The Société d’études modernistes first took shape at the Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris 3 in 2013.
Founding members were Caroline Pollentier, Carle Bonafous-Murat, Claire Davison, Catherine Lanone, Christine Savinel and André Topia.
The SEM is a French society, and functions within the French legal system and the 1901 law on associations. This translation is indicative and non-binding.
Translation of the statutes:
Article 1
Among the members of the Association called Société d’Etudes Modernistes (SEM, founded 2013), the following statutes are agreed on, in conformity with the status of Associations regulated by the French law of July 1, 1901.
Article 2
The Society’s objective is to promote modernist studies in France.
Article 3
The headquarters of the society is designated as the Centre de Recherches Anglophones, Université Paris Nanterre, 200 avenue de la République, 92000 NANTERRE. It may later be transferred if such a suggestion is made by the Board, and approved by a vote during the General Assembly.
Article 4
To become a member of the Association a request should be made, accompanied by payment of the annual dues, whose amount is determined at the General Assembly. At the General Assembly, the board may suggest electing honorary members. Honorary members are not required to pay dues.
Article 5
Annual dues are determined by the members at the General Assembly of the SEM.
Article 6
The Association is directed by a Board of administration that is elected for three years at the General Assembly. The number of consecutive mandates that a member of the Board may hold is limited to two. The Board is composed of members elected by secret ballot. The Board consists of:
• the President
• two Secretaries
• the Treasurer
• the Webmaster
In the event of a vacancy, the Board will see to a temporary replacement until the next General Assembly when an official replacement can be voted into office.
Article 7
The General Assembly may be attended by all members of the SEM that are up to date in payment of their annual dues. It is normally held once a year. Members are invited by the Board at least two weeks before the established date. The agenda will be announced at this point. By decision of the Board, the General Assembly can be postponed. The Board gives a report on its activity and administration. The General Assembly may sit if the quorum is met (one fourth of the members who have paid their dues); if the quorum is not met, the President can determine a new date for the Assembly, and decisions can then be made by the majority of the members who are present and represented. Absent members can be represented by proxy; no one can represent more than three absent members. The majority during the General Assembly is determined by half of the members present plus one vote. At the General Assembly, replacements are elected to positions of the outgoing members of the Board.
Article 8
An extraordinary General Assembly may be held at any time upon the request of at least a third of the members who are up to date in their dues. A delay of at least a month is needed between such a call for the General Assembly and the date it is to be held.
Article 9
The financial resources of the association include:
• members’ dues
• funding from the State and from local bodies
• gifts from associations, organisations, and physical persons
• any other resources authorized by the applicable legal texts
Article 10
In the event of the dissolution of the Association pronounced by at least two thirds of the members present at a General Assembly, those present shall appoint one or more liquidators. Any assets owned by the Association at the time of dissolution shall be transferred in conformity with the provisions of the 1901 Associations Act.
Article 11
The revision of these statutes can be requested by the administrative Board or by at least a third of the members of the association. Any revisions must be voted by a majority of two thirds of votes at the General Assembly. Propositions for modification of statutes must be communicated to members at least two months before the date of the General Assembly.
au Centre de Recherches Anglophones, Université Paris Nanterre, 200 avenue de la République, 92000 NANTERRE