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BY-LAWS OF THE AMERICAN  STUDIES  ASSOCIATION OF TURKEY

This statute has been prepared according to the Law of Associations No: 5253

I. Aim of the Association

Article 1: The headquarters of the American Studies Association of Turkey (established in 1988) is Ankara. It has no branch.

Article 2: The aim of ASAT is to encourage American researchers in Turkey, host conferences, organize symposia and seminars, prepare publications, provide research advice, enhance the academic relationship between Turkey and the USA, and to promote Turkey, Turkish scholars, writers and researchers abroad.  ASAT is a non-profit, non-political, non-governmental, secular association. 

II. Membership Provisions

Article 3: Types of membership

The types of members are as follows:

a) Founding Members

b) Honorary Members

c) Active Members 

The Founding Members of the Association are: 

Article 4: Founding Members

ASAT was established by the individuals whose names are listed above. 

Article 5: Honorary Members

Honorary membership in ASAT (including "Friends of ASAT" or FASAT membership) is subject to the decision of the Executive Board, and is granted after years of service to the Association. 

Article 6: Active Membership   

Active members in ASAT must:

1. Be a full-time resident of Turkey (Turkish citizenship is not required)

2. Be at least 22 years of age

3. Be recommended by two ASAT members in good standing

4. Possess an academic interest in American Studies 

5. Complete the membership application form

6.  Pay annual dues

7.  Comply with all of the rules and regulations of the Turkish Law of Associations 

Article 7: Membership Rights

a)    Active members:

Each active member is entitled to participate in the activities of ASAT and must attend General Assembly meetings. 

b)   The rights of honorary members shall be determined by the Executive Board 

Article 8: Membership Termination

a)      Resignation

b)      Failure to adhere to Article 4, Paragraph II, or Article 16 of the Turkish Law of Associations

c)      Membership termination due to non-payment of dues for more than two years 

Article 9:  ASAT's annual dues are 75 TL.   

III. Structure

Article 10: Organs of the Association

There are three organs of ASAT:

a) General Assembly

b) Executive Board

c) Auditing Board  

a)    General Assembly

Article 11:  The General Assembly meets ordinarily or extraordinarily according to the conditions stated in Law No: 2908. The General Assembly is composed of all the active members of ASAT, and meets biennially in May. Members are invited by the Executive Board through an announcement which states the exact date, time, place and agenda.  If the Assembly cannot hold an election due to poor attendance (e.g., less than the required majority), a second meeting can be held. The time period between the first and the second meetings must be more than a week.  If the General Assembly meeting is postponed due to any reason, members must be informed of the reason(s) for the postponement. A second meeting must be held within two months of the original meeting.  A General Assembly Meeting may not be postponed more than once. 

Article 12: Duties and Powers of the General Assembly

The General Assembly presides over:

a)   The election of the Executive and Auditing Boards,

b)   The amendment of the by-laws of the Association,

c)   The reports of the Executive and Auditing Boards,

d)   The budget prepared by Executive Board,

e)   The purchase/sale of immovable property,

f)    Membership application to, or resignation from, a Turkish federation,

g)   The international activities of the association; membership application to, or resignation from, an international institution. 

Article 13: General Assembly Meeting Format 

The General Assembly meets on the announced date, time and place. Active members participating in the General Assembly must sign the attendance list prepared by the Executive Board. The minutes will record whether or not a sufficient number of members (as required by Article 11) are present.  The meeting shall be convened by the President of the Executive Board or by a member of the Executive Board as appointed by the President.  The presence of a government commissioner is not necessary for the meeting to convene.After the opening ceremony, the Presidential Council composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and other Board Members, will be elected by open ballot by the active members present at the meeting. The meeting minutes will be written by the Presidential Council, and related documents will be presented by the Executive Board according to the Law of Associations. 

Article 14: Subjects Discussed at the General Assembly

Only subjects on the agenda may be discussed at the General Assembly.   

Article 15: Decisions of the General Assembly

Decisions shall be made at the General Assembly by raising hands.  Each active member has one vote. If there is a tie, a second vote will be taken.

Active members’ dues must be paid in full in order to participate in the General Assembly.

Article 16: By-Law Amendments

Amendments may only be discussed at General Assembly meetings. 2/3 of the active members must be present at the meeting in order for the decision to count. If the General Assembly decides to amend the by-laws, the civil government must be informed within a month.  Changes will take effect after the government has granted its approval.    

b)    Executive Board

Article 17: Election of the Executive Board

The Executive Board is composed of seven members who are elected for one year by closed ballot by the General Assembly.The General Assembly must elect a committee composed of at least three active members to count the votes. After the nomination of Executive Board members, active members will vote by writing their choices on slips of paper and inserting them into the appropriate electoral box.  In the case of a tie, the Classification Committee shall draw lots in order to determine the winner. Executive Board members can be re-elected.  The government must be informed of the election results within seven days.

Article 18: Alternate Executive Board Members

Alternate Executive Board members shall assume permanent positions in case of resignation, expulsion, or death. 

Article 19: The Executive Board will select one President, one Vice President, one Secretary, and one Treasurer from among the elected seven members. 

Article 20: Meeting and the Decisions of the Executive Board

The Executive Board meets at least once a month. The Board may meet more than once upon the request of the President and the majority of the members of the Board. Meetings shall take place with the participation of a simple majority, and decisions will be made by members present at the meeting. If there is a tie, the President will make the final decision.Any Board Member who does not participate in four consecutive meetings shall be expelled by the Executive Board. 

Article 21: Powers and Responsibilities of the Executive Board

The Executive Board is responsible to the General Assembly, and for the implementation of these by-laws.  The Executive Board is the legal representative of ASAT, and has the authority to act on behalf of the Association with the official and private bodies. The Executive Board may delegate its authority to members or may appoint other representatives.

The following describes the division of Executive Board authorities:

a)     The President will preside over Executive Board meetings and represent ASAT in all official and private affairs. The President is entitled to act within the framework of the decisions of the Executive Board.

b)     The Vice-President will assist the President and will represent him/her during his/her absence.

c)     The Treasurer will keep the accounts of ASAT

d)     The Secretary will conduct the communication of the Association, and will maintain its documents/property.  The Secretary will also supervise all ASAT events, including conferences.

The Executive Board may form sub-committees among the active members of the Association in order to accomplish the activities of the Association. The Executive Board is also in charge of reporting its activities and expenditures to the General Assembly. 

c)   Auditing Board

Article 22: Election of the Auditing Board

The Auditing Board will be composed of three active members elected by the General Assembly by closed ballot.The General Assembly must elect a committee composed of at least three active members to count the votes. After the nomination of Auditing Board members, active members will vote by writing their choices on slips of paper and inserting them into the appropriate electoral box.  In the case of a tie, the Classification Committee shall draw lots in order to determine the winner. Auditing Board members can be re-elected.  The government must be informed of the election results within seven days. 

Article 23: Alternate Auditing Board Members

Alternate Auditing Board members shall assume permanent positions in case of resignation, expulsion, or death. 

Article 24: Duties and Powers of the Auditing Board

The Auditing Board supervises ASAT accounts and activities. It must review the accounts at least fifteen days before the annual meeting of the General Assembly, and present a report to the membership.  It will also review ASAT accounts at least once every six months.

 IV. ASAT Income and  Expenditures

Article 25: Income

ASAT Income can be obtained as follows:

a)      Entrance fees and subscriptions from active members and other interested parties,

b)      Proceeds from publications, books, bazaars, balls, entertainment, performances, concerts, conferences, films, cinema and theater performances, trips, etc.

c)      Lottery organized by the Association,

d)      Income obtained from properties of the Association,

e)      Donations. 

Article 26: Expenditures

Expenditures are made with the decision of the Executive Board within the framework of the adopted budget.  

V. Books and Records 

Article 27: Books and Records

The Books and Records to be kept by the Association are as follows:

a)      Membership Book: Contains the personal information, contact information and application data of all members.

b)      Decision Book: The decisions of the Executive Boards are entered in this book according to an assigned date and number. All decisions are to be signed by the members of the Board.

c)      Archive Book: Binder of sent and received documents. 

d)      Income and Expenditure Ledger

e)      Budgeting and Receipt Ledger

f)       Inventory Book

These books will be authorized by the local notary.The Executive Board may also maintain other ledgers without notarized consent.  

VI. Dissolution and Liquidation

Article 28: Dissolution and Liquidation of the Association

Only the General Assembly can make decisions about the dissolution of the Association. Two-thirds of the active members must participate in the General Assembly convened to dissolve the Association.If the required number cannot gather, a second meeting must be held according to Article 11. The second meeting will be held without considering the number of participants. Two-thirds of the members at the meeting must vote for dissolution in order for it to be official.  The Executive Board must dissolve the Association in writing within five days.

If dissolution is decided, the General Assembly must elect a three-person committee to liquidate ASAT properties. If there are funds remaining after debts have been paid, the amount will be donated to another association which serving similar goals (the General Assembly will decide upon the organization).  If dissolution is required by court decree, dissolution will be realized according to the previsions stated in the Turkish Law of Associations.

VIII. ASAT Internal Auditing


Article 30