Statutes of the Research Committee
on Housing and the Built Environment
of the International Sociological Association

 
 I. The Research Committee on Housing and the Built Environment is referred
    to hereinafter as RC43.
  
 II. Nature of RC43 
     i. RC43 has been established in accordance with Article Four of the ISA
        statutes adopted in August 1993.
    ii. RC43 raises its funds by levying a subscription on its  members, and 
        in other ways.
   iii. RC43 administers its funds in accordance with Article Four of the ISA
        Statutes.
 
 III. Objectives of RC43
      The objectives of the RC43 are
      i. to create an international community among scholars in the field of 
         housing and the built environment.
     ii. to promote the development of social science theory and  research on
         housing and the built environment.
    iii. to contribute to informed decisions regarding intervention in and
         invention of housing and the built environments supportive of human
         needs.
 
 IV. Activities of RC43
     The activities of RC43 in pursuit of these objectives include, among
     other things,
      i. the publication of a Newsletter and the Directory of Members.
     ii. the promotion of conferences and similar activities.
    iii. the promotion of comparative research
     iv. the encouragement of research networks and exchanges of information.
 
 V. Membership 
     i. Membership is open to all individuals and institutions in the field of
        housing and the built environment.
    ii. Membership entitles members
        - to receive the RC43 Newsletter, a Directory of members, and  such 
          other publications as RC43 may issue
        - to receive travel grants made by RC43, subject in such rules of
          eligibility as are established by the Executive Council of RC43
        - to obtain at reduced cost any publications on which RC43 has 
          negotiated special rates for members
        - to vote at the Business Meetings of RC43
   iii. Members are obliged
        - to observe the statutes of RC43
        - to carry out conscientiously any asks entrusted to them by the
          Business Meeting or other competent bodies of RC43
        - to pay membership fees at the rates which are periodically fixed by
          the officers or the Executive Council of RC43
 
 VI. Officers
     i. The officers of RC43 are at present the President, two Vice-Presidents,
        Secretary, Treasurer and Newsletter Editor.
    ii. The officers of RC43 shall carry out conscientiously the tasks entrusted
        to them by the Executive Council of RC43.
   iii. Among the tasks of the officers are:
        - to be responsible for communications with the ISA
        - to be responsible for preparing a scientific program for RC43 at the
          World Congress of Sociology
        - to arrange the Business Meetings of RC43
        - to maintain a bank account
        - to execute all decisions and be responsible for the running of RC43
          between Business Meetings.
        - to submit reports on their activities at each Business Meeting of RC43.
          These shall include reports on the Research Committee's activities, its 
          Newsletter and its financial position.
    iv. The number of officers may be increased or decreased in order to maximize
        the effectiveness of the work of RC43.
     v. Decisions on the number of officers shall he made either at a Business
        Meeting, or, between Business Meetings by the Executive Council.
    vi. Officers shall be elected at a Business Meeting, see Art.
   vii. If any officer resigns or is unable to serve then the remaining officers,
        with the advice of the Executive Council, shall appoint a replacement.
 
 VII. Business Meetings 
      i. A business meeting of RC43 shall be held during each World Congress of
         Sociology; in addition, interim meetings may be held.
     ii. Its functions are
         a. to receive reports on the work of RC43 since the last business meeting
         b. to elect the Executive Council and officers of RC43
         c. to give guidance regarding the work of RC43, by passing resolutions or
            by other means.
 
 VIII. The Executive Council of RC43 
       i. The Executive Council consists of
          - two ex officio members: the founding and the immediate past President
          - the elected officers: at present the President, two Vice-Presidents,
            Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, and
          - eight elected ordinary members.
      ii. The members of the Executive Council of RC43 shall be elected as detailed
          in Art.  
     iii. In accordance with Article 4.6 of the ISA Constitution, every officer of
          the RC43 Executive Council shall be a member of the ISA.
      iv. Any change in the number of elected members on the Executive Council shall
          be decided at a Business Meeting but before the election takes place.
       v. The officers shall be entitled to co-opt up to two members between Business
          Meetings.
      vi. In the case of resignation or inability to serve of an Executive Council
          member, the officers have the power in co-opt a replacement.
     vii. The functions of the Executive Council are
          - to promote all the activities of RC43
          - to give advice to the officers on any matter relevant to RC43.
 
 IX. Electoral Procedures for the Elected Officers and Members of the Executive
     Council of RC43 
      i. The election for Elected Officers and Executive Council Members shall
         take place at a Business Meeting
     ii. All RC43 members in good standing and present at the Business Meeting
         shall be eligible to vote.
    iii. All nominations must be submitted to the President no later than 12 
         hours before the start of the Business Meeting. Nomination papers must
         have support in writing of three RC43 members in good standing other
         than the nominee.
     iv. If no nominations have been received in time, the officers of RC43 shall
         be empowered to nominate officers and members of the Executive Council.
      v. The quorum for the Business Meeting shall be 20 members.
     vi. If the Business Meeting is inquorate, the officers, advised by the 
         Executive Council, shall designate a new Executive Council and officers.
    vii. Voting shall be by secret ballot.
   viii. In the election for ordinary elected members the highest number of persons
         receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.  The figure
         n is identical to the number of ordinary members elected at the previous 
         Business Meeting, unless it has been changed by a motion passed subsequently.
         In the event of a tie, the choice among those receiving the same number of
         votes shall be decided by a run-off. Membership of the Executive Council 
         shall be limited to two consecutive terms of 4 years (i.e., a maximum of 8
         years).
 
 X. Amendment of Statutes 
    i. Any motion to amend the statutes shall be sent to the Secretary for
       publication in the RC43 Newsletter.
   ii. Such motions should have the written support of ten members of RC43
       in good standing.
  iii. Motions to amend the statutes will be considered at Business Meetings
       of the RC43, and come into effect if supported by a simple majority of
       those present and eligible to vote.
 


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