Article I. Name

The name for this association shall be The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion.

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of the NABPR shall be to promote communication and cooperation among professors of religion, to provide opportunities for consideration of methods, techniques, and procedures in the teaching of religion, to aid in the sharing of curricular concepts, and to exchange new approaches in the study of religion.

Article III. Membership

Section A. Voting membership shall be open to any person who qualifies in one of two categories: Member and Retired Member.

1. Persons holding teaching appointments who are engaged in the teaching of religion or related subjects at accredited colleges, universities, seminaries, or divinity schools may apply for Member status in the Association. Applications for membership shall be referred to the Executive Committee for review. The Executive Committee will report on and recommend candidates for membership to the Association in any annual meeting. The Association will vote upon each candidate for membership.

2. Persons retired from teaching appointments who were engaged in the teaching of religion or related subjects at accredited colleges, universities, seminaries, or divinity schools may apply for Retired Member status in the Association. Applications for retired membership shall be referred to the Executive Committee for review. The Executive Committee will report on and recommend candidates for membership to the Association in any annual meeting. The Association will vote upon each candidate for membership. Members in good standing at the time of their retirement need not re-apply for Retired Member status.

Section B. Non-voting membership shall be open to any person who does not qualify for Member or Retired Member status. Two categories of non-voting membership are possible: Associate Member and Student Member.

1. Persons interested in the work of the Association who do not qualify for Member or Retired Member status are eligible for Associate Member status. Associate Members may include persons with administrative appointments at colleges, universities, seminaries, or divinity schools, persons involved in parish ministry, or other interested persons. Applications for associate membership shall be referred to the Executive Committee for review. The Executive Committee will report on and recommend candidates for associate membership to the Association in any annual meeting. The Association will vote upon each candidate for associate membership.

2. Persons interested in the work of the Association who are actively enrolled in any accredited college, university, seminary, or divinity school are eligible for Student Member status. Applications for student membership shall be referred to the Executive Committee for review. The Executive Committee will report on and recommend candidates for student membership to the Association in any annual meeting. The Association will vote upon each candidate for student membership.

Section C. Participation in the NABPR constitutes participation in one of its regional sections and vice versa. Membership categories in the national and regional groups are the same.

Article IV. Regional Sections

Regional sections may be formed when twenty or more persons agree to draft a regional constitution consistent with the Constitution for The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion and to meet annually.

Article V. Meetings

An annual, national meeting will be held in conjunction with the national meeting of the AAR/SBL. Regional sections will meet annually at the discretion of each region, and may meet in conjunction with the regional AAR/ SBL meeting.

Article VI. Officers and Committees

Section A. President of the NABPR. This person shall be elected from the membership of the NABPR upon nomination by a nominating committee appointed by the President. This person shall serve a term of one year and shall deliver a major paper at the next annual meeting after being elected.

Section B. Vice President. This person shall be elected from the membership of the NABPR upon nomination by a nominating committee. This person shall serve a term of one year and shall be responsible for an annual program consistent with the purpose of The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion.

Section C. Executive Secretary-Treasurer. This person shall be elected from the membership of the NABPR upon nomination by a nominating committee. This person shall be elected for a six year term, and may serve more than one term. This person is designated as the chief executive officer of the NABPR and as chairperson of the Executive Committee.

Section D. Assistant Executive Secretary_Treasurer. This person shall be elected from the membership of the NABPR upon nomination by a nominating committee. This person shall be elected for a six year term, and may serve more than one term. This person will assist the Executive Secretary-Treasurer in ways that are mutually agreed upon.

Section E. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee of The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion shall be composed of (1) the officers of The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion; (2) the editor of Perspective in Religious Studies and the chairperson of the Editorial Board; (3) the editor of each series authorized by the Editorial Board; (4) one at-large member elected by each regional section at its annual regional meeting. The Executive Secretary-Treasurer shall be responsible for the ad interim operation of The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion in consultation with the executive committee.

Article VII. Functions

The NABPR (1) will conduct an annual meeting; (2) publish a newsletter containing information of interest to the membership; (3) will publish a journal—Perspectives in Religious Studies—and other materials such as monographs, dissertations, etc., as authorized by the editorial board of Perspectives; (4) encourage the work of the regional sections.

Article VIII. Dues

The annual dues of the membership of The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion shall be due on January 1 of each year. The amount and distribution of the monies so collected shall be determined by The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion at its annual meeting upon recommendation by the executive committee. National and regional dues, and subscription charges, shall be the same for all members of The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion regardless of geographical location and regional membership.

Article IX. Constitutional Changes

Alterations or amendments to this Constitution may be made at any annual meeting of the NABPR upon two-thirds vote of the members present provided that the change has been given a first reading at the previous annual meeting.

Article X. Endowment Fund

At the direction of the Association, endowment funds shall be raised to underwrite the purposes of the Association. Funds so raised shall be not spent but rather invested, at the direction of the Executive Committee. A portion of the resulting return on these investments may be budgeted to support the work of the Association as approved by the Executive Committee.

amended 21 November 1993