1. NAME
The name of the Association shall be the British Association for the Study of Religions (BASR).
The Association is a constituent body of the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR), and is based upon the statutes of that body (which may be subject to modification under article 8 of those statutes).
2. OBJECT
The object of the Association shall be to promote the academic study of religions through the international collaboration of all scholars whose research has a bearing on the subject.
The British Association pursues these aims within the United Kingdom. The means whereby the object is pursued may include the arrangement of conferences, symposia and colloquia, the publication of a Bulletin, and such other activities as the Association shall from time to time determine.
3. MEMBERSHIP
i) Membership of the Association shall be open to individuals who are interested in furthering the work of the Association and who have paid the annual subscription as laid down from time to time by General Meeting.
ii) The Committee shall have the right to approve or reject applications for membership.
iii) The Association may by a two-thirds majority, for good and sufficient reason, terminate the membership of any individual PROVIDED THAT the individual member concerned shall have the right to be heard before a final decision is made.
4. GENERAL MEETING
The governing body of the Association is the General Meeting of members. A General Meeting shall be convened at least once annually. Not less that 28 days notice of a General Meeting shall be given in writing to all members.
The proceedings of a General Meeting shall not be invalidated by the non-receipt by one or more members of notification.
Ten members shall constitute a quorum.
5. SUBSCRIPTION
All members shall pay an annual subscription determined by the General Meeting, save that a General Meeting shall have the power in exceptional cases to confer Honorary Membership of the Association.
6.OFFICERS
The officers of the Association shall be:
(a) A President, who shall be elected for four years, serving as President-Elect in the first year concurrently with the existing President. The Officer will be a non-voting member of the Association’s Committee while President-Elect, and will chair the Committee from the second year of office.
(b) A Secretary, who shall serve for three years and shall be eligible for re-election for one further consecutive term.
(c) A Treasurer, who shall serve for three years and shall be eligible for re-election. The Treasurer shall present annually to a General Meeting a statement of accounts that have been independently examined in accordance with current charity legislation.
7. COMMITTEE
The general conduct of the affairs of the Association shall be in the hands of a committee consisting of the officers and two other members elected at a General Meeting for a term of three years and who shall be eligible for re-election for one further consecutive term.
The notification of any General Meeting shall include intimation of any vacancies among the officers or members of the Committee occurring through expiry of their term of office, and shall call for nominations of members to fill those vacancies.
Nominations, which shall be in writing, signed by two members of the Association and accompanied by the assent of the members proposed, shall be in the hands of the Secretary before the General Meeting at which the vacancy falls to be considered. In the event of there being more valid nominations than places to be filled, a ballot shall be held of members present at the meeting.
In the event of a casual vacancy, the Committee shall be empowered, at their discretion, to co-opt a member to hold office until the next General Meeting.
Two members of the Committee shall represent the Association on the International Committee of the IAHR.
8. AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this Constitution shall require a majority of not less than two-thirds of those present and voting at a General Meeting, not less than 28 days notice of the amendment having been given in writing to all members PROVIDED THAT no alteration shall be made to Clause 2, Clause 9 or this Clause until the approval in writing of the Charity Commissioners or other authority having charitable jurisdiction shall have been obtained and no alteration shall be made which would have the effect of causing the Association to cease to be a charity at law.
9. DISSOLUTION
If the Committee by a simple majority decide at any time that on the ground of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association, it shall call a meeting of all members of the Association who have the power to vote, of which meeting not less than 21 days’ notice (stating the terms of the Resolution to be proposed thereat) shall be given. If such decision shall be confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at such meeting the Committee shall have power to dispose of any assets held by or on behalf of the Association. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Association as the Committee may determine and if and in so far as effect cannot be given to this provision then to some other charitable purpose.