TAA-AZ

Turkish American Association of Arizona

Bylaws

TURKISH-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA BYLAWS


Article I
PREAMBLE / PURPOSES

Section 1.
The name of the organization shall be the Turkish-American Association of Arizona, hereinafter referred to as TAA-AZ.

Section 2.
The mission of TAA-AZ reads as follows:
Our mission is to enhance the expression of Turkish culture in its diversity and richness, and build a strong Turkish-American community in Arizona. We will achieve these as an open organization, involving people of diverse backgrounds, via activities that are cultural, educational, artistic, and charitable.

Section 3.
TAA-AZ is organized to be compliant for Federal Tax Exemption under Section 501 (c) (3), of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). It is not organized for profit, and no part of its income, if any, will inure to the benefit of any member, officer, individual, or organization.

Section 4.
TAA-AZ will not discriminate among its members based on race, religion, sex, age, or national origin.


Article 11
MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.
TAA-AZ shall consist of Individual members, 'family members' and 'student members'.

Section 2.
'Members' shall pay an annual membership due, support the mission of TAA-AZ and must fulfill any additional requirements that may be determined by the Executive Board.

Section 3.
An individual member' shall be defined as any individual the age of 18 or over who has fulfilled the membership requirements as described above and has one vote to cast in TAA-AZ matters.

Section 4.
'Family members' shall be defined as any adult or dependent living under one roof and has fulfilled the membership requirements as described above. Any such persons the age of 18 and over shall have one vote each to cast in TAA-AZ matters.

Section 5.
A 'student member' shall be defined as any part-time or full-time student the age of 18 or over who is actively enrolled in any accepted educational institution, has fulfilled the membership requirements as described above, and has one vote to cast in TAA-AZ matters.

Section 6.
Membership rights include eligibility to be elected to the Executive Board , with satisfaction of residence requirement; voting to elect and dismiss the President of the Executive Board, as well as any additional privileges as determined by the Executive Board.

Section 7.
If it should come to the attention of the General Assembly that any nwmber of TAA-AZ has acted in any way contrary to the mission and general policies of TAA-AZ, or in such a way as to bring discredit to TAA-AZ, the General Assembly, by majority vote, can dismiss said member from membership.


Article III
EXECUTIVE BOARD


Section 1.
The Executive Board shall consist of three officers: President, Treasurer and Secretary.
The President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected by the Annual General Assembly as a team.
All members in good standing of TAA-AZ that reside in Arizona for at least two years will be eligible for election.

Section 2.
The President will appoint/dismiss, at his/her discretion, any additional members to the
Executive Board for additional duties. These members shall be non-voting members of the Executive Board.
If any of the elected members of the Executive Board resigns or unable to complete his/her term
The President will appoint a member to the Executive Board for the remainder of the term.


Section 3.
Duties of the President shall include but not be limited to appointing the non-voting members to the Executive Board and defining their duties; presiding over the meetings of the Executive Board; and representing TAA-AZ where required.


Section 4.
Duties of the Treasurer shall include but not be limited to providing financial statements upon request; paying bills and meeting the financial obligations of the association; maintaining the membership list and member status.


Section 5.

Duties of the Secretary shall include but not be limited to keeping minutes of the Executive Board meetings; keeping archives of the association.

Section 6.

Executive Board Meetings will be open to all members and the general public except in instances where the Executive Board may go into Executive Session to discuss sensitive matters. The Executive Board may not vote or reach any decisions during an Executive Session and must vote on all matters during open meetings.

Section 7.

The Executive Board shall determine the time, place and voting procedures for the annual Elections General Assembly.


Article III A
AUDITOR

Section 1.
The Annual General Assembly will elect the Auditor.
All members in good standing of TAA-AZ that reside in Arizona for at least two years will be eligible for election.

Section 2.
The auditor shall prepare a statement on the current financial recording and reporting procedures and submit it To the Annual General Assembly.


Article IV
GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Section 1.
The General Assembly shall consist of all the members of TAA-AZ. The General Assembly shall be in quorum with at least twenty (20) percent of the members present at the first announced meeting. In the absence of quorum, a new date and time shall be determined for assembly where those present will constitute quorum.


Section 2.
The General Assembly shall have the authority to elect the President, Treasurer and Secretary
to the Executive Board and the Auditor; dismiss the Executive Board and the Auditor following a vote of no confidence; approve any alteration-, amendment, or repeal of the bylaws of the association; and request a financial statement from the Executive Board at any time.

Section 3.
The meetings of the General Assembly may be called by any officer of the Executive Board, or by a minimum of ten (10) percent of members of the General Assembly. Members will be notified of the date, time and location of a General Assembly meeting at least one week prior to the scheduled meeting date.

Section 4.
A 'vote of no confidence' requires the majority (50% plus one) of the votes of the outstanding members.

Section 5.
The Annual General Assembly shall meet in November / December of each year. The President will open the meeting and a Chairperson shall be elected to conduct the meeting. The agenda shall include the presentation and discussion of the activity and financial reports and elections.

Article V
DISSOLUTION

Section 1.
The association shall cease its existence by the approval of two-thirds of the General Assembly. A three (3) member committee shall be elected to make provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the association, and to donate all the assets to an organization or organizations organized and operated exclusive for charitable, educational, or cultural purposes.

Article VI
AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

Section 1.
These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the General Assembly