Adopted on July 17, 1997, in Amsterdam, during the ICLA
presidency of Ronald Langacker
The organization's name is the International Cognitive Linguistics Association (abbreviated ICLA). Its purpose is to support and promote the various approaches to linguistic theory, description, and applications that collectively have come to be known as "cognitive linguistics".
Membership in the ICLA includes a subscription to the official journal of the ICLA, Cognitive Linguistics.
Membership in the ICLA is accomplished by paying a yearly
subscription/membership fee. The amount of the membership fee that
goes to the ICLA is determined by the Governing Board with the approval of the Assembly. A special reduced fee is offered to facilitate student membership.
The formation of national and regional branches of the ICLA is
encouraged. Conditions for their affiliation with the ICLA are
established by its Governing Board with the approval of the
Assembly. [Modified July 2001 to allow approval by Governing Board alone,
see Policies and Procedures].
The ICLA periodically holds an international conference open to all its members and others who wish to attend. The time and location of conferences are recommended by the Governing Board and approved by the Assembly. The conference normally takes place every two years. The locations shall vary to reflect the geographical spread of the ICLA community.
The ICLA Assembly consists of all members who deliberate on a particular occasion, convened in either of two ways: (i) The Assembly may consist of all members who attend an open and publicized business meeting held during a regular ICLA conference. (ii) Alternatively, the Assembly may consist of all members contacted by the ICLA mailing list, provided that the Governing Board makes every reasonable effort to ensure that the communication reaches the entire ICLA membership.
The Governing Board consists of the ICLA President, the Secretary/Treasurer, three regular members, and ex officio members. Ex officio members include the editor of Cognitive Linguistics, the most recent Past President of the ICLA, and a representative from the organizing committee of the next ICLA conference.
The President and the three regular members are elected by the
Assembly for two-year terms and the Secretary/Treasurer for a
four-year term at the business meeting held during a regular ICLA
conference. Nominations for these positions can be made from the floor
during the meeting, or else by prior notification of the
Secretary/Treasurer from any five ICLA members. The editor of
Cognitive Linguistics is selected, for a term not to exceed six
years, by joint approval of the Governing Board, the Assembly, and
the publisher of the journal.
[Editor selection procedure amended by Governing Board, July 2001, see
Policies and Procedures].
If duly elected or appointed, any Board member can serve multiple terms.
Day-to-day management of ICLA affairs is entrusted to the President and Secretary/Treasurer, who act on any particular matter in coordination with those within the ICLA who hold official organizational responsibilities pertaining to that matter. Approval of the Governing Board is required for decisions of a substantial nature, especially those involving multiple domains of responsibility. Decisions with major or long-term consequences may be decided by the Governing Board on an interim basis if necessary, but must be submitted to the Assembly for ultimate approval. Any two Board members have the right to call a board meeting.
At each ICLA conference business meeting, the President, Secretary/Treasurer, and the editor of Cognitive Linguistics report to the Assembly concerning the execution of their responsibilities since the last such meeting.
This Constitution becomes official upon approval by the Assembly at an ICLA conference business meeting; a three-fifths majority of those voting is required for adoption. The Assembly can amend the Constitution at any time by a vote with the same majority. Other decisions by the Assembly require only a simple majority of those voting.