{"id":20880,"date":"2010-07-24T21:58:42","date_gmt":"2010-07-24T19:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.turkishforum.com.tr\/en\/content\/"},"modified":"2014-01-01T19:50:53","modified_gmt":"2014-01-01T17:50:53","slug":"bylaws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/bylaws\/","title":{"rendered":"Bylaws"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>BYLAWS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><strong>Last updated  Wed Dec 29\u00a0 2004<\/strong><\/strong><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>TURKISH FORUM <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> (D\u00dc<\/strong><strong>NYA  T\u00dc<\/strong><strong>RKLER\u0130<\/strong><strong> B\u0130<\/strong><strong>RL\u0130<\/strong><strong>\u011e\u0130<\/strong><strong> \u2013 WORLD TURKISH ALLIANCE<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<p><strong>PREAMBLE (ORGANIZATION,  LOCATION, AND OBJECTIVE)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The name of  the Corporation shall be the &#8220;*<strong>TURKISH  FORUM, INC<\/strong>.&#8221;, hereafter referred to as the &#8220;<strong>ASSOCIATION<\/strong>&#8221;. The ASSOCIATION may also use  following alliases \u201c<strong>D<\/strong><strong>\u00dc<\/strong><strong>NYA T\u00dc<\/strong><strong>RKLER\u0130<\/strong><strong> B\u0130<\/strong><strong>RL\u0130<\/strong><strong>\u011e\u0130<\/strong><strong> <\/strong>and\/or<strong> WORLD TURKISH  ALLIANCE\u201d and\/or  \u201cWORLD TURKISH COALITION\u201d <\/strong>to define itself<strong>, <\/strong>within its official  communications.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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&#8217;s  Bylaws.<\/li>\n<li>If any  parental or Umbrella organization is selected, it must be included within the  Bylaws of The ASSOCIATION.<\/li>\n<li>The  principal office of the ASSOCIATION shall be in the State of Connecticut, USA.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE II.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>COMPONENT  ASSOCIATIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The  ASSOCIATION may expand by the acceptance of Component Associations.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Membership  requirements to Component Associations shall be the same as the ASSOCIATION  membership. (See article IV, individual memberships)<\/li>\n<li>Bylaws of  Component Associations must either be the same as the ASSOCIATION (The  ASSOCIATION Bylaws contain sufficient information for Component Association&#8217;s  operations) or must not contain contradictions to the Bylaws of the ASSOCIATION.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE III.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE  ASSOCIATION<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The founding  members may be listed in ARTICLE XXIII. or kept in file for need to know  base.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE IV.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>MEMBERSHIP BY  INDIVIDUALS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The definition of &#8220;Full Member in  good standing&#8221; 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.<\/p>\n<p>The term Affiliate Member will be  used interchangeably to designate a &#8220;Full Member in good standing&#8221; with the  ASSOCIATION.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Full Members shall consist of all  those who have been admitted as members of the ASSOCIATION through application  to ASSOCIATION.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Honorary  Members &amp; 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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>During the  first years of the operation founding members, and later on the Assembly of  delegates may create other categories of membership.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE V.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>ASSOCIATION&#8217;S  FORMATION<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The  ASSOCIATION will consist of the following:\n<ul>\n<li>Assembly of  Delegates.<\/li>\n<li>Board of  Directors.\n<ul>\n<li>Executive  Committee.<\/li>\n<li>Board of  Presidents.<\/li>\n<li>Committee\/Board Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons.<\/li>\n<li>Records  Officer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Board of  Trustees.<\/li>\n<li>Board of  Auditors.<\/li>\n<li>Board of  Ethics.<\/li>\n<li>Advisory  Board.<\/li>\n<li>Board of  Commerce.<\/li>\n<li>Membership  and Confidential Records Board.<\/li>\n<li>Council of  Delegates. consists of delegates selected for representation of ASSOCIATION  during the General Assembly meeting(s) of selected parental\/umbrella  Organizations.<\/li>\n<li>Bylaws  Committee.<\/li>\n<li>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).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE VI.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>ASSEMBLY OF  DELEGATES<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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:\n<ul>\n<li>Individual  members. Each individual member shall carry a single vote.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Component Associations shall be  responsible for the dissemination of all the information to their delegates.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE VII.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>BOARD OF  DIRECTORS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Nominations  and Elections:\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Elections:\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>The selection of Regional Vice  Presidents will be done:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>by the Board  of Directors, upon nomination(s) approved by the President.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Regional Vice Presidents shall  be Affiliate Members residing in the region and the selection by &#8220;option i&#8221;  (Regional Vice President&#8217;s appointment) or selection by &#8220;option ii&#8221; (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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>The slate of  candidates, prepared by the Nominating Committee, shall be mailed:\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>to the  regional Affiliate Members at least thirty days before Regional Vice Presidents&#8217;  elections, if mail ballot will be used.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>The  selection of regional board officers will be done :\n<ul>\n<li>by the  Regional Vice Presidents and be approved by the Executive Committee of the  ASSOCIATION.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The regional officers shall be  Affiliate Members residing in the region, and the selection by &#8220;option i&#8221;  (Regional Vice President&#8217;s selection) or selection by &#8220;option ii&#8221; (mail  ballot) must be completed within four (4) weeks after the selection of Regional  Vice Presidents of the ASSOCIATION.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The  functions of the Board of Directors are as follows:\n<ul>\n<li>Carry out  the mandates of the Assembly of Delegates.<\/li>\n<li>Propose  policies for consideration by the ASSOCIATION.<\/li>\n<li>Identify the  needs of and provide services for the Component ASSOCIATIONs and the membership.<\/li>\n<li>Develop and  carry out programs for public education and information.<\/li>\n<li>Coordinate  the work of the Component Associations.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To carry out its functions, the  Board of Directors is authorized to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>Assess dues  and\/or provide financial support for Component ASSOCIATIONs.<\/li>\n<li>Appoint or  hire staff for the conduct of the day-to-day activities of the ASSOCIATION.<\/li>\n<li>Fill  vacancies among the officers for the remainder of their terms.<\/li>\n<li>Retain  counsel for the ASSOCIATION.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Determine  the time and place of all general and special meetings, unless overruled by  two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly of Delegates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The duties  of the executive officers shall be those specified herein.\n<ul>\n<li>The  President shall:\n<ul>\n<li>Preside over  meetings of the Assembly of Delegates and of the Board of Directors.<\/li>\n<li>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).<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The Vice  President Operations (First and Second Vice-presidents):\n<ul>\n<li>Shall assist  the President in whatever duties the President shall assign.<\/li>\n<li>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<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The election in this case:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>(i) may be  the election of a Vice President Operations only and for the remaining of the  term (first or second), or<\/li>\n<li>(ii) may be  the general elections as if the term is (nearly) completed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8220;Option i&#8221; should be selected if  election decision was within the first half of the term. &#8220;Option ii&#8221; should be  selected otherwise. In the event of selection of &#8220;option ii&#8221;, 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.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>The  Treasurer shall:\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Keep full  and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the  ASSOCIATION.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>Attend as  voting member to the Board of Trustees meetings and provide liaison between the  Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees.<\/li>\n<li>Serve as a  voting member of the Central Fund Raising Committee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The titles of the executive members  will be decided for each term and during the first meeting.<\/p>\n<p>A minimum of five (5) executive  members are required for each term.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE VIII.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>MEMBERSHIP  DUES<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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 :<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Members who are having financial  difficulties have the right to appeal and postpone or reduce or restructure  their payments until their difficulties are eliminated.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE IX.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>BOARD OF  TRUSTEES<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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 \u201c Board of Advisors,  Board of Commerce, Board of Auditors, Board of Trustees, BOD member representing  the country which nominee was selected\u201d in the event of tie vote The President  of The Association has the deciding vote.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Each BOT nominee must generate,  yearly, a minimum of $15000. (Fiftheen Thousand USD) income to Association or  contribute \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 equal funds to be used to global recognition of the Association.\u00a0  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.<\/p>\n<p>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:<\/p>\n<p>1-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0  A four year plan of the  expected accomplishments of nominee, to strenghten the Associations global  recognition and<\/p>\n<p>2-\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0  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.<\/p>\n<p>The Board of Trustees shall elect  the chairperson from among themselves and Among the Nominee(s) provided by the  President.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The duties  of the Board of Trustees are:\n<ul>\n<li>To provide  advice and guidance to the ASSOCIATION in financial matters, to allocate  unbudgeted funds when necessary, and to arbitrate financial disputes.<\/li>\n<li>To review  the financial requirements on an on-going basis and to develop programs to  generate the necessary resources.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>To manage  the Endowment Fund established for the sustained growth and well being of the  ASSOCIATION subject to the following conditions:\n<ul>\n<li>the earnings  of the Endowment Fund are to be used for the general operating expenses of the  ASSOCIATION,<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>To act on  the annual budget proposal submitted by the Board of Directors for endorsement  and release the necessary funds as required.<\/li>\n<li>To set  guidelines and develop procedures for financial well being and accounting  control.<\/li>\n<li>To oversee  the investment practices of the ASSOCIATION.<\/li>\n<li>Officers of  the Board of Trustees:\n<ul>\n<li>Chairperson<\/li>\n<li>Vice  Chairperson(s) (one for each country)<\/li>\n<li>Records  Officer<\/li>\n<li>Treasurer  (Who is also the tresurer of the association.)<\/li>\n<li>Minimum of  twelve (12) Board members<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Chairperson and the Vice  Chairperson(2) are also members of the Board of Directors.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE X.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>BOARD OF  AUDITORS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Board will select their  chairperson and officers at their first meeting.<\/p>\n<p>The Chairperson and the Vice  Chairperson are also members of the Board of Directors.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XI.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>BOARD OF  ETHICS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>The Board will select their  chairperson and officers at their first meeting.<\/p>\n<p>The Chairperson and the Vice  Chairperson are also members of the Board of Directors.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XII.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>ADVISORY BOARD  (S)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>The Board will select their  chairperson and officers at their first meeting.<\/p>\n<p>The Chairperson and the Vice  Chairperson are also members of the Board of Directors.<\/p>\n<p>There may be more than one Advisory  board, as the needs of the association changes or work scope  requires.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XIII.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>MEMBERSHIP AND CONFIDENTIAL  RECORDS BOARD<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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. &#8220;Membership Drive&#8221; is also one of the functions of this Board.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The President and the First Vice  President of the ASSOCIATION are the natural members of the Board.<\/p>\n<p>The Board will select their  chairperson and officers at their first meeting.<\/p>\n<p>The Chairperson and the Vice  Chairperson are also members of the Board of Directors.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XIV.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>COUNCIL OF  DELEGATES<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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&#8217;s decision for leadership will be final.<\/p>\n<p>Selection of the Board of Delegates  must be done within four (4) weeks after the selection of the President.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XV.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>BOARD OF  COMMERCE<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The President of the ASSOCIATION is  the natural member of the Board.<\/p>\n<p>The Board will select their  chairperson and officers at their first meeting.<\/p>\n<p>The Chairperson and the  Co-Chairperson are also members of the Board of Directors.<\/p>\n<h1><strong> <\/strong><\/h1>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XVI.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>BYLAWS  COMMITTEE<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The President and the First Vice  President of the ASSOCIATION are the natural members of the Committee.<\/p>\n<p>The Committee will select their  chairperson and officers at their first meeting.<\/p>\n<p>The Chairperson and the Vice  Chairpersons, and the Records Officer are also members of the Board of  Directors.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XVII.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>CONVENTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A convention  of the ASSOCIATION shall be as decribed in Article VI \u201cAssembly Of Delegates\u201d.<\/li>\n<li>The dates  and places of the Convention shall be determined by the Board of Directors.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>The  Convention shall be open to all members and their guests who register giving  their names and addresses.<\/li>\n<li>The  Convention shall be open to all members and their guests who register before or  during the convention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XVIII.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>AMENDMENTS TO  BYLAWS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>The Bylaws  Committee must be given thirty (30) days to respond the petitions. Bylaws  Committee&#8217;s recommendation will be in the direction of &#8220;Acceptance&#8221; or  &#8220;Rejection&#8221; of the petition with justification(s). The Bylaws Committee may  also include amendments to the original petition as part of its recommendation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XIX.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>PARLIAMENTARY  PROCEDURES<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The rules  contained in the current edition of the &#8220;Robert&#8217;s Rules of Order Newly  Revised&#8221; shall guide the ASSOCIATION always to which they are applicable and  which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XX.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>EARNINGS AND  ASSETS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The  ASSOCIATION is non-profit and shall not have or issue shares of stock or pay  dividends.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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\n<ul>\n<li>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),<\/li>\n<li>make any  investments in such manner as to subject the ASSOCIATION to tax under IRC  Section 4944, or<\/li>\n<li>make any  taxable expenditures as defined in IRC Section 4945(d) or corresponding  provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong> <\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XXI.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>ASSOCIATION OFFICIAL ADDRESS<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>18 ELM STREET ,  Suite #1<\/strong><strong><br \/>\nHartford,  CT 06108, USA<\/strong><strong><br \/>\nE-mail:  Info@Turkishforum.com.tr<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XXII.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>OTHER QUALIFIED ASSOCIATION  MAIL AND\/OR MEMBER CONTACT ADDRESSES IN USA, TURKEY AND  INTERNET<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>PO Box 1104<br \/>\nMarblehead, MA 01945,  USA<br \/>\nTel: 01 (781) 308-3437<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/strong><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Meseli  Sok, No12\u00a0\u00a0 4.Levent 80620 Istanbul\u00a0 TR<\/strong><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tel: 90 (533)  477 23 73<\/strong><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> TURKISH FORUM NETWORK SISTEMI<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>http:\/\/www.TurkishForum.com.tr http:\/\/www.DiscoverTurkey.com <span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/Ataturk\">https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com.tr\/Ataturk<\/span> http:\/\/www.turkishtimes.com http:\/\/www.TurkishForum.co.uk https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com <span class=\"removed_link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/NewsNetwork\">https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/NewsNetwork<\/span><\/strong><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<h1><strong>ARTICLE XXIII.<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><strong>FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE  ASSOCIATION<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>(In  File)<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BYLAWS Last updated Wed Dec 29\u00a0 2004 TURKISH FORUM (D\u00dcNYA T\u00dcRKLER\u0130 B\u0130RL\u0130\u011e\u0130 \u2013 WORLD TURKISH ALLIANCE) PREAMBLE (ORGANIZATION, LOCATION, AND OBJECTIVE) The name of the Corporation shall be the &#8220;*TURKISH FORUM, INC.&#8221;, hereafter referred to as the &#8220;ASSOCIATION&#8221;. The ASSOCIATION may also use following alliases \u201cD\u00dcNYA T\u00dcRKLER\u0130 B\u0130RL\u0130\u011e\u0130 and\/or WORLD TURKISH ALLIANCE\u201d and\/or \u201cWORLD TURKISH [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":774359,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-20880","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20880","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20880"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20880\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/774359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20880"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}