Governance

The Operations Officer is responsible for administering the election of Trustees and Office-Bearers, Council members, Young People’s Convenor, Curator, Audit and Risk Convenor and Foundation Convenor.

The Vice Presidents for Economy and Enterprise, Education, International, Public Engagement and Research are ex officio convenors of their respective committees. The Treasurer is ex officio convenor of the Finance and Resources Committee. Other committee convenors are appointed by Council.

• Council is responsible for appointing members of committees. Council is advised by the committees themselves and the Diversity and Skills Panel and draws on the knowledge of committee secretariats.
• Committee secretariats are responsible for ensuring that records of committee membership are accurate.
• Committee secretaries should refer to the Committee Directory for the most up-to-date version of committee remits as agreed by Council.
• Council is responsible for appointing members of committees.
• There is an annual call for volunteers each year following the Council elections.
• Volunteers fill a short Expression of Interest form to demonstrate their experience and qualifications.
• Committee convenors are then consulted as to the volunteers they would recommend bearing in mind that most committees have no fixed maximum membership. The Diversity and Skills Panel provides data on diversity and may make recommendations.
• Council approves the final list of committee members, who take office on 1 April of the relevant year and serve for four years.
• Members may serve for a further term, with the approval of Council. In that case, an Expression of Interest form is not required.
• Committee secretariats are responsible for ensuring that records of committee membership are accurate.
• Membership of all committees is posted on the RSE website.
• The President and General Secretary may attend the meetings of any committee.
• Any Office-Bearer may attend a meeting of any committee by invitation of the respective committee convenor.

• This process can be used for standing committees, section committees and one-off, short-life committees.
• The Operations Officer can provide guidance on the process.
• Secretariat, in discussion with Convenor, to finalise the Expression of Interest Form.
• Secretariat to agree with the Convenor if a CV is required.
• Secretariat, in discussion with Convenor, to finalise the Skills Audit Form.
• It is generally recommended that calls for committee members are open to all Fellows, unless there is a reason to restrict this to a sub-section of the Fellowship (e.g. discipline-specific committees)
• It may also be appropriate to make direct approaches to individual Fellows with particular expertise, but they should be advised that they will be required to complete the agreed paperwork, and will be considered alongside any other expressions of interest.
• There is no set timescale, but care should be given to allow sufficient time for Fellows to complete the required paperwork, and for the selection process to be undertaken.
• Committee terms will normally be of four years. There will be an annual round of committee appointments following the Council elections. Council may also agree to appoint committee members during the year where that is appropriate.
• Secretariat, in discussion with Convenor, to agree the selection process. For Committee members it is normally not necessary to hold interviews. Committees will recommend candidates to Council for appointment, but Council is not bound by these recommendations.
• Secretariat responsible for updating Civi to reflect these decisions
• Secretariat responsible for providing new members with any appropriate induction materials
• Membership of all committees should be posted on the RSE website.
• The President and General Secretary may attend the meetings of any committee.
• Any Office-Bearer may attend a meeting of any committee by invitation of the respective committee convenor.

The RSE Scotland Foundation is a charitable body connected to the RSE that publishes academic journals on our behalf and manages our prestigious venue hire.

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