LANCASTER FLASH LITERARY JOURNAL CONSTITUTION
Approved: 21st of November 2014 by the 2014/2015 Editorial Committee
(Joshua Wilson, Rebecca Parkinson, Sianne Fraser, Hannah Clarke, Betty Doyle & Chandler Yang )
Enacted: 5th of February 2015
0. OVERVIEW
0.1
This constitution sets out the purposes, features and procedures of Flash as
an online literary journal ran for and by Lancaster University students.
1. PURPOSE
1.1
Flash seeks to be an exciting online forum for students at Lancaster
University to contribute, read and discuss both creative writing and literary
criticism which moves beyond the conventions of traditional degree
assessment – essays, presentations and examinations.
2. FEATURES
2.1
The project has two particular features which distinguish it from existing
Lancaster publications Cake and Luminary.
2.1.1
Firstly, it is targeted at current students the intention being to offer them
the experience of contributing to an academic publication with a view to
further study or careers in the media, publishing, marketing or writing.
We will therefore look to offer contributors the experience of writing,
peer reviewing, editing, web-management and promotion. The second
effect of this focus is that the project will therefore showcase the talents
and activities of Lancaster’s students to others, including prospective
students.
2.1.2
The second distinguishing feature of the project is the brevity of
content, with contributors being given targets of between 500 and 1000
words. However, longer, essay length pieces will be considered for
publication.
2.2
The Flash website also features an Editor’s section featuring short
biographies for the current editorial committee. This is so that potential
contributors can easily find the interests of our contributors and contact the
most appropriate person to discuss their ideas in a peer-review format.
3. CONTRIBUTIONS AND EDITING
3.1
Contributions are welcomed on any subject.
3.2
A dual precedent has been set for submissions between creative and critical
pieces, however we are not aiming for prescriptivism; all contributions
received will be appraised and edited.
3.3 FEEDBACK GUARANTEE
Feedback is guaranteed and the editorial process is regulated by the
Executive Editor(s) to ensure a high level of quality.
3.4 REJECTION
We reserve the right to reject any pieces for publication with sufficient reason
beyond personal subjectivism.
3.4.1
Any rejected pieces must be consulted on by the whole of the editorial
committee, though each piece’s assigned editor has the right to reject
publication.
3.4.2
We welcome input and advice from academic staff in this process.
4. THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
4.1 MAXIMUM ROLES
The Editorial Committee will consist of no more than eight roles to reduce
bureaucratic overload.
4.2 ROLES
The structure of the Committee is as follows.
4.2.1
There will be no more than six Editors.
4.2.2
There will be no more than two Publicity and Promotion Editors, and no
less than one.
4.2.3
There will be no more than two Executive Editors and no less than one.
4.2.4
Individuals may have more than one role, though it is advised that the
Committee does not fall below three members.
5. COMMITTEE ROLE DESCRIPTORS
5.1 EDITORS
Editors form the body of the Committee.
5.1.1
They are responsible for working with authors who have submitted and
providing objective, constructive feedback for the purpose of improving
the piece.
5.1.2
All feedback is optional and the author has the right to refuse
suggested changes.
5.1.3
Editors may refuse to publish pieces for reasons that must be
discussed with the whole Committee.
5.1.4
It is advised to attempt to give feedback to all submissions if possible.
5.2 EXECUTIVE EDITORS
Executive Editors are the administrators and nominal heads of the Committee.
5.2.1
Executive Editors ensure the continuation of the Committee, propose
changes and votes, organise meetings and manage the Committee.
5.2.2
Executive Editors also serve as first point of contact for the Committee.
5.2.3 ROLE IN TRANSITION
Executive Editors appoint the next Committee with review from the
Editors.
5.2.4 EDITOR DISMISSAL
Executive Editors may dismiss Editors though it is strongly advised to
do so only for very good reason, for example if a Committee member is
continuously unengaged or if they are bringing purposeful disrepute to
the journal.
5.2.5 EDITOR REPLACEMENT
Replacement Editors may be appointed by the Executive Editor.
5.3 EXECUTIVE EDITOR DISMISSAL
Executive Editors may be removed from the role by a general vote of the
Editors.
5.3.1
In the event of a vote of no confidence, a letter explaining why they
have been removed should be presented and signed by those who
have voted against to VONC them.
5.3.2
A replacement Executive Editor must then be elected.
5.4 PUBLICITY AND EVENTS EDITORS
Publicity and Promotion Editors are the face of the journal and work to bring
an awareness of Flash by working with relevant faculties, societies and
outside organisations.
5.4.1
They function as Editors do with regards to voting, dismissal, transition
and so forth.
5.5 RESIGNING
At any point during the Committee’s administration, an individual can resign
from any position.
5.5.1
The replacement of the individual is at the discretion of the Committee
as a whole.
5.5.2
If this leaves the Committee without an Executive Editor, a new one
must be elected from amongst the Editors or Publicity Editors.
6. TRANSITION ARRANGEMENTS
Transition arrangements here refer to the passing over of the Committee between
years.
6.1
Transition arrangements should be made in the summer term and should
have sufficient publicity to ensure applications are submitted.
6.2 PRIOR COMMITTEE ROLES IN TRANSITION
Transition is managed by the Executive Editors with counsel from the Editors.
6.3 APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Candidates should present a manifesto or application, formerly set by the
Committee, by a given deadline
6.3.1
The Committee should endeavour to reply within two weeks.
6.4
The successive Committee must be assembled before Michaelmas term (term
1) of the following year.
6.5 PRINCIPLE OF SELECTION
Executive Editors should choose those who they believe merit the given
position and will further the goals of Flash.
6.6 EDITOR ROLES IN TRANSITION
Executive Editors should discuss the candidates with the Editors, but the final
decision rests with the Executive Editors.
6.7 METHOD OF TRANSITION
A Facebook group should be created for the successive Committee.
6.7.1
Former Executive Editors and the former Publicity Editor can remain a
part of this group to oversee the changes the new Committee enacts,
or leave as they wish.
6.7.2
Admin privileges should be given to the new Executive Editors.
6.8 HANDOVER DOCUMENTS
A handover document should be provided to the new Committee which
describes the roles, past traditions, social media account details, and basic
WordPress tutorials.
6.8.1
The Committee should prepare this to coincide with the creation of the
Facebook group.
6.9 IDEAL EXECUTIVE EDITORS
Executive Editor positions should be given to those with the most experience.
6.9.1
We would advise the order for this allocation should give priority to
former Committee members, final years, former Flash authors, or those
with credible literary or editing experience.
6.10 MULTI-YEAR COMMITTEE MEMBERS
In the case that former Committee members wish to remain on the Committee
in the successive year, we would advise that these individuals also propose a
manifesto equal to new applicants and that past merits are considered.
6.10.1
If former Executive Committee members wish to remain in the role,
they must be excluded from deliberating on the positions.
6.10.2
Allocation of this position should be decided by (i) the Executive Editor
who is leaving, or (ii) by vote after the Editor and Publicity Editor
positions have been filled.
7. VOTING
Voting on any matter should be done by simple majority.
7.1
The nature of votes vary on the subject, but we advise secret ballots may be
the best way to receive honest responses.
8. AMMENDING THE CONSTITUTION
The constitution is the sum and serf of the committee.
8.1
Changes to the constitution may be proposed by any member of the
committee
8.2
Changes to the constitution must be voted on and approved by simple
majority.
8.2.1
Ties mean that the constitution amendments do not pass, i.e., 51% of
votes must be in favour of the proposed change
8.3
Once constitution changes have been approved, they are enacted by
uploading the constitution to the Flash website.
8.3.1
Until the constitution is available to the public, it is considered a draft
and may not be used to evidence or support decisions.
8.4
We advise reviewing the constitution each year.
8.4.1
If no changes are necessary, vote to continue the current constitution.
8.4.2
This procedure of annual review must be followed in order to keep the
constitution recent, represent the current Committee and maintain the
integrity of Flash.
8.5
It is up to the Committee whether to submit reviewed constitutions to the
Department of English Literature and Creative Writing.