Bylaws of the Northeast Modern Language Association

I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
       The purpose of the Northeast Modern Language Association is to promote study, criticism, and research in the modern languages and literatures and to further the common interest of teachers and scholars in these disciplines.

II. GENERAL POLICY
       The Northeast Modern Language Association welcomes a diversity of interests and membership with the program of annual meeting and the editorial practices of Modern Language Studies reflecting this policy. Traditional academic concerns as well as non-traditional ones will be given to opportunity to find and maintain constituencies at the annual meeting, subject to the Program Committee's intervention to prevent duplication or to limit sections as may be required by the convention site.

III. MEMBERSHIP
       Teachers and scholars of modern languages (both those with academic affiliations and independent scholars) who are interested in the purposes of the Association may be admitted to membership on the payment of annual dues as established by the Executive Council and may be continued as members by annual payment of these dues. Registered students may become member upon payment of reduced annual dues. Members of the profession who are employed as adjuncts or who are unemployed may hold regular membership at a reduced rate, as established by the Executive Council, subject in matters of policy to the agreement of the membership. The term of the elected officers shall commence with the end of the annual general meeting in the year of their election.

IV. OFFICERS
       The officers of the Association shall be a President, a First Vice President, and a Second Vice President, each to serve for a non-renewable term of one year, and an Executive Director, to be appointed by the Executive Council for a three-year term renewable at the discretion of the Council. The Association shall be governed by its officers, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, subject in matters of policy to the agreement of the membership. The term of the elected officers shall commence with the end of the annual general meeting in the year of their election.

V. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
       The Executive Council shall be composed of the officers of the Association, six members of the Association elected at large, to serve for terms of three years, and as appropriate, representatives of caucuses within the Association. The term of the members shall commence with the end of the annual general meeting in the year of their election. The Editor or Editors of Modern Language Studies shall serve as ex officio member(s).

VI. STANDING COMMITTEES

A. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
       The Nominating Committee shall be composed of five members, including the First Vice President (chair), who shall serve a one-year term; the Executive Director; and three Association members elected for three-year terms. Each year, one new Association member shall be chosen by the membership at large so that the three-year terms are staggered, rather than concurrent. In the case of resignations by Associations members, replacements shall be elected to fill the unexpired term.

B. MODERN LANGUAGE STUDIES COMMITTEE
       1. The MLS Committee shall be composed of six members: the Executive Director, the Editor of Modern Language Studies, who is appointed to a three-year term; the Associate Editor of MLS, who is currently a member of NEMLA and who is appointed to a three-year term by the Executive Council; and three others selected by the editor of MLS in consultation with and approval by the NEMLA Board of Directors.  The chair of the committee will be designated by the President from among its membership. The Modern Language Studies Committee shall consider any and all revisions to the document (referred to in Article IX of these bylaws), setting forth specific details of publications and general editorial policy, and shall present any revisions of the document to the Executive Council and the editorial staff of Modern Language Studies for their mutual agreement. 2. The committee may also review any existing or proposed contract between NEMLA and a host institution for Modern Language Studies, and make non-biding recommendations to the executive, who shall have the power to sign contracts on behalf of the Association.

VII. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

A. SUCCESSION TO THE PRESIDENCY
       To ensure continuity, the First Vice President of the Association shall succeed to the Presidency, to serve for the next year. At that time, the Second Vice President shall become First Vice President. Their terms shall commence with the end of the annual general meeting in the year of their election. Should the First Vice President be unable to succeed to the presidency, the Second Vice President shall succeed, and the Nominating Committee shall elect another nominee from the membership to serve as Second Vice President.

B. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
       Each fall the Executive Director with the approval of the Executive Council shall circulate a ballot to the members of the Association. The ballot shall contain names and brief biographies of candidates for Second Vice President and for vacancies on the Executive Council and Nominating Committee. Ballots shall be returned to the Executive Director, who shall tally the vote.

C. REPRESENTATIVES OF CAUCUSES TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
       1. A caucus is defined as a group having some sort of political allegiance that is not limited by an interest in a particular author, literary period, or discipline but rather is focused on some common element of its members' lives. A Caucus is often interested in formulating and promoting institutional and societal policies that will, in some way, benefit its members and the community. The present caucuses include: Women's Caucus, Gay, and Lesbian Caucus, Graduate Student Caucus, Two-Year College Caucus and Adjunct Caucus.
      2. A caucus shall qualify for voting representation on the Executive Council when: a. it is formed by a substantial number of NEMLA members, b. when the caucus has met during the NEMLA conference to transact business and elect a representative, c. when it is approved by the executive council and d. caucus representatives to the Executive Council shall serve a three-year term.
      3. To be represented on the Council, a caucus must certify each year to the Council that it has met with a reasonable number in attendance and has elected a representative. Otherwise, representation shall be lost.
      4. Any caucus which can show satisfactory alternative evidence of democratic consultation amongst its membership may be exempted from meeting the requirement, and not withstanding the required meeting, a constituency which is shown not to consult democratically amongst its membership shall not be represented on the Executive Council.
      5. Members of NEMLA shall not be restricted to membership in one constituency only. However, officers and Executive Board representatives representing a caucus must be members of the constituency the caucus is meant to represent (ie., faculty members who teach at a four-year college cannot represent the Two-Year College Caucus; faculty members cannot represent the Graduate Student Caucus).
      6. The legitimate interest of any constituency is NEMLA's declared area(s) of concern and shall be subject to the Council's assessment; but, if the Executive Council refuses to accept a caucus representative, it must report its reasoning to the next annual general meeting, at which time its decision may be overturned.

VIII. DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS

A. THE PRESIDENT
       The President shall be responsible, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, for the administration of the Association. With the assistance of the First and Second Vice Presidents, the Executive Director, and the Program Committee, the President shall formulate plans for the annual scholarly convention according to procedures established from time by the Executive Council. The President shall call and preside over meetings of the Executive Council at least twice a year and shall assign members of the Council, with their consent, to positions on standing or ad hoc committees. The President shall be responsible for securing the keynote speaker for the convention they preside over.

B. THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
       The First Vice President shall assist the President by performing duties assigned by the President and shall, when necessary, assume the duties and responsibilities of the President. The First Vice President shall chair the Nominating Committee and shall share with the President, the Second Vice President, the Executive Director, and the Program Committee responsibility for the annual convention.

C. THE SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
       The Second Vice President shall assist the President and the First Vice President by performing duties assigned by them and shall, when necessary, assume their duties and responsibilities. The Second Vice President shall share with the President, the First Vice President, the Executive Director, and the Program Committee responsibility for the annual convention. Also, the Second Vice president will chair the Fellowship Committee

D. The EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
       The Executive Director shall be appointed for a three-year term, renewable, by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Council, and can be removed from office at any time by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Council. The Executive Director is responsible for the daily operations of the Association and oversees all support services for the work of the President and of the Executive Council and its committees, including all phases of planning the convention and publishing the newsletter and convention program. As chief financial officer, the Executive Director is responsible for all financial arrangements and transactions and is empowered to negotiate and sign contracts on behalf of the Association, in accordance with the policies established by the Executive Council and proportionate to the income and assets of the Association. The Executive Director serves on the Nominating Committee, the Program Committee, and the Modern Language Studies Committee as well as serving as Managing Editor of Modern Language Studies. The Executive Director shall represent the Association at meetings of the MLA Delegate Assembly.

E. THE PAST PRESIDENT
       To ensure an amount of stability, the Past President will serve in an advisory capacity for the current year's president. In addition, the Past President will serve as Chair of the Book Award Committee.

E. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS
       Members of the Executive Council shall carry out the assignments the President requests and shall present reports, when appropriate, to the Council. A Council member who misses two consecutive meetings, in the absence of serious extenuating circumstances, may be dropped from the Council and replaced for the duration of the Council member's term by an appointee designated by the Executive Council.

F. LOCAL HOST COMMITTEE
       The Local Host Committee shall prepare the registration packet, staff the registration table, and provide for local publicity. A small stipend will be offered in return for services rendered during the convention.

G. EDITOR OR EDITORS OF MODERN LANGUAGE STUDIES
       The Editor, or Editors, appointed by the Executive Council, shall edit and publish Modern Language Studies in accordance with the terms of the agreement and the publication dates established. As ex officio members of the Executive Council, they shall attend meetings of that body, participate in its deliberations, serve on the Modern Language Studies Committee, and inform the Council, as necessary and appropriate, of matters related to Modern Language Studies, including the journal's budget. The editor, or Editors, and the editorial board shall maintain membership in NEMLA.

IX. MODERN LANGUAGE STUDIES
       The official journal of the Association shall be Modern Language Studies. Specific details of publication and general editorial policy are determined by mutual agreement of the Executive Council and the editorial staff and are set forth in a separate document in the office of the Executive Director.

X. CONFERENCE PROGRAMS
       The President, First and Second Vice President, Executive Director, and Program Committee shall have carry out this responsibility for arranging conference and planning their programs. They shall carry out this responsibility in accordance with specific policies and procedures established from time to time by the Executive Council.

XI. THE FISCAL YEAR AND THE MEMBERSHIP YEAR

A. THE FISCAL YEAR
       The fiscal year shall begin on 1 July end on 30 June.

B. THE MEMBERSHIP YEAR
       The membership year shall begin on 1 March and shall end on 29 February (note: effective 2005-06, the membership year shall begin on 1 December and shall end on 30 Nov.)  Each person joining will receive the remaining issues of the NEMLA newsletter, depending on when they join, and the remaining year's subscription to Modern Language Studies,  depending on when they join, and may propose panels for the annual convention.

XII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
       The rules contained in Roberts's Rules of Order Revised shall govern the proceedings of this organization in all cases to which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.

III. AMENDMENTS TO THESE BYLAWS

A. These bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Association. A two-thirds vote of those qualified to vote and voting at such a meeting is required to amend.

B. A member wishing to amend the bylaws shall send the proposed amendment to the Executive Director, who shall report it at the next meeting of the Executive Council. If the proposed amendment is adopted by the Executive Council, it shall be then subject to ratification by the membership at the earliest practicable date and in no case later than the next annual meeting. If the Executive Council disagrees with the proposed amendment, the proposing member may bring the amendment forward at the next annual general meeting, provided that the membership is circulated with the text at least one calendar month before the annual general meeting. The Executive Director shall provide the proposer of the amendment with membership lists upon request and, subject to mailing deadlines, shall circulate the text of the proposed amendment, together with such comments as the Executive Director deems appropriate, with the convention program.

C. The bylaws of the Association may by modified, amended, or changed by the Executive Council, effective immediately, subject to ratification by the membership as described in (A) above.

D. In the case of (B) above, written notice of the proposed amendment shall be mailed to each member at least fifteen (15) days prior to the annual meeting.

XIV. ANNUAL MEETING
       The Association shall hold an annual business meeting and scholarly conference at a time and place set by the Executive Council in accordance with its established policies and procedures, as described in the bylaws.

Section 1.01 Relevant Bylaws

(a) Article V: Executive Council: The Executive Council shall be composed of the officers of the Association, six members of the Association elected at large, to serve for terms of three year, and as appropriate, representatives of caucuses within the Association. The Editor or Editors of Modern Language Studies shall serve as ex officio member (s).

(b) Article IV: Officers: The officers of the Association shall be a President, a First Vice President, and a Second Vice President, each to serve for a non-renewable term of one year, and an Executive Director, to be appointed by the Executive Council for a three-year term renewable at the discretion of the Council. The Association shall be governed by its officers, with the advice and consent of Executive Council, subject in matters of policy to the agreement of the membership. The term of the officers shall commence with the end of the annual general meeting in the year of their election.

(c) Article VIII: Duties of Officers and Council Members: Section A: The President:
      The President shall be responsible, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, for the administration of the Association. With the assistance of the First and Second Vice Presidents, the Executive Director, and the Program Committee, the President shall formulate plans for the annual scholarly convention according to procedures established from time to time by the Executive Council. The President shall call and preside over meetings of the Executive Council at least twice a year and shall assign members of the Council, with their consent, to positions on standing or ad hoc committees. The President shall chair the Program Committee.

(d) Article VIII: Duties of Officers and Council Members: Section E: Members of the Executive Council shall carry out assignments the President requests and shall present reports, when appropriate, to the Council. A Council member who misses two consecutive meetings, in the absence of serious extenuating circumstances, may be dropped from the Council and replaced for the duration of the Council member's term by an appointee designated by the Executive Council.

(e) Article VII: election and Nominations: Section C: Representatives of Caucuses to the Executive Council.
(i) Item 2. A caucus shall qualify for voting representation on the Executive Council when: a. it is formed by a substantial number of NEMLA members, b. when the caucus has met during the NEMLA conference to transact business and elect a representative, c. when it is approved by the Executive Council and d. caucus representatives to the Executive Council shall serve a three-year term.
(ii) Item 3. To be represented on the Council, a caucus must certify each year to the Council that it has met wit ha reasonable number in attendance and has elected a representative. Otherwise, representation shall be lost.
(iii) Item 4. Any caucus which can show satisfactory alternative evidence of democratic consultation amongst its membership may be exempted from meeting the requirement, and not with standing the required meeting, a constituency which is shown not to consult democratically amongst its membership shall not be represented on the Executive Council.
(iv) Item 6. The legitimate interest of any constituency is NEMLA's declared area(s) of concern and shall be subject to the Council's assessment; but, if the Executive Council refuses to accept a caucus representative, it must report its reasoning to the next annual general meeting, at which time its decision may be overturned.

      Section 1.02 Composition

(a) The executive council is composed of four groups: elected officers, directors, caucus representatives, and ex officio members.

(b) The elected officers are the president, the first vice president, and the second vice president. As described in the policies for the nominating committee, they represent the major languages.

(c) There are six directors. Two represent English and American literature, one represents each of the major languages and literatures: French, German, Spanish, and Italian.

(d) There is one representative for each of the four caucuses: Graduate Student, Gay and Lesbian, Two-Year College, and Women's.

(e) There are two ex officio members: the executive director and editor of Modern Language Studies.

      Section 1.03 Terms

(a) Terms are staggered for the elected officers and directors so that a new vice presidents, a new director of English and American literature, and a new director of modern languages enters each year.

(b) Caucus representatives are selected by their respective caucuses for three-year terms.

(c) The executive director and the editor of MLS are appointed by the council to renewable, three-year terms.

(d) Elected terms are nonrenewable, and the president is not allowed to succeed him or herself as president.

(e) Terms begin and terminate with the end of the convention, i.e.' Saturday at midnight.

(f) By vote of the council, terms may be extended for a period not to exceed one year. The single exception is that of the elected officers who may not succeed themselves.

(g) By vote of the Council, council members may be terminated for failure to attend two consecutive meetings. The council will then appoint a replacement to complete that term, ensuring that terms remain staggered.

(h) By vote of the council, the executive director and editor of MLS may be terminated for incompetence or failure to perform.

Article 2. Responsibilities
      Section 2.01 Elected Officers

(a) As a body, the elected officers are responsible for the governance of the association. Ultimately, any decision they make must be approved by vote of the executive council at the very next semiannual meeting of the executive council, but in the interim, they may make any decision required for the health or advancement of the association. All large, unbudgeted purchases (greater than $250) must be approved by the officers, and officers must be kept informed of any significant events.

(b) President: The President has final authority in governance. The president presides over and sets the agenda for meetings of the executive council, of the officers, as well as for the annual business meeting at the convention. After asking for volunteers, the president appoints council members to all committees and assigns a chair for each. The president's other great responsibility is planning the program for the annual convention. Working closely with the local host committee and the program committee, the president plans special opportunities for scholarship and social interaction, including general sessions, special sessions, special sessions, special sequences, Sunday workshops, and evening entertainment. In all of this, the executive director is responsible for logistics while the president is responsible for the vision. The president is finally responsible for the advancement of scholarship in the modern languages and literatures as expressed in the convection and the journal. At the semiannual meeting of the executive council, the president must present a report should be mailed to each council member at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

(c) Vice Presidents: The duty of the vice presidents is to assist the president and executive council whenever required, filling in for the president when needed. Their chief responsibility is to begin planning the convention over which they will preside by working with the local host committee and finding speakers for the general sessions, special sessions, special sequences, and Sunday workshops and events. Their goal is to make their convention a unique contribution to the field of literary study. At the semiannual meeting of the executive council, the vice presidents must each present a report detailing the progress on the convention plans. A copy of this report should be mailed to each council member at least two weeks prior to the meeting. The first vice president serves as chair of the nominating committee.

      Section 2.02. Directors

(a) The directors serve on NEMLA's committees. These are the Modern Language Studies committee, the book awards committee, the fellowships committee, and the ad hoc committee on professional standards. Committee chairs should mail a copy of a report detailing the activities of the committee to each council member at least two weeks prior to a meeting of the executive council. At each meeting, whether of the council or of a committee, the directors should represent the interests of the membership as a whole as well as of their particular language constituency. As the officers plan the conventions, the directors should make sure that each language is fairly represented, and they should work to help the officers find speakers and pursue possibilities.

      Section 2.03 Caucus Representatives

(a) The representatives share the directors' responsibilities as described in Section 2.02. In addition, they serve as liaisons to their caucuses, explaining the actions of the executive council.

(b) At the October business meeting of the executive council, the caucus representatives must each present a report describing the activities of the caucus. The representatives should mail a copy of the report to each council member at least two weeks prior to the meeting. This report must include evidence for the continuance of the caucus as described in the bylaws (see 1.01.e, above, especially item 3). This evidence includes attendance at caucus events and election report that includes the number of votes cast and description of the procedure for the selection of the candidates.

(c) Each fiscal year, NEMLA budgets $300 for the maintenance of each caucus. This amount must be spent within the fiscal year and does not roll over. The caucus representative works directly with the executive director in the spending of these monies.

(d) Each caucus has been given one slot on the convention program. Caucuses that want to have additional slots may request the executive director for them.

(e) Caucuses frequently plan social events at the convention. The planning of these events should be coordinated with the executive director and with the hotel's convention services manager.

      Section 2.04 Ex Office Members

(a) Executive director: In addition to the duties described elsewhere, the executive director has the following responsibilities toward the executive council. The executive director is an ex officio member of the nominating committee, and the Modern Language Studies committee and also attends officers meetings. The executive director supplies whatever support is required by the activities of the executive council, maintains the NEMLA handbook, and makes travel arrangements for committee and council meetings. The executive director must ensure that elected officers remain informed about critical issues and must consult with the elected officers before making significant decisions. Large, unbudgeted purchases (greater than $250) must first be approved by the elected officers. At least two weeks before each meeting of the executive council, the executive director must mail each council member a copy of the agenda prepared by the president, any supporting materials for the meeting, and a report detailing his or her activities. This report includes information on finances, membership, the office, and the newsletter. The October report includes a detailed analysis of the convention. As managing editor of Modern Language Studies, the executive director also prepares and circulated a report describing the finances and subscribers of the journal.

(b) Editor of Modern Language Studies: In addition to the duties describe elsewhere, the editor must mail to each council member two weeks each semiannual meeting a report that includes information on publication dates, plans for future issues, and submissions received.

Article 3.Travel
      Section 3.01 Principles

(a) If, in order to make a meeting on time, a council member must arrive a night earlier, then NEMLA will pay for that night at the convention hotel.

(b) Travel by automobile to the October meeting is reimbursed at $0.28 per mile, including all tolls.

      Section 3.02 Practice

(a) Generally, council members receive one night at the convention.

(b) Generally, at the convention, the executive director receives three nights, and the president and the second vice president each receives two nights. The rationale is that the president has to run the council meeting Thursday night and the business meeting Friday night. The second vice president receives Thursday night for the council meeting and Saturday night for the nominating committee meeting Sunday morning, when the second vice president becomes the first vice president.

Article 4. Semiannual Meetings of the Executive Council
      Section 4.01 October Business Meeting

(a) Time and place: the October business meeting usually takes place at the upcoming convention site on a Saturday in October.

(b) Schedule of meetings (i) 10:00 a.m., Hotel tour: The president and the executive director tour the premises with the hotel's convention services manager. Together, they discuss the best locations for registration, special events, and regular sessions. All other council members are invited to participate in the tour. Caucus representatives are encouraged to meet with the convention services manager now or sometime later if they are planning onsite events. (ii) 11:00 a.m., Officers meeting: The president, first and second vice president, and the executive director meet to discuss the upcoming council meeting and any other business. (iii) 12:30 p.m., Lunch: The president and executive director meet with new council members in the hotel restaurant to discuss their new role. Other council members are invited to attend this meeting. (iv) 1:30 p.m., MLS Committee meeting: The editor, associate editor, and managing editor will meet with two council members to discuss the health of and plans for MLS as well as the work of the editorial board. (v) 3:00 p.m., Executive Council meeting: All members of the executive council will meet at this time.

(c). Purpose of the Business Meeting: In addition to the regular business of the executive council, this meeting has these special agenda items. (i) Meet with Local Host Committee: The first item on the agenda is to meet with a representative of the local host committee who will describe the plans for the upcoming convention. (ii) Elections to fill vacancies on committees. (iii) Site search: The council should provide a list of possible convention sites for the convention three years hence. (iv) Approval of the budget: The executive director must submit a budget detailing expected revenues and expenses for the year currently in progress (i.e., the fiscal year that began in July). (v) Approval of caucuses: The caucuses must submit a report detailing attendance and elections at the previous convention. (vi) Interviews, appointments, and reappointments: If the terms of the then the council should meet candidates or vote on reappointment at this meeting.

      Section 4.02 April Meeting

(a) Time and place: The meeting takes place in the convention hotel on the Thursday that immediately precedes the convention.

(b) Schedule of meetings: (i) 10:30 a.m., Preconvention meeting: The executive director will meet with the heads of the hotel staff to discuss the convention. Caucus representatives are encouraged to meet with the convention services manager now or sometime later if they are planning onsite events. (ii) 12:00 noon, Lunch: The president, first and second vice president, and the executive director meet to discuss the upcoming meeting and any other business. (iii) 1:30 p.m., MLS Committee meeting: The editor, associate editor, and managing editor will meet with two council members to discuss the health of and plans for MLS as well as the work of the editorial board. (iv) 3:00 p.m., Executive Council meeting: All members of the executive council will meet at this time.

(c) Purpose of the council meeting: In addition to the regular business of the executive council, the council will rank in order of preference the convention bids that have been received so that the executive director can pursue a local host.

(a) Article III: Membership: Teachers and scholars of modern languages (both those with academic affiliations and independent scholars) who are interested in the purposes of the Association may be admitted to membership on the payment of annual by annual dues as established by the Executive Council and may be continued as members by annual payment of these dues. Registered students may become members upon payment of reduced annual dues. Members of the profession who are employed as adjuncts or who are unemployed may hold regular membership at a reduce rate, as established by the Executive Council. Libraries may join as non-voting institutional members.

(b) Article XI, Section B: Membership Year: The membership year shall begin on 1 March and shall end on 29 February (note: effective 2005-06, the membership year shall begin on 1 December and shall end on 30 Nov.). Each person joining will receive the remaining issues of the NEMLA newsletter, depending on when they join, and the remaining year's subscription to Modern Language Studies, depending on when they join, and may propose panels for the annual convention.

      Section 1.02 Definition

(a) Persons receiving any one of the numerous benefits offered by NEMLA must be a member of the association before receiving that benefit. Such benefits include but are not limited to reception of NEMLA publications and mailings; participation in the convention program; publication in MLS or the Newsletter; reception of a NEMLA award, prize, or grant; or placement on the Executive Council, the MLS Editorial Board, or the MLS Advisory Board. However, one need not be a member to attend sessions at the convention.

(b) While benefit recipients must be members, the timing of membership differs from one case to another, as set forth in policies elsewhere. (For example, one must be a member before one can submit a session proposal, but one need not be a member in order to apply for the American Antiquarian Society Fellowship. These recipients must instead become members as a condition of the award.)

(c) Memberships may be paid or complimentary. In either case, all members receive all NEMLA mailings. (Please note that institutional subscribers to MLS are not considered members.) Complimentary memberships can only be granted by the President, Executive Director, or Editor, who must first receive permission from the officers of the association. Complimentary memberships are usually granted (1) as recognition for service, (2) as part of an ongoing relationship, or (3) because someone has been invited to participate in the convention program or in MLS. (For example, MLA and the other regionals have received complimentary memberships as part of our ongoing relationship, and the keynote speaker receives a complimentary membership because he or she has been invited to participate in the convention.) The intent of this third type of complimentary membership, which is usually granted for a single year, is to build membership. We hope that the receipt of further mailings will entice a keynote speaker into further participation in the association. Such complimentary memberships should always be accompanied by a welcoming letter from the President or Executive Director.

(d) Persons from the local host institution who are staffing the convention registration table need not become members unless they plan to present their work at the convention. Staffers are welcome to attend any sessions.

(e) As described in Article III of the bylaw, membership in NEMLA is restricted to scholars and graduate students. Undergraduates are not eligible for membership and thus are not allowed to present papers at the convention. However, the program committee can make exceptions when undergraduates are part of a roundtable discuss pedagogy. These undergraduate participants do not receive other benefits of NEMLA membership.

(f) NEMLA and the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association (PAMLA) have a special relationship whereby our members do not have to pay dues when we participate in each other's conventions mailings but are not eligible for any other NEMLA benefits except paper prizes. The same is true when NEMLA members present at PAMLA conventions

      Section 1.03 Membership Dues

(a) Beginning in March 1999, the dues for full-time employed members will be $55. The dues for students, part-time employed, and retired members will be $30. The dues for departmental and joint memberships is $80.

      Section 1.04 Membership Year

(a) The membership year is March through February of each year (note: effective 2005-06, the membership year shall begin on 1 December and shall end on 30 November).

(b) Even those who become members in February in order to propose a session must renew in March.  The membership year shall begin on 1 March and shall end on 29 February (note: effective 2005-06, the membership year shall begin on 1 December and shall end on 30 November).

      Section 1.05 Mailings

(a) Upon payments of dues, members receive the most recent issue of the Newsletter and any other relevant, informational mailings. They also receive the October and April issues of MLS produced during that membership year.

(b) The June Newsletter, which includes the Call for Papers, is mailed to current and lapsed members from the previous year in order to provide a better response to the call.

      Section 1.06 Renewals

(a) The June Newsletter, which includes the Call for Papers, serves as the renewal notice for members. It is the last regular mailing of the membership year.

      Section 1.07 Penalties

(a) As of October 1999, there is a surcharge for membership received after December 1 of $10; and, one cannot be listed on the convention program without first becoming a member.

Article 2. Convention Registration
       Section 2.01 Definition (a) All convention participants must register for the convention.

(b) Registration fees are waived for exhibitors, registration table staff, the general public, and particular invited speakers.

      Section 2.02 Registration Fees

(a) The registration fee is $100 for full-time employed members; $75 for all others (students, part-time employed, and retired members); there will be a $10 late fee charged for anyone registering after 1 December.

      Section 2.03 Penalties

(a) Registration fees are due by 1 December.

(b) Convention participants (i.e., those presenting papers and chairing sessions) will be surcharged after that date in the amount of $10.

2. Within the association, NEMLA actively promotes diversity in the composition of its governance structure, in its convention programming, and in its publications.

3. As of October 1998, NEMLA will no longer enter a relationship with any host institution that will not equally respect all four of NEMLA's caucuses. In particular, NEMLA expects any host institution to provide and distribute in the convention folder a list of restaurants and night spots for the Gay and Lesbian Caucus.