The Constitution of the Swedish Association for American Studies
Adopted in 1997. Revised on September 30, 2018, and on September 28, 2020.
ARTICLE ONE
The name of the organization is the Swedish Association for American Studies (SAAS). It is a national branch of the Nordic Association for American Studies.
ARTICLE TWO
The purpose of the Association is to encourage the study of North America in Sweden.
ARTICLE THREE
Membership of the Association is open to teachers, researchers, and other individuals concerned with the study of North America who have paid membership dues to the Nordic Association for American Studies.
ARTICLE FOUR
The Board of the Swedish Association for American Studies consists of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, three additional members, and one or two deputy members.
All officers and members of the Board are elected at the biennial General Meeting of the Association to hold office for a term of two years. On completion of their term of office, at the next General Meeting, said officers and members vacate their places.
The President is the Association’s candidate to the Board of the Nordic Association for American Studies (NAAS). If the President is unable to attend meetings of the Board of NAAS, the Vice-President may act as a deputy board member of NAAS.
ARTICLE FIVE
General Meetings of the Association are held every two years at such times as the Board determines. An extraordinary General Meeting may be convened at not less than six weeks’ notice at the request of the majority of the full Board or a majority of the registered members. All registered members of the Association have the right to vote at General Meetings.
The President of the Board, or in his/her absence, the Vice-President of the Board, presides at all sessions of the General Meeting.
Any matter before the Meeting is adopted by a simple majority of votes. In case of a tie, the President casts the deciding vote .
ARTICLE SIX
At the General Meeting a three-person Nomination Committee shall be elected, the purpose of which is to submit recommendations to the next General Meeting for nominees for officers and other members of the Board and for a new Nomination Committee. On completion of their term, all members of the Committee will vacate their places. At the time of the election, registered members may also nominate candidates.
ARTICLE SEVEN
This constitution may be amended by majority vote at a General Meeting, and such an amendment must be confirmed by another majority vote at the following General Meeting. Proposals for amendments must be made public at least three months before the first General Meeting. During the period between the two meetings, the majority-approved amendment(s) will govern.