Community Geographies Collaborative Specialty Group
Group Bylaws
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Community Geographies Collaborative Specialty Group of the American Association of Geographers. For the remainder of this document, the specialty group will be referred to as the CGCSG and the American Association of Geographers as the AAG.
Article II: Mission
The CGCSG includes both academic and public scholars, fostering spaces where co-produced knowledge can be created and shared. As a group, we support community-engaged geographic research and researchers by providing financial and practical resources for collaborative partnerships, hosting forums for collaboration and mutual support, engaging in social action, and advocating for alternative modes of scholarship that value often marginalized community voices and prioritize community benefits.
Article III: Membership and dues
Membership in the CGCSG is open to anyone who completes the online application form, available on the group’s website, and contributes to the group’s mission. This can include paying dues, contributing materials to the group’s webpage, serving on the board or other committees, presenting or leading instructional sessions for other members, or participating in mentoring partnerships.
Dues are one form of member contribution. The dues amount can be changed through a majority vote in the group’s regular electronic election process. No part of the income or holdings of the CGCSG shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its members, trustees, board members, or any other private person except in exchange for services rendered.
Article IV: Duties of Board Members and Committee Chairs
The board consists of seven positions: a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, two at-large members, and two student members. Group members are generally eligible for any position, though some positions (student members and at-large positions) have specific limitations as outlined below.
Chairperson: The chairperson presides at all meetings of the CGCSG and the Board, to be an ex officio member of all committees, to convey information about the views of the group to the AAG Council, and to perform all duties inherent in the office. These include creating the annual report, developing meeting agendas, facilitating group meetings and conference sessions, helping to publicize events and announcements through community discussion boards, and attending the chairs’ meeting at the annual meeting.
Vice-Chairperson: The vice-chairperson assumes the duties of the chair in his or her absence, facilitates the election of officers, helps with planning for group activities, and performs other duties as requested by the chairperson. The vice-chairperson also manages the group’s finances, advising members on matters including (but not limited to) award amounts, membership dues, and event budgets.
Secretary: The secretary chairs the Communications committee, and their primary responsibility is to coordinate communication with and about group activities and members’ work through the group website, social media, and via email.
At-large board members: Two at-large members support the work of the group as assigned by the chairperson, serving on committees or otherwise assisting with the mission of the group. These positions are split. One is occupied by a member with an academic position or appointment, and the other is occupied by a member not formally affiliated with a college or university.
Student board members: Student members attend Board meetings as voting members, encourage student participation in CGCSG, and perform other duties as requested by the Board. Duties include participating on the communications committee, helping with group elections, organizing events to publicize members’ work and encourage mutual support, and reaching out to student membership to assess student perspectives and needs.
Article V: Election process and term limits of board members
All board members except for the student positions will hold two year terms. Student positions will be one year. The two year terms will be staggered, with the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson elected in one year and the secretary and at-large members elected in the other. There is a four year term limit for each position, but members can be reelected after a time period equal to the number of years previously served on the board.
Elections will be held in the months prior to the AAG Annual Meeting. All group members are eligible to vote. The election committee, comprised of one at-large member and one student member, will organize this process, overseen by the Vice-Chairperson. Nominations will be solicited no later than two months before the annual meeting, and a final slate of candidates will be announced no later than one month before the annual meeting. Members will be able to vote via electronic ballot and results will be certified at the annual meeting. Incoming members will take their seats at the conclusion of the annual meeting.
Article VI: Annual meeting
The annual business meeting of the CGCSG will be held during the AAG Annual Meeting. Group members will be notified of the time and place of the annual business meeting in the AAG Annual Meeting program. At this meeting, the Chairperson will present the annual report, new board members will be announced, and any other business relevant to the group shall be presented and discussed. This may include upcoming group activities and new resources, announcement of award winners, and other business. A recording of this meeting should be posted on the group’s website within two weeks for members unable to attend.
The annual report presented at the meeting should summarise the activity of the group over the previous year, highlight member accomplishments, and describe the state of the group’s finances. A print version should be posted on the group’s website within two weeks of the annual meeting.
Other group meetings may be called as appropriate and feasible by action of the Board.
Article VII: Committees
The CGCSG has four formal committees:
Election committee: This committee is comprised of the Vice-Chairperson, one at-large board member, and one student board member. The latter two are assigned by the Chairperson. The purpose of this committee is to lead the elections process described in Article V.
Awards committee: The purpose of the awards committee is to solicit nominations for and judge the group’s awards. In consultation with the Chairperson, this group can also revise or add to the list of group awards. Membership on this committee is assigned by the Chairperson.
Communications committee: The communications committee works with the Chairperson to create an annual report, make regular updates to the website, post relevant content on social media, and communicate with members via email. This committee is chaired by the secretary and includes a student board member along with other board members assigned by the Chairperson.
In addition to these formal committees, the Chairperson may also appoint ad hoc committees tasked with matters such as organizing workshops or securing external funding to support the work of the group. These committees can include any members of the specialty group.
Article VIII: Amendment of bylaws
Amendment of these Bylaws may be formally proposed by a majority vote of the Board or by a petition signed by at least 25% of group members. Final approval of any amendment must be by a positive vote of at least 60% of the members who vote in the electronic elections process.