bylaws
Structure
- The SAGP Board of Directors consists of all Board members plus ex officio the President,
the Secretary, and the Associate Secretary. Everyone on the Board has the right to vote
on questions that come before the board. - The President is elected to a term of indefinite length. Even though, traditionally, the
President has been chosen from members of the APA or the SCS, this is not necessary.
Candidates who do not belong to either of these associations can be considered as well.
The President may be removed from office by a vote of two thirds of the full board of
directors. Grounds for removal include neglect of the responsibilities of the office and
behaviour that could bring the SAGP into disrepute. A new President will then be
elected by majority vote of the full Board of Directors. - The Secretary and Associate Secretary are chosen by the President and the Board of
Directors for a term of indefinite length. The Secretary and Associate Secretary maintain
the list of members, serve as a conduit for the blind review of papers, and arrange
publication of the Newsletter. The home university of the Secretary will house the
Executive Office of the Society for the period of the Secretary’s term of office. With the
permission of the President, the Secretary and Associate Secretary may nominate an
Assistant Secretary of their choice - One or more subcommittees may be appointed by the President in respect to the
organization of the SAGP Annual Conference, the Distinguished Lectureship, and other
matters relevant to the Society. - The Board of Directors consists of members corresponding to each of the
constituencies: Europe, Latin America, Canada, and the United States. Nominations
for representatives of new constituencies come from the Board of Directors. The first
representative of a new constituency is elected by a majority vote of the Board of
Directors. - The tenure of newly elected members of the Board of Directors is three years, and
terminates automatically after the three-year period. However, members who are
willing to continue serving should notify the President and the Board to that effect and,
assuming that they receive approval, can remain on the Board for a second and possibly
more three-year periods. The obligations of the Board of Directors include participating
in regular teleconferences called by the President and/or the Secretary, vetting papers
for SAGP conferences and panels, and discussing and voting on matters of policy. - All paid-up members of a given constituency are eligible for nomination when it is the
turn of that constituency to elect a member to the Board of Directors. Candidates may
be nominated by the Board, or by written recommendation of at least five paid-up
members of their constituency. Also, they must have declared their interest to stand as
candidates and their willingness to serve if they are elected. Voting from the list of
nominees is done by secret ballot.
AUTHORSHIP AND RATIFICATION OF THE BYLAWS
The original Bylaws of SAGP were framed by the 1994/5 SAGP Program Committee. They were thoroughly revised by the Board of Directors in 2021. They received further revisions in 2026, and were ratified by the Board. Currently, the SAGP operates under the 2026 Bylaws.
VOTING PROCEDURE
Voting and Constituencies
Every member of the SAGP must choose the constituency to belong to for purposes of voting.
Members belonging to more than one constituency must select the constituency in which they
wish to cast their vote.
How to vote
On your mailing label there is a “selection code,” a number that represents your most recent
(or last current) year of membership, for instance 20 (or some subsequent number). The
Secretary and the Assistant Secretary maintain a list of each constituency, and members will be
informed of their current constituency. When you pay your dues, you should indicate to the
Secretary and the Assistant Secretary which constituency you wish to vote with.
Who can vote
Only paid-up members may vote.
Last updated on March 3rd, 2026