IOP Groups

Constitution

Name

The name of the group shall be the “High Energy Particle Physics Group of The Institute of Physics”.

Definitions

In these rules:

• “The Group” means the High Energy Particle Physics Group of The Institute of Physics.

• “The Institute” means The Institute of Physics.

• “The Council” means the Council of the Institute.

• “Corporate Members” means Honorary Fellows, Fellows, Members and Fellows of the former Physical Society.

• “The Committee” means the committee of the Group.

Words importing the masculine gender only shall include the feminine gender and vice-versa.

Scope

The Group shall concern itself in all matters relating to fundamental particle physics and high energy physics.

Objects

The objects of the Group shall be:

• To hold meetings of members of the Group either independently or jointly with other bodies, for the reading and discussion of papers, for the delivery of lectures and for the discussion generally of subjects coming within the scope of the Group;

• To stimulate interest in the subjects falling within the scope of the Group;

• Generally to advance the science and technology of the subjects within the scope of the Group;

• To do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects.

Membership

Membership of the Group shall be open to Corporate and Non-Corporate Members and Subscribers of the Institute. Enrolment to membership of the Group shall be upon written application to the Institute, subject to such fees as may from time to time be imposed by the Council of the Institute.

The rights, privileges and obligations of every member of the Group shall be personal and shall not be transferable.

Cessation of membership

Any person ceasing to belong to one of the classes of membership mentioned in Rule 5 shall thereby cease to be a member of the Group.

Officers

The Officers of the Group shall be a Chairman and an Honorary Secretary (who shall also act as Honorary Treasurer) together with such other Officers as may from time to time be elected by the Group. In accordance with the Bylaws they must be Corporate members of the Institute, unless the Council otherwise determines. (Bylaw 83)

Committee

The Committee of the Group shall consist of the Honorary Officers named in the previous rules together with at least six and not more than eight other members of the Group duly elected in the manner hereinafter provided. In accordance with the Bylaws the majority of these members must be Corporate or Non-Corporate members of the Institute, unless the Council otherwise determines. The Committee shall be as representative of the various interests comprising the Group as is practicable.

Period of office for committee members

The Chairman and Honorary Secretary shall be elected for three years and they shall not be eligible for immediate re-election to the same office. At least two ordinary members of the Committee shall retire annually in rotation and they shall not be eligible for immediate re-election as ordinary members. No ordinary member of the Committee may serve continuously for a period of more than four years as an ordinary member.

Nominations for officers and committee

Vacancies for Officers and ordinary members of the Committee shall be filled by election at the Annual General Meeting of the Group. Nominations shall be proposed by not less than two members of the Group with the consent of the nominee and shall be sent to the Honorary Secretary at least four weeks before the meeting. The votes may be cast either at a General Meeting or, if three months notice by ten or more members of the Group is given, a postal ballot shall be held.

Co-option to the committee

The Committee shall have power to co-opt up to a maximum of two further members for a maximum of one year in each case. Co-opted members need not be members of the Institute of Physics provided that they are bona-fide members of a sister institute.

Quorum for committee meetings

At Committee meetings five members of the Committee, at least one of whom shall be an Officer, present in person, shall constitute a quorum.

Vacancies in the committee

Vacancies in the Committee arising as in Rule 9 shall be filled at the Annual General Meeting of the Group. The Committee shall also have power to fill casual vacancies arising from any other cause.

Annual General Meeting

A General Meeting of the Group shall be held in each calendar year. The Agenda for any Annual General Meeting shall be sent to all members of the Group at least two weeks before the Meeting.

Extraordinary General Meeting

An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Group shall be called by the Honorary Secretary of the Group on receipt of instructions from the Committee or of a written request, stating the objectives of the Meeting and signed by not less than twenty members of the Group. The Meeting shall take place within four weeks of the receipt by the Secretary of such instructions. The Agenda for any Extraordinary General Meeting shall be sent to all members of the Group at least one week before the meeting.

Quorum for general meetings

Fifteen members of the Group, present in person, shall constitute a quorum at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting.

Group meetings

Every member of the Group shall be entitled to attend its meetings and shall be entitled to introduce visitors, unless the Committee gives notice that this Rule shall not apply to any particular meeting.

Communications and liaison with outside bodies

In accordance with the Bylaws the Group shall not discuss with an outside body on any matter whatsoever beyond those concerning arrangements for meetings or the supply of technical information for the benefit of the members of the Group, without the express prior authority of the Council. (Bylaw 93)

Changes in the rules and adoption of rules

• This Constitution and these Rules have received the approval of the Council of the Institute and any alterations or additions adopted by the members of the Group shall not operate until they have received the approval of the Council. Alterations or additions to this Constitution and these Rules shall only be made at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose. Any proposed alterations or additions shall be set out in full in the notice calling the meeting. Such alterations or additions shall be approved for submission to the Council only if supported by the votes of two-thirds of the members present and voting at the meeting.

• The Group shall be subject on all things to the Institute's Charter of Incorporation and Bylaws.

• Where the Rules are silent, the decision of the Committee shall stand.

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