By-laws of the National Academy of Kinesiology

Section 1. The Academy consists of: (a) Active Fellows, (b) Inactive Fellows, (c) Fellows Emeritus, (d) International Fellows, (e) Active International Fellows, (f) Fellows in Memoriam, (g) Honorary Fellows in Memoriam.

Section 2. Active Fellows are those elected and inducted into the Academy for their continuing and outstanding contributions to the field of kinesiology. The total number of Active Fellows at any time shall not exceed two hundred (200). Each Active Fellow shall be numbered serially in the order of induction. Active Fellows and Active International Fellows shall constitute the governing body of the Academy.

Section 3. Active Fellows who have not paid their annual dues or who have not attended an Academy meeting in five years will become Inactive Fellows. Also individuals who have asked to be removed from Active membership will become Inactive Fellows. Only Active Fellows can vote, and only Active Fellows will be counted in the doctoral program review. An Inactive Fellow may request reinstatement to Active status.

Section 4. Fellows Emeritus are former Active Fellows retired from professional positions, who have requested this status.

Section 5. International Fellows and Active International Fellows are persons elected and inducted into the Academy from countries outside the United States of America for their continuing and outstanding contributions to the field of kinesiology. Active Fellows who move to countries outside the United States may request to be moved from Active to International or Active International Fellow status. Active International Fellows and International Fellows who move to the United States will have the option of becoming Active Fellows. All International Fellows selected for admission to the Academy in 2023 or beyond will be inducted as an Active International Fellow. International Fellows inducted prior to 2023 can request transfer to Active International Fellow status. A separate serial numbering system and a separate cap for Active International Fellow will be maintained. Active Interactional Fellows who have not paid their annual dues or who have not attended an Academy meeting in five years will return to International Fellow status.

Section 6. Fellows in Memoriam are those duly elected while living, but who are now deceased.

Section 7. Honorary Fellows in Memoriam are those elected posthumously.

Section 8. All Active, Emeritus, and International Fellows shall participate equally in the activities of the Academy, except that voting privileges and holding office shall be restricted to Active Fellows.

Section 1. The selection of candidates for Fellowship shall be made by a Membership Committee, as hereinafter provided, with election by Active Fellows of the Academy.

Section 2. The Membership Committee shall investigate the qualifications of all candidates proposed for Fellowship, submit a ballot and biographical sketch of each selected candidate to all Active Fellows, and report the results of the balloting to the President. The Membership criteria are to be determined by a majority vote of a quorum of Active Fellows according to Article VI, Section 3.

Section 3. A simple majority of all votes cast for each individual candidate shall elect a Fellow.

Section 4. The President shall notify successful candidates of their election to the Academy. After their acceptances have been received, the Certificate of Fellowship and the biographical data will be prepared for the recognition of the candidate and the induction at the Academy Banquet of the Annual Meeting. Those elected as Active and International Fellows must be present to be inducted. If the circumstances which prevent a prospective Fellow’s attendance are acceptable to the President, the presentation for induction may be made the following year.

Section 1. After retirement from a professional position, an Active Fellow may attain the status of Fellow Emeritus upon written request to the Business Office. The Fellow’s name shall then be retired from the Active Fellow list.

Section 2. The change to Fellow Emeritus status shall become effective during any fiscal year if the request is submitted within one month following the notice of annual dues. The new membership fee—that assessed for emeritus members—will be paid at that time.

Section 1. Upon resignation, a Fellow’s status will move from Active to Inactive.

Section 1. The Officers of the Academy, which constitute the Executive Committee, shall consist of the President, Past President, President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Senior Member-at-Large, Junior Member-at-Large, and International Member-at-Large (non-voting). The President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, and Members-at-Large shall be elected by electronic vote prior to the annual meeting as described in Article V, Section 3.

Section 2. At the close of the annual meeting, the President-Elect shall become President of the Academy, with all newly elected officers also assuming their duties at this time. Should the Executive Committee determine that an emergency exists and vote to forego the annual meeting in any calendar year, as prescribed in the By-Laws, Article VI, Section I, the Officers shall continue with their duties until their successors are duly inducted.

Section 3. All votes by Active Fellows for Executive Committee members shall be cast by electronic ballot which must be sent out not less than thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting. If two (2) or more Active Fellows are voted upon for the same office, a majority shall signify election. Votes must be submitted electronically to the Business Office not less than two (2) weeks before the annual meeting in order to be counted. Any tie shall be resolved by a vote of the three presidents-past-president, president, and president-elect.

Section 4. The Executive Committee shall conduct all business affairs of the Academy, except those items specifically delegated heretofore and hereinafter to Committees and to Active Fellows at annual meetings or by electronic vote.

Section 5. The President shall call and preside at all meetings of the Academy, serve as Chairperson of the Executive Committee, appoint all committees (except the Executive Committee), appoint an Historian, notify successful candidates of their election as Fellows, and preside at the induction of elected Fellows at the Academy banquet. The President shall represent the Academy in professional affairs with other organizations or groups, authorize the payment of bills properly incumbent upon the Academy, and perform such other functions as may be legally delegated by the Active Fellows or assumed to further the avowed interests of the Academy.

Section 6. The President-Elect shall act for the President, if absent, and perform such other duties as may be properly delegated by the President or the Executive Committee.

Section 7. The Secretary-Treasurer shall transcribe the minutes of Academy meetings.

Section 8. The Academy Business Office shall notify the Fellows of all meetings at least thirty (30) days in advance, maintain a correct roll of all Fellows in their respective classifications, conduct all electronic voting procedures (except those delegated to the Membership Committee and the Committee on Nomination and Election of Officers), correspond with Fellows and others in the promotion of Academy affairs, prepare the Certificate of Fellowship for duly elected members, collect the dues, keep the financial accounts in accordance with approved budgetary practice, pay accounts properly charged against the Academy, as authorized by the President, and perform other duties commonly associated with this office.

Section 9. The President-Elect shall be elected annually. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected in even number years and the International Member-at-Large shall be elected in odd number years for a two-year term. The Members-at-Large shall be elected for a two-year term, one to be elected on an even-numbered year and one on an odd-numbered year.

Section 10. Active Fellows shall be eligible for nomination to office after the following prescribed periods of membership: President-Elect—four years as Active Fellow, Secretary-Treasurer—three years as Active Fellow, Member-at-Large—one year as Active Fellow.

Section 11. Those currently holding an office shall be eligible for nomination to another office only during their final year in office.

Section 12. Nominees for office shall be informed that, if elected, their responsibilities shall include attendance at Executive Committee meetings during the annual meeting and at called meetings. Nominees who indicate in advance knowledge of their inability to meet this attendance commitment shall be ineligible for office.

Section 13. In case of the incapacitation of the President while in office, the President-Elect shall assume that office. In case of incapacitation of any other elected officer or standing committee chair, the President, with the approval of the Executive Committee, will appoint another Fellow to complete the term of office of that person.

Section 1. The Academy shall hold an annual meeting, except in an emergency as determined by the Executive Committee. The annual meeting usually will include a banquet, and consist of a business session in addition to discussions, addresses, and reports directed toward professional enlightenment.

Section 2. All meetings of the Academy shall be called by the President. The Academy Business Office shall notify the Fellows thirty (30) days in advance of each duly-scheduled meeting.

Section 3. Business affairs may be transacted either by mail or electronic ballot or at the annual meeting by a quorum. One-fourth (1/4) of the total number of Active Fellows shall constitute a quorum at the Annual Business meeting. Except where specifically indicated otherwise, Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the business activities of the Academy.

Section 1. The Academy recognizes two (2) types of committees—standing committees and President’s committees.

Section 2. A standing committee represents a group of Fellows duly appointed to conduct a continuous or reasonably permanent function of the Academy.

Section 3. A President’s committee represents a group of Fellows duly appointed by the President to perform a temporary service to the Academy during the term of the current President. The committee shall cease to exist with termination of the President’s office unless re-appointed by the new President

Section 4. Standing committees shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee, have a rotating membership to insure continuity of purpose from year to year yet provide for change, and conduct their affairs according to carefully prepared operating codes which shall be approved by the Executive Committee.

Section 5. The Academy has six (6) standing committees: (a) the Standing Committee on Membership, (b) the Standing Committee on Awards, (c) the Standing Committee on Documents of Governance, (d) the Standing Committee on Memorials, (e) the Standing Committee on Nomination and Election of Officers, and (f) the Standing Committee on Doctoral Programs.

Section 6. The President’s committees shall be appointed by the President, and they shall cease to exist with termination of the President’s office.

Section 1. The Hetherington Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Academy, may be given annually for outstanding contributions specifically related to the purposes of the Academy. The Hetherington Award shall be given only to Fellows of the Academy who have retired from active service.  Fellow Emeritus status shall not be required for eligibility for the Hetherington Award.

Section 2. The recipient of the Hetherington Award shall be selected by the Standing Committee on Awards in accordance with the regulations of its Operating Code.

Section 3. A special Recognition Award may be awarded by the Standing Committee on Awards in accordance with regulations of its Operating Code to an exemplary organization or individual not associated with the Academy for meritorious service to the profession.

Article IX- Fees

Section 1. The fiscal year of the Academy shall commence on January 1 and extend through December 31 of the same year.

Section 2. The annual dues for Active Fellows and Inactive Fellows, as well as the annual fees for International Fellows shall be established by the Executive Committee and approved by the Active Fellows at the annual business meeting. Dues shall be payable within the thirty (30) days after notification by the Academy Business Office.

Section 3. Fellows Emeritus shall be required to pay a nominal membership fee. The annual dues for Fellows Emeritus shall be established by the Executive Committee and approved by the Active Fellows at the annual business meeting. Dues shall be payable within thirty (30) days after notification by the Academy Business Office.

Section 4. A registration fee shall be charged Fellows attending the annual meeting, the amount to be set by the Executive Committee. Registration fees for non-fellow attendees, students and any special guests should be determined on a year to year basis by the Executive Committee, following a recommendation from the program chair which takes into account the conference budget for that year.

Section 1. The seal of the Academy shall be affixed to official documents of the Academy.

Section 2. Fellows shall be requested to place the initials F.N.A.K. following their names on publications or writings, where such usage is in good taste and will bring credit to the Academy.