PREAMBLE

The Karl Jaspers Society of North America was founded in Boston, Massachusetts on December 28, 1980. Its Charter was adopted April 28, 1981 by vote of its Charter members. The following Constitution is adopted December 1, 1986 by a vote in accordance with clause 6.b of the Charter. Beginning December 20, 1986 the provisions of the Constitution shall supersede those of the Charter. Beginning September 1, 2018 the revised Bylaws as approved by the membership shall supersede those of December 20, 1986.

 

Article I.          NAME

 

The name of this Society shall be THE KARL JASPERS SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA (KJSNA).

 

Article II.         PURPOSE

 

1.         The purpose of the Society is to promote study and research in the philosophy of Karl Jaspers and related thought.

 

2.         The Society is formed exclusively for educational and scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.

 

Article III.       MEMBERSHIP

 

1.         Eligibility

a.         Primary eligibility consists of holding a Ph.D. in philosophy or a record of scholarship in philosophy and related fields. A preponderance of members should satisfy primary qualifications in order that the Society be eligible to participate in the Conference of Philosophical Societies and to qualify as "group participants" in the programs of the American Philosophical Association (APA).

b.         Others may be admitted to membership providing that, in the judgment of the Society Officers, they are qualified by interest and training for full participation in and contribution to the work of the Society. Request for membership shall be made to the Secretary-Treasurer and approval for membership shall be made by a majority of members of the Executive Committee.

 

2.         Election         

Requests for membership shall be made to the Executive Council and approval for membership by majority voting shall be made by the Officers of the Society. Membership is granted to confirmed presenters for the year of the Conference.

 

Article IV.        DUES

 

1.         Annual dues may change periodically and shall be determined by a majority of members present and voting at the annual meeting or by the Executive Council.

 

2.         A member in good standing is one who has paid dues.

 

3.         No part of the net earnings of the Society shall accrue to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, functionaries, officers, or other private persons, except that the Society shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and/or expenses incurred. In the event of dissolution, any remaining assets shall be distributed to organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501 (c) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

 

ARTICLE V.     OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

 

1.         Officers.          The Officers of the Society shall be: President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer who shall perform the usual duties of their respective offices. The terms of Officers shall be three staggered academic years. Officers can be re-elected if no suitable candidate with competence to perform the duties of the respective office is available.

2.         Executive Council.     There shall be an Executive Council consisting of the officers and two members-at-large. The term of membership for the two members-at-large shall be three years and their election shall be staggered.

 

3.         Duties of the Executive Council.

The Executive Council shall

a.         Designate one or more of its members as Chairperson of the Program Committee and appoint additional members to the Program Committee from the Executive Council and/or membership-at-large.

b.         Fill any office it deems necessary by appointing any members of the Society to it in case there is a vacancy or resignation during a term of office.

c.          Coordinate the Society's efforts in the pursuit of its purpose.

d.         Conduct or direct the business affairs of the Society.

e.     Receive and recommend nominations for membership.

f.          Arrange programs and meetings and in general perform all other functions of the Society in the interim between meetings of the Society.

 

ARTICLE VI.    NOMINATION

 

At a business meeting of the Society, Executive Council members can submit a list of nominees for the offices of the Society either in person or by written correspondence. This shall not exclude nominations from the floor. Election is to be conducted by majority vote of members present at the business meeting as well as by electronic mail ballots from executive council members provided that they are submitted to the three presiding officers within 21 days after the notification following the business meeting.

 

ARTICLE VII.              PUBLICATION

It is the Officers' responsibility to send an annual report to all active members of the society. In addition, suitable papers presented at conferences are to be published either in Proceedings that are produced in-house or through contracting with a publisher.

 

ARTICLE VIII.             BY-LAWS AND AMENDMENTS

1.         By-laws may be proposed by any two members of the Society and will be adopted by majority voting at the annual meeting. Electronic mail ballots from executive council members are valid votes provided that they are submitted to the three presiding officers within 21 days after the notification following the annual executive meeting.

 

2.         An additional business meeting can be scheduled for conducting Society business if the Executive Council deems it necessary.

 

3.         Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by at least five members of the Society and adopted by a two-thirds vote of members present and voting at the annual meeting of the Society including electronic mail ballots from executive council members meeting provided that they are submitted to the three presiding officers within 21 days after the notification following the meeting. Any proposed amendment shall have been submitted to the members through the Executive Council at least thirty days in advance of either the annual meeting or a business meeting with electronic voting privilege for each Society member provided that votes are submitted to the three presiding officers within 21 days after the meeting.