Notice of the 2024 Annual General Meeting

ANNOUNCEMENT of THE FIFTY NINTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of THE REGIONAL STUDIES ASSOCIATION

(Company no. 4116288 Charity no. 1084165)

The Regional Studies Association invites you to attend its 59^thAnnual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday 6^th November 2024 at 4 pm London time. This meeting will be held online using Zoom software to accommodate global membership attendance. This meeting is open to RSA members whose membership is current at the time of the meeting.

Any RSA member is entitled to appoint another person as their proxy to exercise all or any of their rights to attend, speak and vote at the Association’s AGM. If you have any questions about appointing a proxy, you are welcome to email the RSA at office@regionalstudies.org. If you appoint a proxy for this meeting, please notify the RSA by email at office@regionalstudies.org to assist with security checks prior to the meeting.

The agenda can be viewed RSA AGM Announcement 2024.

BOARD SUCCESSION

Election of the 2024/2025 Association Board

The Articles of Association permit a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 12 Trustees who are also the company directors. Each of these must be either a member of the Association in their own name or the employee of a corporate member. The Board also has some powers of co-option and has approved some observers.

The present Board can be found here

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Board membership is critical to the success of the Regional Studies Association. It is only with the volunteer assistance of members of the regional studies community on the Board that the RSA can fulfil its objectives, which are:

to promote education in the field of regional studies through the exchange of ideas and information; and
to stimulate and aid studies and research into regional planning, development and functions; and
to disseminate the results of such research.

Ahead of this year’s AGM we are inviting nominations for up to three Board vacancies.

Trustees are responsible for the strategic oversight and governance of the RSA and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

ensuring that the charity complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association;
ensuring that the charity complies with all relevant company law;
guiding strategic direction;
monitoring operational performance;
developing risk management strategies;
managing the Association’s resources;
approving the Annual Report;
managing funding and investment strategies;
advising on matters within a Board member’s knowledge and experience particularly in the context of specific Board portfolios; and
ensuring the Association’s compliance with all relevant legislative frameworks governing the charitable sector.

Board members require strategic insight, sound independent judgement and a commitment to delivering the vision of the RSA in particularly challenging economic and political times. They must also possess the ability and willingness to work together respectfully, collegiately, and collaboratively.

In addition to the ability to fulfil the above responsibilities, new Trustees should possess a broad range of skills, experience, and understanding in the following areas:

Legal (including charity, company, employment, health and safety);
Finance;
Corporate social responsibility;
Diversity and equality; and
Membership growth and development.

The Board particularly welcomes nominations from global minority members.

If elected, Trustees also become a company director of the RSA. Read the following guidance before applying, in order to fully understand the role and the commitment:

The role will require a minimum attendance at meetings twice a year (virtually and/or in person), as well as additional meetings and consideration of business by email and other media as required. Most Board members hold responsibility for a portfolio of work.

Members who are interested in Board positions may contact Alan Kinder at the RSA office (+44 (0)1273 698017) or Neil Lee (through the office) to discuss this. The Board will consider its requirements for co-options and observers at or prior to its meeting in November 2024.

Any nominations should be sent by email to Alan.Kinder@regionalstudies.org by Wednesday 9^th October 2024.

Find the nomination form at RSA AGM Announcement 2024.