debts and obligations shall be conveyed to the AAEA Foundation.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by 2/3 of the members present at any annual business meeting of the CWAE at which a quorum is present or by a majority vote of members of the CWAE returning ballots by mail or email.

ARTICLE X. DISSOLUTION

The executive board of the Association may revoke the Charter of the CWAE if the section becomes inactive, fails to fulfill its purpose or fails to submit the required reports to the Association. Such revocation of the CWAE Charter shall not affect the standing in the Association of the members of the CWAE.

Amended at the CWAE business meeting in July 2006, Long Beach