Introduction:
The American Association of
Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) is a not-for-profit association that
provides test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking
for textile professionals throughout the world.
History:
AATCC was founded in 1921 by Louis Olney and
other textile professionals in the Boston area (Massachusetts, USA). Since
1964, the association has been headquartered at the AATCC Technical Center in
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA. A complete history of AATCC (tob1996)
is covered in the book Dyeing for a Living by Mark Clark and published by
AATCC.
Basic Information:
Founded
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1921
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Major Activities:
AATCC has developed
more than 200 textile-related test methods and evaluation procedures. These
methods are published each year in the AATCC Technical Manual. AATCC also
manages several functions relating to International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) textile test method development (AATCC is secretary of
ISO TC38 SC1 and SC2 on behalf of the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI). AATCC offers test method training in 11 locations around the globe,
test method proficiency programs, and quality control products for use in
conducting its test methods.
AATCC publishes a
journal, AATCC Review, containing technical articles, peer-reviewed research,
and news for textile professionals. A monthly newsletter is distributed by
e-mail. Other publications include books, training CDs, and online instruction.
The association
conducts educational programs such as workshops, seminars, conferences, and
symposia on many aspects of textiles. Proficiency programs are available for
labs to participate in.
Each year, AATCC honors
outstanding members and the greater textile community with a number of awards,
including the Olney Medal for outstanding achievement in textile chemistry. The
Millson Award for Invention recognizes outstanding contributions to textile
technology, the Harold C. Chapin Award is presented for exemplary service to
AATCC, and the J. William Weaver Paper of the Year Award goes to the authors of
the best peer-reviewed manuscript published in AATCC Review during the year. Students
may compete for several awards including a research paper competition, a fabric
and textile product design competition, and a materials design competition.
AATCC Foundation Inc.
was established in 1997 and operates independently in the furtherance of the
charitable mission of the association by providing scholarships and research
grants to undergraduate and graduate students studying textiles and related
fields.
AATCC works in
cooperation with other textile associations including the Textile Institute (UK),
Asociacion Argentina de Quimicos y Coloristas Textiles (Argentina), and the
China Textile Information Center (China). Together with its counterpart in the
United Kingdom, the Society of Dyers and Colourists, AATCC maintains the Colour
Index International, a reference database of pigments and dyes.
Organizational segmentation:
Local sections and
student chapters are formed by association members located in a particular
geographical area. Sections and chapters further the exchange of textile
information by arranging meetings, lectures, and other technical or social
activities. Several sections make up a region.
AATCC is administered
by a board of directors, including regional representatives who are elected by
the members from their region. Eligible members of all regions elect the AATCC
President. AATCC staff is based at the AATCC Technical Center and provide
administrative assistance to the board. Research committees, made up of
volunteer members, are responsible for test method development. Administrative
committees, also consisting of volunteer members, are responsible for the
various activities of the association.
There are three
interest groups within AATCC:
Chemical Applications Interest Group:
Stimulates and expands
its members' knowledge base of applying chemicals ( preparation aids,
colorants, finishes, polymers, etc.) to textile substrates. This includes the
technologies, equipment, systems, and processes used, as well as the tested
physical/mechanical properties of treated materials.
Concept 2 Consumer (C2C) Interest Group:
Focuses on the creation
of textiles and textile-containing products, from design to retail. C2C
activities promote the association to the retail, merchandising, and design
communities to increase membership and participation in activities benefiting
textile, apparel, and home fashions production.
Materials Interest Group:
Addresses the latest
innovations in fibers and fiber products, including smart textiles, novel
fibers, medical/biomedical, and protective textiles. Areas of interest include
modifications of existing structures and the creation of unique chemical,
polymer, and fiber-based materials. The Materials Interest Group concentrates
on the science and engineering used to create new materials, along with any technologies,
equipment, systems, and processes developed for their commercial production and
their tested physical/mechanical properties.
Memberships:
AATCC has individual,
student, and corporate members in areas of the textile industry such as retail
quality control, design, and merchandising; textile and apparel manufacturing;
textile fiber, dye, chemical, instrument, and machinery manufacturing; testing
labs; and academia. Several other textile-related associations are also members
of AATCC.
Membership requiting
shall take place once a year in the spring semester.
Membership Statement:
Membership is limited
to all students who are enrolled with the Florida State University. No hazing
or discrimination will be used as a condition of membership in this organization.
No university student
may be denied membership on the basis of race, creed, religion, gender, age,
sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, parental status,
disability, or the inability to pay dues.
Revocation of Membership:
Membership may be
revoked without mutual agreement for misconduct, or violations of any
provisions of the Constitution. The member will be notified in writing of the
possible revocation at least 72 hours prior to the vote and will be allowed to
address the organization in order to relate to members any relevant defense
prior to the voting for removal. Membership can only be revoked upon a 2/3
majority vote of eligible members. Revocation of membership will be valid for
two semesters.
Selection of Officers:
Eligibility to Vote and
Hold Office:
Active voting
membership will be limited to all students who are active members in good
standing. Only active voting members who meet the requirements stated in
Article IV, Section 1 are eligible to hold offices.
Nomination Process:
The nomination of
officers shall occur at the beginning of each Fall semester, if there are
positions available. Any eligible member (as defined in Article III Section 1)
present may nominate someone or themselves for office by verbally nominating
the individual during this procedure. However, the nominee must be considered
an eligible member (as defined in Article III Section 1). Absentee ballots and
proxy ballots are not permitted in the nomination or election process.
Election Process:
The election of
officers shall occur at the beginning of each Fall semester after an
informational meeting has been conducted. The nominated candidates will be
given a chance to address the organization to discuss his/her qualifications
and reasons why they should be selected. Once each candidate has had the
opportunity to speak, all eligible members present will have the opportunity to
vote by secret ballot. The faculty/staff advisor and current highest-ranking
officer not running for office will tabulate all votes. The highest-ranking
officer not running for office shall announce the officer with a simple
majority of votes cast by eligible members. After announcing the new officer
the highest-ranking officer not running for office shall ask if any eligible members
contest the count. If no eligible member contests the count the new officer
shall take office immediately. If an eligible member contests the count the
faculty/staff advisor and the highest-ranking officer not running for office
will recount all votes. In the event of a tie, the President shall cast the
deciding vote for office unless he/she is running for the said office. In that
case, the next highest-ranking officer shall make the deciding vote.
Term of Office:
The length of office
shall last as long as the elected officer is a Florida State University student
and meet all requirements of elected position. Newly elected officers shall
take office immediately after the announcement at the second scheduled meeting in
the Fall and their term will end on a voluntary basis as long as they are
enrolled at FSU and effectively meet all officer responsibilities.
Responsibilities of Executive Board:
The President shall:
• Supervise the
activities of the organization.
• Preside over all
meetings and call all meetings to order.
• Be one of three
signers on financial documents.
• Coordinate all
conferences.
• Ensure all officers
are performing their duties as defined in this Constitution.
• Assign special
projects to officers.
• Be familiar with
Robert’s Rules of Order to conduct meetings.
The Vice President
shall:
• Assist the President
in his/her duties
• Assumes the
Presidents responsibilities in his/her absence.
• Keep accurate records
of all meetings in the Secretary’s absence.
• Plan and be
responsible for all retreats and training of the organization.
• Assist in special
projects as assigned by the President.
The Secretary shall:
• Notify members of
meetings via e-mail and/or telephone at least 72 hours in advance.
• Keep accurate records
of all meetings.
• Maintain accurate
list of members and their contact information.
• Perform a verbal role
call of all members and maintain an attendance record.
• Prepare ballots for
elections.
• Keep copy of
constitution and have available for members
• Assist in special
projects as assigned by the President.
The Treasurer shall:
• Keep an accurate
account of all funds received and expended.
• Be one of three signers
on financial documents.
• Be responsible for
collecting dues and notifying members who are delinquent in their payments.
• Be responsible for
creating budget reports at the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester and
as requested by the President, Vice President, and/or FSU faculty/staff
advisor.
The Historian shall:
• Document all
important chapter events and keep accurate and complete records of chapter activities.
• Keep an updated
scrapbook with pictures, letters, newspaper clippings, and other interesting
items.
• Assist successor and
provide them with current historical record of AATCC events.
• Assist in special
projects as assigned by the President.
The Publicist shall:
• Provide the public
with outstanding notifications of AATCC events, meeting and activities
• Create posters,
banners, flyers and other appropriate media for all club meetings and
activities and posting them in allocated locations (Locations to post flyers:
the Student Union and all four floors of the Sandals building. Place flyers on
cork boards outside of each professors door, in glass cases and on glass
casings.
• Keep accurate records
of all marketing strategies used during their time in office.
Financing systems:
Membership Dues:
Membership dues shall
be twenty dollars per year or ten dollars per semester. Membership dues will be
collected at the first meeting of the Fall and Spring Semester. No membership
dues will be collected during Summer terms. As stated in Article III Section 1,
no university student may be denied membership due to inability to pay dues. If
a member is not able to pay dues, other arrangements will be made.
Spending Organization’s
Money:
For the protection of
the organization and its officers it is required that two authorized signatures
sign all monetary transactions. Only the President, Treasurer, and FSU
Faculty/Staff Advisor can be signers on the organization’s account.
Organizational funds may be spent on items such as office supplies,
events/activities, publicity, travel expenses, conference fees, etc., but will
not be used for anything illegal under University, local, state, and federal
laws.
Amendments:
Amendments to any law
of the constitution must be proposed in writing to the President. The amendment
must then be presented to the organization during a scheduled meeting and
should include a full explanation and/or rationale for the amendment. The
amendment must be voted on at the next scheduled meeting. The amendment shall
not take effect until approved by a 2/3 majority vote of eligible members of
the organization.
These above all
discussions are representing the major functions of AATCC.
Thanks to Wahidur
Rahman Sir for his precious direction and encourages to
successfully completing my analytical report on such type of important topic.
References:
ü
AATCC constitution revised version 2008.
ü
www.fsu.edu.us
Prepared by
Md. Bakhtiar Rana
Department
of Textile Engineering
City
University Bangladesh.
