Notes Regarding Proposed Changes to the Texas Association of Museums Constitution & By-Laws

NOTES REGARDING PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Proposed edits to the Constitution and By-Laws were presented for discussion by the TAM Executive Committee to the Council on March 5, 2024. Revisions as discussed and presented were voted on by the Executive Committee on February 21, 2024 and announced to Membership for the 30-day comment period as required by TAM By-Laws on March 11, 2024. Membership will vote on the proposed changes at the annual Business Meeting on April 16, 2024. 

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE III: Officers

Section 3. H.:

Was: 

The Vice-President of IDEA shall work with Council and Standing Committees to help promote and advocate for matters related to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access within TAM. 

Alteration: 

The Vice-President for IDEA shall Chair the standing committee of IDEA and work with the Council, Standing Committees, and Affinity Groups to help promote and advocate for matters related to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access throughout TAM.

Justification: 

In this case and other future cases this clarifies that the Vice President of a TAM standing committee is not the defacto chair of any companion/related Affinity Group. 

ARTICLE VI: Executive Committee

Section 1:

Was: 

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, who shall serve as chair, Vice-President, Vice-President for Development, Vice-President for Special Projects, Vice-President of IDEA, Secretary, Treasurer, and immediate Past President. 

Alteration: 

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, who shall serve as Chair, Vice-President for Development, Vice-President for Programs, Vice-President for Special Initiatives, Vice-President of IDEA, Secretary, Treasurer, and immediate Past President. 

Justification: 

Edits for naming consistency throughout the document. 

ARTICLE VIII: Standing Committees

Section 1:

Was: 

There shall be the following standing committees of the Association: Nominating, Long Range Initiatives, Membership, Development, Annual Meeting Program, and IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility). 

Alteration: 

There shall be the following standing committees of the Association: Nominating, Special Initiatives, Membership, Development, Programs, and IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility). 

Justification: 

Edits for consistency throughout the document. 

ARTICLE VIII: Standing Committees

Section 2:

Was: 

The chair of each standing committee shall be voting members of the Council and shall be appointed to the chair by the President, except for the Officers of affinity, regional organizations, and those committees as defined in the TAM By-laws, Article III, Section 3, and Article VII, Sections 2, 3, and 4. The President shall charge each committee with its specific duties.  

Alteration: 

Standing Committees as identified by Article VIII Section 1 will be chaired as outlined in the by-laws (Article III, Section 3) and shall be voting members of Council. The Past President will convene the Nominating Committee per Article VII. The President shall appoint the chair of the Membership Standing Committee from among the at-large members of the TAM Council. If a chair of a standing committee vacates their office prior to the end of their term, the President shall appoint a replacement from a voting member of Council to fulfill the term left vacant until the annual election. The President shall charge each committee with its specific duties. 

Justification: 

We are clarifying that the membership Chair is not an elected Vice President, however, the Chair is appointed by the President from an elected at-large member of the TAM Council that is not a VP.

ARTICLE X: Executive Director

Section 1:

Was: 

The Council may at its discretion employ or dismiss any Executive Director to manage the affairs, programming, and headquarters of the Association on a day-to-day basis. The Executive Director shall report and be accountable to the Council as a body; but the President is the Executive Director’s immediate supervisor and shall, as necessary, articulate the policy of Council. 

Alteration: 

The Council may at its discretion employ or dismiss any Executive Director to manage the affairs, programming, and headquarters of the Association on a day-to-day basis. The Executive Director shall report and be accountable to the Council as a body; but the President is the Executive Director’s immediate supervisor and shall, as necessary, articulate the policy of Council. Prior to the Q4 meeting, the President in consultation with the Executive Committee shall conduct an annual performance review of the Executive Director.

Justification: 

Hold the Council accountable for the performance review of the TAM Executive Director.

February 21, 2024