I. Name of the Organization

The name of this division will be “The Division on Terrorism and Bias Crimes” [hereinafter “The Division”]. The Division is a constituent unit of the American Society of Criminology [hereinafter ASC] and will function in accordance with the Constitution, bylaws and policies of the ASC.

II. Mission Statement

The Division of Terrorism and Bias Crimes seeks to advance theory, knowledge and practice in the study of terrorism and bias crimes through rigorous research and evaluation. The Division recognizes the importance of understanding the human causes and consequences of terrorism and bias crimes.  It is committed to advancing the scientific study of Terrorism and Bias Crimes, testing innovation in the field, and promoting excellence in practice through translational activities.  These goals can be achieved by facilitating a dialogue and building partnerships among Terrorism and Bias Crimes scholars, practitioners, policy makers, community leaders, and students of Terrorism and Bias Crimes.

III. Purposes and Objectives to Achieve Our Mission

A. To advance the development of scholarly research in Terrorism and Bias Crimes through collegiality, mentorship, and active engagement with the ASC membership.

B. To support, facilitate and encourage interaction and dissemination of Terrorism and Bias Crimes research among ASC members, practitioners, funding agencies, policy-making bodies, and other relevant groups.

C. To organize and promote ASC conference sessions and special events related to Terrorism and Bias Crimes research.

D. To advance the members of the Division through the establishment of awards within the Division and collectively in nominating members for ASC awards and elected positions.

IV. Membership:

Membership in this Division will be open to all ASC members in good standing. A member in good standing is one who is current in their dues. Members who have paid Divisional dues will be considered eligible for voting at Divisional meetings, for the election of Divisional officers and to hold office.

V. Executive Board:

There will be an Executive Board comprised of the Division’s current officers, the immediate past Chair and three Executive Counselors. This Board will form policies for the Division, provide advice and decide the budget for the Division and suggest and approve committees and committee chairs.  The Division Chair will convene the Executive Board.

VI. Officers:

A. Chair

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The Chair will provide executive direction for the Division and will preside over Division meetings.
               2. The Chair or their designee will serve as liaison with the ASC Annual Meeting Program to ensure the inclusion of panels relating to issues on Terrorism and Bias Crimes in the program.
               3. The Chair or their designee shall bring issues regarding Terrorism and Bias Crimes research, as decided by the Division, to the attention of the ASC Executive Board and to appropriate ASC committees for their consideration.
               4. The Chair will appoint all committees and committee chairs, with the approval of the Executive Board.
               5. Once the term of the Chair ends and he or she is not elected for another term, the chair will serve for one year as part of the Executive Counselors to assist in the transition and continuity of the board and division.

B. Vice-Chair

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The Vice-Chair will preside over Division meetings in the absence of the Chair and shall be empowered to conduct all necessary business of the Division if the office of Chair is vacant or if the Chair is unable to serve.
               2. The Vice-Chair will assist the Chair in matters of the Division.

C. Secretary/Treasurer

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The Secretary/Treasurer will keep the records and minutes of the Division and will forward a copy to each member of the Executive Committee.
               2. The Secretary/Treasurer will manage the membership list for the division, including the email/contact system for members.
               3. The Secretary/Treasurer will remain in contact with the Treasurer of ASC who will maintain a separate account in the ASC treasury for the Division. The Secretary will inform Division membership of the Divisions balance, debts, credits, etc. at the Divisions Annual Membership Meeting. The Secretary will notify the Executive Board of any financial issues that arise between Annual Membership Meetings.
               4. With the Chair’s approval, the Secretary/Treasurer will coordinate all purchases for the division, including, for example, awards, annual meeting supplies and receptions, etc.
               5. The Secretary/Treasurer will maintain the website for the Division.

D. Executive Counselors:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. There will be three Executive Counselors for the Division.
               2. Executive Counselors will assist the Chair with executive decisions for the Division, and each will chair at least one committee of the Division.

E. Web Manager

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The DBTC will have one member serve as the Web Manager for the division.
               2. The Web Manager oversees the web design, content, and structure for the DTBC’s website.  The DTBC web-manager will monitor traffic, maintain and update the website as needed, make sure the website is working correctly, interface with ASC on DTBC website related matters, and respond to website feedback.  The qualifications for the Web Manager position include basic familiarity with web design, general computer aptitude, and willingness to serve.
               3. The Web Manager’s term of office is three (3) years.  The Web Manager may not serve more than two consecutive full terms.  The Web Manager will have the same voting rights as all other members of the DTBC Executive Committee.
               4. The DTBC’s Election Committee will solicit nominations for Web Manager position. Members will nominate- or self-nominate- individuals for this position via writing/email to the Election Committee. The Election Committee will collect the CV and statement of qualifications from each candidate nominated.  The Election Committee will identify the top 2-3 candidates and their materials will be shared with the Executive Committee (EC).  The Executive Committee will then vote to select the Web Manager.
               5. Any unexpected vacancy that occurs during the term will be temporarily filled by an appointment by the Executive Committee.
               6. If the Web Master is unwilling or unable to fulfill her/his/they duties and performs in a way that is detrimental to the goals of the DTBC, then she/he/they will be subject to dismissal by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee.

(note: VI. E. Web Manager was voted on, approved, and added to the Constitution in October, 2019.)

VII. Elections:

A. Term Length:

The Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer and Executive Counselors will serve a two-year term. Elections of all Officers shall occur every two years.

B. Nominations:

The Executive Board will appoint a Nominations & Elections Committee consisting of two members in good standing of the Division. 

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The Nominations & Elections Committee shall oversee the development of a slate of candidates for officers for the Division elections. The Nominations & Elections Committee shall contact regular Division members in good standing and invite them to submit nominations, including self-nominations, for each office to be filled.
               2. The Nominations & Elections Committee is to consider all names nominated and may also consider others who were not nominated by the Division members.
               3. No seated member of the Nominations & Elections Committee could be nominated for an elected office.
               4. All nominees must be Division regular members in good standing at the time of the nomination, must have been members in good standing of the Division for at least one (1) year prior to nomination, and must maintain regular members in good standing while in office.
               5. The Chair of the Nominations & Elections Committee will contact the nominees to determine their willingness to serve.
               6. The Nominations & Elections Committee shall prepare a report outlining the procedures the Committee followed in obtaining nominations and recommending a slate of candidates to the Executive Board. This memorandum with the list of candidates nominated shall be presented to the Executive Board for their approval. The Executive Board will review and approve a final slate of candidates.
               7. Upon obtaining the approval of the Executive Board for the final slate of candidates, the Chair of the Nominations & Elections Committee will obtain a brief biographical information and a statement from each candidate on the final slate of candidates.
               8. The Division Chair will distribute the final slate of candidates to the Division members.

C. Qualifications:

Nominees and elected officers must be Division regular members in good standing at the time of the nomination, must have been members in good standing of the Division for at least one (1) year prior to nomination, and must maintain regular members in good standing while in office.

D. Term of Office:

The term of office for all officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary-Treasurer) will be for two years. Elected officers may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms in the same office. Upon completion of the second consecutive term of office, a person must wait for a period of at least one full term before running again for the same office.

The term for all Executive Counselors will be two years. Executive Counselors may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms in the same office. Upon completion of the second consecutive term of office, a person must wait for a period of at least one full term before running again for the same office.

Elections of Officers and Executive Counselors shall be staggered in the following manner: Year One elections will be held for Chair, Vice-Chair, and one (1) Executive Counselor. Year Two (or alternating year) elections will be held for Secretary and two (2) Executive Counselors. (note: paragraph approved and added during 2018 elections)

The term of office of each incoming officer will begin on the day of the Annual membership meeting at the Annual ASC Conference.

E. Procedure:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Regular Division members who have not yet paid their dues for the current year shall receive a statement from the Secretary/Treasurer to this effect four (4) weeks before the ballots are distributed. The statement shall say that they are not members in good standing and may not vote in the current election unless their dues are paid prior to the ballots being distributed.
               2. All regular Division members in good standing at the time when the ballots are distributed shall be entitled to vote.
               3. Based on the information provided by the Chair of the Nominations & Elections Committee, the Secretary/Treasurer will prepare the ballots with the names of candidates for each office as well as their biographical information and the statement.
               4. The ballot shall include a place for write-in candidates. Write-in candidates will still be subject to the requirements outlined in VII. Elections, B. Nominations.
               5. Voting shall be done by an anonymous ballot.
               6. Voting will be done electronically and will be overseen by the Secretary/Treasurer and the Chair of the Nominations & Elections Committee. If the Secretary/Treasurer has been nominated for office and their name is on the ballot, a regular member of the Division in good standing will be appointed by the Division Chair to fulfill the Secretary/Treasurer’s role in this task.
               7. Regular Division members in good standing will have thirty (30) days to submit their ballots. Members will be alerted to the open ballot at least twice by email (or by mail to those members who do not receive email). The deadline for the ballot submission will be announced on the ballot. No votes will be counted after the deadline.
               8. Ballots will be counted and votes verified by the Secretary/Treasurer and the Chair of the Nominations & Elections Committee. If the Secretary/Treasurer has been nominated for office and is on the ballot, a regular member of the Division in good standing will be appointed by the Division Chair to fulfill their role.
               9. One of those who counted the ballots, normally the Chair of the Nominations & Elections Committee, will notify the Division Chair of the results in within seven (7) days. The Division Chair will then report the results to the Executive Council and the general membership typically via an email and/or webpage, and other media outlets as the Chair deems appropriate.
               10. For Vice-Chair and Secretary/Treasurer, the candidates receiving the most votes cast shall be elected to the positions of Vice-Chair and Secretary/Treasurer. For Executive Councilors, if there are multiple candidates on the ballot then the two (2) candidates receiving the most votes shall be elected.
               11. Tied elections shall be resolved by a run-off election conducted through a anonymous electronic ballot overseen by the Secretary/Treasurer. If Secretary/Treasurer has been nominated for office and their name is on the ballot, a regular member of the Division in good standing will be appointed by the Division Chair to fulfill the Secretary/Treasurer’s role in this task.
               12. Regular members in good standing will have fifteen (15) days to submit their ballots for the run-off election.

F. Vacancies:

Vacancies which occur during the term of office for the Vice-Chair, Secretary or Executive Counselor of the Division, shall be filled until the next election by appointment of the Chair, with the approval of the Executive Board. Vacancies may be filled at any time, and shall be filled for the remainder of the term of office.

G. Suspension/Removal from the Office: 

Any member of the Executive Board who is not attending Divisional meetings, responding to email communication, or otherwise not fulfilling the office responsibilities could be suspended from the office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board. Any member of the Executive Board could be removed from the office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Division members present at the Division Annual Business Meeting or by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Division members who cast the vote in the electronic ballot.

VIII. Amending the Constitution and Bylaws:

A. Amendments may be proposed by any member of the Division, but all such proposed amendments may only go forward under one of the following conditions:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The petitioner receives the written support (signatures) of one-fifth of the Division membership in good standing; or
                  2. The proposed amendment is introduced at the Division’s Annual Membership Meeting and receives a two-thirds affirmative vote of those present to refer the proposal to a Constitutional Revision Committee.

B. When one of the two above requirements is met, the Executive Board will create a Constitutional Revision Committee to review the Constitution and Bylaws, the proposed amendment and make appropriate recommendations.

C. An amendment will be approved after due notice of proposed amendments to the Constitution have been given to the members, and with two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members who cast a ballot. The Secretary/Treasurer will prepare an electronic ballot for the membership and the vote will be monitored by an executive counselor, in the same fashion described in Section VII(E) above.

D. Approved amendments shall take effect immediately following the next annual membership Meeting. Amendments are subject to the approval of the ASC Executive Board.

I. We should post…

A. Any terrorism and bias crime publications referred to us by our members or media coverage of our membership.

B. Terrorism and bias crimes related articles from Criminology and Criminology & Public Policy

C. Division information on elections, meetings, award winners, etc. and other information provided by the Division’s Executive Board.

D. ASC information that is provided by ASC leadership for distribution to Division members.

II. We should repost…

A. Posts that are about or reference academic research on bias crimes or terrorism

B. Posts that are about or reference media coverage/non academic research from researchers on bias crimes or terrorism.

III. We should not repost…

A. Posts that directly advocate for or against a politician or political organization as ASC is a non-profit organization.

A call for nominations for the Executive Board will be sent out and a vote will take place. Registered Division members can nominate an individual to the Executive Board as well as take place in the voting process.

The election procedures for the Division are as follows:

Term Length: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer and Executive Counselors will serve a two-year term. Elections of all Officers shall occur every 2 years.

Nominations: The Executive Board will appoint a Nominations Committee consisting of two members in good standing of the Division. The Committee will receive names in nomination for each office to be filled the following year. Write-in options will also be allowed for all offices during the elections process.

Qualifications: Nominees and elected officers must be members in good standing of the Division.

Term of Office: The term of office for all officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary-Treasurer) will be for two years. Elected officers may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms in the same office. Upon completion of the second consecutive term of office, a person must wait for a period of at least one full term before running again for the same office. The term for all Executive Counselors will be two years. Executive Counselors may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms in the same office. Upon completion of the second consecutive term of office, a person must wait for a period of at least one full term before running again for the same office. Elections of Officers and Executive Counselors shall be staggered in the following manner: Year One elections will be held for Chair, Vice-Chair, and one (1) Executive Counselor. Year Two (or alternating year) elections will be held for Secretary and two (2) Executive Counselors. The term of office of each incoming officer will begin on the day of the Annual membership meeting at the Annual ASC Conference.

Procedure: Names of those nominated will be placed on a secure, electronic ballot and sent to all members in good standing by the Secretary/Treasurer of the Division. One Executive Counselor who is not nominated for election will also serve as an election monitor, with access to the secure electronic ballot. If all executive counselors are nominated for office, a member of the division will be appointed by the Chair for this role. Members will be alerted to the open ballot at least twice by email (or by mail to those members who do not receive email). Members shall have at least 30 days to cast their ballots.

Vacancies: Vacancies which occur during the term of office for the Vice-Chair, Secretary or Executive Counselor of the Division, shall be filled until the next election by appointment of the Chair, with the approval of the Executive Board. Vacancies may be filled at any time, and shall be filled for the remainder of the term of office.

Position Descriptions

• Chair: The Chair will provide executive direction for the Division and will preside over Division meetings. The Chair or their designee will serve as liaison with the ASC Annual Meeting Program to ensure the inclusion of panels relating to issues on Terrorism and Bias Crimes in the program. The Chair or their designee shall bring issues regarding Terrorism and Bias Crimes research, as decided by the Division, to the attention of the ASC Executive Board and to appropriate ASC committees for their consideration. The Chair will appoint all committees and committee chairs, with the approval of the Executive Board. Once the term of the Chair ends and he or she is not elected for another term, the chair will serve for one year as part of the Executive Counselors to assist in the transition and continuity of the board and division.
• Vice-Chair: The Vice-Chair will preside over Division meetings in the absence of the Chair and shall be empowered to conduct all necessary business of the Division if the office of Chair is vacant or if the Chair is unable to serve. The Vice-Chair will assist the Chair in matters of the Division.
• Secretary/Treasurer: The Secretary/Treasurer will keep the records and minutes of the Division and will forward a copy to each member of the Executive Committee. The Secretary/Treasurer will manage the membership list for the division, including the email/contact system for members. The Secretary/Treasurer will remain in contact with the Treasurer of ASC who will maintain a separate account in the ASC treasury for the Division, and inform its membership of the Divisions balance, debts, credits, etc. at the Division’s Annual Membership Meeting. The Secretary will notify the Executive Board of any financial issues that arise between Annual Membership Meetings. With the Chair’s approval, the Secretary/Treasurer will coordinate all purchases for the division, including, for example, awards, annual meeting supplies and receptions, etc.
• Executive Counselor: There will be three Executive Counselors for the Division. Executive Counselors will assist the Chair with executive decisions for the Division, and each will chair at least one committee of the Division.
• Student Member: The Student Member(s) will be currently enrolled in a PhD or Master’s program, and serve a one-year, non-voting term on the Division Board. The Student Member(s) actively attend Board meetings, participate in decisions, and assist with maintaining the DTBC social media account.
• Web Manager: The web manager will maintain the web site for the Division, ensure technical access for all Executive Board members, and assist with elections.

Refer to Constitution for official term limits and responsibilities.

• DTBC Annual Report 2019
• DTBC Annual Report 2018
• DTBC Annual Report 2017
• DTBC Annual Report 2016

COMMITTEES

A. There will be four (4) standing committees.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. There shall be a Nomination & Election Committee that will develop a slate of candidates, inquire of the nominees whether they are willing to serve, and report the slate to the Executive Board.
               2. There shall be a Distinguished Scholar Award Committee that will select an annual recipient of the Division’s Distinguished Scholar Award.
               3. There shall be a Student Paper Award Committee that will identify an annual recipient of the Division’s first place Graduate Student Paper Award and an annual recipient of the Division’s second place Graduate Student Paper Award.
               4. There shall be an Early Career Impact Award Committee that will select an annual recipient of the Division’s Early Career Impact Award.

B. The Executive Board may create other committees, as it deems appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Division.

C. Committee chairs must be Division’s regular members in good standing. Committee members must be Division’s members in good standing.

D. Student members, if appointed by the Division Chair and approved by a majority of the Executive Board, may serve on standing and other committees.

E. Committee chairs and committee members are appointed from among volunteers, and the Division Chair receives nominations with the approval of the Executive Board.

F. Chairs and members of the committees will be announced at the Division’s Annual Meeting and/or electronically to the membership.

G. Committee chairs and members serve a one (1) year term, beginning at the close of the Division’s Annual Business Meeting at which they have been appointed. They may be reappointed.

AWARDS

A. There will be three (3) awards.

1. The Distinguished Scholar Award Committee will oversee the selection process.

1. 1. 1. 1. a) Nominees for Distinguished Scholar Award should have an established career in academia/research and have held a Ph.D. degree for at least ten years. Outstanding contributions to the field of terrorism, bias crimes, or political violence from a criminological perspective may consist of a single outstanding book or work, a series of theoretical or research contributions, or the recipient’s accumulated scholarly and policy and practice contributions.

            b) A nomination requires a letter of nomination and a complete CV to be uploaded electronically to the DTBC website. The letter must explain why the candidate is qualified to be considered for the award. Letter-writing campaigns by multiple nominators are discouraged.

            c) Members of the Executive Board are ineligible from being considered for the award during their term in office.

            d) Members of the Distinguished Scholar Award Committee are ineligible from being considered for the award while serving on the Committee.

            e) Prior winners of the Distinguished Scholar Award are ineligible for the award.

            f) The award will be presented at the “Division Annual Meeting” held during the ASC Annual Meeting.

            g) The Executive Board may decide not to give the Distinguished Scholar Award in any given year.

2. The Student Paper Award Committee will oversee the selection process.

1. 1. 1. 1. a) Students should be enrolled in a Master’s or Doctoral Level Program at the time of submission. Eligibility is limited to papers that are authored by graduate students and have not been previously published or accepted for publication at the time of submission. Papers written with faculty members are not eligible.

            b) Students may submit only one paper a year for this competition, and it should not have been submitted for another ASC award in the same year.

            c) The Student Paper Award Committee will consider both empirical and theoretical contributions, but the subject matter should engage the mission of the division. Each paper will be scored for its research contribution, integration of prior literature, execution of the research design, and quality of writing.

            d) The top paper will be recognized at the annual meeting of the Division and highlighted on our website. The best paper will receive a $500 award, and the second-place paper will receive $250.

            e) Submission guidelines are on the DTBC website, which is where submissions should be made.

            f) The award will be presented at the “Division Annual Meeting” held during the ASC Annual Meeting.

            g) The Executive Board may decide not to give the Student Paper Award in any given year.

3. The Early Career Impact Award Committee will oversee the selection process.

1. 1. 1. 1. a) Those eligible must be untenured at time of nomination and have earned their Ph.D. degree less than eight years prior to the year of nomination. Examples of early-career impacts include the publication of an influential book or work, a highly-cited journal article, or notable contributions to policy and practice. Current Executive Board members are excluded from being considered for the Award.

            b) A nomination requires a letter of nomination and a complete CV to be uploaded electronically to the DTBC website. The letter must explain why the candidate is qualified to be considered for the award. Self-nominations are welcome. Letter-writing campaigns by multiple nominators are discouraged.

            c) Members of the Executive Board are ineligible from being considered for the award during their term in office.

            d) Members of the Early Career Impact Award Committee are ineligible from being considered for the award while serving on the Committee.

            e) Prior winners of the Early Career Impact Award are ineligible for the award.

            f) The award will be presented at the Division Annual Meeting held during the ASC Annual Meeting.

            g) The Executive Board may decide not to give the Early Career Impact Award in any given year.

B. Each award committee will develop a list of nominations for each award.

C. The Chair of each award committee will confirm the eligibility of each nomination for the specific award.

D. The Chair of each award committee will provide the Executive Board with a report containing the list of all nominations, the recommended winner of the award, and the main reasons for the recommendations for granting the award.

E. The Executive Board will give due consideration to each award committee nomination for each award, but the Executive Board is neither bound by the slate nor the nominee recommended by the awards committee. If the Executive Board rejects the nominee recommended by the awards committee, the Executive Board may ask the awards committee to suggest another nominee. The Executive Board may decide not to give certain awards in any given year.

F. The Division Chair formally notifies award recipients.

G. The creation of new awards and award criteria becomes effective when approved by at least a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board. Thereafter, all award criteria carry the procedural weight of Bylaws.