IAG

International Association of Geomorphologists
Newsletter no. 13 (4/1996)

An editorial note

We use the last issue of the year to highlight important IAG matters. Last year we printed a complete list of IAG publications compiled by Dietrich Barsch and Olav Slaymaker. This year we print our constitution prior to the Fourth International Conference at Bologna in 1997. We also have the annual addition to the publication list.

The Constitution of the International Association of Geomorphologists

Name

The Association shall be known as the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEOMORPHOLOGISTS or, in languages other than English by a direct translation. The official abbreviation will be the IAG.

Style

There are two founding principles to govern the style of the conduct of the affairs of the Association.

  1. The IAG shall be a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit institution at all times free of racial, gender or national prejudice;
  2. The IAG shall be maintained in as informal a style as possible in keeping with the relaxed international and individual friendships established at the First International Conference on Geomorphology, Manchester 1985.

Objectives

The objectives of the IAG shall be:

  1. to develop geomorphology through international co-operation;
  2. to promote the study and development of geomorphology in all aspects;
  3. to foster the dissemination of knowledge of geomorphology.

Activities

The IAG will accomplish these objectives by :

  1. holding an International Conference on Geomorphology at least every four years;
  2. holding committee and open meetings at the time of the International Conference and, if required, at suitable times and locations between conferences;
  3. encouraging the establishment of both regional and speciality groups, the organisation of meetings, research and field programs and publications on geomorphology;
  4. co-operating with national and international organisations whose aims are complementary to those of the IAG;
  5. exchanging information through its adhering national bodies, newsletters, publications or other suitable mechanisms.

Membership

Membership of the IAG shall be in one of the following categories.

  1. Normal membership of the Association, which carries full voting rights, shall be through Adhering National Bodies. There shall be only one Adhering National Body per country. Countries wishing to join the IAG must submit to the Secretary documentation showing the existence of a bona fide Adhering National Body, its mailing address and the names of its officers.
  2. In countries where no Adhering National Body exists an individual may take part in all activities of the IAG but will not have voting rights.
  3. The IAG may confer Honorary Fellowship upon individuals who have served the Association with particular distinction and which shall be regarded as the highest honour that the IAG can bestow.
  4. Sustaining membership shall be available upon invitation, to individuals and institutions sympathetic to the purpose of the IAG and willing to be identified without vote with its programmes, specific or general.

Adhering National Bodies

An Adhering National Body is the body determined by each nation as its official representative. An Adhering National Body is free to establish its articles of association and its organisation in accordance with its requirements. An Adhering National Body shall at all times keep the Secretary of the IAG informed about its address, the names of its officers and its voting representative. Each nation shall be represented by only one body. Each national body shall have only one vote.

Executive Committee and Officers

The IAG shall be served by an Executive Committee consisting of the following Officers:

  1. a President;
  2. a Vice-President (to succeed the President);
  3. a Secretary;
  4. a Treasurer;
  5. a Publications Officer;
  6. two other elected members;
Each shall serve a maximum of four years in any post. The Officers form the Executive Committee of the IAG. They will meet, as necessary, to maintain the objectives of the IAG but shall seek, at all times to reduce bureaucracy to a minimum and to maintain the IAG in as informal a style as possible. All Officers are to be from different countries (i.e. 7 countries will be represented on the Executive Committee). The Officers may co-opt members to the Executive Committee at anytime necessary to maintain the aims of the IAG.

Council

The Executive Committee and the officers shall be responsible to the Council of the IAG. The Council shall consist of the voting representative of each Adhering National Body (or their authorised deputies) plus the officers of the IAG. The Council shall be presided over by the President of the IAG or, in case of the President's incapacity to attend, by the Vice-President. In the event of an equal decision of votes, the President or Acting President shall cast the deciding vote.

The Council shall meet every four years during the International Conference on Geomorphology. An extraordinary session can be called if requested by a majority of the Adhering National Bodies. The Council may make decisions by postal communication by questions put to it through the Secretary with the approval of the President. The Council may set up standing and ad hoc committees and working parties with whatever names, powers and terms of reference it may decide.

The Council shall determine with the advice of the Secretary, the annual subscription fee to the Association. The Council shall approve the budget and authorize distribution of funds.

International Conference on Geomorphology

An International Conference on Geomorphology shall be held approximately every fourth year in a country to be decided upon by the Council. The organisation and financing arrangements of an International Conference are the responsibility of the Adhering National Body of the host country. The only rule for the International Conference is that it shall be organised in such a way that a relaxed and informal 'geomorphological' style be adopted consistent with maximum productivity.

Adoption of Constitution

This constitution shall come into force at the close of the session at which it receives the approval of at least two-thirds of the full Council.

Amendments to Constitution

Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by an Adhering National Body. Such amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary early enough to have the proposal submitted to all Adhering National Bodies at least one year prior to the Council Meetings at which the amendment is to be placed on the Agenda.

Adoption of an amendment to the Constitution will require an affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the full Council.

Bylaws

  1. COUNCIL

    1. A quorum for a Council meeting shall be a simple majority of the Adhering National Bodies, except if changes in the Constitution are to be made or a vote is to be held on the acceptance of an application for membership. In these cases, a quorum shall be two-thirds of the full Council.
    2. Any member country that will not be present for a vote requiring a two-thirds majority may submit its views and vote in advance by mail. In this case that member country will be regarded as being present for the purposes of the quorum for the vote.
    3. Voting shall in general be by ballot, for the place for the next International Conference on Geomorphology or Council meeting, or for other matters specified at the time by the Chair.
    4. Resolutions shall be made by a simple majority of those voting, except for resolutions altering the Constitution or on the acceptance of new Adhering National Bodies, for which the assent of two-thirds of the full Council is required.
    5. Adhering National Bodies wishing to have items placed on the agenda should submit them not less than six months prior to a Council meeting. Three months before the meeting the Secretary General will send the complete Agenda to each Adhering National Body. The Agenda for the ordinary meeting of Council shall generally include the following items:
      1. Minutes of the previous meeting: matters arising;
      2. Acceptance of new Adhering National Bodies;
      3. Business raised by President;
      4. Business raised by Adhering National Bodies;
      5. Business from other sources;
      6. Financial statement for preceding period and draft budget for ensuing period;
      7. International Conference;
      8. Election of President;
      9. Election of Vice-President;
      10. Election of Secretary;
      11. Election of Treasurer;
      12. Election of Publications Officer;
      13. Election of two additional members;
      14. Review of activities and reports of committees;
      15. Items submitted after preparation of agenda, subject to agreement of Chair;
      16. Any other business.

  2. NOMINATION OF OFFICERS

    At least one year before the expiry of office of the Officers and elected members of the Executive Committee, the Secretary shall notify the Adhering National Bodies that an election is to take place and invite them to submit names for the required positions. Evidence must be provided to show that each would be willing to serve if elected. The election will be carried out according to the agreed voting procedures of the IAG.

  3. SECRETARY

    The Secretary shall be responsible under the general direction of the President, for the conduct of all correspondence and current business of the Association, for the preparation and distribution of the Agenda of the Council meetings and for the preparation and maintenance of minutes.

  4. TREASURER

    The Treasurer shall send to each Adhering National Body an annual account of the dues owing, and shall ensure that all contributions and dues paid to the Association are placed in a separate account and a record is kept. The Treasurer is responsible for keeping the accounts of the Association, for the preparation of the annual budget of receipts and expenditures, for payments on behalf of the Association up to the limit of the approved budget, and shall acknowledge all money received. The Treasurer shall prepare a summary of the accounts for each meeting of the Council and shall give any explanations required of expenses incurred.

  5. CONFERENCES

    1. Invitations to act as host for an International Conference on Geomorphology and the accompanying Council meeting shall be received at the meeting of the Council at the time of the preceding International Conference. The inviting country must provide assurance that no individual will be denied attendance on grounds of nationality, race, creed or political views. If an invitation is received from more than one Adhering National Body the final selection shall be made by secret ballot of voting members. Arrangements for the International Conference on Geomorphology shall be the responsibility of the Organising Committee of the host country, in consultation with the President and the Secretary.
    2. Adhering National Bodies or their affiliates are encouraged to organise technical meetings and conferences. These may be designated as co-sponsored by the International Association of Geomorphologists if approved by the Council.

IAG Publication update

The following have been added to the list published in IAG Newsletter 12 (4/1995).
  1. Hickin, E.J. (Ed.), 1995, River Geomorphology, John Wiley & Sons.
  2. Slaymaker, O. (Ed.), 1995 Steepland Geomorphology, John Wiley & Sons
  3. Slaymaker, O. (Ed.), 1996, Geomorphic Hazards, John Wiley & Sons
  4. McCann, S.B. and Ford, D. (Ed.), 1996, Geomorphology Sans Frontieres, John Wiley & Sons.

A note from the secretary

In accordance with the constitution, the Secretary, Dr Robert Allison, has forwarded to countries (which are up to date with subscription payments) details of items at the next Council Meeting where national delegates will be required to vote.

Information has also been circulated about nominations for Committee vacancies and future conference venues. If you (or your national representative) have not received the above details but should be in receipt of relevant papers please contact Bob Allison immediately. His address:

Dr Robert J. Allison,
Secretary, IAG,
Department of Geography,
University of Durham,
Durham, DH1 3LE,
UK.

Funding for attending the IAG Conference, Bologna, 1997

Funding is available (courtesy of the Organizing Committee, IAG Southeast Asia Conference, 1995) to assist a small number of geomorphologists from the developing countries for attending the International Association of Geomorphologists Conference in Bologna, 1997. Please write to
Professor V.R. Baker,
Treasurer, IAG,
Department of Hydrology and Water Resources,
University of Arizona,
Tucson, Az 85721,
USA
(Fax: 1-520-621-1422; e-mail Baker@pirl.lpl.arizona.edu).
The application should be accompanied by a brief curriculum vitae (not more than 2 pages) and a copy of the abstract of the paper to be presented at Bologna. Successful delegates will have to provide evidence of registration and acceptance of paper at the time of disbursement of funds, failing which the award will go to the next suitable applicant. The decision will be taken by a committee set up for this purpose by the IAG.

Applications should reach the Treasurer by 31 March 1997.

Future Conferences

Bologna, Italy, 28 August-3 September 1997, 4th International Association of Geomorphologists Conference.

Contact: IV International Conference on Geomorphology, Planning Congressi s.r.l., Via Crociali 2, I-40138, Bologna, Italy (Fax:39-51-309477; e-mail: michele.galantino@planning.inet.it)

We have been informed that the International Permafrost Association Executive Committee will meet at Bologna in open session on 31 August 1997.

Birmingham, UK, 9-10 April 1997, Geography and Environmental Consultancy: present challenge and future prospects.

Contact: Damian Lawler, School of Geography, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham BI5 2TT, UK (Fax: 44-121-414-5528; e-mail: D.M. Lawler@bham.ac.uk).

Chamonix Mont Blanc, France, 26-30 May 1997, International Symposium on Snow and Avalanches.

Contact: Secretary General, International Glaciological Society, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1ER, UK (Fax: 44-1223-336543; e-mail: 100751.1667@compuserve.com).

Lake Tahoe, California, USA, 9-13 June 1997, Changing water Regimes in Drylands.

Contact: Nicholas Lancaster, Desert Research Institute, P.O. Box 60220, Reno, NV 89506, USA (e-mail: nick@maxey.dri.edu; website: http://www.dri.edu)

Hobart, Australia, 14-18 July 1997, International Symposium on Antarctica and Global Change.

Contact: Secretary General, International Glaciological Society, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1ER, UK (Fax: 44-1223-336543; e-mail: 100751.1667@compuserve.com).

Yellowknife, N.W.T., Canada, 23-27 June 1998, 7th International Conference on Permafrost and IPA Council Meeting.

Contact: J.A. Heginbottom, Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ont. K1A 0E8, Canada (Fax: 1-613-992-2468; e-mail: permafrost.conference@gsc.emr.ca).

Please send material for IAG Newsletter to Avijit Gupta, Publication Secretary, IAG, Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260. Fax: 65-777-3091. e-mail: geoagup@nus.sg

© 1996 International Association of Geomorphologists
All rights reserved

HTMLed by The Association of Polish Geomorphologists