The Royal Historical Society seeks nominations for two Councillor positions to replace serving Council members in November 2024.
Closing date for nominations: Monday 12 August 2024.
The work of the Royal Historical Society (RHS) is governed by its Council, which comprises ‘Officers’ (Trustees with a specific remit) and ‘Councillors’ (Trustees without portfolio).
Trustees of the Society play a vital role in working on behalf of our fellows, members and the greater historian community in establishing our mission, vision and strategy, as well as considering crucial governance matters that ensure the ongoing sustainability of our charitable work.
In accordance with By-law XXIV, Fellows of the Royal Historical Society are invited to nominate current Fellows, willing to serve as Councillors for a term of four years that commences in December 2024.
Please see the Society’s website for the institutional affiliations and subject expertise of current Members of Council.
The Society desires that the membership of its Council be fully representative of the community of historians in the United Kingdom.
Nominations must be supported by one Proposer and four Seconders, who are current Ordinary, Retired or Emeritus Fellows of the Society.
Time commitment required of Councillors
The role of RHS Councillor is an active one, and comes with an expectation that Councillors will undertake a range of duties in addition to attendance at Council meetings. RHS Councillors commit to:
- attend all or most of the five annual Council meetings;
- attend at least one of the Society’s regional visits or symposia;
- serve on one or more committee focussing on specific areas of the Society’s activities; and,
- assist the Society in other ways as needed.
Council meetings are held on Fridays at the Society’s office in London, with the option to join online if necessary. Expenses for economy travel and accommodation are reimbursed by the Society.
Committee meetings are held online.
The Councillors stepping down in November 2024 are: Professor Simon MacLean, Dr Emily Robinson, and Dr Andrew Smith. (Due to previous changes in the constituent members of the RHS Council, only two vacancies are available this year, despite three Councillors stepping down).
To submit a nomination for election
Nominations should be made via the RHS Applications Portal
Fellows wishing to stand for election are required to submit a short statement, and then to contact one Proposer and four Seconders via the Application Portal. Proposers in turn submit their supporting statement, and Seconders their electronic signature, via the Portal. Completed nominations are then submitted by the Fellow who wishes to stand for election.
For clarity, all ‘Proposer’ and ‘Seconder’ statements of support must be submitted before the end of the application period.
Fellows wishing to discuss the role of an RHS Councillor prior to standing are very welcome to contact Professor Emma Griffin, President of the Royal Historical Society, to discuss the role and work of the Society: president@royalhistsoc.org.
The closing date for nominations is: 11.59PM on Monday 12 August 2024.
The election period will begin soon after the closing date, with further details circulated at that time. Results of the election are expected to be announced in late October / early November, ahead of the Anniversary Meeting (22 November 2024).