Charter
of the Russian Clay Group (RCG)
The Russian Clay and Clay Minerals Group (RCG) is a membership-based, voluntary, self-governing all-Russian association of citizens. It continues the traditions of the Interdepartmental Commission for the Study of Clays under the Department of Geological and Geographical Sciences of the USSR Academy of Sciences (founded in 1957) and is a collective member of the European Clay Group Association (ECGA) and the International Association for the Study of Clays (AIPEA).
The goal of the RCG is to stimulate research and the dissemination of information among Russian scientists regarding all aspects of the study of clays and clay minerals, as well as the development of technologies in this area of interest.
The objectives of the RCG are: dissemination of information about scientific achievements in the field of clay and clay mineral studies; preparation and organization of scientific meetings, international conferences, schools, courses, etc., aimed at increasing knowledge about clays and clay minerals; publication of scientific works, etc.; stimulation of the scientific growth of young scientists and specialists and the creation of a favorable atmosphere for the continuity of scientific schools, etc.
Membership
The RCG is open to all scientists and specialists working in the field of clay and clay mineral research. Membership fees are paid once a year within a specified, established deadline (from October 1 to November 30 of the current year). Paid membership provides benefits in accessing the Group's information resources. From the membership budget, grants are formed for the participation of Russian young scientists and students in Russian and international meetings focused on the study of clays and clay minerals.
The RCG may have its own internet resource and logo.
The RCG may have its own internet resource and logo.
Council
Every four years, the Assembly of the RCG elects a Council, which consists of a Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, and a Working Group (of at least 2–3 people) to coordinate the activities of the Council. Every four years, after the convening of a new Council or its re-election, the Council adopts a 4-year RCG development plan with annual details and clarification of the Council's organizational activities, and at the end of the term (every four years), a report, including a financial report, on the work accomplished is presented. Annual reports on the RCG's activities are posted on the Group's website.
The Chair (or Deputy Chair) and the Secretary are the Group's representatives on the Council of the European Clay Group Association (ECGA). Both the Chair and the Deputy Chair may attend Council meetings, but the RCG, like any other National Group, has only one vote.
The duties of the Council are:
Decisions at Council meetings are made by a simple majority vote (the Chair has a casting vote), except in cases related to amendments to the Charter. Amendments to the Charter, as well as the extraordinary re-election of the Council and, in particular, the Chair and Secretary, require a meeting of the Russian Group and a decision by a simple majority vote.
The Council meets at every clay minerals meeting held in Russia. Special business meetings may also be convened by the Chair during International and Russian Clay Conferences and/or during other International Conferences related to clay topics.
The Chair (or Deputy Chair) and the Secretary are the Group's representatives on the Council of the European Clay Group Association (ECGA). Both the Chair and the Deputy Chair may attend Council meetings, but the RCG, like any other National Group, has only one vote.
The duties of the Council are:
- to encourage cooperation among scientists and specialists in the field of clay and clay mineral research and to coordinate their activities if necessary;
- to decide on the venue for Russian and international meetings;
- to coordinate the organization of Russian and international meetings on clay-related topics in Russia;
- to encourage the development of education in the field of clay and clay mineral studies;
- to provide information about international projects and competitions that promote the development of clay and clay mineral research in Russia.
Decisions at Council meetings are made by a simple majority vote (the Chair has a casting vote), except in cases related to amendments to the Charter. Amendments to the Charter, as well as the extraordinary re-election of the Council and, in particular, the Chair and Secretary, require a meeting of the Russian Group and a decision by a simple majority vote.
The Council meets at every clay minerals meeting held in Russia. Special business meetings may also be convened by the Chair during International and Russian Clay Conferences and/or during other International Conferences related to clay topics.