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Protocol Governing Creation and Maintenance of an Interest Group

Approved January 29, 1994, Revised June 2, 2007
  1. INTRODUCTION
    AAA Interest Groups are mechanisms for creating networks of AAA members sharing interests in an important anthropological intellectual and/or professional issue(s) or concern(s). By design, an Interest Group is more informal and more limited in its potential range of activities than an AAA Section. The intention is to provide AAA members a simple, informal vehicle for coming together to discuss, exchange information, advance some common interests or concerns not falling within the purview of an existing Section. Interest Groups are temporary entities, continuing only so long as there is demonstrated sufficient interest in the topic. An Interest Group will be authorized for three years at a time, and may apply for reauthorization as many times as sufficient interest can be demonstrated.

    Further, Interest Groups are creations of and exist at the discretion of the AAA, and are subordinate in every way to the Association. For example, an Interest Group may not make public statements, sign contracts, or make unapproved commitments (which is true of any Section, committee, commission or Task Force of the Association.)

    This protocol sets out the policies governing the creation and maintenance of an Interest Group.
  2. REQUIREMENTS FOR AN INTEREST GROUP
    1. Purpose
      1. An Interest Group must have a clearly defined area of important intellectual interest(s) or professional concern(s) consistent with the purposes and missions of the AAA. The interest(s)/concern(s) must not be in competition with an existing Interest Group or Section.
      2. An Interest Group must have a clearly defined need(s) and a reason(s) for existing (e.g., to create a network of AAA members for the purpose of sharing research ideas/findings on the anthropology of religion. No such entity exists within the AAA).
    2. Membership
      A member of an AAA Interest Group must be a Basic or At-Large member of the AAA. Associate members of the AAA are not eligible to be members of Interest Groups.
    3. Size
      An Interest Group must have and maintain a minimum membership of 25 AAA members.
    4. Convener(s)
      An Interest Group must have an officially designated convener, who will be the contact person for (1) information about the Interest Group, (2) contact with AAA headquarters, and (3) for organizing any Interest Group activities.
  3. INTEREST GROUP ACTIVITIES
    1. AAA Annual Meetings
      1. An Interest Group may hold one special event at the AAA Annual Meeting, for substantive and/or business discussion, provided meeting space is available. The Interest Group Convener must apply for meeting space through the AAA process for requesting time for special events (see annual Call for Papers).
      2. An Interest Group may submit volunteered annual meeting sessions for review and acceptance/rejection by the AAA Program Committee. These submissions must be submitted in accordance with the normal process for submitting volunteered sessions. Accepted Interest Group volunteered sessions will be identified as that Interest Group's submission in the Annual Meeting program.
      3. An Interest Group having 100 members for three consecutive years will qualify to present a substantive session for one full-time slot on the Annual Meeting program. The substantive program will be reviewed for quality and suitability by the AAA Program Chair. An Interest Group must maintain a membership of 100 to qualify for an annual meeting time slot. An Interest Group's membership total will be determined as of December 31 of each year.
    2. Services
      1. An Interest Group must provide at least one ongoing mechanism for exchanges of information (e.g., an Annual Meeting special event, written communications, etc.). If an interest group creates a website on an external site they must notify AAA so the appropriate link can be established.
      2. The Association may publish up to two newsletters a year for an Interest Group, provided (a) the Group provides camera-ready copy, and (b) covers all costs (see below). Proposals for newsletters must be reviewed by staff and approved by the AAA Executive Board.
    3. Prohibited Activities
      1. Interest Groups may not publish print journals, reviews or books.
      2. Interest Groups may not issue public statements, take public positions on issues, or act contrary to the AAA Bylaws, though, as with any AAA subentity, may make recommendations to the Executive Board.
  4. FINANCES
    1. An Interest Group may not assess dues or build a general fund balance.
    2. An Interest Group may assess a minimal fee for a specific service (e.g., a fee to cover actual newsletter costs), with the review of staff and approval of the AAA Executive Board. Fees must be collected through the AAA headquarters. Any unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year will revert to the AAA general fund.
    3. An Interest Group's budget, if any, must be submitted by September 30 of each year for the following budget year, and will become effective only after review by the AAA Finance Committee and approval of the AAA Executive Board. Keeping with their informal character, Interest Groups' budgets should be minimal.
  5. ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT FOR INTEREST GROUPS
    1. AAA headquarters will maintain Interest Groups' roster (names and address) supplied by the Interest Group convener. Addresses will be the same as a person uses for her/his AAA membership.
    2. AAA headquarters will collect and disperse any fees for services.
    3. AAA headquarters will arrange for printing and mailing of any newsletter covered by an Interest Group fee.
    4. AAA headquarters will assist in scheduling Interest Group discussion/business meetings.
    5. The Anthropology News will carry a single, 500-word news item about the formation of an Interest Group, and occasional information in the Cooperation Column, on a space-available basis. Otherwise, Interest Groups are not entitled to space in any edition of the AN.
    6. The AAA will fund one start-up mailing about organizing an Interest Group, sent to a specific list of identified AAA members (addresses must be supplied) of up to 200 persons.
    7. The AAA headquarters, on a space-available basis, shall assist in scheduling a special event at an Annual Meeting for one pre-acceptance organizational meeting, which can be used to review organizational plans and/or to ascertain interest in starting a proposed group.
    8. The AAA Executive Board may reduce any of these services as the number of Interest Groups increases.
  6. APPLICATION PROCESS
    1. The Interest Group convener(s) submits to the AAA Executive Director a Statement of Purpose, stating
      1. The intellectual topic(s) or professional concern(s) around which the Group is to be formed.
      2. The need for such a Group.
      3. The process for selecting future conveners.
      4. Initial plans and process for developing information exchange/special event sessions at an annual meeting.
      5. A list of names and addresses of at least 25 AAA basic or at-large members who have agreed to be members of the Interest Group.
    2. After review and comment by staff, the application is forwarded to the Association Operations Committee for comment and recommendation.
    3. The AAA Executive Board will act on the AOC's recommendation, and if the action is positive, authorize the Interest Group for three years.
    4. Prior to the end of each three years of an Interest Group's existence, the Group Convener(s) will file with the Executive Director a written report of the Group's activities and, if desired, an application for permission to continue for another three years.