Article I. Name

The name of this Interest Section shall be English for Specific Purposes, hereinafter referred to as ESP-IS.

Article II. Statement of Purpose

TESOL's English for Specific Purposes Interest Section exists to serve the needs of those teachers, program developers, consultants and researchers who are interested in the design and delivery of courses for individuals with identifiable academic and professional goals. These courses may be for students in specific graduate and undergraduate disciplines or for people working or preparing to work in business, industry, government or other places of employment.

The primary goals and activities of the interest section are to:

• encourage the sharing of expertise and specialized curricula among ESP practitioners;
• promote research into the spoken and written discourse involved in areas of ESP;
• foster communication between ESP researchers and practitioners;
• provide a centralized forum within TESOL for the exchange of information on ESP issues through colloquia, papers, demonstrations and discussion groups at the annual conference and through newsletters during the year;
• foster the recognition of English for Specific Purposes language training as a professional/academic discipline;
• promote ethical and high professional standards of instruction, administration, and employment practices in ESP programs;
• compile and maintain the Directory of ESP Professional Services which lists ESP professionals and the areas of ESP involvement to improve opportunities for networking;
• identify persons within the ESP community who may serve as resources to others;
• advocate for the professional concerns of the members and the individuals the members teach/train;
• mentor, advise, and train members with regard to conference proposals, publications, and professional concerns;
• represent the needs and concerns of ESP professionals to the TESOL membership, Executive Board, Central Office, and Interest Section Council;
• ensure viability and continuity of TESOL by training and encouraging practitioners in ESP-IS to become officers; and
• cooperate with other organizations addressing the needs of ESP learners in order to achieve common goals.

Article III. Membership

A. Membership shall be open to any member of TESOL who is interested in any concerns related to English for Specific Purposes programs.

B. All members who designate English for Specific Purposes as their primary professional interest shall be entitled to one vote in any meeting of ESP-IS or in any mail ballot it conducts.

C. Members who designate ESP-IS as a secondary professional interest shall be considered associate members without voting privileges.

Article IV. Annual Meetings

A. A Business Meeting of the general voting membership of ESP-IS shall be held at the annual TESOL Convention at some point following the annual Steering Committee meeting.

B. The Steering Committee of the ESP-IS shall meet at the annual TESOL Convention at some point before the ESP-IS Business Meeting

Article V. Officers

A. The Officers shall be a Chair, a Chair-Elect, and an Immediate Past Chair.

B. To maintain a balance between the different areas of ESP represented in the ESP-IS, the Chair and Chair-Elect shall represent different primary fields of interest (EAP, EOP, EPP, EVP) in accordance with Article X. A.

C. The term of office shall be from the close of one annual TESOL Convention until the close of the next annual Convention. Officers appointed to fill a vacancy will take office upon their acceptance.

D. The Chair, the Chair-Elect, and the Immediate Past Chair will each hold office for one year. At the end of this term, the Associate Chair will become the Chair, and the Chair will become Past Chair.

E. Officers shall be elected or appointed as stipulated in Article X.

F. All Officers shall be voting members of ESP-IS as specified in Article III.B., and they shall maintain voting membership during their terms of office.

Article VI. Steering Board

A. The Steering Board shall be the policy-making body of ESP-IS. It shall consist of the Officers, the ESP News Editor(s), the TESOL Matters ESP Column Editor, Secretary/Archivist, an EAP representative, an EOP representative, an EPP representative, a EVP representative, one Member-at-Large, and the TESOL Executive Board Representative, if one is currently serving who was nominated by ESP-IS. The Steering Board shall be the policy-making body of ESP-IS.

B. All Officers of ESP-IS shall be voting members of its Steering Board and will function as Officers of the Board.

C. It is critical that the membership of the Steering Board represent the range of ESP areas present in the ESP-IS, which can be divided into two major divisions: English in Occupational Settings (EOS) and English in Academic Settings (EAS). Representatives from both of these two major divisions shall be voted into office by the general membership and hold office for two years, with one member elected each year from each division to provide staggered terms and, thus, continuity on the Board. Whenever possible, EOS and EAS representatives on the Steering Board should represent different subfields within their divisions.

D. The Secretary/Archivist, who is appointed by the Steering Board, will hold office for two years and may be reappointed.

E. At least one member-at-large, but no more than four, will be elected to the Steering Board for staggered 2-year terms. As far as practicable, members-at-large shall be international representatives.

F. The e-list manager, who is appointed by the Steering Board, will hold office for two years, serving the first year as an apprentice to the current e-list manager and training an apprentice manager during the second year.

G. The term of a new member of the Board shall begin at the close of the annual TESOL Convention following the election. The term of the retiring member of the Board shall end at the close of the annual TESOL Convention during the year of retirement.

H. All members of the Steering Board Shall be voting members of ESP-IS as specified in Article III. B., and they shall maintain voting membership during their terms of office.

I. Nomination, election, and filling of vacancies shall be carried out as specified in Article X.

J. The Steering Board shall convene at least once during the annual TESOL Convention and before the annual ESP-IS Business Meeting. Most Board business between annual Business Meetings shall be conducted by mail and/or telephone.

K. Fifty percent (50%) of the membership of the Steering Board shall constitute a quorum for meetings of the Steering Board.

L. Within the rules of TESOL and the limits set by these Governing Rules and the Interest Section Council, the Steering Board shall establish such policies as are necessary for the operation of ESP-IS and such projects as are necessary to achieve the goals of TESOL and of ESP-IS.

Article VII. Duties of Officers and Steering Board

A. Chair:
1. Assumes responsibility for the functioning of ESP-IS.

2. Assumes the general and convention duties of Interest Section Chairs as established by TESOL guidelines, including the refereeing of convention proposals, monitoring of the operating budget, supervising of special project grants, managing special requests of IS or TESOL membership.

3. Assumes responsibility for providing the Chair-Elect with a up-dated binder containing the ESP-IS Governing Rules and History Statement, addresses of Steering Board members and their retirement dates, and copies of any other current business documents.

4. Plans the agenda for and presides at the annual business meetings of ESP-IS and the Steering Board.

5. Represents ESP-IS in making public its policy decisions, except on the TESOL Executive Board where the Executive Board representative from ESP-IS, if there is one, will represent the Interest Section.

6. Serves as a member of the TESOL Convention Program Committee and consults with the Chair-Elect to ensure ESP-IS representation on the program.

7. Prepares, in cooperation with the Steering Board, the Second Vice President of TESOL, the TESOL Local Convention Chair(s), and the local ESP-IS membership, an action plan to attract, orient, and involve local ESP-affiliated educators in the annual TESOL Convention.

8. Appoints members of all ad hoc committees, task forces, or commissions, upon approval of the Steering Board.

9. Presides over and serves as a voting member of the Steering Board.

10. Serves as an/the ESP-IS representative to the Interest Section Council if that position is not already filled.

11. Serves in such other capacities as may be determined or assigned by TESOL, the Interest Section Council, and/or the ESP-IS Steering Board.

12. Submits an annual report of the ESP-IS activities to the TESOL Executive Board through the Interest Section Council. This annual report shall be published in the ESP-IS Newsletter (ESP News).

13. Prior to the meeting of the Interest Section Council, provides the Council with the name(s) of the person(s) who will serve as the Interest Section Council Representative(s) from ESP-IS. Ensures that biodata for the ESP-IS nominees to the TESOL Executive Board and TESOL Nominating Committee be prepared and that nominators be designated.

14. Serves on the Nominating Committee.

B. Chair-Elect:
1. In the temporary absence of the Chair, presides at the annual business meetings of ESP-IS and the Steering Board.

2. Assumes the duties of the Chair-Elect as established by TESOL. See appendix.

3. In cooperation with the Chair and of the Second Vice President of TESOL, prepares ESP-IS's Academic Session and Discussion Groups for the annual TESOL Convention.

4. Works with the Steering Board to develop mechanisms for close liaison with other TESOL groups and other professional organizations having similar concerns.

5. Serves as a voting member of the Steering Board.

6. May be asked to serve as an ESP-IS Interest Section Council Representative tot eh annual meeting of the Interest Section Council, if the ESP-IS membership is adequate to warrant two representatives and if there is a vacancy. Serves as First Alternate in the event the Chair is unable to attend.

7. Assists the Chair in carrying out her/his assigned responsibilities and performs other duties assigned by the Chair and/or the Steering Board.

8. Serves on the Nominating Committee.

C. Immediate Past Chair:
1. Assumes the duties of the Chair, if possible, should the Chair become unable to serve the remainder of his/her term.

2. Assists and advises the Chair and Chair-Elect in the performance of their duties.

3. Serves as a voting member of the Steering Board.

4. May be asked to serve as an ESP-IS Interest Section Council Representative to the annual meeting of the Interest Section Council. Serves as Second Alternate in the event the Chair and Chair-Elect are unable to attend.

5. Shall be responsible for supervising the maintenance of the Directory of ESP Professional Services.

6. Serves on and chairs the Nominating Committee.

D. Secretary/Archivist:
1. Prepares the minutes of the annual meetings of the Steering Board and of ESP-IS. Records proceedings of the Steering Board that may take place between the annual meetings.

2. Distributes the minutes of these meetings to the Steering Board members within 30 days after the annual TESOL Convention for approval and subsequent entry into the permanent records of ESP-IS and prepares a summary of the minutes for publication in ESP News. Prepares a similar summary of any proceedings of the Steering Board that may take place between the annual meetings.

3. Prepares copies of resolutions and other documents assigned by the Steering Board for transmittal to appropriate persons or for the records.

4. Prepares for distribution a list of the names, addresses, and professional positions of the Officers, Steering Board Members, Editorial Board Members, and Nominating Committee Members.

5. Serves as a voting member of the Steering Board.

6. Supervises the maintenance of the ESP-IS permanent records and archives.

7. Arranges for the appropriate display of the ESP-IS records and archives at the annual TESOL Convention.

8. Arranges appropriate decoration and display of ESP materials at the convention ESP Hospitality Booth.

9. Maintains the ESP-IS Governing Rules, keeping them current and distributing them as directed by the Steering Board.

10. Serves as Parliamentarian for the annual business meetings of both the Steering Board and ESP-IS.

F. The Steering Board:
1. Sets policies for the general operation of ESP-IS.

2. Conducts long-range planning for ESP-IS, developing those projects and programs as are necessary to achieve the goals of TESOL and of ESP-IS.

3. Supports the Chair and Chair-Elect in efforts to obtain close liaison with other TESOL groups and other professional organizations having similar concerns.

4. May establish ad hoc committees, task forces, or commissions and gives them specific charges. Approves the appointments of all members by the Chair.

5. Appoints the Secretary/Archivist, Member at Large, and the Editor(s) of ESP News and the Editor of the TESOL Matters ESP column.

6. Sets general policy for ESP News and TESOL Matters ESP column.

Article VIII. Committees

A. Nominating Committee
1. The Nominating Committee is a standing committee and shall consist of the Officers and Past Chairs.

2. The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall be the Immediate Past Chair of ESP-IS.

3. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of candidates for a ballot as specified in Article X.

4. All members of the Nominating Committee shall be voting members of ESP-IS as specified in Article III. B.

B. Ad hoc committees, working groups, task forces, and commissions may be established by the Steering Board for a period of one year, which shall be renewable by approval of the Steering Board. Members of such bodies shall be appointed by the Chair or initiated from within the membership upon approval by the Steering Board. The Steering Board shall give such bodies their specific charges for that year. The process for forming such groups will be as follows:
1. A call for participation shall be posted through the ESP-IS communication channels, including the e-list, the newsletter or e-section, and the annual open meeting.

2. A group will be formed from those who express interest in participating.

3. The group will name a group member liaison who will report annually to the membership on the activities of the group via the IS Open Meeting and the e-section or newsletter.

Article IX. Voting

A. All members as designated in Article III. B. who are present at a meeting of the membership are entitled to vote. A simple majority of those present and voting shall be required for action.

B. In mail ballots, all members as designated in Article III. B. are entitled to vote. A simple majority of all ballots returned within the time designated, to be not less than 60 days from the date of mailing, shall be required for action except in the case of amendments to these Governing Rules, which shall require a two-thirds majority.

Article X. Nominations, Elections, and Vacancies

A. The Nominating Committee shall:
1. Nominate candidates for the office of Chair_Elect preserving the balance among the officers regarding their primary ESP area, as provided for in Article V.B.

2. Nominate candidates to replace the retiring Steering Board Members, so far as practicable preserving the distribution provided for in Article VI. D. and E.

3. Nominate a candidate for the TESOL Executive Board and a candidate for the TESOL Nominating Committee, and prepare relevant biodata provided by each nominee to be distributed at the annual Interest Section Council and Legislative Assembly.

4. Secure the consent of all candidates to serve if elected.

5. Determine that each candidate is a voting member of ESP-IS as specified in Article III. B.

6. Prepare the slate of candidates, together with relevant biodata provided by each nominee, for distribution to the membership.

B. Officers and Steering Board members (except the Secretary/Archivist, Member-at-Large, and publications' editors who are appointed by the Steering Board), shall be elected by ballot. The ballot shall provide space for write-in candidates for each office/position.

C. If the office of Chair becomes vacant, the Immediate Past Chair will complete the term. If the Immediate Past Chair cannot serve, each preceding Past Chair, in sequence, shall be given the opportunity to complete the unexpired term.

D. In the event of vacancies in the positions of Chair-Elect and Steering Board members, the Chair, in consultation with the other Officer(s), will make temporary appointments effective immediately and until the next annual election, and will notify the Nominating Committee to include candidates for all vacant positions at the next annual election.

E. In the event that (a) representative(s) and (an) alternate(s) to the Interest Section Council is/are unable to attend the annual Council meeting, the Steering Board at its annual meeting will designate (a) substitute(s).

F. If the office of Secretary/Archivist, Member at Large or an Editor becomes vacant, the Chair, in consultation with the other Officers, will make a temporary appointment until a regular search can be completed and a candidate approved by the Steering Board.

Article XI. Publications

A. ESP-IS will publish ESP News, the English for Specific Purposes Interest Section Newsletter, devoted to the special interests of this Section and not competing with any of the official organs of TESOL, and submit articles to TESOL Matters on issues in ESP for the Interest Section Columns.

B. General policy for ESP News and the TESOL Matters ESP Column will be developed by the Steering Board.

C. The Newsletter Editor:

1. Is responsible for the editorial direction and publication of the ESP News.

2. Is responsible for liaison as appropriate with the editors of TESOL Matters, TESOL Quarterly, TESOL Journal, affiliate newsletters, and other Interest Section newsletters.

3. Shall be appointed by the Steering Board.

4. Shall serve an initial term of three years and may be reappointed annually by the Steering Board.

5. May work with a Co-Editor or Assistant Editor, as approved by the Steering Board.

6. Shall train the incoming Newsletter Editor to ease the transition and ensure continuity.

7. Shall maintain a binder containing all past issues of ESP News and current materials related to production of the newsletter. The Editor shall pass the binder on to the incoming Newsletter Editor.

D. TESOL Matters ESP Column Editor
1. Is responsible for editorial direction, solicitation of articles, and their submission to TESOL Matters.

2. Is responsible for liaison as appropriate with the editors of TESOL Matters, TESOL Quarterly, TESOL Journal, affiliate newsletters, and other Interest Section newsletters.

3. Shall be appointed by the Steering Board.

4. Shall serve an initial term of three years and may be reappointed annually by the Steering Board.

5. Shall maintain a binder containing copies all past TESOL Matters ESP Columns and current materials related to the submission of columns. The Column Editor shall pass the binder on the incoming Column Editor.

E. All editors shall be voting members of ESP-IS as specified in Article III. B.

Article XII. Amendments to the Governing Rules

These Governing Rules may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the ESP-IS members who participate in the voting, provided written notice of the proposed change(s) has been given to the membership of ESP-IS at least 30 days prior to the vote. Amendments to the Governing Rules must always be submitted to a mail vote.

Article XIII. Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the business of the ESP-IS in all cases not covered by the TESOL Constitution and Bylaws and these Governing Rules.

Revised February 2004.