STATUE  OF  THE  AMERICAN  STUDIES   ASSOCIATION  OF  TURKEY,  1988

Thıs statue has been prepared according to the Law of Associations No:2908

 I.The Establishment and the Aim of the Association

Article 1: The center of the association which will be established with the name of ‘The American Studies Association in 1988 is in Ankara. It has no branch.

Article 2: The aims and the subjects of activities of the Association are to encourage the American researchers in Turkey, to deliver conferences, to organize symposiums and seminars, to prepare researches and publications, to provide materials, such as microfilm, magazine, book, periodical etc., to provide sponsorships for the researchers to be realized in USA by the Turkish Americanists and researchers, to encourage the cooperative studies about the social and cultural relations between Turkey and USA, and thus to help the promotion of Turkey as well as Turkish scholars, writers and researchers abroad.

The association does not deal with religion and politics. The association may acquire immovable property either for its own residence or to realize its aims.

II. Provisions Related to the Members

Article 3: Type of membership:

The types of members are as below:

a) Founding Members,

b) Honorary Members,

c) Active Members,

The Founding Members of the Association are

Article 4:Founding Members:

The Association was founded by the members whose names appear above.

Article 5: Honorary Members:

Honorary membership of Association is subject to the decision of the Executive Board.

Article 6: Active Membership:        

Active membership to the Association is subject to the conditions below.

a)      to have the conditions written at the Art. 16 of the Associations Law no: 2908,

b)      to be older than 22,

c)      to fill the application form declaring to accept the statue of the Association and indicating  two active members for reference,

d)      to be accepted to the active membership by the Executive Board and to pay the membership fee within 30 days after the membership in the association is verified by the decision of the Board..

The Executive Board informs the applicant about its decision within 30 days at the latest. The Executive Board is not obliged to show a reason if the application of the candidate for the membership is rejected.

Article 7: The Rights of  Members:

a)      Active members:

Each active member is entitled to participate in the activities of the Association and must attend the meetings of the General Assembly to vote for the decisions to be taken and the election of the new Board and the Auditing Board.

Article 8: Termination of the Membership:

a)      by resigning

b)      by committing the acts and the offenses listed in the Article 4, Paragraf II of the Associations Law or by losing the right of membership due to the reasons stated in the Article 16 of the mentioned law.

Article 9:  The fee for the Association is 500.000 TL.This article is subject to change for increase in the coming years. For 2004-2006 it is 25.000.000 TL.

III. Structure

Article 10: Organs of the Association

There are three organs of the Association

A)    General Assembly

B) Executive Board

C) Auditing Board

A)    GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Article 11: About formation, time and sufficient number for the meeting for the General Assembly to convene.

General Assembly meets ordinarily or extraordinarily in line with the conditions stated in the Law No: 2908. General Assembly is composed of all the active members of the Association and meets in May every year. To attend the General Assembly, the members are invited by the board with an announcement which states the exact date, time, place and agenda which also need to be advertised in a local newspaper at least 15 days in advance. If the Assembly does not meet because of not having the required majority, in this announcement the date of the second meeting is also indicated. The period between the first and the second meeting may not bee less than a week.

The civil government is to be informed in writing about the date, time, place and the agenda of the general meeting at least 15 days in advance.

If the meeting is postponed due to any reason, it is announced to the members in the same newspaper for the second time by providing the reasons for the postponement. The second meeting should be realized at least two months after the date of postponement.

The members are invited to the second meeting according to the condition stated in the first paragraph and civil government is informed in writing accordingly.

The General Assembly Meeting may not be postponed more than once.

Article 12: Duties and the Authorities of the General Assembly:

The items below are discussed and brought to conclusion by the General Assembly.

a)   the election of the Executive and the Auditing Boards,

b)   the amendment of the statue of the Association, if any,

c)   the reports of the Executive and Auditing Board,

d)   the budget prepared by Executive Board, to be adopted as is, or with amendments.

e)   The authorization of the Executive Board for purchasing necessary immovable property for the Association or to sell the immovable property of the Association,

f)    Membership application to, or resignation from a federation in Turkey,

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

h)   the meeting anf reqired number for the decision of the General Assembly which is invited to decide upon the dissolution of the Association is subject to the provisions of the article 30 of this statue,

i)    reailization of the other duties of the General Assembly indicated by the statue of the Association.

Article 13: The method for the meeting of the General Assembly:

General Assembly meets on the date, time and at the place as announced in writing addressed to the civil government.

The active members who will participate in the General Assembly shall sign the list prepared by the Executive Board. If the sufficient number of members required by the Article. 12 are present, it will be noted in the minutes. The meeting shall be opened by the President of the Executive Board or by the member of the Executive Board appointed by the President.  The presence of the Government Commissioner is not necessary for the meeting to convene.

After the opening ceremony, the Presidential Council which will be composed of a president, a deputy president, and enough number of secretaries, will be elected by open voting among the active members present at the meeting. The minutes of the meeting is written by the Presidential Council and related documents are given to the Executive Board according to the Law of Associations.

Article 14: The subjects to be discussed at the General Assembly:

At the General Assembly, only the subjects which are indicated in the agenda are discussed. It is essential to include the points, except the amendment of the statue, requested at least by 1/10 of the active members to the agenda. The amendment of the statue shall only be added to the agenda if it is requested  in writing by 1/3 of the active members or by the suggestion of the Executive Board.

Article 15: Decisions of the General Assembly:

The decisions shall be taken at the General Assembly by raising hands. Each active member has one vote. If there is an equality during the voting, it will be renewed.

Active members should have paid membership dues of the current and the previous years in order to participate in the General Assembly and to be eligible to.

Article 16: Amendments of the Statue:

The amendmens of the statue may only be discussed at the General Assembly meetings which  meet this end. In these meetings, sufficient number for decision is 2/3 of the active members present at the meeting. If the General Assembly decides to amend the statue, and the civil government shall be informed within a month.. After the Government informs in a written way to the Association that there is no deficiency or violation of law, these amendment shall be announced at a local newspaper. It will enter into force beginning from the date of announcement. Two copies of the newspaper which include the announcement shall be sent to the Government at the same time.

B)    EXECUTIVE BOARD

Article 17: Election of the Executive Board:

Executive Board is composed of seven members who are elected for one year by secret voting by the General Assembly.

Each member who is present at the meeting, will show as many candidate as he/she wants among the active members during the elections. But, it is obligatory for the candidates who are not present at the meeting  to give the written consent to the Presidency of the General Assembly. The candidacy of the members who are not present at the meeting or has not given the written consent are not accepted. Before the voting, the Presidential Council requires form the General Assembly to elect a committee composed of at least three active members to count the votes by raising the hands. After the election of the committee each active member who is present and entitled to vote, shall write the sufficient number of candidates to the official voting bill which are delivered by the Presidential Council to be used for the elections of the Executive Board. When she/he is   announced, the number goes to the box specially assigned by the Council to this end to use his/her vote personally.

During the counting, none of the votes are accepted as invalid because of the spelling error, even if it is accepted as legible by the majority of the classification committee. After the elections, if there are two candidates with equal votes for the last true and  reserve memberships, the Classification Committee shall draws lots in order to determine them. The members whose periods have come to an end, their re-election is possible. The Government shall be informed about the seven actual and  seven reserve members according to the law by the President of the Executive Board within seven days after the elections.

Article 18: Reserve Members of the Executive Board:

The persons elected as reserve members to the Executive Board are invited for the actual membership in order to replace  and finish the remaining period according to the number of their votes, in case of resignation  and death of the actual numbers occur

Article 19:

Executive Board will elect one President, two Vice-Presidents, one Treasurer and one Secretary among the elected seven members.

Article 20: Meeting and the Decisions of the Executive Board:

Executive Board meets at least once in a month. The Board may meet more than once upon the request of the President and the majority of the members of the Board. Meetings shall be realized with  the participation of the simple majority and the decisions shall be taken by the majority of the  members who are present at the meeting. If there is an equality between the votes, the President’s vote will finalize the decision.

The member who does not participate four meetings consequently without any excuse shall be accepted as resigned by the decision of the Executive Board.

Article 21: Authorities and Responsibilities of the Members of the Executive Board:

Executive Board is responsible in general to the General Assembly for the implementation of this statue  and the decisions taken by the General Assembly, and the conduction of the works of the Association within the framework of the related legislation.

Executive Board is the legal representative of the Association and has the authority to act on behalf of the Association as for relations with the official and private bodies. Executive Board may divide and assign its authorities among its members or may charge someone else out of the Executive Board or appoint  someone as representative.

During he division of the authorities among the members of the Executive Board the conditions listed below shall be met.

a)      President will preside the meeting of the Executive Board and represent the Association for all official and private affairs. President is entitled to represent the Association related to the realization of the aims of the Association on the condition to use the right and the authority within the framework  of the decisions of the Executive Board.

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

c)      Treasurer will keep the accounts of the Associations

d)      Secretary will conduct the communication, to write the minutes and convey the decisions to the active members.

Executive Board may form committees among the active members of the Association in order to assist the Executive Board for the conduction of the activities of the Association. Executive Board presents a report at the ordinary meeting of the General Assembly related to the activities of the previous year and asks for he declaration. Executive Board also presents the General Assembly the budget for the next years activities.

C)    AUDITING BOARD

Article 22: The Election of the Auditing Board

Auditing Board will be composed of three active members elected by the General Assembly  by secret voting.

Each member who is present at the meeting, will show as many candidate as he/she wants among the active members during the elections. But, it is obligatory for the candidates who are not  present at the meeting to give the written consents  to the Presidency of the General Assembly. The candidatures of the members who are not present at the meeting or has not given the written consent are not accepted. Later, each active member who is present and entitled to vote, shall writes the names of the three candidates to the official voting bill which are delivered by the Presidential Council to be used for the elections of the Auditing Board. When she/he is announced, the member goes to the box specially assigned by the Council to this end to use his/her vote personally. After the termination of voting, the Classification Committee which is elected according to the article 18 of this statue will count openly. According to the number of votes, first three persons will be true, the second three persons will be the reserve members of the Auditing Board.

The necessary information about the true and reserve members shall be conveyed by the President of the Executive Board to the governor  within seven days  after the elections.

In case hat the reserve members could not form the Board, Auditing Board will appoint the vacant membership among the active members.

Article 23: Reserve Members of the Auditing Board: 

The persons elected as reserve members to the Auditing Board are invited for the actual membership in order to replace and the finish the remaining period according to the number of their votes, in case of resign and death of the actual members.

Article 24: Duties and Authorities of the Auditing Board:

Auditing Board may always control the accounts and procedures of the Association. It will control the accounts in general 15 days before the annual meeting of the General Assembly and present the report about the results. It will control the accounts of the Association not less than every six months.

IV. The Sources of Income and the Expenditures of the Association:

Article 25: Incomes:

Incomes of the Association will be obtained as follows:

a)      Entrance fees and subscriptions from the active and assistant members,

b)      From the publications, books, bazaars, ball, entertainment, performance, concert, conference, video, cinema and theater performance, trip etc.

c)      Incomes of lottery organized by the Association,

d)      Incomes obtained from properties of the Association,

e)      Every kind of donation and aid.

Article 26: Expenditures

Expenditures are done by the decision of the Executive Board within the framework of adopted budget. These expenditures are done by the expenditure documents.

V. Books and Records

Article 27: Books and Records:

Books and the record to be kept by the Association as follows:

a)      Membership Book: The identification, date of entrance and commitment for subscription of the members are entered in this book.

b)      Decision Book: The decisions of the Executive Boards are entered in this books according to the date and number. The ends of each decisions are to be signed by the members of the Board.

c)      Archive Book: Each document sent and received shall be entered to the book according to its date and number. The original of the received and the copy of the sent documents are sent in the files..

d)      Book of Income and Expenditure: It is entered to this book from where the money is taken and where it is spent openly and regularly.

e)      Book for Budget Final Account and Balance.

f)       Inventory Book.

Those books should be confirmed by the Notary.

Upon the decision of the Executive Board, some other books which are not required to be confirmed by the Notary may be kept.

All the books are kept by the Executive Board. The receipt of income and expenditure, as well as expenditure documents are kept by the Executive Board.

VI. Dissolution and Liquidation:

Article 28: Dissolution and liquidation  of the Association:

General Assembly may always decide about the dissolution of the Association. To this end, Executive Board invite the General Assembly for the extraordinary meeting. Executive Board is obliged to invite for the extraordinary meeting upon the demand of the Auditing Board or the written request of 1/5 of active members.

In order to decide about dissolution, according to the statue, 2/3 of the active members entitled to participate at the General Assembly should be present.

If required number may not gather, the members are invited for the second meeting according to the article 11. The second meeting is realized without taking the number of participants into the consideration. Decision for dissolution will be taken by 2/3 of the participant present at the meeting. Executive Board will the dissolution of the Association in a written way within five days.

If the dissolution of Association is decided, the General Assembly will elect a committee which will be composed of three persons for the liquidation of the properties. If there will be a rest after paying the debts of the Association, this amount will be given to another Association which serves to the similar aims by the decision of the General Assembly.

If dissolution is required by the judgment of the court, dissolution will be realized according to the previsions related to the dissolution and liquidation of the Law of Association.