BYLAWS
DHST/DLMPST INTERDIVISION COMMISSION
FOR THE HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF COMPUTING
ARTICLE I. The name of the commission shall be “Commission on the History and Philosophy of Computing” (hereafter: the Commission)
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE. The commission is an international organisation which seeks to encourage collaboration, communication and discussion amongst academics, professionals and educators to advance insights into the history and philosophy of computing.
ARTICLE III. ACTIVITIES
The activities of the commission will include:
(i) The organization of international meetings on the History and Philosophy of Computing, including a bi-annual international conference;
(ii) The organisation of a website with resources related to HAPOC: publications, events, teaching material etc.;
(iii) The promotion of scientific and cultural events that strengthen our historical and philosophical understanding of computing.
ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Membership is open for any person with an interest in the history and philosophy of computing and it is automatically obtained by registration on the Commission’s website or attendance of the bi-annual meeting.
(b) Membership in the Commission may be terminated by the Council for conduct which the Council shall deem inimical to the interests of the Society.
(c) All members have voting rights for the election of the council.
(d) A meeting of the members of the commission shall be held bi-annually.
ARTICLE V. COUNCIL AND TERM OF OFFICE
The Council conducts the daily business of the Commission.
(a) The council shall be composed of ten councillors: a president, a vice president, a president-elect and six members-at-large.
(b) The president has the general duties of management usually vested in such an office. They shall represent the commission in negotiations with DHST, DLMPST, other commissions and other bodies. When concluding their term, the president becomes the vice president of the next Council.
(c) The vice-president assists the president in managing the duties of the Commission.
(d) The president-elect: nationality and gender shall be taken into account for their election. The President-elect shall serve until the next General Assembly concurrently with the President, and shall succeed the President in office.
(e) Re-election as president for a second consecutive term is not possible.
(f) The treasurer shall be responsible for receipt and disbursement of funds under the direction of the Council and the presentation of financial reports at the members’ meeting and their approval by the funding bodies.
ARTICLE VI. VACANCY
(a) In the event that a member of the Council is unable to serve or resigns, the majority of the remaining councillors may elect an individual to fill the vacant Council position until the next general election.
(b) If the president is unable to serve or resigns, the president-elect will take over the duties of the president until the next general election, when they officially become the president.
(c) If the vice president is unable to serve or resigns, the position will stay vacant until the next general election.
(c) If the president-elect is unable to serve or resigns, the Council elects a new president-elect by approval vote.
ARTICLE VII. ELECTION OF COUNCIL
A new council is elected every two years during a members’ meeting. The election procedure shall be as follows:
(a) Any member of the commission can be nominated as a councillor. Nominations can be submitted by any member of the commission and shall be submitted to the president in writing. Nominations have to be received at least two months before the meeting of the commission. The president shall contact the nominee and find out whether he or she accepts the nomination. Acceptance is necessary for the nomination to become valid.
(b) If there are ten or fewer valid nominations, the president informs the council and the nominees are declared elected unopposed. If there are more than ten nominations, the president shall notify the council of this and an election will take place during the meeting of the commission. The election will take place by approval voting: each present member can approve as many of the nominees as they want. The ten nominees with the highest number of approval votes are elected. In the case of ties, a lot is cast.
(c) After the ten councillors are elected, they shall all declare whether they would accept an election for president-elect, treasurer, or president if the situation so requires . The members of the council then elect the president-elect, treasurer, and president if the situation so requires by approval vote. In the case of a tie, a lot is cast.
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS
The Bylaws, upon recommendation by the council, may be amended at the bi-annual meeting of the commission by a majority of members. Proposed amendments should be addressed to the Council. Those approved by the Council shall be communicated to all members prior to a meeting. The decision with respect to articles or sections of articles of those present at a meeting of the Commission will be binding, and will be effective immediately.