After six years of existence, the society decided in 1996 that a more organized structure
was needed. As a result of this decision, it was agreed that henceforth, conferences
would be planned two years in advance and, to assist the local conference organizer(s),
two officers were elected. In 1997, the process was taken a step further by the decision
to prepare a constitution for the society and to seek charitable status.
Name of Society
The society (founded 1990) is called: European Reformation Research Group (abbreviated
as ERRG).
Purpose of Society
The society provides a medium for scholars working on all aspects of Reformation
Europe (including the British Isles) through which they can present their latest
research to an informed, critical, yet supportive audience. From the group’s inception
a central aim has been to encourage younger scholars, particularly postgraduate students,
to play an active part, and to have the opportunity to discuss their research at
whatever level it has reached. The ethos of the conference is egalitarian: there
are no ‘key-note’ speakers, and postgraduates are invited to participate on equal
terms with established scholars. To further this end, every effort is made to keep
conference costs to a minimum and, whenever possible, to provide postgraduate bursaries.
Finally, an additional goal of the Group is to organize volumes of essays in which
postgraduates and scholars can publish early in their careers. This is done both
to facilitate the dissemination of the best new research to the wider academic world
and to assist these new scholars in furthering and enhancing their career prospects.
Achieving the society’s purpose
The primary methods by which the society achieves its main goals of providing a forum
for the presentation of new work and the publication of cutting edge research is
the annual ERRG conference and the establishment of close links with various publishers
and historical series. The annual ERRG conference usually takes place in late August
or early September.
Administration of the society
The society is administered by the Annual General Meeting (abbreviated as AGM) which
is held during the course of the annual ERRG conference and, in the interim, by the
elected officers of the society. Any member attending the AGM is free to vote on
any issue and, with a second, to present a motion to the entire meeting for a vote.
The General Secretary will serve as chairperson during the AGM or, in the absence
of the General Secretary, the members will, as their first order of business, designate
someone to act in the General Secretary’s stead. Other than the specific function
of chairing the AGM, all members present attend, vote, discuss and in all other ways
participate as equals.
Officers
The society has two officers: General Secretary and Treasurer. Together they are
responsible for maintaining the society’s accounts and finances. In addition, the
General Secretary keeps the society’s mailing list, maintains its Website and undertakes
the correspondence necessary for inviting potential participants to each annual conference.
The officers are elected to two year terms by members present at the AGM. The offices
lack any remuneration or tangible benefits. In addition, the local organizer of any
given conference is an ex officio officer of the society.
Membership
Membership is defined (on an annual basis) as any and all participants at the annual
ERRG conference.
Amending the Constitution
A resolution to amend the constitution may be moved and seconded at any AGM but cannot
be voted upon until the next AGM, due notice of the proposed amendment having been
circulated with the registration forms (and via the Internet) for the AGM following
that at which the amendment was moved. A two-thirds majority vote of the members
(i.e., those persons present) at the subsequent AGM is sufficient to approve the
amendment moved at the previous AGM.
Dissolution of the society
The AGM is empowered to dissolve the society. A resolution to dissolve the society
may be moved and seconded at any AGM but cannot be voted upon until the next two
AGMs, due notice of the proposed amendment having been circulated with the registration
forms (and via the Internet) for the AGM following that at which the amendment was
moved. A two-thirds majority vote of the members (i.e., those persons present) at
the two subsequent AGMs is sufficient to approve the motion for dissolution put forward
at the previous AGM. In such an event, the second (and final) AGM will have the sole
power to dispose of any remaining society funds with the proviso that those funds
must be passed either to a similar academic organization or to a recognized charitable
body.
Officers for 2011-13
General Secretary: Dr Jonathan Willis, University of Birmingham
