— GOVERNANCE

NYASA Bylaws

Drafted November 2, 1973 · Amended June 2, 2019 · Amended February 16, 2026

Articles

I – Purposes & Aims

II – Membership & Dues

III – Rules of Procedure

VIII – Meetings & Quorums

IX – Secretariat

X – Elections

XI – Amendments

ARTICLE I

Purposes and Aims

NYASA was established as a response to the convergence of events: African independence campaigns and attainments in the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, the SUNY System Area Studies Program, and the convention of African enthusiasts in Syracuse, New York on November 2, 1973.

ARTICLE II

Membership and Dues

Membership of NYASA will be open to all those having a scholarly or professional interest in Africa and the African diaspora. Types of membership include faculty, individual, representative of institution or agency, and student. Annual dues will be charged as established by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE III

Rules of Procedure

Participation in meetings of NYASA will be open to all NYASA members. Any organizations with an interest in African Studies may send observers to meetings. Voting at meetings will be open only to paid NYASA members.

ARTICLE IV

Officers

Executive Committee (EXCOM) comprises the President (Chairperson), Vice President, VP for Publications, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President, and Chair of the Advisory Council. EXCOM maintains daily operations and ensures bylaws are faithfully executed.

President: Elected at annual meeting; serves two years; no more than two consecutive terms. Serves as Executive Officer, Chairperson of the Executive Board and Executive Committee.

Vice President: Elected at annual meeting; serves two years. Acts as Chairperson when President is unavailable. Primary intermediary between the Executive Board and Local Organizing Committee.

Treasurer: Elected at annual meeting; serves two years. Oversees finances, financial records, and online/onsite conference registration, including PayPal and credit card processing.

Secretary: Elected at annual meeting; serves two years. Prepares minutes of Executive Committee and Annual Business Meetings.

Advisory Council: Comprises seasoned Africanists, educators, business leaders, and policymakers. Appointed by the Executive Committee. Provides strategic advice, mentorship, and assists with fundraising.

ARTICLE V

Code of Conduct

Executive Committee members must act in the organization’s best interest, avoiding improper acts, cronyism, nepotism, bribery, corruption, and negligence. All members must demonstrate truthful, transparent, and incorruptible conduct, treating all individuals with dignity and avoiding discrimination or harassment.
Any member who engages in violation of the NYASA Bylaws will be reprimanded, ostracized, excommunicated, and have their membership privileges revoked.

ARTICLE VI

Impeachment

Executive Board members and appointees will be removed from office on impeachment for high misconduct, malfeasance, nonfeasance, or other high crimes. The impeachment process will be conducted by at least seven members of the NYASA Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII

Committees

Executive Committee: Assists the President in carrying out responsibilities and reviews conference budgets.

Publications Committee: Appointed by the Executive Board; responsible for acquisition and editing of manuscripts, publishing the NYASA Journal, and reviewing publications for Book Awards. No more than eight members.

Elections Committee: Three individuals — at least one Executive Board Member and one non-Executive Board Member.

NYASA may establish additional subcommittees and ad hoc committees as deemed necessary. Members may also create caucuses to promote productive exchange.

ARTICLE VIII

Meetings, Agenda, and Quorums

ARTICLE IX

Secretariat

NYASA maintains a Secretariat at an academic institution in New York State for maintaining membership records, receiving mail, responding to queries, and other assigned responsibilities. The Secretariat is composed of the President, Vice President, Archivist, Treasurer, and Web Manager. Currently located at SUNY Geneseo, Black and Africana Studies Program.

ARTICLE X

Elections

Elections shall be by secret ballot at the annual meeting of NYASA. Following a slate of candidates presented by the Elections Committee, nominations may also be accepted from the floor. A majority of votes cast by members present constitutes election. Only members up-to-date with their memberships will have a vote.

ARTICLE XI

Amendments

Amendments shall be proposed by a member or members of the Executive Committee and approved by two thirds of that body’s membership. Amendments shall be ratified through informed consent of the general membership assembly by a simple majority.

Drafted and ratified November 2, 1973; Reviewed and Amended June 2, 2019; Reviewed and Amended February 16, 2026.