Bylaws

AoIR is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation governed by an extensive set of bylaws that outline the purpose, nature and organisational structure of the Association. From time to time AoIR also commits to statements and policies that guide the operations of the Association and its executive. These materials appear below.

Overview

Bylaws of The Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR)
(Amended and approved – October 11, 2012)

ARTICLE 1

OFFICES

SECTION 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE

The principal office of the corporation is located in New Castle County, State of Delaware.

SECTION 2. CHANGE OF ADDRESS

The designation of the county or state of the corporation’s principal office may be changed by amendment of these Bylaws. The Board of Directors may change the principal office from one location to another in the named county by noting the changed address and effective date below, and such changes of address shall not be deemed, nor require an amendment of these Bylaws:

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SECTION 3. OTHER OFFICES

The corporation may also have offices at such other places, within or without its state of incorporation, where it is qualified to do business, as its business and activities may require, and as the board of directors may, from time to time, designate.

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ARTICLE 2

NONPROFIT PURPOSES

SECTION 1. IRC SECTION 501(c)(3) PURPOSES

This corporation is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SECTION 2. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES

The specific objectives and purposes of this corporation shall be:

(a) to provide an international, interdisciplinary and interprofessional organization for promotion of scholarly and critical research into the social, cultural, political, economic and aesthetic aspects of the Internet.

(b) to organize and sponsor regular conferences to provide a forum so those engaged in Internet research can meet and exchange information about their work.

(c) to sponsor and disseminate information about Internet research through publication of a site on the world wide web and through other publications.

(d) to encourage recognition of Internet studies as an area for scholarly research, curriculum development and teaching.

(e) to establish connections between the scholarly community, those in Internet and Internet-related industries, and Internet users.

(f) to encourage the development of research and systematic study in topics and areas of Internet and Internet-related phenomena where such study is not well developed, both in terms of pioneering, substantive intellectual areas and in terms of regions, localities and institutions interested in Internet studies.

(g) to be a clearinghouse for information about Internet research resources and encourage their development.

(h) to encourage socially responsible Internet research that serves the common good.

(i) to engender a networked approach to the establishment, growth, and organization of this association.

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ARTICLE 3

DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. NUMBER

The corporation shall have five directors elected by the membership and collectively they shall be known as the Board of Directors. The Directors are the President, Immediate Past President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

SECTION 2. QUALIFICATIONS

Directors shall be of the age of majority in the state of incorporation and shall be members in good standing of the corporation (AoIR) at the time of their election and for the duration of their terms.

SECTION 3. POWERS

Subject to the provisions of the laws of this state and any limitations in the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws relating to action required or permitted to be taken or approved by the members of this corporation, the activities and affairs of this corporation shall be conducted and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. DUTIES

It shall be the duties of the directors to:

(a) perform any and all duties imposed on them collectively or individually by law, by Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or by the membership;

(b) Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, appoint and remove, employ and discharge, and 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 assure their duties are performed properly, and admit new members;

(d) Meet at such times and places as required by these Bylaws;

(e) Register their addresses with the Secretary of the corporation, and notices of meetings mailed, e-mailed or telegraphed to them at such addresses shall be valid notices thereof;

(f) To receive input and advice from the executive committee of the corporation and respond to them as appropriate.

(g) To assist in the realization of the corporation’s aims and policies.

SECTION 5. TERM OF OFFICE

Each director shall hold office for a term of two years and until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.

SECTION 6. COMPENSATION

Directors shall serve without compensation except that when possible a reasonable fee may be paid to directors for attending regular or special meetings of the board. In addition, they shall be allowed reasonable advancement or reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, should corporation finances allow.

SECTION 7. PLACE OF MEETINGS

Meetings shall be held at the principal office of the corporation or in conjunction with the General Meeting of the membership unless otherwise provided by the board or at such other place as may be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 8. REGULAR MEETINGS

Regular meetings of the directors shall be held annually during the General Meeting of the membership, at the meeting of the international organization, or by telecommunications or other means deemed effective by a majority of the directors. Directors shall be elected by written ballot of the corporation’s members as they elect the Executive Committee. Each individual and institutional member in good standing shall cast one vote per candidate and may vote for as many candidates as the number of candidates to be elected to the board. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number to be elected shall be elected to serve on the board.

SECTION 9. SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President, the Vice President, by any two directors, or if different, by the persons specifically authorized under the laws of this state to call special meetings of the board. Such meetings shall be held at the principal office of the corporation, by telecommunications, or other means deemed effective by the person or persons calling the special meeting.

SECTION 10. NOTICE OF MEETINGS

Unless otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law, the following provisions shall govern the giving of notice for meetings of the Board of Directors:

(a) Regular Meetings. No notice need be given of any regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

(b) Special Meetings. At least one week prior notice shall be given by the Secretary of the corporation to each director of each special meeting of the board. Such notice may be oral or written, may be given personally, by first class mail, by electronic mail, by telephone, or by facsimile machine, and shall state the place, date and time of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted upon at the meeting. In the case of facsimile notification, the director to be contacted shall acknowledge personal receipt of the facsimile notice by a return message or telephone call within twenty four hours of the first facsimile transmission.

(c) Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given to any director of this corporation under provision of the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or the law of this state, a waiver of notice in writing signed by the director, whether before or after the time of the meeting, shall be the equivalent of the giving of such notice.

SECTION 11. QUORUM FOR MEETINGS

A quorum shall consist of a minimum of three members of the Board of Directors.
Except as otherwise provided under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law, no business shall be considered by the board at any meeting at which the required quorum is not present, and the only motion which the Chair shall entertain at such meeting is a motion to adjourn.

SECTION 12. MAJORITY ACTION AS BOARD ACTION

Every act or decision made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present is the act of the Board of Directors, unless the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law require a greater percentage or different voting rules for approval of a matter by the board.

SECTION 13. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairperson of the Board, or, if no such person has been designated or, in her or his absence, the President of the corporation or, in his or her absence, by the Vice President of the corporation, or in the absence of each of these persons, by a Chairperson chosen by a majority of the directors present at the meeting. The Secretary of the corporation shall act as Secretary of all meetings of the board, provided that in her or his absence, the presiding officer shall appoint another person to act as Secretary of the Meeting.

Meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, insofar as such rules are not inconsistent with the Articles of incorporation, these Bylaws, as with provisions of law.

SECTION 14. VACANCIES

Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall exist (1) on the death, resignation or removal of any director, and (2) whenever the number of authorized directors is increased.

Any director may resign effective upon giving 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 Office of the Attorney General or other appropriate agency of this state.

Directors may be removed from office, with or without cause, as permitted by and in accordance with the laws of this state.

Unless otherwise prohibited by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws or provision of law, vacancies on the board may be filled by approval of the board of directors. If the number of directors then in office is less than a quorum, a vacancy on the board may be filled by approval of a majority of the directors then in office or by a sole remaining director. A person thus selected to fill a vacancy on the board shall hold office until the next election of members of the Board of Directors or until his or her death, resignation, or removal from office.

SECTION 15. NON-LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS

The directors shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities or other obligations of the corporation.

SECTION 16. INDEMNIFICATION BY CORPORATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

The directors and officers of the corporation shall be indemnified by the corporation to the fullest extent permissible under the laws of this state.

SECTION 17. INSURANCE FOR CORPORATE AGENTS

Except as may be otherwise provided under provisions of law, the Board of Directors may adopt a resolution authorizing the purchase and maintenance of insurance on behalf of any agent of the corporation (including a director, officer, employee, or other agent of the corporation) against liabilities asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the agent against such liability under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provision of law.

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ARTICLE 4

OFFICERS

SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF OFFICERS

The officers of the corporation shall be elected by the membership and shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Graduate Student Representative . The corporation may also have other officers with titles as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. QUALIFICATIONS

Any person who is a member in good standing of the corporation may serve as an officer of this corporation.

SECTION 3. ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE

Officers shall be elected by the membership of the corporation at any time necessary, and each officer shall hold office until he or she resigns or is removed or is otherwise disqualified to serve or until her or his successor shall be elected and qualified, whichever occurs first. Terms of office shall ordinarily be two years. Ordinarily, power shall pass to newly elected officers upon the adjournment of the annual Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors, or upon the adjournment of the General Meeting at which their election is announced, whichever comes first.

SECTION 4. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION

Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by a two thirds vote by the Board of Directors, at any time. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the Secretary of the corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any later date specified therein, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. It is the responsibility of the officers to be certain that they do not hold a professional position or financial position which places them in a situation of conflict of interest with the obligations of officership in the association. The above provisions of this Section shall be superseded by any conflicting terms of a contract which has been approved or ratified by the Board of Directors relating to the employment of any officer of the corporation.

SECTION 5. VACANCIES

Any vacancy caused by the death, resignation, removal or disqualification of any officer shall be filled by the Board of Directors. An officer elected by the board to fill a vacancy shall hold office until the next election of officers or until her or his death, resignation or removal from office. Vacancies occurring in offices of officers appointed at the discretion of the board may or may not be filled as the board shall determine. The Executive Committee can appoint interim members should a member require a leave of absence, but the majority of the committee shouldn’t be made up of interim positions.

SECTION 6. DUTIES OF PRESIDENT

The President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, supervise and control the affairs of the corporation and the activities of the officers. He or she shall perform all duties incident to her or his office and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors or membership. Unless another person is specifically appointed as Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at all meetings of the members. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, he or she shall, in the name of the corporation, execute such deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, checks, or other instruments which may from time to time be authorized by the Board of Directors or the membership.

SECTION 7. DUTIES OF VICE PRESIDENT/PRESIDENT-ELECT

In the absence of the President, or in the event of her or his inability or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers and be subject to all the restrictions on, the President. The Vice President shall have other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law, the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or membership. The Vice President shall assume the office of President upon expiration of the term of the President under whom the Vice President serves.

SECTION 8. DUTIES OF SECRETARY

The secretary shall:

* 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, a book of minutes of all meetings of the Directors, the Executive Committee, the members, and if applicable, meetings of committees of Directors and of members, recording therein the 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.

* Keep at the principal office of the corporation a membership book containing the name, address, and dues status of all 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. Alternatively, such membership records may be kept electronically, using such service or software as agreed upon by the Board of Directors.

* Notify members thirty (30) days prior to expiration of membership of the option to renew and remain in good standing, and coordinate with the Treasurer to ensure the membership book is up to date. Such notices may be performed automatically through software used to store membership records.

* Exhibit at all reasonable times to any Director or officer of the corporation, or to her or his agent or attorney, on request therefor, the Bylaws, the membership book, and the minutes of the proceedings of the Directors and other units of the corporation, or to make such records available electronically..

* 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, or by these Bylaws or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors or the membership.

SECTION 9. DUTIES OF TREASURER

The treasurer shall:

* 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, including membership dues.

* Disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the corporation as may be directed by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements.

* Keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the corporation’s properties and business transactions, including accounts of assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains and losses.

* Coordinate with the Secretary to ensure the membership book is up to date.

* Exhibit at all reasonable times the books of account and financial records to any Director or officer of the corporation, or to her or his agent or attorney, 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, the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be assigned to her or him from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee or the membership.

SECTION 10. DUTIES OF GRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

The Graduate Student Representative must be actively enrolled in a degree program at the time of nomination and election. Duties are flexible, consisting largely of committee and project assignments, as assigned by the Executive Committee. The representative should encourage and coordinate the participation in AoIR’s activities by graduate students.

SECTION 11. COMPENSATION

The salaries of the officers, if any, shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors and ratified by the membership. In all cases, any salaries received by officers of this corporation shall be reasonable and given in return for services actually rendered to or for the corporation.

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ARTICLE 5

COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall direct the day-to-day operations of the corporation. It shall consist of nine members. The five elected officers and the Past President will serve on the Executive Committee. Additionally the membership, during regular elections of officers, will also elect three open seats. Duties are flexible, consisting largely of Committee and project assignments, as assigned by the Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may delegate to the Executive Committee the powers and authority of the board in the management and affairs of the corporation, to the extent permitted and except as may otherwise be provided, by provisions of law.

By a majority vote of its members, the Board of Directors may at any time revoke or modify any or all of the Executive Committee authority so delegated. The Executive Committee shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings, cause them to be filed with the corporate records, and report the same to the Board from time to time as the board may require.

SECTION 2. OTHER COMMITTEES

The corporation shall have other such committees as may from time to time be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, or membership. These committees may consist of persons who are not also members of the Board or Executive Committee and shall act in advisory capacity to the Board and Executive Committee.

SECTION 3. MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES

Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, noticed, held and taken in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws concerning meetings of the Board of Directors, with such changes in the context of such Bylaw provisions as are necessary to substitute the Committee and its members for the Board of Directors and its members, except that the time for regular and special meetings of the committee may be fixed by the Board of Directors or by the Committee. The Executive Committee may also adopt rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of meetings of committees to the extent that such rules and regulations are not inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws.

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ARTICLE 6

EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, DEPOSITS, AND FUNDS

SECTION 1. EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS

The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may by resolution authorize any officer or agent of the corporation to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable monetarily for any purpose or in any amount.

SECTION 2. CHECKS AND NOTES

Except as otherwise specifically determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, or as otherwise required by law, checks, drafts, promissory notes, orders for the payment of money, and the evidence of indebtedness of the corporation shall be signed by the Treasurer of the corporation.

SECTION 3. DEPOSITS

All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.

SECTION 4. GIFTS

The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the corporation any contribution, gift, bequest or devise for the nonprofit purposes of the corporation.

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ARTICLE 7

CORPORATE RECORDS, REPORTS AND SEAL

SECTION 1. MAINTENANCE OF CORPORATE RECORDS

The corporation shall keep at its principal office:

(a) Minutes of meetings of Directors, committees of the Board and all meetings of the members, indicating the 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) A record of its members indicating members’ names and contact information and, if applicable the class of membership and the termination date of any membership;

(c) A copy of the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the members at all reasonable times during office hours.

SECTION 2. CORPORATE SEAL

The Board of Directors may adopt, use, and at will alter a corporate seal. Such seal shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation. Failure to affix the corporate seal to corporate instruments, however, shall not affect the validity of any such instrument. Documents that go into the corporate record should have the seal. In cases in which they do not, documents without the seal should be validated by three (3) members of the Executive Committee or the Directors at the time of dating.

SECTION 3. DIRECTORS’ INSPECTION RIGHTS

Every Director shall have absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect and copy all books, records, and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties of the corporation and shall have such other rights to inspect the books, records and properties of this corporation as may be required under the Articles of Incorporation, other provisions of these Bylaws and provisions of law.

SECTION 4. MEMBERS’ INSPECTION RIGHTS

Each and every member in good standing shall have the following inspection rights, for a purpose reasonably related to such person’s interests as a member:

(a) To inspect the record of all members’ names and voting rights, at reasonable times, upon written demand on the Secretary of the corporation, which demand shall state the purpose for which the inspection rights are requested.

(b) To obtain from the Secretary of the corporation, upon written demand on, and payment of a reasonable charge to, the Secretary of the corporation, a list of the names, and membership status of those members entitled to vote for the election of Directors or officers as of the most recent date for which the list has been compiled or as of the date specified by the member subsequent to the date of demand. The demand shall state the purpose for which the list is requested. The membership list shall be made within a reasonable time after the demand is received by the Secretary of the corporation or after the date specified therein as of which the list is to be compiled.

(c) To inspect at any reasonable time, the books, records, or minutes of proceedings of the members or Board or of committees of the Board, upon written demand on the Secretary of the corporation by the member, for a purpose reasonably related to the person’s interests as a member.

Members shall have such other rights to inspect the books, records and properties of this corporation as may be required under the Articles of Incorporation, other provisions of these Bylaws and provisions of law.

SECTION 5. RIGHT TO COPY AND MAKE EXTRACTS

Any inspection under the provisions of this Article may be made in person or by agent or attorney and the right to inspection shall include the right to copy and make extracts except where copying and extracting shall be in violation of member rights to privacy of information.

SECTION 6. PERIODIC REPORT

The board shall cause any annual or periodic report required under law to be prepared and delivered to an office of this state or to the members, to be so prepared and delivered within the time limits set by law.

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ARTICLE 8

IRC 501(c)(3) TAX EXEMPTION PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. LIMITATION OF ACTIVITIES

No substantial part of the activities of this corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation [except as otherwise provided by Section 501 (h) of the Internal Revenue Code], and this corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including publishing or distribution of statements in), any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bylaws, this corporation shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal revenue Code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SECTION 2. PROHIBITION AGAINST PRIVATE INUREMENT

No part of the net earnings of this corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, Directors or trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes of the corporation.

SECTION 3. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS

Upon dissolution of this corporation, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this corporation shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Such distribution shall be made in accordance with all applicable provisions of the laws of this state.

SECTION 4. PRIVATE FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS

In any taxable year in which this corporation is a private foundation as described in Section 509 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code, the corporation 1) shall distribute its income for said period at such time and manner as not to subject it to tax under Section 4942 of the Internal Revenue Code; 2) shall not engage in any act of self-dealing as defined in Section 4941 (d) of the Internal Revenue Code; 3) shall not retain any excess business holdings as defined in Section 4943 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code; 4) shall not make any investments in such manner as to subject the corporation to tax under Section 4944 of the Internal Revenue Code; and 5) shall not make any taxable expenditures as defined in Section 4945 (d) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

SECTION 1. AMENDMENT

Subject to the power of the members of this corporation to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of this corporation and except as may otherwise be specified under provisions of law, these Bylaws or any of them may be altered, amended, or repealed and new Bylaws adopted by two-thirds approval of the Board of Directors.

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ARTICLE 10

CONSTRUCTION AND TERMS

If there is any conflict between the provisions of these Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation shall govern.
Should any of the provisions or portions of these Bylaws be held unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions and portions of these Bylaws shall be unaffected by such holding.

All references in these Bylaws to the Articles of Incorporation shall be to the Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, Certificate of Incorporation, Organizational Charter, Corporate Charter, or other founding document of this corporation filed with an office of this state and used to establish the legal existence of this corporation.

All references in these Bylaws to a section or sections of the Internal Revenue Code shall be to such sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended from time to time, or corresponding provisions of any future federal tax code.

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MEMBERSHIP PROVISIONS
OF THE BYLAWS OF the association(of).internet.researchers

ARTICLE 11

MEMBERS

SECTION 1. DETERMINATION AND RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

The corporation shall have only one class of members. No member shall hold more than one membership in the corporation. Except as expressly provided in or authorized by the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws of this corporation, or provisions of law, all memberships shall have the same rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions.

SECTION 2. QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

The qualifications for membership in this corporation are as follows:

(a) active engagement in or support of one or more of the corporation’s stated purposes.

(b) maintaining a zero balance of dues and fees owed to the corporation in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the corporation.

SECTION 3. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS

Applicants shall be admitted to membership upon their first payment of required fees and dues, and certification of that payment by the Treasurer.

SECTION 4. FEES AND DUES

(a) No fee shall be charged for making application for membership in the corporation.

(b) Dues are payable to the corporation annually. If, by a member’s membership expiration date, the Treasurer has not received payment from the member, the member will be removed from “good standing” status The amount of dues charged to members shall be determined by the Executive Committee. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, membership fees and dues are not refundable.

(c) The Executive Committee sets the classes of membership in the organization, the rights and privileges of these classes, and their respective annual dues.

SECTION 5. NUMBER OF MEMBERS

There is no limit to the number of members this corporation may admit.

SECTION 6. MEMBERSHIP BOOK

The corporation shall keep a membership book containing the name and address of each member. Termination of the membership of any member shall be recorded in the book, together with the date of termination of such membership. Such book shall be kept at the corporation’s principal office, or at another location designated by the Board of Directors. Alternatively, such membership records may be kept electronically, using such service or software as agreed upon by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 7. NON LIABILITY OF MEMBERS

A member of this corporation is not, as such, personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or obligations of the corporation.

SECTION 8. NON TRANSFERABILITY OF MEMBERSHIPS

No member may transfer a membership or any rights arising there from. All rights of membership cease upon the member’s death.

SECTION 9. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

The membership of a member shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a) Upon his or her notice of such termination delivered to the President or Secretary of the corporation personally, by mail, or by electronic mail, such membership to terminate upon the date of delivery of the notice or the date of postmark.

(b) Upon failure to renew his or her membership by paying dues on or before their due date, such termination to be effective immediately.

(c) After providing the member with reasonable written notice and an opportunity to be heard either orally or in writing, upon a determination by the Executive Committee or Board of Directors that the member has engaged in conduct materially and seriously prejudicial to the interests or purposes of the corporation. Any person expelled from membership in the corporation shall receive a refund of dues already paid for the current dues period. Such member is forbidden to reapply for membership.

All rights of a member in the corporation shall cease on the termination of membership as herein provided.

SECTION 10. POWER AND AUTHORITY OF MEMBERS

The supreme legislative authority to shape the direction and deeds of the corporation rests with the membership, which is hereby empowered to exert and express its collective will on all matters of corporation business at an annual meeting to be referred to as the General Meeting. This includes but is not limited to the power to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws by a two-thirds majority of those voting at a General Meeting or by other means.

SECTION 11. AFFILIATE ASSOCIATIONS AND CONFERENCE CO-PRESENCE

The executive committee may, upon petition from an association whose objectives are consistent with those of AoIR, grant to such association the status of affiliate organization and/or establish a conference co-presence. A petition for affiliate status must state the petitioning association’s goals, its relevance to AoIR and AoIR members, and the benefits and costs to itself and AoIR. Affiliate status may be reviewed and revoked at AoIR’s discretion.

Conference co-presence is granted on a per-conference basis and not perpetuated from conference to conference without re-petition. Criteria for a conference co-presence are:

* offer richness to an AoIR conference that AoIR could not otherwise achieve

* offer significant benefits to the local host

* further the mission of AoIR

* be logistically feasible without adding significant cost or labor, particularly for the local host

* does not limit the ability of our members to present their work at AoIR conferences by decreasing available panels, time slots, etc.

Once affiliate status and/or conference co-presence is approved by the executive committee, the affiliate association shall appoint a liaison to handle coordination and correspondence with their counterpart appointed by the AoIR executive committee.

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ARTICLE 12

MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

SECTION 1. PLACE OF MEETINGS

Meetings of members shall be held at the principal office of the corporation or at such other place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Executive Committee.

SECTION 2. REGULAR MEETINGS

A regular meeting of the membership shall be held as determined by the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, for the purpose of transacting any and all business as may come before the meeting. Election results shall be announced for all seats and offices which were contested in the balloting procedure set out below. The annual meeting of members for the purpose of conducting business, the General Meeting, shall be held in conjunction with the corporation’s annual conference and considered a regular meeting.

If the day fixed for a regular meeting falls on a legal holiday, such meeting shall be held at the same hour and place on the next business day.

SECTION 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

Special meetings of the members shall be called by the Board of Directors, or the President of the corporation, or, if different, by the persons specifically authorized by the laws of this state to call special meetings of the members.

SECTION 4. NOTICE OF MEETINGS

Unless otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law, notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety (90) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President or the Secretary, or the persons calling the meeting, to each member entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the member at her or his address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage prepaid. Personal notification includes face to face contact, notification by telephone, electronic mail, or by facsimile machine, provided that, in the case of the facsimile notification, the member to be contacted shall acknowledge personal receipt of the facsimile notice by a return message or phone call within twenty four hours of the first facsimile transmission.

The notice of any meeting of members at which directors are to be elected shall also state the names of all those who are nominees or candidates for election at the time the notice is given.
Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given to any member of this corporation under provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws or the law of this state, a waiver of notice in writing signed by the member, whether before or after the time of the meeting, shall be the equivalent to the giving of such notice.

SECTION 5. QUORUM FOR MEETINGS

A quorum shall consist of twenty-five (25) percent of the voting members of the corporation. Corporation business may be conducted by mail or by means of electronic communication.

Except as otherwise provided under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law, no business shall be considered by the members at any meeting at which the required quorum is not present, and the only motion the Chair shall entertain at such a meeting is a motion to adjourn.

SECTION 6. MAJORITY ACTION AS MEMBER ACTION

Every act or decision done or made by a majority of voting members present in person or by proxy at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present is the act of the members, unless the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law require a greater number.

SECTION 7. VOTING RIGHTS

Each member in good standing present or represented by proxy at a regular or special meeting is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote by the members. To facilitate informed proxy voting, an agenda for each General Meeting shall be circulated to the membership not later than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. This agenda may appear on the association Web site. Voting at duly held meetings shall be by voice vote or show of hands. Election of Officers and Directors, however, shall be by written ballot. All votes will be independently verified by at least two sources who are not members of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors. Voting complaints shall be directed to the Board of Directors who shall investigate complaints as necessary, except in case of complaints brought against a Director, in which case a randomly chosen panel of consenting members will investigate complaints. Complaints must be lodged within two (2) weeks of the last day of voting.

SECTION 8. ACTION BY WRITTEN BALLOT

Except as otherwise provided under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws or provisions of law, any action which may be taken at a regular or special meeting of members may be taken without a meeting if the corporation distributes a written ballot to each member entitled to vote on the matter. The ballot shall:

1. set forth the proposed action;

2. provide an opportunity to specify approval or disapproval of each proposal;

3. indicate the number of responses needed to meet the quorum requirement and, except for ballots soliciting votes for the election of directors or officers, state the percentage of approvals necessary to pass the measure submitted; and

4. shall specify the date by which the ballot must be received by the corporation in order to be counted. The date set shall afford members a reasonable time within which to return the ballots to the corporation.

Ballots shall be mailed or delivered in the manner required for giving notice of membership meetings as specified in these Bylaws.

Approval of action by written ballot shall be valid only when the number of votes cast by ballot within the time period specified equals or exceeds the quorum required to be present at a meeting authorizing the action, and the number of approvals equals or exceeds the number of votes that would be required to approve the action at a meeting at which the total number of votes cast was the same as the number of votes cast by ballot.

Members of the executive committee must be elected by written ballot. Such ballots shall list the persons nominated at the time the ballots are mailed or delivered. An electronic ballot, whether delivered by electronic mail or provided to members through an electronic voting service, shall be considered equivalent to a written ballot.

SECTION 9. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

Meetings of the members shall be presided over by the President of the corporation or, in her or his absence, by the Vice President of the corporation or, in the absence of those persons, by a Chairperson chosen by a majority of the voting members present at the meeting. The Secretary of the corporation shall act as Secretary of all meetings of the members, provided that in his or her absence, the presiding officer shall appoint another person to act as Secretary of the Meeting.

Meetings shall be governed by Robert’s 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 the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or with provisions of law.

SECTION 10. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Election of Directors shall take place simultaneously with the election of officers. The four officers (excluding the Graduate Student Representative) elected by the membership shall also serve identical terms as Directors of the corporation. The fifth seat on the Board of Directors shall be filled by the previously elected President.

SECTION 11. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Election of the elected members of the Executive Committee shall take place via mail or electronic ballot sent to the membership. A call for nominations shall be sent to the membership not later than sixty (60) days prior to the beginning of the next General Meeting. This call may be sent by mail or by electronic mail. The nomination period shall be open for fifteen (15) days from the date of the call for nominations. After the close of nominations, but not later than twenty-one (21) days prior to the beginning of the next General Meeting, an official ballot shall be sent to all members eligible to vote at that time. The ballot shall be accompanied by a document containing biographical and/or philosophical statements filed by candidates during the nominations period. Such ballot and accompanying materials may be sent electronically. Voting shall remain open for ten (10) days from the date of the ballot, expiring at 12:00 noon, U.S. Eastern Time in the State of Delaware, the association’s place of incorporation. Validity of completed ballots for timeliness reasons, shall be determined by their postmark date, or by the date and time received, if received electronically.

Each voting member shall cast no more than one vote for each elected office. They may abstain if they desire.

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ADOPTION OF BYLAWS

We, the undersigned, are all of the directors or incorporators of this corporation, and we consent to, and hereby do, adopt the foregoing Bylaws, consisting of the preceding pages, as the Bylaws of this corporation.

[signed]

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