International Systemic Functional Linguistics Association

CONSTITUTION
(amended, July 2010)

Objectives

ISFLA is a non-profit/not-for-profit organization whose objectives are:

  1. To promote scholarship and research in Systemic Functional linguistic theory and related fields.
  2. To encourage the dissemination of the results of research in Systemic Functional linguistic theory through publications such as journals, books, or any other means; and to encourage discussion on research issues around the theory, contact between scholars, and the provision of information about Systemic Functional linguistic theory via email lists, websites, etc.
  3. To organize an annual international Congress around Systemic Functional linguistic theory and related fields, where as far as possible the Congress venue rotates, ensuring that members in different regions of the world have access to the Congress.
  4. To encourage and support projects aimed at creating courses, programs, summer schools and any other appropriate teaching activities which extend knowledge of Systemic Functional linguistic theory.
  5. To offer encouragement, advice and support for local Systemic Functional linguistic theory meetings/conferences/workshops and other initiatives as these are organized locally by regional Systemic Functional Linguistics Associations or other groups from country to country.
  6. To establish collaborative agreements and working relations with any other professional body or group with related interests.
  7. To establish and maintain archives in Systemic Functional linguistics and related linguistic traditions.

Membership in the Association

Membership will be open to any interested person. No membership fee will be set.

Where local conditions allow, Congress organizers are encouraged to make contributions to ISFLA from any surplus funds, in order to support the Association’s work in carrying out its objectives. The association will maintain regional bank accounts.

Annual General Meeting of the Association

There will be an AGM held at the annual international Congress each year. A quorum will be 20 members of the Association. At the meeting the Chair, the Secretaries, and the Treasurers will give an annual report to the members of the Association, and the reports will be published on the ISFLA website. A motion made at the AGM will be considered passed if a positive vote is recorded by two thirds of the members present.

Structure of the Association

The Association will be run by a Committee consisting of the Executive and elected committee members. The Executive and the elected Committee members are the office bearers of the Association.

The Executive will consist of the following officers:

  • Chair
  • Deputy Chair
  • Membership Secretary
  • Recording/Correspondence Secretary
  • Regional Treasurers

The elected Committee will consist of nine members of the Association elected from different regions of the world. The Committee will be empowered to co-opt up to three additional members as needed for special projects. In the case of a vacancy after the election, the Committee may appoint a member until the next election.

Ex-officio members of the Committee (non-office bearers, non-voting) will be the immediate past ISFLA Chair, the immediate past Congress Chair, the present Congress chair, the upcoming Congress Chair, the moderator of the association's email discussion list, and the association's web manager

Terms of Committee members: The Executive and elected Committee members will be elected for three years.

Sub-Committees: The Committee may set up permanent and ad hoc sub-committees as needed. It will be open to the Executive on the advice of the Committee or the AGM to create any sub-committees needed. For special projects it will be open to sub-committees to co-opt additional members from outside the existing committee structure.

Nominations for new Committee members: Elections will be held every three years. At that time, nominations must be made in writing with the signatures of two members and the written consent of the nominee. The nomination must be delivered to the Executive before the annual AGM of the election year. If there are insufficient nominations, then nominations may be made at the AGM of the election year from the floor. If there is more than one nomination for any office, a ballot will be prepared by the Executive.

Duties of the Committee

To coordinate the activities of the Association. This includes setting the venue of the up-coming international Congresses, administering the assets of the Association, and convening the AGM at the annual Congress.

Committee meetings: The Committee will meet annually prior to the AGM. In addition, the Committee will maintain contact during the year and be empowered to deal with any issues and/or emergencies that arise.

Modification of the Constitution or Dissolution

Any proposal to modify or dissolve the Constitution can come from any Committee member, or an ordinary member who has attended at least three previous conferences of the Association. The proposal will be voted on at the AGM and accepted if at least two thirds of those present vote for the change.