IAPSS General Assembly Participation Checklist
The IAPSS General Assembly and Elections will take place online on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 13:00 CEST (7:00 EDT).
The IAPSS General Assembly and Elections will take place online on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 13:00 CEST (7:00 EDT).
The IAPSS Legal Framework comprises IAPSS’ guiding documents that oversee how it operates. You should read through the Legal Framework before the General Assembly because you will be voting on amendments to it.
Bylaws are the most powerful of the documents that outline the basic organizational structures of IAPSS. They must be compliant with the law of Canada so there are limitations on what can be amended. Amendments must be passed by two thirds (2/3) of those present at a General Assembly.
Policies outline non-operational matters, like what stances IAPSS takes on political issues and the values it upholds. They require a majority General Assembly vote to amend.
Candidates must submit a CV and a platform statement to secgen@iapss.org by April 24, 2022, at 23:59 CEST (17:59 EDT). A platform statement is like a cover letter and should outline a candidate’s qualifications and what they would do if elected to the position they are running for. There are no length requirements or limitations. Candidates should keep in mind that the CV and platform statement they send will be posted online on this web page for all members to see, so they should not include any information they do not wish to be made public. At this time, all elected positions within IAPSS are voluntary and unpaid.
Each candidate must have an active IAPSS membership by the time the General Assembly starts. Memberships can be purchased here.
Each candidate shall be able to make a short statement to address the General Assembly and motivate their candidacy. After candidates for one of the positions give their statements, there will be time for members to ask questions.
After the question period, voting opens. Voting in elections is required to remain open for three (3) days as stipulated by IAPSS’ Bylaws.
The deadline for candidacies is April 24, 2022, at 23:59 CEST (17:59 EDT). Please submit your documents at secgen@iapss.org.
Make sure your CV is up-to-date, and your platform statement clearly outlines the goals for the next mandate. IAPSS members want to know why you’re running for your position, so concise and straightforward documents will help them to make a decision for whom to vote.
It is not recommended for candidates to run for multiple positions. Pick a position for which you’re the most qualified.
The deadline for motion submissions is April 24, 2022, at 23:59 CEST (17:59 EDT). All motions and applications must be sent to secgen@iapss.org. Motions for General Assembly will be posted by April 26, 2022.
Examples of Motions to Submit: proposed changes to the IAPSS Legal Framework, proposals for what IAPSS should do as an organization, topics the IAPSS membership should discuss
Examples of What Not to Submit: concerns with IAPSS of a personal nature, motions that do not align with the IAPSS Legal Framework and in particular the Code of Conduct, motions that do not align with the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. If a motion falls into any of these categories, there is a chance that it will be ruled out of order by the General Assembly chairperson and not be added to the General Assembly agenda.
1. Call to order
2. Approval of the Agenda and General Assembly Committee
3. Approval of the minutes of May 2021 Online General Assemblies – click here to access the minutes
4. Report of the IAPSS President (needs a vote to approve)
5. Report of the IAPSS Treasurer (needs a vote to approve)
a. Financial Statement 2021-2022
b. Draft Budget 2022-2023
6. Report of the IAPSS Advisory Board (needs a vote to approve)
7. Legal Framework Amendments and Motions – click here to access the Motions Package.
a. Motion 1: Ruling Personal Issue Motions Out of Order Automatically
b. Motion 2: Rules for National Associations within IAPSS
c. Motion 3: Rules for Student Research Committees (SRCs)
d. Motion 4: Limiting the Number of Positions One Can Run for in a Single IAPSS Election or By-Election to Two
e. Motion 5: Default currency used in the documents of IAPSS
f. Motion 6: GSG Membership
8. Elections – (candidate presentations, questions, and voting)
a. President
b. Secretary-General
c. Treasurer
d. Vice President for Academic Affairs
f. Vice President for Programs
g. Vice President for Public Relations
h. Advisory Board Members (3)
i. IAPSS Africa Chair
j. IAPSS Asia Chair
k. IAPSS Europe Chair
l. IAPSS Latin America and the Caribbean Chair
m. IAPSS Oceania Chair
n. IAPSS US and Canada Chair
9. Other Business
10. Adjournment
President
The IAPSS President leads the organization and the Executive Committee. They directly oversee the International Cooperation Department and represent IAPSS externally. They chair Executive Committee meetings. Commitment: 20 hours/week.
Secretary-General
The IAPSS Secretary General oversees IAPSS’ internal communications and democratic processes. They lead the Secretariat, which looks after the website, email accounts, and project management applications. They take minutes at Executive Committee meetings, organize General Assemblies and elections, ensure the IAPSS Legal Framework is followed, and oversee all matters pertaining to memberships. Expected commitment: 20 hours/week.
Treasurer
The IAPSS Treasurer oversees IAPSS’ finances and leads the Financial Administration Department. Key operations include managing IAPSS bank accounts, using accounting software to keep records of transactions, developing a budget for the year in conjunction with the other departments, and guiding the organization on all financial matters. Expected commitment: 20 hours/week.
Vice President for Academic Affairs
This position oversees the Academic Department, which includes two academic journals, one academic blog, and a dozen Student Research Committees. Key operations include helping organize IAPSS’ delegations to academic events of partner organizations and the academic aspects of IAPSS events and initiatives, such as reviewing and editing submissions. Expected commitment: 15 hours/week.
Vice President for Programs
This position oversees the Programs Department, which guides all IAPSS events and initiatives. Key responsibilities include helping organize event plans, coordinating between event teams and other IAPSS departments, and assisting with event implementation. Expected commitment: 15 hours/week.
Vice President for Public Relations
This position oversees the Public Relations Department and is responsible for all of IAPSS’ public relations and communications activities. Key responsibilities include managing social media and YouTube accounts, creating content, engaging students and promoting IAPSS around the world, engaging with media, drafting press releases, and responding to questions from members and external organizations. Expected commitment: 15 hours/week.
Advisory Board (3 Positions)
The Advisory Board ensures that IAPSS is functioning ethically, with accountability, and in accordance with its guiding documents and applicable laws. The Advisory Board also provides guidance to all aspects of the organization, audits the finances to the best of its ability, and makes rulings in certain internal disputes. Expected commitment: 5 hours/week.
IAPSS Africa Chair
This position oversees the entirety of IAPSS Africa, including its team, resources, strategies, and outreach. Key responsibilities include promoting engagement with students in the regions, organizing regional events and initiatives, and representing the regional association at Council of Regions meetings. Expected commitment: 15 hours/week.
IAPSS Asia Chair
This position oversees the entirety of IAPSS Asia, including its team, resources, strategies, and outreach. Key responsibilities include promoting engagement with students in the regions, organizing regional events and initiatives, and representing the regional association at Council of Regions meetings. Expected commitment: 15 hours/week.
IAPSS Europe Chair
This position oversees the entirety of IAPSS Europe, including its team, resources, strategies, and outreach. Key responsibilities include promoting engagement with students in the regions, organizing regional events and initiatives, and representing the regional association at Council of Regions meetings. Expected commitment: 15 hours/week.
IAPSS Latin America and the Caribbean Chair
This position oversees the entirety of IAPSS Latin America and the Caribbean, including its team, resources, strategies, and outreach. Key responsibilities include promoting engagement with students in the regions, organizing regional events and initiatives, and representing the regional association at Council of Regions meetings. Expected commitment: 15 hours/week.
IAPSS Oceania Chair
This position oversees the entirety of IAPSS Oceania, including its team, resources, strategies, and outreach. Key responsibilities include promoting engagement with students in the regions, organizing regional events and initiatives, and representing the regional association at Council of Regions meetings. Expected commitment: 15 hours/week.
IAPSS US and Canada Chair
This position oversees the entirety of IAPSS US and Canada, including its team, resources, strategies, and outreach. Key responsibilities include promoting engagement with students in the regions, organizing regional events and initiatives, and representing the regional association at Council of Regions meetings. Expected commitment: 15 hours/week.