Classical Association of the Middle West and South

Merit Committee Charter

This document sets forth the duties and responsibilities and governs the operations of the Merit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South (the “Association”).

I.  Purpose

The Committee’s purpose is to identify members of the Association who have done extraordinary service on behalf of the Association and on behalf of the study of Classics in general.  The Committee’s principal role is to choose two or three worthy colleagues to be recognized publicly at the annual banquet with an Ovatio, delivered by the Association’s Orator.

II.  Membership

The Committee shall consist of six regular members appointed in accordance with the Association’s constitution.  Each regular member shall serve for a term of three years, which may be renewed for one additional term.  There is an expectation that members of the Committee will be selected from those who have previously been awarded an Ovatio.  The Chair of the Committee will be the Association’s Orator, who serves a three-year term, renewable indefinitely at the discretion of the CAMWS President.

III.  Meetings

Meetings shall be held utilizing electronic media as necessary, beginning in the early autumn, with the goal of finalizing its selections by the end of January.

IV.  Duties and Responsibilities

The Committee will generate a list of names of colleagues it deems worthy to receive an Ovatio.  From that list, it will choose two or three recipients to be recognized publicly at the annual meeting.  Extraordinary service to the Association is the chief criterion for selection; outstanding teaching, service, and accomplishment in the field of Classics in general are also important criteria for selection.  Committee members may also be called upon to assist the Orator in compiling information and anecdotes about the individual recipients, to be included in the Ovationes.  The Ovationes of each year, delivered at the annual meeting and printed in a subsequent issue of Classical Journal, serve as the annual report of the Committee.

V.  Amendment

This Charter shall not be amended except by approval of the Executive Committee.

Adopted by the Executive Committee on September 22, 2014.