IASYM Constitution

As approved by the members of the Association at their meeting in Durham, England, January 2019.

1. Name

The International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (“the Association”).

2. Purpose

To further the international study, research and teaching of ministry and work with youth, rooted in the Christian theological tradition.

3. Core values

3.1. Working as an inclusive learning community

3.2. Reading the signs of the times in the light of the Gospel

3.3. Open to a variety of youth-related issues, research fields and methodologies

3.4. Learning through conversation across difference; learning in the presence of the other

3.5. Focusing on international research projects, honoring the contextual dimension of theological research

4. Membership

4.1. Membership is open to individuals who can demonstrate an involvement in the study, research or teaching of ministry and work with youth, in line with the purpose and core values of the organization.

4.2 Membership is also open to youth ministry practitioners who can provide a reference from an existing association member or other recognised member of the academic community to support their application.

5. Activities

5.1. To provide an international network of interaction, information and resources.

5.2. To publish an academic journal, The Journal of Youth and Theology.

5.3. To raise the standard and awareness of ministry and work with youth as a professional and academic discipline.

5.4. To organise conferences on the study of ministry and work with youth.

5.5. To promote inter-disciplinary research into ministry and work with youth.

6. Executive Committee

6.1. The Executive Committee will be comprised of ten elected people who have been members for at least two years.

6.2. The Executive will be elected by the members of the Association, meeting at a plenary international conference of the Association.

6.3. Each member of the Executive will serve a four year term, and cannot serve more than four consecutive terms.

6.4. The terms of the Executive members will be staggered, with at least one quarter (three members) of the Executive ending their terms at each members’ meeting.

6.5. The Executive will appoint its own officers.

6.6. The Executive has the power to co-opt up to three additional members. Co-opted members will serve until the next members’ meeting.

6.7. The Executive will appoint members to fulfill at least the following functions:

· Chairperson

· Administration, secretarial and financial

· Conferences

· Networking and the promotion of research

· An editor and at least one co-editor of the journal

· Fundraising

6.8. The Executive Committee shall delegate administrative responsibilities, including the management of various bank accounts in different countries, and shall be empowered to transact any and all legal matters on behalf of, and in the name of, the Association. All legal implications shall require the documented majority approval of the Executive, for which email shall suffice.

6.9. Executive members may form Regional Working Committees to assist with tasks such as member recruitment and organisation and promotion of regional conferences, provided the membership of, processes of forming, and tasks and responsibilities of such committees are approved by the Executive by simple majority.

7. Appointment of Trustees

7.1. The Association will operate as a Charity registered in England and Wales (no.1114169), IASYM (UK), legal body through which the Association can enter into contracts and operate a bank account. IASYM (UK) has the same governing document (constitution) as the Association and is fully accountable to the Executive Committee.

7.2. The Executive Committee will elect at least three members of the executive (preferably from members who are resident in the UK) to serve as trustees of IASYM (UK) who will be responsible for the governance of the charity under UK charity law.

7.3. The Executive Committee may co-opt up to three individuals to serve as trustees in addition to those co-opted under clause 6.6. Co-opted members can serve as trustees until the next members’ meeting where their co-option must be ratified by the Association. The executive committee has power to remove a trustee following a motion of no-confidence supported by a two-thirds majority of the executive committee.

7.4. Individuals act as trustees for the duration of their term as Executive Committee members. Co-opted Trustees can serve a maximum of three two-year terms.

7.5. One of the trustees is appointed as Chair of IASYM (UK).

8. Membership fees

Membership fees are paid annually. The fees are set annually, on the recommendation of the Executive.

9. Members’ Meetings

9.1. A members’ meeting is properly constituted by a minimum of 20% of the full members eligible for voting. Proxies will be included for establishing a quorum.

9.2. Only fully paid up members who have been in membership for a minimum of 6 months before the members’ meeting shall be eligible to vote.

9.3. All nominations for election to the Executive Committee will come through a nominations committee drawn from members of the executive not standing for re-election. Nominations close 48 hours before the members’ meeting which must be held no sooner than 48 hours after the beginning of the international conference. The nominations committee will present a list of candidates (including relevant background information) no later than 36 hours prior to the members’ meeting. The nominations committee may decide to require election of candidates from within regional groupings in order to guarantee a fair regional representation.

9.4. Proxy votes may be given to eligible voting members. If principals do not provide direction to their proxy about where their vote must be cast, proxies are free to vote as they choose.

10. Changing the Constitution

This Constitution may be amended by a members’ meeting held at an international conference of the Association, where:

10.1. The proposed amendment is supported by at least three members.

10.2. The Executive receives the proposed amendment in written form at least six months before the members’ meeting. Such proposals will be distributed to all members at least three months before the members’ meeting.

10.3. The proposal receives at least a two thirds majority (67%) of all members voting at the meeting.