Although it need not be spelled out in the constitution, I do not see
the Critical Geography Forum as being in competition with more formal
professional organisations such as the RGS/IBG: they have different
purposes. I imagine many people would want to belong to both.
However, by establishing the Forum as a separate organisation we
provide a 'home' for those who, for whatever reason, don't or can't
belong to other groups.
The following should be read in tandem with my previous draft
statement of aims. The aim of the constitution is to provide the
most skeletal framework possible to run a membership organisation.
The model I have in mind uses the idea, suggested by several people,
of an international network. Self-governing local, regional or
national groups would provide the basic, decentralised structure,
but we would all get together at an international meeting (say) every
two years. Since the decentralised groups would undertake most of the
activities (seminars, meetings, campaigns etc) they would be most
likely to need money, and should therefore be responsible for
collecting it (in the appropriate currencies) and spending it. This
also avoids the problems of a) transaction charges and b) US or UK
subscriptions being set beyond the pocket of those in
non-'first-world' countries. Some local, regional or national groups
might want to set subscriptions at zero, at least at first.
If more detailed rules were found to be necessary about the conduct
of meetings, elections and so on, these could be spelled out in a set
of 'standing orders' which would be separate from the constitution.
Let's keep the constitution as simple as possible.
Comments very welcome.
Joe
CRITICAL GEOGRAPHY FORUM
DRAFT CONSTITUTION [Eventually the phrasing may need to be more
formal, but the content is main thing at present. I have tried to
keep it minimal.]
1 The name of the association shall be 'The Critical Geography Forum'.
2 The group shall have the following aims ... [see previous message - they will
be incorporated in the final version]
3 Membership shall be open to all those who support the aims of the
association and who pay a subscription at the relevant rate [this
could be set at zero to begin with, but it may be useful to include
the possibility of a subscription from the start].
4 Members shall form such local, regional and national groups as
they may decide. These groups shall be responsible for the conduct
of their own affairs, including the setting and collecting of
subscriptions, if any.
5 The association and the groups shall undertake such activities as
the members shall from time to time decide in order to further the
aims.
6 There shall be an international committee, elected by, and
accountable to, the members of the association. The committee shall
consist of a Chair [responsible for the conduct of meetings], a
Secretary [responsible for routine admin] and a Treasurer
[responsible for the money - if any], and such other members as the
membership shall elect.
7 The committee shall be responsible for organising the
association's activities. The committee shall have the power to
co-opt additional members to assist in its tasks.
8 The local, regional and national groups shall be responsible for
organising local, regional and national activities as appropriate.
--
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Joe Painter
Lecturer in Geography
Department of Geography
University of Durham
Sciences Site
South Road
DURHAM, DH1 3LE, U.K.
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Fax: 0191 374 2456 (domestic) +44 191 374 2456 (international)
Tel: 0191 374 7306 (domestic) +44 191 374 7306 (international)
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