BYLAWS
POLISH ASSOCIATION
FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES
SECTION 1. NAME.
The name of this organization shall be
the Polish Association for Information Systems, abbreviated as PLAIS,
and hereafter referred to as the Chapter.
SECTION 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
The Polish Association for Information
Systems (PLAIS) is a Chapter of the Association for Information Systems
(AIS) serving Polish members of AIS. The goal of the Chapter is to promote
the exchange of ideas, experiences, and knowledge among scholars and
professionals in Poland engaged in the development, management, and
use of information and communications systems and technology.
SECTION 3. ACTIVITIES.
The various activities of the Chapter
are to promote the exchange of professional communications among scholars
and professionals responsible for education, design, implementation,
and management of information systems in both private and public organizations.
The activities of the Chapter include:
Providing a forum for those
concerned with all aspects of information systems, particularly those
of interest to the Polish IS community.
Providing an opportunity for
the exchange of ideas concerning the management of information systems
with member counterparts.
Conducting programs and conferences
for the benefit of members.
Providing a means for critical
examination of the problems and opportunities associated with information
systems in the Polish IS community.
All those activities approved
by the constitution of the AIS.
Additional activities as approved
by the Executive Board of the Chapter.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. MEMBERSHIP CLASSES.
PLAIS shall provide all classes of membership
as contained in Article II of the constitution of AIS. All members
of PLAIS shall be members of AIS upon payment of the appropriate AIS
dues.
SECTION 2.
CHAPTER DUES.
The Executive Board shall have the authority
to determine the PLAIS dues and other payments to be made by the members
of the Chapter from time to time. The annual dues of each member for
PLAIS shall be paid at the beginning of the membership year coinciding
with the member’s AIS membership year. PLAIS dues and other payments
will be collected by the AIS Business Office at the time of registration
for AIS membership and payment of AIS dues. PLAIS dues will be remitted
to the Chapter by the AIS Business Office, minus any agreed upon administrative
charges, which shall be retained by AIS.
SECTION 3. MEMBER RIGHTS.
Each regular member shall have the right
to vote, participate in all PLAIS and AIS activities, and hold office
in PLAIS and AIS.
SECTION 4. LIABILITY OF MEMBERS.
The members of the Chapter shall not
be liable for the debts and obligations of the PLAIS nor of AIS.
SECTION 5. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP.
Resignation
A member of the Chapter may terminate
his or her membership at any time by submitting a letter of resignation
to the Executive Board or by failing to pay either AIS or PLAIS dues
within two (2) months of the date on which they are due.
Expulsion
A member may be expelled for conduct
deemed prejudicial to the Chapter by a two-thirds majority of the individual
members in attendance at a “general business meeting” of the Chapter
where a quorum is present, provided that the member shall first have
been served with a written notice explaining the reason(s) for the proposed
expulsion, and shall be given an opportunity to challenge the proposed
expulsion to those in attendance at the general business meeting.
ARTICLE III
MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
SECTION 1. ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING.
An annual general meeting (AGM) shall
be held to install officers (if required by terms of office) and to
conduct such business as required. The time, location, and other details
of the meeting shall be determined by the Executive Board of PLAIS and
communicated to the membership.
SECTION 2. NOTICE OF MEETINGS.
A written or other notice stating the
place, time, date, and hour of meetings shall be delivered to the membership
at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting. If e-mailed, such
notice shall be delivered to the e-mail address as it appears on the
records of the Chapter.
SECTION 3. QUORUM.
Prior notice of the AGM and general business
meetings having been given, 25% of PLAIS members shall constitute a
quorum for the purpose of such meetings of the Chapter. If a quorum
is not present, the AGM or general business meeting shall be adjourned
until a quorum can be obtained. A quorum is not required for other
meetings or events of the Chapter.
SECTION 4. VOTING.
Any person who is a current member of
the Chapter shall be entitled to one vote on business pertaining to
the Chapter. Decisions shall be by a majority of those participating
and eligible to vote. On matters of general business, voting may be
conducted by any means chosen by the Executive Board, including electronic
mail. In regard to the election of officers, voting may be conducted
by any means chosen by the Election Committee, including electronic
mail. In regard to both election of officers and matters of general
business, all members who are eligible to vote have both absentee and
proxy voting rights.
ARTICLE IV
EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 1. MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE
BOARD.
The Executive Board shall consist of
the officers of the Chapter, the Past-President of the Chapter, and
Directors (see Article V.2). The President of the Chapter shall
serve as the Chair of the Executive Board. Until a Past-President is
available, the membership shall elect an At-Large Director as a voting
member on the Executive Board.
SECTION 2. DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE
BOARD.
The Executive Board shall serve as the
governing authority of the Chapter. The property, business, and affairs
of the Chapter shall be managed by the Executive Board. The Executive
Board may exercise all such powers of the Chapter as defined by the
laws of Poland and by these by-laws.
The Executive Board shall, in furtherance
of, but not in limitation of, its powers, have the authority and power
to:
Represent the members of the
Chapter for all matters, internal and external.
Establish policies and practices
for the Chapter.
Approve broad arrangements
for all Chapter activities.
SECTION 3. MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE
BOARD.
There shall be at least one annual meeting
of the Executive Board. Additional meetings may be called by the Chair
or by at least three members of the Executive Board. The meetings shall
be held at a time, place, and manner designated by the Chair. Notice
of the meetings shall be given in writing or orally at least two (2)
weeks prior to the meeting. Other methods of meeting in addition
to face-to-face may be used.
SECTION 4. QUORUM.
Presence of more than one-half of the
members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business at any meeting of the Executive Board.
SECTION 5. VOTING.
Decisions shall be by a simple majority
of those present and voting. The Chair may exercise a casting vote
if the need arises.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS
OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 1. OFFICERS.
The officers of the Chapter shall consist
of the President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer. No person
may hold any two offices at the same time. The officers of the Chapter
must be members of PLAIS and AIS in good standing. The period of office
is normally two years unless decided otherwise by the Executive Board.
However, extensions beyond two years can be approved by a majority of
the membership present at the AGM. Ideally, the two-year terms
of the Secretary and Treasurer should be staggered so as to enhance
the continuity of the Executive Board.
SECTION 2. DIRECTORS.
In the event that special (such as Events
Director, Publications Directors, etc.) or At-Large Directors of the
Chapter are deemed to be necessary or desirable by the membership of
the Chapter at the annual meeting, such additional Directors of PLAIS
may be established. Directors shall serve from the date of the
annual meeting at which they are elected for a term of two years and
until their respective successors assume office.
SECTION 3. NOMINATION.
A Nominations and Election Committee,
chaired and selected by the Past-President, shall seek and nominate
at least one candidate for each Officer and Director position to be
filled on the Executive Board no later than 30 days prior to the annual
election. Nominations may also be made by any member eligible to vote
by sending the name of the nominee to the Election Committee no later
than 30 days prior to the annual election providing the nominee has
given prior consent.
SECTION 4. ELECTIONS.
The annual election of the Chapter officers
and the At-Large Directors (if any) of the Executive Board will be held
during the annual general meeting of the Chapter by a method to be chosen
by the Nominations and Election Committee. Each voting member, as describe
in III.4 above, shall be entitled to one vote. Voting shall be conducted
in a manner deemed appropriate by the Election Committee. Each position
shall be filled by the nominee receiving the most votes cast.
SECTION 5. REMOVAL.
Any officer or member of the Executive
Board may be removed by a vote of the majority of the voting members
at an annual general or business meeting of the Chapter, or by postal
or e-mail voting by 25% of the Chapter membership. Such a vote must
be recommended and scheduled by the Executive Board. Notification to
the voting members that a vote will be conducted for removal of an officer
or member of the Executive Board must be made no less than two (2) weeks
prior to the vote being taken.
SECTION 6. RESIGNATIONS.
Any officer or member of the Executive
Board may resign at any time by giving written notice, including e-mail,
to the President or Secretary of the Chapter. Such resignation shall
take effect at the time specified therein; and, unless otherwise specified
therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to
make it effective.
SECTION 7. VACANCIES.
For offices other than President-Elect,
a vacancy occurring in the elected offices for any reason shall be filled
by appointment by the President with the approval of the majority of
the Executive Board. A vacancy in the office of President-Elect shall
be filled by election, regular or special, by the PLAIS membership.
Such appointment shall continue until the next annual general meeting.
In the event that a vacancy occurs in the first year of a two-year term,
the person elected at the next annual meeting shall serve a term of
only one year, to restore the pattern of staggered elections.
SECTION 8. DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT.
The President shall be the chief executive
officer of the Chapter. The President shall perform all duties that
pertain to the office of the President and that may be assigned by the
Executive Board. In furtherance of, but not in limitation of, the office,
the President's primary duties shall be:
Preside over all meetings
of the members of the Chapter.
Call and chair all Executive
Board meetings.
Designate all committees and
their chairpersons, with the concurrence of the Executive Board.
Supervise all other officers
of the Chapter and see that their duties are properly performed.
Accept and receive donations,
gifts, devises, and bequests.
Coordinate the Chapter's activities
and conduct any necessary business with external organizations.
Ensure that all orders and
resolutions of the Executive Board are put into effect.
Submit at the annual general
meeting an annual activity report of the operations of the Chapter for
the preceding year.
SECTION 9. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.
The Secretary shall be the chief administrative
officer of the Chapter and shall perform all duties that pertain to
the office of Secretary and that may be assigned by the President and
the Executive Board. In furtherance of, but not in limitation of, the
office, the Secretary's primary duties shall be to:
Keep minutes of the annual
general meeting and other business meetings of the Chapter.
Attend the meetings of the
Executive Board and act as the clerk thereof and record all the acts,
notes, and minutes of the meeting.
Submit an annual Activity
Report to the AIS Vice President of Chapters and Affiliated Organizations
by December 1st each year.
Notify Chapter members and
members of the Executive Board of all meetings.
Perform other duties as may
be from time to time assigned by the President.
SECTION 10. DUTIES OF THE TREASURER
Maintain the financial records of the
Chapter and produce an annual financial report.
Review all applications for membership
and maintain a membership roster.
Submit an annual Financial Report to
the AIS Treasurer.
SECTION 11. DUTIES OF THE
PAST-PRESIDENT.
The immediate Past-President of the Chapter
shall serve as a voting member of the Executive Board and as the chair
of the Nominating and Election committee. The Past-President will
assist the President as required, and chair annual and special meetings
in the absence of the President.
SECTION 12. DUTIES OF PRESIDENT-ELECT.
The President-Elect shall serve as a
general assistant to the President and shall assume the office of President
at the end of the term of office of the President.
SECTION 13. DUTIES OF
DIRECTORS
The duties of special Directors and At-Large
Directors will be determined and defined by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
The President, with the concurrence of
the Executive Board, may establish and appoint special committees, not
having and exercising the authority of the Executive Board, to aid and
assist the President and the Executive Board in the management of the
affairs of the Chapter.
SECTION 2. NOMINATING AND ELECTION
COMMITTEE.
Not less than Forty (40) days prior to
the annual election of officers and directors, the Past-President with
the consent of the Executive Board, shall appoint at least two (2) additional
members to a Nominations and Election Committee chaired by the Past-President.
This Committee will consist of voting members of the Chapter.
This committee will prepare a slate of nominees for chapter offices
and conduct the subsequent annual election of officers and directors
of the Chapter according to the processes and procedures set out in
preceding sections.
ARTICLE VII
FINANCES
SECTION 1.
FISCAL YEAR.
The fiscal year of the Chapter shall
coincide with the fiscal year of AIS.
SECTION 2. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS.
The Treasurer shall establish and maintain
bank accounts for the financial assets of the Chapter. Only the
President and the Treasurer may make deposits and withdrawals from these
bank accounts.
SECTION 3. ASSETS.
PLAIS may buy, own, and/or dispose of
assets, financial or otherwise, that are necessary or desirable in the
pursuit of PLAIS’s goals and objectives.
SECTION 4. LIABILITIES.
AIS shall not be responsible for any
liabilities incurred by PLAIS. PLAIS shall not enter into any
contract or agreement or undertake any action that could result in any
obligation or liability to AIS without the express written consent of
AIS.
SECTION 5. FINANCIAL REPORTS.
The Treasurer shall provide to the Executive
Board an annual written report of the financial status of the Chapter,
which any member of the Chapter may inspect upon request. This report
shall also be submitted annually to AIS, through the AIS Treasurer,
and to the Region 2 Representatives on the AIS Council. The Treasurer's
accounts shall be audited annually at the end of the fiscal year by
an independent representative appointed by the Executive Board.
SECTION 6. FUND DEPOSITS.
All funds of the Chapter shall be promptly
deposited in qualified bank accounts established in the Chapter's name
by PLAIS. Any funds acquired by the Chapter shall be clearly marked
for and deposited to the account of the Chapter. Funds of the Chapter
shall not be co-mingled with the funds of any other entity.
SECTION 7. FUND DISBURSEMENTS.
Checks for all disbursements of funds
of the Chapter shall be signed by the Treasurer or, in the event the
Treasurer is unavailable, by the President. For petty cash disbursements,
proper vouchers shall be taken and filed.
SECTION 8. DISSOLUTION.
Upon the dissolution of PLAIS, a special
meeting shall be convened to nominate representatives to manage the
disposition of the assets of the Chapter. After paying or making provision
for the payment of all the liabilities of PLAIS, the remaining assets
of the Chapter shall be remitted to AIS or to such other organizations
in Poland organized and operated exclusively for charitable and/or not-for-profit
purposes.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. BY-LAW CHANGES.
These By-Laws may be altered, amended,
or repealed, and new and other By-Laws may be adopted by resolution
or resolutions duly adopted by a majority of the Executive Board present
in person, and submitted to and duly adopted by a two-thirds vote the
voting membership present and voting at any meeting of the Chapter,
with proper advance notice of such vote to members. In addition, any
changes to these By-Laws shall be verified by the AIS VP for Chapters
and Affiliated Organizations to be consistent with the then-current
By-Laws of the AIS.
|