Text of the 2013 Amendment

The Governing Board of the Philosophy of Science Association proposes to amend the PSA By-Laws to change the date by which 15 members of the PSA may submit nominations to the Executive Secretary for President, Governing Board, and Nominating Committee.

Per Article VI §2 of the PSA By-Laws, this proposed amendment shall be adopted if approved by two-thirds of the full members who vote on it in the 2013 PSA Election. If adopted, the change is to be effective starting in 2014.

Justification

The PSA By-Laws allow 15 full members of the PSA to nominate candidates for President, Governing Board, and Nominating Committee. Currently, the By-Laws require that such nominations be submitted to the Executive Secretary by November 1. This deadline has resulted in delays in running our elections, since it takes time to collect information from candidates to create the ballot. To resolve this problem, the Governing Board proposes to amend the By-Laws to require that nominations for President, Governing Board, or Nominating Committee by 15 full members of the PSA be submitted to the Executive Secretary by September 15.

Proposed Amendment

Enacting these changes requires the following amendments to Article IV of the PSA By-Laws. Deleted text is struck through, and new text is in bold.

 

ARTICLE IV. Elections and Meetings

Section 5

Biennially in odd numbered years the Governing Board shall nominate at least six individuals to stand for election to the Nominating Committee. In addition nominations may be made by any fifteen full members of the Association. All nominations must be filed with the Executive Secretary on or before November 1 September 15. Preferential ballots shall be used in the election for Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three individuals. Terms shall begin on January 1 of even numbered years and expire on December 31 of odd numbered years.

Section 6

Nominations for President shall be made by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall nominate at least three candidates for President. In addition, nominations may be made by any fifteen full members of the Association. All nominations must be filed with the Executive Secretary on or before November 1 September 15. Balloting for President shall utilize a preferential ballot.

Section 7

Nominations for Governing Board members other than the President, President-elect, and most recent past president shall be decided by the Nominating Committee. The number of candidates for Governing Board that the Nominating Committee must select shall equal twice the number of Governing Board members whose current terms are expiring. In addition, nominations may be made by any fifteen full members of the Association.

All nominations must be filed with the Executive Secretary on or before November 1 September 15. Elections for Governing Board members shall use a non-preferential ballot. Election to the Governing Board shall be by plurality of votes cast.