Article I. NAME
The name of this organization is the Statistics Instructors in Cyberspace of the American Statistical Association.
Article II. OBJECTIVES
Statistics Instructors in Cyberspace exists to support statistics educators who teach online courses and/or have an interest in online teaching and online learning. Through this organization, it is hoped that statistics educators can come together in a professional community in order to network with other educators who share similar interests, gain support and encouragement from colleagues in their teaching endeavors, learn about new methods and new tools appropriate for teaching online courses, and work toward an improvement in the quality of online statistics education for students.
Statistics Instructors in Cyberspace will engage in activities appropriate to the pursuit of the goals set forth above including, but not limited to:
Organization of meetings during the Joint Statistics Meetings;
Dissemination of information about online teaching materials, teaching techniques, and new developments in both statistics education and distance education through a web site and online discussion forum.
Article III. MEMBERSHIP
Membership in Statistics Instructors in Cyberspace is open to anyone, including non-ASA members.
Article IV. FINANCES
Statistics Instructors in Cyberspace will not charge dues, nor will it have a budget.
Article V. OFFICERS
The officers of Statistics Instructors in Cyberspace shall be the Convenor and Webmasters. The Convenor is the chief officer of the organization and is responsible for organizing annual meetings held during JSM, as well as for other duties that typically fall to the chair of an organization. The Webmasters shall maintain a list of the membership and maintain the organization’s website and electronic discussion forum. Given the work involved in updating a website, at least two individuals will serve as Co-Webmasters.
Article VI. TERMS OF OFFICE and SUCCESSION
The Convenor shall serve a three-year term. The Convenor shall nominate one or more persons as successor, before the current Convenor’s third convened meeting, with a vote taken by those present at the third convened meeting (at JSM) to elect the next Convenor. The Webmasters shall serve an indefinite term and shall nominate one or more candidates as successor, with a vote taken at the next business meeting of Statistics Instructors in Cyberspace (at JSM).
Article VII. MEETINGS
The annual business meeting of Statistics Instructors in Cyberspace shall be held during the Joint Statistics Meetings. The officers may also conduct business with members of the organization by email or other electronic means between meetings.
Article VIII. AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this Charter may be proposed by the officers or by a petition signed by at least 10 members of Statistics Instructors in Cyberspace. An amendment originating by petition shall be referred to the Convenor, who shall consult with the petitioners about final wording of the proposed amendment and then announce it to the membership of the organization. All proposed amendments shall be submitted to the members of Statistics Instructors in Cyberspace for vote at the next annual business meeting. If approved by a majority of the members voting, the amendment shall take effect immediately. A copy of the amendment shall be filed with the Secretary of ASA.