International Agreement of Indexing Societies

Between The Society of Indexers, The American Society for Indexing, Indexing Society of Canada / Société Canadienne d’Indexation , The Australian and New Zealand Society of Indexers, The Association of Southern African Indexers and Bibliographers and The China Society of Indexers (1999, Amended 2006, 2009)

All mention of Societies refers to the Societies listed in Schedule A. All mention of Associate groups or networks refers to those listed in Schedule B. All mention of Committees associated with The Indexer refers to the two committees listed in Schedule C.

This agreement between the Societies promotes the aims and objectives of the Societies and their members, and supersedes all previous affiliation agreements between the Societies.
The members of each Society shall enjoy the right to attend meetings and conferences of the other Societies and to purchase publications at the member rate. Members shall not have reciprocal rights to vote or hold office. Services specific to a Society, such as certification and registers of indexers, are not included in the reciprocal rights.
A category of “Associate” status will enable networks and groups that have not formed formal Societies to receive The Indexer at the preferential rate enjoyed by the indexing Societies. Other reciprocal arrangements will not apply, unless negotiated individually with particular Societies.
Societies and Associate groups or networks shall refrain from actively seeking members in areas covered by other Societies, but each Society may accept membership applications from individuals outside their own area.
Each Society and Associate group or network agrees to appoint an international liaison to represent its interests on matters of international import, and to maintain open communication with the other Societies and Associates.
Each Society shall offer a free conference registration to an authorized representative from each of the other Societies. The host of the Triennial International Meeting will also offer a discounted place to an authorized representative from each of the Associate groups or networks.
Each Society and Associate group or network will make its newsletter accessible to the governing body of all the other Societies and Associates at no charge. In the case of hard-copy newsletters, copies will be mailed. Electronic online newsletters will be made accessible to the international liaisons of all the other Societies and Associates by means of the international Indexing Societies discussion list; the international liaisons may make the newsletter accessible to relevant members of the governing body of their Society or Associate group or network.
The [British] Society of Indexers shall publish The Indexer on behalf of all the Societies and Associates. The indexer shall remain the property of the [British] Society of Indexers.
The appointment of the editor(s) of The Indexer shall remain the responsibility of the [British] Society of Indexers. The production and management of The Indexer shall be the responsibility of the Indexer Management Committee.
Each participating Society and Associate group or network shall have the right to nominate one of its members to the Indexer Editorial Advisory Committee.
The editor(s) of The Indexer shall maintain the right to accept or reject contributions from whatever source, at their discretion.
Each Society and Associate group or network shall make The Indexer available to its members according to its own rules and procedures.
The price of The Indexer for members of the Societies and Associate groups or networks shall be fixed by the [British] Society of Indexers, and shall be at a lower rate than the general subscription rate. The Societies and Associate groups or networks shall be notified of price changes by the beginning of September of the year before these changes take effect.
This Agreement may be amended at any time by common consent of the Societies. Review of the agreement will take place every third year, at the Triennial International Meeting, commencing in the year 2000.
The Triennial International Meeting shall take place at the conference of one of the Societies. At each meeting the host Society for the next meeting shall be nominated.
Any Society may withdraw from the agreement on giving 12 months notice to the other Societies.
This agreement shall come into effect on its ratification by the respective Societies, according to their constitutional procedures. It does not depend upon approval of the groups or networks holding Associate status.
The International Coordinator will be appointed at the Triennial International Meeting. This position has a term of three years, renewable for up to three terms. The International Coordinator will be responsible for drafting the agenda for the International Meeting and for maintaining contact between the various societies regarding amendments to the International Agreement and other issues that may arise.
Each society or associate group or network will have the right to one free advertisement in each issue of The Indexer. Likewise, The Indexer will have the right for a free advertisement in the newsletters of other Societies and Associates.
Each Society and Associate group or network will have the right to one free advertisement per issue in the newsletters of other Societies and Associates.

Schedule A

American Society for Indexing (ASI)
Association of Southern African Indexers and Bibliographers (ASAIB)
Australian and New Zealand Society of Indexers (ANZSI)
China Society of Indexers (CSI)
Indexing Society of Canada / Société Canadienne d’Indexation (ISC/SCI)
Society of Indexers (referred to above as [British] Society of Indexers) (SI)

Schedule B

Schedule C

The Indexer Management Committee shall be appointed by the Society of Indexers on the joint recommendation of the SI Director, Members' Services (who shall chair the Committee) and the editor of The Indexer.
The Indexer International Advisory Committee shall be chaired by the editor of The Indexer, and shall have responsibility for ensuring that all the participating Societies and Associate groups or networks are able to make an effective contribution to the development and implementation of policy relating to The Indexer.

Revisions adopted 8 March 2009