Constitution of the Georgia Association for Institutional Research, Planning, Assessment, and Quality

Article I: Name
The name of the organization shall be the Georgia Association for Institutional Research, Planning, Assessment and Quality, hereafter referred to as GAIRPAQ.

Article II: Purposes
The major purposes of GAIRPAQ shall include the following: (1) to advance research and analysis leading to the improved understanding, planning, management, and operation of postsecondary educational institutions and agencies; (2) to encourage the development and application of appropriate methodologies and techniques from many disciplines to further such research, analysis, and planning; (3) to encourage the collection, interpretation, exchange, and dissemination of information with respect to postsecondary educational institutions and agencies; and, (4) to further the professional development and training of individuals engaged in institutional researchand analysis or interested in its utilization in institutional planning, management, and resource allocation and in the improvement of postsecondary education.

GAIRPAQ shall not carry out any activities not permitted by the appropriate sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or any future United States Revenue Law:
(a) Tax exemption per IRS Section 501 (c)(3); (b) Deductible contributions per IRS Section 170 (c)(2).

Article III: Membership and Voting

The qualifications of members and the manner of their admission shall be as follows:

Section 1. Membership in GAIRPAQ shall be open to any person who is actively engaged in institutional research, planning, or assessment, or who has professional interest in the activities related therein.

Section 2. Membership in GAIRPAQ and election to any office or appointment to any committee shall not be based upon race, ethnic origin, sex, age, or religious conviction.

Section 3. Membership shall include all persons who register for participation and/or attendance at the annual conference of GAIRPAQ, or otherwise pay annual dues set by the Executive Committee and voted on by the general membership.

Section 4. All registered members who attend the annual conference shall be allowed to vote on GAIRPAQ business matters. Election of GAIRPAQ officers shall be conducted at the annual conference business meeting.

Section 5. There shall be the following categories of individual membership; regular membership, graduate student membership, and emeritus membership.

Section 6. To be eligible for regular membership a person must (1) be actively engaged in research leading to the improved understanding, planning, and operation of an institution of higher education or their agencies, or (2) be interested in the methodology, results, and implications of institutional research.

Section 7. To be eligible for graduate student membership, a person must be actively pursuing a graduate degree, must not be employed full time, and must (1) be actively engaged in research leading to the improved understanding, planning, and operation of an institution of higher education and its agencies, or (2) be interested in the methodology and results of institutional research.

Section 8. To be eligible for emeritus membership, a person must be retired and must have been a member of GAIRPAQ, SAIR (Southern Association for Institutional Research,) or AIR (the Association for Institutional Research) for a minimum of five years immediately preceding retirement.

Section 10. Only regular members shall be eligible to vote on GAIRPAQ business and hold elective office.

Section 11. Individual members whose dues are not paid within three months of the due date shall be dropped automatically by the Secretary from membership in the organization.

Article IV: Existence
GAIRPAQ shall exist in perpetuity.

Article V: Conduct of Affairs
The affairs of GAIRPAQ shall be administered by a President, a Vice President (President Elect), a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers as may be provided by the Bylaws of GAIRPAQ.

Article VI: Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the officers designated in Article V, the Immediate Past President, and three members-at-large to be appointed by the President.

Article VII: Vacancies
Vacancies in any office or on the Executive Committee shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Committee for the remainder of said unexpired term(s).

Article VIII: Committees
The President, with the approval of the Executive Committee, shall establish such committees as shall be deemed necessary to carry on the activities of GAIRPAQ, such as a Nominating Committee, Local Arrangements Committee, and Meeting/Forum Committees.

Article IX: Amendment
This Constitution may be amended at the annual business meeting in accordance to the following procedures:

Section 1. Proposed amendments to the Constitution: (a) may be submitted to any member of the Executive Committee by any member of GAIRPAQ in good standing in writing (or acceptable electronic medium) at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual meeting; or (b) may originate through action of and/or by the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Proposed amendments shall be circulated to the general membership by mail (or acceptable electronic medium) at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual business meeting and at the annual business meeting by the Secretary.

Section 3. Proposed changes to this Constitution conforming with Sections 1 and 2 of this Article shall become effective immediately upon approval by two-thirds of the members present at the annual business meeting.

Article X: Powers
All power not expressly stated in these articles shall be reserved to the members and/or shall be vested by specific empowerment in the Executive Committee on behalf of GAIRPAQ unless specifically prohibited.

Article XI: Quorum

Section 1. Ten (10) members attending a business meeting shall constitute a quorum.

Section 2. A quorum at any meeting of the Executive Committee shall consist of five (5) members.

Article XII: Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of GAIRPAQ, the last remaining officers, after paying or making provision for payment of all of the liabilities of GAIRPAQ, shall vest all remaining assets and materials only in an organization or organizations with identical or similar purposes to GAIRPAQ. The recipient organization(s) shall qualify for exempt status as determined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or future United States Internal Revenue Law.

February 7, 1995