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1920 AAAS Constitution

Article 1-Objects

The objects of the Association are to promote intercourse among those who are cultivating science in different parts of America, to cooperate with other scientific societies and institutions, to give a stronger and more general impulse and more systematic direction to scientific research, and to procure for the labors of scientific men increased facilities and a wider usefulness.

Article 2-Membership

Persons willing to cooperate in the work of the Association may be elected to be Members by the Council. Members who are professionally engaged in scientific work or who have advanced science by research may be elected to be Fellows. The admission fee for Members is five dollars; the annual dues are five dollars. A member who pays at one time the sum of one hundred dollars to the Association becomes a life member and is exempt from further dues. A person who gives one thousand dollars to the Association may be elected to be a sustaining member and is exempt from further dues.

Article 3-Officers

The officers of the Association shall be elected by ballot by the Council, and shall consist of a President, a Vice-President from each section, a Permanent Secretary, a General Secretary, a Treasurer and a Secretary of each Section. The President and the Vice-President shall be elected for one year, the other officers for four years. The officers shall perform the usual duties of these officers, under the direction of the Council.

Article 4-Council

The Council shall consist of the President, the Vice-Presidents, the Permanent Secretary, the General Secretary, the Secretaries of the Sections, and the Treasurer, of one fellow elected by each affiliated society and one additional fellow from each affiliated society having more than one hundred members who are fellows of the Association, and of eight fellows, two elected annually by the Council for a term of four years. There shall be an Executive Committee of the Council, consisting of the President, the Permanent Secretary, the General Secretary, and eight members elected by the Council, two annually for a term of four years. The Council may appoint standing or temporary committees to make reports, to assist in the conduct of the work of the Association and to promote its objects.

Article 5-Sections

The Association shall be divided into the following Sections: A, Mathematics; B, Physics; C, Chemistry; D, Astronomy; E, Geology and Geography; F, Zoologcial Sciences; G, Botanical Sciences; H, Anthropology; I, Psychology; K, Social and Economic Sciences; L, Historical and Philological Sciences; M, Engineering; N, Medical Sciences; O, Agriculture; P, Manufactures and Commerce; Q, Education;. Members of the Association shall be members of that Section or of those Sections under which their work or their interests fall. Members of Section shall nominate to the Council a Chairman, who becomes ex officio a Vice-President of the Association and whose term of office shall be one year, and a Secretary, whose term of office shall be four years. These officers, together with four fellows, one elected annually by the Section for a term of four years, and the representatives on the Council of affiliated societies in the same field shall form a Sectional Committee. This Committee shall arrange the scientific programs of the meetings and may form sub-sections or hold joint meetings wiht other sections or other societies. It may appoint committees and shall in all ways promote the objects of the Association within its own field.

Article 6-Divisions and Branches

Regional Divisions and Local Branches of the Association may be formed by vote of the Council. Such Divisions and Branches may elect officers, hold meetings, appoint committees, enter into relations with other societies and promote within their fields the objects of the Association.

Article 7-Associated and Affiliated Societies

National and local scientific societies may, by vote of the Council, become associated with the Association. Those Associated Societies which the Council shall designate as Affiliated Societies shall be represented on the Council and on the Sectional Committees as provided in Articles 4 and 5.

Article 8-Meetings

The Association shall hold an annual meeting at such time and place as may be determined by the Council. Other meetings of the Association and of the Sections may be authorized by the Council. The Divisions and the Branches may hold annual and other meetings.

Article 9-Proceedings

The proceedings of the Association and the list of officers and members shall be published in such manner as the Council may direct.

Article 10-Funds

The Permanent Secretary shall collect the annual dues and make expenditures as directed by the Council. The Treasurer shall deposit or invest the permanent funds of the Association, as provided for trust funds by the laws of the state of Massachusetts or the state of New York. Bequests and gifts will be administered in accordance with the provisions of the donors. The payments from sustaining and life members form part of the permanent fund, and the income (after the death of the member) shall be used for research, unless otherwise directed by unanimous vote of the Council or by a majority vote at two consecutive annual meetings.

Article 11-Alteration of the Constitution

This Constitution may be amended at a general session by unanimous vote, or by a majority vote at two consecutive annual meetings.

Bylaws and Rules of Procedure of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

I

The Association is American, its field covering North, Central and South America. Inhabitants of any country are eligible to membership.

II

  1. An incorporated scientific society or institution or a public or incorporated library may become a member by vote of the Council.
  2. Associates, on payment of five dollars, may be admitted to the privileges of a meeting, except voting.
  3. Foreign associates may be admitted without fee to the privileges of a meeting, except voting.
  4. All members who are professionally engaged in scientific work, or who have advanced science by research, may be elected by the Council to be fellows on nomination or on their own application. This qualification is understood to have been met by members of affiliated societies having a research qualification.
  5. The Council may exclude from the Association any one who has made improper use of his membership or whose membership is regarded as detrimental to the Association.

III

  1. The Permanent Secretary, the General Secretary and the Treasurer of the Association and the Secretaries of the Sections shall be elected at the larger convocation week meetings held once in four years beginning the last week of the year 1916. Vacancies in these offices shall be filled by the Council.
  2. The President of the Association shall give an address at a general session of the Association at the annual meeting following that over which he presided.
  3. The Vice-Presidents shall hold seniority in the order of their continuous membership in the Association.
  4. The Permanent Secretary shall attend to the business of the Association, the arrangements for the meetings and such other matters as the Council may designate. He may employ, with the approval of the Council, an Assistant Secretary. The salary of the Permanent Secretary shall be determined by the Council.
  5. The General Secretary shall attend to matters connected with the organization of the Association, its relations to the affiliated societies and such other matters as the Council may designate. He shall receive such compensation as may be determined by the Council.
  6. The Permanent Secretary, the General Secretary and the Treasurer shall present annually to the Council an account of the funds in their charge. These accounts shall be audited by an Auditor elected by the Council. There shall be a Finance Committee of three, elected by the Council, including the Treasurer, who shall give advice in regard to the investment of the funds of the Association. The Treasurer and the Permanent Secretary and General Secretary shall present a budget to the Council for the year following the annual meeting.

IV

  1. There shall be a Committee on Grants, appointed by the President, with the advice of the Council, consisting of eight members, two appointed annually for a period of four years, which shall award for scientific research such part of the income from the permanent and special funds of the Association as may be appropriated for that purpose by the Council.
  2. The following standing committees are authorized: Committee of One Hundred on Scientific Research; Committee of One Hundred on National Health; Committee on Delegates from Educational and Scientific Institutions; Committee on Expert Testimony; Committee on the Jane M. Smith Life Membership Fund.
  3. A local committee shall be organized by the members resident in the place where a meeting of the Association is held. This committee may appoint an executive committee and other committees and shall make arrangements for the meeting, in cooperation with the Permanent Secretary and the other officers of the Association.

V

  1. The Sectional Committees shall arrange for each annual meeting a program of general scientific interest, occupying usually one or two sessions. The section shall not hold sessions for the reading of special papers when the affiliated society in the same field meets with the Association.
  2. No member shall take part in the organization or hold office in more than one section at any one meeting.

VI

  1. The Pacific Division and the Southwestern Division and other Divisions that may be authorized by the Council have full control of their meetings, their affiliations with other scientific organizations, and of all movements to promote the advancement and diffusion of science in their territory. The Pacific Division and the Southwestern Division shall be allowed for their expenses the entrance fees collected through their efforts and one dollar a year for each member in good standing.
  2. The Pacific Division includes all members resident in Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Mexico (excepting the states of Sonora and Chihuahua), the Hawaiian Islands, the Philippine Islands, and other islands of the Pacific ocean.
  3. The Southwestern Division includes all members resident in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas west of the Pecos river, and the Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua.
  4. Local Branches may be formed by members residing in the same locality. These branches shall be allowed for their expenses the entrance fees collected through their efforts and an amount for their expenses not to exceed one dollar for each member in good standing.

VII

1. Affiliated societies having two representatives on the Council and on the Sectional Committees are:

  • American Mathematical Society. (A)*
  • The Mathematical Association of America. (A)
  • The American Physical Society. (B)
  • The American Chemical Society. (C)
  • The American Astonomical Society. (D)
  • The American Geographical Society. (E)
  • The Geological Society of America. (E)
  • The Association of American Geographers. (E)
  • The Seismological Society of America. (E)
  • The Entomological Society of America. (F)
  • The American Society of Zoologists. (F)
  • The American Association of Economic Entomologists. (F)
  • The American Society of Naturalists. (F,G)
  • The Ecological Society of America. (F,G)
  • The American Genetic Association. (F,G)
  • The American Microscopical Society. (F,G)
  • The Botanical Society of America. (G)
  • The American Phytopathological Society. (G)
  • The American Anthropolocial Association. (H)
  • The American Institute of Electrical Engineers. (M)
  • The American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. (M)
  • The American Society of Civil Engineers. (M)
  • The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. (M)
  • The Illuminating Engineering Society. (M)
  • The American Medical Association. (N)
  • The National Society for the Study of Education. (Q)
  • The American Federation of Teachers of the Mathematical and Natural Sciences. (Q)
  • The National Society of College Teachers. (Q)
  • The Society of Sigma Xi. (All sections)
  • The Gamma Alpha Graduate Scientific Fraternity. (All sections)

2. Affiliated societies having one representative on the Council and on the Sectional Committees are:

  • National Societies
  • The American Meterological Society. (B)
  • The Optical Society of America. (B)
  • The Eugenics Research Association. (F)
  • The American Psychological Association. (I,Q)
  • The American Society for Testing Materials. (M)
  • The American Association of Anatomists. (N)
  • The Society of American Bacteriologists. (N)
  • The American Society of Agronomy. (O)
  • The American Society of Horticultural Science. (O)
  • The Society of American Foresters. (O)
  • The Southern Education Society. (Q)
  • Local Academies
  • Illinois State Academy of Science.
  • Iowa Academy of Science.
  • Kansas Academy of Science.
  • Kentucky Academy of Science.
  • Maryland Academy of Sciences.
  • Michigan Academy of Sciences.
  • Nebraska Academy of Sciences.
  • New Orleans Academy of Sciences.
  • North Carolina Academy of sciences.
  • Ohio Academy of Science.
  • Oklahoma Academy of Science.
  • Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters.

3. Associated societies are:

  • The American Electrochemical Society. (C)
  • The American Institute of Chemical Engineers. (C)
  • The Paleontological Society of America. (E)
  • Mineralogical Society of America. (E)
  • The American Alpine Club. (E)
  • The National Council of Geography Teachers. (E)
  • The Wilson Ornithological Club. (F)
  • The American Nature-Study Society. (F,G)
  • The Botanists of the Central States. (G)
  • The American Fern Society. (G)
  • The Sullivant Moss Society. (G)
  • The American Folk Lore Society. (H)
  • The Archeological Institute of America. (H)
  • The Southern Society for Philosophy and Psychology. (I)
  • The American Association for Labor Legislation. (K)
  • The America Civic Association. (K)
  • The American Economic Assocation. (K)
  • The American Metric Association. (K)
  • The American Sociological Society. (K)
  • The American Statistical Association. (K)
  • The Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education. (M)
  • The American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers. (M)
  • The American Society of Refrigerating Engineers. (M)
  • The American Physiological Scoiety. (N)
  • The American Society of Biological Chemists. (N)
  • The American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. (N)
  • The American Public Health Association. (N)
  • The Society of American Microanalysts. (N)
  • The American Society for Experimental Pathology. (N)
  • The Society for Promotion of Agricultural Science. (O)
  • The American Dairy Science Association. (O)
  • The American Pomological Society. (O)
  • The American Society of Animal Production. (O)
  • The Association of Official Seed Analysts. (O)
  • The School Garden Association of America. (O)
  • The American Association of University Professors. (Q)
  • The American Philosophical Association. (Q)
  • The Bibliographical Society of America. (All sections)
  • The Phi Kappa Phi Fraternity. (All sections)
  • The Gamma Sigma Delta Fraternity. (All sections)

VIII

  1. A general session of the Association shall usually be held on the first evening of the meeting, and at this session the address of the retiring president shall be given. Other general sessions may be arranged by the Council.
  2. The Council shall ordinarily meet on the afternoon of the first day of the meeting. It may also meet at such other times as may be decided, and shall ordinarily hold a meeting in the spring at Washington.
  3. The Sectional Committees shall ordinarily hold meetings on the morning of the first day of each annual meeting and may hold such other meetings as they may arrange.
  4. The Executive Committee shall meet on the day preceding the annual meeting and at such other times during the meeting as it may decide. It shall ordinarily hold meetings in the spring and in the autumn.

IX

By arrangement with the publishers of Science this journal publishes the official notices and proceedings of the Association and is sent to all members in good standing, the sum of $3 being paid to the publishers of the journal for each member. Members may by request receive The Scientific Monthly in place of Science. This arrangement may be cancelled by the Council of the Association or by the publishers of the journal, after one year's notice has been given by either party.

X

  1. The official year of the Association shall begin on October 1, and the dues of the members are payable on that date. Only members who have paid their dues shall enjoy the privileges of the meetings and receive publications of the Association, but those not longer than two years in arrears for dues are retained on the membership list. Members dropped from membership for no-payment of dues may have their names reinstated by payment of arrearages or may be reelected with payment of the entrance fee. In the case of members of affiliated societies elected to membership in the American Association for the Advancement of Science within one year of their election to membership in the affiliated society, the entrance fee shall be remitted.
  2. The Secretaries of the Association and of the Sections shall be allowed in lieu of their traveling expenses to the annual meeting, a refund amounting to 4 cents a mile for the round trip.
  3. Members of the Executive Committee shall be allowed, in lieu of their traveling expenses in attendance on meetings of the Committee held apart from the meetings of the Association, a refund amounting to 4 cents a mile for the round trip.

XI

These By-Laws and Rules of Procedure may be amended by vote of the Council.

* Letters following society names denote sections of the Association to which the work of the societies is most closely related.

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