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Constitution

 

AASR

Constitution

 

 

 

1. NAME

The name of the association shall be the African Association for the Study of Religions (AASR). The Association acts in association with the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR) and is based upon the statutes of the body (which may be subject to modification under article 8 of those statutes).

2. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Association will be:

• to promote the academic study of religions in Africa and
• the study of the religions of Africa more generally

through the international collaboration of all scholars whose research has a bearing on the subject.

The Association aims to stimulate the academic study of religions in Africa in the following ways:

1. by providing a forum for multilateral communications between scholars of African religions;
2. by facilitating the exchange of resources and information;
3. by encouraging the development of linkages and research contacts between scholars and institutions in Africa, as well as between scholars in Africa and those overseas;
4. by developing publishing opportunities particularly for scholars based in Africa;
5. by establishing a travel fund to enable African scholars to attend academic conferences both in Africa and overseas;
6. by organising conferences in Africa on topics relevant to scholars of African religions and panels on the religions of Africa in conferences held outside Africa;
7. by establishing a newsletter as the major medium of communication between scholars of African religions around the world;
8. by creating a directory of scholars in the field of African religions.

The primary function of the Association in the early stages will be the AASR-Newsletter.

 

3. MEMBERSHIP

1. Any scholar with suitable academic qualifications in the study of African religions, or in the study of other religions who is appointed to an academic institutions in Africa, is invited to apply for membership with the Association. Membership is open to scholars of religion working in the fields of African traditional or indigenous religions, Islam, Christianity, new religious movements, as well as other religions occurring on the continent, such as Hinduism and Judaism. Scholars may reside in Africa or other parts of the world.
2. Applications should show evidence of the required qualifications and be normally supported by at least one member of the Association. This should be directed to the AASR General Secretary who may consult about them with the AASR President before sending the letter of admission.
3. Since the AASR operates primarily at a regional (African) level, it includes and seeks to enhance the work of sub-regional and national associations, such as the Association for the Study of Religions in Southern Africa and the Nigerian Association for the Study of Religion. Members are normally expected to belong to the associations in their respective countries or regions (where such associations exist).
4. Membership is terminated by
   1. death;
   2. notice of termination of membership to the AASR General Secretary by an AASR member.
   3. a decision of the AASR Executive on grounds, made explicit in writing, that the member has acted in gross ways against the aims or interests of the AASR or has failed to comply with statutory obligations. The failure to pay membership fees for more than three consecutive years will constitute such a ground.
      

4. DUES

1. Members are required to pay an annual membership fee. Its amount will be fixed at the general meetings of the AASR. There are reduced rates for students and the non-salaried. The proceeds will be used to cover the costs of the Newsletter and to support the travel and publication funds for African scholars.
2. Scholars resident in Africa may apply for exemption from membership dues if their salary level would prohibit their participation in the Association.

5. MEETINGS

1. General meetings will be held during the IAHR International Congress AND/OR at AASR conferences whenever these bring together a sufficient number of AASR members.
2. The AASR will endeavour to organise a major regional conference in Africa at least once every five years. Such a regional conference may be organised in conjunction with a national or sub-regional IAHR affiliate in Africa
3. The Executive Committee shall endeavour to meet at least once every two years . A quorum shall be formed when no less than a third of the members of the Executive committee are present.
   The Executive Committee shall publish an account of its policies and its administration of the AASR funds in the AASR Newsletter well in advance of the AASR General Meeting at the occasion of the IAHR Congress.
4. The Executive Com mittee shall also appoint an ad hoc committee of two AASR members that are not members of the AASR Executive for auditing AASR finances in order that they may report their findings and recommendations to the General Meeting.

6. OFFICERS

1. The officers of the Association who form the Executive Committee shall be:
   • President
   • Vice-President
   • General Secretary
   • Treasurer
   • Chairperson of the Publications Committee
   • Regional Representatives for West Africa, East and Central Africa, Southern Af rica, North and South America, and Europe. Regional Representatives may also hold additional office on the Executive Committee.
   • Other officers may be added as deemed necessary.
2. The officers shall be elected for a five-year term. They shall be eligible for one more term.
3. Elections shall be held at the General Meetings of the Association.
   Both the Executive and members may propose candidates for office. Each candidate for a particular office must be supported in writing by at least three AASR members. The list of candidates must be made public in an AASR Newsletter before the elections are due.
4. The Secretary shall draw up minutes of the General Meetings and of the meetings of the Execut ive.

7. PROTOCOL GOVERNING ELECTIONS

1. Elections shall be held at the IAHR Congress. The AASR members then present shall be held to represent the total body of the AASR members. However, members who cannot travel to the congress may exercise their voting right either in writing by sending in their votes in sealed envelopes to the AASR election committee (These envelopes would be opened and counted only after the members present have cast their votes). Or they may delegate, in writing, their votes to AASR members that attend. These members would then cast, in addition to their own vote, as many extra votes as they have been authorised.
2. Nominations would be handled by a nominating committee appointed by the Executive Committee. Nominations would be sent by AASR members either directly to the President or to the Regional representatives who would then pass them to the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee would publicise the names of the candidates prior to the general meeting.

8. CONSTITUTION CHANGES

Changes can only be made by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the General Meeting of the Association.

 

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