BYE LAWS

BYE LAWS OF THE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRERS' NETWORK (TAPIN), HYDERABAD, INDIA

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION AND BYE-LAWS

• NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION:
The name of this Association shall be "THE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRERS' NETWORK" which for the sake of brevity shall hereinafter be stated as " THE ASSOCIATION" or " SOCIETY" or "TAPIN"


• LOCATION OF THE ASSOCIATION:
The registered office of the Association shall be at Plot 408, Road No. 22, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, India


• AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
• The Association is formed primarily to contribute to creating a more inclusive, collaborative and generative world resulting in a sense of abundance and to stand for any benign cause in general interest of nations and societies.
• Capture, showcase & celebrate "what's right with the world"
• Create new knowledge and practices through Research and Experimental learning.
• Share and learn from one another through Acknowledgement, Appreciation and Application.
• Exchange in multiple ways, the processes applications and benefits concerning – Appreciative Inquiry, Social Constructionism, Strength-based change, Positive Psychology and related fields.
• Provide a gateway to individuals, organizations and large systems for understanding and implementing new approaches to change management drawing from complexity sciences and leveraging neo-sciences in strategic formulations for change
  vii. Set processes to validate, valuate and certify the practitioners in "Appreciative Inquiry" and related fields.


• RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION:
1. The name of the Association shall be "THE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRERS' NETWORK" (TAPIN, in short).
2. LOCATION OF THE OFFICE: The registered office of the Association shall be at Plot 408, Road No. 22, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad India Administrative offices and Regional offices / Centres can be established at the towns that are conducive for operations and administrative convenience as decided by the ‘Managing Committee' and approved by the ‘General Body' from time to time.

3. A. MEMBERSHIP

   The Society shall consist of the following categories of members:
   • Founder Members: Persons who are signatories to this memorandum will be called as "Founder Members". They will pay a fee of Rs.5000 (Rupees five thousand only) for the life-membership. These members can vote and are eligible to contest elections for membership on the "Management Committee" and become office-bearers. The signatories to this memorandum and Byelaws will constitute the first Managing Committee and admit the other Founder-Members on their application and payment of the life-membership fees of Rs. 5,000=00 before the first general body meeting. These members can vote and are eligible to contest elections for membership on the "Management Committee" and become office-bearers.
   • Professional Members: Persons who have been admitted to the Association based on fulfillment of certain professional criteria as laid down by the Management Committee from time to time. They will also pay a fee of Rs.10,000 (Rupees ten thousand only) for the life-membership. These members can vote and are eligible to contest elections for membership on the "Management Committee" and also can become office-bearers.
   • Associate Members: Persons who are not professional members but interested in the stated aims and objectives of this association can apply and become the members of the society. The Managing Committee shall consider the application of such persons as deemed fit and shall decide to admit them as "Associate members" on payment of an annual membership fee of Rs. 1,000 /- (Rupees one thousand only). Associate Members are not eligible to vote or contest in elections.
   • Honorary Members: The Management Committee of the Society may admit "honorary members"; these will be persons from Non-profit societies or Educational Institutions or NGO's with laudable or similar objectives as deemed relevant by the Management Committee. Honorary members are waived from payment of membership fees and are not eligible to vote or contest elections.
   • Institutional Members: The Management Committee of the Society may admit "Institutional Members" from amongst Companies, Registered Societies / bodies or Educational Institutions or NGOs who have the intent to facilitate or support the objectives of this society. The Institutional Members will make a contribution of not less than Rs.50,000/- that will be treated as Life-Membership subscription to TAPIN. The Managing Committee will decide about the Membership subscription or contributions with reference to NGOs or Non-profit societies / institutions. Also, every Institutional member may nominate up to a maximum of five members at any time, who in their individual capacity enjoy the rights and privileges extended to the Associate Members. Institutional Members are not eligible to vote or contest in elections.
   
   

   B ) Cessation of the Membership:

   • A member ceases to be a member when (s)he voluntarily resigns or removed by the General Body through an ordinary resolution of simple majority on the recommendation of the Managing Committee. The managing Committee can remove an associate member who is in default of the prescribed annual subscription beyond the last day of the respective year or for a reason in the interest of this society.

   C )Rights of Members:

   • A member shall be entitled to receive a copy of the registered bye-laws of the Society on the payment of the prescribed price thereof.
   • A member, other than an Associate Member shall have the right to inspect books, registers, documents etc. maintained by the registered or administrative office of the Association, at its office as informed to the member on his request for inspection..
   • Every Founder Member and Professional Member shall be eligible to vote and also be elected as a member of the Managing Committee or co-opted to it.
   • The Managing Committee may decide to offer reimbursements, concessions and bursaries to the members to participate in the society's programmes for their learning.

   D ) Responsibilities & Liabilities of Members :

   • Every Founder Member and Professional Member shall be eligible to be elected as a member of the managing committee or co-opted to it if, (s)he is qualified. The reason for disqualifications shall be as follows:
   
   • (S)he has been convicted of any offence, involving moral turpitude unless a of period of six years has elapsed since his conviction.
   • (S)he is in default to the society in respect of any charges due from him/ her for more than 90 days.
   • Each member of the society is required to register with the society to receive the notices and other communications or for the membership of TAPIN network.
   • The office bearers shall hold office for the full term of their membership of three years unless a no-confidence motion has been passed against any one or all of them and a new office bearer / bearers has been elected for the remaining period. A no-confidence motion shall be deemed to have been passed only when 2/3rd members of the managing committee have voted in favour of the no-confidence motion.
   • The quorum for a managing committee meeting shall be 3 (three) members of the managing committee.
   • All decisions shall be through meetings as often as necessary but at least once every six months. The Video and Audio Conference meetings, otherwise notified and recorded appropriately shall be deemed as ‘Managing Committee’ meeting and a member participating in the meeting virtually shall be deemed to have been present for the purposes of quorum.
   • A member of the committee including any of the office bearers may resign from the membership of the committee by addressing a letter to the President or in his absence to the Secretary, so as to receive the letter on behalf of the Managing committee. The resignation will be effective only after three months from the date of receipt of the letter of resignation or the resolution passed in a meeting of the managing committee whichever is earlier. The member shall be accountable for all his/her activities as a member of the committee until the date the resignation comes into effect.
   • Any vacancy in the committee caused by resignation or disqualification or otherwise of a member, may be filled by the committee by cooption of any other eligible member of the society. The period of office of the co-opted member shall be co-terminus with the tenure of office of the committee
   
   
4. MEMBERSHIP FEE:

The fee prescribed hereunder shall be applicable until reviewed and revised by the General Body.

• The Founder Members – Rs.5000/- (Indian Rupees Five Thousand or an equivalent sum in a foreign currency) valid for life
• Professional Members – Rs.10,000/- (Indian Rupees Five Thousand or an equivalent sum in a foreign currency) valid for life
• Associate Members – Rs.1,000/- (Indian Rupees One Thousand or an equivalent sum in a foreign currency) valid for a year (ordinarily, a calendar year, however Managing Committee may allow pro-rata levy or allow extension for a period not exceeding 3 months i.e. total of 15 months)
• Institutional Members – A minimum one time subscription of Rs. 50,000/- (Indian Rupees Fifty Thousand or an equivalent sum in a foreign currency) and this shall be valid for the total duration of the present identity of the institution or a change duly notified to TAPIN. However, the NGOs/ Social sector organizations will be admitted by the managing committee as “Institutional Members” for life (whole duration of identity or change as notified) on payment of a minimum fee of Rs. 10,000 (Indian Rupees ten thousand or an equivalent sum)


5. GENERAL BODY:
• The final authority in all matters relating to the policies and administration of the association shall vest in the General body. However, the General Body shall follow the doctrine of in-door management and shall not in the normal course, interfere with the powers delegated to the Managing Committee in managing the day-to-day affairs of the society. The following, among other matters, shall be dealt by the General Body.
  • To review the actions taken to implement the decision of the last annual General Body meeting or the last Special General body meeting held, if any,
  • To consider and approve the annual report of the Managing Committee along with audited statement of accounts and review the working of the committee and also to pass the estimated budget for the ensuring year
  • To consider the auditor’s report and decide any proactive, preventive or remedial measures, if any (including but not limited to budgetary allocations, delegation of powers to the Treasurer or any other office bearer or member of the Managing Committee, Fund Utilization, Systems and Procedures etc), and to appoint a duly qualified Auditor and the remuneration thereof.
  • To decide about the number of members of the managing committee and number of office-bearers, their designations and responsibilities. The first managing committee shall comprise seven members who are signatories to the memorandum and Byelaws and shall have the three office-bearers viz; President, Secretary and Treasurer as decided among these members.
  • To approve or nominate a presiding officer for the election of the members of Managing Committee – for ensuing elections during the next one year.
  • To elect the members of the Managing Committee, decide about the election process. The election may be conducted at the general body meeting provided the notice of the announced agenda informs the subject of election, or a separate election process may be decided by the general body.
  • To confirm the election and declare the results of election of members to the committee, if the election of members of the committee is due that year
  • To amend the existing or to frame new bye-laws when necessary
  • To consider and adopt suitable course of action on any important communication received from Government authorities
  • o approve (post facto) purchase order / contracts of value exceeding Rs. 1,00,000 /- i.e. the Managing Committee shall place on record with the general body all itemized expenses incurred in excess of Rs.1,00,000/- during a year.
  • To prescribe penalties for any breach of any of the bye-laws or rules/ resolutions passed by the General Body. This shall include any action warranted to be taken on any member of the Society including the elected members of the Managing Committee.
  • To consider any other matter, excepting that requiring proper notice, with the permission of the chair, after the regular agenda is over
  • The annual general meeting of the Society shall be held on or before the end of September each year
  • A special general body meeting of the Society may be called at any time at the instance of the committee or on receipt of a requisition signed by at least by 50 members or 1/3rd members of the Society whichever is less, stating in writing the matter on which deliberations are to be made. Such a communication shall be sent to the President or Secretary for placing before the Managing Committee within 15 days from the date of receipt. Such a special general body meeting shall be convened within one month after the decision by the managing committee. The special meeting of the general body shall be conducted by giving a notice of 14 clear days. The meeting so convened shall not transact any business other than that mentioned in the notice of the meeting
  • The Management Committee shall decide the date, time and place for all general body meetings. A notice of fourteen clear days shall be given to all the members of the society.
  • An email notification (to the last known email id of each member) notifying the convening notice on the notice board is sufficient. Accidental omission to give notice will not invalidate the decisions taken. Each member of the society is required to register with the society to receive the notices and other communications or for the membership of TAPIN network.
  • The quorum for every general body meeting of the society shall be 1/3rd of the total members of the society who are eligible for voting or 20 members who are eligible for voting, whichever is less.
  • If within one hour of the appointed time for the meeting of the General Body, there is no quorum, then the meeting convened because of a requisition of the members shall be dissolved. In any other case, the meeting shall be adjourned to a later hour on the same day at the same place notified earlier or to a subsequent date not earlier than 7 days but not later than 30 days. In such an adjourned meeting, the business of the general body shall be transacted as per the original agenda whether there is quorum or not.
  • The General Body can remove any member by simple majority on the recommendation of the Managing Committee or a resolution moved by any member with advance notification to the Managing Committee imputing grounds of violation of code of conduct, moral turpitude, or acting in a way jeopardizing the interests of the Association.


6. MANAGEMENT:
• The final authority of the Society shall vest in its general body, who shall be summoned to meet in a manner as specified in these Byelaws
• The management of the day-to-day administration of the society shall vest in the “managing committee” duly constituted in accordance with these by-laws
• Subject to the direction given or regulation made by the general body, the committee shall exercise all powers expressly conferred on it and discharge all functions entrusted to it under the bye-laws
• The Managing Committee shall consist of seven voting members (those members who are eligible to vote) of the Association and shall have the following office-bearers who shall be elected by the members of the Managing Committee.
  • President • Secretary • Treasurer
• The members of the managing committee shall be duty-bound to attest the signatures of all the members of newly elected managing committee and to see that the said signature in shape of an annual list as filed with the registrar of societies before 15 days of the succeeding month in which elections were held
• All the members of the Managing Committee shall be elected by the general body, duly voted by the majority of the eligible members securing maximum votes. Such election may be conducted in a general body meeting after including the subject of election in the original (not additional) agenda of the notice for the meeting. Otherwise, the election can be held using Postal and/ or Electronic Ballot as decided by the Presiding Officer appointed by the General Body. In the event where an elected member voluntarily resigns or otherwise ceases to be member of the Managing Committee, the vacancy thus caused may be filled by the Managing Committee by co-opting some other eligible members. However, in the event that such co-opted members exceed three, then a fresh election shall be held at the next General Body to elect the new members of Managing Committee.
• Election of all the members of the Managing Committee shall be held once in three years. The first Managing Committee consisting of members (signatories to the Memorandum and Byelaws) who have registered the society shall cease to exist at the first General Body which shall be convened within a period of nine months from the date of registration of the society. Such members are eligible along with any other eligible members admitted by the first managing committee, for election as member of the managing committee at the first general body meeting.
• The members shall not act in manner contradictory to or violating of any provisions of the laws of the land. Failure to comply with any of these stipulations shall be ground for action by the Managing Committee to seek relief or recover damages or taking punitive action including removal from membership.
• Every member shall comply with the covenants, rules and, conditions and restrictions placed by the managing committee/ general body from time to time for the accomplishment of the aims and objects of the society. Failure to comply with any of these stipulations shall be ground for action by the Managing Committee to seek relief or recover damages or taking punitive action including removal from membership.


7. FUNCTIONS OF THE MANAGING COMMITTE AND OFFICE BEARERS:
• POWERS OF THE MANAGING COMMITTEE:
Subject to the by-laws the Managing Committee exercises the powers by passing resolutions unanimously or by majority and discharges the functions and duties as mentioned hereunder:
• To record any document or important paper or significant events such as appreciations, condolences etc. through a resolution in its meeting.
• To pass resolutions for delegation, sanction or approval of expenditure or investment and also for any other activity to meet the objectives of the society.
• To consider and decide upon the matters brought up by members pertaining to the areas of responsibility of the Society.
• To admit members of any classification.
• The Managing Committee can co-opt members for any vacancy created after elections and it can invite any special invitee or advisory member, if found necessary by it.
• The Managing Committee can pass a resolution by circulation and such a resolution shall be recorded in the next meeting of physical presence.
• To consider and decide on all matters involving expenditure not exceeding the budget sanctioned by the General body for purchase or investment.
• To ensure holding of annual meeting of the General Body within the prescribed period
• To call a special meeting of the general body when required
• To review the audit report and place the audited accounts before the general body
• To appoint, suspend, remove or discharge all employees of the association and fix their duties, remuneration and if necessary require them to furnish security . Through a resolution, the President may be authorized for any of these purposes.
• To recommend to the General Body for removal of any member on the grounds of violation of code of conduct, moral turpitude, or acting in a way jeopardizing the interests of the Association.
• To remove any associate member from the membership of the society for the reason or reasons validated in a resolution.
• To delegate any of the powers listed above to a sub-committee of its own members who shall confirm in all respects to the institutions and guidelines given to them by the committee in its next meeting
• To perform other functions as are assigned from time to time by the general body and to exercise such other powers as are necessary to carry out those functions
• To do all such acts or things which the committee may consider necessary for the accomplishment of the objects of the society


• POWERS OF OFFICE BEARERS OF THE COMMITTEE:
Subject to such resolutions as the committee or the general body may, pass from time to time in this behalf the office bearers of the committee shall have the following powers:
• To coordinate with Govt. Departments, Municipal authorities, local bodies and others for the day to day activities of the Society.
• To do all things necessary or expedient for the accomplishment of the aforesaid object of the Society and to protect the interest of members.
• To incur expenditures within the budgets allotted by the General Body or the Managing Committee for the governance and internal administration of the society.


• E.OTHER RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. PRESIDENT
• The president shall exercise overall control of the management of affairs of the society with the help of Secretary, Treasurer and the Managing Committee of the association. In the absence of any of the office-bearers, the President can function in their place. The residuary authority of management rests with the President.
• The president or the secretary will have the power to propose subjects to the managing committee for its sanction or direction.
• The President will approve the agenda and preside over the General body meeting or managing committee meeting.
• In the absence of the President, the Secretary or any other member of the managing committee, in that order will act in the place of the President as decided by other members of the managing committee.


2. SECRETARY
• Whenever the President is unable to attend the General Body meeting, the Secretary shall preside.
• The Secretary shall be responsible for overseeing the day – to –day administration of the association’s work.
• (S)he, with the approval of the President, shall summon and attend all meetings of the managing committee and the General Body.
• shall prepare the minutes of all the meetings and place before the Managing Committee or General Body in the next meeting. And (s)he will prepare, submit and maintain the statutory reports and documents.
• shall operate the association’s bank account joint with any other members of the committee.
• shall act and do all things necessary on his own initiative or as directed by the managing committee from time to time.
• Prepares draft circular letters, calling for meeting or intimating decision of the managing committee / General Body.
• Does all such things as are required of him by the Committee / General Body towards the accomplishment of the objectives of the society.
• Circulates all approved minutes and letters under his signature.
• Carries on correspondence on behalf of the society.
• In the absence of the treasurer, issues receipts for payments received and attends to finance related matters under intimation to the treasurer.


3. TREASURER
• Takes responsibility to keep custody of cash for payment of petty and emergency expenses.
• Responsible for the maintenance of Bank A/c and shall be an authority to jointly operate in the Bank account as resolved by the Managing Committee.
• Signs all purchase-orders, contracts and other documents individually or jointly as decided by the managing committee after obtaining due approval of the committee.
• Attends meetings of the managing committee and the General Body and presents all reports on the financial matters of the society.
• Issues receipts for the contribution received from the members.
• In the absence of the Secretary, discharges secretarial functions under intimation to the Secretary.


4. OFFICE BEARERS
• The office-bearers are the responsible persons on behalf of the society to interact and engage with outside world such as government, corporate bodies, individuals, members of “TAPIN” etc. and to attend to such activities of the society which the Managing Committee entrusts to them from time to time. They collectively run the registered and administrative office of the society and also secure / maintain the documents and records of the society.


5. QUORUM :
• The quorum for every general body meeting of the society shall be 1/3rd of the total members eligible for voting or 20 members eligible for voting, whichever is less and
• Three members for Managing committee meeting conducted either directly or virtually through recorded electronic media..


6. FUNDS
A) Raising of Funds
The funds for the Association shall be raised in one or more of the following ways:
• By contribution from members .
• By fees received for any service rendered or programmes for learning or professional developments organized and conducted by the society in the manner decided by the managing committee to be in alignment with the objectives and aims of this association.
• By any other mode, such as donations or grants or other sources as decided by the managing committee.

B) Utilisation of Funds

• The funds of the association shall be spent only towards the accomplishment of the aims and objects of the association and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly to any of the members / Associate members through any means.


7. INVESTMENT OF FUNDS
The funds of the association when not utilized for the purposes mentioned under B above may be deposited as fixed deposit with any commercial bank for appropriate periods to be decided by the managing committee.


8. ACCOUNTS & AUDIT
The accounts of the Society shall be closed every year ending 31st March. The accounts of the society shall be audited by a chartered accountant appointed by a resolution with simple majority in the meeting of the General Body. The first auditors shall be appointed by the managing committee.


9. AMENDMENTS:
No amendment or alteration shall be made in the purpose of this association unless it is voted by 2/3 majority of its members present at a special meeting convened for the purpose and confirmed by 2/3 of the members present at a second special meeting. Any other amendment to the Byelaws can be carried through by a simple majority in a general meeting.


10. WINDING UP:
• The society can be wound-up by the General Body through a special resolution passed by two-third majority.
• In case the society has to be wound up, the property and funds of the society that shall be transferred or paid to some other institution with similar aims and object or to a non-profit society.

(Next to this Declaration and details of the signatories will follow in landscape size)