The name of this organization shall be the Middle Atlantic Archaeological Conference, Incorporated.

The purposes of the Conference shall be:

To encourage, and serve as a forum for, archaeologists to exchange knowledge on the archaeology of the Middle Atlantic region;

To publish, and/or encourage, the publication of, the general results of archaeological research in the Middle Atlantic region;

To identify significant research problems and develop strategies by which such questions can be approached;

To promote the dissemination of archaeological data to a wide audience, including the general public. 

Section 1. Membership in this Conference shall be open to any individual or institution sympathetic with the purposes in ARTICLE II upon the formal application and payment of specific dues.

Section 2. Members are entitled to attend and/or participate in Conference meetings, upon payment of the annual dues and Conference Registration fees. Upon payment of the specific dues, each membership category shall receive one copy of the Conference’s publications and communications. Individual members are granted the right to one vote while joint members receive one vote each. Institutional members are not granted the right to vote.

Section 3. Membership in this Conference shall consist of four categories: Individual, Joint, Student, and Institutional. Joint membership is available to any two individuals sharing the same residence. Proof of student status shall consist of submitting an image of a current, valid student identification card.

Section 4. Annual dues shall be determined by majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section 5. No member shall have the power to incur any debt in the Corporation’s name unless authorized by the Executive Board.

Section 6. No member shall be personally liable for payment of the Corporation’s debts except as they may be liable by reason of their own conduct or acts.

Section 1. The administration and operation of the Corporation shall be carried out by the elected Officers and an Executive Board, who shall be members in good standing.

Section 2. The Officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President, President-Elect, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Secretary, plus the immediate Past-President.

Section 3. The President shall preside over all meetings.

Section 4. The President-Elect shall serve as Vice-President and exercise the duties of the President in the absence of the President.

Section 5. If neither of these officers is present, the Executive Board shall elect one of its own members as President pro tempore.

Section 6. The Recording Secretary shall be the custodian of the records for the Conference, including preparation of minutes of all meetings.

Section 7. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all funds of this Conference. The Treasurer shall pay all Corporation expenditures that have been approved in advance by the Executive Board.

Section 8. The membership Secretary shall maintain the Official Membership List, which shall be made accessible by the Executive board.

Section 9. The immediate Past-President shall serve on the Board as a non-voting member and remain involved in the Conference in an advisory capacity. 

Section 1. The five elected officers and two members-at-large shall compose the voting members of the Executive Board. One member-at-large will be appointed by the elected officers of the Corporation (President, President-elect, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Membership Secretary) and shall serve a two-year term. The elected-members of the Executive Board will vote to appoint a member-at-large. One member-at large shall be the Student Committee Chairperson, which is an annually elected position, voted on by the student membership. There shall be no limit on terms for any member of the Executive Board, except President, Past-President, President-Elect, and Student Chair, which are limited to one term.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall generally conduct the business of the Corporation. If a member is on the Board in more than one capacity, they are entitled to only one vote.

Section 3. A simple majority of the authorized board shall constitute a quorum.

Section 4. A simple majority of this quorum shall constitute an official act of the Corporation, subject only to possible veto or amendment of any action by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at the annual business meeting.

Section 5. The Board shall meet at the call of the President (not less than once per year) or at the written request of at least four members of the Board.

Section 6. The Executive Board can meet and vote through online, electronic means throughout the year. 

Section 1. On odd years, one year before an election, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee to prepare a slate of nominees, who are in good standing, to submit to the Executive Board by the end of that calendar year. The slate of nominees shall consist of President-Elect, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Secretary.

Section 2. In addition to solicited nominations, the Nominating Committee will put out a call for self-nominations. The Nominating Committee shall obtain the consent of the nominees before submitting their names for election.

Section 3. Voting will take place online polling via secure means at least 30 days before a regular annual meeting. Only members in good standing can vote. The membership shall be allowed two weeks to vote.

Section 4. Officers shall be elected by a simple majority. Ties resolved by coin flip at the annual conference, unless one candidate elects to concede.

Section 5. Officers shall be elected for two-year terms, starting at the end of the business meeting that year, with elections held in even numbered years. The President-Elect shall become President for the ensuing two-year term. 

Section 1. There shall be an annual meeting of the Conference that may include, but not be limited to, the presentation of formal papers, round-table discussions, and workshops. Dates of the Conference shall be determined one calendar year in advance by a majority of the members present at the meeting.

Section 2. The President shall annually appoint a Program Chairperson(s) and the Arrangements Chairperson(s) for the next Annual Conference Meeting. These Chairperson(s) shall serve on the Executive Board with voice but without vote.
The Program Chairperson(s) shall arrange for the Annual Conference, selecting session Chairpersons, compiling the meeting’s program and abstracts, and handling all matters pertaining thereto in such organization.
The Arrangements Chairperson(s) shall, on behalf of the organization, obtain meeting space for the sessions, with proper accoutrements, organize registration information, and obtain meeting space for the Annual Business Meeting held during one evening of the Annual Conference.

Section 3. The President with the concurrence of the Executive Board, shall as necessary appoint a person to serve as “webmaster” and maintain the Conference internet presence. This person shall serve on the Executive Board with voice but no vote.

Section 4. The President with the concurrence of the Executive Board, shall as necessary appoint a person to serve as Student Paper Advisor. The Student Paper Advisor shall oversee a small committee of volunteers who are responsible for the operation of the Student Paper Contest. The Student Paper Advisor will report to the Executive Board.

Section 5. The President, with the concurrence of the Executive Board, shall appoint as necessary two persons to serve as in addition to the treasurer to oversee the account of the MAAC Meeting Scholarship Fund. The MAAC Meeting Scholarship Fund is established to provide funds to cover the cost of Annual Meeting Attendance for students. The Treasurer will report back to the Board on any actions taken by this group.

Section 6. The President shall form ad-hoc committees, as from time to time may be deemed necessary, to conduct specific business of the Conference.

Section 7. The annual meeting of the Conference shall also include the annual business meeting of the Corporation. The business meeting shall include on its agenda any matter deemed desirable or necessary by the President, a synopsis of actions taken by the Executive Board, discussion on motions from the floor, and discussions on any action taken by the Executive Board which may be challenged by a member. An action taken by the Executive Board may be annulled or amended by a two thirds vote of the members who choose to vote.

Section 8. The President may call an online, electronic membership meeting and conference, as needed. The Executive Board and Membership may meet or conduct business by electronic means if all members have reasonable notice of the electronic meeting and the ability to discuss and vote on business items. Rules for the conduct of such meetings shall be the same as for in-person meetings.

Section 9. Voting by the Executive Board and by membership for official Corporation business can be conducted through secure, online polling. In-person voting on Corporation actions can still occur at annual meetings. Only members in good standing can vote. 

Section 10. At the annual meeting, an individual can be the primary or senior author to only one paper. However, the same person may also present a poster talk, demonstration, or other display of skill or knowledge.

Any persons with an unexcused absence will be prevented from giving any sort of presentation (as senior or junior author) at the following year’s conference. An unexcused absence is defined as an absence without prior notification from the person who agreed to present the paper to either the session Chairperson(s) or the program Chairperson(s).

The Corporation shall have perpetual existence until such time as it is dissolved. Dissolution of the Corporation shall be implemented by a resolution of the Executive Board, approved by two-thirds vote of the membership. Upon dissolution all outstanding debts will be paid. Remaining assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or a state or local government, for a public use. 

These Bylaws may be amended from time to time by action of the Executive Board, subject to the approval or amendment by the assembled members at the business meeting of the Conference, or through online polling via secure means any time during the year, as needed. Only members in good standing can vote. 

ARTICLE X

Ratification

SPECIAL RULES OF ORDER

Rule 1. The Corporation shall engage in lawful acts or activities for which corporations are organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware. The Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and/or scientific purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Rule 2. The Membership Year of this Conference shall run from January 1 through and including December 31. The fiscal year shall run from July 1 through and including June 30. The Corporation may have offices at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint or the business of the Corporation may require.

Rule 3. No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article II of these by-laws.

Rule 4. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Rule 5. Notwithstanding any other provision of these by-laws, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by any organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Rule 6. The archives of the University of Delaware are the official archives of this organization and all official papers will be deposited therein.