More than a Half Century of Features Excellence

AASFE started at the American Press Institute, then located at Columbia University. In 1947, 17 Sunday editors (all men) at newspapers ranging from the Williamsport (Pa.) Grit to The New York Times had just finished a two-week seminar. Enjoying their give-and-take, they agreed to meet at API a year later.

Thus was born the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors. The association's early annual meetings alternated between API offices in New York City and various cities around the U.S., where they were hosted by the cities' newspapers. (In 1956, the host-paper practice became the norm.) Membership ceilings kept the meetings small until the '70s, when the AASFE began to grow. Membership has exceeded 200 in the 1990s.

MISSION STATEMENT

The American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors is an organization of editors from the United States and Canada dedicated to the quality of features in newspapers and the craft of feature writing. AASFE supports its membership with an annual conference, a writing contest, an annual magazine and a Web site.

AASFE CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - PURPOSE
The purpose of the Association shall be the improvement of features -- either in print or print and electronic extensions of newspaper companies.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1: Active membership shall be open to: editors whose principal responsibilities relate to daily and/or Sunday feature sections, magazine sections of newspapers as well as speical interest publications, whether in print or online; editors who oversee feature editorial content of electronic and print extensions of news companies; and editors of syndicates and wire services.
A special level of corporate membership exists for the CEO or chief news officer of news companies.
Associate (Non-voting) Memberships exist for those with a special interest in features journalism and former features editors now engaged in an occupation other than journalism. This includes, but is not limited to online editors at non-newspaper sites, senior reporters,and other newspaper section editors. Associate memberships are also available for journalism educators, students and journalism retirees.  

SECTION 2: The officers shall be the final arbiter of membership qualifications.

SECTION 1: The officers of the Association shall be a president, two vice-presidents, a secretary/treasurer, and four or more regional directors.

SECTION 2: The term of office for the president, vice-presidents, and secretary/treasurer shall begin with their election and shall run until their successors are elected at the following convention and take office. Once a member becomes secretary/treasurer, he/she will move up the officer ranks until completing the terms of president. The nominating committee will select a candidate for the secretary/treasurer position to be approved by the membership. This committee will be chaired by a past president and made up of active past presidents.

SECTION 3: The duties for the president shall be:
1. Conduct all meetings of the Association.
2. To perform all other duties usually pertaining to the office of president.
3. Work closely with the host newspaper to plan the annual convention.
4. Appoint committee chairs and assign tasks to board members.

SECTION 4: The duties of the vice president shall be:
1. The first vice-president shall perform executive functions as directed by the president, and shall take over as acting president in case of resignation or incapacity of the elected president and shall serve out said president's term.
2. The second vice-president shall serve as a support officer and act at the instructions of the president. Will also work closely with the above officers to plan the fall convention and board meetings.

SECTION 5: The duties of the secretary /treasurer shall be:
1. To keep records of the meetings and other activities of the Association.
2. To inform members of all regular and special meetings and such other matters as the president shall direct.
3. To report to the annual meeting of the Association concerning its financial condition and all receipts and expenditures during the preceding 12 months.
4. To report on convention expenses and state of the budget at the annual winter board meeting.
5. Work closely with the AASFE administrator to pay bills and track finances of AASFE.

SECTION 6: The duties of the regional directors shall be:
1. To represent segments of the membership and to conduct Association activities.
2. To chair projects as directed by the president.
3. Terms will be for two years and can be renewed by the recommendations of the nominating committee and the officers.

SECTION 7: The AASFE board shall consist of all elected officers, regional directors and committee chairs.

SECTION 1: The executive committee shall consist of the president, vice-presidents, secretary/ treasurer, regional directors, and all past presidents whose responsibilities qualify them for active membership on the AASFE board.

SECTION 2: The executive committee shall transact the business of the Association between full membership meetings. It shall have the power to call special meetings, to alter the time and place of annual meetings for good cause, to arrange the programs for such meetings, and to establish annual dues and convention fees.

SECTION 1: The Association shall meet at least once each year at a time and place to be selected by the executive committee.

SECTION 1: Annual dues shall be payable in January. In order to attend the convention, dues must be paid in full.