DRAFT
(everything in red is new or re-worded; if re-worded, the original phrasing is left in but
cross out)
Constitution and by-laws
of the
Three Rivers Archaeology Society
a chapter of the
Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology
and Wisconsin Archeological Society
Article I. Name
Section 1.
The name of this organization shall be the Three Rivers Archaeology Society, a chapter of the
Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology (IAAA) and Wisconsin Archeological
Society (WAS).
Article II. Organization
Section 1. -Objectives
The Chapter is organized to further the interest of its members in the study of the origin and
cultural evolution of humans and their environment. The Chapter will endeavor to contribute to
the science of anthropology and especially American archaeology.
Section 2. -Policies
The Chapter shall:
1. Adopt, sponsor and support educational programs for chapter members and the general
public.
2. Conduct field trips.
3. Encourage the preservation and protection of archaeological materials and sites.
4. Cooperate with professional anthropologists and archaeologists to solicit assistance in
attaining the objectives of this Chapter.
5. Cooperate with institutes of higher learning and other public and private agencies in attaining
Chapter objectives.
6. Prohibit commerce in archaeological materials in activities of the chapter.
7. Solicit and accept donations and gifts which will further the objectives of the Chapter. (tax
deductible)
8. When requested, assist in archaeological site planning, development and use.
9. Prioritize Chapter activities based on the need of local historical site preservation.
10. Support and to the best of its ability, carry out the purposes of the Illinois Association for
Advancement of Archaeology and Wisconsin Archeological Society.
Article III. Membership
Section 1 -Qualifications
Membership shall be extended to any person interested in archaeology that and who agrees to
abide by the constitution and by-laws of the Chapter and resides in Northern Illinois in an area
not serviced by other IAAA Chapters. Every member shall also be a member in good standing of
the Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology and/or the Wisconsin Archeological
Society.
Section 2. - Membership Revocation
Personal actions in conflict with objectives of the Chapter shall constitute grounds for
membership revocation. Membership in the Chapter may be revoked by a ¾ majority-vote of the
members present at a regular meeting.
Article IV. Dues
Section 1. Amount
The amount of Chapter dues shall be determined annually by a majority vote of the members
voting at its meeting in November.
Section 2. Classification & Dues
REMOVE THIS SECTION; TOO HARD TO CHANGE DUES IF NEEDED
Membership classifications shall be: Individual ($21.00), Family ($24.00), Student ($17.00),
Contributing ($40.00+), Sustaining ($55.00+), Benefactor ($100.00+) and Life ($250.00+).
Section 3. Collection 2. Dues
The Chapter shall collect each member’s dues and forward the correct portion(s) to dues for
membership in the Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology and/or the Wisconsin
Archeological Society, as designated by each member.
Article V. Board of Directors
Section 1. Membership
1. The Board of Directors shall consist of five members of the Chapter who are elected by a
majority of the Chapter membership present and voting at the annual meeting.
2. Members of the Board of Directors shall be elected for staggered two-year terms. Two
members elected in even years and three in the odd years.
3. Vacancies on the Board shall be filled by vote of the Board until the next annual meeting.
4. The President of the Chapter shall serve on the Board as an ex-officio member and have no
vote.
5. Any officer other than the President may be elected as a Board member.
Section 2. Duties
The Board of Directors shall meet when needed quarterly in February, May, August and
November. Prior to the annual meeting the Board will develop an agenda which will include the
following considerations:
1. Yearly objectives and goals.
2. Appointment of nominating committee.
3. Annual dues.
4. Any other items requested in advance by any of the membership.
Section 3. Advisors
The chapter shall solicit the guidance of special advisors to aid in the direction and goals of the
chapter. Advisors shall be from a professional, educational or IAAA background. There shall be
no limit to the number of advisors serving the chapter. Advisors may be elected as Board
Members by a vote of the majority of the Chapter membership present and voting at the annual
meeting. Advisors shall serve a one (1) year term.
Article VI. Meetings
Section 1. - Regular
Regular meetings shall be held on the second third Monday of every month except July and
August. in February, May, August and November and be All meetings shall be open to the
public.
Section 2. Annual
The annual meeting shall be held on the second Monday in December for the purpose of electing
directors and officers and conducting such business as may come before the Chapter. If the day
fixed for the annual meeting falls on a legal holiday, such meeting will be held on the next
succeeding business day.
Section 3. -Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the President, Board of Directors or a 1/5 vote of the Chapter
membership for the purpose stated in the call.
Section 4. - Procedures
1. Any member may propose deletions or additions to an agenda of a regular meeting.
2. Each member shall be entitled to one vote on items of business at a regular meeting.
Article VII. Officers
Section 1. - Officers
The officers of the chapter shall be a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer or other
officers as may be elected by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. - Election
1. Any member of the Chapter including members of the Board of Directors shall be eligible to
serve as an officer of the Chapter.
2. Elections shall be held at the annual meeting of the general membership.
3. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present and voting.
4. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of officer nominees to the general
membership. Further nominees from the general membership may be nominated by the
general membership and so voted upon.
5. Terms of elected officers shall be for one year beginning on the first day of the year
following the November election or if a successor is elected to fill a vacancy, the term shall
begin immediately. Officers may be re-elected for succeeding terms.
6. Vacancies caused for any reason will be filled by appointment by a majority vote of the
Board of Directors for the balance of that officer’s term.
Section 3. – Duties
1. The PRESIDENT shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and shall implement and
execute the policies determined by the Board of Directors. The president may attend
WAS Executive Board meetings as a voting member. If unable to attend, he/she may
submit relevant business to the WAS president prior to the meeting.
2. The VICE-PRESIDENT shall assume the duties of the president in the absence of the
president in the conduct of Chapter business.
3. The SECRETARY shall:
A. Maintain all minutes, documents and archives of the Chapter.
B. Conduct the official correspondence of the Chapter.
C. Keep the membership informed of events.
D. Maintain a mailing list of members, prospective members and friends of the Chapter.
E. File an annual report with the Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology
and Wisconsin Archeological Society before their annual meetings.
4. The TREASURER shall:
A. File an annual report with the Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology
and before its annual meeting.
A. Have custody of and be responsible for all funds and property of the Chapter.
B. Collect dues from its members and forward state IAAA and WAS dues when
received.
C. Maintain financial records.
D. Make quarterly financial reports.
E. Submit an audited annual financial report to the IAAA compiled by an independent
Certified Public Accounting firm.
Article VIII. Curation and Repository
Section 1. –Location
All archaeological materials procured from state or public property by the Chapter shall be
curated at the discretion of the Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology or until
suitable secure exhibition facilities are made available to the Chapter. according to the conditions
of the controlling permit.
Section 2. -Disposition
Should the Chapter cease to function, its scientific records and collections associated therewith
shall be disposed of or curated at the discretion of the Illinois Association for Advancement of
Archaeology and/or Wisconsin Archeological Society.
Article IX. Amendments to the Constitution and by-laws
Section 1. By-laws
Proposals for amendments to this Constitution and by-laws may be submitted by any member of
the Chapter to the Board of Directors. A proposal for amendment to the Constitution and by-laws
shall require the approval of three members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors
shall submit an approved amendment to a meeting of the general membership for consent of twothirds of the members present and voting. Passed amendments shall be forwarded to the Illinois
Association for Advancement of Archaeology and Wisconsin Archeological Society for
approval. In no event shall amendments to the constitution or by-laws conflict with those of the
IAAA Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology or Wisconsin Archeological
Society.