Constitution and election
Independent Chair
Appointed in accordance with the Partnership criteria.

Institution representatives
The following representatives will be elected by and from the representing sector:

			Two Vice-Chancellors nominated by Universities UK and from Partnership institutions, one of whom will normally be the Chair of Universities UK's International Strategy Group
			Higher education sector, England and Northern Ireland: three representatives
			Higher education sector, Scotland: one representative
			Higher education sector, Wales: one representative
			Further education sector: two representatives
			Independent college sector: one representative
			Independent school sector: one representative

British Council representatives

			UK: two representatives
			Overseas: two representatives
			Director Education UK Partnership Ex Officio

Secretary
Assistant Director Education UK Partnership.

Procedures and timeline for elections

			Elections use the single transferable vote process and are carried out in accordance with information supplied from the Electoral Reform Society of Great Britain
			The timetable for each annual election will be agreed at the first Board meeting of the year
			Nomination and voting takes place at the primary Partnership contact level within a Partnership institution
			Partnership institutions are only allowed to propose nominees for election and vote for candidates from their own sector
			Nominees for election must be proposed by a contact within the Partnership institutions and nominees must have agreed to stand after consultation with the proposer. The nomination must be supported by a seconder from the same sector but from a different institution to the proposer.
			All nominations must be presented on the original, official nomination form and must be accompanied by an election address, of no more than 200 words, detailing the nominee's capacity to represent the interests of the Partnership and outlining their aims in representing their respective sector. Faxed nominations must reach the Partnership administration desk by the date stated in the nomination request. Late nominations will not be accepted.
			Partnership institutions are entitled to one vote. They will be invited to list their first and subsequent preferences in number order on the official voting form. Only original voting forms will be counted. All voting forms must reach the Partnership administration desk by the date stated in the voting forms packs. Late votes, photocopies and faxes will not be accepted. All voting forms will be opened and counted on the day stated in the voting pack.
			Notification of the results will be made first by telephone to the successful candidate. Once the candidate has accepted the post, then the primary contacts within the Partnership institutions will be notified of the results in writing.

Timeline guideline:

			September: Request for nominations sent to heads of all Partnership institutions
			October: Receipt of nominations. Issue of voting packs
			November: Votes counted. Results published

Elected representatives on the Board are expected to serve for two years.

Nominated representatives are expected to serve until such time as they either move on or a replacement is nominated.

Appointed Board members are expected to ensure continuity in the operations of the Board and should not normally change within six months of an election having taken place.

An election will take place for half the elected seats on the Board each year. This is to maintain continuity of representation.

Procedures for Board meetings

			The Operating Board should meet a minimum of three times per year
			Dates for the year will be agreed among the members at the last meeting of the calendar year and reviewed where a need for change arises
			The agendas and papers for meetings should reach Board members at least one week before each meeting. There should normally be no more than three additional papers tabled at any meeting.
			Minutes of meetings will provide a concise record of the Board's transactions, noting the views of members where appropriate, but concentrating on decisions, recommendations and action points. The minutes will be taken by one or more British Council staff members who will attend each meeting. The Chair should clear drafts of minutes before they are printed and circulated to all Board members and Partnership institutions.

Quorum
A quorum shall consist of six Board members. The Chair (or the Deputy appointed for the meeting) has the right to decide that a meeting shall proceed if less than six members are present, but any decision of the meeting when inquorate must be subject either to:

			Ratification in writing by at least half of the members who were absent, or confirmation by the next quorate meeting
			Board members (elected and nominated) are not allowed to select 'alternates' to attend meetings. Elected and nominated Board members may send an observer only.
			The FCO is permitted to send an alternate observer to the meeting where necessary
			Where the Chair is unable to attend a Board meeting, they may select an alternate Chair for that meeting. This will normally be the Deputy Chair.

Decision making

			Decisions by the Operating Board will normally be reached by consensus
			Where consensus is not reached, the Chair may put a decision to the vote. This will be by show of hands. The Chair may vote and, when necessary, give the casting vote. However, if any member requests it, the vote will be taken by secret ballot.
			If the Chair considers it to be appropriate, they can insist on a secret ballot, retaining the casting vote to themselves