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Constitution

accepted by membership January 2001

The Postgraduate Forum (PGF) of the RGS-IBG was established in 1984. The PGF Constitution has not been altered since that time and this document serves the purpose of updating the Constitution to better reflect the development, purpose and roles of the PGF. The aims of the PGF are to:-

  • represent postgraduates in Council and other relevant Committees of the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) and, to an extent, in the wider circles of academia
  • foster communications, both formal and informal, among postgraduates
  • provide information about the Society events, learned activities, funding, and other information that may be relevant to postgraduates
  • offer support and opportunities for postgraduates to further develop their professional skills and credentials.

The PGF Research Group is a 'branch' of the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) and must satisfy the aims and policies of the Society, including Equal Opportunity policy, and the legal Charity Commissioner requirements. The Research Group must deliver an Annual Report which includes a summary of activities and statement of accounts to the Society demonstrating that these aims and policies are being adhered to. Membership of the PGF shall be open to all Fellows (including Associate Fellows) of the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) who elect to join the Research Group, but shall never be less than thirty. All postgraduate Associate Fellows and Fellows that join the RGS-IBG automatically become members of the PGF. Membership of the PGF is free of charge to postgraduates, and for each postgraduate member that joins the RGS-IBG allocates two pounds of the joining fee to the PGF. Other interested persons who are not Fellows of the RGS-IBG may join for a fee of two pounds per year, collected separately by the PGF. The business of the PGF shall be conducted by a committee of no less than three members. Specified roles within the Committee include the following:-

  • Chair
  • Secretary/Chair-Elect
  • Treasurer
  • Mid-Year Conference Co-ordinator(s)
  • Webmaster
  • Praxis Publication Editor
  • Listserve Moderator
  • Equal Opportunities Representative
  • Annual Conference Co-ordinator(s)
  • Regional Social Co-ordinator(s)

Each of these roles shall be undertaken by elected Fellows or Associate Fellows of the RGS-IBG and elections will occur on an annual basis, except for the Chair who will enter office as Secretary/Chair-Elect and then remain in office for a second year as Chair.

To enhance participation and provide greater continuity the PGF will have a Chair and a Secretary/Chair-Elect. The Secretary/Chair-Elect is effectively elected to a two-year term during which the first year s/he will become familiarized with the proceedings and events of the RGS-IBG such as the Research Committee, consultations, running of meetings, communications with the PGF Committee and the wider postgraduate community. S/he can participate in any events aside from attending Council, for which the Chair will be the PGF's singular representative. The Chair-Elect may also assume the role of a Conference Co-ordinator, Praxis Editor, Webmaster or another role on the Committee, but cannot be Treasurer. During the second year s/he will assume the role of Chair, which entails the active running of the PGF and all the responsibilities listed above. At any meetings where both the Chair and the Chair-Elect are present the Chair will run meetings or represent the PGF and in the case of the Research Committee the Chair-Elect will not have a vote.

Committee members may stand for subsequent terms and individuals may hold more than position, such as the Webmaster/Praxis Publication/Listserv or as mentioned above for Secretary/Chair-Elect. All offices can be held for a maximum of four years by the same individual. Elections to the Committee will be held at the Annual General Meeting. Members will be informed in writing or by email 30 days prior to the AGM of all vacancies to be filled. Nominations for Committee membership will be accepted up to the beginning of the AGM. The Annual General Meeting shall be held at the Annual Conference in January. The PGF shall present an Annual Report with both a summary of activities and a statement of accounts to the RGS-IBG as requested, and normally by the 31st January each year. The constitution can be changed only by two-thirds majority vote of those present at an Annual General Meeting, provided that the membership has been individually notified of the proposed changes in writing or by email at least 30 days in advance.

The PGF may be terminated only in accordance with the rules of the RGS-IBG.