SRS Bylaws – Society for Romanian Studies

The SRS Bylaws were amended on October 3, 2025.

Society for Romanian Studies Bylaws

Article I. The Society for Romanian Studies

A. Name

This organization shall be known as the Society for Romanian Studies (SRS).

B. Purpose

The Society for Romanian Studies is an international interdisciplinary academic organization based in the United States of America dedicated to promoting the professional study, criticism, and research of all aspects of Romanian culture and civilization, particularly concerning the countries of Romania and Moldova.
The SRS shall not serve as a platform for promoting political parties, ideologies, or agendas.

Means

The Society holds annual meetings and periodic international congresses to promote Romanian studies. The SRS publishes a Newsletter to keep its membership informed, maintains a website, and carries out other activities designed to advance the field of Romanian studies.

Article II: Membership

A. Eligibility

The Society for Romanian Studies is open to all academics (faculty, researchers, and students) who have an interest in Romanian studies, in Romania, Moldova and their diasporas, regardless of where they reside. Independent scholars, writers, jurists, retired academics, diplomats, librarians, professionals working in the private sector, students, and others with an interest in deepening their knowledge and understanding of Romanian and Moldovan society, culture, literature, history and politics are also invited to join.
There are six membership categories in the SRS: regular members, discount members, sustaining members, life members, sponsors, and patrons. In addition, organizational sponsors and patrons may be approved by the Board on a case by case basis. Organizational sponsors and patrons do not have a vote but their support will be acknowledged by SRS, including linking to organizational websites.
Members shall be subject to such dues as may be determined from time to time by the Board.
Any person as defined under Article II.A.1 and in agreement with the statement of purpose given in Article I.B may become a member by full payment of annual dues for the calendar year in which her/his membership is to begin.
If a member resigns during any given year, her/his dues for the calendar year in which they resign will be forfeited.
It is the responsibility of all members to remain in good standing with the SRS, which includes abiding by the Society’s purpose and principles as stated in these by-laws. The Board of the SRS shall have the power to review membership status accordingly and decide upon contested cases.

B. Membership Year
The membership year shall start on January 1 and end on December 31. Membership in the SRS shall be renewable on either an annual or three-year basis, according to the fee structure determined by the Board.

C. Rights

Members shall have the right to participate, subject to rules established by the Board and the Bylaws, in programs and activities of the SRS. In addition, individual members shall have the right to:
1. hold office in the SRS;
2. vote for elective officers;
3. vote on matters referred to the membership by the Board;
4. petition the Board.

Article III: Members of the Board

A. Definition and Composition

The Board of the Society for Romanian Studies is the administrative unit of the Society. The voting members of the Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Immediate Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, Membership and Working Groups Officer, Communications and Social Media Officer, eight Board Members at large, and two Graduate Student Representatives, all of whom are elected positions. The non-voting, ex officio members of the Board shall consist of the Newsletter Editor(s), Webmaster, one H-Romania editor, one editor of the SRS/Polirom book series, and one editor of the Journal of Romanian Studies. Ex officio positions are not elected, although they may be filled by elected members of the Board.

B. Terms of Office
Regular terms of office begin on January 1 and end on December 31. A President and Vice President may serve a maximum of two terms. All other office holders may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms whilst remaining eligible to stand for other officer positions on the Board.”

The President serves a three-year term.
The Vice-President serves a three-year term.
The Past-President serves a three-year term.
The Secretary serves a four-year term.
The Treasurer serves a four-year term.
Deputy Treasurer serves a four-year term staggered with the Treasurer.
The Membership and Working Groups Officer serves a four-year term.
The Newsletter Editor(s) serves a four-year term.
The SRS Webmaster serves a four-year term.
Communications and Social Media Officer serves a four-year term.
Board Members-at-large serve staggered four-year terms.
Graduate Student members serve a two-year term.

C. Duties of the Board

The Board shall be responsible for the administration of the affairs of the Society. The Board shall have the authority to execute on behalf of the SRS all powers and functions of the SRS consonant with the Bylaws.
The Board shall meet either in person or electronically at the call of the President or a majority of the Board. The Board meets a minimum of twice a year as well as during the General Meeting, and additionally as needed. The Secretary is responsible for enabling full participation of all Board members.
The Board shall oversee the use of SRS funds.
The Board shall approve the sites and themes of SRS International Conferences .
The President shall be the presiding officer of the SRS and Chair of the Board. The President shall exercise the duties and responsibilities commonly associated with the office and as further defined under Article IV.

D. Decision-making

Valid Board decisions require that a quorum of at least nine members of the Board Members (including the President or Vice-President) participate and vote (either in person or virtually).
Decisions by the Board shall be made by a simple majority of those voting.

E. Attendance and Participation
Each elected officer has the duty to participate in Board meetings in person or electronically. Board members who consistently do not attend a majority of scheduled meetings or contribute to the work of the Society may be subject to sanctions, including removal, as determined by a two-thirds vote of the Board. In cases of removal by the Board, the post will be considered vacant. The Secretary will endeavour to ensure that Board meetings are organised to accommodate the circumstances of the Board membership.

F. Vacancies

In the event of death, resignation, incapacity, or inability to carry out the duties of the office of the President (as determined by two-thirds of the Board), the Board shall declare the office vacant, and the Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President and fill out the term. The Board may elect a new Vice-President to fill out the term or it may choose to leave the office vacant.
In the event of death, resignation, incapacity, or inability to carry out they duties of any of the other officers or other board members (as determined by a two-thirds vote of the Board), the Board shall declare such office vacant. Vacancies for other officers or Board positions will be filled for the remainder of the term on the basis of nominations made by the President and subsequently ratified by the Board.
To remain on the Board, a person must continue to be a member in good standing of the SRS.

Article IV: Officers

A. The officers of the SRS shall be President, Vice-President, Immediate Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, Membership and Working Groups Officer, Newsletter Editor(s), and Webmaster and Communications and Social Media Officer. One or more Newsletter Editors, and the Webmaster will be elected by the Board on the recommendation of the President.

B. The President shall call and preside at all meetings of members and shall be the Chair of the Board. they shall sign all contracts, agreements and other instruments which may be entered into by or on behalf of the SRS. The President shall appoint as needed non-voting members as advisory to the Board (committee chairs, program committee chairs, or ad hoc committee chairs) with the approval of the Board. The President (assisted by the Vice-President) shall be responsible for monitoring Board participation and making recommendations to the Board in cases of perceived nonfeasance, misfeasance, or malfeasance.

C. The Vice-President is a member of the Board and shall take an active part in Boards meetings and will be required to Chair meetings in the absence of the President. The Vice-President shall assist the President in the execution of her/his functions and perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President. The Vice-President shall be responsible for overseeing the prize committees each year, including identifying and recruiting committee members, checking and distributing the calls for prizes, and ensuring that prizes are distributed. they will serve on at least one prize committee during their tenure. they will be responsible for running and further developing the SRS mentoring programme. they shall also perform those specific duties assigned by the Board.

D. The Past-President is a member of the Board and is required to take an active part in all executive committee meetings. they will chair all Nominating Committees during their tenure, and is responsible for ensuring a robust and diverse group of candidates is available for each set of elections. The Past-President is required to serve on at least one prize committee during their tenure. they shall assist the President and the President-Elect in the execution of their functions and provide timely and accurate information about past practices of the SRS and the logistics of previous conferences.

E. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Society and the Board; shall maintain the Archives of the Society; shall keep current the list of the Society’s liaison/representatives to other societies and associations that the SRS is affiliated or related to, as well as informing the President and the Board when replacements need to be made; shall receive and answer correspondence addressed to the Association in consultation with the President; and shall send out, receive, and tabulate election ballots, and report the result of elections to the Board and the membership within two weeks of being notified of the result by the Past President. The Secretary will coordinate, together with the Webmaster and Communications and Social Media Officer, all SRS communications. The Treasurer will also serve as an acting Secretary for purposes concerning the organization’s financial transactions.

F. The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all funds of the Society which shall come into their hands, shall deposit the same in such manner and in such banks as the Board or the President may direct, and shall disburse such funds under the direction of the Board. They shall keep true books of account and render statements thereof whenever required, and in no case less frequently than once a year, at the annual meetings of the Society; shall manage the collection of dues and shall provide to the annual meetings of the Society a written statement of disbursements and assets for the current fiscal year. The Treasurer shall serve as acting Secretary for purposes concerning the organization’s financial transactions.

G. The Deputy Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in all their duties and shall serve as Acting Treasurer should the Treasurer be incapacitated or unexpectedly resign.

H. The Membership and Working Groups Officer shall maintain a current membership list and periodically send subscription reminders to the membership. They shall liaise with the Convenors of the Working Groups and together with the Board decide on changes to the Working Group convenors and composition. They will update the Working Group page/s on the website in coordination with the Webmaster and update SRS social media sites with working group events and content. The Membership and Working Groups Officer shall sit on the SRS conference committee.

I. The Newsletter Editor(s) shall have the responsibility for gathering news from members and other sources, compiling the SRS Newsletter, and distributing the Newsletter at least twice a year, usually in Fall and Spring.

J. The SRS Webmaster shall have the responsibility for editing, maintaining, and updating the SRS website under the direction of the President and the Secretary. They will keep the Board apprised of trends and needs involved in keeping the SRS website current, useful, and primarily focused on SRS concerns and materials. The Webmaster, together with the Secretary and Social Media Officer, will coordinate all SRS communications.

K. The Communications and Social Media Officer shall have the responsibility of updating all SRS social media accounts with news and events. They will work in close collaboration with the Webmaster and Secretary on communication strategy and maintain a timely and coordinated social media presence.

L. The Graduate Student members shall organise a graduate student-led event during their term of office (conference, symposium, or workshop). They will be supported in this by one of the non-Graduate Student members of the Board (to be agreed by the Board).

Article V: Elections

A. All SRS members in good standing at the start of the voting period will be eligible to vote for the election of officers and Board members.

B. Nominating Committee

The Past-President shall chair the Nominating Committee, which shall consist of the Past-President and two or three persons appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board. The Past President will convene a new Nominating Committee for each electoral cycle.
The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of candidates for Board membership and officers with at least one nominee for each vacancy. There will be two rounds to the election with the President elected first followed by the election of the other named office holders and ordinary members whose terms have expired. The Nominating Committee may not nominate for office any of its members.
The Committee shall strive to promote balanced representation in regard to age, gender, professional background, locations of residence, and geographical and disciplinary areas of specialization, but shall not be bound by any particular formula. It shall solicit nominations from the membership.
The Committee shall ascertain that each candidate is a member of the SRS in good standing, and that the candidate has given formal consent to be nominated. To be eligible for election as President, Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer, a person must be a member in good standing for at least the calendar year prior to the election.
The Committee will submit a list of nominations (including a bio and brief statement of candidacy for each) to the President no later than September of the election year with respect to the position of President. The President will notify the Board of the composition of the ballot in a timely fashion. The Secretary will prepare, distribute and collect the ballots between October 1 and December 1. The President will announce the results no later than December 15.
Elections for other officers and Board members will take place as their terms expire, between September 1 and December 15, according to the procedures for President (above section 4).

C. Voting
1. Voting is by secret ballot. Only members in good standing may vote.
2. Voting will be by electronic media.

Article VI: Financial Operations

A. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year for the SRS shall be October 1 to September 30.

B. Funding

The SRS shall raise operating funds from donors and membership dues. The Board may approve additional fundraising activities.

C. Membership Dues

Dues shall be set by the Board. The Board may create various categories and durations of membership.
If membership dues are not paid, memberships shall expire one calendar month after the renewal date.

D. Financial Control

The Board shall exercise financial control over SRS funds. To facilitate this control, the Treasurer shall render statements thereof to the Board whenever required, in compliance with Article IV.F.
For amounts greater than USD500, the Treasurer shall seek prior approval of the President approval.
The Treasurer shall be able to disburse amounts up to USD500 as needed.
The Treasurer shall, upon authorities’ acceptance of the Society’s annual fiscal reports, compile and provide the Executive Board with an annual report after the end of the Society’s fiscal year, due January 1.
The Treasurer shall file the necessary annual fiscal reporting statements with relevant authorities after the end of each fiscal year and report completion to the Executive Board.

Article VII: General Meeting

A. The General Meeting shall consist of a Membership Meeting on an annual basis with an agenda agreed by the Board.

B. The Membership Meeting shall be called by the President and shall be open to all members of the SRS. Reports shall be presented by the President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Other committees and individuals, as appropriate, may also give reports.

C. Elections for the Board and amendments to the Bylaws shall not be conducted at the General Meeting but shall be conducted in accordance with Article V.

Article VIII: Committees

A. The Board shall establish such standing or ad hoc committees as may be necessary for the conduct of the SRS affairs. The President shall establish ad hoc committees, as needed.

B. Committee Membership: Committee members must be SRS members.

C. Prize committee chairs and members shall be nominated by the Vice-President and approved by the President. Their responsibilities will be mutually agreed in writing.

D. Committee chairs, including the chair of the international SRS conference, shall be nominated by the President and approved by the Board. Board approval will not be needed if a chair-designate is already a member of the Board.

Article IX: Publications

A. The Newsletter

The SRS shall publish a Newsletter, usually twice a year, distributed via the organization’s major channels of electronic communication and posted on the website. The Newsletter Editor(s) is a member of the Executive Board.

B. Studii Romanești/Romanian Studies

In collaboration with Polirom, the SRS shall maintain the Studii Romanești/Romanian Studies book series by publishing a number of scholarly volumes yearly. The Series editors will be appointed by the Board for a five-year, usually renewable term, and, in turn, will have the responsibility for naming consulting editors, advisory board members, and others, as well as reporting on a regular basis the progress of the series to the Board. The SRS collection editors and the Polirom representatives shall jointly decide which manuscripts are worthy of publication, seeking advice from the Advisory Board as needed. With the approval of the Board, the SRS shall make financial contributions towards each publication.

C. Other Publications

The SRS shall publish such other regular or occasional publications as the Board deems necessary for the advancement of the SRS’s objectives. This might include conference publication volumes, promotional materials, and so forth as approved by the Board.

Article X: Affiliations of SRS

The SRS is formally affiliated with the American Historical Association, the American Political Science Association, the Association for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, the Southeast European Studies Association, and the Romanian Studies Association of America. Official SRS liaison representatives for these groups will be maintained. The Board has the power to approve additional affiliations with other scholarly societies.

Article XI: Amendments to Bylaws

A. Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by the Board or by written petition to the Board signed by twenty percent of the voting membership.

B. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the membership for formal ratification.

C. Amendments need a simple majority of votes cast to be adopted.

Article XI: Code of Conduct

A. The Society for Romanian Studies is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and collegial environment for everyone. As scholars, educators, and professionals, we uphold the highest standards of integrity, academic freedom, and mutual respect. All Society members are expected to:

1. Conduct themselves in a professional, ethical, and courteous manner in all association-related activities, including conferences, publications, communications, and online forums.
2. Promote an inclusive and welcoming environment that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
3. Refrain from harassment, discrimination, or any form of intimidation, whether verbal, physical, or digital.
4. Respect intellectual property and give appropriate credit in academic discourse.
5. As an international academic community, many members of SRS rely on social media communication channels to receive news of our activities and to engage with one another on research and academic questions. SRS has no role in regulating online discussions, however, as a voluntary community with shared values and interests, we encourage and support an atmosphere of respect and civility. We advise that all SRS members, when engaging online with fellow members and academic colleagues, endeavour to conduct themselves in accordance with these principles.
6. Violations may result in disciplinary measures, including removal from events, suspension of membership, or other appropriate actions as determined by the Executive Board.

B. SRS international conferences: SRS aims to be welcoming and accessible for everyone who adheres to the values of SRS (as outlined in the SRS Code of Conduct) regardless of age, disability, gender identity, physical appearance, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity. Harassment of participants in any form will not be tolerated. We expect all participants to adhere to the following principles:

1. 1. Behaviour should be professional and courteous.
  2. Questions and discussions should be constructive and not intended to put down other attendees.
  3. No participant should suffer harassment. This includes sustained disruption of talks, intimidation, sexual attention or innuendo, stalking, and photography or recording of an individual without consent.
  4. All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience in a professional setting
  5. If you are asked to cease any inappropriate behavior by the session chair or by a member of the SRS Board, you should comply immediately. Attendees violating these rules may be asked to leave the event at the sole discretion of the organizers.
  6. Any participant who wishes to report a contravention of the Code of Conduct should contact the Secretary or President of SRS or another SRS Board member.

Article XII: Dissolution of the SRS

The SRS can be dissolved by a membership referendum that ratifies a dissolution proposal submitted to it by the Board. To be valid, such a proposal must be supported by 60% or more of the active membership when such a proposal is submitted. In case the Society is dissolved, its assets shall be used to cover liabilities. The remaining assets shall be donated to further research and other work that is commensurate with the goals of the SRS as stated in the Bylaws. It is the responsibility of the Treasurer to provide full disclosures and reports on the financial and assets situation prior to each distribution step involved in the dissolution of the Society. While all members will be able to suggest suitable recipients for the donation, the decision shall be made by the Board with a simple majority vote. The President has the power to break a voting deadlock. A full final report by the President, officers, and the Board on all dissolution proceedings shall be distributed electronically to the membership. With the distribution of the final report, all officers and Board members are relieved of their duties, powers, and responsibilities, and the organization ceases to exist.

Article XIII: Final Dispositions

These Bylaws entered into force on January 1, 2011 and were amended on June 15, 2015, December 31, 2015, August 3, 2020, November 11, 2023, and October 3, 2025.