Notice of Motion to Change the Bylaws of the International Thomas Merton Society
During the 2023 ITMS General Meeting a motion was presented to change the bylaws of the International Thomas Merton Society to require elected, voting members of the Board from outside of North America. This marked a change from the current situation of having non-voting International Advisors, appointed by the President.
The motion generated much discussion, but a vote was postponed due to time limits. The ITMS Board, advised by its International Committee,* has continued discussion on the need and advisability of these changes. After careful consideration, the Board voted at our April 2025 meeting to bring a revised motion back to the General Meeting in 2025.
What changes are being proposed?
There are changes to Articles 5 and 7. The old language is noted in red. The proposed language is in blue.
ARTICLE 5- MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. There shall be the following elected officers of the Society, each elected for a two-year term: President; Vice-President; Secretary; Treasurer.
Section 2. There shall be six (6) eight (8) Directors, with six (6) from North America and two (2) International Directors from outside North America, each elected for a two-year term.
Section 3. The Immediate Past President of the ITMS shall be a full voting member of the ITMS Board of Directors for the two years following his or her term as president.
Section 4. There shall be up to four (4) six (6) International Advisors, each appointed by the President, in consultation with the Board, to a two-year term.
Section 5. Committees of the ITMS (i.e., General Meeting Program Committee, Nominating Committee, Bylaws Committee, etc.) shall be appointed by the President.
Section 6. Terms of Office.
(a)The terms of office shall be from General Meeting to General Meeting. The new members of the Board Directors will take office immediately following the adjournment of the General Meeting.
(b) The President shall not succeed herself or himself. He or she may be re- elected after at least one other administration has intervened.
(c)The Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Directors, and International Directors may succeed themselves, but may not serve more than three consecutive terms (six consecutive years) on the Board of Directors. They may be re-elected after at least one other administration has intervened.
(d) A Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, or Director, or International Director may be elected President after serving three consecutive terms (six consecutive years) on the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions in Article 5. Section 6.b.
(e) There shall be no limitation on the terms of service of the International Advisors.
ARTICLE 7- ELECTIONS
Section 1. Nominations
(c) Directors and International Directors shall be elected by the entire membership. from at least twelve (12) candidates proposed by the nominating committee. There shall be at least twelve (12) candidates for Director and at least four (4), candidates from outside North America for International Director, proposed by the nominating committee.
Why do we wish to make these changes?
The change requires the election of two Directors from outside of North America. For purposes of clarity, they will be called International Directors. The International Directors would have both voice and vote in the decision making of the International Thomas Merton Society. The President, in consultation with the Board, can appoint up to four non-voting International Advisors.
Since inception the International Thomas Merton Society has reflected the international conversations and spirit animated by Thomas Merton through our regionally diverse membership, through the participation of international scholars and presenters at our conferences, and through conferring an International Award (Louie). The Board, however, has functioned largely as a North American body, with its Presidents and other Officers being drawn from the United States and Canada. There have been Directors from outside of North America on only three of the nineteen Boards. Consequently, it has been difficult for non-voting International Advisors or Board members from outside North America, to have an integrated process for bringing diverse influences and perspectives to contribute to the future direction and wise polices of the ITMS.
Part of the Board’s mission is to continue the conservation and expansion of the spirit of Thomas Merton. On the question of International Directors we recognize that Merton was actively engaged with those outside North America – Boris Pasternak, Pablo Antonio Cuadra, Czeslaw Milosz, Aldous Huxley, Jean Leclerc, and many others. Not content with a narrow Catholicism or a limited national social perspective, he influenced them and was influenced by them. The current chaos and crisis in our social, political, and religious contexts cries out for us to follow his example. We need more than ever to develop international partnerships and perspectives.
Additionally, our International Advisors have are interested in and have asked for a more active role in the ITMS, to bring a growing interest in Merton (beyond Europe) to the ITMS. Finally, this is a working Board. The work of the Board has expanded over three decades, but the size of the Board has not. If we are to grow as a Society, attract new and younger scholars, and continue to offer compelling and excellent programs, the Board must expand.
Process and Feedback
Please read the proposed changes carefully. You can review the complete and current Bylaws here: https://merton.org/ITMS/documents/ITMS%20BYLAWS.pdf
Please direct your questions, concerns, or other feedback, by email to me, [email protected]. The motion is not written in stone, and it is possible for us to make adjustments – with your feedback and the Board’s approval – before we arrive for the General Meeting. It would, in fact, be preferable to do so to. We want get this motion to a vote this time.
Sincerely
Paul Pynkoski
Vice President, International Thomas Merton Society
Chair, ITMS International Committee
*International Committee Members: Rose Berger (USA), Sylvia Grevel (Australia), Gary Hall (UK), Dominiek Lootens (Germany), Paul Pynkoski (Canada), Marcela Raggio (Argentina) Kathleen Tarr (USA)