Constitution

Constitution of Women in French UK-Ireland

  1. Name: The name of the organisation shall be Women in French UK-Ireland.
  2. Aims: Women in French UK-Ireland is a scholarly association. Our aims are to foster and promote research and teaching into women’s situation, representation and cultural production in the field of French and Francophone studies. In line with our Mission Statement, available to view here, our aims are to foster and promote:
    • The study of Francophone women’s history, politics, social and political situation and cultural production (including writing, visual cultures, performance, etc)
    • The study of cultural representations of women and women’s lives within the Francophone world
    • The sharing of information and debates about the position of women in Higher Education in the UK and Ireland
    • A supportive and collaborative network of/for female scholars
    • Relevant publications (such as proceedings of the conference)
    • We aim for the Association to uphold ethical standards in all aspects of its activities, including funding, banking data collection, marketing and voting processes
  3. Powers: In order to achieve its aims the Association may:
    1. Open bank accounts
    2. Organise conferences, seminars and other events
    3. Maintain a website and appropriate social media accounts
    4. Organise and promote publications
    5. Work with other groups and exchange information
    6. Do anything that is lawful which will help it to fulfil its aims
  4. Membership: Membership is open to any person interested in helping the Association to achieve its aims, willing to abide by the rules of the Association and willing to pay any subscription agreed by the Executive Committee. Women in French welcomes an inclusive and diverse global membership of educators, students, independent scholars, and writers in the fields of French and Francophone language, literatures, cultures and history. Every individual member shall have one vote at elections and General Meetings.
  5. Management:
    1. Executive Committee
      • The organisation shall have an Executive Committee composed of a President, Co-President (optional), Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Officer, Early Career Representative, Postgraduate Student Representative, and a number of ‘Legacy Members’ co-opted to act as advisers.
      • Sharing of posts by two joint appointees will be accepted.
      • To ensure continuity and transmission of expertise, incoming postholders will join the Committee in a ‘shadowing’ capacity for a maximum of three months after their term of office expires. The organisers of the biennial conference will also join the Committee for the period leading up to the conference.
      • Officers will be appointed for a period of three years, as set out below, on a rolling basis to ensure the continuity of the Committee.
      • While we warmly welcome membership from scholars of all genders, in honour of the origins and purpose of this Association (as set out in Section 2 above), Committee places are reserved for scholars identifying as women.
    2. Election Procedures and Terms of Service
      • Expressions of interest in assuming the role of President will be invited from the membership and on the basis of these an election will be held by an online ballot open to all members. It is possible for two Co-Presidents to job share. The President is elected for a term of three years (with a maximum three-month membership of the Committee preceding and following this mandate – see 5.1 above). They may not be candidates for a second term except in exceptional circumstances. All other Committee roles will be appointed on the basis of expressions of interest received. If more than one individual is interested in a role, an online ballot will be held open to existing Committee members only.
    3. Regularity of Meetings
      • The Executive Committee will hold a minimum of three meetings a year, either in person or online.
  6. Duties of the Officers
    1. President
      • Sets and finalises the agenda for meetings, which they will normally chair. Acts as main contact for and representative of the Association. Seeks to raise the profile of the Association and maintains constructive, ongoing contact with other branches of Women in French. Ensures the Association constitution is adhered to and oversees all activity of the organisation. This role may be shared by two Co-Presidents.
    2. Treasurer
      • Manages and tracks Association finances. Prepares budget reports. Reports on any fiscal issues at meetings. Balances bank statements. Maintains Association’s tax-exempt status if necessary.
    3. Secretary
      • Prepares and maintains clear and accurate meeting documentation such as minutes etc. Maintains updated list of members and manages the Association’s Stripe account in collaboration with the Treasurer. Technical knowledge is required for this role. Works closely with conference organisers and Treasurer to manage conference registration and associated website updates. Oversees elections.
    4. Communications Officer
      • Maintains and updates website. Produces and sends regular newsletters. Publicises events, CFPs, etc to the wider community. Manages WiF UK-Ireland social media.
    5. Postgraduate Representative
      • Represents postgraduate students on the committee. Publicises the activities of the Association to postgraduate students. Organises postgraduate-specific events and works with the Early Career Representative to organised shared PGR/ECR events. Supports organisers of the biennial PGR/ECR online conference.
    6. Early Career Representative
      • Represents early career researchers on the Committee. Publicises the activities of the Association to ECRs. Organises ECR-specific events, including a PGR/ECR online conference, and works with the Postgraduate Representative to organise shared PGR/ECR events. Oversees the Association’s mentoring scheme in collaboration with the President.
  7. AGM: the AGM will normally be held at the biennial conference of the Association or online in years where a conference does not take place.
    1. All members shall be given at least fourteen days’ notice of the AGM and shall be entitled to attend and vote.
    2. The business of the AGM shall include:
      • receiving a report from the President on the Association’s activities over the year
      • receiving a report from the Treasurer on the finances of the group
      • considering any matter to be decided
  8. Alterations to the Constitution: Any changes to the Constitution must be agreed by at least two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting. Written notice of any proposed change must be distributed by email to all members at least thirty days prior to the voting period.

This Constitution was adopted at the AGM of Women in French UK-Ireland on the 1st June 2025.