I. The Research Committee on Social Movements and Social Classes is referred to hereinafter as RC47

II. NATURE OF RC47

i. RC47 has been established in accordance with Article Four of the ISA statutes adopted in August 1993

ii. RC47 raises its funds by levying a subscription on its members, and in other ways

iii. RC47 administers its funds in accordance with Article Four of the ISA Statutes

III. OBJECTIVES OF RC47

The objectives of the RC47 are:

i. to promote the development of theory and research in the sociology of collective action and structural determinants of social movements and social classes

ii. to create an international community among scholars in the field of sociology collective action and structural determinants of social movements and social classes

IV. ACTIVITIES OF RC47

The activities of RC47 in pursuit of these objectives include, among other things,

i. the publication of a Newsletter and a membership list

ii. the promotion of conferences and similar activities

iii. the provision of travel grants to members through ISA

iv. the promotion of comparative research

v. the encouragement of research networks and exchanges of information

vi. the encouragement of publications related to RC 47 activities and conferences

V. MEMBERSHIP

i. Membership is open to all individuals and institutions working in the field of the sociology of collective action and structural determinants of movements and social classes

ii. Membership entitles members

- to receive the RC47 Newsletter and such other publications as RC47 may issue
- to obtain at reduced cost any publications on which RC47 has negotiated special rates for members
- to vote at the General Meeting of RC47

iii. Members are obliged

- to observe the statutes of RC47
- to carry out conscientiously any tasks entrusted to them by the General Meeting or other competent bodies of RC47
- to pay membership fees at the rates which are periodically fixed by the officers or Board of RC47 (These rates may include free membership.)

VI. OFFICERS

i. The officers of RC47 are at present the President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary-Treasurer and Newsletter Editors

ii. The officers of RC47 shall carry out conscientiously the tasks entrusted to them by the members and Board of RC47

iii. Among the tasks of the officers are :

- to be responsible for communications with the ISA
- to be responsible for preparing a scientific programme for RC47 at the World Congress of Sociology
- to foresee the preparation and organization of RC47 conferences between World Congresses of Sociology
- to arrange the General Meeting of RC47
- to maintain a bank account
- to execute all decisions and be responsible for the running of RC47 between General Meetings
- to submit written reports on their activities at each General Meeting of RC47. These shall include reports on the Research Committee's activities, its Newsletter and its financial position

iv. The number of officers may be increased or decreased in order to maximise the effectiveness of the work of RC47

v. Decisions on the number of officers shall be made either at the General Meeting, or, between General Meetings by the officers

vi. Officers shall be elected at the General Meeting, see Art. VII

vii. If any officer resigns or is unable to serve, then the remaining officers, with the advice of the Board, shall appoint a replacement

VII. THE GENERAL MEETING

i. A general meeting of RC47 shall be held during each World Congress of Sociology

ii. Its functions are

a. to receive reports on the work of RC47 since the last general meeting
b. to elect the Board and officers of RC47
c. to give guidance regarding the work of RC47, by passing resolutions or by other means

VIII. THE BOARD OF RC47

i. The Board consists of

- president, vice-presidents (2), secretary-treasurer
- the elected officers responsible of the NL
- six elected ordinary members

ii. The elected members of the Board of RC47 shall be elected as detailed in Art. IX

iii. In accordance with Article 4.6 of the ISA Constitution, every member of the RC47 Board shall be a member of the ISA

iv. Any change in the number of elected members on the Board shall be decided at the General Meeting but before the election takes places

v. The officers shall be entitled to co-opt up to two members between General Meetings

vi. In the case of resignation or inability to serve of a Board member, the officers have the power to co-opt a replacement

vii. The functions of the Board are:

- to promote all the activities of RC47
- to give advice to the officers on any matter

IX. ELECTORAL PROCEDURES FOR THE ELECTED OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF RC47

i. The election for Elected Officers and Board Members shall take place at the General Meeting as far as possible, elected officers should represent various regions of the world sociological community

ii. All RC47 members in good standing and present at the General Meeting shall be eligible to vote

iii. All nominations must be submitted to the President 12 hours before the start of the General Meeting. Nomination papers must bear the signatures of three RC47 members in good standing other than the nominee

iv. If no nominations have been received in time, the officers of RC47 shall be empowered to nominate officers and members of the Board

v. The quorum for the General Meeting shall be 20 members

vi. If the General Meeting is inquorate the officers, advised by the Board, shall designate a new Board and officers

vii. Voting shall be by secret ballot

viii. In the election for ordinary elected members the n persons receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. The figure n is identical to the number of ordinary members elected at the previous General Meeting, unless it has been changed by a motion passed subsequently. In the event of a tie, the choice among those receiving the same number of votes shall be decided by lot

X. AMENDMENT OF STATUTES

i. Any motion to amend the statutes shall be sent to the Newsletter Editors for publication in the RC47 Newsletter

ii. Such motions should have the signatures of ten members of RC47 in good standing

iii. Motions to amend the statutes will be considered at the General Meeting of the RC47, and come into effect if supported by a simple majority of those present