The Association for Computational Linguistics North American Chapter

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Below are summaries of the two changes to the NAACL constitution.
They were approved by the NAACL members in December 2000, following
approval by the NAACL and ACL executive boards.

(1) NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHARGE

This proposed change allows outgoing officers of the NAACL executive
board to become part of the NAACL nominating committee unless they are
elected to another office.  This change is similar in spirit to what
is currently done by the ACL.  The idea is that members leaving the
executive board will make good members of the nominating committee
since they have first-hand experience of what's required for each
position on the board. Note that the constitution already ensures 
that there is always an open nomination period where any NAACL member 
can nominate additional candidates for any open positions.

Original clause:
4. To oversee the elections, there shall be a Nominating Committee
   consisting of three persons, who shall each serve a three-year term
   of office, one person being replaced every year. The Nominating
   Committee members must be Chapter Members in good standing and
   shall be elected by the Members as part of the elections of new
   officers. Every year, the member whose term is about to expire
   shall chair the Nominating Committee. The outgoing Chair of the
   Chapter Board shall meet with the Nominating Committee in an ex
   officio capacity to provide advice about potential nominees.

Proposed new clause: 

4. To oversee the elections, there shall be a Nominating Committee
   consisting of at least three members, who shall each serve a three
   year term. Retiring members of the Chapter Board who are not
   re-elected to positions as officers or board members become new
   members of the Nominating Committee. If the size of the Nominating
   Committee falls below three, the requisite number of new members
   shall be elected by the Members as part of the elections of new
   officers. Nominating Committee members must be Chapter Members in
   good standing.  The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall be
   determined by random draw from among the members of the Nominating
   Committee whose terms are about to expire.  The outgoing Chair of
   the Chapter Board shall meet with the Nominating Committee in an ex
   officio capacity to provide advice about potential nominees.


(2) SCHEDULE FOR ELECTIONS

The second proposed change just makes it clear that NAACL elections
will be annual rather than every two years. This change is needed
simply to allow for staggered elections when replacing executive board
members rather than replacing the entire board en masse.

Original clause: 

5. Elections shall be conducted biennially as follows: the Nominating
   Committee shall by the first of September...

Proposed new clause: 

5. Elections shall be conducted annually as follows: the Nominating
   Committee shall by the first of September...

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