Constitution and Bylaws of the Renaissance Society of America as Amended 28 March 2003 at the 49th Annual Council Meeting Held in the Colony Toronto Hotel, Toronto, Canada

Beginning of article

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I. NAME.

The name of this Society shall be THE RENAISSANCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA. The Society shall be a corporation.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE.

SECTION 1.

The purpose of this Society shall be the advancement of learning in the field of Renaissance studies, and especially the promotion of interchanges among the various fields of specialization, such as art, architecture, bibliography and the book arts, the classical and modern literatures, history, music, medicine, law, philosophy, religion and theology, the sciences, and any other fields of learning which can deepen or broaden understanding of the Renaissance period.

SECTION 2.

It shall be the purpose of the Society to effect this advancement of learning and these interchanges between the disciplines by sponsoring or initiating suitable projects, both of research and of bibliography; and by publication; and by assisting and encouraging discussion groups, especially affiliate societies and local groups; and, where possible, by helping to arrange exchanges of speakers between these groups.

SECTION 3.

The promotion of interchanges shall not be limited to the United States of America, but shall be extended to include co-operation with individuals and groups abroad, both to increase the effectiveness of American scholarship and to promote understanding through development of common interests. The Society purposes, where convenient, to affiliate with foreign groups and societies.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP.

SECTION 1.

The Society shall consist of individuals and institutions that have paid current dues to the Treasurer of the Society. Individual members shall be considered full members with voting privileges whether they be regular, dual, retired, student, patron, or benefactor members. Institutional members shall have all privileges except that of voting. Provision for non-dues-paying members (honorary, corresponding, etc.) may be made in the bylaws, but they shall not be voting members.

SECTION 2.

FOUNDERS. Those members who signified their intention of joining the Society, and paid their dues, before March 1, 1954, shall be known as FOUNDERS.

SECTION 3.

CHARTER MEMBERS. Those members who joined the Society within the first calendar year, i.e., before January 1, 1955, or who paid dues from the first year, shall be known as CHARTER MEMBERS.

SECTION 4.

No special rights or privileges shall derive from the status or designation of FOUNDER, or that of CHARTER MEMBER.

SECTION 5.

Each dues-paying member of the Society shall be entitled to receive one annual subscription to any regular periodical publication issued by the Society. Occasional and special publications which may be issued from time to time will be distributed as the Executive Board determines.

ARTICLE IV. ORGANIZATION.

SECTION 1.

The …