The Constitution of the Society for Modern Greek Studies

1. Name

The Society shall be called “The Society for Modern Greek Studies”, hereinafter “The Society”.

2. Aim

The aim of The Society shall be to promote the study, teaching and knowledge of Modern Greek language, literature, history, society and culture, in the UK, by means of the following:

  1. (i) bringing together teaching and research staff active in the field of Modern Greek Studies in UK universities;
  2. (ii) representing the field of Modern Greek Studies at national and international level;
  3. (iii) serving as the UK National Committee of the European Society of Modern Greek Studies;
  4. (iv) organizing or sponsoring conferences and colloquia as appropriate;
  5. (v) facilitating the exchange of information among teachers and researchers in the field and formulating proposals for co-ordinating activities in different institutions;
  6. (vi) providing a forum for graduate students pursuing study in the subject;
  7. (vii) co-operating with schools, colleges and other relevant institutions and organizations, in the interests of the subject.

3. Membership

  1. (i) Membership of The Society is open to the following:
    1. (a) members of academic or research staff at UK universities, full- or part-time, whose professional work involves Modern Greek Studies;
    2. (b) former and retired members of academic or research staff at UK universities who have an ongoing involvement in the field of Modern Greek Studies;
    3. (c) teachers of Modern Greek language or culture at non-university institutions in the UK;
    4. (d) registered undergraduate and graduate students at UK universities whose course of study involves Modern Greek Studies;
    5. (e) persons who have published scholarly work in the field of Modern Greek Studies, and who are normally resident in the UK;
    6. (f) honorary research fellows, visiting fellows and visiting professors at UK universities, whether they are or are not normally resident in the UK;
    7. (g) persons not falling into any of the above categories who support the aims of the Society.
  3. (ii) Prospective members should apply for membership by writing to the Secretary. Membership begins on payment of the annual subscription.

4. Subscriptions

  1. (i) Renewal subscriptions are payable to the Treasurer on or before 1 January of each year. Where renewal subscriptions remain unpaid by the end of January a reminder notice will be sent out, and membership terminated for the remainder of the year if payment has not been received by the end of February. Subscriptions of new members, whose application for membership is accepted after the end of February, may be reduced in respect of the current year.
  2. (ii) The level of subscription shall be determined annually by the Executive Committee. Retired and unwaged members may pay a reduced subscription.

5. General Meetings

There shall be a General Meeting of The Society (the Annual General Meeting) at least once in each calendar year, to deal with business as required. An Extraordinary Meeting may be called by the Chair, subject to at least 14 days’ notice. The Chair shall also call such a meeting if so requested by at least ten members, and subject to the Executive Committee’s agreement that there is good cause.

6. Officers

  1. (i) There shall be a Chair, elected from among the members in category 3.i.a or 3.i.b, to serve for a period of three calendar years, or such shorter period as a General Meeting of The Society may determine.
  2. (ii) There shall be a Secretary, elected from among the members in category 3.i.a or 3.i.b, to serve for a period of three calendar years, or such shorter period as as a General Meeting of The Society may determine.
  3. (iii) The periods of office of the Chair and Secretary should be determined such that the two offices do not come up for election at the same time.
  4. (iv) There shall be a Treasurer, elected from among the members in any category in sub-section 3.i, to serve for a period of five calendar years, or such shorter period as a General Meeting of The Society may determine.
  5. (v) Elections of Officers shall take place at a General Meeting of The Society. All Officers shall be eligible for re-election to the same or a different office.

7. The Executive Committee

  1. (i) There shall be an Executive Committee, with the following membership:
    1. (a) ex officio, the Chair, the Secretary and the Treasurer;
    2. (b) four elected members, of whom two shall be elected from among the members in category 3.i.a or 3.i.b, and two from among the members in any category in sub-section 3.i. Elected members shall normally serve for two calendar years, and shall be eligible for re-election. Elections shall be held for two members each year at the General Meeting of The Society. If a member of the Executive Committee leaves office in the first year of service, a replacement member will, if the date of leaving office makes it possible, be elected at a General Meeting of the Society, to serve for one calendar year only. The person so elected shall be eligible for re-election.
    3. (c) a student representative, who shall be elected from among the members in category 3.i.d. The elected student representative shall serve for one year from 1 October, and shall be eligible for re-election for one further year.
    4. (ii) The duties of the Executive Committee shall include:
      1. (a) liaison with the European Society of Modern Greek Studies, including the appointment of delegates to attend that Society’s meetings and conferences;
      2. (b) relations with governmental and other organizations, both in the UK and internationally, responding to requests for information, and representing the views of The Society;
      3. (c) preparation of the agenda for General Meetings of The Society;
      4. (d) administration and financial control of the affairs of The Society.
      5. (iii) The Executive Committee shall meet at least twice in each calendar year.

        6. 8. Conduct of Meetings

        1. (i) If the Chair is unable to be present at a General Meeting of The Society or at a Meeting of the Executive Committee, his or her place at that meeting shall be taken by the Secretary.
        2. (ii) Decisions shall be taken by a majority vote of those members present at a General Meeting of The Society or at a Meeting of the Executive Committee, including the Officers. In the event of a tie, the Chair shall have a casting vote. When the Secretary takes the place of the Chair, under paragraph 8.i, the Secretary shall not have a casting vote.
        3. (iii) In order for decisions to be taken at a General Meeting of The Society, at least ten persons must be present, of whom at least five must be members of the Executive Committee including at least two of the Officers.
        4. (iv) In order for decisions to be taken at a Meeting of the Executive Committee, at least four persons must be present, of whom at least two must be Officers.
        5. (v) There is no provision for voting by post or electronic mail, or by proxy, either at a General Meeting of The Society or at a Meeting of the Executive Committee.

        9. Amendment

        Any amendment to the Constitution shall require a majority of three-quarters of the members present and voting at a General Meeting, of which at least 14 days’ notice has been given, such notice to include full details of the proposed amendment.

        10. Adoption of the Constitution

        This Constitution shall come into effect on 15 February 2008.

        NOTE
        1. Constitution as amended at the Annual General Meeting of The Society on 19 May 2012.
        2. This note does not form part of the Constitution.