Scholar-Practitioner Network

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Scholar-Practitioner Network of the Association for the Study of Higher Education.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purposes of the Scholar-Practitioner Network shall be to:

1. Develop and promote the skills and knowledge needed to signify competence and value as a scholar-practitioner in a hyphenated professional identity.

2. Shape the field’s understanding of and value for the scholar-practitioner as an integral leader of higher education scholarship and practice.

3. Support the career advancement, publishing opportunities, and leadership development of higher education scholar-practitioners.

These Bylaws or their amendments may not be in conflict with the bylaws or policies of the Association for the Study of Higher Education or the laws applicable to the Association. The leadership of this entity group will understand and adhere to the policies of the Association, including, but not limited to the Inclusion, Equity, and Organizational Diversity Policy; Conflict of Interest Policy; and Ethics Policies. 

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Criteria. Membership in the Scholar-Practitioner Network shall consist of members in good-standing of the Association dedicated to understanding and amplifying the role of the scholar-practitioner in the higher education workplace and in scholarly spaces.

Section 2. Application for Membership. A person shall apply for membership in the Scholar-Practitioner Network by indicating their interest in the ASHE Member Portal. This information shall be conveyed to the Chair of the entity on a regular basis.

Section 3. Confirmation of Membership. Application to the Scholar-Practitioner Network is subject to certification and approval by the entity Leadership Team based solely on the criteria for membership in Section 1. Membership decisions shall be conveyed to the ASHE Executive Director upon decision. The Executive Director will convey the decision to the member. 

Section 4. Renewal of Membership. Membership in the Scholar-Practitioner Network will be renewed automatically.

Section 5. Voting. All confirmed members will be voting members.

Section 6. Removal of Membership in the Scholar-Practitioner Network  Non-Payment of Dues: Failure of a member to pay dues automatically terminates membership in the Association and thereby the Scholar-Practitioner Network. At the member’s request and payment of current dues, anyone whose membership has been automatically terminated for nonpayment of dues may be reinstated by the Executive Director.

1. Resignation. Any member may resign from the Association or the Scholar-Practitioner Network at any time upon written notification to the Executive Director. If a member resigns, their dues are non-refundable and non-transferable.

2. Removal. If continued membership of any person is believed to be contrary to the interests or purposes of the Scholar-Practitioner Network, the Scholar-Practitioner Network Chair must notify the ASHE Executive Director prior to any action being taken. In consultation with the Executive Director, the Scholar-Practitioner Network Leadership Team may: 

   1. refer the situation to the ASHE Ethics Committee for consultation and/or

   2. act on its own accord, following the due process protections afforded to members in the ethics policies and procedures but instead serving as the investigatory and hearing board; in this instance, the decision of the Leadership Team is final.

ARTICLE IV: FINANCES

Section 1. Budget. A proposed budget based on projected activities and funds will be presented annually to the Executive Director. Budgets operating in a deficit will require approval by the Board of Directors during the normal budget process.

Section 2. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the entity shall be the same as the Association.

Section 3. Management of funds.  All funds will be managed by the Association in a separate account from general operating expenses and must maintain a net positive balance. Regular reports of these funds will be provided by the ASHE Executive Director.

Section 4. Fundraising. The entity may fundraise for event sponsorship and/or grants, consistent with the ASHE Advancement and Fundraising Policies and only with prior approval from the Executive Director.

Section 5. Contracts. The ASHE Executive Director is the only individual able to enter into contracts on behalf of the Association, including this entity.

ARTICLE V: LEADERSHIP

Section 1: Leadership Committee. The Leadership Committee will consist of officers and appointed committee chairs. The Leadership Committee is charged with governance and strategic leadership. The Leadership Team shall meet at the call of the Chair or at the written request of a majority of the members of the Council or Leadership Team.

Section 2: Officers. Elected entity officers form the Leadership Team and include:

1. A Chair to coordinate activities of the Scholar-Practitioner Network, lead meetings of the Leadership Committee and the membership, and appoint committee chairs and members. The Chair will serve a two-year term as Chair.

2. A Vice Chair to assume the responsibilities of the Chair when necessary and shadow the Chair in their responsibilities. The Vice Chair will serve a two-year term as Vice Chair and assume the role of Chair at the end of this two-year term.

3. A Communications Coordinator to maintain the records of the Scholar-Practitioner Network and to communicate with members. The Communications Coordinator will serve a two-year term. 

4. A Graduate Student Representative to represent the graduate students of the Scholar-Practitioner Network. The Graduate Student Representative will serve a one-year term. 

Section 3. Committees. Committee members and chairs will be appointed by the Scholar-Practitioner Network Chair, in collaboration with the Leadership Team, to serve a three-year term. 

1. Awards Committee. The awards committee is responsible for solicitation and review of the entity award(s). The activities of the committee will be consistent with ASHE Awards Policies and Procedures.

2. Nominations Committee. The nominations committee is responsible for an annual Leadership Team assessment to determine the leadership needs of the council, solicitation of nominations, and creation of the slate of candidates. The activities of the committee will be consistent with ASHE Nominations and Elections Policies and Procedures.

3. Committee chair/members for each professional development event

4. Ad Hoc Committees. Ad Hoc committees may be established by the Chair of the Council to carry out particular tasks as described in a charge from the Chair. The Chair shall designate the term of the ad hoc committee which shall not exceed the Chair's term of office. Members of ad hoc committees shall be appointed by the Chair of the Council.

Section 4: Selection & Vacancies

1. Officer Nominations & Elections. Nominations for officer positions shall occur annually and will be consistent with ASHE Nominations and Elections Policies and Procedures.

2. Committee Chair Nominations & Selection. An open call for nominations/application for chair positions will occur annually. The Scholar-Practitioner Network Chair will review nominations/applications and make appointments in collaboration with the Leadership Committee.

3. Committee Member Nominations & Selection. An open call for nominations/application for member positions will occur annually. The Scholar-Practitioner Network Chair will review nominations/applications and make appointments in collaboration with the Leadership Committee.

4. Vacancies. In the event the officer, chair, or members cannot complete their term, the Leadership Committee may appoint a member of the Scholar-Practitioner Network to fill the unexpired term.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

Section 1: Date. At least one regular, open meeting of the entity will be held each year and shall be known as the Business Meeting. The meeting may be held on a date and at a place corresponding with the Association conference.

Section 2. Quorum. The attendees at the Business Meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of conducting business.

Section 3: Agenda. Any member will be entitled to bring before the Business Meeting any item of business appropriate to the functioning and/or jurisdiction of the Council. Notification of such intent must be made to the Chair at least 21 days prior to the Business Meeting.

Section 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings shall be called at the discretion of the Chair. Written notices of such meetings shall be sent out by the Communications Coordinator. 

ARTICLE VII: RULES OF ORDER

In all cases to which they apply and do not conflict with the provisions of these Procedures, Robert's Rules of Order (current edition) shall govern meetings of the Council.

ARTICLE VIII: BY-LAW AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Process.

1. Proposed amendments shall be presented to the Chair in writing.

2. Proposed amendments must be reviewed and approved by the ASHE Executive Director and ASHE Legal Counsel prior to appearing on an agenda or ballot to ensure alignment with existing policies.

3. The Leadership Team shall vote on the proposed amendment and decide whether or not to recommend it to the membership or to not consider it.

4. If it is recommended, it should be presented to the membership through an electronic ballot or at the next membership meeting.

5. Amendments approved by the membership must also be approved by the ASHE Assembly and the ASHE Board of Directors.