GENERAL OBJECTIVE

1. Research Committee 28 on Social Stratification and Social Mobility (hereafter RC28) has been established in accordance with article 4 of the statutes of the International Sociological Association (hereafter ISA). Its general objectives are to promote high quality research on social stratification and social mobility, and the international exchange of scientific information in this field.

ACTIVITIES

2. To bring these objectives to realization, RC28 will carry out the following activities:

a) Organize sessions at the ISA's World Congresses of Sociology.
b) Publish a Newsletter, mailed to all members in good standing, to keep them informed of ongoing and planned activities.
c) Organize and sponsor additional international meetings, where stratification researchers come together to exchange information and collaborate.
d) Any other activities that promote the objectives of the RC28.

MEMBERSHIP

3. Any social scientist can be a member of the RC28, provided:

a) S/he has paid the applicable RC28 membership fee.
b) S/he has been accepted as a member by the RC Board, from which acceptance will not be unreasonably withheld.

4. RC28 members have the rights:

a) To vote for Board elections.
b) To propose themselves or others for Board membership.
c) To participate and vote in business meetings of the RC28.
d) To participate in all other activities of the RC28.
e) To receive the RC28 Newsletter.

BOARD

5. The Board shall consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 9 members, who will designate a President and a Secretary-Treasurer among themselves. No member of the Board can serve more than two consecutive terms, unless s/he serves extra terms as President or Secretary-Treasurer. The Board shall contain no more than three members from the same country. An effort shall be made to ensure a fair regional, national and gender representation, and also that each Board consists of some continuing and some new members. Board members should be nominated, above all, in recognition of their activity in RC28 and their contributions to stratification scholarship.

6. The duties of the Board are:

a) To organize the activities of the RC28.
b) To represent the RC28 in the ISA and elsewhere.
c) To manage the funds of the RC28.

7. Board meetings must be called by at least two members of the Board, at least one month before the meeting. A Board meeting can only take valid decisions if 2/3 of the Board members is present, or if an immediately preceding Board meeting has been called without reaching this quorum. Board decisions can also be taken by mail ballot among the Board members. The Board takes its decisions by simple majority.

8.

a) Elections to the Board will be held every four years, within the six months prior to each ISA World Congress. Terms begin and end at each World Congress.

b) Before each election, the outgoing Board designates an Election Committee consisting of at least two members in good standing, who are not candidates for election. The duties of the Election Committee are to receive nominations of candidates and to oversee the election.

c) Candidates for the Board may be any RC28 member in good standing, provided the candidacy is supported in writing by at least five members in good standing.

d) Only RC28 members in good standing have the right to vote.

e) Elections are conducted by mail ballot. Elections will be conducted even if the number of candidates does not exceed the number of positions to be filled. An opportunity for write-in candidates will be provided.

BUSINESS MEETING ASSEMBLY

9. A Business Meeting Assembly is held at least every four years, preferably at the World Congress. The meeting is chaired by the President of the RC28. Votes can only be cast by RC28 members in good standing who are present at the meeting. The duties of the Assembly are:

a) To evaluate and approve the four year report.
b) To discharge the outgoing Board of its responsibilities, including the financial statement.
c) To confirm the incoming Board.
d) To discuss and carry motions on any other point that may arise.
e) Decisions in a Business Meeting Assembly are taken by simple majority.

FUNDS

10. The RC will administer its own funds. Expenses are made by the board or by the Secretary-Treasurer on its behalf, pending authorization by the Board. A statement of financial affairs will be published in the Newsletter every four years. The outgoing Board needs to be discharged for their financial responsibilities by the Business Meeting Assembly.

11. The funds of the RC28 consists of:

• Membership fees from individual members.
  
• Subscriptions to the Newsletter.
  
• Revenues from conferences and other activities.
  
• ISA subventions.
  
• Donations, grants and other means.

12. The membership fees are:

US $80 - regular four-year membership.
US $20 - reduced four-year membership, for members from low-income countries, students and members in special needs.

The membership and conference fees are set by decision of the Board.

FINAL REGULATION

13. These statutes were adopted by the Business Meeting Assembly at ISA World Congress in Bielefeld, Germany, July 20th 1994. Changes in and amendments to these statutes must be proposed in writing by at least five RC28 members in good standing, and must be approved by two-thirds of the votes in a mail ballot or Business Meeting Assembly.