Starting a New Chapter
(Reference: JALT Bylaws V. https://jalt.org/main/constitution)
A group of JALT national members may apply to the JALT Executive Board to be recognized as a nonvoting Chapter.
A geographical group must submit a New Chapter/SIG Petition (See below.) with at least 10 signatures of JALT National members in good standing (current members) wishing to be recognized as a nonvoting Chapter.
A nonvoting Chapter must submit a Constitution that does not contradict the JALT Constitution or Bylaws. (See current examples at https://jalt.org/main/chapter-sig-constitutions)
A nonvoting Chapter must submit a list of JALT National members committed to serving as officers. The main positions are: President, Treasurer (required), Program Chair, Publicity Chair and Membership Chair. It is strongly advised to obtain the consent of a minimum of these five officers before submitting your petition. It is also advisable to have additional officers to assist as needed. Note: the President may not serve concurrently as Treasurer.
A nonvoting Chapter must designate at least one officer to serve on JALT committees or boards. (Refs. National section of https://jalt.org/main/getting-involved-jalt#13 , Bylaws III. 8 and Standing Rules Section 5)
Nonvoting Chapters must hold at least 5 public meetings per year to meet JALT standards. Nonvoting Chapters do not have Executive Board voting rights, but may participate in Executive Board discussions. Expenses to attend Executive Board Meetings (one representative, winter and summer EBM) are supported by JALT National.
Submit
1. A completed New Chapter/SIG Petition to the JALT Chapter Representative Liaison (CRL) chaprep@jalt.org or by posting it to the JALT Central Office jco@jalt.org
2. A constitution that does not contradict the JALT Constitution or Bylaws to the Director of Records at records@jalt.org.
Starting a New Special Interest Group (SIG)
(Reference: JALT Bylaws V. https://jalt.org/main/constitution)
A group of JALT national members may apply to the JALT Executive Board to be recognized as a nonvoting SIG.
A group with a particular interest in a relevant academic or pedagogical area who wishes to form a new SIG must submit a New Chapter/SIG Petition (See below.) with at least 30 signatures of JALT National members in good standing (current members) wishing to be recognized as a nonvoting SIG.
A nonvoting SIG must submit a Constitution that does not contradict the JALT Constitution or Bylaws. (See current examples at https://jalt.org/main/chapter-sig-constitutions)
A nonvoting SIG must submit a list of JALT National members committed to serving as officers. The main positions are: President, Treasurer (required), Program Chair, Publications Chair and Membership Chair. It is strongly advised to obtain the consent of a minimum of these five officers before submitting your petition. It is also advisable to have additional officers to assist as needed. (See a list of current SIG officers at https://jalt.org/main/sig-officers) Note: the Coordinator may not serve concurrently as Treasurer.
A nonvoting SIG is expected to both publish and hold public events. Nonvoting SIGs do not have Executive Board voting rights, but may participate in Executive Board discussions. Expenses to attend Executive Board Meetings (one representative, winter and summer EBM) are supported by JALT National.
Submit
1. A completed New Chapter/SIG Petition to the JALT SIG Representative Liaison (SRL) sigrep@jalt.org or by posting it to the JALT Central Office jco@jalt.org
2. A constitution that does not contradict the JALT Constitution or Bylaws to the Director of Records at records@jalt.org.
Please note that “local members” are not considered JALT National members.
