| By-Laws |
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VISIONSharif University of Technology (SUT), formerly known as Aryamehr University of Technology (AMUT), is dedicated to excellence in science and technology. The strength and successes of SUT are due to its primary human resources, namely the faculty and the students, past and present. Sharif University of Technology Association is envisioned to be a worldwide association of the individuals who are currently or who were at some point in the past associated with the University in one way or another, as faculty members, students, and non-faculty staff. The Association shall have members comprised of these individuals who apply for membership and who agree to abide by membership rules. No individual in the above group shall be denied membership on the basis of gender, race, religion, or political belief. Many of the individuals who were associated with the University in the past live outside of Iran and have little or no contact with each other or the home university. The Association will foster and encourage contact between this group of Iranian techno-expatriates and those who are presently associated with the University and will preserve and enhance their individual and collective know-how, experience and achievements. The Association has its headquarters in San Diego, California, and may have subsidiaries as required in other parts of the US or other countries. The Association is recorded as a non-profit, public benefit educational corporation in the State of California, and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3). MISSIONThe mission of Sharif University of Technology Association is to enhance professional, academic, and social contacts among its membership, and to strengthen the ties between the association members living outside of Iran and the University with the goal of contributing to the advancement of the academic programs at the University and more importantly having a measurable impact on the technological advancement of Iran.
Article 1OFFICES
SECTION 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE
SECTION 2. CHANGE OF ADDRESS
SECTION 3. OTHER OFFICES
Article 2
PurposesSECTION 1. OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES
Article 3Directors
SECTION 1. NUMBER
SECTION 2. POWERS
SECTION 3. DUTIES (a) Perform any and all duties imposed on them collectively or individually by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, or by these Bylaws; (b) Appoint and remove, employ and discharge, and, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, prescribe the duties and fix the compensation, if any, of all officers, agents and employees of the corporation; (c) Supervise all officers, agents and employees of the corporation to ensure that their duties are performed properly; (d) Meet at such times and places as required by these Bylaws; (e) Register their addresses with the Secretary of the corporation in order that notices of meetings mailed, e-mailed, or sent via facsimile to them at such addresses shall be valid notices thereof.
SECTION 4. INITIAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 5. TERMS OF OFFICE
SECTION 6. ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS
SECTION 7. COMPENSATION
SECTION 8. PLACE OF MEETINGS OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS The officers shall make the arrangements to ensure that conference call or other teleconferencing equipment is available at all meetings of the Board of Directors. Participation in a meeting through use of conference call or other teleconferencing equipment constitutes presence in person at that meeting if all of the following apply: a). Each director participating in the meeting can communicate with all of the other directors concurrently. b) Each director is provided the means of participating in all matters before the board, including, without limitation, the capacity to propose or to interpose an objection to a specific action to be taken by the corporation. c) The corporation adopts and implements some means of verifying 1) that all persons participating in the meeting are directors of the corporation or are otherwise entitled to participate in the meeting, and 2) that all actions of, or votes by, the board are taken and cast only by directors and not by persons who are not directors.
SECTION 9. REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERSHIP Additionally, the Board of Directors shall call meetings of the membership no less than every two years, for purposes of conducting business of the membership, providing education, conducting elections and to fulfill the general purposes of the corporation.
SECTION 10. SPECIAL MEETINGS
SECTION 11. NOTICE OF MEETINGS
SECTION 12. CONTENTS OF NOTICE
SECTION 13. WAIVER OF NOTICE AND CONSENT TO HOLDING MEETINGS
SECTION 14. QUORUM FOR MEETINGS Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws or in the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, or by law, no business shall be considered by the board at any meeting at which a quorum, as herein defined, is not present, and the only motion which the President shall entertain at such meeting is a motion to adjourn. When a meeting is adjourned for lack of a quorum, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the date, time, and place of the adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted at such meeting, other than by announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, except as provided in Section 11 of this Article. The directors present at a duly called and held meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to do business notwithstanding the loss of a quorum at the meeting due to a withdrawal of directors from the meeting, provided that any action thereafter taken must be approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for such meeting or such greater percentage as may be required by law, or the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of this corporation.
SECTION 15. MAJORITY ACTION AS BOARD ACTION
SECTION 16. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS Meetings shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order, as such rules may be revised from time to time, insofar as such rules are not inconsistent with or in conflict with these Bylaws, with the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, or with provisions of law.
SECTION 17. ACTION BY UNANIMOUS WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT MEETING
SECTION 18. VACANCIES The Board of Directors may declare vacant the office of a director who has been declared of unsound mind by a final order of court, or convicted of a felony, or been found by a final order or judgment of any court to have breached any duty under Section 5230 and following of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law. Any director may be removed without cause by a majority vote (more than 50%) of all members if this corporation has at least one but no more than 49 members, or by a majority vote (more than 50% of members voting on the removal) if the corporation has at least 50 members. Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the President, the Secretary, or the Board of Directors, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. No director may resign if the corporation would then be left without a duly elected director or directors in charge of its affairs, except upon notice to the Attorney General. Vacancies on the board may be filled until the next scheduled general meeting by approval of the board or, if the number of directors then in office is less than a quorum, by (1) the unanimous written consent of the directors then in office, or (2) the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office at a meeting held pursuant to notice or waivers of notice complying with this Article of these Bylaws. If this corporation has members, however, vacancies created by the removal of a director may be filled only until the next scheduled election of directors by the members at a general meeting, at which time the appointed director may run for office no more than twice consecutively. The members if any, of this corporation may elect a director at any time to fill any vacancy not filled by the directors.
SECTION 19. NON-LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 20. INDEMNIFICATION BY CORPORATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS If such person either settles any such claim with the permission of the Board of Directors or sustains a judgment against him or her, then indemnification against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts reasonably incurred in connection with such proceedings shall be provided by this corporation but only to the extent allowed by, and in accordance with the requirements of, Section 5238 of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law.
SECTION 21. INSURANCE FOR CORPORATE AGENTS
Article 4OfficersSECTION 1. NUMBER OF OFFICERS
SECTION 2. QUALIFICATION, ELECTION, AND TERM OF OFFICE
SECTION 3. SUBORDINATE OFFICERS
SECTION 4. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION
SECTION 5. DUTIES OF PRESIDENT
SECTION 6. DUTIES OF VICE PRESIDENT
SECTION 7. DUTIES OF SECRETARY Certify and keep at the principal office of the corporation the original or a copy of these Bylaws as amended or otherwise altered to date. Keep at the principal office of the corporation or at such other place as the board may determine, an electronic archive as well as hardcopies of minutes of all meetings of the directors, and, if applicable, meetings of committees of directors and of members, recording therein the date, time, and place of holding, whether regular or special, how called, how notice thereof was given, the names of those present or represented at the meeting, and the proceedings thereof. See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law. Be custodian of the records of the corporation. Keep at the principal office of the corporation a membership book containing the name and address of each and any members, and, in the case where any membership has been terminated, he or she shall record such fact in the membership book together with the date on which such membership ceased. Exhibit at all reasonable times to any director of the corporation, or to his or her agent, on request therefor, the Bylaws, the membership book, and the minutes of the proceedings of the directors of the corporation. In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 8. DUTIES OF TREASURER Have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the corporation, and deposit all such funds in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the Board of Directors. Receive, and give receipt for, monies due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever. Disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the corporation as may be directed by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. Keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the corporation's properties and business transactions, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains and losses. Exhibit at all reasonable times the books of account and financial records to any director of the corporation, or to his or her agent, on request therefor. Render to the President and directors, whenever requested, an account of any or all of his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation. Prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify, or cause to be certified, the financial statements to be included in any required reports. In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Article 5
Committees
SECTION 1. COMMITTEES
SECTION 2. MEETINGS AND ACTIONS OF COMMITTEES
Article 6
Execution of Instruments, Deposits and Funds
SECTION 1. EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS
SECTION 2. CHECKS AND NOTES The Board of Directors may also determine from time to time, by resolution, those documents and financial instruments on which a signature of another officer, in addition to the treasurer, is required.
SECTION 3. DEPOSITS
SECTION 4. GIFTS
Article 7
Corporate Records, Reports and Seal
SECTION 1. MAINTENANCE OF CORPORATE RECORDS (a) Minutes of all meetings of directors, committees of the board and, if this corporation has members, of all meetings of members, indicating the date, time, and place of holding such meetings, whether regular or special, how called, the notice given, and the names of those present and the proceedings thereof; (b) Adequate and correct books and records of account, including accounts of its properties and business transactions and accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains and losses; (c) A record of its members, if any, indicating their names and addresses and, if applicable, the class of membership held by each member and the termination date of any membership; (d) A copy of the corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the members, if any.
SECTION 2. CORPORATE SEAL
SECTION 3. DIRECTORS' INSPECTION RIGHTS
SECTION 4. ANNUAL REPORT (a) The assets and liabilities, including the trust funds, of the corporation as of the end of the fiscal year, (b) The principal changes in assets and liabilities, including trust funds, during the fiscal year; (c) The revenue or receipts of the corporation both unrestricted and restricted to particular purposes, for the fiscal year; (d) The expenses or disbursements, for both general and restricted purposes, during the fiscal year. The annual report shall be accompanied by any report thereon of independent accountants, or, if there is no such report, the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that such statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation.
Article 8FISCAL YEAR
SECTION 1. FISCAL YEAR OF THE CORPORATION
Article 9
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT a. In the event the corporation has no members, by approval of the Board of Directors;
Article 10
AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES BEFORE ADMISSION OF MEMBERS SECTION 2. AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES AFTER ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
SECTION 3. CERTAIN AMENDMENTS
Article 11
PROHIBITION AGAINST SHARING CORPORATE PROFITS AND ASSETS
SECTION 1. PROHIBITION AGAINST SHARING CORPORATE PROFITS AND ASSETS
Article 12
MEMBERS
SECTION 1. DETERMINATION OF MEMBERS
SECTION 2. MEMBERSHIP
Article 13
Activities
No substantial part of the activities of this corporation shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the corporation shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign (including the publishing or distribution of statements) on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Article 14
DISSOLUTIONUpon the dissolution or winding up of the corporation, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this corporation shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation, or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for academic and professional purposes and which has established its tax-exempt status under IRC section 501(c)(3).
CERTIFICATEThis is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Proposed Bylaws of the corporation named in the title thereto and that such Proposed Bylaws were duly adopted by the Board of Directors of said corporation on the date set forth below. Dated: February 12, 2001 FREDUN HOJABRI, PRESIDENT LADAN BEHNIA, SECRETARY
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWSAPPROVED DECEMBER 8, 2004
Section I. Vision Statement
Followings should be added to the Vision of SUTA: "The Association shall not be a subsidiary of any other organization."
Section II. Composition of the Board of Directors
SUTA membership will be grouped into the following geographical territories: USA Canada Europe Iran ROW (Rest of the World)
The following rules will be applied to the membership on the Board of Directors of SUTA: The intent of this rule is election of Board Of Directors who truly represent all chapters and geographic regions and countries where SUTA members live and work. Only 3 candidates from a single region will be admitted on the Board, if there are candidates from other regions that have received at least 10% of the votes.
Section III. Membership
There shall be three classes of membership in SUTA, namely “Regular Member”, “Affiliate Member”, and “Honorary Members”.
I. Regular Members
All graduates of the SUT who agree with the charter of the association and pay their dues are eligible to become a regular member. All past and present academic and administrative staff of the SUT who agree with the charter of the association and pay their dues are eligible to become regular members. A regular member shall be entitled to vote for the election of the Board of Directors A regular member shall be eligible to hold a seat on the Board of Directors of the SUTA.
II. Affiliate Members
III. Honorary Members
A person may become an honorary member when she/he:
The criteria for nominating and approving an individual as an honorary member shall be prepared and approved by SUTA Board of Directors, which once approved in the board shall become the guideline for honorary member nomination and approval process. An “Honorary member” shall Not be entitled to vote for the election of Board of Directors, nor will be eligible to hold a seat on the Board of Directors of the SUTA.
The term of membership for regular and affiliate members shall be for one year and will be renewed at the beginning of each year upon payment of the annual dues.
Section IV. Election of Board of Directors
The election process will be carried out online using the facilities that have been implemented on SUTA’s web server.
I: Eligibility for Nominations to SUTA Board of Directors
All SUTA regular members with good standing are eligible and can be nominated for election. Each member can vote for as many as 7 candidates.
II. Announcement for Nomination
The board of Directors, at least 30 days prior to the election period will send “Invitations to Nominations” to all members with good standing. In addition the Board will create a special nomination section in SUTA web site and make this announcement.
III. Nomination:
Regular Members could nominate themselves or can be nominated by others. However, if nominated by others the nominee should accept and confirm its acceptance by email. Members have 30 days from the date of announcement to nominate for election. No nomination will be accepted after the nomination closing date.
IV. Announcement of Nomination on the web site
Upon nomination of individuals their name and location and resume will be posted in the special election section of SUTA web site. All candidates are encouraged to provide a synopsis of their background and the reasons they want to serve as member of SUTA board.
II. Election Board
The Board will appoint at least 3 people as the members of Election Board. The members of the Election Board will be well known and respected members of the SUTA. The members of the Election Board cannot be a present member of the Board of Directors or be a candidate for the election that they are overseeing. Election board will be in charge of administration of the election process and making the announcements after elections has been concluded.
V. Election
Facilities should be provided on SUTA website for all members to view candidates presentations and background information and have opportunity to vote electronically. At least 7 days of voting period should be provided.
VI. Announcement of Results
The Election Board shall post all results in the SUTA web site. Candidates should have the possibility of verifying the results of the lection.
Section V. Establishment of Local Chapters
The association will establish local chapters as described below:
Establishment of Local Chapters
SUTA may establish its Chapters in USA and other countries which it has members. The purpose of local chapters is to allow face-to-face interaction of the local members that is not possible otherwise. There should be a minimum of 7 members in each locality to qualify for a chapter. There is no maximum for the number of members in a chapter. A local chapter is a geographical chapter and as such must operate within reasonable driving distance.
Organization of Local Chapters
The local operation of SUTA’s local chapters is left to the decision of the local members. The members of each chapter will choose a member to establish and maintain contact with SUTA’s Board of Directors.
Registration of a Local Chapter
Any Chapter may register their chapter as a subsidiary of SUTA in the local area. In this case the bylaws of the Chapter should follow SUTA bylaws, as far as it is not in conflict with local and federal laws and regulations of the country and province it is registered in. No terms in the local chapter Bylaws should violate the principles and policies of the association’s Bylaws.
Financial Considerations
Local Chapters will need to get confirmation from SUTA board for their eligibility to receive a portion of the membership fees for local activities that are organized on behalf of SUTA.
Relationship between Local Chapters and SUTA Board of Directors
Local Chapters should coordinate their activities with SUTA, as far as it relates to SUTA’s global objectives and mission. Each local chapter can make arrangements for their local activities in accordance with the SUTA and their local bylaws.
A special SUTA Committee will be formed to coordinate the relationship between SUTA and Local Chapters and between the local chapters. At least one member from each local chapter will be the official representative of each chapter in the coordination committee.
Section VI. SUTA Website
The Board of Directors will manage the association’s web site. This task may be delegated to any member or a group of members. Each local chapter will have its own special space on the web site and will manage its content on its own.
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| Last Updated on Monday, 26 April 2010 05:16 |
