Old Constitution
The original Constitution of the International Association of Geomorphologists was officially approved by the IAG General Assembly in Tokyo (2001) as well is formal approved by the International Geographical Union (IGU) and International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). It is replaced by the new consitution approved in 2019 at IAG General Assembly at the Athens Regional Conference on Geomorphology.
PDF: The Constitution in English; La Constitution en français
THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF GEOMORPHOLOGISTS
NAME
The Association shall be known as the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEOMORPHOLOGISTS or, in languages other than English by a direct translation. The official abbreviation will be the IAG. The working languages of the IAG shall be English and French.
STYLE
There are two founding principles to govern the style of the conduct of the affairs of the Association:
the IAG shall be a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit, scientific institution at all times free of racial, gender or national prejudice;
the IAG shall be maintained in as informal a style as possible in keeping with the relaxed international and individual friendships established at the First International Conference on Geomorphology, Manchester 1985.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the IAG shall be:
a) to develop geomorphology through international co-operation;
b) to promote the study and development of geomorphology in all aspects;
c) to foster the dissemination of knowledge of geomorphology.
ACTIVITIES
The IAG will accomplish these objectives by:
a) holding an International Conference on Geomorphology at least every four years;
b) holding Executive Committee and open meetings at the time of the International Conference and, if required, at suitable times and locations between conferences;
c) encouraging the establishment of both regional and specialty groups, the organisation of meetings, research and field programs and publications on geomorphology;
d) co-operating with national and international organisations whose aims are complementary to those of the IAG;
e) exchanging information through its National Scientific Members, newsletters, publications or other suitable mechanisms;
f) encouraging the participation of geomorphologists in the work of relevant international organisations on the basis of equal opportunities.
AFFILIATIONS
The IAG recognises the International Council for Science (ICSU) as being the co-ordinating and representative body for the international organisation of science and is affiliated to it through the International Geographical Union (IGU) and the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).
MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the IAG shall normally be by countries.
Normally membership of the association, which carries full voting rights, shall be through National Scientific Members. There shall be only one National Scientific Member per country. Countries wishing to join the IAG must submit to the Secretary documentation showing the existence of a bona fide National Scientific Member, its mailing address and the names of its officers.
In countries where no National Scientific Member exists an individual may take part in all activities of the IAG but will not have voting rights.
NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC MEMBERS
A National Scientific Member shall be a Scientific Academy, Research Council, Scientific Institution or association of such institutions. Institutions effectively representing the range of scientific activities in a definite territory may be accepted as National Scientific Members provided they can be listed under a name that will avoid any misunderstanding about the territory represented. Each National Scientific Member shall have only one vote.
A National Scientific Member shall at all times keep the Secretary of the IAG informed about its address, the names of its officers and its voting representative.
National Scientific Members may adhere to the IAG in one of the categories, determined by the number of geomorphologists and the economic state of its nation and specified in the bylaws. Each National Scientific Member shall pay a subscription proper to its category. Continuous record of payment of membership fees is necessary to acquire full voting rights.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The IAG shall be served by an Executive Committee consisting of the elected and co-opted members.
The elected members are:
a) a President;
b) three Vice-Presidents;
c) a Secretary;
d) a Treasurer;
e) a Publications Officer.
Nominees for presidency shall have served as elected members of the Executive Committee in the term immediately preceding their nomination.
Elected members shall serve a maximum of four years in any post. All elected members are to be from different countries. The Executive Committee may co-opt members at anytime necessary to maintain the aims of the IAG.
COUNCIL
The Executive Committee shall be responsible to the Council of the IAG. The Council shall consist of the voting representative of each National Scientific Member (or their authorised deputies) plus the members of the IAG Executive Committee. The Council shall be presided over by the President of the IAG or, in case of the President’s incapacity to attend, by one of the Vice-Presidents designated by the Executive Committee. In the event of an equal decision of votes, the President or acting President shall cast the deciding vote.
The Council shall meet every four years during the International Conference on Geomorphology. An extraordinary session can be called during an IAG Regional Conference or if requested by a majority of the National Scientific Members. The Council may make decisions by postal communication on questions put to it through the Secretary with the approval of the President.
The Council may set up standing and ad hoc committees and working parties with whatever names, powers and terms of reference it may decide.
The Council shall determine, with the advice of the Secretary, the annual subscription fee to the Association. The Council shall approve the budget and authorise disbursement of funds.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
At each International Conference on Geomorphology (ICG) two General Assemblies shall be held. General Assembly is open to all those who have registered to the ICG. The purpose of General Assembly is to further communication between the Executive Committee and individual geomorphologists.
HONORARY FELLOWSHIPS
The IAG may confer Honorary Fellowship upon individuals who have served the Association or the discipline of geomorphology with particular distinction. Honorary Fellowship shall be regarded as the highest honour that the IAG can bestow.
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP
Sustaining membership shall be available upon invitation, to individuals and institutions sympathetic to the purposes of the IAG and willing to be identified without vote with its programmes, specific or general.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GEOMORPHOLOGY
An International Conference on Geomorphology shall be held every fourth year in a country to be decided upon by the Council. The organisation and financial arrangements of an International Conference are the responsibility of the National Scientific Member of the host country. The only rule for the International Conference is that it shall be organised in such a way that a relaxed and informal ‘geomorphological’ style be adopted consistent with maximum productivity.
ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION
This constitution shall come into force in one of two ways, either at the close of the session at which it receives the approval of at least two-thirds of the Council present or by a postal vote approved by two-thirds of those returning ballots, provided that half of the members take part in the voting.
AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION
Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by the Executive Committee or by a National Scientific Member. Such amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary early enough to have the proposal submitted to all National Scientific Members at least one year prior to the Council Meetings at which the amendment is to be placed on the Agenda.
Adoption of an amendment to the Constitution will require an affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the Council present or by postal vote approved by two thirds of those returning ballots, provided that half of the members take part in the voting.
BYLAWS
- COUNCIL
i) A quorum for a Council meeting shall be a simple majority (more than 50 %) of the National Scientific Members.
ii) Any member country that will not be present for a vote may submit its views and vote in advance by mail. In this case that member country will be regarded as being present for the purposes of the quorum for the vote.
iii) Voting shall be by secret ballot, for the election of Executive members, for the place for the next International Conference on Geomorphology, or for other matters specified at the time by the President.
iv) National Scientific Members wishing to have items placed on the agenda should submit them not less than six months prior to a Council meeting. Three months before the meeting the Secretary will send the complete Agenda to each National scientific member. The Agenda for the quadrennial ordinary meeting of Council shall generally include the following items:
a) minutes of the previous meeting: matters arising;
b) acceptance of new National Scientific Members;
c) business raised by President;
d) business raised by National Scientific Members;
e) business from other sources;
f) financial statement for preceding period and draft budget for ensuing period;
g) International Conference;
h) election of President;
i) election of three Vice-Presidents;
j) election of Secretary;
k) election of Treasurer;
l) election of Publications Officer;
m) review of activities and reports of committees, working groups etc.;
n) tems submitted after preparation of agenda, subject to agreement of President;
o) any other business.
- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
i) At least one year before the expiry of office of the Executive Committee, the Secretary shall notify the National Scientific Members that an election is to take place and invite them to submit names for the required positions not later than three months before the election. Evidence must be provided to show that each would be willing to serve if elected. The election, preceded by the presentation of candidates by National Delegates (or people acting on their behalf), will be carried out according to the agreed voting procedures of the IAG.
ii) In the event of an elected member not being able to fulfil his/her duties, or if a majority of the elected members of Executive Committee felt that it was in the interest of the IAG that an individual should cease to hold a particular post, elected members of the Executive Committee should have the authority to reallocate responsibilities among the elected members.
iii) The elected members of the Executive Committee may co-opt up to six members. Co-opted members may have the same rights and duties of elected members.
iv) Executive Committee can approve provisionally National Scientific Members and this decision is left for approval of the Council whether by postal vote or at the Council meeting.
- PRESIDENT
The President of the IAG:
a) represents the IAG;
b) convenes and presides over the Executive Committee, the Council Meeting and the General Assembly, or any other formal meeting of the IAG;
c) takes care of the enforcement of the IAG resolutions.
The President shall assume office during the final General Assembly of the International Conference on Geomorphology and will remain in office until the final General Assembly of the next International Conference (four years).
In case of the President’s resignation or interruption of the appointment, the Presidency shall be undertaken by one of the three Vice-Presidents.
- VICE PRESIDENTS
a) represent the IAG on behalf of the President if he/she is temporarily unable to do so;
b) are specifically responsible for the following tasks: financial policy, strategic plans, coordination of IAG research including working groups, and training, which are to be allocated among the elected Vice-Presidents under the direction of the President.
c) Upon the decision of the Executive Committee one of the Vice-Presidents may take over presidential duties if the President is unable to perform his/her duties.
d) Each of the three Vice-Presidents will be eligible to become Acting President during one-third (16 months) of the four year term, in the circumstance that the President is temporarily unable to perform his/her duties. The order of eligibility will be determined by the President at the beginning of her/his term.
e) Responsibility for financial policy, strategic planning and coordinating training and IAG research, including that of Working Groups shall be allocated among the Vice-Presidents by the President.
f) In the circumstances of resignation or other interruption, of the appointment of the President, the Vice-President currently eligible to serve as Acting President shall become President for the remainder of the term. That individual will remain eligible to be elected President for a full term.
- SECRETARY
The Secretary shall be responsible under the general direction of the President, for the conduct of all correspondence and current business of the Association, for the preparation and distribution of the Agenda of the Council meetings and for the preparation and maintenance of minutes.
- TREASURER
The Treasurer shall send to each National Scientific Member an annual account of the dues owing, and shall ensure that all contributions and dues paid to the Association are placed in a separate account and that a record is kept. The Treasurer is responsible for keeping the accounts of the Association, for the preparation of the annual budget of receipts and expenditures, for payments on behalf of the Association up to the limit of the approved budget, and shall acknowledge all money received. The Treasurer shall prepare a summary of the accounts for each meeting of the Council and shall give any explanations required of expenses incurred.
- PUBLICATION OFFICER
The Publication Officer oversees all editorial activities of the Association, including preparation and circulation of the IAG Newsletter.
- CONFERENCES
i) Offers to act as host for an International Conference on Geomorphology shall be received by the Secretary at least three months in advance of the preceding International Conference.
a) The inviting country must provide assurance that no individual will be denied attendance on grounds of nationality, race, gender, creed or political views. If an invitation is received from more than one National Scientific Member the final selection shall be made by secret ballot of voting members.
b) Arrangements for the International Conference on Geomorphology shall be the responsibility of the Organising Committee of the host country, in consultation with the President and Secretary.
ii) At each International Conference on Geomorphology all votes are to take place at the Council meeting at the end of the Conference.
iii) Every four years, half way between the International Conference on Geomorphology, the Regional Conference will be held. Offers to act as host for the Regional Conference shall be received at the meeting of the Council preceding an inter-conference period and selection shall be made by voting. If the offer arrives at a later date, the decision is made by the Executive Committee.
iv) National Scientific Members, or their affiliates, or Working Groups, are encouraged to organise technical meetings and conferences. These may be designated as co-sponsored by the International Association of Geomorphologists if approved by the Executive Committee.
v) At each International Conference on Geomorphology a sum, established by the Executive Committee in consultation with the local Organising Committee, is to be included in the registration fee and transferred to the Treasurer within six months after the conclusion of the Conference. For the Regional Conference, if there is any revenue generated, it shall be shared between the IAG and the local National Scientific Member.
- WORKING GROUPS
i) The Council shall establish Working Groups to facilitate research on focused geomorphological issues, regions or areas.
ii) Working Groups can be proposed by any individual geomorphologist or group of geomorphologists. Proposals shall include the objective of the Group and an outline of the plan to reach the objective.
iii) The Council will determine the number of Working Groups to be supported and will vote on proposals at the quadrennial Council meeting.
iv) Each Working Group can normally be supported for no more than four years.
v) IAG will provide financial support, at levels approved by the Council, to facilitate the operation and reporting of the Working Groups.
vi) Each Working Group will provide the Secretary with an annual progress report and at the conclusion of its four-year term will convene a symposium at the International Conference on Geomorphology.
- LEVELS OF AFFILIATION
The categories of membership are to be determined from time to time by the Council.