CONSTITUTION OF THE WESTERN BUSINESS LAW ASSOCIATION
d/b/a/ THE WESTERN ACADEMY OF LEGAL STUDIES IN BUSINESS
ARTICLE I –NAME
This Association will be known as the Western Business Law Association, d/b/a the Western Academy of Legal Studies in Business.
ARTICLE II –GEOGRAPHIC REGION
The geographic region within which this Association will function, subject to any limitations by the Academy of Legal Studies in Business, embraces the following geographical area: The state of California from the Tehachapi Mountains to the northern boundary of the state and including the state of Nevada.
ARTICLE III –PURPOSE
The purpose of the regional association will be to cooperate with the Academy of Legal Studies in Business in furthering its purposes; to promote and encourage scholarship and superior teaching of business law and legal studies in business in colleges and universities; to foster a better understanding between college and university administrators and those engaged in teaching and research in the fields of business law and legal studies in business; to develop and maintain a friendly and cooperative relationship among teachers and scholars in the fields of business law and legal studies in business; to encourage and promote high ethical standards in the conduct of business; to provide a closely-knit medium for the exchange of information as to conditions in the various schools of business in this area and as to teaching techniques, teaching opportunities, current changes and developments in the field of law generally and business law and legal studies in business in particular; to afford an opportunity for teachers of business law and legal studies in business in this area to meet in person at such times and places as may be deemed suitable and convenient, for social and professional purposes, for common discussion and solution of problems of mutual interest, and for publication of the Western Law & Business Review.
ARTICLE IV –MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: The following categories of membership in the Academy are hereby established:
A. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP. Any person actively engaged in the teaching of or research in business law and legal studies in business at any two-year or four-year college or university or any college or university administrator or any other person sympathetic with the purposes and aims of the Association will be eligible for active membership.
B. EMERITUS MEMBERSHIP. Upon retirement for age from academic employment, an active member in good standing may transfer to emeritus membership.
Section 2: INDUCTION: Any eligible person may become a member by notifying the Executive Secretary and making payment of the annual dues for the current year.
Section 3: TERMINATION: Membership in the Association will be terminated whenever a member's dues are delinquent for one year.
ARTICLE V –MEETINGS
Section 1: ANNUAL MEETINGS: An annual meeting of the Association will be held on at least 60 days' notice at a time and place selected by the Executive Committee of the Association. The annual meeting will include a business meeting and a scholarly program.
Section 2: OTHER MEETINGS: In addition to the annual meeting, special meetings may be called by the President on at least 30 days' notice.
Section 3: QUORUM: For the purpose of conducting any business, a quorum will consist of ten active and emeritus members who are present at any annual or duly called meeting.
Section 4: LOCATION: The annual meeting shall be held within the geographical region of the association. Locations shall be selected in a three year rotation cycle that shall include Monterey, California as one of the three locations.
ARTICLE VI –OFFICERS
Section 1: OFFICERS: The officers of the Association will consist of a President, a Vice-President/Program Chair, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, and the editor of the Western Law & Business Review.
Section 2: SELECTION: The offices of President, Vice-President/Program Chair, Executive Secretary, and Treasurer will be elective offices to be selected by the vote of the membership at the annual meeting. A nominating committee duly appointed by the outgoing President may recommend a slate of candidates to the membership.
Section 3: TENURE: The President and Vice-President/Program Chair will hold office for one year and thereafter until his or her successor takes office. The Executive Secretary and Treasurer will hold office for two years and thereafter until his or her successor takes office. For purposes of this section, "one year" is defined as the period from the adjournment of one annual meeting to the adjournment of the following annual meeting. There will be no term limits. Any officer may serve for as long as the members continue to re-elect him or her.
ARTICLE VII –DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1: PRESIDENT: The duties and functions of the President will be:
A. To plan and preside at all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee.
B. To appoint members and chairs of all committees other than the Executive Committee.
C. To supervise the affairs of the Association.
D. To promote the Association.
E. To serve as liaison with publishers and other supporters of the Association.
F. To serve as delegate to the Academy of Legal Studies in Business.
G. To form and advise the nominating committee for purposes of presenting candidates for officer positions to the membership.
H. To prepare constitutional changes properly submitted by a member.
I. To handle the logistics of the annual meeting, including negotiating dates and site for the meeting.
Section 2: VICE-PRESIDENT/PROGRAM CHAIR: The duties and functions of the Vice-President/Program Chair will be:
A. To serve as program chair in the preparation of the scholarly program for the annual meeting. This responsibility includes preparing and distributing the call for papers, organizing the sessions, and organizing the panels or workshops.
B. To prepare the PROCEEDINGS of the annual meeting, distributing them to the membership in a timely manner.
C. To preside at any meeting of the Association or the Executive Committee in the absence of the President.
D. To supervise and coordinate the work of the committees other than the Executive Committee.
E. To act as an assistant to the President, observing the President's actions so that there may be continuity in the administration of the Association affairs.
F. To announce and select, through an appointed committee, the BEST PAPER of that year's annual meeting.
G. To coordinate and prepare the welcoming party for the opening night of the annual meeting.
Section 3: EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: The duties and functions of the Executive Secretary will be:
A. To preside at any meeting of the Association or the Executive Committee in the absence of the President and the Vice President.
B. To serve as first alternate delegate to the Academy of Legal Studies in Business.
C. To keep minutes of the business meeting, distributing them to the membership in a timely manner.
D. To maintain and preserve records of the Association and to promptly deliver the records to his or her successor.
E. To assist in advertising and communication for the annual conference and for general updates to members and past attendees.
Section 4: TREASURER: The duties and functions of the Treasurer will be:
A.To receive dues and fees from the membership and maintain registration records for the annual meetings.
B.To maintain the organizational bank account and serve as treasurer of the Association in handling its financial matters, including disbursing organizational expenses.
C.To maintain a mailing list of Association members.
ARTICLE VIII –EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1: MEMBERSHIP: the Executive Committee will consist of the elected officers for the current year,the editor of the Western Law Journal,and the immediate past president of the Association.
Section 2: POWERS: The Executive Committee will be empowered:A.To advise the President regarding dates and site for the annual meeting of the Association. B. To act on behalf of the Association in all matters during the periods intervening between duly called meetings.
ARTICLE IX –ACADEMY OF LEGAL STUDIES IN BUSINESS DELEGATE
Section 1: SELECTION: The delegate to the Academy of Legal Studies in Business' national meeting will be the President of the Association. If the President is unable to attend the national meeting, the Executive Secretary will be the first alternate and the Vice President will be the second alternate. If no Association officer plans to attend the national meeting, the delegate will be elected from nominations accepted from the floor at the Association's annual business meeting.
Section 2: NOTICE: Each Association officer will be responsible for notifying in writing the Executive Secretary of his/her intentions regarding attendance at the national meeting at least thirty (30) days prior to the Association's annual meeting. The Executive Secretary of the Association will inform the Executive Secretary of the Academy of the identity of the Association's representative.
ARTICLE X –OTHER COMMITTEES
The membership of the Association may establish standing and special committees as needed, with numbers, powers, and duties as determined by the membership. Committee members will be appointed by the President. The President, exercising sound discretion, may designate additional committees proper to the furtherance of the Association and its goals.
ARTICLE XI –AMENDMENTS
Amendments may be made to this Constitution at any annual or special meeting providing that notice is given thirty (30) days before said meeting. Any member may vote on the amendment by written proxy.
ARTICLE XII –ADOPTION
This Constitution will become effective upon its adoption by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the regularly called 1983 annual meeting of the Association.
Amended March 17, 1989
Amended April 4, 1993
Amended April 10, 1994
Amended March 31,2007
Amended June 15, 2021
Certified by John Nolan, President, June 15, 2021
/s/ John Nolan
d/b/a/ THE WESTERN ACADEMY OF LEGAL STUDIES IN BUSINESS
ARTICLE I –NAME
This Association will be known as the Western Business Law Association, d/b/a the Western Academy of Legal Studies in Business.
ARTICLE II –GEOGRAPHIC REGION
The geographic region within which this Association will function, subject to any limitations by the Academy of Legal Studies in Business, embraces the following geographical area: The state of California from the Tehachapi Mountains to the northern boundary of the state and including the state of Nevada.
ARTICLE III –PURPOSE
The purpose of the regional association will be to cooperate with the Academy of Legal Studies in Business in furthering its purposes; to promote and encourage scholarship and superior teaching of business law and legal studies in business in colleges and universities; to foster a better understanding between college and university administrators and those engaged in teaching and research in the fields of business law and legal studies in business; to develop and maintain a friendly and cooperative relationship among teachers and scholars in the fields of business law and legal studies in business; to encourage and promote high ethical standards in the conduct of business; to provide a closely-knit medium for the exchange of information as to conditions in the various schools of business in this area and as to teaching techniques, teaching opportunities, current changes and developments in the field of law generally and business law and legal studies in business in particular; to afford an opportunity for teachers of business law and legal studies in business in this area to meet in person at such times and places as may be deemed suitable and convenient, for social and professional purposes, for common discussion and solution of problems of mutual interest, and for publication of the Western Law & Business Review.
ARTICLE IV –MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: The following categories of membership in the Academy are hereby established:
A. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP. Any person actively engaged in the teaching of or research in business law and legal studies in business at any two-year or four-year college or university or any college or university administrator or any other person sympathetic with the purposes and aims of the Association will be eligible for active membership.
B. EMERITUS MEMBERSHIP. Upon retirement for age from academic employment, an active member in good standing may transfer to emeritus membership.
Section 2: INDUCTION: Any eligible person may become a member by notifying the Executive Secretary and making payment of the annual dues for the current year.
Section 3: TERMINATION: Membership in the Association will be terminated whenever a member's dues are delinquent for one year.
ARTICLE V –MEETINGS
Section 1: ANNUAL MEETINGS: An annual meeting of the Association will be held on at least 60 days' notice at a time and place selected by the Executive Committee of the Association. The annual meeting will include a business meeting and a scholarly program.
Section 2: OTHER MEETINGS: In addition to the annual meeting, special meetings may be called by the President on at least 30 days' notice.
Section 3: QUORUM: For the purpose of conducting any business, a quorum will consist of ten active and emeritus members who are present at any annual or duly called meeting.
Section 4: LOCATION: The annual meeting shall be held within the geographical region of the association. Locations shall be selected in a three year rotation cycle that shall include Monterey, California as one of the three locations.
ARTICLE VI –OFFICERS
Section 1: OFFICERS: The officers of the Association will consist of a President, a Vice-President/Program Chair, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, and the editor of the Western Law & Business Review.
Section 2: SELECTION: The offices of President, Vice-President/Program Chair, Executive Secretary, and Treasurer will be elective offices to be selected by the vote of the membership at the annual meeting. A nominating committee duly appointed by the outgoing President may recommend a slate of candidates to the membership.
Section 3: TENURE: The President and Vice-President/Program Chair will hold office for one year and thereafter until his or her successor takes office. The Executive Secretary and Treasurer will hold office for two years and thereafter until his or her successor takes office. For purposes of this section, "one year" is defined as the period from the adjournment of one annual meeting to the adjournment of the following annual meeting. There will be no term limits. Any officer may serve for as long as the members continue to re-elect him or her.
ARTICLE VII –DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1: PRESIDENT: The duties and functions of the President will be:
A. To plan and preside at all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee.
B. To appoint members and chairs of all committees other than the Executive Committee.
C. To supervise the affairs of the Association.
D. To promote the Association.
E. To serve as liaison with publishers and other supporters of the Association.
F. To serve as delegate to the Academy of Legal Studies in Business.
G. To form and advise the nominating committee for purposes of presenting candidates for officer positions to the membership.
H. To prepare constitutional changes properly submitted by a member.
I. To handle the logistics of the annual meeting, including negotiating dates and site for the meeting.
Section 2: VICE-PRESIDENT/PROGRAM CHAIR: The duties and functions of the Vice-President/Program Chair will be:
A. To serve as program chair in the preparation of the scholarly program for the annual meeting. This responsibility includes preparing and distributing the call for papers, organizing the sessions, and organizing the panels or workshops.
B. To prepare the PROCEEDINGS of the annual meeting, distributing them to the membership in a timely manner.
C. To preside at any meeting of the Association or the Executive Committee in the absence of the President.
D. To supervise and coordinate the work of the committees other than the Executive Committee.
E. To act as an assistant to the President, observing the President's actions so that there may be continuity in the administration of the Association affairs.
F. To announce and select, through an appointed committee, the BEST PAPER of that year's annual meeting.
G. To coordinate and prepare the welcoming party for the opening night of the annual meeting.
Section 3: EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: The duties and functions of the Executive Secretary will be:
A. To preside at any meeting of the Association or the Executive Committee in the absence of the President and the Vice President.
B. To serve as first alternate delegate to the Academy of Legal Studies in Business.
C. To keep minutes of the business meeting, distributing them to the membership in a timely manner.
D. To maintain and preserve records of the Association and to promptly deliver the records to his or her successor.
E. To assist in advertising and communication for the annual conference and for general updates to members and past attendees.
Section 4: TREASURER: The duties and functions of the Treasurer will be:
A.To receive dues and fees from the membership and maintain registration records for the annual meetings.
B.To maintain the organizational bank account and serve as treasurer of the Association in handling its financial matters, including disbursing organizational expenses.
C.To maintain a mailing list of Association members.
ARTICLE VIII –EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1: MEMBERSHIP: the Executive Committee will consist of the elected officers for the current year,the editor of the Western Law Journal,and the immediate past president of the Association.
Section 2: POWERS: The Executive Committee will be empowered:A.To advise the President regarding dates and site for the annual meeting of the Association. B. To act on behalf of the Association in all matters during the periods intervening between duly called meetings.
ARTICLE IX –ACADEMY OF LEGAL STUDIES IN BUSINESS DELEGATE
Section 1: SELECTION: The delegate to the Academy of Legal Studies in Business' national meeting will be the President of the Association. If the President is unable to attend the national meeting, the Executive Secretary will be the first alternate and the Vice President will be the second alternate. If no Association officer plans to attend the national meeting, the delegate will be elected from nominations accepted from the floor at the Association's annual business meeting.
Section 2: NOTICE: Each Association officer will be responsible for notifying in writing the Executive Secretary of his/her intentions regarding attendance at the national meeting at least thirty (30) days prior to the Association's annual meeting. The Executive Secretary of the Association will inform the Executive Secretary of the Academy of the identity of the Association's representative.
ARTICLE X –OTHER COMMITTEES
The membership of the Association may establish standing and special committees as needed, with numbers, powers, and duties as determined by the membership. Committee members will be appointed by the President. The President, exercising sound discretion, may designate additional committees proper to the furtherance of the Association and its goals.
ARTICLE XI –AMENDMENTS
Amendments may be made to this Constitution at any annual or special meeting providing that notice is given thirty (30) days before said meeting. Any member may vote on the amendment by written proxy.
ARTICLE XII –ADOPTION
This Constitution will become effective upon its adoption by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the regularly called 1983 annual meeting of the Association.
Amended March 17, 1989
Amended April 4, 1993
Amended April 10, 1994
Amended March 31,2007
Amended June 15, 2021
Certified by John Nolan, President, June 15, 2021
/s/ John Nolan
