1 Name

The name of the Association shall be the Irish Academy of Management (hereinafter called “The Academy”).

2 Purpose and Power

a) The purpose of the Academy is to promote the advancement of research, knowledge, and education in the field of organisation and management studies. To further its purpose, the Academy pursues the following objectives:

1. To promote inter-disciplinary research and collaboration to produce an integrated body of knowledge and to serve as an inter-disciplinary forum for those engaged in academic examination of all types of organisation and management studies.

2. To further the development of education for both managers and students or organisations in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland.

b. In furtherance of the above purposes, but not further or otherwise, the Academy may:

1. Promote and organise co-operation in the achievement of the same, nationally, internationally and locally, and to that end may bring together in conference representatives of university and other educational organizations, industry and commerce, government departments and other individuals engaged in the furtherance of the same.

2. Publish, or collaborate in the publication of a research-based journal, to be called the Irish Journal of Management, which shall be available to members of the Academy and non-members alike.

3. Promote and carry out or assist in promoting and carrying out research, surveys and investigations and publish results thereof.

4. Arrange and provide for or join in arranging and providing for the holding of exhibitions, meetings, conferences, lecturers, seminars, special interest groups, awards and newsletters.

5. Collect and disseminate information on all matters affecting the above purposes and exchange such information with other bodies having similar purposes whether in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland or elsewhere.

6. Cause to be written and printed, publish, issue and circulate gratuitously or otherwise such papers, books, periodicals, pamphlets or other documents or films as shall further the above purposes.

7. Purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and any rights and privileges necessary for the promotion of the said purposes, and construct, maintain and alter any buildings or erections necessary for the work of the Academy.

8. Subject to such consents as may be required by law sell, let, mortgage, dispose of or in turn account all or any of the property or assets of the Academy.

9. Accept gifts and subject to such consents as may be required by law borrow or raise money for the purposes of the Academy on such terms and on such security as shall be thought fit.

10. Procure contributions to the Academy by personal or written appeals, public meetings or otherwise provided that the Academy shall not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising funds for its charitable purposes.

11. Invest the moneys of the Academy not immediately required for its purposes in or upon such investment, securities or property as may be thought fit, subject nevertheless to such conditions (if any) as may for the time being be imposed or required by law.

12. Employ such persons and on such conditions as the Council shall from time to time determine.

13. Do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the said purposes.

3 Membership

a. Eligibility

Membership of the Academy is open to academic members of staff and postgraduate research students of Commerce, Business, Management and Social Science faculties in Universities or other institute of third level education, together with others who are concerned with the development and sharing of a research-knowledge base for all business and management subjects dealing with all types of organizations be they statutory, voluntary, or commercial.

b. Categories of Membership

There shall be three categories of membership of the Academy, namely:

  1. Academic/research members of staff in Universities or other institutes of Third Level education and/or research together with others concerned with developing and sharing a research-knowledge base including retired members;
  2. Registered research students, full-time and part-time who are not also full time employees of any Commerce or Business or any Social Science or Management Faculty;
  3. Fellows of the Academy may be appointed subject to the criteria laid down by the Council.

c. Applications for Membership

Applications for membership shall be in a form approved by the Council and will be subject to acceptance by the Council who may delegate their powers in this respect to a Management Committee or a sub-committee thereof.

d. Period of Membership

Membership shall normally commence from 1st September to 31st August. At their discretion, the Management Committee may allow a longer period of membership for those joining the Academy for the first time.

e. Termination of Membership

Subscriptions are due on 1st September. If payment has not been received by 30th September, membership will be deemed to have been terminated. For paid up members, termination may either be at the written request of the member or the Council (via the Management Committee) may terminate membership provided that the member concerned shall have been informed of the proposal to terminate membership and shall have been given a reasonable opportunity to make written representations to the Council before a decision is made.
A member has no call on the common funds in case of termination.

4 Organisation structures, meeting and voting

1. The organisational structure of the Academy shall consist of a general meeting, a Council, and five officers. These officers will be a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and a Membership Officer.

2. Members of the Council may elect a President of the Academy who will have no executive powers.

3. A general meeting of the Academy will be held to coincide with the Annual Conference. A quorum in this context shall constitute 10% of paid up members of the Academy subject to a minimum of 3. If the meeting is not quorate then the Council will have the right to act until the next general meeting with all the powers of the general meeting other than to change the constitution of the Academy.

4. A special general meeting may be called in exceptional circumstances by the Council, or at the request of at least 20% of the paid up members.

5. Voting on issues at the general meeting shall be by paid up members who are present and shall be by simple majority except when the provisions of this constitution require a majority of two thirds. There will be no proxy votes. All classes of membership shall have only one vote.

5 The council

1. The conduct of the affairs of the Academy shall be under the supervision of the Council which shall establish the policy of the Academy.

2. The Council shall consist of up to fifteen members elected by the members of the academy (and from whom the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected in accordance with clause 6.6 below).

3. The Council will meet normally not less than once a year. The quorum at meetings of the Council shall be three or one third of the Council whichever is the greater.

4. The Council shall have power to co-opt up to 8 additional members. In making such co-options the Council shall take account of the balance of representation on the Council. A co-opted member shall hold office until the annual general meeting following appointment but may be re-appointed for one further year.

6 Elections to the council

1. The Council shall be elected by a vote of paid up members of the Academy. Terms of office shall begin on 1st January for elected members and last for three years.

2. Nominations for the Council require a proposer. The proposer should obtain the agreement of the person he or she wishes to nominate.

3. Nominations should be received by the Chairperson and copied to the Secretary by 31st October. Nominations should include a short biographical note on the nominated person. These biographical notes shall be circulated to all members and votes returned to the Chairperson and Secretary before the deadline. Members will have as many votes as there are positions to fill on the Council.

4. The elections will be conducted under the supervision of a person independent of the Irish Academy of Management.

5. The Council will elect its officers namely The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, and Membership Officer from its number. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson may serve for a maximum of three years.

7 The Management Committee

1. The Management Committee shall undertake the day-to-day management of the Academy according to the policy laid down by the Council.

2. It shall have the powers to act on behalf of the Council subject to their approval. The Management Committee shall report in writing annually to the Council.

3. The Management Committee shall consist of the five elected officers members selected by and from the Council. Such elections will normally be held at a meeting of the Council during September and they will be conducted in accordance with rules which the Council may from time to time prescribe.

4. The Management Committee may co-opt in order to fill any vacancies which may arise and this state of affairs will hold until the next election. In addition the Management Committee may co-opt up to four additional members who shall hold office until the next election of members by the Council.

8 Finances

1. All monies raised by or on behalf of the Academy shall be applied to further the purposes of the Academy and not otherwise provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the payment in good faith of reasonable and proper remuneration to any employee of the Academy (not being a member of the Council) or the repayment of reasonable and proper out-of-pocket expenses.

2. Membership fees shall be reviewed by the Council and any changes must be submitted to the general meeting for approval.

3. The financial business of the Academy will be dealt with through the Treasurer.

4. The financial year of the Academy will be 1st January to 31st December.

5. Annual accounts shall be prepared and submitted to the members by the Council at the annual general meeting of the Academy.

6. The Council will appoint an external auditor who will submit annual audit reports on the finances of the Academy.

7. A Bank Account shall be opened in the name of the Academy with such Bank as the Council shall from time to time decide. The Council shall authorise in writing the Treasurer, the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and one member of the Management Committee to sign cheques on behalf of the Academy. All cheques must be signed by not less than two of the four authorised signatories.

9 Sub committees

The Management Committee may appoint sub-committees of their number (or of their number and other persons) as they shall think fit and shall determine the terms of reference, powers and duration of any such sub-committee. The acts and proceedings of any such sub-committee shall be reported to the Management Committee and no expenditure shall be incurred by any such sub-committee on behalf of the Academy except in accordance with a budget approved by the Management Committee.

10 Property

The title of all real or personal property which may be acquired by or on behalf of the Academy shall be vested in not less than two or not more than four individuals as holding trustees or in some corporation entitled to act as a holding trustee.

11 Amendments

1. Amendments to this constitution may be proposed at the general meeting by the Council and/or 20% of the paid up membership and shall be mailed to the membership for their consideration at least 60 days prior to the annual general meeting. Any change will require the support of a two thirds majority of those present and voting.

2. Members unable to attend the general meeting may communicate their views at least 30 days prior to the general meeting in writing to the Chair, who must transmit them to the general meeting prior to voting.

3. No amendment shall be made to Clause 2(a), clause 12 or this clause without the written consent of the Revenue Commissioners (if required) and no amendment shall be made which would cause the Academy to cease to be a charity.

12 Dissolution

If the Council by a simple majority decide at any time that on the ground of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Academy it shall call a meeting of all members of the Academy who have the power to vote of which meeting not less than 21 days’ notice (stating the terms of the Resolution to be proposed thereat) shall be given. If such decision shall be confirmed by a simple (two-thirds) majority of those present and voting at such meeting the Council shall have power to dispose of any assets held by or on behalf of the Academy. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Academy as the Council may determine.

Updated 3 September 2013