As amended, October 1996

I. To advance, enhance, or further economics as an observational science through use of laboratory and field methods of observation and data collection under the control and responsibility of the research investigator, and the development of economic theory and statistical or econometric methods based on such direct observations and data. The Association seeks to foster replicable, clearly documented, empirical work in all subdisciplines of economics, and recognition of the important tasks of data creation, data quality evaluation and empirical description, as well as theory development and testing.

II. To sponsor annual meetings, small workshop conferences, joint meetings with other societies, and to engage in such other activities that will promote the objectives stated in

I. Bylaws

I. Membership

1. Any person interested in the advancement of economics as an observational science, as described in the above statement of purpose of the Association, may become a member of this Association.

2. The Executive Committee at its annual meeting shall determine the membership fee for the following year. The Executive Committee may offer a reduced-rate membership fee to students. The annual membership fee and student membership fee shall include subscriptions to all official journals of the Association.

3. Every member is entitled to receive announcements and such other materials that the Executive Committee shall specify for circulation to the general membership.

II. Trustees

The Board of Trustees shall be composed of members of the Executive Committee.

III. Officers and Executive Committee

1. The Association shall have the following officers: a President with a term of two years who succeeds the following year to Vice-President with a term of two years; a President-elect with a term of two years who succeeds the following year to President; a North American Membership Secretary and a European Membership Secretary, each of whom serves a two-year, renewable term; and a Treasurer who serves a six-year, renewable term.

2. The Association shall consist of such number of Sections as the Executive Committee shall establish. Initially the Sections shall be the following.

1. Computer Science and Economics

2. Econometrics

3. Economic Theory

4. Experimental and Field Empirical Methods

5. Game Theory and Applications

6. History, Methodology and Philosophy

7. Law and Economics

8. Organization, Accounting and Finance

9. Policy Implementation and Evaluation

10. Political Economy

11. Psychology and Economics

Each Section will have a Head. The initial terms of Section Heads shall be staggered to provide continuity; however for the second and subsequent terms a Section Head shall serve for a term of three years.

3. The voting members of the Executive Committee shall consist of the President, the President-elect, the Vice-President, the European Membership Secretary, the North American Membership Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Heads of the Sections. Editors and Co-Editors of any official journals of the Association shall be ex officio, non-voting members of the Executive Committee.

4. For all voting members of the Executive Committee, each regular year in office will begin at the time of the Association's annual meeting or such other time as approved by the Executive Committee.

IV. Duties of the Officers and Executive Committee

1. The President of the Association shall preside at all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee. In the case of his disability, these duties shall devolve upon the Vice-President, then the President-elect, then the North American Membership Secretary or the European Membership Secretary (with precedence determined by location of the meeting), then the Treasurer in that order.

2. At least two months before the annual meeting each year the North American Membership Secretary or the European Membership Secretary (depending on the location of the meeting) shall poll the Executive Committee for nominations for all expiring offices (President-elect, European Membership Secretary, North American Membership Secretary, Treasurer, and Section Heads). From these nominations, by approval voting at or before the annual meeting of the Association, the Executive Committee will select a new candidate for each expiring office to be proposed to the membership. This vote of the Executive Committee may be conducted at a meeting of same, or if this is not feasible, by a mail ballot.

3. Subsequently, at a meeting of the members attending the annual meeting of the Association, the President shall present the roster of new officers for their approval.

4. The President and the relevant regional Membership Secretary shall jointly be responsible for the program for the annual meetings of the years in which they serve, and such other special meetings that are held during the years in which they serve. They may delegate all or any part of this responsibility to a Section Head or to Section Heads as appears appropriate given the character, objectives or purpose of any particular meeting.

5. The President in consultation with each Section Head shall, by appointment, maintain a committee of up to 20 Section members who consent to be available to assist the Section Head and the President in program planning for the annual meeting and for such special conferences and meetings that the Association shall sponsor. Section members shall serve for a period of three years, and are eligible for reappointment.

6. Each Membership Secretary shall keep records for the Association and perform such other duties that the Executive Committee may assign to the Secretary.

7. The Treasurer shall receive, have custody and disperse the funds of the Association according to directives of the Executive Committee.

8. The Executive Committee shall be the governing executive body of the Association. It may adopt any rules or regulations for the conduct of its business which are not inconsistent with these bylaws.

V. Meetings

1. Each calendar year there will be one meeting, designated "the annual meeting," at which there will be a meeting of the Executive Committee and a general membership meeting. The meeting will take place in late spring (late May to mid June) of each year. The President and the relevant regional Membership Secretary will jointly determine the exact time and location of the annual meeting each year. Notice of the time and place and a call for papers shall be mailed to the membership at least three months in advance of the annual meeting. The annual meeting will be held at a location outside of North America every third year. The relevant Membership Secretary and the President shall jointly be responsible for local arrangements, registration, and organization of the scientific program.

2. Regional conferences may be organized at the discretion of the President but shall not be scheduled at the same approximate time of year as the annual meeting. The President may delegate responsibility for organizing such a meeting to the regional membership Secretary. All members shall be notified of the location and date of regional meetings at least three months and these meetings will be open to all members. Regional meetings will not include Executive Committee and members' business meetings.

3. Special meetings shall held at such time and place as may be designated by the President or by those to whom the President has delegated responsibility for the program of such meetings.

VI. Provision for Official Association Journals

1. The President shall be responsible for negotiations with current or prospective publishers about any official journals of the Association, and shall do so in consultation with the other officers of the Association. Any formal agreement to publish an official journal of the Association cannot be implemented without a majority vote of approval by the Executive Committee.

2. The officers of the Association are responsible for nominating editors of its official journals in a timely manner consistent with contractual agreements with the publisher(s) of the journals. Nominations of editors shall not be finalized without a majority vote of approval by the Executive Committee. The vote of the Executive Committee may be conducted by mail ballot.

VII. Amendments Amendments to these bylaws may be made subject to the approval of a two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee, and a simple majority of members in attendance at the annual meeting.