Structure of the Society
The Society is governed by a Council of 23 members, including the President, and four honorary secretaries. There are also up to three Vice Presidents. Council is chaired by the President, and meets five times each year, including one strategy meeting in September.
Presidents are elected for two years, and the President-designate serves for one year on Council before assuming office. Council members are elected for three years and are collectively the Society’s Trustees. All elections are overseen by an Elections Committee.
The Society’s work is carried out by the staff based in Burlington House and at its Publishing House, under the direction of the Chief Executive.
Key Meetings
New Fellows are elected by the Fellowship at Ordinary General Meetings (OGMs) of the Society, when names submitted to Council are formally proposed.
On President's Day, the Society has its Annual General Meeting (AGM), when the Fellowship receives reports from Officers and the Annual Accounts for discussion and approval.
Occasionally, for such matters as altering its Bye-laws, including changing the Fellowship dues, the Society may call a Special General Meeting (SGM). More detail about AGMs, OGMs and SGMs can be found in the Society's Bye-laws.
Annual Summaries
The Society publishes an Annual Review in April. This contains a summary of the activities of the past year, a brief overview of the Society’s finances and a list of Corporate Patrons. The Report and Financial Statements, which include the report of the Society’s Auditors, are a separate document.
Download the latest Annual Review and Financial Statements, or see the archive for previous years.
Find out about the Society's Council Officers and Reporting Committees here.
Governing Documents
The Society's governing instrument is its Charter, supported by the Bye-laws which are controlled by the Fellowship.
Under the Bye-laws, Council may implement Regulations to manage the Society's business.