Kinesiology is the academic discipline which involves the study of physical activity and its impact on health, human performance, society, and quality of life.
Article 1 – Name of Organization
Article 2 – Purpose
Article 3 – Membership
Article 4 – Board of Directors
Article 5 – Officers
Article 6 – Executive Committee
Article 7 – Committees
Article 8 – Dues
Article 9 – Fiscal Policies
Article 10 – Amendments
Article 11 – Meetings and Business
Article 12 – Conflict of Interest
Article 13 – Nondiscrimination
Article 14 – Operating Code
Article 15 – Voting and Elections
The name of the organization shall be the American Kinesiology Association.
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The purpose of AKA is to promote and enhance kinesiology as a unified field of study and advance its many professional applications.
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Section 1 Categories of Membership
Membership in the American Kinesiology Association shall be limited to academic units within higher education.
Section 2 Scholarly/Professional Society Affiliates
Scholarly/Professional Societies may be invited to join the American Kinesiology Association as Affiliate members upon approval by the Board.
Section 3 Membership Requirements
The Board of Directors may establish such requirements for membership as it deems appropriate.
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The Board of Directors will consist of 15 members in addition to the President, President-elect, Past President, Secretary-Treasurer, Senior Member-at-Large, and Junior Member-at-Large (the 6 voting members of the Executive Committee), so that the total number of members on the Board of Directors is 21.
Section 1 Term of Board of Directors
Board of Directors’ terms are 3 years in duration with staggered 3-year terms so that one-third of the Board of Directors changes each year.
Section 2 Board of Directors Membership
The Board of Directors will select new members with the intent of inclusion/representation of institutional size, structure, location, sub-discipline, and level of program.
Section 2(1) Nominations for the Board of Directors
The Executive Committee is responsible for soliciting nominations for new Board of Director members and presenting a slate of recommended nominees to the Board for a vote. Nominations may come from member departments, scholarly/professional societies, and the current Board of Directors.
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The Officers of the organization, which constitute the Executive Committee, shall be President, President-elect, Past President, Secretary-Treasurer, Senior Member-at-Large, Junior Member-at-Large, Executive Director, and the Business Manager. The Business Manager and Executive Director serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of the Board of Directors. Responsibilities for the Executive Committee include, but are not limited to, call for nominations and recommending new Board of Directors members; governance (review and recommend by-laws revisions), project development and new initiatives, and finanace and budget.
Section 1 Eligibility to Serve as an Officer
Candidates for officer positions of President, President, Secretary-Treasurer, Senior Member-at-Large, and Junior Member-at-Large must be current or past members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee will serve as the Ad-Hoc Nominating Committee for the selection for new Officers. Following solicitation of nominees, the Executive Committee will recommend a slate of Officers for the upcoming terms to the Board of Directors for a vote.
Section 2 Election of Officers
One year prior to the completion of the officer terms, the Board of Directors will elect the incoming officers who will attend all Board of Director meetings and participate in the meetings of the Executive Committee as non-voting members.
Section 3 Terms of Office
The President-Elect shall be elected annually. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected on even number years for a two-year term. The Members-at-Large shall be elected for two-year terms, one to be elected on an even-numbered year and one on an odd-numbered year. All newly elected officers shall assume their duties on January 1st. The President-elect shall become the President and the President shall become the Past President at this time.
Section 4 Executive Director
The Board of Directors shall advertise for and employ an Executive Director who is to conduct the day-to-day activities of the organization.
Section 4(1) Selection of the Executive Director
Candidates for the position of Executive Director will be initially screened by the Executive Committee. A slate of candidates, generally a list of at least two, will be submitted for review by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors must vote on selection of the Executive Director. Appointment to the position of Executive Director must carry a majority of the votes submitted by the Board of Directors.
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The Association recognizes three types of committees—Steering Committee,Standing Committees and Presidential Committees (Ad-hoc).
Section 1 Steering Commitee
The Steering Committee is composed of the members of the Executive Committee plus the chairs of the Standing Committees. The Steering Committee communicates monthly via email and conference calls to coordinate and support the work of AKA and its committees. Chairs of the ad hoc committees or other Board Members may be invited to participate with the Steering Committee as deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee.
Section 2 Constitution of Standing Committees
All standing committees consist of 3-5 members. Members of Standing Committees must be faculty members in AKA member departments. Standing Committee Chairs must be a members of the AKA Board of Directors. All standing committees report to the Executive Committee.
Section 2(1) Standing Committees
1) Membership Committee – responsible for membership recruitment and renewal, and development of recruitment and promotional materials.
2) Workshop Committee – organizes and coordinates AKA workshops to provide opportunities for enhancing the quality of leadership and understanding of issues releveant to the field.
3) Communication Committee – responsible for the oversight of website, members communication including affiliate members and development and support of strategies to enhance communication across the discipline.
4) Research and Analysis Committee – responsible for ongoing AKA surveys (faculty and student surveys) and also conducting and analyzing targeted surveys to address issues relevant to kinesiology.
5) Publications Committee – oversees Kinesiology Today , occasional white papers, position statements and reports.
Section 3 Presidential Committees (Ad-hoc).
Presidenial Committees may be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee. The terms of Presidential Committees expire on the subsequent December 31 of the year appointed unless renewed or extended by official action of the new President.
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The Board of Directors sets the yearly dues.
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All receipts and disbursements shall be managed by the Business Manager. Expenditures up to $500.00 can be approved by the Executive Director. Amounts above $500 but less than $1000 must be approved by the President with review by the Business Manager and/or the Executive Director. Amounts above $1000.00 must be approved by the Executive Committee.
An audit of Association funds is to be conducted in January of odd numbered years. The audit is to be conducted by two members of the Board of Directors who are not members of the Executive Committee, one member of the Executive Committee, and the Business Manager (ex-officio).
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Amendments to the By-Laws can be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. Voting can be in present or by electronic communication.
Notification of amendments shall be made in written or electronic formats at least 14 calendar days prior to a vote on the adoption of amendments.
Proposals to amend may only be initiated by the Board of Directors or by petition presented through the Board of Directors signed by at least 8 (eight) members. Amendments may be acted on only after written or electronic notice to the members of the Board of Directors at least 14 calendar days prior to the vote.
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Not less than once per year, the Board of Directors will convene to conduct the business of the association. Board of Directors members will be expected to provide a portion of their expense to attend the annual meeting. Business affairs may be transacted either by mail or electronic ballot or at the annual meeting by a quorum. A quorum is considered 2/3 of the Board of Directors. Voting by proxy is prohibited.
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At the beginning of any meeting Board of Directors members and committee members shall disclose any conflict of interest. If a conflict of interest exists with any issues on the agenda, the member will abstain from voting and participating in the discussion. The minutes of the meeting shall reflect the disclosure made.
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The officers, Board of Directors, and employees of this corporation shall be selected in a non-discriminatory manner. The AKA is committed to diversity in conducting its professional functions.
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The association may adopt operating codes for the conduct of its affairs that are consistent with the By-Laws. Operating Codes are to be approved by the Executive Committee. Operating codes shall be acted upon only after 10 calendar days of notice. Notice may be made in written or electronic formats. Voting may be completed in written or electronic forms.
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Unless specified otherwise in the By-Laws, all votes of the organization require a majority vote of the Board of Directors. In the case of elections, if no candidate receives a majority vote on the first ballot, the top two candidates and all ties will be included in a subsequent run-off.
Last Update: 6/12/13
