CONSTITUTION

Aim: The Group will promote the interests of those conducting research in Geographical Information Science within the RGS-IBG primarily through organising sessions at the Annual meeting of the RGS-IBG, and at other conferences. It will promote the recognition of the extent of the research interests of those involved in Geographical Information Science, and foster the cooperation between those and other branches of geography.

Organisational Status: The Research Group is a ‘branch’ of the Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers) and must satisfy the aims and policies of the Society, including Equal Opportunity policy, and the legal and Charity Commissioner requirements. The Research Group will deliver an Annual Report and statement of accounts to the Society demonstrating that these aims and policies are being adhered to.

Statement of Membership: Membership of the GIScRG shall be open to all Fellows (including Associate Fellows) of the Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers) who elect to join the Research Group, but shall never be less than 30 individuals. Membership of the GIScRG will be free of charge, or for those who are already a member of two further Research Groups, for an additional fee according to the rules of Research Group membership as defined by the Finance Committee. This additional fee is collected with annual Fellowship subscriptions.

Other interested persons who are not Fellows of the RGS-IBG may join the GIScRG, subject to approval of the Committee, for an additional fee collected separately by the GIScRG and specified in the Appendix.

Business: The business of the GIScRG shall be conducted by a Committee of 7 members. This will include:

1. Chairperson
2. Secretary
3. Treasurer
4. Web master
5. News editor
6. Conference co-ordinator
7. Prizes and awards co-ordinator
8. Postgraduate representative

Each of these roles shall be undertaken by Fellows of the RGS-IBG elected by the members of the group. The Committee will have the power to co-opt a Quantitative Methods Research Group (QMRG) Represenative as elected by the QMRG and up to two further members if they feel it is necessary. The majority of the Committee must be Fellows of the RGS-IBG.

In addition to the Committee of the GIScRG, a representative of the GIScRG shall be elected annually at the AGM to serve on the QMRG Committee at that committee's discretion.

Terms of Office: All committee members, except the postgraduate representative and the QMRG representative, shall hold their posts for a period of three years. Honorary officers (Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer) may stand for a second term of three years, but must relinquish their post after the sixth year of office. Retiring honorary officers shall not be eligible for re-election as an ordinary member of the Committee if they have served for 6 years.

Ordinary Committee members shall be elected for a period of not more than three years. Ordinary Committee members may stand for a second term of three years, but must relinquish their post after the sixth year of office.

Postgraduate members and the QMRG representative shall be elected for a period of one year and shall not normally be eligible for re-election to the Committee for more than three terms of office.

Elections: Elections to the Committee will be held at the Annual General Meeting. Members will be informed in writing 30 days prior to the AGM of all vacancies to be filled. Nominations for Committee membership will be accepted up to the beginning of the AGM. They must be in writing and include the names of the proposer and seconder.

The Annual General Meeting: This shall normally be held at the Annual Conference of the RGS-IBG. The GIScRG must present an Annual Report and Statement of Accounts to the RGS-IBG as requested, and normally by 31st January each year.

This is to comply with Charity Commissioners guidelines. The Research Group is expected to manage its funds with due care and for the benefit of the membership of the Research Group.
An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called by either the Chair and four members of the Committee or by any 20 ordinary members of the GIScRG. The Secretary must give at least 30 days notice of an EGM in writing to all members of the GIScRG.

Changes to the Constitution: The constitution can be changed only by two-thirds majority vote of those present at an Annual General Meeting, provided that the membership has been individually notified of the proposed changes in writing or by email at least 30 days in advance. Research Group constitutions that have been altered by the AGM of the Research Group should then be submitted for approval by the Research Committee of the RGS-IBG at their next meeting.

If the Research Group alters its constitution without informing the Research Division by the time of its next meeting, the Research Division will view this matter seriously and consider whether the group is contravening the aims of the RGS-IBG.

The activities of the Research Groups should not contravene the aims of the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers). The GIScRG may be dissolved only in accordance with the rules of the RGS-IBG.

Appendix:

1. Addition fee: Non Fellows or Associate Fellows of the RGS-IBG may join the Research Group for a fee of £5 which will be collected by the GIScRG on 1st January each year. This procedure and amount may be altered without approval by the Research Division.
2. Web site: The Group will maintain a web page of information in lieu of a newsletter. It will also maintain an email circulation list. The role of Webmaster and List owner will be recognised in the Committee.