By Laws

Preamble:

Assyrians of Arizona for Higher Learning

Constitution

Preamble:

By laws

Article 1- Name:

The name of this society shall be "Assyrians of Arizona for Higher Learning" hereinafter referred to as "AAHL".

Article 11- Organization:

AAHL is a non-profit organization without any political orientation, which is democratic in structure and professional in nature, organized under the laws of the state of Arizona.

Article IV-purpose:

The Assyrians of Arizona for Higher Learning is a society whose mission is to contribute to the advancement of the Assyrian community by motivating and assisting the pursuit of formal education, providing career counseling, guiding the youth, and promoting cultural awareness

Section I: Objectives:

Mission Objectives

U     To elevate the Assyrian educational ethic

U      To encourage and assist Assyrians in the academe

U      To encourage and promote extracurricular activities

U      To provide guidance for the Assyrian youth

U      To inspire Christian morality within the Assyrian community

U      To inspire and promote national unity and pride

U      To increase public awareness of Assyrian history

U      To foster the Assyrian language, culture, and fine arts

U      To provide social functions for Assyrians

U      To utilize the media to convey information and to project the cause of the AAHL

U      To provide a medium for the exchange of information via student and professional networking

U      To pursue official and public recognition

U      To consociate with Assyrian academic organizations the world over

U      To maintain a high standard of discipline within the AAHL membership

U      To acquire resources in support of the AAHL objectives

Article V Membership

a)       The applicant must be of good character and law abiding, attending full or Part Time College or university.

b)       The applicant must believe in the purpose of the AAHL, abide by its bylaws, adhere to all the resolutions and decisions taken by the AAHL, defend them, and have the linguistic, educational and professional capabilities to implement them.

c)       The applicant must undergo five consecutive meetings at the end of which he will attain full membership status with the approval of the members of the board of directors. The applicant must provide evidence of academic status upon request.

d)       The applicant must take the membership oath.

e)       The applicant must pay membership dues

Section 2- membership Hierarch

a)       Regular Member: A regular member is any person who has obtained at least an Associate Degree or higher degree form an accredited college, university or institute of higher education or a student who has completed at least two years of college level work and is currently continuing his/her education.

b)       Student Member: A student member is any student who is a senior in high school or above. This type of member status is in the form of three-phase transition

Phase I: pledge member

Phase II: Associate member

Phase III: full member

Only a full member is allowed to participate in the organization's decision-making and official representation of the organization. The Phase I and Phase II members can only act as observers and provide aid to the organization members

c)       Professional member: A professional membership shall be granted to any person who has a significant achievement in science or arts, who has contributed significantly to the welfare, the intellectual needs and prestige of the Assyrian community and the general public.

d) Alumni member: is a member who has served AAHL for three of more years, who is in good standing with the organization and has since retired from the organization

d)       Voting member: a regular, professional member who is in good standing, alumni member

Section 3- Membership Dues

Membership dues are set and reviewed annually by the Executive committee. Membership dues shall be published in the membership application

Section 4- Privileges

a) A regular member, a professional member or an alumni member has the right to vote in general body meetings upon acceptance as a member of the AAHL provided that he/she is in good standing.

b) A voting member has the right to participate in electing members of the executive committee through secret Ballots.

c) A regular member or professional member that is qualified and is in good standing has the right to be nominated or nominated him/herself to be a committee member.

d) Every member can attend all general body meetings, and make suggestions he/she deems necessary for fulfilling the objectives of the AAHL.

Section 5: Meetings

a) Regular General Body Meetings

The regular general body meeting shall be called as deemed necessary at a prescribed date and place with two (2) weeks notice.

b) Special General Body Meeting:

A minimum often (10) voting members have the right to call a special meeting through the Executive committee with at least ten (10) day notice

Section 6- the annual General Body Meetings:

a) The annual general body meeting shall be held once a year, with at least one-month notice.

b) The annual general body meeting shall formulate the outlines of the AAHL policy.

c) The Annual general body meeting evaluates the activities and resolutions the board of executive members.

d) The annual general body meeting may make amendments to the constitution, provided that all members shall be notified of the proposed amendments at least fifteen (15) days in advance.

e) The annual general body meeting elects members of the executive committee through secret ballot.

f) All decisions of the general body meeting are taken by the majority vote, with the exception of the amendments to the constitution and by-laws, which require an affirmative vote of majority of the members present voting.

Section 7- Quorum

The quorum of the membership meeting will be formed with the presence of the majority of voting members

Section 8 - Proxy:

Members may vote by proxy at the annual general body meeting provided that it is in writing.

Section 9- Resignation:

a) Every member has the right to resign, as he/she had joined voluntarily without necessarily being obligated to mention the reason(s) for his/her resignation. All resignations must be submitted in writing to the executive committee.

b) Every member is considered resigned he/she delays his/her dues more than one year.

c) All returning member must meet Article v qualifications in order to regain their full membership.

) Penalties may be implemented in the following sequence:

I. Notice

II. Warning

III. Suspension

IV. Expulsion

e)       Members using AAHL funds, property or stationary for their own private interest will face immediate expulsion by the executive board.

f)        expelled member cannot be readmitted at all.

Article VII- Executive Committee

Section- Size

The Executive committee shall be four (6) in number. This can only be changed by two third (2/3) affirmative vote from the general body. This number cannot be reduced to fewer than four members.

Section 2- Composition

The executive committee of AAHL shall hold the following offices

a) President

b) Vice president

c) Treasurer & secondary

d) Secretary & secondary

Section 3- Qualification:

nominee for the executive committee shall be a regular member in good standing for two (2) years, at least twenty-one (21) years old, and has obtained an associates degree or higher from an accredited institution. An executive member of AAHL can not be part of, or affilated with any other Assyrian orgnizations' decision making committee.

Section 4- Elections:

a) The voting members will elected the executive committee every two years, at the annual general body meeting through a secret ballot.

b) Any vacancy, with the exception of the post of the president, occurring in the Board of directors shall be filled by a member who is elected by the voting members present at the first general body meeting which shall convene immediately afterwards.

Section 5- Dowers of the Executive committee:

a) The executive committee shall meet regularly any committee member may call an emergency meeting of the executive if it is deemed necessary specifying therefore, the reason for the meeting.

b) The executive committee shall call for the annual general body meeting, designating its time and place.

c) The executive committee shall call for regular general body meetings, as well as emergency body meetings whenever it deems them necessary.

d) The executive committee has the right to form temporary specialized committees, which should report directly to the executive committee.

e) The executive committee is the only body with the authority to establish chapters whenever it finds them necessary.

f) The executive committee may assign a specific responsibility to any member if it considers him/her eligible and willing to assume the assignment.

g) The executive committee is in charge of approving the policy and the content of its origin or its newsletter.

h) The resolution of the executive committee must be taken with the majority of the votes of the committee members present.

I) If a member of the executive committee failed to participate in two successive meetings without a valid reason; a written warning shall be issued to him. If he still fails to attend the next meeting he will be automatically relieved of his post.

Section 6- Duties of the President:

a) The President shall preside over the executive committee and the AAHL general body meetings.

b) The President shall prepare an agenda for each meeting.

c) The President shall see that all resolutions and recommendations of the AAHL are carried out thoroughly.

d) The President or any officer authorized by him shall sign all deeds, titles and other documents relative to the AAHL business.

Section 7 Duties of the Vice-president:

a) The vice- president shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President or his/her inability to perform his/her duties.

b) The vice-president shall perform duties that may be assigned to him/her by the president or by the executive committee.

Section 8- Duties of the Secretary:

a) The Secretary shall record and maintain all minutes of the meetings of the AAHL in English.

b) The Secretary shall be the custodian of the corporate seal

c) The Secretary shall be the custodian of all AAHL records and documents kept at the head office of the AAHL. d) The Secretary shall send notices of all Executive committee meetings and the general body meetings.

f)        The Secretary shall handle all correspondence required for conducting official business.

Section 9- Duties of the Treasurer:

a) The Treasurer shall act s the chairperson of the Finance Committee.

b) The Treasurer shall maintain checking and savings accounts in the name of the AAHL with accredited financial institutions.

c) The Treasurer shall be the sole custodian of the AAHL funds and shall oversee all AAHL income and expenditures. d) The Treasurer shall co sign with the President or any other authorized officer any disbursement checks.

e) The Treasurer shall keep proper books of accounting showing the accurate financial status of the AAHL.

g)       The Treasurer shall report to the Executive committee and the general body at regular meetings on the financial status of the AAHL.

Section 10- Duties of Committee Chairperson:

a) Each Chairperson shall act as the Chairperson of the appropriate standing committee and will select, as many members deemed necessary to carry out various functions.

b) The Chairperson of each committee shall form as many sub-committees needed to assist in conducting programs and projects, which will fulfill the objectives of the organization, with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 11- Meeting: of the Executive Committee:

a) Regular Executive committee meeting: The committee shall meet regularly at a prescribed date, time and place.

b) Emergency Executive Committee meeting: An emergency meeting may be called at the request of a member of the Executive Committee.

Section 12- Quorum:

At all meetings of the Executive Committee, each member will be entitled to cast one vote on any motion coming before the meetings. The presence of a majority of the Executive Committee will constitute a quorum at any meeting

Section 13- Proxy:

Proxy voting will not be permitted in any meeting of the Executive committee.

Article VII- Standing: Committees:

Section 1- Name and Number:

The Standing Committees of the AAHL shall be six (6), as follows:

1) Membership, by-laws & Constitution.

2) Publication, Language, History & Cultural.

3) Professional counseling, Educational & Scientific guidance. 4) Public relations.

5) Finance.

6) Ways and Means

Section 2- Composition

Standing Committee members may vary in number as deemed necessary by their respective Chairperson

Section 3- Duties of Standing: Committees:

1) Membership, by-lays & Constitution Committee: It shall examine the membership applications, verify requirements, and present them to the Executive committee. It shall supervise, monitor, and conduct the annual body meetings. It shall monitor the proper implementation of the by-law by the Executive Committee. It shall coordinate and submit to the Executive committee all proposals made by the members before the amendment of the by-laws.

2) Publication, Language, History & Cultural Committee: It shall issue a specialized periodical in arts and sciences to reflect the major academic activities of the AAHL. It shall publish and encourage the publication or reprinting of all materials relevant to our scientific, cultural, and ethnic awareness. It shall maintain the right to issue newsletter or other publication that serve the objectives of the AAHL. It shall promote the teaching of the Assyrian (Aramaic) language by all possible means in the light of modem methodology for language teaching. It shall encourage research in our language, history and culture. It shall enhance and deepen the awareness of our youth in the areas pertinent to their origin, and culture identity. It shall establish a library with emphasis on Assyrian Culture and heritage.

3) Professional counseling, Educational & Scientific guidance committee: It shall provide the AAHL members and the Assyrian community with all possible professional information and experience in various fields of knowledge through personal interviews, public lectures, and group workshops. It shall promote objective thinking and systematic approaches to all problems relevant to education and science. It shall encourage further pursuit of knowledge in modem science, technology, and liberal arts especially among our children and youth. It shall arrange and sponsor lectures, seminars and conferences. It shall encourage and support the participation of the AAHL. in local, national and international workshops, seminars and conferences.

4) Public relations committee: It shall publicize the existence of the AAHL and promote the best type of working relationships with Assyrian and non-Assyrian institutions and organizations that share with AAHL the same or similar objectives. It shall arrange and sponsor gathering and mass media programs that serve the continuity and growth of the AAHL as an institution of the Assyrian community.

5) Finance Committee: It shall be responsible for maintaining a system of internal safeguard accounting controls with the objectives of providing reasonable assurance that AAHL assets are safeguarded against material loss from unauthorized use of disposition and that authorized transactions are properly recorded to permit the preparation of accurate financial data. However, limitation exists in any system of internal control based on recognition that the cost of the system should not exceed its benefits.

6) Ways and Means Committee: It shall seek funding and grants form private and government institutions for various programs that are beneficial to the community and the AAHL. This committee shall assist other committees in projects that will require elaborate planning and funding. It shall investigate, recommend, and outline due process of long-term projects that the AAHL is planning to carry out.

Section 4- Meeting:

Standing Committees may individually decide on the frequency of their meetings, based on expedient nature or urgency of the work entrusted to their case

Article IX - Financing:

Section 1- Fiscal Year:

The fiscal year of the AAHL shall commence on the first day of each year.

Section 2 - General funds:

a) AAHL is financed by regular dues from members, which will constitute a flexible source of income available to the organization.

b) Other sources besides dues may serve to capitalize the organization such as gifts and bequests from donors, securities, investment, profits form business enterprises such as publications, fund raising, grants, charitable contributions, and income from various social activates.

Article X- Amendments:

Any amendments or revisions in the constitution or in the by-laws of the AAHL shall become valid by two thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the members present at the annual general body meeting, provided that the proposed amendments or revisions had been presented in writing to the by-lays committee as least thirty (30) days prior to the annual general body meeting.

Article XI- Seal:

The Seal of the AAHL shall be in the center of which shall appear the year of incorporation of the AAHL and a design of roseate in conjunction with the word ASSYRIANS OF ARIZONA FOR HIGHER LEARNING. A facsimile such seal may, if the executive committee so directs, constitute the emblem or insignia for use by the AAHL and its members in conduction with their business, subject to such rules and regulations governing the use of same as Executive committee adopt.

Article XII- Oath:

The Oath the AAHL Shall be the following:

I , ________member name___________ swear to up hold all the rules and regulations set forth by the Assyrians of Arizona for Higher Leering, promise to serve AAHL faithfully and without any bias or prejudices toward any members of the organization, and shall do my utmost to bring about the success of AAHL and its goals.

Article XlII- Dissolution:

The annual general body meeting is the only authorized body to dissolve the AAHL and dispose of its properties by two thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the annual general body meeting. In the event that this AAHL is dissolved, its assets shall, after payment and settlement of all its debts and liabilities, be disposed of. Disposition and or donation of the net assets of this AAHL shall be made only to one or more Assyrian organizations, which operate exclusively for charitable, educational, cultural or scientific purposes and which are qualified as non-profit tax exempt organizations under section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Service.