Constitution and Bylaws

I. Name

The name of the society is the Society for American Travel Writing, referred to

hereafter as SATW.

II. Purpose and Mission

The SATW fosters interest and scholarship in travel writing by American authors or about America by hosting panels at professional conferences, particularly the annual conference of the American Literature Association, and by pursuing other appropriate activities.

III. Membership

The SATW is composed of persons who apply for membership by submitting their names and email addresses to the society’s mailing list. No dues are assessed for membership in the society. All members shall be encouraged through open calls for papers to participate in the society’s panels.

III. Officers

Officers of the SATW are a President, a Vice President, a three-member Board of Advisors, and Emeritus Members. The governing body of the SATW, composed of all the persons mentioned in this article, is referred to as the Executive Council.

The President serves a two-year term immediately following service as Vice President. The President presides at meetings, specifically at the annual business meeting scheduled during the annual conference of the American Literature Association; conducts business necessary throughout the year; and delegates responsibility for maintaining the SATW membership mailing list. The President collaborates with the Vice President in organizing SATW panels for the annual conference of the American Literature Association and for other conferences.

The Vice President serves a two-year term upon election at the society’s annual meeting. The Vice President collaborates with the President in organizing SATW panels for the annual conference of the American Literature Association and for other conferences, and assists the President as necessary. The Vice President will assume the duties of the President in her or his absence.

The Board of Advisors is composed of immediate past presidents of the SATW and/or persons approved by the Executive Council. Members may serve terms of up to six years, with the longest-serving member rotating off the Board when an immediate past-president becomes a new Advisor. The Board of Advisors provides advice and aid to the President and Vice President in carrying on the business of the SATW and ensuring its continuance.

Emeritus Members are persons who have made significant contributions over time to the SATW and thereby hold special lifetime status in the society. They provide advice and aid to the President and Vice President in carrying on the business of the SATW and ensuring its continuance. Emeritus Members are named and approved by the Executive Council. Emeritus Members include:

Beth Lueck, Co-Founder of the Society for American Travel Writing,

President Emeritus

Jeffrey Melton, Co-Founder of the Society for American Travel Writing,

President Emeritus

V. Meetings

The SATW convenes an annual business meeting in conjunction with the annual convention of the American Literature Association. In addition, the Executive Council may arrange business meetings at other conferences, as necessary.

VI. Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws

The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended at the annual business meeting of the SATW by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the President in advance of a business meeting. In all such actions, the President, assisted by the Executive Council, will make every possible effort to inform the entire SATW membership of proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws.