Dear colleagues
You may remember that I recently circulated a draft constitution (version #3), in order to receive comments by last Friday 13th. It was drafted by a small subcommittee, discussed by the SRN Steering Group (of about 35), and then set before you a few weeks ago. I received three comments, none proposing any substantive changes. I have incorporated their suggestions in this draft (version #4, hopefully attached) which I now propose, formally, as a Call to Membership.
Please read this carefully. I do not propose to make further changes (except for errors of fact or basic logic; any amendments will be put before the membership for ratification). I am asking you to agree this as the basis for the establishment of the Screenwriting Research Network as an Association.
CALL TO MEMBERS
1. The draft constitution (version #4) of the Screenwriting Research Network is attached. I call on members to adopt this as our formal constitution, no objections having been received within the past four weeks.
2. The first Annual General Meeting of the Screenwriting Research Network will be held on, or shortly after, Friday 14th September 2012, at the SRN conference in Sydney (UTS/Macquarie Universities). Further details of location and time will be notified to members.
3. I call on members to nominate individuals to serve on the Executive Council. Such individuals should ensure their name and supporting statement, together with names and location of proposer and seconder, are forwarded to the manager of the election (or myself if not yet known, at this email address), no later than 16th August 2012.
4. The names of, and statements by, those nominated for Executive Council will be forwarded to members no later than 30th August 2012.
5. Non-attending members who wish to vote in the election will be asked to cast their ballot in a confidential email sent to the Election Manager. Votes must be received by email no later than 10:00 Sydney time Friday 14th September.
6. Members attending the AGM in person may cast their vote on the day of the election, by secret ballot. Both sets of votes will be counted together.
DETAILS OF THE FIRST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND ELECTION TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
1. You will have noticed that some clauses refer to ‘members of at least one year’s standing’ etc. Clearly in our first year of operation this cannot apply. I therefore propose that the length of membership requirements in clauses 5.1, 5.8 and 7.3 be temporarily suspended, for the first election only.
2. Note clause 5.3 provides for an early turnover of two members of the EC. This is to allow ‘refreshment’ of the EC each year.
3. Note that while the constitution specifies the officers’ roles in the EC, there is no mention of this in the election. This is to allow us to appoint five people to the EC in general, rather than to specific posts. The EC will then choose from amongst them. The way is open for the EC to adopt another way of doing this i.e. to allow the whole membership to choose who fills what role, and this could be done for the following year if people wish it. The constitution allows either method. This year, I propose we have general elections.
4. I will shortly ask someone to act as manager for this election. This should preferably be someone attending the Sydney conference, and should be someone not intending to stand for the executive council. Please let me know if you would like to volunteer. The task involves managing the election process, and should not be onerous.
5. The AGM will be held at the conference in Sydney. If you are not attending, and find you wish to make comments, raise points etc. anyway, please let me know. For this year only (i.e. before we have a Secretary!) I and/or the Election Manager will act as liaison for non-attendees.
I hope this is clear and, above all, workable! Please let me know if you have further comments.
Best wishes
Ian
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