As approved by the members of the Association at their meeting in Oxford, England on 9 January 2003.

1. Name

The International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (“the Association”).

2. Purpose

To further the study, research and teaching of youth ministry internationally.

3. Statement of faith

We confess our faith in the words of the Apostle’s Creed.

4. Membership

There are three types of membership:

4.1. Members: those who can demonstrate an involvement in the study, research or teaching of youth ministry, and are approved by a Member’s Nomination Committee appointed by the Executive.  

4.2. Affiliates: Institutions who wish to align themselves with the activities of the Association and make use of its resources, and are approved by a Member’s Nomination Committee appointed by the Executive.

4.3. Associates: Individuals who have a desire to become full members, but do not yet qualify according to 4.1. Such individuals can obtain all the benefits of full membership as laid out below, except for the right to vote. All references to voting in this constitution exclude associate members.

5. Activities

5.1. To provide an international network of interaction, information and resources.

5.2. To publish an academic journal, The Journal of Youth and Theology.

5.3. To raise the standard and awareness of youth ministry as a professional and academic discipline.

5.4. To organise conferences on the study of youth ministry.

5.5. To promote inter-disciplinary research into youth ministry.

6. Executive Committee

6.1. The Executive Committee will comprise of eight elected people who have been members for at least two years.

6.2. The Executive will be elected by the members of the Association, meeting at an international conference of the Association.

6.3. Each member of the Executive will serve a four year term, and cannot serve more than four consecutive terms.

6.4. The terms of the Executive members will be staggered, with at least one quarter (2 members) of the Executive ending their terms at each member’s meeting.

6.5. All nominations will come through a nominations committee, who will accept nominations up to 24 hours in advance of a member's meeting.

6.6. The Executive will appoint its own officers.

6.7. The Executive has the power to co-opt up to three additional members.  Co-opted members will serve until the next member’s meeting.

6.8. The Executive will appoint members to fulfill at least the following functions:

· Chairperson

· Administration, secretarial and financial

· Conferences

· Networking and the promotion of research

· An editor and at least one co-editor of the journal

· Fundraising

6.9. The Executive Committee shall delegate administrative responsibilities, including the management of various bank accounts in different countries, and shall be empowered to transact any and all legal matters on behalf of, and in the name of, the Association.  All legal implications shall require the documented majority approval of the Executive, for which email shall suffice.

7. Membership fees

Membership fees are paid annually. The fees are set annually, on the recommendation of the Executive.

8. Member's Meetings

8.1. A member's meeting is properly constituted by a minimum of 20% of the full members eligible for voting.

8.2. Proxies and postal votes will be admissible and will count towards the quorum.

8.3. Only fully paid up members who have been in membership for a minimum of 6 months before the member’s meeting shall be eligible to vote.

9. Changing the Constitution

This Constitution may be amended by a member’s meeting held at an international conference of the Association, where:

9.1. The proposed amendment is supported by at least three members.

9.2. The Executive receives the proposed amendment in written form at least six months before the member’s meeting. Such proposals will be distributed to all members at least three months before the member’s meeting.

9.3. The proposal receives at least a two thirds majority (67%) of all members voting at the meeting.