Groups, Chairs, and Steering Committees of IOTA: Policy and Roles 

 

Groups

IOTA includes two dozen or so groups, corresponding to different fields of Orthodox Christian Studies. Each Group is led by two Chairs and is composed of 4-7 Steering Committee members. In order to spread responsibilities equally, any qualifying scholar may serve either as a Chair or as a Steering Committee member in one Group only. In order to foster cross-disciplinary work, Chairs and Steering Committee Group members are encouraged to present in conference sessions hosted by other Groups and may make themselves available to contribute to projects led by other Groups. New Groups may be added to the current roster of Groups. Proposals for new groups may be sent in writing to the IOTA Board of Directors.

Duties of Groups

IOTA Groups and their members are expected to promote the mission of IOTA, connect IOTA with resources, people, and organizations that will further IOTA’s mission and conferences, and assist in coordinating activities surrounding IOTA conferences, including arranging conference sessions, and issuing and reviewing calls for papers. The particulars surrounding each IOTA conference will be communicated to the Group by the Board of Directors.

Group Chairs

The Group Chairs of IOTA  are appointed by the Board of Directors, or the Board may sanction a sub-set of Directors to make such appointments. All Chairs must have a doctorate or equivalent professional experience and must be established scholars with a substantial publication record. Two people will serve as Co-Chairs of each Group.

Chairs serve five-year terms, staggered as much as possible such that every three years one of the two Co-Chairs is replaced. Chairs may be re-appointed for subsequent terms.

Steering Committee Members

Chairs will propose Steering Committee Members by sending nominations for affirmations by the Board of Directors, or by a subset of Directors sanction to affirm these nominations. All Steering Committee Members must have a doctorate or equivalent professional experience. Each Steering Committee must strive for the broadest possible international representation, reflecting IOTA’s worldwide character.

Steering Committee members serve five year terms staggered as much as possible such that every three years one of the two Co-Chairs is replaced.  Steering Committee members may be re-nominated for subsequent terms.

Removal of a Chair or a Steering Committee Member

Any Chair or Steering Committee member may be removed by vote of the Board of Directors whenever, in the Board’s judgment, doing so would serve the best interests of IOTA.

If a Chair, a Steering Committee member, or anyone else affiliated with IOTA questions the ability of a Chair or a Steering Committee member to serve the best interests of IOTA, they are welcome to send their concerns in writing to the Board of Directors.