1

Constitution
Canadian Association for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
(CALACS)
Original text (1998)
1. Name
The name of the Association shall be the Canadian
Association for Latin American and Caribbean Studies,
hereafter referred to in this Constitution as the Association.

Proposed amendments (2013)

1. Name
The name of the Association shall be the Canadian Association for Latin
American and Caribbean Studies, hereafter referred to in this Constitution
as the Association.

2. Nature and Structure

The Association shall be a learned society acting with the
legal status of a non-profit organization. In addition to the
national character of its overall organization, the Association
shall be composed of Regional Chapters.

2. Nature and Structure

The Association shall be a learned society acting with the legal status of a
non-profit organization.

3. Purposes and functions

3.1.
The purposes of the Association shall be:

3.1.2. to facilitate personal contact and exchange of

information among those engaged in related fields of Latin
American and Caribbean teaching and research in Canada
and abroad,

3. Mission and function of the Association

3.1. The mission of the Association shall be:
3.1.1. to provide the infrastructure to support an interdisciplinary,
international community of academics, researchers, young scholars, NGOs,
Latin American and Caribbean communities and policy makers.
This community will be promoted and supported through an effective
and efficient association with a diverse membership that promotes academic
excellence through Congresses, conferences, lectures, publications and
digital communications.
The Association will bring together a diverse community of scholars
actively involved in teaching and research about the Latin American and
Caribbean regions and contribute to the development of active networks of
researchers to collaborate, share and mobilize knowledge related to Latin
American and the Caribbean.
The Association will be a resource to academics, researchers, policy
makers and the media through its publications and by collecting and
maintaining an extensive and accessible database of Latin American and
Caribbean researchers.
3.1.2. to encourage the study of Latin American and Caribbean communities
resident in Canada
Deleted

Comments

We do not have and do not foresee any regional chapters. As such,

this provision is moot.

The mission of the Association is given constitutional status

These aspects have been integrated elsewhere

3.1.3. to foster throughout Canada and specially within

the universities, colleges and other centres of higher
education, the expansion of information on and interest in
Latin America and the Caribbean,
3.1.4. to represent the academic and professional interests
of Canadian Latin Americanists.
3.2.
The functions of the Association shall be:
3.2.1. to compile and maintain a database of persons and
organizations interested in Latin American and Caribbean
Studies;
3.2.2. to gather and distribute, at regular intervals,
information on membersactivities, academic programs,
special publications, and such other developments in the
field of Latin American and Caribbean Studies as may be of
general interest to the membership;
3.2.3. to issue such publications on learned contributions
to Latin America and the Caribbean understanding as shall
be considered desirable;
3.2.4. to assess the financial and human resources
available in Canada for teaching and conducting research on
subjects involving Latin America and the Caribbean;
3.2.5. to organize and hold conferences on Latin America
and the Caribbean at regular intervals;
3.2.6. to sponsor, within the various universities, colleges,
and other centres of higher education of Canada, lecture
series and occasional lectures on Latin America and the
Caribbean;
3.2.7. to foster the development of academic programs in
all subjects related to Latin American and Caribbean studies
in Canada;
3.2.8. to promote excellency in the training of students
engaged in Latin American and Caribbean studies, both in
Canadian universities, colleges, and other centres of higher
education and through exchange or extension programmes;
and
3.2.9. to adopt any other measures to achieve the purposes

3.1.3. to promote the successful integration of graduate students studying

Latin America and the Caribbean and their communities in Canada into
academic and professional networks
3.1.4. to foster throughout Canada and specially within the universities,
colleges and other centres of higher education, the expansion of information
on and interest in Latin America and the Caribbean,

This is consistent with our current Board's practices and with the
integration of student members to the Board, which will be dealt with
further below in this Constitution.

3.1.5. to represent the academic and professional interests of Canadian Latin

Americanists and Caribbeanists.
3.2 The functions of the Association shall be:
3.2.1.to compile and maintain a database of persons and organizations
interested in Latin American and Caribbean Studies;

Reference to Caribbean studies and scholars have been

systematically added

3.2.2. to gather and distribute, at regular intervals, information on

membersactivities, academic programs, special publications, and such
other developments in the field of Latin American and Caribbean Studies as
may be of general interest to the membership;
3.2.3. to issue such publications on learned contributions to Latin
America and the Caribbean understanding as shall be considered desirable,
most notably the Canadian Journal of Latin American and Caribbean
Studies;
Deleted

The Associations Journal is given constitutional status

3.2.4. to organize and hold conferences on Latin America and the Caribbean
at regular intervals, most notably its annual Congress;
3.2.5. to sponsor, within the various universities, colleges, and other centres
of higher education of Canada, lecture series and occasional lectures on
Latin America and the Caribbean;

Our annual Congress should have constitutional status and be

mentioned here

3.2.6. to foster the development of, and advocate for, academic programs
in all subjects related to Latin American and Caribbean studies in Canada;

Advocacy is one of the main, on-going tasks of the Association.

3.2.7. to promote excellency in the training of students engaged in Latin

American and Caribbean studies, both in Canadian universities, colleges,
and other centres of higher education and through exchange or extension
programmes; and
3.2.8. to adopt any other measures to achieve the purposes of the

The Association does not have the human and financial resources
necessary to do this.

3
of the Association as set out above in Section 3.1 of this
article.

Association as set out above in Section 3.1 of this article.

4. Language
The languages to be used by the Association shall be as
follows;
4.1.
All documents of central value, including the
Constitution and its amendments, and notices, program
announcements, and minutes of conferences shall be
recorded and distributed to the membership in both English
and French.
4.2.
At general meetings, conferences and committee
meetings, the official acceptable languages shall be English
or French or Portuguese or Spanish.
4.3.
Official correspondence, the Newsletter, the
Journal, or such other publications as the Association may
issue from time to time, other than those mentioned in
Article 4.1 shall be expressed in English or French or
Portuguese or Spanish, depending upon whichever language
couched the original expression, unless convenience and
common courtesy dictate otherwise.

4. Language
The languages to be used by the Association shall be as follows;

5. Membership

5.1.
There shall be four categories of membership:
5.1.1. Regular voting members. They shall be Canadians
who are involved either in teaching courses relating to Latin
American and Caribbean Studies or in conducting research
on topics involving Latin America and the Caribbean, or
they shall be other qualified persons, within or outside of
Canada, accepted for membership in this category,
5.1.2. Student voting members. These shall include
persons interested in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
who are engaged in full-time graduate or undergraduate
programmes at recognized colleges or universities,
5.1.3. Institutional members. These shall be academic,
business, governmental, or private institutions interested in

4.1. All documents of central value, including the Constitution and its
amendments, as well as notices and event announcements shall be
recorded and distributed to the membership in both English and French.

We do not publish the minutes of our conferences. They should

therefore not be present in our Constitution.

4.2. At Congress, general meetings, conferences and committee meetings,

the official languages shall be English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, all
having equal status and preference.
4.3. Official correspondence, the Newsletter, the Journal, or such other
publications as the Association may issue from time to time, other than
those mentioned in Article 4.1 shall be expressed in English or French or
Portuguese or Spanish, depending upon whichever language couched the
original expression, unless convenience and common courtesy dictate
otherwise.

The original wording is awkward.

5. Membership
5.1. Membership in the Association is open to anyone with a scholarly or
other professional interest in Latin American and Caribbean studies or their
communities in Canada.
5.2. There shall be three categories of membership:
5.2.1. Regular members. These are voting members, from Canada and
abroad, in good standing.
In order to promote participation from Canadian students and Latin
America and Caribbean-based scholars in general, the Association will
establish a scale of fees based on income and residence
5.2.2. Student members. These voting members shall include persons
interested in Latin American and Caribbean Studies who are engaged in
graduate or undergraduate programmes at recognized colleges or
universities or other institutions of higher learning, who shall pay a
reduced fee
5.2.3. Institutional members. These shall be academic, business,
governmental, or private institutions interested in Latin America and

Membership should be open to very wide categories, so as to attract

as many potential members as possible

The category was too restrictive.

The reduced fee for student members is given constitutional status.

4
Latin America and Caribbean Studies.

5.1.4. Honorary members. These shall be persons invited

by two-thirds (2/3) of the entire Board of Directors in
exceptional circumstances, because of their distinguished
contribution to Latin American and Caribbean Studies, to be
designed as honorary members.

5.1.5. Only members mentioned in 5.1.1 and 5.1.2 shall

have the right to vote on matters relating to the operation of
the Association and to hold office therein.
5.2.
Membership shall be acquired by application to the
Administrator. Cases in which the membership eligibility is
in doubt shall be decided by the Executive Committee.
5.3.
Membership dues shall be recommended every
eighteen (18) months for the different categories of
membership by the Board of Directors and shall be approved
by the two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at the General
Meeting of the Association. There shall be no initiation fee.
There shall be no dues for honorary members. Members who
fail to pay dues for a period of six (6) months following the
expiration of their former dues shall cease to be members in
good standing of the Association.
6. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Officers
of the Association:
6.1.
The President. This person shall be a member in

Caribbean Studies.
5.2.4. Only members mentioned in 5.2.1 and 5.2.2 shall have the right to
vote on matters relating to the operation of the Association and to hold
office therein.
5.2.5 Membership shall be acquired by application to the Secretary, who
shall establish the necessary procedures.
5.2.6. Membership dues shall be recommended yearly for the different
categories of membership by the Board of Directors and shall be approved
by the two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at the General Meeting of
the Association. Members who fail to pay their dues by the convening of
the annual Congress shall cease to be members in good standing of the
Association.
5.3. Distinguished fellows: These shall be persons invited by two-thirds
(2/3) of the entire Board of Directors in exceptional circumstances, because
of their distinguished contribution to Latin American and Caribbean
Studies.

Amended for consistency with other provisos in the Constitution.

We are switching to a yearly cycle, so this should be consistent with
that.

The Association will no longer provide free, lifetime memberships,

but will continue to honour distinguished scholars in the field.

Distinguished fellows shall be honoured at a special meeting of the

CALACS Congress following their nomination. They are expected to
remain or become members in good standing of the Association.
Deleted

See 5.2.4

Deleted

See 5.2.5

Deleted

See 5.2.6

6. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Officers of the
Association, all of whom shall be residents of Canada:
6.1 The President. This person shall be a member in good standing, and

This amendment is necessary for legal purposes.

Implementation of the yearly cycle.

5
good standing, and shall normally have been a member of
the Board of Directors prior to or during the term in which
he or she is nominated and shall serve for eighteen (18)
months after election by the membership.
If for any reason the President should become unable to
fulfill his or her duties during his or her term in office, then
the Vice-President shall assume the Presidency and shall
continue as President for the remainder of that term.
The duties of the President shall include:
6.1.1. The chairing of all meetings of the Executive
Committee, the Board of Directors and the Association;
6.1.2. The appointment, in consultation with the
Executive Committee, of members to the standing
committees as may be found appropriate from time to time;
and
6.1.3. The proposal to the Executive Committee and
Board of Directors of any new measures and policies which
he or she may deem necessary to achieve the purposes and
functions of this Association as set forth in Article 3 of this
Constitution.

6.2.
The Vice-President. This person shall be a member
in good standing, and shall normally have been a member of
the Board of Directors prior to or during the term in which
he or she is nominated and shall serve for eighteen (18)
months after election by the membership.
Should the position of Vice-President become vacant for any
reason, then one of the members of the Association shall be
selected by majority vote of the Board of Directors to act as
Vice-President (interim) until the end of the term.

shall normally have been a member of the Board of Directors prior to or

during the term in which he or she is nominated and shall serve for two
years after election by the membership.
If for any reason the President should become unable to fulfill his or her
duties during his or her term in office, then the Vice-President shall assume
the Presidency and shall continue as Acting President for the remainder of
that term, with full responsibility for the privileges and obligations of
this position.
The duties of the President shall include:
6.1.1. The chairing of all meetings of the Executive Committee, the Board
of Directors and the Association;
6.1.2. To appoint, in consultation with the Executive Committee, members
of Standing Committees and Ad hoc Committees as may be found
appropriate from time to time

Consistency with current practices.

Consistency with current practices.

6.1.3. The proposal to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of

any new measures and policies which he or she may deem necessary to
achieve the purposes and functions of this Association as set forth in Article
3 of this Constitution.
6.1.4. To ensure that the Board complies with its own Policies and
Procedures and those legitimately imposed upon it from outside the
organization.
6.1.5. To invite
a) members and non-members to Executive Committee and Board of
Directors meetings, when the Associations business so requires.
b) individuals, most notably the Associations Past Presidents, as
counsellors or advisors to the Executive Committee or the Board of
Directors.
In both cases, such persons shall have voice in the meeting, but no vote.
6.2. The Vice-President. This person shall be a member in good standing,
and shall normally have been a member of the Board of Directors prior to or
during the term in which he or she is nominated and shall serve for two
years after election by the membership.

Consistency with current practices.

Should the position of Vice-President become vacant for any reason, then
one of the members of the Association shall be selected by majority vote of
the Board of Directors to act as Acting Vice-President until the end of the
term, with full responsibility for the privileges and obligations of this

Consistency with current practices.

Consistency with current practices.

Implementation of the yearly cycle.

The duties of the Vice-President shall include:

6.2.1. The organization or supervision of the organization
of conferences and special events with the support of the
Executive Council on behalf of the Association;
6.2.2. Those delegated to this office by the President or
Board of Directors; and
6.2.3. The duties of the President in the event of the
absence, incapacity, resignation, or death of the latter. In case
of the Presidents definitive resignation, the Vice-President
shall fulfill the remnant of his uncompleted term under the
title of Acting President.
6.3.
The Secretary-Treasurer. This person shall be a
member in good standing and shall normally have been a
member of the Board of Directors prior to or during the term
in which he or she is nominated and shall server for three (3)
years after election by the membership.
If for any reason the Secretary-Treasurer should become
unable to fulfill his or her duties during his or her term, a
replacement shall be chosen by the remaining members of
the Board of Directors to act as Secretary-Treasurer for the
remainder of the term.
The duties of the Secretary-Treasurer shall be to assume
responsibility for regular business of the Association Head
Office and to appoint, with the approval of the Executive
Committee, as many assistants as may be necessary. The
latter will be employees of the Association, who will
administer under his/her supervision, the following
provisions:
6.3.1. The conduct of official correspondence of
the Association;
6.3.2. The notification of the membership of meetings,
conferences, special events, and other business of the
Association.
6.3.3. The recording and distribution of minutes of
meetings of the membership, the Board of Directors, and
Executive Committee;
6.3.4. The maintenance of a membership roll and such
other records as are required for the conduct of the
Association;

position.
The duties of the Vice-President shall include:
6.2.1. The organization or supervision of the organization of Congress and
special events in consultation with the Executive Council and the Board
of Directors on behalf of the Association;
6.2.2. Those delegated to this office by the President or Board of Directors;
and
6.2.3. The duties of the President in the event of the absence, incapacity,
resignation, or death of the latter. In case of the Presidents definitive
resignation, the Vice-President shall fulfil the remnant of his uncompleted
term under the title of Acting President.

Consistency with current practices.

6.3. The Secretary. This person shall be a member in good standing and
shall normally have been a member of the Board of Directors prior to or
during the term in which he or she is nominated and shall serve for two (2)
years after election by the membership.

Implementation of the yearly cycle.

If for any reason the Secretary should become unable to fulfill his or her
duties during his or her term, a replacement shall be chosen by the
remaining members of the Board of Directors to act as Acting Secretary for
the remainder of the term, with full responsibility for the privileges and
obligations of this position.
The duties of the Secretary shall be:

Consistency with current practices.

6.3.1. to conduct the official correspondence of the Association;

6.3.2. to notifiy the membership of Congress, meetings, conferences,
special events, and other business of the Association.
6.3.3. to record and distribute the minutes of meetings of the membership,
the Board of Directors, and Executive Committee;
6.3.4. to maintain a membership roll and such other records as are required
for the conduct of the Association;

The positions of Secretary and Treasurer are being split and specific
duties assigned to each.

7
6.3.5. The collection and safekeeping of the funds of the
Association;
6.3.6. The formulation and distribution of financial and
other reports relating to the conduct of the business of the
Association prior to the General Meeting; and

6.3.7. Such other duties as may be delegated to that office

by the Executive Committee.

6.4.
The Executive Committee shall meet as often as is
required to fulfill the duties delegated to it by the Board of
Directors.

Deleted

See 6.4.2.

Deleted

See 6.4.3.

6.3.5. in conjunction with the Treasurer, to assume responsibility for regular

business of the Association Head Office and to appoint, with the approval of
the Executive Committee, the Office Coordinator and his/her assistants. The
latter will be employees of the Association, who will administer it under
his/her supervision.
6.3.6. to appoint, with the approval of the Executive Committee, as many
interns, graduate student assistants and volunteers as may be necessary.
6.3.7. Such other duties as may be delegated to that office by the Executive
Committee.
6.4. The Treasurer. This person shall be a member in good standing and
shall normally have been a member of the Board of Directors prior to or
during the term in which he or she is nominated and shall serve for two (2)
years after election by the membership.
If for any reason the Treasurer should become unable to fulfill his or her
duties during his or her term, a replacement shall be chosen by the
remaining members of the Board of Directors to act as Acting Treasurer for
the remainder of the term.
The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
6.4.1. Collect membership dues, donations, dues from special events
6.4.2. The collection and safekeeping of the funds of the Association;
6.4.3. to formulate and distribute the financial and other reports relating to
the conduct of the business of the Association prior to the General Meeting;
and
6.4.4. to review CALACS compliance with CRA and renew Charity Status
on an annual basis
6.4.5. Such other duties as may be delegated to that office by the Executive
Committee
6.5. The election of the members of the Executive Committee will follow
shall alternate over a two year period: the President and the Secretary will
be elected on odd years, the Vice-President and the Treasurer will be
elected on even years.
6.6. The Executive Committee shall meet as often as is required to fulfill the
duties delegated to it by the Board of Directors.

The positions of Secretary and Treasurer are being split and specific
duties assigned to each.

8
6.7. Other vacancies of the Executive Committee shall be filled by a
majority vote of the Board of Directors, provided that, at the next General
Meeting, the vacancy be permanently filled according to the provisions in
this Constitution.
6.8. No member of the Executive Committee shall receive any remuneration
for his/her services to the Association.
7. Board of Directors
7.1.
Persons sitting on the Board of Directors shall be
members in good standing of the Association. The Board of
Directors shall be composed of the Officers of the
Association, six (6) Members at Large, the Editor and the
Managing Editor of the Journal, and the past President.

7. Board of Directors
7.1. Persons sitting on the Board of Directors shall be members in good
standing of the Association. The Board of Directors shall be composed of
the Officers of the Association, six (6) members at large, 2 student
members, the Editor and the Managing Editor of the Journal, an ex-officio
member representing the institution hosting the Association and the past
President.

The Board of Directors shall be representative of the

regional structure of the Association and of the different
fields of Latin American and Caribbean studies.

The Board of Directors shall be representative of the regional structure of

the Association and of the different fields of Latin American and Caribbean
studies.
The Board is responsible for maintaining the connection between CALACS
and its members.
7.2. The duties of the Board of Directors shall be to supervise the
achievement of the purposes and functions of the Association as specified in
Article 3 of the Constitution with the advice of the Executive Committee.

7.2.
The duties of the Board of Directors shall be to
supervise the achievement of the purposes and functions of
the Association as specified in Article 3 of the Constitution
with the advice of the Executive Committee.
7.2.1. Making recommendations to the General Meeting
regarding membership dues;
7.2.2. Establishing the financial policies for the Journal,
appointing its Editors and Editorial Board, and receiving the
Report from them;
7.2.3. Reporting to the General Meeting on all matters
pertaining to its responsibility;
7.3.
Fifty percent (50%) of members of the Board shall
constitute a quorum for a meeting. Each member present at a
meeting shall have one vote, except that the President, or
Vice-President acting in his/her place, shall cast a vote only
in the event of a tie. Decisions shall be reached by majority
vote.
7.4.
Members at large shall be elected to three (3)-year
terms. Terms shall be on a rotating basis, with three (3)
persons elected each eighteen (18) months. They shall hold

Consistency with current practice.

Consistency with current practice.

Two student members and a representative of CALACS host

institution are added to the Board.

Consistency with current practice.

7.2.1. Making recommendations to the General Meeting regarding

membership dues;
7.2.2. Establishing the financial policies for the Journal, appointing its
Editors and Editorial Board, and receiving the Report from them;
7.2.3. Reporting to the General Meeting on all matters pertaining to its
responsibility;
7.3. Fifty percent (50%) of members of the Board shall constitute a quorum
for a meeting. Each member present at a meeting shall have one vote,
except that the President, or Vice-President acting in his/her place, shall cast
a vote only in the event of a tie. Decisions shall be reached by majority
vote.
7.4. Members at large shall be elected to two (2)-year terms. Terms shall be
on a rotating basis, with three (3) regular members and one (1) student
member elected every year. They shall hold office from the date and time

Implementation of the yearly cycle.

9
office from the date and time at which the Electoral Officer
reports their election to the General Meeting.
7.5.
A member of the Board of Directors shall be subject
to removal from office for just cause following a vote of
two-thirds (2/3) of the remaining members of the Board of
Directors.
7.6.
The office of a member of the Board of Directors
shall be automatically vacated:
7.6.1. If he/she shall resign his office by delivering a
written resignation to the Secretary-Treasurer of the
Association;
7.6.2. If he/she is found to be a lunatic or become
of unsound mind;
7.6.3. If he/she becomes bankrupt or suspends
payments of compounds with his creditors;
7.6.4. If at a specific general meeting of members a
resolution is passed by more than two-thirds (2/3) of the
members present at the meeting that he/she be removed from
office; or
7.6.5. On death.
7.7.
Vacancies for unexpired terms of non-executive
members of the Board of Directors shall be filled at the next
General Meeting, provided that the Board of Directors by
majority vote may, by appointment, fill the vacancy with a
member in good standing of the Association.
7.8.
No member of the Board of Directors shall receive
any remuneration for his/her services to the Association.
8. Elections
8.1.
Nominations for the offices of President, VicePresident, Secretary-Treasurer, and Members at large shall
be made from among the voting members in good standing.
All nominations require the supporting signatures of at least
two members in good standing of the Association. In the
event that insufficient nominations have been presented,
alternative candidates may be proposed at the General
Meeting with the support of the majority of the voting
membership.
8.2.
The President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer,
and Members at large shall be elected by secret ballot at the

at which the Electoral Officer reports their election to the General Meeting.
7.5. A member of the Board of Directors shall be subject to removal from
office for just cause following a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the remaining
members of the Board of Directors.
7.6. The office of a member of the Board of Directors shall be automatically
vacated:
7.6.1. If he/she shall resign his office by delivering a written resignation to
the Secretary of the Association;
Deleted

Irrelevant provisos

Deleted

Irrelevant provisos

7.6.2. If at a specific general meeting of members a resolution is passed by

more than two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at the meeting that
he/she be removed from office.
Deleted
7.7. Vacancies for unexpired terms of non-executive members of the Board
of Directors shall be filled at the next General Meeting. As an interim
measure, the Board of Directors by majority vote may, by appointment, fill
the vacancy with a member in good standing of the Association.

Irrelevant provisos

7.8. No member of the Board of Directors shall receive any remuneration

for his/her services to the Association.
8. Elections
8.1. Nominations for the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary,
Treasurer, and Members at large shall be made from among the voting
members in good standing. All nominations require the supporting
signatures of at least two members in good standing of the Association. In
the event that insufficient nominations have been presented, alternative
candidates may be proposed at the General Meeting with the support of the
majority of the voting membership.

8.2. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Members at

large shall be elected by secret ballot at the General Meeting.

Consistency with wording of the Constitution.

Consistency with wording of the Constitution.

10
General Meeting.
8.3.
An Electoral Officer appointed by the Board of
Directors shall supervise the electoral process. The Electoral
Officer must be a member of the Association. However,
he/she may neither vote for nor hold any position on the
Executive Committee during his/her mandate, except as
noted in paragraph 8.3.5 below. Appointment of the Electoral
Officer shall be made in conjunction with the General
Meeting and he/she shall hold the position until the next
General Meeting. Terms are renewable, and his/her duties
shall be:
8.3.1. The notification of all voting members of the call
for nominations for all positions to be filled;
8.3.2. Receiving the nominations and verifying their
eligibility with the Associations Head Office;
8.3.3. Preparing the ballots containing the names of the
persons approved by the Executive Committee for the
positions sought;
8.3.4. Collecting and counting the ballots and reporting
the results to the General Meeting; and
8.3.5. Casting the deciding vote in the event of a tie in the
election of members of the Board of Directors.
8.4.
In the event of failure of the Electoral Officer to
discharge his/her duties, the Executive Committee shall
appoint a new Electoral Officer.
9.
General Meeting
9.1.
A General Meeting of the voting members shall be
held once every eighteen (18) months, usually during the
course of the Conference.
9.2.
The General Meeting shall be convened by the
President.
9.3.
The membership shall be notified of the
nominations to the Board of Directors, and of the date, place,
and agenda of the General Meeting, at least two (2) weeks
prior to the holding of the meeting.
9.4.
Twenty-five (25) voting members shall constitute a
quorum for the General Meeting.
9.5.
Voting shall be by a show of hands, with the

Student members of the Board shall be elected exclusively by the

student members of the Association.
8.3. An Electoral Officer appointed by the Board of Directors shall
supervise the electoral process. The Electoral Officer must be a member of
the Association. However, he/she may neither vote for nor hold any position
on the Executive Committee during his/her mandate, except as noted in
paragraph 8.3.5 below. Appointment of the Electoral Officer shall be made
in conjunction with the General Meeting and he/she shall hold the position
until the next General Meeting. Terms are renewable, and his/her duties
shall be:

8.3.1. The notification of all voting members of the call for nominations for
all positions to be filled;
8.3.2. Receiving the nominations and verifying their eligibility with the
Associations Head Office;
8.3.3. Preparing the ballots containing the names of the persons approved
by the Executive Committee for the positions sought;
8.3.4. Collecting and counting the ballots and reporting the results to the
General Meeting; and
8.3.5. Casting the deciding vote in the event of a tie in the election of
members of the Board of Directors.
8.4. In the event of failure of the Electoral Officer to discharge his/her
duties, the Executive Committee shall appoint a new Electoral Officer.

9. General Meeting
9.1. A General Meeting of the voting members shall be held once every
year, usually during the course of the Congress.
9.2. The General Meeting shall be convened by the President.
9.3. The membership shall be notified of the nominations to the Board of
Directors, and of the date, place, and agenda of the General Meeting, at
least two (2) weeks prior to the holding of the meeting.
9.4. Twenty-five (25) voting members shall constitute a quorum for the
General Meeting.
9.5. Voting shall be by a show of hands, with the exception of the election

Implementation of the yearly cycle.

11
exception of the election of persons to or removal of persons
from the Board of Directors, which shall be conducted in
accordance with Articles 8 and 7.6.4 of this Constitution.
9.6.
A majority of the votes cast shall carry a motion,
with the exception of specific cases otherwise specified in
this Constitution.

of persons to or removal of persons from the Board of Directors, which

shall be conducted in accordance with Articles 8 and 7.6.2 of this
Constitution.
9.6. A majority of the votes cast shall carry a motion, with the exception of
specific cases otherwise specified in this Constitution.
9.7. The Board of Directors shall analyze the desirability and feasibility of
establishing electronic voting procedures in the future.

10.
Extraordinary General Meetings
10.1.
The Board of Directors or the President or VicePresident shall have the power to call, at any time, an
Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of the
Association. The Board of Directors shall call an
Extraordinary General Meeting of members on written
requisition of at least fifty (50) members in good standing.

10. Extraordinary General Meetings

10.1. The Board of Directors, the President or the Acting President shall
have the power to call, at any time, an Extraordinary General Meeting of the
members of the Association. The Board of Directors shall call an
Extraordinary General Meeting of members on written requisition of at least
fifty (50) members in good standing.

11.
Finances
11.1.
The Associations financial records shall be kept on
an annual, calendar-year basis. All references to year in
articles pertaining to financial matters in this Constitution
shall be interpreted to refer to the calendar year.
11.2.
The financial records of the Association shall be
audited at the end of each financial year by a firm of
chartered accountants to be selected by the Administrator in
consultation with the Executive Committee. This report shall
be submitted to the membership at the General Meeting.

11. Finances
11.1. The Associations financial records shall be kept on an annual,
calendar-year basis. All references to year in articles pertaining to financial
matters in this Constitution shall be interpreted to refer to the calendar year.
11.2. The financial records of the Association shall be reviewed at the end
of each financial year by a firm of chartered accountants to be selected by
the Office Coordinator in consultation with the Executive Committee. This
report shall be submitted to the membership at the General Meeting.

Consistency with current practice.

12.
Chapters
12.1.
Members of the Association living in one of the
geographical regions of Canada (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario,
Prairies, and BC & Yukon) may organize themselves as
regional Chapters of the Association.
12.2.
The objectives of these Chapters shall be to
promote the purposes of the Association in their specific
region.
12.3.
The creation of a Chapter and its constitution shall
be subject to endorsement by the General Meeting of the
Association.
12.4.
Each such Chapter shall hold a General Meeting at

Deleted
Deleted

These provisos are moot

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Consistency with wording of the Constitution.

12
which its officers shall be elected by secret ballot.
12.5.
Each such Chapter shall submit a report of its
activities to the General Meeting of the Association.
12.6.
If a particular Chapter has not held its own General
Meeting nor submitted reports to the Associations General
Meeting for two consecutive terms, it shall be deemed to be
dissolved.
13.
The Canadian Journal of Latin American and
Caribbean Studies
13.1.
The Canadian Journal of Latin American and
Caribbean Studies shall be the official publication of the
Association.
13.2.
It shall include contributions in English, French,
Portuguese, and Spanish and related to any of the fields of
interest of the membership.
13.3.
It shall be published under the responsibility of an
Editor, one or several Associate Editors, a Managing Editor,
and an Editorial Board appointed by the Board of Directors.
All such persons shall be members in good standing of the
Association.

13.4.
Members of the Editorial Board shall be appointed
for a term of three (3) years, which can be renewed by the
Board of Directors.
13.5.
The Editor and the Managing Editor shall be
appointed for a term of four (4) years, which can be renewed
by the Board of Directors.
13.6.
The Editor and the Managing Editor shall report
every eighteen (18) months to the Board of Directors or as
required.
14.
Amendments
14.1.
Only the General Meeting or an Extraordinary
General Meeting shall have the power to amend the
Constitution.
14.2.
Any voting member may propose amendments to
the Constitution.
14.3.
Notice of motion to prose amendments to the

Deleted
Deleted

12. The Canadian Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Studies

12.1. The Canadian Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Studies shall
be the official, peer reviewed publication of the Association.

The peer-reviewed nature of the Journal is given constitutional status.

12.2. It shall include contributions in English, French, Portuguese, and

Spanish and related to any of the fields of interest of the membership.
12.3. It shall be published under the responsibility of an Editor, one or
several Associate Editors, a Managing Editor, and an Editorial Board
appointed by the Editor and ratified by the Board of Directors. All such
persons shall be members in good standing of the Association.

Consistency with current practice.

12.4. It shall be published under the principles of transparency and

according to the highest standards of the publishing industry
12.5. Members of the Editorial Board shall be appointed for a term of three
(3) years, which can be renewed by the Board of Directors.
12.6. The Editor and the Managing Editor shall be appointed for a term of
four (4) years, which can be renewed by the Board of Directors.
12.7. The Editor and the Managing Editor shall report at each meeting of
the Board of Directors or as required.

13. Amendments
13.1. Only the General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting shall
have the power to amend the Constitution.
13.2. Any voting member may propose amendments to the Constitution.
13.3. Notice of motion to propose amendments to the Constitution shall be

Consistency with current practice.

13
Constitution shall be distributed to the membership at least
six (6) weeks in advance of the meeting at which such
amendments shall be considered.
14.4.
To be adopted, a motion to amend the Constitution
requires at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast.
14.5.
All constitutional amendments come into effect
upon approval of the Minister of Consumer and Corporate
Affairs of Canada.

distributed to the membership at least six (6) weeks in advance of the

meeting at which such amendments shall be considered.

15.
Dissolution
In case of dissolution of the Association, all assets shall be
returned to the donors in accordance with Article III (I) A
and B of the Tax and Revenue Bylaws.

14. Dissolution
In case of dissolution of the Association, all assets shall be returned to the
donors in accordance with Article III (I) A and B of the Tax and Revenue
Bylaws.

13.4. To be adopted, a motion to amend the Constitution requires at least a

two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast.
13.5. All constitutional amendments come into effect upon approval of the
competent department of the Government of Canada.

An order to avoid a constitutional amendment every time the names

and responsibilities of the different ministries change.