Article IV: OFFICERS

1. President: The President will be elected at the annual meeting of NYASA and shall serve for one year. No President may serve more than two consecutive terms in that office. The President will serve as the Executive Officer of NYASA and the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of NYASA. With the approval of the Executive Committee, the President shall call meetings, conferences, conversations, workshops, etc. The President shall normally preside at such meetings but may delegate this function to the Vice President, or if s/he is unable to preside, to any other member of the Executive. The President will coordinate the activities of the subcommittees of NYASA and will serve as liaison between NYASA and other bodies interested in African Studies. The President shall carry out the wishes and directives of NYASA.

2. Immediate Past President: The Immediate Past President will remain a voting member of the Executive Committee for one year to help in transition of duties.

3. Vice President: The Vice President will be elected at the annual meeting of NYASA and shall serve for one year. The Vice President will act as Chairperson whenever the President is unable to function. S/he shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee and shall assist the President in the performance of duties.

4. Secretary: The Secretary will be elected at the annual meeting of NYASA and shall serve for one year. The Secretary shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee and as its Secretary. S/he shall prepare the minutes of the NYASA Executive Committee and Annual Business Meetings, maintain membership cards, and perform such duties as are requested by the Executive Committee or the President.

5. Treasurer: The Treasurer will be elected at the annual meeting of NYASA and shall serve for one year. The Treasurer shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee. S/he shall oversee the finances and the financial records of NYASA. The Treasurer shall submit a financial report at Executive Committee Meetings and at the annual business meeting.

6. At-Large Members: Six at-large members (3 elected at the annual meeting and 3 appointed by the Executive Committee) may be drawn from among the NYASA membership. At-large members should be selected to assure representation of public and private institutions, of universities and colleges, high schools, and other public and private institutions concerned with African Studies.

7. Student Representative: In addition to the six at-large members there will also be a student representative who will be a student member of NYASA. S/he will be elected at the annual meeting and serve for one year.

8. Secretariat Director: The Secretariat Director shall attend Executive Committee meetings as a voting member. S/he will maintain membership and financial records and perform such duties as requested by the Executive Committee or the President.

9. NYASA Newsletter: An editor or co-editors for the newsletter shall be appointed by the Executive Committee to prepare at least two issues a year, with the aid of Executive Committee members and the Secretariat. S/he/they shall be voting members of the Executive Committee.

10. Local Arrangements Chair: The organizing committee at the site of the next annual conference shall choose a chair who will become a voting member of the NYASA Executive Committee. The Chair shall present a conference date, a call for papers, and a budget for review by the Executive Committee. Expenses should equal the amount raised locally, and the NYASA advance along with dues collected will be returned to NYASA along with a final report.

11. Provision for filling vacancies: In case of resignation or termination of service by an officer, the Executive Committee will be empowered to appoint a member of NYASA to serve the remaining period of service of that officer.

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