The Bylaws of the Association of African American Museums are available to current members of the organization. Please click the following link to view a PDF of the Bylaws.
Updates to AAAM Bylaws
April 2025 The following summarizes key changes and clarifications in the latest update of the AAAM Bylaws for members. These revisions reflect input from governance advisors, AAAM Attorney D. Michael Lyles and organizational needs identified between 2022 and 2024.
1. Membership and Dues (Article III)
- Clarified membership types: individual, institutional, and corporate.
- Membership dues will continue to be approved by the Board, with the President & CEO responsible for presenting forecasts and recommendations.
2. Board of Directors Structure (Article IV)
- Maintains the Board size at 11–21 at-large members.
- Reaffirms term limits: two consecutive three-year terms, with a one-year gap before re-election eligibility.
- Clarifies giving expectations: Board members are expected to give or secure financial contributions at the leadership level.
3. Officer Terms and Succession (Article V)
- Codifies clear officer succession order: Chair → Vice Chair → Secretary → Treasurer.
- Reaffirms officer term limits: max of two consecutive three-year terms, including prior board service.
4. Elections & Nominations (Article VI)
- Self-nominating candidates must collect 25 signatures from members in good standing.
- Updated timeline for elections: Petitions due 5 months prior, Slate presented 3 months prior, Voting opens 2 months prior to the annual meeting.
- In the event of a tie, the Board will decide by two-thirds majority vote.
5. Board Meetings & Quorum (Article VIII)
- At least four Board meetings annually, including two in-person.
- Defined quorum: 30% of active members for association business, 51% of Board members for board votes.
- Annual business meeting remains aligned with the AAAM Annual Conference.
6. President & CEO Role (Article IX)
- Reinforces that the President & CEO is an at-will employee who reports to the Board.
- President & CEO has hiring and supervisory authority and prepares the annual budget in partnership with the Treasurer.
7. Standing Committees (Article XI)
- Establishes the following as Standing Committees: Executive, Nominating, Audit and Finance, and Human Resources Committee (NEW).
- Human Resources Committee: Oversees matters related to the President & CEO, including recruitment, evaluations, and high-level personnel issues.
- Ensures operational oversight does not interfere with executive authority.
- All standing committees must include at least one Board member (Audit & Finance requires at least three).
8. Governance & Transparency Enhancements
- Recommends the development of a “finding aid” on OnBoard, with Secretary Ahmad Ward supporting improvements.
- Ongoing discussion: whether to explicitly require Board candidates to have experience in African American–focused institutions.
9. Legal, Financial & Compliance Updates
- Updated indemnification language for Directors and Officers (Article VII).
- Clarified rules regarding prohibited political activity and lobbying (Article XIV).
- Defined the process and record transfer to Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (Article XV).
- Reaffirms that Roberts Rules of Order governs parliamentary procedure (Article XVII).
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