ARTICLE I : NAME

The name of the organization shall be the World Communication Association.

ARTICLE II : PURPOSE

1. The purposes of the World Communication Association are:

a. to ensure and support research, teaching and practice of communication in all forms and circumstances;

b. to maintain a special appreciation that in an increasingly interdependent world we are all increasingly dependent for peace and understanding upon reasoned communication in international and intercultural
environments;

c. to further public understanding and support of academic inquiry and training in communication for these ends in all schools, colleges and appropriate private institutions;

d. to sustain the concept of free, responsible and effective communication by and among all people;

e. to speak out in national and international forums as a unified voice for all persons committed to these purposes.

2. The Association, a not-for-profit corporation, exists for educational, scientific, and literary purposes only. No part of the organization's net revenues, if any, may be used for the private benefit of any individual or group.

ARTICLE III : MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to any person or agency interested in the purpose of the organization.

ARTICLE IV : OFFICERS

1. The officers of the Association shall be the President, Continental Vice- Presidents [Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, including New Zealand, North America and Latin America] and Secretary-General.

2. All officers are members of the Board of Directors of the Association.

3. The President and Continental Vice-Presidents shall be elected as specified in the By-laws and serve for terms of four (4) years.

4. The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the President and serve for four (4) years.

5. The duties of the officers are specified in the By-laws.

ARTICLE V : BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. The Board of Directors shall be composed of: (1) President, (2) Continental Vice-Presidents, (3) Secretary General, (4) Board of Advisors, (5) two at-large positions, and (6) Presidents of the affiliated associations or their designee.

2. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for carrying out the work of the Association and shall exercise the authority as specified by the Articles of the Constitution and By-laws.

3. An Executive Committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of the President, Secretary General and Past President who shall be delegated authority to act for the Association between biennial meetings of the Board.

ARTICLE VI : BOARD OF ADVISORS

The Board of Advisors shall consist of the Association's past officers whose Board terms shall commence upon their retirement form active office.

ARTICLE VII : CONTINENTAL AREAS AND AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS

1. The Association shall establish six continental regions (Asia, North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Australia, including New Zealand).

a. Each region shall be represented on the Board of Directors by a Continental Vice-President.

b. The six continental regions may be further subdivided into nation state representatives upon application to the Board of Directors by these entities.

2. Communication Associations and Agencies may be affiliated with the World Communication Association.

a. The President of an affiliated association or agency or designee shall be a member of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII : PUBLICATIONS

1. The Board of Directors shall have authority to publish such journals and other publications as needed to fulfill the Association purposes.

2. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to select editors for the Association publications.

3. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for all decisions pertaining to financing the Association publications.

ARTICLE IX : AMENDMENTS

1. Amendments may be initiated by any member of the Board of Directors or by petition of 20 members of the Association.

2. Amendments may be adopted by two-thirds vote of the members of the Board of Directors who vote on any proposed amendment. Amendments to the Constitution by petition and declined by the Board of Directors may be appealed to members of the Association at the biennial convention business meeting.

3. Amendments may be adopted in a general meeting of the Association's Board of Directors provided the proposed amendment has been submitted to the members twenty-two days in advance.

4. Amendments may be adopted by mail vote of the Board of Directors on the basis of those ballots which are received within twenty days after the ballots have been mailed to the Board members by the Secretary General. The Secretary General shall count the ballots and announce the results to the Board. All ballots shall be filed for the record.

5. Amendments shall take effect immediately following their adoption.

Note: At the 2003 Board of Directors meeting, the Board unanimously adpted the resolution that "mail" also interpreted as "e-mail."