AoIR is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation governed by an extensive set of bylaws that outline the purpose, nature and organisational structure of the Association. From time to time AoIR also commits to statements and policies that guide the operations of the Association and its executive. These materials appear below.

Bylaws

The bylaws of the Association are available here.

AoIR Statement of Principles

The Association of Internet Researchers is committed to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and human dignity.

It is the policy of the Association of Internet Researchers, its members and executive officers, not to engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation. The policy applies to treatment in the association’s online forums as well as at its conferences and in other activities. Complaints of discrimination or harassment should be directed to an officer of the association’s executive committee at the AoIR member’s discretion.

This Statement of Principles was adopted unanimously by the Executive Committee 31 March 2003.

Policy on management of the air list

Rules

AIR-L is an email list owned and operated by the Association of Internet Researchers and is managed for the Association by the AoIR Executive Committee. The Association reserves the right to remove subscribers and/or refuse subscription at any time without warning or explanation. The Association would very much prefer not to exercise this right and will not need to if subscribers comply with the list rules. In subscribing to air-l and remaining subscribed to air-l, you are agreeing to adhere to these rules:

Diverse opinions are welcome. The readership of air-l includes people from a wide variety of professional, disciplinary, methodological, and national traditions. List participants are expected to respect these differences. We ask that you maintain a tone of civility and use good judgment in your posts: disagreements are to be expected, but blatant rudeness, personal attacks, lack of respect, and monopolization of air-l to further one’s own agenda are not expected nor will they be tolerated.

Anonymous subscriptions and posts are not allowed. In order to help maintain the list as a valuable resource for everyone, you must identify yourself by your real full name when you subscribe and when you post to air-l, and you should be prepared to verify your identity upon the executive committee’s request, including by providing a c.v. or résumé. This will normally occur upon subscription.

You must reply to private email privately, and you may not forward personal email to air-l without the author’s permission.

Etiquette

Keep in mind that anything you send to air-l automatically goes to all subscribers – please keep posts on-topic for the list. Also remember when posting to the list that air-l is a public forum and that your words will be available to everyone subscribed to the list and placed in a public archive. Messages sent via email can easily be reproduced and circulated beyond their originally intended audience, and neither the list manager, the association’s officers, nor the server’s host are responsible for consequences arising from list messages being re-distributed.

Disclaimer

Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed in messages on air-l are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent official AoIR policy. AoIR and its members bear no responsibility for the content of messages posted to air-l. This is an unmoderated list.

Policy on Recognition and Support for Program and Conference Chairs

In 2006 it was determined by the AoIR Executive that the Program and Conference chairs for the annual AoIR conference would receive the following support and recognition for their very important role in the Association’s activities:

• a grant of $500USD (in cash or kind) to cover expenses associated with time devoted to conference activities and travel/accommodation
• free conference registration at the conference they are running
• public award of a small formal symbol recognising their service

Policy on Life Membership Awards

In 2007, the AoIR Executive approved a clear policy to govern the award of Life Membership to people in recognition of their service and contribution to the Association. Each year, the Executive will consider a small number of nominations from within the Executive for an awarded Life Membership. A successful candidate must meet the key criterion, that the person has “made a sustained and significant contribution to the achievement of the Association’s aims and purposes”. Normally only one person per annum will be granted this award.

Further, in light of the fact that members no longer receive a discounted registration fee, it has been agreed that life members who attend the conference will be eligible for a free dinner.

It remains possible for any individual to purchase life membership and the same benefit and status is available to them.