These By-Laws of the North America-Bangladesh Statistical Association (hereafter referred to as the "Association") adopted on May 15,1994 shall be read in conjunction with, and as subsidiary to, the Articles of the Constitution of the Association. The activities and business of the Association shall be managed or conducted in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws, provided the By-Laws are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Articles of the Constitution or contrary to the laws of the State of Maryland, or of the District of Columbia, or of the United States of America. Some of the provisions of the By-Laws define or specify in detail certain related provisions of the Articles of the Constitution. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Articles of the Constitution and the By-Laws, those of the Articles of the Constitution shall prevail.
The principal base of operation of the Association shall be the State of Maryland. District of Columbia and Virginia.
The business and fiscal year shall be the calendar year.
3.1 A person can apply for membership and shall become a member on approval of the Executive Committee. Lengths of membership will be counted from the day membership is approved.
3.2 The membership fee is due on January 1 every year or for a new member on acceptance of membership. Membership fee shall be non-refundable.
3.3 Only members have the right (a) to nominate and be nominated to the elective positions of the Association, and (b) to vote in any election on any resolution or issue concerning the Association's affairs.
3.4 A member may be censured, suspended or expelled from the Association for participation or involvement in any activities detrimental to the interests of the Association. A Disciplinary Committee appointed by the Executive Committee with the consultation of the President will investigate and recommend to the Executive Committee all such disciplinary actions. Membership may be terminated upon a finding by a two-thirds vote of all the members of the Executive Committee that a member has acted in a manner detrimental to the interests of the Association, provided that prior to the voting the Executive Committee has given a notice to the member describing the charges against him/her and there has been due opportunities for a response. The Association reserves the right to deny membership to any individual who is considered to have been involved in any activity detrimental to the Association's interests.
4.1 The number of Members of the Executive Committee shall not be less than five or more than eleven. Members of the Executive Committee shall be elected by the general body of members.
4.2 Each member of the Executive Committee shall be elected for two years as described in Article VI of the Constitution and each officer can be reelected.
4.3 For the office of the President, a valid nomination will require the candidate to have been a member of the Association for the past two years and to have been nominated by at least two members. A valid nomination for other elected positions of the Executive Committee will require the candidate to have been a member of the Association for the past year and to have been nominated by at least two members.
4.4 In the event of a vacancy of the Executive Committee, the position shall be filled by co-option. The successor will serve out the remainder of the outgoing member's term.
4.5 Members of the Executive Committee shall be chosen as provided for in Article V of the Constitution. Each member of the Executive Committee shall be responsible for the duties assigned by the same Article.
4.6 The quorum of any Executive Committee meeting will be met at the presence of 50% of the Executive Members in the meeting. An alternative to meeting will be conference call among the Executive Members. In case of a conference call, the quorum will also be met by participation of 50% of the Executive Members. In the event that a meeting or a conference call cannot be arranged, and a decision must be taken on some issue, the President or his/her designee will seek opinion from each Executive Member by telephone. The quorum of such telephone contact will be met when 100% of the Executive Members have been contacted.
5.1 The Executive Committee may establish from time to time, by resolution, committees to carry out regular activities or particular functions. The resolution of the Executive Committee will specify the composition, terms of reference and life span of each committee. Within the terms of references set by the Executive Committee, each committee will be responsible for managing the particular activity for which it is established.
5.2 Each committee shall have at least one member from the members of the Executive Committee, while other members may be drawn from the membership-at-large. Each committee will be chaired by an Executive Committee member unless otherwise decided by the Executive Committee. The Chairperson will report regularly to the President to enable the proper coordination and monitoring of the various activities.
6.1 The Election Officer shall be appointed by the President for a term of office to be determined by the Executive Committee. The Election Officer shall be responsible for administering the nomination process and conducting elections to all elective positions of the Association as well as administering ballots for validity and resolve issues related to the election process. In the event that there are not enough candidates for announced vacancies, the Election Officer will be responsible for obtaining additional nominations, to present the nominee for each vacant position, by active solicitations among members-at-large.
6.2 Elections to all elective positions will be held once every two years by mail ballot during the month of July.
6.3 Nominations to all elective positions must reach the Election Officer no later than May 15. The nominations will be scrutinized by the Election Officer for validity and each nominee will be notified about his nomination along with a list of other nominees for the same and other positions. After receiving written consent from nominees, a final list of candidates will be prepared after consultation with the Executive Committee. The list, the mail ballot and a written notice of the election will be distributed among the members.
6.4 Mail ballots received from the members of the Association will be opened by the Election Officer in the presence of at least one member of the Executive Committee decided by the President. All elections will be decided by a simple majority of members voting by mail ballot. Results of all elections will be announced no later than August 31.
7.1 The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining the records of all financial transactions and for preparing a balance sheet and income statement of each fiscal year.
7.2 To enable the timely completion of accounts and presentation, each year the Treasurer will prepare a schedule acceptable to the Executive Members for the closing of books and preparation of financial statements (Annual Balance Sheet and Income Statement).
7.3 The Association will maintain accounts in the State of Maryland. All withdrawals shall require the signature of the treasurer and of at least one Executive Member assigned by the Executive Committee.
8.1 The Annual General Meeting shall be held during the time of the Joint Statistical Meetings of the American Statistical Association and the Biometric Society or at any other time deemed convenient by the Executive Committee. The members shall be notified in writing of the data, time, place and the proposed agenda of the meeting at least two weeks prior to the meeting date.
8.2 Any voting on a resolution except on amendments to the Articles of the Constitution or the By-Laws can be carried out either by mail ballot or at a General Meeting, and shall be decided on by a simple majority of members voting by mail ballot or present at the General Meeting. The presence of at least one-fourth of members in General Meeting shall constitute a quorum.
Amendments to the By-Laws may be proposed by the Executive Committee or by at least one-fifth of the members by a signed petition to the Executive Committee. Such petitions must be made at least four weeks prior to the General meeting. Any amendment to the By-Laws shall require the consent of a simple majority of Members present at a General meeting or voting by mail ballot.
Upon the dissolution of the Association, assets shall be distributed to the American Statistical Association, 1429 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code.