Operating Guidelines
Committee Operating Guidelines
The AAM Standing Professional Committee on
Audience Research and Evaluation
Ratified at the Administrative Meeting of the Committee
June 9, 1986
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Amended at the Administrative Meeting of the Committee
June 4, 1988
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Amended by Ballot of Members
November 7, 1988
Amended by Ballot of Members
August 30, 1989
Amended at Business Meeting of the Committee
May 12, 1990
Amended by Ballot of Members
October 30, 1992
Amended at Business Meeting of the Committee
May 16, 2000
Baltimore, Maryland
Amended Business Meeting of the Committee
May 15, 2002
Dallas, Texas
Article I – Name
The name of this committee shall be the AAM Standing Professional Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation.
Article II – Purpose
The purpose of the committee shall be to provide members of the AAM with a forum for the exchange of ideas and information relating to audience research and evaluation and to promote the use of visitor evaluation in the development of exhibits and other public programs.
Article III – Membership and Dues
Section 1. Membership in the Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation shall consist of Individual voting members who are currently Individual voting members in good standing of the AAM.
Section 2. Application for membership may be made by submitting a membership application to AAM. The AAM Membership in CARE is renewable when AAM membership is renewed.
Section 3. The need for and amount of membership dues shall be determined by the Executive Board of the committee. If it is determined that dues shall be assessed, the payment of such dues shall become an additional requirement for membership in the committee.
Article IV – Officers and Duties
Section 1. Officers of the Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary/Treasurer collectively called the Executive Board. The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary/Treasurer are elected officers, and thus must be eligible to be elected under the Constitution of the AAM. The outgoing Chair of the committee shall be a non-voting ex officio chair for one year and shall be invited to attend all meetings of the Executive Board. This individual can be asked by the Chair to substitute for the Chair at all meetings requiring the presence of the Chair.
The chairperson shall be responsible for:
- scheduling meetings of the committee, as required, e.g. at national and regional AAM meetings;
- facilitating follow-up activities of the meetings by appointing working subcommittees and periodically reviewing the progress of such committees,
- arranging for programs on evaluation and research to be presented at the AAM annual meeting,
- attending all meetings requiring the presence of the SPC Chairperson, or assuring that a responsible member of the committee, such as the Vice-Chairperson or the ex officio Chairperson, attend such meetings.
The Vice-Chairperson shall:
1) assist the Chairperson,
2) preside at the meetings in the Chairperson’s absence
3) assist with special projects as assigned
The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for:
1) recording the proceedings of committee meetings,
2) distributing minutes to all of the committee members,
3) reporting on the progress of committee activities between meetings,
4) presenting previous meeting minutes at committee meetings
5) mailings to members as required or directed by the Chairperson
6) review financial summaries prepared by AAM for the committee
7) process payment of bills and debt and deposits to AAM
Section 2. The term of office of the Chairperson shall be two years, commencing at the adjournment of the AAM Annual Meeting, with elections to be held on odd-numbered years. The terms of office of the Vice-Chairperson and Secretary/Treasurer, shall be two years, commencing at the adjournment of the AAM Annual Meeting, with elections to be held on even-numbered years. No officers shall serve more than three consecutive terms in any office.
Article V – Elections
Section 1. Election of officers shall take place during the Committee’s Business Meeting held at the AAM Annual Meeting. At least five (5) current voting members must be present. Ballots (including mail-in ballots) shall be verified and tallied by the Secretary/Treasurer of the Committee. If, for any reason, elections cannot be conducted or completed as specified here, the current officers (s) shall continue in office until successors have been elected by mail ballot.
Section 2. A Nominating Subcommittee shall be appointed by the Executive Board. Nominees for Committee Office shall be obtained by self-nomination, or by nomination by another member. Such nominations will be accepted up to eight (8) weeks prior to the annual Business Meeting of the Committee. To be nominated for office, individuals must have been paid-up Individual voting members of the Committee in the year of the election and for the previous year and meet such other criteria as shall be established by the Nominating Subcommittee.
Section 3. To assist in carrying out the responsibilities of the office, those who agree to run for office should be able to provide supportive office and clerical services, at no cost to the Committee.
Officers should be able to regularly attend the Committee Business Meeting held each year at the AAM Annual Meeting. The Chairperson should also be able to attend all the AAM Council meetings and SPC Chairperson meetings.
No member who holds a national office in AAM or an elected position on another professional AAM committee is eligible for office on the Committee.
Article VI – Amendments
Operating guidelines may be amended by a majority affirmative vote of Individual voting members present at any Annual Committee Business meeting, given that at least five (5) current Individual voting members are present, or by mail ballot to voting members.
Article VII – Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of this committee, any uncommitted funds remaining in the treasury at such time shall be turned over to the treasurer of the AAM.
Article VIII – Parliamentary Procedure
Robert’s Rules of Orders shall govern all committee meetings except where they may be in conflict with the accepted operating procedures of the committee