Disney, Culture and Society Research Network Constitution

Ratified: 26 June 2024

Name
1. The name of the Association is the Disney, Culture and Society Research Network, with the shortened title of DisNet (hereinafter referred to as DisNet or the Association).
2. It is an international and interdisciplinary research network that champions and advances the research and teaching of Disney Studies in higher education and in other industries.
Aims and Objectives
1. To champion, advance and promote the field of Disney Studies within wider academia and higher education.
2. To provide an inclusive international forum where international scholars from a range of disciplines can discuss and collaborate on research and pedagogy.
3. To provide a forum for early, mid and senior career support and professional development.
4. To disseminate research to the wider public and industry.
5. To promote interdisciplinary scholarship and connections between academics and industry professionals.
6. To promote the discipline at national and international levels through liaising with other relevant institutions and businesses to provide a space of collaboration at national and international levels.

Status
1. DisNet is an unincorporated association.
2. DisNet is an unincorporated organisation that has been set up through its volunteers. It does not seek to make a profit, with all and any additional funds being used to further the research network.
3. The Association is independent of any other institution and/or organisation/company and is designed to represent its members and advance Disney Studies as an academic field.
4. The Association is in no way associated with or representative of the Walt Disney Company, nor any of its affiliates or other intellectual properties.
Membership
1. Membership is available to individuals on the payment of an annual members’ subscription fee.
2. Membership of the Association will be open to all scholars, independent scholars, students and industry professionals, regardless of nationality, political or religious beliefs, race, gender, sexuality, disability, who accept the aims of the Association. The Association will uphold the diversity of members’ viewpoints and lived experiences.
3. The total membership in the Association will not be limited.
4. All persons who assist in any way with the Association’s activities must become members of the Association.
5. Membership will not be refused unless there is good and sufficient cause (including but not limited to conduct and character).
6. The Executive Committee has the right to relinquish membership of any member for gross misconduct, as outlined in the DisNet Code of Conduct.
7. Any member may be expelled from membership by way of a resolution passed by majority vote at a general meeting (as pursuant to section 11 of this constitution) providing at least 21 days’ notice of the proposed resolution has been given, in writing, to the member concerned. The member will be entitled to be heard on the resolution at the general meeting at which the resolution is proposed.

Subscription and Other Fees
1. Upon recommendation of the Treasurer, the Executive Committee shall make proposals as to the rate of annual subscription fees and which will subsequently be determined at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
2. The annual members’ subscription fee shall be due on joining the Association and on 1 August thereafter.
3. Any member whose subscription is unpaid by the date falling 30 days after the due date for payment may be suspended by the Executive Committee from some or all Association activities and deemed not a member of the Association until such payment is made.
4. Individuals will cease to be members without refund by not renewing their membership each year, or if they inform the Head of Mentoring and Membership in writing.
5. The Executive Committee has the authority to impose additional fees to be at a rate upon recommendation of the Treasurer. Additional fees may contribute to, but is not limited to, event attendance and conference attendance.
Structure
1. Between AGM, the day-to-day business of the Association shall be carried out by an elected Executive Committee, described in detail in section seven.
2. The Principal Editors of the International Journal of Disney Studies (or a representative from the journal’s Editorial Board) shall be required to report to each Executive Committee meeting, in person, via teleconferencing or in writing.
3. The Executive Committee may appoint Sub-Committees as considered necessary, and shall determine their terms of reference, powers, duration and composition. All acts and proceedings of such Sub-Committees shall be reported back to the Executive Committee as soon as possible.
Executive Committee
1. The Association shall elect eight members to form an Executive Committee: a Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Head of Outreach, Head of Communications and Advertising, Head of Mentoring and Membership, Head of Equity Diversity and Inclusion, Head of Events, at the AGM to serve for a period of three years.
  1. Any of these individuals may stand for the same position for one additional three-year term, if so nominated, before stepping down or into another role.
  2. When a position transitions from one individual to another, there will be a three-month transition period during which the predecessor will train their successor in their role.
  3. Nominations for election into these positions shall comprise a proposer, a seconder and the agreement of the nominee who must be an Association member at the time of nomination.
  4. Nominations will be gathered via email and sent to the current Secretary. The nominating period will occur six-weeks before the AGM.
  5. In the event of more than one candidate being nominated for any named position, an election will be held at the AGM. The winner will be the candidate achieving the highest number of votes cast by those members present and eligible to vote.
  6. Members of the Executive Committee must be members of the Association.
  7. The Executive Committee is normally responsible for scheduling its own calendar of meetings; however, these should not be less frequent than four times a year.
  8. During Executive Committee meetings, each member will have one vote for proposed changes. A member does not get a vote if they are the one proposing said change.
  9. If the Executive Committee has no confidence in any member of the Executive Committee (including any serving Past Directors, described below) for reasons including but are not limited to decisions which work directly against the aims of the Association, egregious behaviour, and no participation within the elected role, the following steps may be taken:
    1. The Director (or, in the case that the Director is the member under consideration, the Secretary) will meet with the member and create an action plan for moving the member back in line with their role.
    2. If the member still cannot fulfil their role, the Director (or, in the case that the Director is the member under consideration, the Secretary) will offer the member a six month sabbatical during which the member will be removed from duties. Each member can only have one six-month sabbatical during their tenure before the following step must be taken.
    3. The Executive Committee (excluding the member under consideration) votes to remove the member from their position with a simple majority in an Executive Committee meeting by those present or by proxy.
  10. In the event of an elected Executive Committee member being unable to serve their term, the current or incoming Executive Committee shall appoint a replacement from among the general membership. Such an appointed Executive Committee member shall serve until the next AGM when a special election will occur. The same rules governing the election of Executive Committee members apply.
  11. Once the Director has served one term (three-years) they have the option of stepping into an advisory, ex-officio role to the new Director and Executive Committee as the Past Director. This is an unelected position with no duration. More than one Past Director may serve at a time.
2. The Director of the Association is responsible for:
  1. Presiding over the AGM and other General Meetings of the Executive Committee.
  2. Representing the Association at meetings and discussions with other institutions and bodies or, with the approval of the Executive Committee, appointing other members of the Association to do so.
  3. Overseeing the general running of the Association.
  4. Identifying short, medium and long term goals, and working with the Executive Committee to meet those goals.
3. The Secretary of the Association is responsible for:
  1. Disseminating the meeting agendas and previous minutes to the membership two-weeks before the meeting.
  2. Taking and verifying minutes at AGMs, executive committee meetings, and any other meetings required.
  3. Overseeing in-person and digital votes and elections for the Association and the Executive Committee.
4. The Treasurer of the Association is responsible for:
  1. Maintaining the bank account and all funds of the Association.
  2. Reporting the financial status and budget of the Association at AGMs.
  3. Approving use of funds for the Association.
  4. Facilitating the purchase and maintenance of memberships in collaboration with the Head of Digital Engagement and Head of Mentoring and Mentorship.
  5. In the absence of the Director, presiding over the AGM and other General Meetings of the Executive Committee.
5. The Head of Outreach of the Association is responsible for:
  1. Developing and overseeing outreach projects to forward the goals of the Association (e.g., the Association‘s online bibliography).
  2. Support other Executive Committee members to promote the Association‘s goals and growth.
6. The Head of Communications and Advertising of the Association is responsible for:
  1. Managing, soliciting content for, and editing the Association’s various forms of communication, including but not limited to social media, newsletter and blog.
  2. Creating and developing advertisements for the conference, DisNet Events, etc. and working closely with other members of the Executive Committee to ensure appropriate collaborative content is created.
  3. Designing and managing the Association website.
  4. Working closely with the Treasurer of the Association to acquire additional funds through advertising.
  5. To ensure accurate and timely communications, Head of Communications and Advertising can appoint and then manage other Association members managing specific aspects of the Association communication strategy (e.g., blog, website management).
7. The Head of Mentoring and Membership of the Association is responsible for:
  1. Overseeing and running Association mentorship programs.
  2. Revising or developing new strategies for supporting current members and attracting new members.
  3. Facilitating the purchase and maintenance of memberships in collaboration with the Treasurer.
8. The Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion of the Association is responsible for:
  1. Facilitating the Association’s Global EDI Committee.
  2. Supporting the Association to continue to build its international network.
  3. Supporting the Association to incorporate new best practices for academic associations and strategies to support historically marginalised scholars.
  4. Consulting Director and Head of Communications and Advertising to ensure that the website and all communications and events tied to the Association are equitable and inclusive.
9. The Head of Events of the Association is responsible for:
  1. Developing a schedule of events intended to forward the Association’s goals and support its members.
  2. Planning and running an annual conference with the help of a committee and possibly a co-organizer.
  3. Collaborate closely with Head of Communications and Advertising to ensure advertisement of events can occur within a timely manner.

Conflict of Interest Policy
1. All members of the Executive Committee must disclose, in writing, a conflict of interest that may, directly or indirectly, benefit them.
  1. Of particular concern for the Association are any direct ties to the Walt Disney Company (e.g., employed as an expert) or the International Journal of Disney Studies, the academic journal connected to the Association.
  2. While a portion of Association membership fees pay for annual subscriptions to the International Journal of Disney Studies, the Association and journal are separate entities. Executive Committee members may serve as editors, associate editors, and editorial board members for the International Journal of Disney Studies, but people with such crossover positions must not be shown preferential treatment from either the Association or the journal (e.g., journal editors circumventing the peer-review process for members of the Executive Committee or Association membership fees being waived for editors of the journal).
2. If a vote in the Executive Committee or AGM would directly benefit such officers, they must recuse themselves in the vote.

Finance
1. All monies received by the Association shall be paid into a bank account in the name of the Association through the Association website.
2. The Director, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Association will be the signatories on the bank account. When the term of each of these positions ends, the signatory title must be updated to the incoming Director/Treasurer/Secretary.
3. Funds shall be raised by the Executive Committee through, but not limited to, fundraising events, members’ subscriptions, donations, legacies or grants.
4. The income and property of the Association shall be applied only in furtherance of the aims and objectives of the Association (outlined in Section 2) and no part thereof shall be paid by way of bonus, dividend or profit to any members of the Association.
5. A portion of each member’s annual fees will go towards an annual subscription to the International Journal of Disney Studies, the academic journal connected to the Association.
6. The Executive Committee shall have power to authorise the payment of remuneration to any other person or persons for services rendered to the Association.
7. Any sum drawn from the bank account must be authorised by two signatories, one of which must be the Treasurer.
8. All withdrawals must be made via debit card, direct debit or BACS.
9. The financial transactions of the Association shall be recorded by the Treasurer in such manner as the Executive Committee thinks fit.
10. The financial year of the Association shall be the period commencing on 1 April and ending on 31 March. Any change to the financial year shall require the approval of the members in a General Meeting.
11. The Executive Committee shall retain all financial records relating to the Association and copies of Minutes of all meetings for a minimum period of ten years.
12. Annual accounts shall be checked and verified by appointed independent auditors annually, and then submitted for approval by the Treasurer to the members at the AGM.
Meetings/Administration
1. The Association shall hold, having given due notice, an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in each calendar year. The AGM, whenever possible, will precede, follow or occur during the Association’s annual conference. The AGM shall include (but is not limited to) on its agenda the following items:

Welcome
Apologies
Declarations
Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting
Presentation and consideration of the annual reports provided by the Executive Committee
Presentation of reports from one or both of the Principal Editors of the International Journal of Disney Studies
Review and ratification of membership rates
Constitutional Amendments
Items of Discussion
Elections (as and when positions become vacant)
Discussion of any other relevant business (including business raised in advance in writing by DisNet members and approved for the agenda by the Executive Committee)
Decision as to the date for the next AGM

Members should be advised of the date and venue/online host of all General Meetings, including the AGM, and should receive an agenda no less than two weeks prior to the meeting. The agenda should indicate the main topics to be discussed or voted on but need not specify particular resolutions or motions.
An (EGM) may also be convened at the discretion of the DisNet Executive Committee or upon receipt of a written request and agenda signed by at least 25 members. Such a meeting will normally be held online at a mutually convenient time within six weeks of the Chair’s receipt of the request.

Meeting Quora & Voting
1. Quora for AGM: Not less than 50% of the membership, whether in person, online or by proxy. In the event of an AGM being inquorate, the Executive Committee will post all resolutions to be voted on at the next AGM.
2. Quora for EGM: Not less than 50% of the membership. In the event of an EGM being inquorate, the Executive Committee will reconvene the meeting at the earliest possible opportunity.
3. Quora for Executive Committee: one-third of members including at least two Heads or at least two officers (Treasurer, Secretary) or a Head/Officer and the Director.
4. Voting at all meetings will normally be by a show of hands (physical or digital) and motions will be carried or rejected by a simple majority. However, a request, duly seconded, that a vote be taken by secret ballot or electronic poll of all members shall be voted and, if passed, so conducted.
5. Each member has one vote.
6. The Executive Committee may also, at any time, hold an electronic ballot of its members to gauge opinion on important or topical issues. The results of such a ballot will then be reported to the membership.
7. The Chair of the meeting (either the Director or, in case of their absence, the Treasurer) will not have a vote except in the event of a tie; at that time, the Chair of the meeting will have the casting vote.
Constitutional Change
1. Those proposing the amendment will be responsible for communications on and or about the amendment as it proceeds through the ratification process.
2. The proposed amendment should be a detailed document which outlines the need for the amendment and the justifications for the proposal, including but not limited to various data collections, surveys, and any other necessary information needed to justify the amendment.
3. Any proposed constitutional amendments must be sent to the Director within six weeks of the AGM. The Director will share the amendments with all members at least four weeks before the AGM.
4. Constitutional amendments must receive at least two-thirds of the vote (present and proxy members) at the EGM.
5. Once two-thirds vote is obtained, the amendment will go to the Executive Committee for a finalised vote of approval, of which, two-thirds of the Executive Committee must vote in favour.
6. Should a proposed amendment fail in the Executive Committee vote, the Executive Committee must provide explanatory feedback on the proposed amendment to those who are responsible as laid out in 12.1.
7. Those responsible as laid out in 12.1 can provide changes to the amendment and resubmit the proposed amendment to undergo steps 12.2 to 12.5 once more.
8. Once approved by those in steps 12.7, the proposed amendment will be added to the Association’s constitution. The new amendment will take effect within 1 month after the Executive Committee’s ratification, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Provisions for Dissolution
1. Below outlines the conditions in which the Association may be dissolved.
2. A proposal must be written and signed for dissolution. It must be signed by two-thirds of the members, and have a detailed timetable and instructions for dissolution. There must also be a disposal or transfer of the Association’s assets should be delivered to the current Director and Treasurer.
3. The Executive Committee must oversee the proposal and call for a vote. Two-thirds of the Committee must also vote for dissolution for the motion to pass.
4. The Chair and Treasurer will then see that the transfer and/or disposal of the Network’s assets is properly executed.
5. The Director will notify all members and call an EGM which will be held within three months.
6. If it cannot be held within three months, the Executive Committee must vote to extend the period or call for an immediate vote. Two-thirds of the Executive Committee must vote in favour for the extension or immediate vote.
7. If the vote is immediate, the members have two weeks to submit their votes to the Executive Committee.
8. The proposed dissolution will only be carried out if two-thirds of those present at the meeting, who are eligible to vote, are in favour. Those who are unable to attend the meeting may send in their votes before. However, once voted, there will be no rescinding or alterations. The two-thirds vote at the meeting must be equal to or greater than one-half of the Association’s total members. If these conditions are not met, the dissolution cannot be carried on.
9. If the motion for dissolution carries, any assets remaining after the payment of residual debts or liabilities shall be transferred to other associations or charitable institutions that the Executive Committee determines to have similar aims and objectives as the Association; or it shall be used at the discretion of the Executive Committee to further the Association’s aims; or it shall be disbursed to other member institutions in proportion to their contributions in the past year.