BYLAWS

Last updated Wed Dec 29  2004

TURKISH FORUM

(DÜNYA TÜRKLERİ BİRLİĞİ – WORLD TURKISH ALLIANCE)

PREAMBLE (ORGANIZATION, LOCATION, AND OBJECTIVE)

• The name of the Corporation shall be the “*TURKISH FORUM, INC.”, hereafter referred to as the “ASSOCIATION”. The ASSOCIATION may also use following alliases “DÜNYA TÜRKLERİ BİRLİĞİ and/or WORLD TURKISH ALLIANCE” and/or “WORLD TURKISH COALITION” to define itself, within its official communications.
• The objective of the ASSOCIATION shall be to coordinate the activities of its members, and to promote a broad based scientific, cultural, social and economic understanding of Turkey.
• The objective of the ASSOCIATION should not contradict and must be inline/parallel to the Objective(s) of the parental, or umbrella Organizations (If Any) selected, for ASSOCIATION membership.
• Any procedure or item or section which was not fully or partially defined or was left out inadvertently or knowingly within the ASSOCIATION Bylaws will be governed with the existing definition of parental and/or Umbrella Organization’s Bylaws.
• If any parental or Umbrella organization is selected, it must be included within the Bylaws of The ASSOCIATION.
• The principal office of the ASSOCIATION shall be in the State of Connecticut, USA.
• The ASSOCIATION may also have an office or offices in such other place or places as the business of the ASSOCIATION may require and the Board of Directors may, from time to time, designate. In such event, the Board of Directors of the ASSOCIATION shall take any and all necessary actions to qualify the ASSOCIATION in other jurisdictions.

ARTICLE II.

COMPONENT ASSOCIATIONS

• The ASSOCIATION may expand by the acceptance of Component Associations.
• Application to become a Component Association shall be made in writing to the Board of Directors of the ASSOCIATION. The Board of Directors determine the eligibility of the applicant to become a Component Association. The President of the ASSOCIATION shall report the recommendations of the Board to the next annual Assembly of Delegates or at a special meeting of delegates, expressly for the purpose of expediting membership. Component status shall be granted on an affirmative simple majority vote of the delegates present.
• Membership requirements to Component Associations shall be the same as the ASSOCIATION membership. (See article IV, individual memberships)
• Bylaws of Component Associations must either be the same as the ASSOCIATION (The ASSOCIATION Bylaws contain sufficient information for Component Association’s operations) or must not contain contradictions to the Bylaws of the ASSOCIATION.
• A Component Association may be suspended or expelled for cause upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors and by the two-thirds majority vote of the delegates present in either the annual or a special meeting of the Assembly of Delegates.

ARTICLE III.

FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

• The founding members may be listed in ARTICLE XXIII. or kept in file for need to know base.

ARTICLE IV.

MEMBERSHIP BY INDIVIDUALS

• Membership in the ASSOCIATION by individuals shall be in one of the following general classes: Full Member in good standing, and Honorary Member or Life Member.

The definition of “Full Member in good standing” is a Full Member who is in full compliance with these Bylaws while exercising the rights and duties of his or her membership including payments of dues if required to do so.

The term Affiliate Member will be used interchangeably to designate a “Full Member in good standing” with the ASSOCIATION.

• Full Members in good standing of the ASSOCIATION shall have the right to attend and participate meetings, to serve as delegates or alternates when so designated by their Component Associations, and to receive certain mailings of the ASSOCIATION.

Full Members shall consist of all those who have been admitted as members of the ASSOCIATION through application to ASSOCIATION.

• Honorary Members & Life Members shall consist of those who have made outstanding contributions to the ASSOCIATION, and its Component Associations. Upon recommendation of the Board of Directors, an individual shall be designated as an Honorary Member or Life Member of the ASSOCIATION by two-thirds affirmative vote of the Assembly of Delegates. The title shall be conferred for life and shall carry with it none of the obligations but all the benefits of Full Members in good standing.
• An ASSOCIATION member may be suspended or expelled for cause on the recommendation of at least two members of the Board of Directors and by two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors then in office.
• During the first years of the operation founding members, and later on the Assembly of delegates may create other categories of membership.

ARTICLE V.

ASSOCIATION’S FORMATION

• The ASSOCIATION will consist of the following:
  • Assembly of Delegates.
  • Board of Directors.
    • Executive Committee.
    • Board of Presidents.
    • Committee/Board Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons.
    • Records Officer.
  • Board of Trustees.
  • Board of Auditors.
  • Board of Ethics.
  • Advisory Board.
  • Board of Commerce.
  • Membership and Confidential Records Board.
  • Council of Delegates. consists of delegates selected for representation of ASSOCIATION during the General Assembly meeting(s) of selected parental/umbrella Organizations.
  • Bylaws Committee.
  • Special Committees, Councils and/or Boards (formed as needed by the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, the Board of Trustees, and the Assembly of Delegates as permanent or temporary. The Special Committee Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons have voting rights within the Committees and/or Boards they are evolved or as specified by the Assembly of Delegates).

ARTICLE VI.

ASSEMBLY OF DELEGATES

• All members who do not have any overdue membership fees and have paid their current membership fees can be a Voting Member of the Assembly of Delegates as follows:
  • Individual members. Each individual member shall carry a single vote.
  • Component Association representatives. Each representative shall carry five (5) votes for the Component Association and one additional vote for each ten (10) Affiliated Member in compliance with Article VI, Section 1 and major fractions over five (5) thereof. Such individuals shall also carry their respective single vote as stated above.
• The Assembly of Delegates shall be the highest governing body of the ASSOCIATION for setting policies, aims, and goals and for defining the relationships between the ASSOCIATION and the Component Associations. The Assembly of Delegates shall be the final authority over all affairs of the ASSOCIATION, unless otherwise stated in these Bylaws.
• Regular meetings of the Assembly of Delegates to select the Board of Directors, Board of Trustees and/or Boards or Commitees may differ (Standing or Ad-Hoc committees exculuded, they will be or can be formed by the President). Regular meetings of the Assembly of Delegates shall be held within the period recommended by the applicable laws and the requlations of the United States of America (USA), and meeting location may rotate, depending upon selection of delegates, and not restricted to the USA. Special meetings may be called by the President, the Board of Directors, or by a written request from at least one-third of the Component Associations, or by a written request of at least one-third of the Board of Presidents.
• The call for regular meetings of the Assembly of Delegates shall be sent in writing or by electronic mail to all Component Associations at least sixty (60) days in advance with a tentative agenda. The call for special meetings of the Assembly of Delegates shall be sent to all Component ASSOCIATIONs in writing or by electronic mail at least thirty (30) days in advance and shall state the purpose of the meeting.

Component Associations shall be responsible for the dissemination of all the information to their delegates.

• All resolutions which will be presented to the Assembly of Delegates for action shall be filed with the Secretary General for notification to the Component Associations, the Board of Directors fifteen (15) days before the meeting. No such resolutions shall be accepted by the Secretary General which are not sponsored by a Component Association, the Board of Directors, a committee of the Association, or by petition of at least thirty (30) Association members.
• Proxy votes can be cast upon receipt of a written statement of the proxy signed by the member or via electronic mail addressed to the Secretary General at least 24 hours before the meeting. Designated proxies must also comply with Article VI, Section 1.
• A quorum of the Assembly of Delegates shall be a simple majority of the Voting Members. If such a quorum can not be obtained, a second meeting shall be called within thirty (30) minutes, at which time the delegates present shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• The executive powers of the ASSOCIATION shall rest in the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors thereof. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the following elected or selected officers: President, Vice Presidents Operations(2), regional Vice Presidents who are also the presidents of the Component Associations, a Secretary General, a Treasurer, minimum of four executive members and the immediate past President. The Regional Vice Presidents shall either be elected by the regions or be appointed by the president and approved by the Board of Directors to represent the various geographic regions of the ASSOCIATION, The number of Regional Vice Presidents and the boundaries of the regions they represent shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and approved by the Assembly of Delegates and shall be revised as deemed appropriate so that the geographic distribution of the ASSOCIATION membership and other ASSOCIATION needs are properly represented.
• Members of the Executive Committee shall hold office for a term determined by the general assembly and until their successors take the office. They shall not serve more than four (4) consecutive terms as a member of the Executive Committee. Newly elected members shall assume their duties at the close of the annual meeting following their election.
• Nominations and Elections:
  • Nominations: The Nominating Committee will consist of three past Presidents of the ASSOCIATION (until such past presidents become available, the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Advisory Board and the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Board of Ethics, Chairperson or Co chairperson of Board of Commerce, Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of Bylaws committee will fulfill empty seats on three past president position) and two (2) members elected by the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee shall seek candidates among the ASSOCIATION affiliate members, in preparing its slate of nominees. Candidates proposed by at least 20% (twenty percent) of the Component Association shall be included in the list of nominees. The slate shall consist of one or more names for each office to be filled by election and shall be approved by the Board of Directors. In preparing its slate, the Nominating Committee shall consider demonstrated potential for competent service at the international and national levels.
  • Elections:
    • President Honor (Fahri Baskan), President, Vice President Operations (Two positions), Secretary General, Treasurer, and Executive Committee members shall be elected by the Assembly of Delegates.

The selection of President Honor will be done with open voting and on request from the Board of Directors. The Assembly of Delegates do review the request from the Board of Directors and vote for the President Honor. To be selected as a President Honor, the candidate needs 100% affirmative vote of the delegates.

The selection of Regional Vice Presidents will be done:

• • • • by the Board of Directors, upon nomination(s) approved by the President.
      • though mail (including e-mail) ballot, if so decided and requested in writing by the majority of the Affiliate Members of the Component Associations and approved by the Assembly of Delegates.

The Regional Vice Presidents shall be Affiliate Members residing in the region and the selection by “option i” (Regional Vice President’s appointment) or selection by “option ii” (mail ballot) must be completed minimum of three (3) months before the meeting of Assembly of Delegates. Under the tie vote conditions, the selection of Regional Vice President will be completed by the Board of Directors, thus selection of regional board will not be delayed.

In the event of election by mail ballot, the ballot participants will be Affiliate Members of their region and the Board of Directors, the Advisory Board, the Board of Ethics, the Board of Commerce, the Membership and Confidential Records Board, and the Board of Trustees.

The Vice President Bakanliklar, Ankara /Turkey and the Vice President District of Columbia/ USA will be appointed by the Board of Directors until otherwise decided by the Assembly of Delegates. The above Vice Presidents are not expected to have regional boards, however, they are expected to perform the necessary functions to coordinate Official and governmental activities. Similar positions may be established for United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or in any other country if the Assembly of Delegates decide, on need, to establish the respective offices in respective countries.

• • • The slate of candidates, prepared by the Nominating Committee, shall be mailed:
      • to the ASSOCIATION Members at least sixty (60) days before the Assembly of Delegates meeting for selection of the Executive Committee, Board of Ethics, Advisory Board, By-laws Committee and Membership and Confidential Records Board.
      • to the regional Affiliate Members at least thirty days before Regional Vice Presidents’ elections, if mail ballot will be used.
    • The nominees with the highest number of votes shall be the officers. If a tie vote, the Assembly of Delegates shall elect by secret ballot the winner from among the candidates with equal votes.
    • The selection of regional board officers will be done :
      • by the Regional Vice Presidents and be approved by the Executive Committee of the ASSOCIATION.
      • through mail ballot, if so decided and requested in writing by the majority of the Affiliate Members of the Component Associations and approved by the Board of Directors.

The regional officers shall be Affiliate Members residing in the region, and the selection by “option i” (Regional Vice President’s selection) or selection by “option ii” (mail ballot) must be completed within four (4) weeks after the selection of Regional Vice Presidents of the ASSOCIATION.

The number of officers may vary from region to region and if any conflict this issue may be put on the same ballot. Division of positions or titles among the regional officers will be done in the first meeting of the regional Board of Directors and by simple majority vote.

Selection of area directors (Vice Presidents of the local boards) is among the duties of the regional Vice President of the ASSOCIATION. This selection must be approved by the regional board to be effective.

The newly elected Vice President will attend the meetings of existing Regional Board of Directors. However, he or she cannot vote until the first assembly of the new board. First assembly of new regional board will be called jointly by the old and new Vice Presidents and within no later than two (2) weeks after the results are announced by the Nominating Committee.

• The functions of the Board of Directors are as follows:
  • Carry out the mandates of the Assembly of Delegates.
  • Propose policies for consideration by the ASSOCIATION.
  • Identify the needs of and provide services for the Component ASSOCIATIONs and the membership.
  • Develop and carry out programs for public education and information.
  • Coordinate the work of the Component Associations.
  • Submit the annual budget proposal to the Board of Trustees for endorsement and thereafter present the same to the Assembly of Delegates for final approval.

To carry out its functions, the Board of Directors is authorized to:

• • Assess dues and/or provide financial support for Component ASSOCIATIONs.
  • Appoint or hire staff for the conduct of the day-to-day activities of the ASSOCIATION.
  • Fill vacancies among the officers for the remainder of their terms.
  • Retain counsel for the ASSOCIATION.
  • Appoint an independent certified accountant in for the annual audit of the ASSOCIATION accounts and report to the Assembly of Delegates at the annual meeting.
  • Determine the time and place of all general and special meetings, unless overruled by two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly of Delegates.
• The duties of the executive officers shall be those specified herein.
  • The President shall:
    • Preside over meetings of the Assembly of Delegates and of the Board of Directors.
    • Appoint all standing and ad hoc committee chairpersons with the approval of the Board of Directors, except the Central Fund Raising Committee (See ARTICLE IX, Section 2c).
    • Be accountable to the Board of Directors and to the Assembly of Delegates in the discharge of his or her duties within the guidelines of these Bylaws.
  • The Vice President Operations (First and Second Vice-presidents):
    • Shall assist the President in whatever duties the President shall assign.
    • To perform the duties of the President during the temporary absence or disability of the President; the second Vice President to perform duties of the President during temporary absence or disability of the President and First Vice president
    • The Vice President Operations will not be eligible to succeed the President automatically, unless in the case of full vacancy in the office of the President. The Vice President Operations (either one) shall become President and with the concurrence of the board of Directors shall fill the vacancie temporarily until next term elections. In the above event, and with the request of its members, the Board of Directors may call for an emergency meeting which in that a simple majority of the Board of Directors may decide upon and early election to fulfill the vacancy or vacancies.

The election in this case:

• • • • (i) may be the election of a Vice President Operations only and for the remaining of the term (first or second), or
      • (ii) may be the general elections as if the term is (nearly) completed.

“Option i” should be selected if election decision was within the first half of the term. “Option ii” should be selected otherwise. In the event of selection of “option ii”, all supporting Boards, Component Associations, and the Committee durations need also be adjusted or reduced to comply with the rules and regulations of these Bylaws.

• • • The President Honor title can only be given to the individuals with proven, exceptional, and/or extra ordinary (one of a kind) service to ASSOCIATION Community. The President Honor title is an Honorary title and it is attached to the selection period as defined by assembly of delegates at the time of appointment. The President Honor has right to preside over the meetings which he or she attends. The President Honor, on request from the Board of Directors and in the permanent absence of the President, could assume Presidency with his or her title being President Honor/President and until the election of Vice President Operations to the slate of president as described above , thus the President as described in ARTICLE VII, Section 5b, Item 6.
  • The Secretary General shall issue notices of meetings, solicit agenda items, keep records of meetings, perform the usual duties of a Secretary of an organization under the supervision of the President and the Board of Directors, and preside over the Board of Directors if vacancy or absence of Vice Presidents. The Secretary General is the keeper of the Association records, Membership List, activities related to operational fund raising, and coordination of all committee activities.
  • The Regional Vice Presidents shall coordinate the major functions of the ASSOCIATION with the Component Associations in their respective regions. They shall be in constant communication with the area directors and the ASSOCIATION and assure an effective working relationship between the Component ASSOCIATIONs and the ASSOCIATION. They shall represent the ASSOCIATION Members in their regions. The Regional Vice Presidents are the Presidents of Component ASSOCIATIONs. They are members of the Board of Directors and the Board of Presidents. They have the right to attend and cast vote on Executive Committee meetings.
  • The Treasurer shall:
    • Be in charge and have custody of, and be responsible for, all funds of the ASSOCIATION and perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time-to-time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees.
    • Keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the ASSOCIATION.
    • Deposit all monies and other valuables to the credit of the ASSOCIATION in such repositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees.
    • Attend as voting member to the Board of Trustees meetings and provide liaison between the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees.
    • Serve as a voting member of the Central Fund Raising Committee.
• The Records Officer primarily assumes duties identical to the Secretary General of the Executive Committee, and secondly, keeps track of the lessons learned by each Board or Committee activity. The Record Officer serves 1/2 (one and a half) term in the respective Board or Committee and also an additional 1/2 term as a voting member of the respective Board or Committee in which during this period he or she transfers the accumulated knowledge to the newly elected Records Officer.
• Members of the Executive Committee will divide the work load of the ASSOCIATION. Form and chair temporary or permanent committees. Assist in the implementation of Association Policies. Assist in the collection of operational funds.

The titles of the executive members will be decided for each term and during the first meeting.

A minimum of five (5) executive members are required for each term.

• A member of the Board of Directors may be suspended or removed from office for cause by two-thirds majority vote of the Directors then in office. Similarly, a member of the Executive Committee may be suspended or removed from office with the cause by two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Committee members then in office. All removal or suspension decisions must also be approved by the Board of Ethics. The Board of Ethics has the right to reject any decision of suspension or removal. Decision of the Board of Ethics presides over any other Board or Committee, except the Assembly of Delegates.

ARTICLE VIII.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

• On or before the January 31st of each year, each Component Association shall forward to the Secretary General its annual dues as determined by the Board of Directors.

If both husband and wife are members, only one of them is obligated to pay membership dues. However, both pays the fees related to application or processing.

• The annual dues for the Members and the timing of the dues notices shall be determined or altered by the Board of Directors as follows :

Annual membership dues are voted on each year by the Board of Directors. Proxy may be used by the members of the Board of Directors if they so desire.

Annual membership fees must be mailed before the last day of March of each year. If delayed, the Executive Committee defines the interest and penalty. Members who does not fulfill the Executive Committee decisions can be suspended by the Board of Ethics on the recommendation of the Executive Committee. Minimum penalty in any event cannot be less than 10% per month or any fraction of the month.

Members who are having financial difficulties have the right to appeal and postpone or reduce or restructure their payments until their difficulties are eliminated.

Appealing must be done to the Executive Committee and before the last day of March of any year. The Executive Committee have the right to transfer the case to the Board of Ethics for final decision by simple majority vote. In any event, benefits of membership continue until the decision of Board of Ethics is received.

ARTICLE IX.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

• There shall be a Board of Trustees composed of a minimum of sixteen (16) members. The Board of Trustees shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee, or By the current chairman of the Board of Trustees, Concurred by the President of The Association, and elected by the ASSOCIATION Members in accordance with the provisions of ARTICLE VII. However, for the interim periods, election can be based on the approval of the following comitee chairmans “ Board of Advisors, Board of Commerce, Board of Auditors, Board of Trustees, BOD member representing the country which nominee was selected” in the event of tie vote The President of The Association has the deciding vote.

Candidates for the Board of Trustees have to be members of ASSOCIATION and shall be selected from among the corporate executives, businessmen or women, professional and other prominent individuals , who are knowledgeable and resourceful in financial matters. Trustees shall serve for a term of four (4) years, six (6) years for Records Officers, and they may be re-elected for consecutive terms.

Each BOT nominee must generate, yearly, a minimum of $15000. (Fiftheen Thousand USD) income to Association or contribute     equal funds to be used to global recognition of the Association.  A special Ad-Hoc comitte formed by the President review the accomplishment of each BOT member, every two years, and make recommendations to the President and to the BOT Chairman, regarding the continuing status of, or next term election of that member.

President of the Association nominates the Chairperson of the Board Of Trustees, For Each 4 years Term. The nomination process shall be based on the written work program of the BOT Chairperson nominee(s) which includes, but not limited to:

1-     A four year plan of the expected accomplishments of nominee, to strenghten the Associations global recognition and

2-     A four year plan how to increase Associations financial resources to support long term objectives and for day to day operations of Board of Directors.

The Board of Trustees shall elect the chairperson from among themselves and Among the Nominee(s) provided by the President.

If a trustee resigns, The BOT Chairperson shall appoint a trustee to fill the unexpired term promptly if any vacancy among the trustees for whatever reason.

The BOT Chairperson, with the concurrance of the President, will also select other officers stated in ARTICLE IX, Section 2h. Duties of the officers will be defined by the Board of Trustees at their first meeting.

• The duties of the Board of Trustees are:
  • To provide advice and guidance to the ASSOCIATION in financial matters, to allocate unbudgeted funds when necessary, and to arbitrate financial disputes.
  • To review the financial requirements on an on-going basis and to develop programs to generate the necessary resources.
  • To oversee the activities of the Central Fund Raising Committee which shall be responsible for fund raising activities for the ASSOCIATION, other than dues collection. The Board of Trustees shall appoint all Central Fund Raising Committee members and, if a vacancy, shall appoint a new committee member promptly.
  • To manage the Endowment Fund established for the sustained growth and well being of the ASSOCIATION subject to the following conditions:
    • the earnings of the Endowment Fund are to be used for the general operating expenses of the ASSOCIATION,
    • the principal of the Fund shall be kept intact except when recommended by the Board of Directors for pursuing the fundamental objective of the ASSOCIATION as expressed in ARTICLE I, Section 2 of these Bylaws.
  • To act on the annual budget proposal submitted by the Board of Directors for endorsement and release the necessary funds as required.
  • To set guidelines and develop procedures for financial well being and accounting control.
  • To oversee the investment practices of the ASSOCIATION.
  • Officers of the Board of Trustees:
    • Chairperson
    • Vice Chairperson(s) (one for each country)
    • Records Officer
    • Treasurer (Who is also the tresurer of the association.)
    • Minimum of twelve (12) Board members

The Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson(2) are also members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X.

BOARD OF AUDITORS

• The Board of Auditors consists of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Records Officer and six (6) Board members. Nominations and selection will be done with the provisions of ARTICLE VII and every two (2) years, three (3) years for Record Officers. The Board meets minimum of twice a year for auditing the activities and the books of the Board of Directors.

The Board will select their chairperson and officers at their first meeting.

The Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson are also members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI.

BOARD OF ETHICS

• The Board of Ethics consists of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Records Officer, and seven (7) Board members. Nominations and selection will be done with the provisions of ARTICLE VII and every two (2) years, three (3) years for Record Officers. The Board meets for reviewing suspension or removal decisions made by the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors. The Board of Ethics has the right to alter any decision made on removal or suspension by any Board or Committee.

The Board members must have 20 (twenty) years of minimum field experience in their professional life or they must be identified as founding members of the ASSOCIATION in ARTICLE XXIII.

The method of investigation of the cause and the action taken must be fully documented and submitted to the Assembly of Delegates during annual convention.

The Board will select their chairperson and officers at their first meeting.

The Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson are also members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XII.

ADVISORY BOARD (S)

• Each Advisory Board consists of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Records Officer, and a minimum of seven (7) Board members. Nominations and selection will be done with the provisions of ARTICLE VII and every four (4) years, six (6) years for Record Officers. The Board meets twice a year for providing general or specific guidance or recommendation of policies to the Executive Committee or Board of Directors. The President of the Association is the only natural member of the Board.

The Board members must have thirty (20) years of minimum field experience in their professional life or they must be identified as founding members of the ASSOCIATION in ARTICLE XXIII or they must serve as President for two (2) consecutive terms.

The President of the Association can only be a member of the Advisory Board(s) until the expiration of his or her term in the Board of Directors.

The Board will select their chairperson and officers at their first meeting.

The Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson are also members of the Board of Directors.

There may be more than one Advisory board, as the needs of the association changes or work scope requires.

ARTICLE XIII.

MEMBERSHIP AND CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS BOARD

• The Membership and Confidential Records Board consists of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Records Officer, and a minimum of four (4) Board members which includes natural members. Nominations and selection will be done with the provisions of ARTICLE VII and every two (2) years, three (3) years for Record Officers. The Board meets as needed for providing general or specific information about members to the Executive Committee or to the Board of Directors. “Membership Drive” is also one of the functions of this Board.

The President and the First Vice President of the ASSOCIATION are the natural members of the Board.

The Board will select their chairperson and officers at their first meeting.

The Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson are also members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIV.

COUNCIL OF DELEGATES

• The Council of Delegates consists of representatives of the ASSOCIATION to Umbrella Organizations as stated in ARTICLE V, section 1, item VIII. The delegates must be selected among the Affiliate Members and by the Executive Committee.

The Board of Presidents has the right to alter any selection by two-thirds majority vote. The number of delegates for each Umbrella Organization will depend on the Bylaws of the Umbrella Organizations. The President of the Board of Directors is also the President of the Board of Delegates during representations. However, the President has the option to delegate his responsibility to any Affiliate Member of his or her choice. The President’s decision for leadership will be final.

Selection of the Board of Delegates must be done within four (4) weeks after the selection of the President.

ARTICLE XV.

BOARD OF COMMERCE

• The Board of Commerce consists of Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, Records Officer, and a minimum of four (4) Board members which includes natural members. Nominations and selection will be done with the provisions of ARTICLE VII and every two (2) terms, three (3) three terms for Record Officers. The Board meets as needed for providing general or specific information about members to the Executive Committee or to the Board of Directors.

The President of the ASSOCIATION is the natural member of the Board.

The Board will select their chairperson and officers at their first meeting.

The Chairperson and the Co-Chairperson are also members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XVI.

BYLAWS COMMITTEE

• The Bylaws Committee consists of Chairperson, Regional Vice Chairpersons (one for each chartered country), and Records Officer. Nominations and selection will be done with the provisions of ARTICLE VII and every two (2) years. The Committee meets as needed for providing necessary and timely update of the Bylaws and/or their interpretation by the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors.

The President and the First Vice President of the ASSOCIATION are the natural members of the Committee.

The Committee will select their chairperson and officers at their first meeting.

The Chairperson and the Vice Chairpersons, and the Records Officer are also members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XVII.

CONVENTIONS

• A convention of the ASSOCIATION shall be as decribed in Article VI “Assembly Of Delegates”.
• The dates and places of the Convention shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
• Special and Non-Election Peroids related Conventions shall be made public at least thirty (30) days in advance. A regular meeting of the Assembly of Delegates may be held during the Convention.
• The Convention shall be open to all members and their guests who register giving their names and addresses.
• The Convention shall be open to all members and their guests who register before or during the convention.

ARTICLE XVIII.

AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

• Amendments to these Bylaws may be petitioned by at least three (3) Component Associations to the Bylaws Committee or proposed by two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors. Upon review of the amendment to the Bylaws by the Bylaws Committee, the Secretary General shall circulate the proposed amendments to all Component Associations, the Board of Directors, and the Board of Trustees at least thirty (30) days before the next regular meeting of the Assembly of Delegates and along with the recommendations of the Bylaws Committee. This may include the recommendations of the Board of Directors on the proposed amendments.
• A proposed amendment shall be voted on the Assembly of Delegates. To be approved, a proposed amendment requires affirmative two-thirds majority vote of the delegates.
• The Bylaws Committee must be given thirty (30) days to respond the petitions. Bylaws Committee’s recommendation will be in the direction of “Acceptance” or “Rejection” of the petition with justification(s). The Bylaws Committee may also include amendments to the original petition as part of its recommendation.

ARTICLE XIX.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES

• The rules contained in the current edition of the “Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised” shall guide the ASSOCIATION always to which they are applicable and which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.

ARTICLE XX.

EARNINGS AND ASSETS

• The ASSOCIATION is non-profit and shall not have or issue shares of stock or pay dividends.
• The assets of ASSOCIATION shall be dedicated to the purposes set forth in ARTICLE I hereof, and shall be used exclusively toward the furtherance of any or all of such purposes.
• Any sums which shall accumulate in the Treasury of this ASSOCIATION shall be used exclusively for the accomplishment of the purposes of this ASSOCIATION as set forth in ARTICLE I hereof.
• Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the ASSOCIATION is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under IRC Section 501(c)(3) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws.
• No part of the net earnings of the ASSOCIATION shall inure to the benefit of any member, trustee, director, officer of the ASSOCIATION, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the ASSOCIATION), and no member, trustee, officer of the ASSOCIATION or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporate assets on dissolution of the ASSOCIATION.
• No substantial part of the activities of the ASSOCIATION shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided by IRC Section 501(h)), and does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publication or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
• In the event of dissolution all of the remaining assets and property of the ASSOCIATION shall, after necessary expenses thereof, be distributed to another organization exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3), or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws, or to the Federal government, or state or local government for public purpose, subject to the approval of a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Connecticut.
• In any taxable year in which the ASSOCIATION is a private foundation as described in IRC Section 509(a), the ASSOCIATION shall distribute its income for said period at such time and manner as not to subject it to tax under IRC Section 4942, and the ASSOCIATION shall not
  • engage in any act of self-dealing as defined in IRC Section 4941(d), retain any excess business holdings as defined in IRC Section 4943(c),
  • make any investments in such manner as to subject the ASSOCIATION to tax under IRC Section 4944, or
  • make any taxable expenditures as defined in IRC Section 4945(d) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws.

ARTICLE XXI.

ASSOCIATION OFFICIAL ADDRESS

18 ELM STREET , Suite #1
Hartford, CT 06108, USA
E-mail: Info@Turkishforum.com.tr

ARTICLE XXII.

OTHER QUALIFIED ASSOCIATION MAIL AND/OR MEMBER CONTACT ADDRESSES IN USA, TURKEY AND INTERNET

PO Box 1104
Marblehead, MA 01945, USA
Tel: 01 (781) 308-3437

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Meseli Sok, No12   4.Levent 80620 Istanbul  TR

Tel: 90 (533) 477 23 73

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TURKISH FORUM NETWORK SISTEMI

http://www.TurkishForum.com.tr http://www.DiscoverTurkey.com http://www.TurkishNews.com.tr/Ataturk http://www.turkishtimes.com http://www.TurkishForum.co.uk http://www.TurkishNews.com http://www.TurkishNews.com/NewsNetwork

ARTICLE XXIII.

FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

(In File)