​​​Preamble

 

In order to foster a critical understanding of the historical development, institutions, policies, programs, issues, and problems of the European Union (EU) and its Member-States, the European Community Studies Association (ECSA-C) was established in June 1995. ECSA-C exists to develop a community of persons in Canada and North America interested in the European Union and to increase the level of knowledge of the European Union and its Member States. The European Community Studies Association – Canada welcomes members from all academic disciplines, as well as the public and private sectors.

 

 

I. Objectives of the Association:

 

The Association shall promote the study and public awareness of the European Union and its Member States in the following ways: facilitating research projects and other collaborative works among Association members; encouraging links between the Association and counterpart associations in Europe and other parts of the world; facilitating contacts between Canadians, Europeans, and others interested in the European Union and the issues confronting it; holding conferences and workshops; organizing panels at conferences and workshops sponsored by other organizations; disseminating information through a newsletter and electronic bulletin board; seeking and disbursing funds to support the Association’s activities; drawing on the membership to speak publicly on EU issues; and undertaking other programmes, activities, and projects deemed appropriate.

 

 

II. Membership:

 

Membership in the Association shall be open to all persons who have paid biennial dues. Biennial dues shall be established by the Board and approved by the biennial Association Meeting.

 

 

III. Finances:

 

The Association shall collect and expend monies derived from membership dues and other sources. The Association shall seek and disburse funds by itself and in cooperation with other organizations.

 

 

IV. Structure and Organization:

 

a. The organs of the Association shall be the Governing Board, (henceforth referred to as the Board), an Advisory Council, and the Association Meeting. The Officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer.

 

b. The Executive Committee (henceforth refereed to as the Executive) shall consist of the officers of the association. The Board shall consist of the Executive, four members at large and the President of the Young Researchers' Network (or his/her designate), who must be a member of ECSA-C. The immediate past president shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive. The Board shall approve the selection of the Chair(s) of the biennial conference meeting. If the Chair is not an elected member of the Board, he/she shall sit on the Board ex officio

 

c. Election of Officers and members of the Board:

 

i. Officers of the Association and members of the Executive shall be elected for two year terms, commencing one month following their election. 

ii. The election of Officers and members of the Executive shall be by secret ballot among all members in good standing at the time of the election is held. 

iii. An Election Committee shall be appointed by the Board at least three months prior to the elections. The Election Committee shall put out a call for nominations and shall propose at least one candidate per office or position on the Board. 

iv. The election shall normally take place at the biennial Association Meeting, which is held at the biennial conference. The Election Committee shall arrange for the counting of the ballots and announce the results at the Association Meeting. The candidate or candidates with the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. In the event of a tie for members of the Executive or the Board, those members of the Board who have been duly elected shall take one of the following actions:

 

(1) Schedule a new election;
(2) Invite both candidates to serve on the Board;
(3) Settle the matter by lot.

 

 

V. Functions of the Executive Committee and the Board:

 

a. The President, with the Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and other members of the Board are responsible for achieving the objectives of the Association as outlined in article 1. The Board is empowered to appoint an Election Committee, a Programme Committee, and all other committees that it deems appropriate.
 

b. The President shall conduct all meetings of the Board and the Association and shall submit regular reports on the Association’s activities. In the event that the President is unable to attend a meeting, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President for that meeting. In the event the Vice-President is also unable to attend, then the Secretary-Treasurer shall assume the duties of the President for that meeting.
 

c. In the event the Board is unable to convene either in one location or via teleconference, the Executive may act for the Board. However, all such actions taken in the name of the board shall be sent to members of the Board, both to notify them of actions taken, ask for their approval within one week's time.
 

d. All major decisions, including those concerning applications for grants, contracts, or hiring of personal shall be vetted by the Executive and the entire Board. If at all possible, all major decisions should be made in consultation with the Executive and the Board.

 

 

VI. Association Meeting:

 

a. The Association Meeting shall be the plenary organ of the Association.
 

b. The Association Meeting shall be held at the biennial conference.

 

 

VII. Procedures:

 

a. Unless otherwise specified, decisions shall be by simple majority vote.
 

b. Unless otherwise specified, the Association will follow the rules of procedure specified in the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.

 

 

VIII. Amendments:

 

a. Amendments to this constitution must be approved by two thirds of the members casting valid ballots in a mail, e-mail or Internet ballot.
 

b. Ballots shall be sent to members in good standing at least three weeks prior to the date on which ballots are to be submitted.

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