Constitution

AULRE constitution 

The organisation shall be known by the title the Association of University Lecturers in Religion and Education 

A: Core Statement

AULRE exists to support the academic community of those involved in researching and teaching at the interface of religion and education, including those involved in initial and continuing teacher education in religious education in the United Kingdom.

B: Aims

The association is concerned with all aspects of the interface between religion and education including:

  • Links between religious education and disciplines such as the academic study of religion, theology, philosophy, ethics, education studies and other associated disciplines
  • Religious Education and Religious Studies in all schools and colleges
  • Learning and teaching in theology, religious studies and associated disciplines in colleges and universities 
  • The professional development and initial teacher education of teachers of religious education and associated disciplines
  • The enhancement of public knowledge and understanding of religion and religious education

C: Objectives

The objectives of the Association are:

  • To support scholars and practitioners in the field
  • To facilitate communication between members
  • To support the development and dissemination of research at the interface of religion and education
  • To contribute via membership of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales, the Professional RE group (PREG) and other mechanisms to the development of local and national policies and practices
  • To promote dialogue between scholars in religious education 
  • To establish wider national and international links in Religion and Education

 

D: Methods of working

The aims of AULRE are achieved via:

  • The annual conference
  • The Journal of Beliefs and Values
  • The work of the Executive Committee
  • Cooperation with and membership of committees on appropriate governmental, academic and educational bodies
  • Dissemination of good practice, news and information via communications and the website

E: Membership

Individual Academic membership is open to all working in or with experience of Higher Education settings who support the core statement and the aims of the organisation. 

Honorary membership may be granted to members who make a distinctive contribution working in the area of the core statement and the aims of the organisation

Professional membership is open to RE professionals in education settings or work other than UK Higher education who support the core statement and the aims of the organisation.

Student membership is for any student in Higher Education who supports the core statement and the aims of the organisation

An annual membership fee will be charged to all members excluding those in receipt of Honorary membership. Student membership is offered at a reduced rate.

All members have access to any membership area of the website of AULRE, inclusion on the AULRE mailing list for news and events. Individual Academic members and Professional members receive 

the linked journal – the Journal of Beliefs and Values.

F: Structure

1: Annual General Meeting

There will be an Annual General Meeting which ordinarily takes place during the Annual Conference, and to which all members are invited. Decisions at the AGM are taken by vote, either in person or proxy. All individual members have voting rights. Matters pertaining to the constitution must be passed by a two-thirds majority of those voting, other matters by a simple majority. In the matter of a tied vote the Chair has the casting vote. The agenda of the AGM will include:

  • A report from the Chair
  • A report from the Vice-Chair
  • A report from the Membership Secretary
  • A report from the Treasurer
  • A report from the website officer
  • Reports from the regional officers
  • Other reports as expedient 

The offices of Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Membership Secretary/Treasurer and two other members are elected for three year terms at the AGM. These officers along with others will form the executive committee. 

The Executive Chair will ordinarily be the previous Chair, confirmed by the Executive at the AGM. The Executive may elect an Executive Chair if the previous Chair leaves the association or declines the position of Executive Chair. The Executive Chair is confirmed or elected for three years.

2: Executive Committee

The executive committee is responsible for the day-to-day running of the association and will meet twice between the annual conference and at other times in extraordinary circumstances. Chair, Vice-chair and Secretary represent AULRE on the Religious Education Council of England and Wales. The executive committee consists of the following:

Elected Members:         The Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, two further officers including BERA liaison officer.

Ex-Officio Members:     Webkeeper, Scottish Representative, Northern Irish Representative, Welsh Representative, representative of or link with the Editorial Board of the Journal of Beliefs and Values.

Executive Member:       The Executive Chair

The executive may also co-opt other members for specific purposes, for example the local organiser of the Annual Conference.

G: Roles of the officers of the executive committee

Chair:                  The Chair is the first point of contact for external organisations S(he) will chair the executive committee and the AGM. The Chair will represent AULRE on external bodies unless this is delegated to other members of the executive. The Chair will sit on the PREG group on behalf of the organisation. S(he) will present a report at each executive meeting and AGM.

Vice-Chair          The Vice-chair will assume the roles and responsibilities of the Chair when the Chair is not available. S(he) will present a report at each executive meeting and AGM.

Secretary            The Secretary will prepare the agendas and the papers for meetings and will take minutes at meetings, unless this is delegated to another member of the Executive. (S)he will be responsible for communications and the papers of AULRE. S(he) will present a report at each executive meeting and AGM.

Treasurer /Membership Secretary:

                            The Treasurer/Membership Secretary will prepare and administer the finances of AULRE.  (S)he will maintain transparent and open accounts and be responsible for the administration and payment of bills as these become necessary. (S)he will present a report at each Executive, Board and General Assembly meeting. S(he) will maintain a membership list and will send reminders of subscriptions to members each year. S(he) will present a report at each executive meeting and AGM.

Webkeeper:        The webkeeper shall maintain the website and associated databases. S(he) will facilitate and develop methods of efficient communications and mechanisms for collaboration. S(he) will present a report at each executive and General Assembly meeting.

BERA Liaison Officer:

                            This postholder will be responsible for liaising with the British Education Research Association’s Special Interest Group on Religious Education. 

 

H: Dissolution of the Association 

A meeting of the AGM may decide to dissolve AULRE; if no AGM is scheduled then an electronic vote of all members may agree to dissolve the organisation. A two-thirds majority will be needed to dissolve the organisation.

In the event of dissolution the current executive will be responsible for the affairs of AULRE, the archiving of documentation and the closing of accounts. Any funding left over from AULRE will be (i) transferred to the replacement organisation if this comes into being or (ii) shall be given to a charity of the executive’s choosing.