International Academy for the Promotion of Scientific Research

By Laws
ARTICLE I: NAME AND LOCATION OF THE INCORPORATION AND GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Section 1 - Scientific Name.

The Academy shall be known as International Academy for the Promotion of Scientific Research (2005) and is comprised of the American Society for Chivalric Research (1974) and the American Academy for Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences (AAGHS - 2002)., The ASCR and AAGHS combined in 2005 at request of the two Membership Committees to form the IASR.

Section II - Location.

The Headquarters of this organization shall be located in University, MS in the United States and the Republic of Georgia. Delegate locations will be in Italy, Canada, Georgia, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, England, France, Germany, Macedonia, South Africa, Russia, China and elsewhere. The Academy is a private society and is not directly associated with any state or national academy in the States or elsewhere.

Section III - Delegates.

Individuals will be selected from the general membership by the Membership Committee to serve as delegates in each of their countries. Delegates will use their own residential or business addresses in corresponding with fellow members, and a listing of the delegates' addresses will be posted on the Net site.

ARTICLE II - NATURE OF THE ACADEMY.

Section 1

The learned society has members in over 25 countries. The society is self-governing and independent but has ties with other learned societies around the world. The Academy has several levels of membership, including: Senior Academicians, Academicians, Associates and Patrons (Friends). All levels are by invitation only.

ARTICLE III - MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ACADEMY.

Section I

The Academy's main goal is to provide a scholarly avenue through which individuals may meet and discuss scientific interests and provide papers, books and research on the various research topics. Other objectives include: providing all members, the opportunity of meeting monthly at the University of Mississippi (non-affiliated);

· presenting sociological, and philosophical research on the aforementioned areas of study;

· serving as a publishing agency for small books and pamphlets relating to the Arts and Sciences; and

publishing via the Internet on-line journal.

ARTICLE IV - HONORARY MEMBERSHIP.

Section I Foreign Extraordinary Fellows are individuals who are selected because of their ranking in international society. Such individuals are Heads of State, members of Royal Families, high nobility, famous and noted scholars.

ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP

Section I - Senior Academician.

Individuals who are distinguished in the field of scientific studies may be elected or elevated to the rank of Senior Academician in the Academy. Senior Academician level is for life and no annual dues are collected. S. Academicians, Academicians and Associates are asked to make donations or request grant funds for the Academy. Academicians must be proposed by two or more members of the Academy and approved by the Membership Committee. Generally, such individuals should possess a doctorate in the arts or Sciences. Fellowship is limited to only 50 individuals. Note possible reasons for expulsion.

Section III - Academicians.

Academician membership is usually for life. However, Academician are evaluated every three (3) years concerning their achievements (i.e. - publications, lectures and awards). If an individual has not advanced in his/her scholarly endeavors in this time frame, he/she will be placed on probation. After the fifth year of inactivity they will be removed permanently. At age 65, all Academicians are made Life Academicians.

Members must be proposed by two or more members of the Academy and approved by the Membership Committee. Generally, such individuals should possess a doctorate degree. Membership is limited to only 100 individuals. An individual may also gain Academician membership by 

· being a professor, researcher or research scholar at an accredited University either in the States or abroad;

· being a research fellow or private researcher (with an advanced degree) specializing in the field of genealogy, heraldry, medieval history, antiquaries or other related fields; and

· being a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (London) or other such noted learned or scientific societies or academies.

Section IV - Associates.

Associates must be proposed by two or more members of the Academy and approved by the Membership Committee. Generally, such individuals should possess a university degree. Associate membership is usually for life. However, Associates are evaluated every three (3) years concerning their achievements (i.e. - publications, lectures and awards). If an individual has not advanced in his/her scholarly endeavors in this time frame, he/she will be placed on probation. After the fifth year of inactivity they will be removed permanently. Associates will become Life Academicians at age 70. Like all levels of membership, Associates are requested to make monitary or scholarly contributions to the Academy

An individual may gain Associateship by

· being engaged in a university program

· conducting university level research;

· have published in the aforementioned areas; or

· possessing membership in a noted learned society such as the Royal Historical Society.

ARTICLE VI - MEMBERS.

Section I - Duties

Membership in the Academy is dynamic. Unlike some other societies related to scientific studies members regardless of their rank are expected to take an active part in the development of programs, the inviting of new members, conducting research, writing of journal articles, and actively support of the Academy through thought and deed. If this is not achieved after three years, such individuals (Academicians and Associates) will be placed on probation. Members who wish to remain active members should:

· advance in their scholarly field; and

· contribute articles, lectures and research to the Academy; or

· make yearly donations.

ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS AND RANKS - THEIR FUNCTION

Section I - The Founder.

The position of Founder is an honorary position which is held for life by the original founder of the Academy. Although eligible for election to other positions within the Academy, the one holding the position of Founder can only act as a consultant and possesses no actual decision making power.

Section II - Honorary Officers

Each year several members of the Academy will be proposed as Hon. Officers. This position is for life.

Section III - The President and Director.

The President and Directorare the Heads of the Academy. The President and Director shall be responsible for the everyday operations of the Academy and shall act as the official voice of the Academy in matters relating to scholarly and business activities.

Section IV - The Vice Presidents.

The Vice Presidents serves in the absence of the President or Director and performs all the duties and responsibilities to which the president or director are responsible. Three vice-presidents may be selected at each election.

Section V - The Secretary/Treasurer.

This position consists of two distinct responsibilities including the keeping of certain records, collecting minutes during the annual conference, collect donations and maintaining applications which are to be copied and held in trust, the originals forwarded to the President or Vice-Presidents. The Secretary/Treasurer will also collect donations and aid in obtaining grants.

ARTICLE VIII - TERMS

The officers of the Academy, are appointed for a (2) two-year term. At the end of their terms, certain individuals may be elevated to the position of Senior Academicians.

ARTICLE IX - THE FINANCES OF THE ACADEMY.

Section I - Assets.

The President, Director and Secretary/Treasurer manages the properties of the Academy and its financial assets. They are assisted by members specializing in financial and estate management.

Section II - Funds.

The resources of the Academy are mainly composed of financial and/or other donations (whether from private donors and from charitable foundations), the proceeds of fund raising events and from the management of existing funds.

Section III - Responsibility

The financial liabilities and responsibilities of the Academy are limited to its wealth.

ARTICLE X - THE ARMS OF THE ACADEMY.

Section I - Arms.

The coat of arms are shown on the main website page.

ARTICLE XI - THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ACADEMY.

Section I - Limitations.

This Constitution is the only Constitution for the Academy, and is valid for its entire organization.

Section II - By-Laws.

The Constitution may be amended by the Officers.

Section III - Articles.

This Constitution at the present time consists of eleven articles.