Corporate Documents

CONSTITUTION OF THE
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 

Revised January 2024
Approval Vote ended May 31, 2024

ARTICLE I-The Society and Its Purposes

• Section 1.  This association shall be known as the AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, INC.
• Section 2.  The mission of the Society is to advance animal sciences research and education through the exchange of scientific and technical information and applications to animal agriculture, public policy and public understanding.
• Section 3.  The activities of the Society shall be to:
  • (a) promote more effective research;
  • (b) disseminate scientific and educational information in its official publications;
  • (c) foster high standards of education;
  • (d) maintain high standards of ethics;
  • (e) promote advancements of the profession; and
  • (f) cooperate with other organizations having similar objectives.

ARTICLE II-Membership

• Section 1.  All persons interested in research, instruction, or extension in animal science, in the production of livestock, or livestock products, or animal management shall be eligible for membership.
• Section 2.  Membership may be obtained by joining and the payment of dues. The American Society of Animal Science is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive membership.

ARTICLE III-Governing Body

• Section 1.  The governing body of the Society is the Board of Directors, which consists of the Officers including: the President, the President-Elect, the Past President, a Director chosen by each of the sections, nine Directors-at-Large (selected by the membership), two Graduate Directors (predoctoral or post-doctoral student selected by the membership) and a Foundation Chair appointed by the ASAS Foundation. The Board will appoint the following from within the Board to serve in the following positions: Recording Secretary, Finance Chair, Publications Committee Chair, Membership Committee Chair and an Overall Program Committee Chair. Additionally, the Board will appoint the CEO.
• Section 2.  The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Past President, Recording Secretary, Finance Chair, Foundation Chair, Publications Committee Chair, Overall Program Chair, the Membership Committee Chair and the CEO. The CEO shall participate as a non-voting member.
• Section 3.  The President and President-Elect shall hold office for one year, the President-Elect succeeding the President at the end of the regular year in office. The immediate Past President shall hold office for one year immediately following their term of office as President. Directors shall serve for a term of three years on a rotational basis. Graduate Directors shall serve for a term of two years on a rotational basis. In the absence of other provisions for succession, all Officers shall serve until their successors are duly appointed.

ARTICLE IV-Meetings

• Section 1.  The Society shall hold an Annual Business Meeting at the time and place selected by the Board of Directors, to be chaired by the President.
• Section 2.  Sectional meetings shall be held at times and places set by the officers of each section.

ARTICLE V-Sectional Divisions of the Society

• Section 1.  The membership of the Society shall consist of four U.S. divisions: Midwest, Northeast, Southern, and Western, and such non-U.S. divisions as shall be created upon petition of at least 25 ASAS members in the geographic areas to be included in the new division, and approval of such petition by a majority of the Board of Directors.
• Section 2.  Each section will elect its own officers and conduct its own business. Each section will select a member to serve on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Animal Science for a three-year term.
• Section 3.  Sectional membership will be assigned based on the state, territory, province, or country of residence as described in the Bylaws of the Society, unless the member designates a section other than that established by residence.  A portion of the annual dues will be used for administrating sectional activities on an equitable basis according to membership Members may be members of more than one section by payment of additional dues.
• Section 4.  Each section is responsible for defraying the expenses of its meetings.
• Section 5.  No annual dues will be collected by the sectional divisions. This does not preclude charging a registration fee for sectional meetings.

ARTICLE VI-Changes in the Constitution

A proposed amendment may originate from the Board of Directors or by a petition signed by 25 % members. Proposed amendments shall be provided to the membership 60 days prior to the Annual Business Meeting for balloting. Balloting may be at the Annual Business Meeting, by mail or electronically. To be counted, mail ballots or votes must be received by the Business Office not later than 14 days before the Annual Business Meeting. A two-thirds majority of the total votes cast shall be required for the adoption of an amendment to the Constitution.

ARTICLE VII-General Prohibitions

ARTICLE VIII-Properties and Funds of the Society

• Section 1.  The Society shall hold title to all property and funds, and shall have the right to powers vested in the laws of the State of Illinois in which it is incorporated.
• Section 2.  All funds of the Society shall be deposited in banks covered by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

ARTICLE IX-Dissolution

• Section 1.  In the event dissolution of the Society becomes desirable, the Board of Directors shall adopt a resolution recommending the dissolution of the Society, together with a plan of distribution of assets, and submit the question of dissolution and plan of distribution to the voting members of the Society. A copy of such resolution shall be sent to each voting member at last known address not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days before the ballots are to be counted. The resolution to dissolve the Society and to adopt a plan of distribution will become effective provided a minimum of 50% of the membership votes on the proposed resolution, and affirmative vote by two-thirds of those voting shall be necessary for its approval.
• Section 2.  Upon dissolution of the AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, INC., the Society shall distribute the assets and accrued income to one or more organizations as determined by the Board. Such organization or organizations shall meet the limitations prescribed in Sections (1) to (6) inclusive, of Article VII, immediately preceding.

BYLAWS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

ARTICLE I-Membership

• Section 1.  The right to membership and participation in Society activities will be granted as defined in Article II, Section 1 and 2 of the Constitution.
• Section 2.  The Society shall have nine classes of members: Professional, Post-doctoral, Transitional, Graduate Student, Undergraduate Student, Support Staff, Fellow, Retiree, and Sustaining Members:
  • (a) Professional Member: Any person who has research, educational, commercial, or administrative responsibilities or interests in the broad disciplines within the animal science disciplines. Member dues include access to the Journals electronically.
  • (b) Post-doctoral Members: Any person who is currently employed in a post-doctoral position at the time of application shall be eligible for Post-doctoral membership. Membership must be certified annually by a Professional Member/Advisor. Member dues include access to the Journals electronically.
  • (c) Transitional Membership: Transitional membership is designed to transition you from a student member to a professional member without the initial increase in cost. Transitional Member Dues include access to the Journals electronically. Transitional Membership is available for two years, on year three you will begin to pay the Professional Membership Rate.
  • (d) Graduate Student Member: Any enrolled graduate-level college student who is certified by a Professional Member/Advisor and does not hold a full-time position at the time of application shall be eligible for Graduate Student Membership. Membership must be certified annually by a Professional Member/Advisor. Dues for Graduate Student Members shall be established by the Board of Directors and will include access to the Journals electronically.
  • (e) Undergraduate Student Member: Any enrolled Undergraduate college student who is certified by a Professional Member/Advisor and does not hold a full-time position at the time of application shall be eligible for Undergraduate Student Membership. Membership must be certified annually by a Professional Member/Advisor. Dues for Undergraduate Student Members shall be established by the Board of Directors and will include access to the Journals electronically.
  • (f) Support Staff: Any individual who serves in administrative, laboratory or farm support roles can join ASAS as a Support Staff. Support Staff Member Dues include access to the Journals electronically.
  • (g) Fellow: Any member who has been elected a Fellow. Fellow Members have access to the Journals electronically and participate in Society activities without the payment of annual dues.
  • (h) Retiree Member: Any Professional Member who is in good standing who retires after having been a member for 30 years or more and has retired from full-time employment. Retiree Members shall be eligible to vote, have access to the Journals electronically and participate in Society activities without the payment of annual dues.
  • (i) Sustaining Member: Any individual, firm, or association engaged in animal agriculture or any business having an interest in animal agriculture shall be eligible for Sustaining Membership on payment of annual dues. An individual Sustaining Member shall be entitled to the rights of a Professional Member and additional benefits as established by the Board of Directors. A representative of the Sustaining Member firm or association shall be entitled to the rights of a Professional Member.
• Section 3. An applicant for membership in the Society shall join online and pay membership dues to the Society. Upon receipt of dues, the Business Office shall enter the applicant on the rolls of the Society and under the appropriate classification as outlined in Article I, Section 2, of the Bylaws.
• Section 4. The membership term will be January 1 through December 31 of the current year in which the application is received. For applications made after November 1, membership will become effective January 1 of the following year unless otherwise specified by the applicant.
• Section 5. A Professional Member’s status can be changed to that of a Student upon application by, or on behalf of, that member if the qualifications set forth under Article I, Section 2(d,e) of the Bylaws are met. If such a change of status occurs during the membership year, dues paid for the current year will not be refunded.
• Section 6. Members shall pay annual dues, as established by the Board of Directors, to the Society on or before January 1.
• Section 7. Any member who is in arrears for annual dues on January 1 shall be suspended but may be reinstated during the year of suspension by paying the current year’s dues before December 31.
• Section 8. Unless the members vote to change the composition of existing divisions or create new ones, the geographical sectional divisions for the United States, Canada and Mexico are:
  • (a) Midwest Section-United States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin; Canada: Manitoba and Western Ontario.
  • (b) Northeast Section-United States: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, District of Columbia and West Virginia; Canada: Eastern Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.
  • (c) Southern Section-United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas Virginia, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands; Mexico: Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Zactecas, San Luis, Potosi, Tamaulipas, Queretero, Hidalgo, Vera Cruz, Tlaxacala, Morelos, Puebla, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche and Yucatan; Other Locations: Caribbean, Central America and South America.
  • (d) Western Section-United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands; Canada: British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan; Mexico: Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, Nayarit, Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Colima and Guerrero.
• Section 9. Central and South American and Caribbean countries are included in the Southern Section unless the members vote to change the composition of existing divisions or create new ones.
• Section 10.  Members from countries other than those listed in Article I, Sections 8 and 9, will not be assigned to a specific section but may select membership in a section unless the members vote to change the composition of existing divisions or create new ones.
• Section 11.  Principles of Ethical Conduct. To ensure the integrity of the American Society of Animal Science, its members must respect and adhere to high fundamental ethical standards. Members of the Society must be morally accountable for scholarly activity, follow the highest principles in scientific conduct, and humanely treat and maintain animals in their care.  Furthermore, members should avoid situations in which personal achievement may give the appearance of violating professional objectivity.
  
  Accusations of a violation of ethics against any ASAS member must be brought to the attention of the President of ASAS. The President shall notify the accused within ten working days after receipt of the charges made against them. This notification will be in written format. The accused will then have the opportunity to defend themselves in writing to address those accusations. The defendant must respond within 30 days of receipt of the President’s letter. The President can appoint an ad hoc committee to address this charge and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Board will make a final decision.
  
  Any member who shall be found guilty of an offense not in keeping with the dignity and honor of the Society may be expelled by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Board of Directors, which shall receive and weigh the evidence for and against the member accused. The member shall have the right to appeal to the Society at its next Annual Business Meeting. It shall require a majority vote of members present to overrule the decision of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II-Subscriptions

Nonmember subscriptions to the Journals will be accepted upon receipt of payment as set by the current publishing company. 

ARTICLE III-Election of Officers

• Section 1. Balloting for Elective Officers and Directors-at-Large, and Graduate Directors shall be by mail or electronic means prior to the Annual Business Meeting. Nominating committees appointed by the President and approved by the Board shall nominate candidates for President-Elect and each of the Directors-at-Large and Graduate Directors. In addition, nominations for each position may be submitted to the nominating committee no later than 180 days before the Annual Business Meeting. The ballot shall be provided to the membership by the Business Office at least 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting. The ballots will be counted for purposes of providing notification to the Executive Committee of the results of the election. The Past President/Nomination Committee Chair shall notify candidates of the election results. A majority of votes shall be required for election. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, the two candidates receiving the highest numbers of votes shall be voted upon at the Annual Business Meeting by the members in attendance.
• Section 2. The Board of Directors shall fill, for the unexpired terms, all vacancies in elective positions. The President of the Society shall fill all vacancies in appointive positions.

ARTICLE IV-Duties of Officers

• Section 1. The Officers of the Society shall each perform the duties usually incumbent upon their respective offices. The Executive Committee will act as the governing body of the Society in routine matters in the intervals between Board meetings. In questions of parliamentary procedure, the provisions of Robert’s Rules of Order shall apply. The President-Elect, in consultation with the Board of Directors, shall appoint such committees as necessary. The committees will report to the Board of Directors.
• Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to determine policies and procedures in regard to publishing the society’s journals.
• Section 3. The Board of Directors may appoint a Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director  for an indefinite period under terms established by the Board of Directors; the appointment may be terminated only by the Board of Directors.

Article V- Member Resolutions and Motions

• Section 1. The Board of Directors decide the agenda for each Annual Business Meeting. In addition, a resolution or motion to be included in the Annual Business Meeting may be initiated with a petition signed by 25% of members, presented to the Business Office not later than 60 days before the Annual Business Meeting. Such a resolution or motion shall be distributed electronically among the membership at least 14 days before the Annual Business Meeting. The President shall ensure that the Business Meeting includes adequate time for discussion of the member resolutions or motions. Voting at the Annual Business Meeting may be by a show of hands, secret ballot, or electronic ballot. A majority of the votes cast shall adopt a resolution or a motion. 

ARTICLE VI-Changes in the Bylaws

A proposed amendment to the Bylaws may originate from the Board of Directors or by a petition signed by 25% of members. Proposed amendments shall be provided to the membership 60 days prior to the Annual Business Meeting for balloting. Balloting may be at the Annual Business Meeting, by mail, or electronically. To be counted, mail or electronic votes must be received by the Business Office at least 14 days before the Annual Business Meeting. A two-thirds majority of the ballots cast shall be required for the adoption of an amendment to the Bylaws.