Constitution of the YA Studies Association 

Adopted on 5 June 2020

1) Name 

The YA Studies Association; the official abbreviation is YASA.  

2) Purpose

The purpose of the Association shall be to increase knowledge of and research on YA literature, media, and related fields and to encourage the cooperation of specialists, institutions, organisations, and individuals engaging with YA whether through research, teaching, or practice. As such the Association has two major aims. First, to foster an international community. Second, to promote rigorous engagement with YA that recognises the complexity, diversity and expansiveness of the field.

The Association shall work to meet this  purpose through the following:

  • a biennial conference 
  • the YA Critical Theory Reading Group and an adjacent YA Seminar Series,
  • a blog to review and analyse YA fiction and critical work in YA Studies, 
  • a social media presence, 
  • other projects and programmes fostering and supporting continued high standards in YA studies. 

3) Membership

Membership of the Association is open to individuals or organisations engaged in the research, teaching, or practice of YA literature, media, and related fields. It shall be acquired by written application.

  • Individuals and organisations may become members by writing to the Executive Board.
  • The Executive Board shall from time to time set rates of annual membership and classes of membership. 
  • All members may attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting and shall be eligible for election to the Executive Board or appointment to the Advisory Committee. 
  • To resign from the Association, it is sufficient to notify the Executive Board in writing. 
  • The committee may terminate the membership of any member (individual or organisation) behaving in such a way which may bring the Association into disrepute. Should the Member wish to appeal the termination they should submit their request in writing (including the grounds for their appeal) to the Executive Board no later than 14 days following their dismissal. Appeals will be reviewed at the next scheduled Executive Board Meeting.

4) Management

The Association shall be run and managed by an Executive Board and an Advisory Committee.

4.1) The day-to-day work of the Association will be carried out by an Executive Board.

  • All members of the Executive Board should be knowledgeable in the field of YA studies, have sufficient time and ability to undertake the responsibilities required of their role, have strong interpersonal skills, and be committed to the success of the Association.
  • Should any Board Member not fulfil the duties of their post, the President will provide written notice of improvements required within a timescale set at the discretion of the President. Should these reasonable improvements not be achieved without due cause being communicated by the Board Member, the President reserves the right to dismiss the board member from their post.
  • If any Board Member should act in a way which may bring the Association into disrepute, the President reserves the right to dismiss the Board Member from their post with immediate effect. Should the Board Member wish to appeal the dismissal they should submit their request in writing (including the grounds for their appeal) to the Executive Board no later than 14 days following their dismissal. Appeals will be reviewed at the next scheduled Executive Board Meeting.
  • The Executive Board may fill any casual vacancy through a simple majority of that Board. If the vote is tied, the President has the decisive vote. Any person thus appointed shall serve until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting at which Board Members are elected. 
  • This Board shall meet a minimum of four times per year; this may be done virtually. 
  • Decisions of the Executive Board are reached by simple majority vote. If the vote is tied, the President has the decisive vote. 

4.2) The Executive Board will consult with an Advisory Committee comprising specialists in the interdisciplinary field of YA Studies. 

  • Advisory Committee members shall be appointed by the Executive Board through a simple majority. 
  • Advisory Committee members shall have no voting rights beyond those of a General Member. 

5) Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The Annual General Meeting shall be held once a year in June and shall be no more than fifteen months after the holding of a preceding AGM. 

  • At least 21 days notice shall be given to all members. 
  • The AGM may take place virtually. 

The purpose of the AGM shall be to

  • Receive and adopt any accounts
  • Receive the Annual Report from the Executive Board
  • Elect members for the Executive Board
  • Discuss any other business proposed by members at least 7 days in advance of the AGM, excluding constitutional amendments which require at least 21 days notice (see section 8). 

6) Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM)

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called by the Executive Board whenever they feel it is necessary for the organisation.

  • All members will have at least 21 days notice of the meeting.
  • The Secretary-Treasurer shall call an EGM within 14 days of receiving a written request to do so signed by no less than ⅓ of all members. The notice of the meeting shall give details of the business to be discussed at the meeting. 
  • Only the business specified in the notice for the meeting shall be discussed at the EGM. 
  • EGM’s may take place virtually. 

7) Finances

Any income generated by the Association may only be used in the furtherance of the Purpose of the Association as set forth in this Constitution. No portion, therefore, shall be paid, transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise by way of profit to any member of the Association, Executive Board, or Advisory Committee.

  • The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the Association. 

8) Constitutional Amendment 

Amendment to this constitution may be made with the approval of at least two-thirds of those members attending and voting at an AGM or EGM. 

  • Amendments must be proposed by at least five General Members. Executive Board members and Advisory Committee members may act as General Members in the proposing of amendments. 
  • The Executive Board shall give notice to the General Membership at least 21 days before an AGM or EGM of the proposed amendment(s). 

9) Dissolution  

If the Executive Committee decides, by simple majority, that on the grounds of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association it shall call an EGM.

  • The decision must be confirmed at the EGM by a two-thirds majority of YASA members present and voting at such a meeting.
  • In such event, the Executive Board shall have the power to dispose of any assets held by or on behalf of the Association. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any debts and liabilities shall be given to other charitable organisation(s) with similar or complementary purposes.