ARTICLE I.

The Research Committee 38 "Biography and Society" has been established as a Research Committee of the International Sociological Association in accordance with Article XI of the Statutes of the ISA.

Its purposes are:

1. to help develop a better understanding of the relations between individual lives, the social structures and historical processes within which they take shape and which they contribute to shape, and the individual accounts of biographical experience (such as life stories or autobiographies);
2. to promote meetings in this field at national, regional and international levels;
3. to circulate information about advances in this field, whether in sociology or in other disciplines;
4. and develop links among all scholars working in this domain.

ARTICLE III. ACTIVITIES

The RC38 will carry out the following activities:

1. publish a newsletter, at least twice a year;
2. keep the members informed of ongoing and planned activities;
3. organize sessions at the ISA World Congress of Sociology. It may sponsor national, regional or international conferences;
4. organize at least one mid-term conference between ISA World Congresses;
5. any other activities that promote the objectives of the RC 38.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP IN RC 38

Members can be individuals or institutions.
Membership dues are decided upon by the RC Board and are paid for a period of four years.
In order to facilitate participation in the RC's activities, a reduced level of dues will be proposed to scholars from countries of category B and C and students.
Membership rights empower the members in good standing:

1. to vote

Membership rights empower all members:

1. to be informed of the various scientific activities that the RC organizes or sponsors
2. to receive the Bulletin of RC 38 free of charge.

ARTICLE V. GOVERNING BODIES OF RC 38

The governing bodies of the RC38 are:

1. the General Assembly
2. the Board

The General Assembly is made up of all members in good standing. It should assemble at least once every four years, at the World Congress of Sociology.
The Board is made up of one President, one Secretary, and up to twenty members who have specific responsibilities (e.g. Treasurer, Vice-President). An effort will be made to ensure a fair regional and national representation.
The Board should meet at World Congresses and at least once between World Congresses.

ARTICLE VI. ELECTORAL PROCEDURES IN RC 38

Before the elections the board members are asked for nominations of board members and the president, encouraging a fair regional and gender balance of candidates. Only members of good standing may stand as candidates.
The President and the Board members are elected by the General Assembly at the business meeting at the World Congress. If less than twenty five members are present at the General Assembly, then a mail ballot needs to be organized. A mail ballot may also be organized if more than one third of the RC constituency asks for it; in which case the ballot's result will take precedence over any other ballot.

The President is elected for four years. No President can stay in office for more than two terms in a row.
The Board, once elected, will set some of its members other tasks (Executive Secretary, Vice-President, Treasurer).
The naming of the delegate and alternate to the Research Council is based on a decision of the board members.
Inactive board members (ones who do not respond or ones who do not maintain their ISA and RC memberships throughout the mandate) can be relegated from office by a two third majority of the board. With the agreement of the board, the president can fill vacancies until the next official election.

ARTICLE VII.

It is the responsibility of the President that a newsletter is regularly produced, that workshops and/or conferences are organized, and generally speaking to enhance the RC's dynamism and compliance to ISA rules.
If the president does not carry out the presidential responsibilities, to depose him/her from office the board members have to pass a unanimous resolution.

ARTICLE VIII.

Amendments to the Statutes need to be voted by a two third majority of the votes of the board members. In case of conflict, a mail ballot that involves the whole RC constituency shall take precedence.