Constitution

Chapter II Membership

Right to Become a Member

Article 4: Real persons who are eligible to exercise their civil rights, above the age of 18, carrying conditions foreseen in related legislations and requirements stated in Article may become members to the Association.

A foreigner who would like to become a member should have a residential permit in addition to the above-mentioned requirements sought for Turkish citizens. Residential permit is not required for an honorary membership.

Types and Conditions of Membership:

Article 5: The Association consists of two types of members carrying general membership qualifications.

a) Full Members: Following persons may become full members to the Association;

i. Persons involved in data processing or informatics related fields of activity in Turkey,

ii. Persons who are or have been involved in license and graduate level educational activities in informatics related departments of universities,

iii. Persons involved in research activities and publications in the field of informatics and the ones involved in studies, research activities and publications in their own fields for the informatics sector although they are not directly taking place in this sector,

iv. Persons who provide the widespread and efficient use of computer technologies in their own establishments, and

v. Persons who are professionally interested in informatics.

The above-mentioned persons and the ones adopting the Association’s purpose as well as the Guidelines of Honor for Informatics Specialists and working in this direction may become members to the Association.

b) Honorary Members: An honorary membership position is granted, by the decision of Central Governing Board, to persons demonstrating a close interest in the Association’s activities, protecting its benefits and providing assistance for realization of its objectives both in the country and abroad. Honorary members do not have voting rights in General Assembly meetings. They are not equipped with rights to elect and being elected and they do not have any payment liabilities.

Method of Becoming a Member:

Article 6: Persons who would like to become a member to the association may apply to a Branch or Central Governing Board (CGM) together with one (1) photograph by completing and submitting a form designed by Central Governing Board or they may fill out and send the electronic form taking place in the official Internet website of the Association after signing the form using secure electronic signature (e-signature).

It is obligatory to have references made by two members of the association as well as the positive opinion of the Governing Board of the related branch for acceptance of the said membership. The membership application form and the electronic form designed by Central Governing Board includes a blank field for the names, surnames and membership numbers of members providing references. Applications without information on references are refused directly without the need for declaring other reasons.

The list of candidates applying for membership arranged according to the date of application is announced on the Association’s Internet website and at the Branch to which the application is made. Association’s members who are informed of such membership requests may submit their opinions about membership candidates to Central or Branch Governing Boards in writing.

In applications made to Branches, Branch Governing Board sends the application documents to Central Governing Board together with its comments within a period of 15 days from the day they have been received. Membership applications received from Branches are considered by the dates they have been received.

Applications received through electronic environment or any other ways possible as made to Central Governing Board are sent to the related Branch through the electronic environment for their comments within a period of seven (7) days from their receipts. The related Branch assesses such applications and informs its opinion on the subject to Central Governing Board within a period of fifteen (15) days.

Central Governing Board examines documents regarding the membership application of a candidate member completed and submitted to the central office either directly or through electronic media within thirty (30) days, makes its decision on the said membership and the result is informed to the applicant while also announced on the Association’s website.

The ones accepted for membership are recorded both on the Central Master Register and Brand’s Register.

In cases of provinces where the Association does not have a Branch, the Branch to which a member is to be registered is decided in accordance with the related directives.

Honorary memberships are granted directly by Central Governing Board without the need for any applications.

Identification Card and Membership Number:

Article 7: A member is given an “Identification Card” of uniform type decided upon by Central Governing Board as well as a “membership number” produced in the Head Office, carrying a sequential number given irrespective of the branch to which the member is registered and including also digits stating the member’s branch. In the case the branch is changed due to the change in the member’s location, membership number does not change with the exception of digits indicating the branch.

Rights of Members:

Article 8: Members’ rights are as follows:

a) No one may be forced to become a member to or stay as a member at the Association. Each and every member has the right to resign from the membership.

b) Members are equipped with equal rights.

c) Each member has only one voting right in General Assembly meetings and uses its right to vote in general assembly meetings of the branch where he is registered.

d) A member may send his requests on Association’s management to the Governing Board.

Liabilities:

Article 9: Members are liable and responsible for the following duties and tasks:

a) Abide by decision taken and announcements made by General Assembly and Governing Board,

b) Notify changes in his address to be used for communications with the Association within a maximum period of three months, and

c) Carry out other material and moral responsibilities foreseen in the by-laws herein in an orderly manner.

Resignation of a Member:

Article 10: Each member may resign from membership by notifying the Association in writing.

Membership is assumed to terminate at the time the petition for resignation is received by the Governing Board. Termination of membership does not cancel the responsibilities of a member regarding accumulated debts of membership dues.

Dismissal from Membership:

Article 11: Following members are dismissed from membership by decision of Central Governing Board in the direction of the report prepared by Honor Board:

a) Members involved in acts in breach of these by-laws,

b) Members involved in acts in breach of Guidelines of Honor for Informatics Specialists published in the Association’s Internet website,

c) Members refraining from carrying out tasks assigned by authorized bodies of the Association despite all warnings made,

d) Members acting in violation of decisions made by authorized bodies of the Association,

e) Members who have lost their membership requirements.

Members who have not paid their membership dues for a period of two years despite all the notifications made in this respect may be dismissed from membership by the decision of Central Governing Board without the need for reports to be prepared by Honor Board.

Members dismissed from membership may file their objections against this decision during the first General Assembly meeting to be held. Decisions by Central Governing Board are of definite nature.

Situations regarding members resigned or dismissed from membership are recorded in membership registers.

Re-registration for Membership:

Article 12: Members other than the ones who have been dismissed for failures in the payment of membership dues may not reapply for membership to the Association.

Members have been dismissed for failures in the payment of membership dues may be accepted for membership by the decision of Central Governing Board in the case they make an application for re-registration to a Branch or Central Governing Board in writing together with receipts indicating that they have paid their accumulated debts of membership dues as well as the legal interests and other debts, if any. But the ones who have been dismissed twice (2 times) for this reason are not accepted for re-registration to membership.

Objection to Dismissal:

Article 13: A member who has been dismissed from membership may apply in writing for objection to Central Governing Board directly or through the Branch to which he is a member within a period of thirty (30) days from the day the dismissal has been notified.

Central Governing Board preserves its right to abide by its decision against the objection of a member made to the Central General Assembly.

Chapter III Bodies of the Association Duties and Authorities of the Bodies

Bodies of the Association:

Article 14: Activities of the Informatics Association of Turkey are carried out by the following bodies:

a) Central Bodies:

i) Central General Assembly

ii) Central Governing Board

iii) Central Board of Auditors

iv) Central Honorary Board

b) Bodies at Branches:

i) Branch General Assembly

ii) Branch Governing Board

iii) Branch Board of Auditors

iv) Branch Honorary Board

Central Bodies

Central General Assembly

Article 15: Central General Assembly is the highest decision making and controlling authority of the Association.

Central General Assembly is comprised of the following members:

a) Founding Members of the Association,

b) Previous President of Governing Boards in the Association,

c) Full Members of Central Governing Board,

d) Full Members of Central Board of Auditors,

e) Full Members of Central Honorary Board,

f) Full Members of Branch Governing Boards,

g) Full Members of Branch Boards of Auditors,

h) Full Members of Branch Honorary Boards, and

i) Delegates to be elected by Branches.

Central General Assembly Meetings:

Article 16: Central General Assembly holds its meetings in Ankara;

a) In an “ordinary” manner in the month of March every year upon the invitation by Central Governing Board, or

b) In an “extra-ordinary” manner in situations found necessary by Central Governing Board or Central Board of Auditors or upon the written request made by one tenth of its members.

Method of Calls for General Assembly Meetings:

Article 17: Central Governing Board arranges the list of members having the rights to take part in the general assembly in accordance with the Association’s by-laws. Members who are going to take part in the General Assembly meeting are notified at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting on its date, location, hour and agenda by an announcement to be made on a local newspaper or by an e-letter or at least one of any other mass media communications means including the Internet. In this announcement, a date for a second meeting is also stated in case the majority is not present during the first meeting. Time period to the second meeting must be between seven (7) and sixty (60) days.

In the case the meeting is postponed for reasons other than the absence of majority, the second meeting is then announced to the members in the same way as done for the first meeting by stating also the reasons for postponement. The second meeting is obligatorily held within a maximum period of six (6) months from the day of postponement. Members are re-invited to the meeting according to the above-mentioned procedure.

A general assembly meeting cannot be postponed more than once.

In the case the Central General Assembly is not called for a meeting upon an invitation by the Central Board of Auditors or request by one tenth of its members within a period of one month, the meeting is then held upon the application of Central Board of Auditors or one tenth of its members made to the Justice of Peace.

Quorum for Meeting and Decisions:

Article 18:

a) Quorum for meeting: General Assembly meets in the presence of a quorum comprised of one more than half its members while a quorum comprised of two thirds of its members is required in cases of meeting regarding changes in by-laws and dissolution of the Association.

Quorum is not necessary in the second meeting; but, the number of members attending the second meeting cannot be less than twice the number of full members taking place in the governing board, board of auditors and honor boards.

b) Quorum for decision: Decisions are taken by the majority of votes attending the meeting. It is necessary to take decisions regarding amendments in the Association’s by-laws or the dissolution of the Association by a majority of two thirds of the members present in the meeting. Decisions regarding elections of the bodies of the Association are produced on the basis of the secret-vote / open-classification method while decisions on dissolution of the Association are made on the basis of the open-vote procedure.

Methods to be applied in cases of decisions other than the above are decided by the General Assembly while open-vote procedure is applied in the absence of any decided procedure.

Method of Meeting:

Article 19: General Assembly meetings of the Association are held in the date, hour and location that have been previously announced. Members, who will take part in the General Assembly Meeting, enter the meeting location by putting their signatures next to their names on the list that has been prepared by the Governing Board. If the quorum stated in Article 18 is present, then the situation is stated in the minutes of meeting and the meeting is opened by the President of the Governing Board or one of the members of the Governing Board to be assigned for this purpose.

After the meeting is opened, a presidential board comprising of a chairman, vice-chairman and two clerks is elected for purposes of governing the meeting. The meeting is governed by the Chairman of the Presidential Board and the Vice-Chairman in cases of assignments by the Chairman.

Clerks prepare the minutes of meeting and undersign it together with the Chairman.

All minutes and documents are given over to the Governing Board at the end of the meeting.

Subjects to be discussed:

Article 20: General Assembly discusses only issues taking place in the agenda. But, issues requested for discussion by at least one tenth of members present in the meeting are compulsorily added to the agenda.

Article 21: Subjects to be discussed and resolved by General Assembly are as follows:

a) Assess the activities realized during the previous period and make necessary decisions on the subject,

b) Discuss the Association’s accounts and the report of the Board of Auditors and release the Governing Board from its obligations,

c) Discuss and approve the draft budget prepared by the Governing Board,

d) Determine the principles to observed in future periods of activity and issue related directives,

e) Elect the Governing Board, Board of Auditors and Honor Board,

f) Make decisions regarding the amendment of the Association’s by-laws,

g) Authorize the Governing Board on issues like purchasing or leasing immovable properties required by the Association or selling or giving for lease the existing immovable properties belonging to the Association,

h) Make necessary decisions on participation to international activities, establish cooperation with associations and organizations in the abroad, decide on participation or resignation from such organizations, and authorize the Governing Board in this respect,

i) Decide on opening up branches either in the country or abroad and authorize the Governing Board to carry out the procedures needed,

j) Decide on dissolution of the Association,

k) Discuss and resolve objections of persons dismissed from membership,

l) Carry out duties assigned by these by-laws as well as the related legislations,

m) Determine the Entrance Fee and Annual Fee amounts to be paid by members, and

n) Determine the daily and travel allowances to be paid to persons assigned by the Association.

Election of Association’s Bodies:

Article 22: Following principles are observed in the elections of Bodies and Delegates in the Central and Branch organizations.

a) Candidates’ rights to be presented:

In order to have the elections held in a democratic and competitive environment, short introductory information for candidate members are announced through the Association’s Central and Branch websites in the form of candidate lists in the case such short information is given to Central or related Branch Governing Board by members within a period of at least seven (7) days prior to the date of the General Assembly meeting (first session). The said information is also sent to members of the Association by electronic communication means.

Late announcement of lists or individual nominations does not prevent anyone from becoming a candidate, but the related Governing Board is not liable to announce candidates and make notifications through the electronic environment.

b) Candidates’ rights to be presented:

All members of the Association may become a member even if they do not have the right to vote in the Central General Assembly. A member who has no right to vote may participate and make a speech in the Central General Assembly without voting.

c) Methods and principles to be observed in elections of bodies:

Elections to be made for bodies of the Association are carried out by making use of block lists unless otherwise specified by the absolute majority of the members of the General Assembly.

i. Block List:

In elections to be made by block lists, a voting paper to be used is prepared for the body of the said unit in the Association. This voting paper covers a list of candidates for full membership and alternate members in numbers equal to numbers to be elected.

It is also possible to apply for nomination outside the block lists. A list covering names and surnames of individual members made definite by Presidential Board of General Assembly is placed at an easily visible location inside the General Assembly Hall. Block lists that have been printed may be converted to voting papers by Presidential Board of General Assembly by sealing or using holograms or any other similar methods to be explained to members.

Names stated on voting papers may be crossed out and names of other candidates may be written. Votes collected by each candidate from the list he has been nominated and her/his votes collected from other lists as well as the individual votes are added to determine the final classification.

Full and alternate members are determined separately. Voting papers including names more than the numbers of full and alternate members to be elected as well as the ones including less than the number of full members to be elected are considered invalid.

A single voting paper may be issued for use in the elections of multiple bodies. In this case, if there is an invalid situation with regard to the list of a body, only the section of the voting paper related to that body is cancelled. Sections regarding other bodies are accepted as valid and included in the counting process.

ii. General List

Elections to be made on the basis of a general list (a single joint list) may be decided by the absolute majority of the General Assembly. In this case, candidates for the election are determined by the Presidential Board on the basis of an alphabetical order of their last names and a joint list is printed. This list is converted to voting papers by Presidential Board of General Assembly by sealing or any other methods for use in elections. Votes are given by putting marks next to the names of candidates. Voting papers including markings made next to the names more than or less than the numbers to be elected are considered invalid.

In elections to be made using general lists, full and alternate members are determined on the basis of a general classification made according to the votes candidates are collected. Members collecting higher numbers of votes become full members while others become alternate members. Selection between candidates who have collected equal numbers of votes is made by lot to determine the final classification.

Central Governing Board:

Article 23: Central Governing Board is comprised of sixteen (16) members (eleven (11) full and five (5) alternate members) who have been elected by General Assembly on the basis of secret voting.

Alternate members are called for duty in cases of vacant positions according to their positions in the list.

Duties of Central Governing Board:

Article 24: Central Governing Board is responsible for governing and representing the Association in accordance with the provisions of by-laws herein as well as the resolutions of the General Assembly.

The following are among the duties of Central Governing Board:

a) Represent the Association or authorize one or more members or the General Secretary of the Association in this respect,

b) Open up representative offices at locations it finds necessary and maintain relations with existing representative offices in accordance with principles determined as well as legislations in power.

c) Establish working groups comprised of full members of the Association at required provinces, determine methods and principles regarding such working groups and audit the activities carried out,

d) Carry out the administration of the Association and protect its rights by means of legal methods,

e) Prepare the annual work programs,

f) Determine the annual and periodical budgets, approve expenses, decide on debts of Branches or make changes when necessary,

g) Have maintained necessary registers and minute records to be obligatorily kept pursuant to the Code of Associations,

h) Determine printed and visual materials to be published on all kinds of media as well as studies and research activities to be financially supported, decide on services to be taken or given and specify the meetings to be participated either in the country or abroad,

i) Make changes in related sections of the budget needed for compulsory reasons,

j) Discuss and make decisions on the comments, proposals and decisions of the Coordination Board (CB),

k) Assign the employees, particularly the General Secretary, for representing the Association in relation with administrative and financial activities when necessary,

l) Set up Consultative Boards, Special Boards, Working Groups and Stand-Alone Units for purposes of conducting Association related activities in an efficient, highly successful and effective manner, determine their tasks and responsibilities through directives and have such boards work in accordance with directives in effect,

m) Prepare directives on subjects foreseen in the by-laws herein or needed in any other ways possible and decide on principles and by-laws regarding the Association, and

n) Undertake and carry out all duties that have not been assigned to any other bodies in these by-laws or legislations in power and make necessary decisions in this respect.

Establishment of Central Governing Board:

Article 25: After being elected, Central Governing Board elects a President, a Vice-President, an Accountant and a Treasurer among its full members in its first meeting and makes the necessary job distribution among these persons.

a) President: Represents the Association before relevant authorities and external relations with the power granted by Central Governing Board; and, directs the Governing Board meetings besides the tasks regarding the general administration and auditing functions.

b) Vice-President: Carries out tasks assigned by the President and acts on behalf of the President in his absence. In the absence of both the President and Vice-President, the meeting of Governing Board is chaired by the oldest attending member.

c) Accountant: Carries out the accounting transactions regarding incomes and expenses and keeps the necessary records related to the Association’s immovable properties as well as the documents in this respect; provides the accounting summary indicating the Association’s financial situation to the Governing Board and the Board of Auditors; prepares the balance sheet and the budget for the incoming year for presentation to the General Assembly; and, directs the personnel working in accounting department.

d) Treasurer: Observes the collection of the Association’s income and makes the payments for expenses to be made.

Governing Board meets and takes the required decisions in cases of vacancy in the above-mentioned positions or in cases assumed necessary.

Times and Places of Meeting:

Article 26: Governing Board meets at least once a month. It may hold meetings also upon the calls made by President when required.

Meetings are opened upon the absolute majority of full members of the Governing Board and decisions are made upon the majority of members attending the meeting.

Governing Board may also hold meetings over the electronic media and decisions may be made by members using their secure electronic signatures in accordance with legislations in power. Provisions of related directives are applied for registration of such decisions on related registers.

Vacant Memberships:

Article 27: Members who have not attended three (3) consecutive meetings without reasonable excuses may be accepted as withdrawn from membership in the Governing Board.

The first member in list of alternate members is called for duty for vacant membership. In the case the number of members in Governing Board falls to a number which is less than half the number of full members due to vacant positions even after all alternate members have been called for duty, then the General Assembly is called for a meeting by the present members of the Governing Board or the Board of Auditors within a maximum period of one month. In the case such a call is not made, the Justice of Peace assigns three (3) members among members of the Association, upon application by one of the Association’s members, for calling the General Assembly for the meeting within a period of one month.

Period of Duty and Responsibilities against General Assembly:

Article 28: The period of duty of Central Governing Board is two (2) years. Central Governing Board completing its period of duty prepares a report, under joint responsibility of its members, indicating its activities as well as the Association’s general and financial situation for presentation to the General Assembly, distributes the said report to members who will attend the General Assembly meeting at least one week prior to the meeting and publish it also on the Internet website of the Association.

Central Board of Auditors:

Article 29: Central Board of Auditors is comprised of three (3) full and three (3) alternate members elected by General Assembly. Duties of Central Board of Auditors are as follows:

a) Board of Auditors is responsible for auditing if works and transactions the works and procedures by Central Governing Board and Branches as well as the Association’s activities are carried out in the direction of objectives stated in the by-laws.

b) Board of Auditors audits the Association’s accounts at least once in every three months.

c) Members of the Board of Auditors may report the inconveniences they have observed in the Association’s accounts or their comments or critics on the Association’s financial situation in writing or they may attend the Governing Board meetings and convey their opinions there.

d) Board of Auditors presents a report on the Association’s activities to the General Assembly at the end of each period.

e) Board of Auditors carries out all other tasks foreseen in the by-laws herein.

Central Honorary Board:

Establishment of the Central Honorary Board:

Article 30: The Honorary Board is comprised of five (5) full and three (3) alternate members elected by the General Assembly among its members.

After elected, the Honorary Board elects a President and an Accountant among its members within a period of one month.

Central Honorary Board meets at least once a year or upon the invitation by the Board’s President or the request by Central Governing Board; and, makes his decisions on the absolute majority of its members.

Duties of Central Honorary Board:

Article 31: Duties of the Central Honorary Board are as follows:

a) Prepare the Guidelines of Honor for Informatics Specialists setting the principles and rules of behaviors to be observed by members both in their works with regard to the Association as well as their professional lives; presents the said Guidelines for the approval by Central Governing Board; and, have such Guidelines kept updated parallel to developments in the society, business life and technical fields regarding informatics.

b) Follow up all kinds of implementations and developments to help in the improvement of the informatics society in a healthy, organized and efficient manner; examine developments in the sense of ethical values; and, establish its opinions on these subjects for presentation to Central Governing Board if required.

c) In the case a member taking place in the Central or Branch Organizations of Association is accused by one of the Association’s bodies or any other member of being involved in acts and behaviors in violation of Guidelines of Honor for Informatics Specialists or Association’s By-laws; the Honorary Board examines the subject in accordance with the provisions of the By-Laws, Directives and Guidelines of Honor for Informatics Specialists, prepares a report on the situation and presents the report to the Governing Board for the decision in this respect.

Methods of Inspection of and Sanctions to be proposed by Central Honorary Board:

Article 32: Central Honorary Board makes inspections on the complaints reflected in accordance with the Guidelines of Honor for Informatics Specialists:

Central Honorary Board starts its inspections on the complaints made within a period of one week from the date it has been notified and prepares its report on the subject within a period of two months for presentation to Central Governing Board.

In the case the Central Honorary Board does not start its inspections in due time or cannot make progress in its inspections on the subject, Central Governing Board finalizes inspections and produces a resolution directly by itself.

Central Honorary Board may not propose sanctions for the related member in its report or it may propose the following sanctions to Central Governing Board in relation with the person subject to the complaint if it decides that he is faulty;

a) Warning to be made to the person,

b) Launching censures against the person,

c) Withdrawing the person from his tasks in the Association for a period up to six (6) months depending on the weight of the act involved, or

d) Dismissing the person from the membership of the Association.

Central Governing Board discusses and makes a decision on the subject within a period of one month from the date the report is prepared and presented by the Central Honorary Board.

Central Governing Board makes such decision by considering the sanction proposed by the Honorary Board and its decision shall not be heavier than stated thereof.

Provisions of these By-Laws, Directives and Guidelines of Honor for Informatics Specialists are applied for objections and other subjects.

Chapter IV Conducting Activities

Conducting Activities of the Association:

Article 33: Activities of the Informatics Association of Turkey are conducted by the bodies of the Association, temporary or permanent Working Groups, Boards and Independent Units established by the Central and Branch Governing Boards as well as the Association’s staff assigned in accordance with Legislations and By-Laws presently in effect.

Issues regarding the establishment of Working Groups, Boards and Independent Units and the assignment of the Association’s staff as well as the duties, authorities and other issues in relation with the Association’s staff are determined in accordance with directives to be set out by Central Governing Board.

Coordination between Working Groups, Boards, Independent Units and the Association’s staff is carried out by the General Secretary.

General Secretary is responsible against Central Governing Board. Working Groups, Independent Units and the Staff including also the General Secretary are responsible against Central Governing Board for activities and transaction they are carrying out.

Boards, Units and Working Groups

Establishment of the Coordination Board:

Article 34: The Coordination Board (CB) is comprised of the following members who are not necessarily members to the Association:

a) Members of Central Governing Board,

b) Previous Presidents of Central Governing Board,

c) Presidents of Branch Governing Boards, and

d) Members to be elected by Central Governing Board in representation of various segments of the informatics sector.

Total number of members in Coordination Board is determined by Central Governing Board.

Meetings of Coordination Board:

Article 35: Coordination Board meets at times found necessary by Central Governing Board with the participation of one more than half of its members and makes its decision by majority of votes attending the meeting.

President of a working group participates in meetings during discussions regarding his own working group without the right to vote in such meetings.

Duties of Coordination Board:

Article 36: Duties of the Coordination Board;

a) Prepares the policies of the Association to be observed in accordance with the resolutions of the General Assembly as well as the proposals for decisions to be taken in this respect,

b) Assesses the examination or research reports previously prepared on subjects where the Association’s opinion has to be stated and presents its comments to Central Governing Board,

c) Evaluates the Association’s strategic plan and work programs and presents its comments to Central Governing Board,

d) Follows up all kinds of positive and negative developments and implementations towards its ideal of realizing the development of the informatics society in healthy, organized and productive manner, examines such developments and implementations from professional and technological points of view and presents its comments to Central Governing Board on those subjects when it finds necessary,

e) Scrutinizes the results obtained as a result of activities of the Association like conferences, congresses, seminars and symposiums and provides its comments to Central Governing Board for consideration in activities to be carried out in future, and

f) Develops new ideas for new horizons and main task assignments and presents its comments to Central Governing Board on these subjects.

Working Groups:

Article 37: Temporary or permanent working groups may be established, under the administration of Working Group Presidents to be elected among the Association’s members, for purposes of carrying out examination, research, educational and other activities in the direction of objectives stated in these by-laws, on the condition that their purposes, fields of activity, periods of work, approximate number of members to be involved and budgets are to be determined by Governing Boards.

Working groups may be given titles like “Project Group”, Commission”, “Committee”, “Union” or “Club”, but variations in these titles do not incorporate differences with regard to the provisions of these by-laws.

President of a Working Group may establish working subgroups for a limited or permanent period of work within the framework of the purpose and field of activity involved in the related Working Group.

Activities of Working Groups are carried out in accordance with the Directive prepared by Central Governing Board.

Independent Units:

Article 38: Central Governing Board may establish independent units for purposes of carrying out activities of permanent nature such as publications, training, examinations, etc. Provisions regarding the foundation, duties, authorities, responsibilities, financial issues and budgets of the independent units as well as the job descriptions of their administrators and personnel are determined by Central Governing Board in accordance with related directives.

Administrating staff of the independent unit is directly assigned by Central Governing Board while other staff is assigned again by the Board upon the proposal of the administrator of the independent unit. Salaries and other personal rights of the staff assigned is determined in the direction of the provisions of Human Resources Directives and stated in the same decision of Central Governing Board.

Special Boards:

Article 39: Central Governing Board may establish “Special Boards” when necessary under the management of one of its members for purposes of conducting activities like open sessions, conventions, balls and travels.

General Secretary:

Article 40: General Secretary is assigned by Central Governing Board. Duties and powers of the General Secretary has been described in the related directive.

Other Boards and Units:

Article 41: Boards and units other than the ones foreseen in these by-laws may also be established upon the decision by Central Governing Board in cases it finds necessary. Rules to be observed by such Boards and Units other than these by-laws are arranged in related directives.

Chapter V Internal Auditing of the Association

Duties and Authorities of Board of Auditors:

Article 42:

The authorized and responsible body of the Association regarding internal auditing issues is the Board of Auditors. Central Board of Auditors is elected by General Assembly for purposes of auditing activities and accounts of the Association in the name of all members and carries out auditing activities at least three (3) times a year at the Head Office and at least once a year at Branches.

Branch Boards of Auditors audit the financial situations at related branches four times a year in periods of three (3) months.

Boards of Auditors immediately notify the Governing Boards on defective situations observed during auditing works as well as the measures to be taken and submit a copy of their auditing reports to related Governing Boards.

Audits to be made by General Assembly, Governing Board or independent auditing organization do not remove the responsibilities of the Board of Auditors.

Authority of the Governing Board:

Article 43: Central Governing Board has the right of conducting audits either directly or through independent auditing organization in the Head Office and Branches in cases found necessary.

Chapter VI Branches

The Branch:

Article 44: In cases found necessary, the General Assembly may decide on opening up offices of the Association either in the country or abroad in accordance with the Code of Associations as well as other related legislations and authorize Central Governing Board to carry out the related transactions required.

Central Governing Board gives the authority youth open up a branch to a board of founding members who are resident in the province or district at which the Branch is to be established for at least six (6) months.

Board of Founding Members assigned by Central Governing Board prepares the branch foundation declaration and required documents stated in the Regulation of Associations; and, make the application to the highest civilian authority for the foundation transactions.

In cases of branches to be opened up in the abroad, the Board of Founding Members fulfills also the legal requirements of the foreign country at which the branch is to be established.

According to the decision of Central Governing Board, branches to be newly established will establish the bodies of the branch organization and have their general assembly meetings held within a maximum period of six (6) months.

Legal Statuses, Duties and Authorities of Branches:

Article 45: Branches are internal organizations of the Association that have no legal entities, are liable and authorized for conducting independent activities within the framework of the Association’s objectives and fields of service and incorporate an independent accounting structure where it is directly responsible for its own debts and receivables.

Branches are dependent to Central Governing Board with regard to both administrative and financial aspects; and, they are responsible for and authorized to realize the Association’s objectives in the direction of the decisions produced by the Central General Assembly and Central Governing Board.

Bodies at Branches

Branch General Assembly:

Article 46: Branch General Assembly consists of all members registered in the branch. A Branch General Assembly has to complete its Ordinary General Assembly Meeting at least two (2) months before the date of the Central General Assembly Meeting.

Branch General Assembly elects the Governing Board, Honor Board and Board of Auditors of the related Branch as well as the delegates to represent the Branch at the Central General Assembly. Provisions of Article 22 are applied in these elections on a comparative basis. Unless otherwise agreed by the Branch General Assembly, the method of block lists is used in these elections for delegates.

Branches are liable to notify a copy of election results to civilian authorities and the Head Office within a period of thirty (30) days from the date the general assembly has been held.

Branch General Assembly Meetings are realized in the direction of the provisions of these by-laws as well as the Code of Associations.

Representation of Branches at Central General Assembly:

Article 47: Branches are represented at the Central General Assembly through elected and natural members. Full members of Governing Boards, Boards of Auditors and Honorary Boards at Branches are natural delegates to represent Branches in the Central General Assembly while there will also be one (1) delegate for each fifty (50) registered members to be elected for this purpose (an additional one (1) delegate will represent number of remaining members between twenty five (25) and fifty (5)).

Delegates elected in the last Branch General Assembly are eligible to attend the Central General Assembly meeting.

Members assigned in the bodies of Branches will leave their positions when they are elected for duty in the bodies of the Central Organization.

Central Governing Board is authorized to decide on travel expenses regarding members to come from branches and use votes in the Central General Assembly meetings.

Branch Governing Board:

Article 48: Branch Governing Board consists of seven (7) full and five (5) alternate members. Branch Governing Board elects a President, a Vice-President, a Clerk and an Accountant among its members.

Branch Governing Board meetings are held at least once in every six months. Branch Governing Board carries out all its activities in accordance with the decisions taken by the Central and Branch General Assemblies as well as Central Governing Board.

Branch Governing Board sends the documents regarding its members reported to the Branch Honorary Board due to acts in violation of the Guidelines of Honor for Informatics Specialists and fell into a position to lose Branch memberships for this reason, after the comments also by the Branch Honorary Board, to Central Governing Board for related decisions.

Duties and Authorities of Branch Board of Auditors:

Article 49: Branch Board of Auditors consists of three (3) full and three (3) alternate members elected by the Branch General Assembly.

Duties of Branch Board of Auditors are the same as the duties of Central Board of Auditors valid within the borders of the related branch.

Duties and Authorities of Branch Honorary Board:

Article 50: Branch Honorary Board consists of three (3) full and three (3) alternate members elected by the Branch General Assembly.

Branch Honorary Board prepares its report for a member accused of acting in breach of the provisions of these By-laws as well as the Guidelines of Honor for Informatics Specialists upon a written complaint served by the Branch Governing Board or any of the members in accordance with arrangements made in Article 32 of these By-laws and provisions of the Guidelines of Honor for Informatics Specialists; and, submits the report to the Branch Governing Board.

Branch Governing Board receiving the report makes its decision pursuant to Article 32 of these By-laws on a comparative basis. But, situations regarding dismissal from membership after inspections are conveyed to Central Governing Board together with the comments by the Branch Governing Board.

Branch Honorary Board conveys the situation to the Central Honorary Board in cases where the member subject to the complaint takes place in the bodies of Central or Branch organizations.

Chapter VII Financial Provisions

Central Organization’s Sources of Income:

Article 51: Sources of income of the Central Organization are indicated below:

a) Contributions from Branches

b) Revenues from operating its funds,

c) Sponsorships and donations,

d) Revenues from scientific, social and cultural activities, and

e) Other income.

Contributions from Branches:

Article 52: Following are incomes of the Association’s Head Office obtained from Branches:

a) 10% of membership dues,

b) Amounts shown as excess income in the balance sheets of branches and transferred to the Central Office, and

c) Shares of the Head Office obtained from activities realized jointly with Branches.

Membership Dues:

Article 53:

Entrance fees and annual membership charges to be paid by members are determined by Central Governing Board.

Membership dues are payable until the end of April each year. Members who have not paid their membership dues within this period of time are served a notification within the month of June. Members who have not paid their membership charges even after such notification are warned that they will be dismissed from membership and necessary precaution are taken against the member who have not replied to such warning.

Notifications of warning served to addresses of correspondence or e-letter addresses will be put into implementation even if they have not received by the member.

Members newly registered in the Association are liable to pay their membership dues for the period from the date they have been registered until the end of December within the month they have been informed of the acceptance of their memberships.

Operating the Association’s Funds:

Article 54: The Association operates its funds arising from its revenues and establishes special funds (like the Severance Pays Fund) for this purpose.

Donations:

Article 55: Financial resources granted, either in kind or in monetary terms, by private and legal persons, institutions, governmental authorities and other organizations are accepted as donations. Donations must be made in accordance with the Association’s traditions as well as the ethical rules.

Revenues from scientific, social and cultural activities:

Article 56: They are revenues obtained from activities like conferences, shows, scientific congresses, workshops, dinners, balls, travels and lotteries as well as publications and services provided by the Association.

Branches’ Sources of Income:

Article 57: Branches make their expenses according to budgets approved by their own General Assemblies and the Central General Assembly using incomes they have obtained in the name of the Association as well as the resources provided by the Head Office.

Branches’ sources of income are as follows:

a) Sources transferred by the Head Office,

b) Membership dues registered to the Branch (Ten (10) percent of membership dues are transferred to the Head Office as the Branch Contribution).

c) Sponsorships and donations,

d) Revenues from operating own funds,

e) Revenues from scientific, social and cultural activities. Necessary permissions have to be taken from Central Governing Board for activities exceeding the context and period specified by Central Governing Board and it must be informed in advance also of activities within such contexts and periods.

f) Other income.

Incomes through sponsorships and donations to be obtained by branches in relation with activities they have been involved must be in accordance with the Association’s traditions as well as the ethical rules. Revenues from sponsorships must be entered into accounts through contracts and such contracts must be passed through an approval process at Central Governing Board. On the other hand, it is obligatory to inform Central Governing Board on the collection of revenues within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date it has been received.

All the movable and immovable properties acquired by Branches belong to the Association. Immovable properties and movable properties and rights that must be registered on an obligatory basis are registered in the name of the Association.

Branches transfer one third of the amounts indicated as excess income in their balance sheets to the Head Office within the first four (4) months from the end of the year passed.

Collection of Income:

Article 58: Following rules are observed in the collection of the Association’s incomes:

a) Association’s incomes are collected against a “certificate of receipt” (according to the sample given in the Regulation of Associations). Documents like bank receipts and account abstracts issued by banks in cases of collections through banks are also accepted as the above-mentioned “certificate of receipt”.

b) “Certificates of receipt” to be used in the collection of Association’s incomes are having printed in a printing house upon the decision to be made the Governing Board (in the form and dimension stated in the Regulation of Associations).

c) Issues regarding the printing and control of certificates of receipt, taking them delivered from printing houses, records to be made in legal books, handover between previous and new accountants, use of these certificates of receipt by person(s) involved in collections on behalf of the Association and the delivery of incomes collected are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation of Associations.

d) Person(s) who are in charge of collecting income on behalf of the Association are determined by the Governing Board together with their period of authorization. “Certificate of Authorization” including the clear identification, signature and photograph of the person who is in charge of collecting incomes (according to the sample mentioned in the Regulation of Association) is arranged in the form of three copies as approved by the President of the Governing Board. One copy is submitted to the associations department of the local civilian authority. In the case of changes in information taking place in the certificate of authorization, such changes are notified to the associations department within a period of fifteen (15) days.

e) Person(s) who are in charge of collecting income on behalf of the Association start collecting incomes after the certificate of authorization has been submitted to the associations department.

f) Issues regarding the use, renewal, return and other similar acts in relation with the certificate of authorization are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation of Associations.

Depositing and Withdrawing Money:

Article 59: Funds collected by authorized persons are delivered to the Treasurer within a period of one (1) week with a protocol. The treasurer places the amounts exceeding a certain level to be kept in the cash desk at the Head Office or Branch to a bank account in Ankara for the Head Office or another bank account for the location at which the Branch is situated within a maximum period of three (3) days. Amount of funds to be kept in the cash desk and the person authorized to withdraw money from the Association’s account are determined by the Governing Board.

Borrowing Method of the Association:

Article 60: The Association may utilize borrowing opportunities for purposes of realizing its objectives and carrying out its activities when found necessary upon the decision by the Governing Board. Such borrowing may be made in the form of credited purchases of goods and services as well as the borrowing in cash. But these borrowing activities may not exceed the amounts which are not compatible with the Association’s sources of income and may not have a nature to cause the Association fall into a default situation.

Central Governing Board may borrow funds up to twice the direct purchasing limits determined each year by Public Procurement Authority without the need for authorization by the General Assembly. Amounts above this level require authorization by General Assembly. Outstanding amounts of the Association’s debts may not exceed 50% of the value of its assets under any circumstances.

A Branch must apply for the approval of Central Governing Board for single loans above TL 5,000 and in any cases exceeding a total debts stock of TL 10,000. Central Governing Board may increase the debts stock limit of a branch up to twice the direct purchasing limits determined each year by Public Procurement Authority when necessary upon the request by the related Branch Governing Board.

Budget and Accounting:

Article 61:

a) Requirements of the Association are met using allowances to be determined by Governing Board in accordance with the Association’s annual budget taking into account its incomes and financial opportunities.

b) All kinds of payments are made and liabilities performed on the basis of a resolution by the Governing Board. Municipal, communication and heating charges depending on certain tariffs, official payments like taxes, levies and charges and insurance premiums paid in accordance with certain contracts as well as the social security expenses and all other rents and salaries are immediately paid by the Accountant or Treasurer without any restrictions. However, upper limits of payments and liabilities to be without the need for the decision of by the related Governing Boards is determined by Central Governing Board.

c) All kinds of expenditures to be made in the name of the Association are documented under any circumstances.

Cases where no “receipts” or “invoices” may be received for payments made are documented using expense vouchers prepared in accordance with the Regulation of Associations.

Details regarding financial transactions of the Head Office and branches are carried out pursuant to the provisions of the Budget and Accounting Directive to be arranged by Central Governing Board.

Chapter VIII Final and Miscellaneous Provisions

Status of Association’s Employees:

Article 62: Workloads of persons employed in the Association as well as the amounts and payment methods of their salaries are determined by the Governing Board. Other issues regarding employees have been arranged in the related Directive.

Daily allowances and travel expenses paid to employees:

Article 63: Daily allowances and travel charges to be paid to the Board Members, employees and persons assigned by the Association are paid in accordance with restrictions determined by Central Governing Board.

Decision on an assignment of a Board Member or staff of Association or any other person on behalf of the Association made without any extra payment under titles like allowances and travel charges may include payments of transportation, accommodation and other obligatory expenses to be made against invoices.

No responsibilities may be undertaken on behalf of the Association in cases other than the situations and authorizations mentioned in these by-laws. Owners of signatures will be held responsible for such cases, otherwise.

Termination of the Association’s Legal Identity:

Article 64: In the case the legal identity of the Association is terminated for any reasons possible; all the assets of the Association will be transferred to Turkish Informatics Foundation for use in research studies and activities within the data processing sector.

Provisions Regarding Implementation:

Article 65: Provisions of the Civil Code, Code of Associations and other related legislations shall prevail in cases not stated in these by-laws.

Founders:

Article 66: The Informatics Association of Turkey has been found on the date of 22 April 1971 by the founders of Turkish Nationality mentioned below.

Name and Surname	Title, Position and Address
Aydın Köksal	Electronics Engineer, MSc., Director, H.Ü., Data Processing Center
Önol Örs	Mechanical and Industrial Engineer, MSc., General Director, SİSAG Ltd., Atatürk Blv. 233/11 Ankara
Ersay Gürsoy	İ.T.İ.A., Assistant Director, H.Ü., Data Processing Center
Bülent Dikman	Electronics Engineer, MSc., Operating Director., H.Ü., Data Processing Center
Atalay Yunusoğlu	Electronics Engineer, MSc., Systems Engineering Specialist, H.Ü., Data Processing Center
TamerUykal	Mining Engineer, MSc., Operations Research Specialist, TÜBİTAK Operations Research Unit
Ünal Yarımağan	Electronics Engineer, MSc., Project Coordinator, H.Ü., Data Processing Center
Coşkun Arslan	Electronics Engineer, MSc., Systems Engineering Specialist, H.Ü., Data Processing Center

Honorary President:

Article 67: Prof. Dr. Aydın Köksal who has realized the foundation of the Informatics Association of Turkey as a result of his dedicated and far-sighted efforts has been given the title of “Honorary President”. This title cannot be given to any other person.