Governance and Bylaws

A seventeen-member Board of Directors, elected by the membership, governs the NCPH with the active assistance of numerous committees which address administrative or policy issues, investigate and advise the organization on recent developments in the field, and support initiatives that enhance the practice of public history.

The organization’s Bylaws, Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and Long Range Plan help to shape our structure and direction.

The NCPH Code of Bylaws are the rules governing our membership organization and for the regulation of its affairs.

NCPH Code of Bylaws

ARTICLE 1
IDENTIFICATION

Section 1.01. Name. The name of the corporation is THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON PUBLIC HISTORY, INC. (The “Corporation”).

Section 1.02. Mission. NCPH inspires public engagement with the past and serves the needs of practitioners in putting history to work in the world by
– building community among historians,
– expanding professional skills and tools,
– fostering critical reflection on historical practice, and
– publicly advocating for history and historians.

ARTICLE 2
MEMBERSHIP

Section 2.01. Qualification of Members and Affiliates. The Corporation’s members shall consist of such natural persons who apply for membership and shall have been admitted to membership from time to time by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof based on eligibility requirements established from time to time by the Corporation (the “Members”). In addition, the Board of Directors of the Corporation may from time to time designate such class or classes of institutional members or honorary members (“Contributor Members”) as it deems reasonable, which such class or classes shall possess certain qualifications and pay a fee or fees with respect to the Corporation as shall be determined by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee from time to time. Contributor Members shall not have voting rights or other rights or privileges of membership otherwise given to Members by the Act. An institutional member may affiliate with the Corporation as a Contributor Member, and receive its publications, but shall not be entitled to vote.

Section 2.02. Rights of Members. Members shall receive The Public Historian and Public History News and are entitled to one vote for officers, members of the Board of Directors, and members of the Nominating Committee. The right of a Member to vote and all the Member’s rights, title and interest in or to the Corporation shall cease on the termination of membership. No Member shall be entitled to share in the distribution of the corporate assets upon the dissolution of the Corporation.

Section 2.03. Dues and Assessments. Each Member and Contributor Member shall pay annually to the Corporation or its designated contractual agent fees and charges in an amount determined by the Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Executive Committee.

Section 2.04. Resignation from Membership. Any Member may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the President or the Secretary of the Corporation or by failing to pay the annual fees and charges. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. If a Member serving as a Director resigns from membership in the Corporation, the Member’s term as a Director shall terminate at the time such resignation becomes effective.

Section 2.05. Termination of Membership. The Board of Directors may terminate or suspend the membership of any Member for failure to pay such fees and charges as may be required under Section 2.03 hereof. The Board of Directors may also adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or advisable for the suspension or termination of membership.

Section 2.06. Period of Membership. The term of membership of all Members shall be one (1) year. The number of terms of membership that a person may serve is not limited.

ARTICLE 3
MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

Section 3.01. Place of Meetings. All meetings of Members shall be held either at the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Indiana, or at such other place within or without the State of Indiana as may be designated by the Board of Directors and specified in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.

Section 3.02. Annual Meeting. An annual business meeting of the Members shall be held during each fiscal year of the Corporation as designated by the Board of Directors and specified in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.

Section 3.03. Special Meetings. The President, Executive Committee, or the Board of Directors may call special meetings of the Members.

Section 3.04. Notice of Meetings. A written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered or mailed by the Secretary, the Executive Director, or by the officer or persons calling the meeting to each Member of record of the Corporation at such address as appears on the records of the Corporation at least ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, or if notice is mailed by other than first class or registered mail, thirty (30) to sixty (60) days before the meeting date. Notice of any meeting of Members may be waived in a writing signed by any Member and delivered to the Corporation. Attendance at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting.

Section 3.05. Voting Lists. After fixing a record date for a notice of a meeting, the Secretary or an agent designated by the Board shall prepare a list of the names of the Corporation’s Members who are entitled to notice of a Members’ meeting, containing the address and number of votes each Member is entitled to vote at a meeting.

Section 3.06. Quorum. Ten percent (10%) of the persons qualified to vote as Members, represented in person or by proxy, or thirty (30) members, whichever is smaller, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Members of the Corporation.

Section 3.07. Proxies. At any meeting of Members, a Member entitled to vote may vote by proxy executed in writing by the Member or duly authorized attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after eleven (11) months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

Section 3.08. Voting Rights. Each Member present in person or by proxy shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote upon each question voted upon at all meetings of the Members. In the event of any tie in any election in which Members are entitled to vote, the decision of a majority of the Board of Directors, after being polled by the Executive Director, shall resolve the tie. No Member entitled to vote in any election of directors shall have the right to multiply the number of votes to which such Member may be entitled by the number of directors to be elected.

Section 3.09. Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Members of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by fifty-one percent (51%) of the Members entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Members. Such consent shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote of the Members at a duly held meeting of the Members.

Section 3.10. Meeting by Electronic Communications. Any or all of the Members of the Corporation may participate in a meeting by or through the use of any means of communication by which all Members participating may communicate with each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting using these means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

Section 3.11. Meeting by Ballot. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Members of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting if the Corporation delivers a written ballot to every Member entitled to vote on the matter, provided that the written ballot sets forth each proposed action, and provides an opportunity to vote for or against each proposed action. Approval by written ballot shall be valid only when (1) half or more of those responding by ballot equals or exceeds half of the individual members, and (2) the number of approvals equals or exceeds the number of votes that would be required to approve the matter at a meeting at which the total number of votes cast was the same as the number of votes cast by ballot. A solicitation for votes by written ballot must do the following: (i) indicate the number of responses needed to meet the quorum requirements; (ii) state the percentage of approvals necessary to approve each matter other than the election of directors; and specify the time by which a ballot must be received by the Corporation to be counted. A written ballot may not be revoked.

ARTICLE 4
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 4.01. Functions. The business, property and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed and controlled by a Board of Directors as from time to time constituted.

Section 4.02. Number. There shall be seventeen (17) Directors of the Corporation, which number may from time to time be increased or decreased by resolution adopted by not less than a majority of the Board of Directors, subject to the limitation that the Board shall never be reduced to less than five (5) nor increased to more than nineteen (19) Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of ten (10) individuals elected by the Members (the “Elected Directors”), the four (4) current Officers of the Corporation, the immediate Past President of the Corporation, the Executive Director, and the Editor of The Public Historian.  The Executive Director and Editor shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of the Board of Directors. All other members of the Board shall be voting members. In the event the number of Directors is increased as provided herein, the election of the additional Director or Directors shall be by a vote of the Members of the Corporation according to a procedure established by resolution of the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, all members of the Board of Directors shall have and be subject to the same and equal qualifications, rights, privileges, duties, limitations and restrictions. Members of the Board of Directors shall be members of the Corporation in good standing. Failure to maintain membership on a current basis or six (6) months of no attendance at meetings or official board activity without prior written notice to the President shall be cause for removal from the Board.

Section 4.03. Election. The Members of the Corporation shall elect the Board of Directors by an annual written and/or electronic balloting process concluding at a time at least two months prior to the annual meeting. The members of the Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible who will serve staggered terms of three (3) years coinciding with the annual meeting with the addition of at least two (2) candidates who are students in public history or a related field at the time of the election to run for one (1) three-year term triennially. Directors shall be chosen for a term of three (3) years, to begin on the last day of the annual meeting, to succeed those whose terms expires.

Section 4.04. Term. Each member of the Board of Directors shall serve for a term of three (3) years or until a successor is elected and qualified, or until the member has resigned or been removed. Incumbent Directors shall be eligible for re-election for one additional term. A member may serve non-consecutive terms as a Director.

Section 4.05. Vacancies. Any vacancy among the Directors caused by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by a person designated by the President, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. A Director elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office until the expiration of the term of the Director causing the vacancy and until a successor shall be elected and qualified.

Section 4.06. Resignation. Any Director may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Board of Directors, the President, or the Secretary of the Corporation. A resignation is effective upon delivery unless the notice specifies a later effective date. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 4.07. Removal. Any Director may be removed, with or without cause, in accordance with the provisions of the Indiana Nonprofit Corporation Act of 1991, as amended (the “Act”).

Section 4.08. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet twice each year. One such meeting will take place in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Members of the Corporation, at the place where such meeting of the Members has been held, for the purpose of discussing organizational issues and consideration of any other business that may properly be brought before the meeting. No notice shall be necessary for the holding of this annual meeting. The Board of Directors may provide by resolution the time and place, either within or without the State of Indiana, for the holding of additional regular meetings of the Board without other notice than such resolution. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President, and shall be called by order thereof upon the written request of at least two Directors, which request shall set forth the business to be conducted at such a meeting.

Section 4.09. Notice of Meetings. Notice of all meetings of the Board of Directors, except as herein otherwise provided, shall be given by mail or electronic communications or delivering personally the same at least two (2) days before the meeting to the usual business or residence address of the Director as shown upon the records of the Corporation. Notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors may be waived in a document filed with the Secretary by any Director if the waiver sets forth in reasonable detail the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and the time and place of the meeting. Attendance at any meeting of the Board of Directors shall constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

Section 4.10. Quorum. A quorum of the Board of Directors at any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be one-third (1/3) of the duly qualified members of the Board of Directors then occupying office, but in no case shall there be less than four (4) Directors present. The act of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting who constitute a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.11. Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if the action is taken by all members of the Board of Directors or of such committee. The action must be evidenced by at least one written consent describing the action taken, signed by each member of the Board of Directors or of such committee, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records reflecting the action taken.

Section 4.12. Meeting by Electronic Communications. Any or all of the members of the Board of Directors or of any committee designated by the Board may participate in a meeting by or through the use of any means of communication by which all persons participating may communicate with each other during the meeting. Participation in a meeting using these means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.

ARTICLE 5
OFFICERS

Section 5.01. Officers and Agents. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, an Immediate Past President, an Executive Director, and such other officers as the Board of Directors may, by resolution, designate from time to time. The members may, by resolution, create, appoint and define the duties and fix the compensation of such officers and agents as, in its discretion, is deemed necessary, convenient or expedient for carrying out the purposes for which the Corporation is formed; provided, however, that officers and agents shall be compensated, if at all, only for actual services performed on behalf of the Corporation.

Section 5.02. Election, Term of Office, and Qualification. The Vice-President shall be chosen biennially and the Secretary and the Treasurer-Elect each triennially by written ballot of the Members. Each officer shall hold office (unless the officer resigns, is removed, or dies) until the conclusion of their designated terms or until a successor is chosen and qualified. The Vice-President shall automatically be designated the President-elect and, upon the expiration of a two-year term as Vice-President, shall assume the office of President. The term of the President shall be two years. The Treasurer-Elect shall become Treasurer for three years upon the expiration of a one-year term during which the Treasurer-Elect learns the organization’s financial conditions and policies. The Treasurer-Elect becomes a (voting) member of the board upon assuming the office of Treasurer.  The position of Treasurer shall be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term; if the Board votes to reappoint the Treasurer for one additional term, the triennial election will be suspended. The Secretary shall serve a three-year term and shall be eligible for re-election.

Section 5.03. Vacancies. In the event an office of the Corporation becomes vacant by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or any other cause, the President, with the approval of the Executive Committee, shall designate a member of the Board of Directors to fill such vacancy, and the person so elected shall hold office and serve until the next duly constituted meeting of the Board of Directors, at which time the Board shall elect a person to fill such vacancy; provided, however, that in the event the office of President becomes vacant, the current Vice-President shall automatically fill such vacancy.

Section 5.04. President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and Members, if present; shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation; shall have and exercise general charge and supervision of the affairs of the Corporation; and shall do and perform such other duties as this Code of By-Laws provides or as may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.05. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall exercise and perform all powers of, and perform duties incumbent upon, the President during the absence or disability of the President and shall exercise and perform such other powers and duties as this Code of By-Laws, the Board, or the President may prescribe. The Vice-President shall appoint the members of all standing and temporary committees (except the Executive Committee) with the advice of the President and the Board of Directors.  An appointed vice-president, however, will not be able to succeed to the office of president unless duly elected to that position by the Members.

Section 5.06. Secretary. The Secretary shall have the oversight of the corporate records and the minutes book of the Corporation. The Secretary (or a designee chosen by the Board) shall have the following responsibilities: shall attend all the meetings of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and Members of the Corporation; shall keep, or cause to be kept in a book provided for the purpose, a true and complete record of the proceedings of such meetings; and shall perform a like duty for all standing committees of the Board of Directors when required. The Secretary shall attend to the giving and serving of all notices of the Corporation, shall file and take care of all papers and documents belonging to the Corporation, shall authenticate records of the Corporation as necessary, and shall perform such other duties as may be required by the Code of By-Laws or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President.

Section 5.07. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep correct and complete records of account, showing accurately at all times the financial condition of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall be the legal custodian of all monies, notes, securities and other valuables, which may from time to time come into the possession of the Corporation. All funds of the Corporation coming into the Treasurer’s hands shall be immediately deposited in some reliable banks or other depository with the approval of the Board of Directors, and shall keep such bank accounts in the name of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall provide a semi-annual statement to the Board of Directors, and an annual statement to the Members, of the financial condition of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as may be required by this Code of By-Laws or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President. The Treasurer shall serve as the chair of the Finance Committee, or shall designate another member of the organization to chair, and shall in conjunction with the Executive Director prepare the annual budget of the Corporation.

Section 5.08. Past-President. The immediate Past-President shall serve on the Nominating Committee and assist with other activities of the Corporation as needed.

Section 5.09. Assistant Officers. The Board of Directors may from time to time designate assistant officers who shall exercise and perform such powers and duties as the officers whom they are elected to assist shall specify and delegate to them, and such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Code of By-Laws, the Board of Directors or the President.

Section 5.10. Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be the chief operating officer of the Corporation. The Director will have the following responsibilities: shall be the chief professional and operating officer of the Corporation; shall have and exercise general charge and supervision of the conduct of the ordinary business of the Corporation; shall assist the President with administering the affairs of the Corporation; shall serve as an ex officio member of all committees of the Corporation; and shall do and perform such other duties as this Code of By-Laws provides or as may be assigned to that person by the President and/or the Board of Directors.

Section 5.11. Removal. Any officer may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 5.12. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the Board of Directors, the President, or the Secretary. A resignation is effective upon delivery unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

ARTICLE 6
NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Section 6.01. Membership. The Nominating Committee shall consist of seven Members, one of whom is the immediate Past-President, and six of whom are elected by the Members of the Corporation and who shall serve three-year staggered terms. The President shall designate each year the Chair of the Nominating Committee from among its seven members.

Section 6.02. Function. The Nominating Committee shall identify, determine the eligibility of, and recommend to the Board of Directors persons to be considered for elected offices of the Corporation. The Nominating Committee shall report to the Executive Director five (5) months prior to the annual meeting a slate of one (1) candidate for Vice President and/or one (1) candidate for Secretary and/or one (1) candidate for Treasurer, and/or one (1) or more candidates for a student representative to the Board, and two (2) candidates from among individual members of the Corporation for Director and member of the Nominating Committee to be elected. Candidates for Director, Officer and Nominating Committee member will then be elected by a plurality of the members by a vote by ballot sent to members at least three (3) months prior to the annual meeting and returned to the Executive Director postmarked at least two (2) months before the annual meeting. The Nominating Committee shall provide candidates for office with copies of these By-Laws. The Nominating Committee may not inform candidates of others running for that position. The Executive Director shall promptly notify all candidates of the election outcome, and the President may follow with a letter to all candidates.

Section 6.03. Removal. Any committee member may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors

Section 6.04. Vacancies. Any vacancy on the Nominating Committee caused by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by a person designated by the President, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE 7
COMMITTEES

Section 7.01. Standing Committees. The standing committees of the Corporation shall be established under the following divisions — Governance, Operations, and Programs and shall provide the functions described below. The term of each committee shall begin on the final day of the annual meeting of the Members. Unless otherwise provided in these By-Laws, the Vice President shall, in advance of the Annual Meeting, appoint individuals to fill committee vacancies, broadly representative of the profession, and designate a chair for each committee from among its members, subject to the advice of the Board of Directors and the executive office. The committees shall meet in person or electronically at least once a year.

Section 7.02. Governance. The Governance division will include the following committees: the Executive Committee, the Governance Committee, the Editorial Board of The Public Historian, the History@Work Editorial Committee, and Board Committees.

Clause (a). Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, the immediate Past-President, and an at-large member from the Board selected by the Board at its annual meeting. The Executive Director will also serve as an ex-officio member of the Committee. The term of the Executive Committee shall begin on the final day of the annual meeting of the Members. The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President. The Executive Committee shall have the authority and responsibility to conduct the affairs of the Corporation on behalf of the Board of Directors between the meetings of the Board, but shall exercise no authority specifically reserved to the Board. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for hiring any employees of the Corporation and for entering into contracts for the Corporation, and shall have the authority and responsibility of setting the terms and conditions of employment and contractual obligations. The Executive Committee shall review the Executive Director’s financial and other records as warranted, but in any event and at least triennially.

Clause (b). The Public Historian Editorial Board. The Public Historian Editorial Board shall advise the editor on the matters of editorial policy and content of The Public Historian: A Journal of Public History. Members of the Editorial Board shall: serve as referees on manuscripts in their areas of expertise; recommend reviewers for books, exhibits, and films; encourage potential authors to contact the journal staff; and keep the editors informed about interesting developments within the public history profession. The President shall appoint members of the editorial board to three-year terms.

Clause (c). Board Committees. The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, may designate one or more committees of the Board, each of which shall consist of two or more Directors, which committees, to the extent provided in said resolution, shall have and exercise the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the Corporation. Other committees not having and exercising the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the Corporation may be designated by a resolution adopted by a majority of the Directors present at the meeting at which a quorum is present, or by the President. The designation of any such committee and the delegation thereof of authority shall not operate to relieve the Board of Directors, or any individual Director, of any responsibility imposed by law.

Clause (d). History@Work Editorial Committee. The History@Work Editorial Committee shall advise the organization on the matters of editorial policy and content of History@Work. Members of the Editorial Committee shall: serve as editors for the blog; recommend blog content; encourage potential authors to contact the editorial team; and keep the editors informed about interesting developments within the public history profession. The President shall appoint members of the editorial committee to three-year terms.

Clause (e). Governance Committee. The Governance Committee shall periodically review organization bylaws, committee structures, and committee responsibilities; orient, educate, and assess the Board; and otherwise advise the Board and committees on governance matters and best practices. The Governance Committee shall consist of at least five members, with at least three members currently residing on the Board (one of whom shall be the Secretary) and at least two non-Board members, to be chaired by a current Board member.

Section 7.03. Operations. The Operations division shall consist of the following committees: Finance, Long-Range Planning, and Membership.

Clause (a). Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall consist of the Treasurer, the Treasurer-Elect, the Vice-President, and three additional Members appointed for two-year terms by the Vice President with the advice of the Board of Directors. The Committee shall assist the Treasurer and Executive Director in preparing an annual budget and make recommendations regarding the financial activities of the Corporation.

Clause (b). Long Range Planning Committee. The Long Range Planning Committee shall consist of a Board liaison, and at least three additional Members appointed for two-year terms by the Vice President with the advice of the Board of Directors. The Committee shall work to implement the Corporation’s long range plan and seek to maintain and enhance an efficient, effective organizational apparatus for the Corporation. The Committee shall perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Clause (c). Membership Committee. The Membership Committee shall consist of a Board liaison and three additional Members appointed for two-year terms by the Vice President with the advice of the Board of Directors. The Committee shall coordinate all membership matters. It shall perform such other duties as may be assigned. The Executive Office shall appoint a staff member to serve as ex-officio member of the committee.

Section 7.04.  Programs. The Programs division shall consist of the following committees

Clause (a). Annual Meeting Program Committee. Each year, an Annual Meeting Program Committee is appointed to organize a single meeting in a given city.  An Annual Meeting Program Committee shall consist of at least five members appointed for two-year terms by the President and the Vice-President in consultation with the Board of Directors. The committee shall identify an annual meeting theme in consultation with the President; work with the Executive Office to issue a call for papers/proposals; arrange the sessions for the annual meeting; and coordinate logistics and special events with the Local Arrangements Committee. The chair/co-chairs of the Local Arrangements Committee serve/s on the Program Committee.

Clause (b). Local Arrangements Committee. Each year, an Annual Meeting Local Arrangements Committee is appointed to organize a single meeting in a given city.   A Local Arrangements Committee shall consist of representatives from the host site appointed for two-year terms by the President and the Vice-President in consultation with the Board of Directors. The committee shall coordinate meeting planning, seek local funding and support, arrange special events (i.e., tours, special offsite programming, etc.) for the annual meeting, and work with the Executive Office to promote the meeting.

Clause (c). Development Committee. The Development Committee shall consist of at least three members appointed for two-year terms by the Vice President in consultation with the Board of Directors. The committee shall develop and maintain an annual fundraising strategy plan for NCPH; identify existing or future development opportunities, such as planned giving and cultivating major contributors; and identify special events and venues to host an annual endowment fundraiser and work with the Executive Director to plan and promote the event.

Clause (d). Consultants Committee. The Consultants Committee shall consist of at least three Members appointed for two-year terms by the Vice President with the advice of the Board of Directors. The Committee shall promote the interests of NCPH Members who provide historical services as consultants or contractors. The Committee shall perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Clause (e). Curriculum and Training Committee. The Curriculum and Training Committee shall consist of at least three Members appointed for two-year terms by the Vice President with the advice of the Board of Directors. The Committee shall develop ways of involving students in the functions of the Corporation, monitor education standards and guidelines for the profession, and assist in promoting the public history field. The Committee shall perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Clause (f). Professional Standards and Ethics Committee. The Professional Standards and Ethics Committee at least three Members appointed for two-year terms by the Vice President with the advice of the Board of Directors. The Committee shall review and recommend standards of practice and ethical considerations associated with the study and practice of public history.

Clause (g). New Professional and Student Committee. The New Professional and Student Committee shall consist of at least three Members appointed for two-year terms by the Vice-President in consultation with the Board of Directors. The Committee shall promote the interests of students and new professionals (i.e., individuals in the first few years of their public history career). The Committee shall perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Clause (h). Professional Development Committee. The Professional Development Committee shall consist of at least three Members appointed for two-year terms by the Vice President with the advice of the Board of Directors. It will develop ways of providing professional development and continuing education for NCPH members as well as nonmembers, such as workshops during the annual meeting. The Committee shall perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Clause (i). Committee for Government Historians. The Committee for Government Historians shall consist of at least three Members appointed for two-year terms by the Vice President with the advice of the Board of Directors. The Committee shall promote the interests of NCPH Members who are in employed in government offices and agencies. The Committee shall perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Clause (j). Environmental Sustainability Committee. The Environmental Sustainability Committee shall consist of at least three Members appointed for two-year terms by the Vice President with advice from the Board of Directors. The Committee shall advise the Board of Directors to find ways to ensure NCPH’s consistent activity and response on issues of environmental sustainability, and to maintain awareness of NCPH members on the subject.

Clause (k). Advisory Committee on National Park Service Collaboration. The committee advises and assists with the cooperative agreement between NCPH and the National Park Service (NPS), by consulting on the selection of projects and project participants (but not selecting), advising the Board and NCPH staff on NPS issues, publicizing the program, and advocating for NPS within the organization. The committee shall consist of at least five appointed members along with two ex officio members, one representing the NCPH office (selected by the NCPH executive director) and one representing the NPS history program (selected by the NPS chief historian).

Clause (l). Committee on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. The Committee on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility shall consist of at least five Members appointed for two-year terms by the Vice President with the advice of the Board of Directors. The Committee shall promote inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility within NCPH. The Committee shall perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Clause (m). Reports. All Committees shall report to at least twice a year in the organization’s newsletter and/or by report to the Board of Directors.

Section 7.05. Ad Hoc Committees. The President may establish Ad Hoc Committees as needed to conduct the affairs of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 8
LOANS TO OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The Corporation shall not lend money to or guarantee the obligation of any officer or Director of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 9
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

Section 9.01. Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to a specific instance; and unless so authorized by the Board of Directors, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement, or to pledge its credit or render it liable pecuniarily for any purpose or to any amount.

Section 9.02. Checks, etc. All checks, drafts, notes, bonds, bills of exchange, and orders for the payment of money and other evidences of indebtedness in an amount greater than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) shall, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors or required by law, be authorized by the President, Vice-President, or Treasurer. The Board of Directors may, however, designate officers or employees of the Corporation, other than those named above, who may, in the name of the Corporation, execute drafts, checks and orders for the payment of money in its behalf. The Executive Director shall keep the Treasurer apprised of the transfer of funds to the host institution for budgeted amounts approved for each fiscal year. Payments may be made monthly or as the need arises.

Section 9.03. Investments. The Corporation shall have the right to retain all or any part of any securities or property acquired by it in whatever manner, and to invest and reinvest any funds held by it, according to the judgment of the Board of Directors.

Section 9.04. Gifts. The Executive Committee may accept on behalf of the Corporation any contribution, gift, bequest or devise of real or personal property for the general purposes of the Corporation or for any special purpose of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 10
FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January of each year and end on the last day of December of each year.

ARTICLE 11
CORPORATE INDEMNIFICATION

To the extent not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Indiana, every person (and the heirs, estate, executors, administrators and personal representatives of such person) who is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation shall be indemnified by the Corporation as provided in the Act.

ARTICLE 12
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code of By-Laws, no Member, Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation shall take any action or carry on any activity by or on behalf of the Corporation not permitted to be taken or carried on by an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor provision or provisions thereto.

ARTICLE 13
AMENDMENTS

The power to make, alter, amend or repeal the Code of By-Laws is vested in the Board of Directors, which power shall be exercised by affirmative vote of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Directors present at any meeting of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the proposed amendment shall be included in a notice of such meeting delivered at least thirty (30) days in advance of such meeting. If notice of a proposed amendment to the Code of By-Laws is included in the notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors, it shall be in order to consider and adopt at that meeting any amendment to the Code of By-Laws dealing with the subject matter with which the proposed amendment is concerned.

Adopted 1 May 1997  re: incorporation in Indiana and revision of bylaws
Revised 28 October 2000  re: nomination and election of VP
Revised June 2003  re: removal and replacement policy for Nominating Committee
Adopted 1 April 2004  re: total revision of bylaws to include redesigned committee structure.
Adopted 21 March 2005  re: change in terms and responsibilities of president and vice-president
(Sec. 5.02, 5.04, 5.05).
Revised June 2008  re: change in committee names and responsibilities (Sec. 7.04).
Revised October 2010 re: dissolving Outreach Committee and creating Professional Development Committee (Sec. 7.04c); removing vice president from Membership Committee (Sec. 7.03c); and creating a Secretary-Treasurer-Elect position (Sec. 5.02 and 7.03a).
Revised April 2011 re: Past-President o Nominating Committee (Sec.6.01 and 5.07); changing the fiscal year from July 1-June 30 to January 1 to December 31; and making consistent the references to the timing of the annual election with regard to the annual meeting (Sec. 4.03 and 6.02).
Revised October 2011 to add immediate past president to Nominating Committee (Sec. 6.01).  Revised April 2012 to change mission of organization, after Board adopted Long Range Plan 2012.
Revised October 2012 to increase Nominating Committee to seven members.
Revised October 2013 (Sec.4.02) to add Digital Media Editor to Board of Directors, (Sec. 7.02) to make Digital Media Group a standing committee, and (Sec. 7.04) to make New Professional and Graduate Student Committee a standing committee.
Revised September 2014 (Sec. 5.02 and 6.02) to make secretary-treasurer election uncontested and to allow secretary-treasurer to run for a second term, and revised (Sec.5.06) to allow the Secretary-Treasurer to designate someone else to chair the Finance Committee.
Revised February 2015 (Sec.4.02) to add Co-editor of The Public Historian to Board of Directors.
Revised April 2015 (Sec.7) to change committee terms to two-year, non-staggered terms, and to create new Committee for Government Historians.
Revised September 2015 (Sec. 7) to create new Sustainability Committee.
Revised October 2017 (Sec.4.02) to reduce the number of directors of the corporation from seventeen to sixteen to accommodate the merging of the Digital Media Editor and TPH co-editor positions into one.
Revised March 2019 (Sec.7.02) to create a new Governance Committee.
Revised January 2020 (Sec.7.04.g) to change the New Professional and Graduate Student Committee name to New Professional and Student Committee.
Revised January 2021 (Sec.7.04.k) to create a new Committee on National Park Service Collaboration.
Revised June 2021 (Sec.7.04.l) to create a new Committee on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. (Sec.2.04, Sec.3.04, Sec.3.05, Sec.4.02, Sec.4.06, Sec.4.09, Sec.5.01, Sec. 5.02, Sec.5.06, Sec,5,07, Sec.6.02, Sec.7.02.a, Sec.7.02.e, Sec.7.03.a, Sec.9.02) to separate the Secretary/Treasurer position into two (Secretary and Treasurer), thus increasing the size of the board to 17 Directors of the Corporation and the number of officers from three to four. (Sec.5.02) was also amended to allow for one re-appointment of the Treasurer role only rather than reelection.
Revised June 2022 (Sec.7.02) to dissolve the Digital Media Group and replace it with a History@Work Editorial Committee and (Sec.7.02.d) to update the duties and appointment process for the new Editorial Committee.
Revised August 2023 (Sec.4.02) to remove the digital media editor appointed board position and to amend the two absense rule for board members, and to make room for one additional elected board member. Revised (Sec.7.02.d) to remove mention of the digital media editor. Revised (Sec.4.03) to add a new, elected board position for a student. Revised (Sec.5.08) to remove the immediate past-president as chair of the Long Range Planning Committee. Revised (Sec.6.02) to add the student board position candidate nomination to the duties of the Nominating Committee. Revised (Sec.7.03.b) to remove the Past-President as chair of the Long Range Planning Committee and to allow for more than three additional members.