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Working Poolside
Business Meeting Minutes
- 2004 (approved)
- 2005 (approved)
- 2006 (approved)
- 2007 (approved)
- 2008 (approved)
- 2009 (approved)
- 2010 (approved)
- 2011 (approved)
- 2012 (approved)
- 2013 (approved)
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
Charter of SIGMAA QL
Article I Identification.
Section 1.
The name of this SIGMAA will be the SIGMAA on Quantitative Literacy (SIGMAA QL).
Section 2.
Quantitative literacy (QL) can be described as the ability to adequately use elementary mathematical tools to interpret and manipulate quantitative data and ideas that arise in individuals’ private, civic, and work lives. Like reading and writing literacy, quantitative literacy is a habit of mind that is best formed by exposure in many contexts. While developing a quantitatively literate citizenry is the responsibility of a much larger community, it is the obligation of the collegiate level mathematics community to take leadership in (a) identifying the prerequisite mathematical skills for QL, (b) finding innovative ways of developing and implementing QL curricula, (c) assisting colleagues in other disciplines to infuse appropriate QL experiences into their courses, and (d) stimulating the national dialogue concerning QL. The purpose of this SIGMAA is to provide a structure within the mathematics community to achieve these goals.
Article II Activities.
Section 1.
The activities of the SIGMAA QL will include:
- Hosting receptions at MAA meetings
- Organizing talks, panels and paper presentations at MAA meetings
- Providing e-mail bulletins of timely events/issues (Call for papers, Announcements of workshops, etc.) via a list-serve restricted to members of the SIGMAA.
- Maintaining a web page of QL information and distribute an annual newsletter to the SIGMAA membership.
- Promoting submissions to publications that further the QL movement.
Section 2.
- The SIGMAA QL will regularly communicate, and co-ordinate its activities with, the appropriate education committees of the MAA. These include the CUPM, the CUPM Subcommittee on Quantitative Literacy, the CUPM Subcommittee on the First Year, the CUPM Subcommittee on Service Courses, and CRAFTY.
- Since quantitative literacy is a potential topic of interest to some other SIGMAAs, the SIGMAA QL will coordinate its activities, when appropriate, with other SIGMAAs.
- No activity of this SIGMAA, including publications, shall be represented as coming from the MAA at large, but rather from this SIGMAA, unless such activity and representation have been approved by the Board of Directors of the MAA.
- Reports of this SIGMAA’s activities shall be included in an annual report submitted by the SIGMAA to the MAA Committee on SIGMAAs, with copies to the chair of the Coordinating Council to which the SIGMAA is assigned.
Article III Meetings.
Section 1.
General membership meetings shall take place at national meetings of the MAA. Other activities may be scheduled at the national MAA meetings and/or at MAA section meetings.
Section 2.
Membership meetings shall follow Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 3.
When making decisions at meetings, a quorum shall consist of 10 members. When making decisions via email, a quorum shall consist of 50% of current members.
Article IV Membership.
Section 1.
Membership in this SIGMAA shall be open to any MAA member.
Article V Administration.
Section 1.
Officers of the SIGMAA QL will be the Chairperson, Past Chair, Chair-Elect, Program Officer, Secretary, and Communications Officer. An appointed Executive Board will serve during the SIGMAA’s first year. A new Chair-Elect will be elected every other year and will serve on the Executive Board for one year prior to becoming Chair. The Chair will serve for two years before becoming the Past Chair and will serve in that capacity for one year. The Program Officer and the Secretary will serve for four years. The Communications Officer will be appointed by the chair to serve an indefinite term. The elections of the Secretary will be held once every four years, and will be staggered with the election of the Program Officer. At any time, the Executive Board of SIGMAA QL will consist of the Chair, the Secretary, the Program Officer, either a Past-Chair or a Chair Elect (depending on which office is filled in the given year), and the Communications Officer. The Communications Officer will be a non-voting member of the executive committee of the SIGMAA.
Section 2.
The Chairperson chairs the meetings and oversees the SIGMAA’s current activities. The Past Chair acts as advisor to the SIGMAA generally and to the Executive Board in particular. The Past Chair or Chair-Elect (as appropriate) will chair SIGMAA QL meetings in the absence of the Chairperson. The Chair-Elect is responsible for future activities of the SIGMAA.
The Secretary shall have the usual duties pertaining to the office, including the custody of the records and minutes of the SIGMAA, serving as liaison with the MAA Associate Secretary, submitting written reports to the MAA as required. The Secretary shall also be responsible for all finances of the SIGMAA, including the monitoring of income coming from dues paid to the MAA for membership in this SIGMAA and the preparation of the annual budget and financial reports as required.
The program officer will solicit proposals for sessions such as contributed paper sessions and minicourses at MathFest and JMM, as well as other workshops, conferences, etc., from the SIGMAA membership. The program officer will also submit the proposals for sessions that are to be part of the MAA scientific program at MathFest and JMM via MAA’s online proposal submission system by the posted deadlines. The program officer will arrange sessions at MathFest and JMM that are directed primarily at the SIGMAA membership, such as guest lectures and business meetings, by contacting the MAA associate secretary. The program officer may also manage other projects of the SIGMAA from time to time as assigned by the Executive Committee.
The Communications Officer is responsible for maintaining the SIGMAA’s web page and general correspondence with SIGMAA QL members, including giving general due notice of all meetings and elections.
Section 3.
Elections shall be held during the month of October. Elections will be held every year and will alternate on a four-year cycle as follows:
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Officer | Chair-Elect | Secretary | Chair-Elect |
This cycle will go into effect in 2018.
Prior to 2018, the Chair serves a one-year term, the Secretary serves a three-year term, and there is no Program Officer. To accommodate the necessary transition:
- The Chair in 2018 will serve in that office for 3 total years.
- The Past Chair in 2018 will serve in that office for 2 total years.
- The Secretary in 2018 will serve in that office for 4 total years.
Nominations and ballots shall be handled by web-based voting, administered by the MAA, except that members who have notified the secretary that they prefer to vote by paper ballots shall be sent ballots and requests for nominations by regular mail. The secretary will send members a request for nominations at least two months prior to the election. Elections will be decided by “approval voting”; that is, members will vote for all candidates of whom they approve, and the candidate receiving the most votes will be elected. If a minimum number of 20 members of the SIGMAA do not cast ballots, the election will be rerun.
Terms for all officers shall begin on February 1, following the election.
- Nomination and election of officers will take place by electronic ballot of the membership. By October 1 (or April 1) the MAA will distribute to the SIGMAA members instructions for voting by October 31 (or April 30). The electronic ballot will indicate that write-in votes are permitted. The winner will be the candidate receiving the most votes. Ties will be broken by a fair, unbiased random device supervised by the MAA.
- Should an office other than Chair become vacant midterm, the Executive Committee of the SIGMAA, in consultation with the most recent Nominating Committee, shall appoint a member of the SIGMAA to fill that office for the remainder of the term of office. Should the office of Chair of the SIGMAA become vacant midterm, the Executive Committee shall appoint a member of the Executive Committee (to include the ex officio immediate Past Chair) to fill the office of Chair for the remainder of the term and, should this appointment create a vacant office, shall fill the vacant position according to the rules just given.
- Failure to maintain at least 20 members for two consecutive years.
- Approval of a recommendation from the MAA Executive Committee (on its own or based on a recommendation by the Committee on SIGMAAs) by a majority vote of the MAA Board of Governors.
- January 2004: Original charter.
- January 2007: Changes made in regarding elections.
- January 2007: Charter as approved in January 2007.
- August 2017: Current charter.
Article VI Finances.
Section 1.
An annual MAA dues supplement will be assessed of each member of the SIGMAA. The dues supplement will be used to support activities of the SIGMAA. The manner of collection and disbursement of these funds will be determined by the MAA Executive Committee. The SIGMAA may formally submit a request to the MAA Committee on SIGMAAs to change the dues supplement. If approved, the committee will forward a recommendation to the MAA Executive Committee for final approval. The MAA Executive Committee may also initiate a change in the dues supplement.
Section 2.
The SIGMAA is not required to submit an annual budget if they do not expect to spend more than they bring in over the course of the year. The SIGMAA does not accumulate funds from year to year so current expenses are limited to current revenues unless the SIGMAA submits a request as detailed in section VI.3.
Section 3.
The SIGMAA may apply to the MAA for specific funding beyond that provided by the dues supplement. All requests for funds will be substantiated in a budget for the proposed expenditures and must be approved by the MAA deputy executive director.
Article VII External Funding.
Section 1.
The SIGMAA may initiate grant proposals to be submitted by the MAA. The SIGMAA will follow the policies and procedures of the MAA for all such submissions.
Section 2.
Neither the SIGMAA nor any officer nor any representative thereof will have any authority to contract debts for, pledge the credit of, or in any way bind the MAA.
Article VIII Changes.
Section 1.
Changes to this charter may be proposed by the SIGMAA if a recommendation for such changes is supported by two-thirds of the members voting, provided a quorum is attained. Notice of the proposed changes must be sent to the membership via e-mail, allowing at least one month for discussion. The proposed changes must then be submitted for consideration to the Committee on SIGMAAs, which will forward a recommendation after approval to the MAA Executive Committee.
Section 2.
Changes to this charter may also be initiated by the MAA Executive Committee, which will forward such a request to the Committee on SIGMAAs. In turn, the committee will work with the SIGMAA to develop specific new language for the charter that is acceptable to the SIGMAA (as indicated by a two-thirds majority of the members voting, provided a quorum is attained) and the MAA Executive Committee. The Committee on SIGMAAs will then forward the revised charter to the MAA Executive Committee for approval. Changes must then be approved by the MAA Board of Governors.
Article IX Dissolution.
Section 1.
This SIGMAA shall be dissolved for either of the following reasons:
Section 2.
If dissolved, any unspent funds of this SIGMAA will be returned to the general fund of the MAA.
