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IASPM – Statutes

Current Version

Proposed to be changed
(bold italic text is the text to be altered, 
paragraphs proposed to be deleted are simply left out)

1. Name and Seat 

The name of the Association is 'The International Association for the Study of Popular Music' (IASPM). The association is legally registered in Sweden.

No change

 

2. Aim 

2.1 The aim of the Association is to provide an international, interdisciplinary and interprofessional organization for promoting the study of popular music. A guiding principle should be that a fair and balanced representation of different continents, nations, cultures and specializations be aimed at in the policy and activity of the Association.

2.2 The Association is a non-profit organization with no formal political ties. 

2.3 The Association as a matter of policy condemns the violation of human rights, as defined by the United Nations charter, of any individual, group or nation.
No change
3. Functions 

The functions of the Association include: 

3.1 providing a forum where those involved in the study of popular music can meet and exchange information about their work; 

3.2 organizing regular conferences;

3.3 disseminating information about popular music studies through the publication of a bulletin and by other means; 

3.4 encouraging the development of research and systematic study in topics and in areas where such study is not well developed; 

3.5 encouraging recognition of popular music as an area for scholarly research; 

3.6 providing information on popular music sources and resources and encouraging their development.
No change
4. Membership 

Membership of the Association consists of its branches, of individual members, institutional members and supporting members. 

4.1 Individual membership is open to any person interested in the study of popular music. 

4.2 Institutional membership is open to all non-profit-making organizations, institutions and associations interested in any aspect of popular music. It is also open to international organizations whose purposes are connected with those of the Association, as well as to branch committees of such organizations. 

4.3 Supporting membership is open to all commercial organizations concerned with popular music or popular music studies.
4. Membership 

Membership of the Association consists of individual members, institutional members and supporting members. 

4.1 Individual membership is open to any person interested in the study of popular music. 

4.2 Institutional membership is open to all non-profit-making organizations, institutions and associations interested in any aspect of popular music. It is also open to international organizations whose purposes are connected with those of the Association, as well as to branch committees of such organizations. 

4.3 Supporting membership is open to all commercial organizations concerned with popular music or popular music studies.
5. Branches 

5.1 Branch membership is either individual, institutional or supporting. In countries where no branch of the Association exists, membership applies as stated under paragraphs 4.1., 4.2., 4.3. 

5.2 A branch of the Association may be formed when at least five of the Association's members resident in the same nation or, where co-operation between adjacent nations is more feasible, when five or more members in such a group of adjacent countries, agree to do so. The name of the branch shall include reference to the nation or group of nations its represents. 

5.3 The activities of branches shall be compatible with the aims, functions, interests and statutes of the Association. 

5.4 Branch membership is only valid in cases where the member is resident in the area denoted by the name of the branch. 

5.5 Each branch appoints a secretary and a treasurer and follows national or regional procedure in the appointment of these and other officers.
5. Branches 

5.1 A branch of the Association may be formed when at least five of the Association's members resident in the same nation or, where co-operation between nations is more feasible, when five or more members in such a group of countries, agree to do so. 

5.2 The activities of branches shall be compatible with the aims, functions, interests and statutes of the Association. 

5.3  Each branch appoints at least a secretary and a treasurer and follows national or regional procedure in the appointment of these and other officers.

5.4 Branches are responsible for collecting international dues from their members and transmitting them annually to the Executive Committee in accordance with the rules of procedure.
6. Membership Accession 

6.1 Membership is acquired on payment of relevant dues and is valid on receipt of membership certification. 

6.2 Membership regulations apply according to the rules of procedure.
No change
7. Governing Bodies 

The Association has the following governing bodies: 

    • The General Meeting 
    • The Executive Committee 
    • The Board of Representatives
7. Governing Bodies 

The Association has the following governing bodies: 

    • The General Meeting 
    • The Executive Committee
8. The General Meeting 

8.1 All members are entitled to attend the General Meeting. 

8.2 The General Meeting takes place every two years. The Executive Committee may convene an Extraordinary General Meeting on its own initiative. It must convene such a meeting on the request of at least one third of the Association's members. 

8.3 The General Meeting is presided by a nominee of the Executive Committee. 

8.4 The General Meeting is empowered: 

8.4.1 to decide on the Association's statutes; 

8.4.2 to decide on the Association's general policy; 

8.4.3 to approve the Treasurer's financial statement and proposed budget and to appoint auditors; 

8.4.4 to approve the Association Secretary's report and general plan of activities; 

8.4.5 to elect the Executive Committee; 

8.4.6 to dissolve the Association. 

8.5 The General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting may, at its discretion, elect individuals as honorary life members in recognition of those individuals' services to the world of popular music and to the Association.
8. The General Meeting 

8.1 All members are entitled to attend the General Meeting. 

8.2 The General Meeting takes place every two years. The Executive Committee may convene an Extraordinary General Meeting on its own initiative. It must convene such a meeting on the request of at least one third of the Association's members. 

8.3 The General Meeting is presided by a nominee of the Executive Committee. 

8.4 The General Meeting is empowered: 

8.4.1 to decide on the Association's statutes, rules of procedure and membership fees; 

8.4.2 to decide on the Association's general policy; 

8.4.3 to approve the Treasurer's/Membership Secretary’s financial statement and proposed budget and to appoint auditors; 

8.4.4 to approve the Association General Secretary's report and general plan of activities; 

8.4.5 to elect the Executive Committee

8.4.6 to dissolve the Association.

9. The Executive Committee. 

9.1 The Executive Committee is elected by the General Meeting. 

9.2 The Executive Committee consists of a Chairperson, a General Secretary, a Treasurer, a Membership Secretary and a Publication Officer. 

9.3 The Executive Committee is charged to realize the Association's aims and policies. 

This implies that: 

9.3.1 the Executive Committee admits new members, accredits Branch Committees, and between General Meetings, controls the execution of programmes; 

9.3.2 the Executive Committee is empowered to conclude agreements for co-operation with any person, international organization or national institution, provided such co-operation be in accordance with the aims and functions of the Association; 

9.3.3 the Executive Committee prepares nominations for the election of its members at the General Meeting, accepting recommendations from the Board of Representatives.

9.4 Members of the Executive Committee may be re-elected. In case of decease or resignation of one of its members, the Executive Committee appoints a substitute pending the next General Meeting. 

9.5 The Executive Committee publishes notice on its activities twice a year in the Association's bulletin, sends minutes of its meetings to each member of the Board of Representatives and submits a full report to all members two months before the General Meeting. The full report includes the Executive Committee's nominations for its successors and proposals made by the Executive Committee for changes in the Association's Statutes.
9. The Executive Committee. 

9.1 The Executive Committee is elected by the General Meeting. 

9.2 The Executive Committee consists at least of a Chairperson, a General Secretary, a Treasurer/Membership Secretary and a Publication Officer. 

9.3 The Executive Committee is charged to realize the Association's aims and policies. 

This implies that: 

9.3.1 the Executive Committee admits new members, accredits Branch Committees, and between General Meetings, controls the execution of programmes; 

9.3.2 the Executive Committee is empowered to conclude agreements for co-operation with any person, international organization or national institution, provided such co-operation be in accordance with the aims and functions of the Association; 

9.3.3 the Executive Committee prepares nominations for the election of its members at the General Meeting, accepting recommendations from the Members.

9.3.4 the Executive Committee decides on the membership fee scale for approval by the General Meeting.

9.4 Members of the Executive Committee may be re-elected. In case of decease or resignation of one of its members, the Executive Committee appoints a substitute pending the next General Meeting. 

9.5 The Executive Committee publishes notice on its activities at least once a year in the Association's bulletin or in another appropriate medium reaching out to the members. It submits a full report to all members two months before the General Meeting. The full report includes the Executive Committee's nominations for its successors and proposals made by the Executive Committee for changes in the Association's Statutes.
10. The Board of Representatives 

10.1 Members of the Board of Representatives are elected by each branch and up to two additional members are elected by independent members. Regulations governing such elections are defined in the Rules of Procedure. In addition, the General Secretary is present at the Board's meetings in a non-voting, advisory and administrative capacity. 

10.2 The Board's meetings are convened by the General Secretary 

10.3 The Board's functions are 

10.3.1 to ensure that:

10.3.1.1 specific branch interests come to the notice of the Executive Committee; 

10.3.1.2 interests of individual members come to the notice of the Executive Committee; the General Secretary is responsible for the communication of such interests to the Board of Representatives 

10.3.2 to propose new nominations for the Executive Committee; 

10.3.3 to continually monitor the activities of the Executive Committee in accordance with their mandate from the General Meeting; 

10.3.4 to set up working groups to perform specified tasks consistent with the aims and functions of the Association, thereby encouraging international projects in the field; 

10.3.5 to decide on the Rules of Procedure; 

10.3.6 to prepare recommendations on the possible sites of the biannual General Meetings and associated International Conference on Popular Music Studies and to bring them to the General Meeting four years in advance of the General Meeting for which sites are being recommended. 

10.4 The Board of Representatives shall present a report on its activities to the General Meeting.
10. Office 

10.1 In order to support the administration of the association, the Executive Committee can propose to the General Meeting:  

          a. to establish an office; or

b. to come to an agreement with another institution for IASPM’s  administration.

IASPM Rules of Procedure

Current Version

Proposed to be changed
(bold italic text is the text to be altered, 
paragraphs proposed to be deleted are simply left out)

1. Membership 

1.1. The term of membership covered by payment to the Association is one calendar year except in the instances mentioned in paragraph 1.3 and paragraph 1.4 below. 

1.2. Persons, branches and organizations wishing to retain membership of the Association shall renew their payment of annual dues by April 1st. The total fee from national branches is based upon membership figures from the previous year. If, by that date, they have not been received, a memo will be sent to advise the branch that its members will no longer receive IASPM information or be eligible to submit paper for the biannual conference. Membership expires without notice if members do not pay their dues for two consecutive years, despite a timely written reminder. 

1.3. Members joining the Association for the first time between 1st January and 30th June inclusive shall renew their membership by 31st December the same year but shall receive all benefits of membership for the total calendar year in which they joined the Association. 

1.4. Members joining the Association for the first time between 1st July and 31st December inclusive shall renew their membership before 31st December the subsequent year.

1.5. Membership dues are not refundable.
1. Membership 

1.1. The term of membership covered by payment to the Association is one calendar year period. 

1.2. Branches shall transmit the total of annual dues collected from their membership by April 1st. The total fee from national branches is based upon membership figures from the previous year. If, by that date, they have not been received, a memo will be sent to advise the branch that its members will no longer receive IASPM information or be eligible to submit paper for the biannual conference. Membership expires without notice if members do not pay their dues for two consecutive years, despite a timely written reminder. 

1.3. Payments received from individual members, institutions and organisations will be credited for the current calendar year; they may opt to pay for a second year in advance.

1.4 Membership dues are not refundable.
2. Voting procedures 2. Voting procedures
2.1. General Meeting 

2.1.1. Individual and institutional members may vote at the General Meeting. Each is entitled to one vote. Those unable to attend may vote by proxy (see paragraph 2.1.4). 

2.1.2 Supporting members may be present at the General Meeting in a non-voting, advisory capacity. 

2.1.3 The Association's branches may be represented at the General Meeting by a delegate of their own choice. Each branch has five votes in addition to the votes of its individual and institutional members. 

2.1.4 Institutional members shall be represented by delegates of their own choice, including delegates attending in their capacity as individual members. Individual members may be represented by other members of the Association if this representative produces a written and signed mandate before the electoral or voting procedure. A representative, be he/she an individual member of the Association or not, cannot represent more than one absent member, institutional or individual. 

2.1.5 Decisions on the Association's general policy, the Treasurer's financial statement and proposed budget, the appointment of auditors, the approval of the Secretary's report and general plan of activities are by a simple majority of voting members represented in person or by proxy. 

2.1.6 Nominations for the Executive Committee and for auditors should be submitted to the Secretary at least 1 month before the General Meeting. The Secretary communicates nominations to the Association's members immediately following the closing date for nominations and makes a full list of nominations available at the General Meeting.
2.1. General Meeting 

2.1.1. Individual and institutional members may vote at the General Meeting. Each is entitled to one vote. Those unable to attend may vote by proxy (see paragraph 2.1.4). 

2.1.2 Supporting members may be present at the General Meeting in a non-voting, advisory capacity. 

2.1.3 Institutional members shall be represented by delegates of their own choice, including delegates attending in their capacity as individual members. Individual members may be represented by other members of the Association if this representative produces a written and signed mandate before the electoral or voting procedure. 

2.1.4 Decisions on the Association's general policy, the Treasurer's financial statement and proposed budget, the appointment of auditors, the approval of the Secretary's report and general plan of activities are by a simple majority of voting members represented in person or by proxy. 

2.1.5 Nominations for the Executive Committee and for auditors should be submitted to the Secretary at least 1 month before the General Meeting. The Secretary communicates nominations to the Association's members immediately following the closing date for nominations and makes a full list of nominations available at the General Meeting.
2.2 Executive Committee 

2.2.1 The Executive Committee decides by a simple majority of expressed votes. Each member has one vote. 

2.2.2 The Executive Committee may use telecommunications to hold meetings and consultations if such means are more feasible than meeting in person. If voting proves necessary on such occasions, members of the Executive Committee shall confirm their votes in writing and send them, duly signed, to the General Secretary.
No changes
2.3 The Board of Representatives 

2.3.1 Each branch shall be represented on the Board by one representative. The independent members not affiliated with the national branch shall be represented by maximally two additional members. Each member of the Board of Representatives has one vote. 

2.3.2 Branch representatives are elected according to rules of procedure established by each branch (see statutes paragraph 5.5.). Independent representatives will be elected during the biennial IASPM conference. The Board of Representative is responsible for organizing this election. 

2.3.3 The Board of Representatives meets biennially during the IASPM conference at least one day before the biennial IASPM General Meeting. 

2.3.4 The Board of Representatives elects its own chairperson for each meeting.

2.3.5 The Board of Representatives may call, in addition to the General Secretary, members of the Executive Committee to be present at its meetings. 

2.3.6 The Board of Representatives decides by a simple majority of expressed votes.
to be cancelled
3. Financial Regulations 

3.1 The financial resources of the Association are chiefly derived from: 

    • membership dues established for each category of members by a decision of the General meeting; 
    • grants, awards and donations; 
    • the payment of work undertaken by the Association 
3.2 The Treasurer controls the Association's finances and his/her reports or statements, audited by two persons appointed by the General Meeting, must be approved by the General Meeting.
3. Financial Regulations 

3.1 The financial resources of the Association are chiefly derived from: 

    • membership dues established for each category of members by a decision of the General meeting; 
    • grants, awards and donations; 
    • the payment of work undertaken by the Association 

3.2 The membership fee scale is gradated according to the following criteria:

a). waged, unwaged, institutional and supporting members;

b). low, middle and high income countries

The criteria for b) are decided with reference to current world bank and UN figures.

3.21 Changes to the membership fee scale are proposed by the Executive Committee and approved by the General Meeting by a simple majority. The Membership Fees for new branches are fixed until the next General Meeting by the Executive Committee taking in consideration the fees for similar branches.

3.22 Prospective members in countries with no branch are encouraged to join a branch in a nearby country or region. If they chose not to do this they choose to affiliate to IASPM centrally. The membership fee for these members is decided by the executive committee with reference to the current membership fee scale.

3.3 A branch of the association is entitled to decide on an extra membership fee for its purposes and to develop criteria for this.

3.4 The Treasurer manages the Association's international finances. At the General Meeting two persons are appointed to audit the treasurer's report, which is then approved by the attending members.  

4. Modification of the Statutes 

Modification of the Statutes and Rules of Procedure must be approved by the General Meeting (majority required: two thirds of the votes expressed). Proposals for such modification are sent to the General Secretary at least one month before the General Meeting. The General Secretary communicates proposals of modifications to the Association's members immediately following the closing date for proposals of modifications and makes a list of proposals for modification available at the General Meeting.

No changes
5. Dissolution 

A dissolution of the Association can only be pronounced by the General Meeting (majority required: two thirds of votes expressed). The proposal of dissolution shall be sent to the General Secretary at least six months before the General Meeting commissioned to examine it. The General Secretary communicates the proposal of dissolution to the Association's members at least five months before the same General Meeting. In the event of dissolution, the assets of the Association, once all debts have been paid, will be devolved according to the rules fixed by the General Meeting that voted the dissolution. Without these rules, dissolution shall not be valid.

No changes

6. Archiving

One copy of every branch publication should automatically forwarded, without charge, to the current holder of the international IASPM archives period. Minimally, these should include newsletters, conference programmes, abstract books, and proceedings period.

IASPM – Membership Fee Structure

IASPM – Membership Fee Scale
will replace the IASPM - Membership Fee Structure

Current Version

Proposed to be changed
(bold italic text is the text to be altered, 
paragraphs proposed to be deleted are simply left out)

1. Industrialized Countries 

1.1. The following membership fee rates apply (all amounts in U.S. dollars) 

o      base rate, unwaged membership $8 

o      base rate, institutional membership $8 

o      individual and institutional membership $16 

o      supporting membership (for profit organizations) from $100 to $500 

1.2. Household membership 

A maximum of two people per household may take out a joint membership, which entitles them to receive one copy between them of mailings sent to other categories of members, but which, in all other respects, entitles them to full membership in the Association. The fee paid is that of the highest category into which either of the household members would otherwise fall (e.g. household membership for a student and an unwaged person living in an industrialized country would be $8). 

1.3. All amounts are to be collected in local currency in an amount which the nearest equivalent to the amounts above as expressed in U.S. dollars. International membership fees are required to be converted, where possible, into U.S. dollars and transferred to the International Treasury in the manner described above (see Statutes and Rules of Procedure).
The annual Membership fees for these membership categories are:

a. high income countries
(currently these branches: Australia/ New Zealand, Benelux = Belgium-Netherlands-Luxembourg, Canada, German speaking countries = Austria-Germany-Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Nordic countries = Denmark-Finland-Iceland-Norway-Sweden, Spain, United Kingdom, United States)

  • waged US $ 16
  • unwaged US $ 8
  • institutional US $ 16
  • supporting US $ 100

b. middle income countries
(currently these branches = Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Latin America, Slovenia, Turkey)

  • waged US $ 8
  • unwaged free
  • institutional US $ 8
  • supporting US $ 50

c. low income countries
(currently no branches)

  • waged free
  • unwaged free
  • institutional US $ 8
  • supporting US $ 50
2. Non-industrialized countries 

In those countries in which the general economic situation makes it impossible to apply the membership fee structure of the Association, the above schedule of fees may act as a guide for the special national membership fee structure which needs to be confirmed by the Executive Committee.

 
3. Countries which are not members of the International Monetary Fund 

3.1. Members of the Association residing in countries which are not members of the International Monetary Fund may pay their international membership fees in local currency in an amount determined through the local official exchange rate to be equivalent to the international membership fee as expressed in U.S. dollars. 

3.2. Notwithstanding paragraph 3.1. above, duly accredited Branches of the Association operating in countries which are not members of the International Monetary Fund may collect a membership fee over and above that deemed to be equivalent to the international membership fee for the purpose of financing activities of the branch. 

3.3. International membership fees collected in accordance with paragraph 3.1. above in countries which are not members of the International Monetary Fund are not expected or required to be transferred out of the country in which they were collected. 

3.4. The disbursement of international membership fees collected in accordance with paragraph 3.1. above in countries which are not members of the International Monetary Fund be the subject of annual discussions between the Executive Committee of the Association (as represented by its Executive Secretary) and the duly accredited Branch of the Association (as represented by its Chairperson or Secretary) operating in the particular country concerned. 

3.5. Notwithstanding paragraph 3.1. above, members of the Association residing in countries which are not members of the International Monetary Fund who are deemed by their country and/or Branch to be international representatives of that country and/or Branch are required to pay their international membership fee in U.S. dollars or other currency acceptable to the treasurer of the Association. 

3.6. The clause paragraph 3.1. above is a facilitating clause not to be applied automatically to all countries which are not members of the International Monetary Fund regardless of their wishes. 

3.7. Countries which are members of the International Monetary Fund but whose relationship to other members of the International Monetary Fund in regard of currency is similar to that of countries which are not members of the International Monetary Fund may apply to the Executive Committee of the Association to be granted a status in regard of paragraph 3.1. above identical to that thereby accorded countries which are not members of the International Monetary Fund.
 

This page last time was updated on 14-June-2001
by Heinz-Peter Katlewski.

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