Mandate
1. The purpose of the WG is to advance and promote the
research on massive stars and related fields. The main
activities of the WG include but are not restricted to
promoting and organizing major scientific initiatives,
such as observational or theoretical programs or data
archives, proposing minor and major conferences, and
generating and distributing a periodic newsletter. The
WG on Massive Stars is a working group within Division IV
of the International Astronomical Union.
Definitions
2.
"G2 Member" means any individual
who is listed in the membership list of the WG on Massive
Stars.
"Organizing Committee (OC)" means a subset
of the WG elected by its members.
"Chairperson of the G2" means the appointed chair of the
G2.
Composition and Appointment
3. Membership in the WG is open to any holder of a scientific
degree or who is currently enrolled in an accredited
university or a comparable scientific institution. Membership
can be requested by contacting any OC member.
4. Membership in the OC is open to anybody who is a member of both the WG
and the IAU.
5. The Organizing Committee is usually comprised of ten
(10) members, including the Chairperson. The number of
OC members shall be at least eight (8) and not more than
eleven (11) at any time.
Terms of Appointment
6. The term of election for each OC member, including the
Chairperson, is three (3) years.
7. OC members, including the Chairperson, may serve for more than one term.
After completion of their first term, OC members will be offered an
automatic renewal of their term. OC members who have served for two or more
terms may serve for additional terms if they are nominated and re-elected.
Elections and Vacancies of the OC
8. The OC shall hold regular elections to fill vacancies in
the committee. The elections shall normally be held every
three (3) years. If a vacancy arises, an election shall be
held as needed.
9. All WG members are eligible to vote.
10. Candidates may be nominated by any WG member.
Self-nominations are permitted.
11. The OC shall review the diversity of the nominated
candidates prior to an election. Additional nominations
shall be solicited if the candidates are not a fair
representation of the WG membership body.
12. A vacancy in the OC created by death or resignation
will be filled during the next upcoming election.
Chairperson
13. The OC members will appoint a Chairperson from amongst
themselves by a simple majority vote.
14. The Chairperson is appointed for one (1) term and is
subject to the Terms of Appointment 6, 7, and 8.
15. If after expiration of her/his term the Chairperson is
not re-elected to the OC, he/she shall remain an OC member
for one (1) additional year.
Schedules and Procedures
16. The OC will hold regular meetings. Meetings with a physical
presence of the majority of the OC shall be held at least every
three years. In addition, the OC will meet by telecon or the
Internet at least twice a year. The Chairperson will distribute
minutes to the WG members.
17. The default means of communication between the OC members
(other than stated under 16) is via the Internet.
18. The OC is responsible for producing and distributing the
Massive Star Newsletter to the WG members. There shall be at
least six (6) issues per year. The editor of the newsletter
shall be appointed by the members of the OC.
19. Communication from the OC to the WG members will be via
the Newsletter, or via email if required.
20. WG members are encouraged to contact OC members electronically
at any time.
Changes to the By-Laws
21. The OC may make changes to the by-laws. Changes shall be
ratified by supporting votes from 2/3 (two-thirds) of the OC members.
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