Governance

Bylaws

The governing document of the American Turkish Association of Houston. Last ratified at the 2026 spring General Assembly.

Last ratifiedSpring 2026
Articles9 + Exhibit A
AuthorityGeneral Assembly
Section 1 · Member in good standing

A member in good standing must:

  • Complete a membership application form, approved by ATA-Houston, the Board of Directors, or the Executive Committee.
  • Pay annual membership dues, proposed by the Executive Committee and approved by the Board.
  • Abide by the Articles of Incorporation, Mission Statement, and Bylaws of ATA-Houston.
  • Receive full benefits of ATA-Houston, including voting in the General Assembly for all officers and Board members, services, news bulletins, and correspondence.
Section 2 · Classes of Members

The Association shall have the following classes of members:

  • Family Membership — two adults and all dependent children (21 years or younger).
  • Individual Membership — a single person.
  • Student Membership — full-time student in a higher academic institution (above high school). Persons with full-time jobs shall not be considered full-time students.
  • Special Membership — conferred to persons providing outstanding services or financial support: Honorary, Lifetime, Founding, Sustaining, Contributing, and Outstanding Service Member.
  • Corporate Membership — Lifetime ($40,000 cumulative); Founding ($5,000+ in a single calendar year, valid 5 years); Sustaining ($2,500+ annually); Contributing ($1,000+ annually).
Special memberships are only applicable to the named individual(s) and are not transferable, including to surviving family members. Qualifying members are recognized at important ATA-Houston events, on the website, and in the newsletter.

Grandfather Clause. Any member previously awarded Founding, Sustaining, or Supporting Member levels by former Board resolutions is automatically transferred to the appropriate special membership level above.

Section 3 · Voting Rights of Members
  • Corporate Members shall have no voting rights.
  • Only two adults from a single family shall be allowed to vote.
  • Individual members shall have a single voting right.
  • Student members shall have no voting rights.
  • A member shall have the right to vote if they have been a member in good standing for the past year prior to elections.
Section 4 · Resignation

All resignations from membership shall be made in writing and presented to the Board of Directors. No annual membership dues for the remaining part of the fiscal year shall be refunded.

Section 5 · Expulsion

The President, the Executive Committee, or the Board of Directors can recommend and initiate action for the expulsion of any member whose activities are judged to be against the goals and purposes of ATA-Houston.

Section 1 · Authority

The General Assembly shall be the highest governing body of ATA-Houston.

Section 2 · Organization

General Assembly shall consist of all voting ATA-Houston members in good standing.

  • A regular meeting shall be held once a year.
  • ATA-Houston fiscal year runs from January 1st to December 31st.
  • If quorum is not reached, a second meeting may be held within a week.
  • The Chairperson shall announce the meeting at least 30 days in advance.

Special meetings may be called by the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, any five voting ATA members with Board approval, or a written request signed by a simple majority of all members.

Section 3 · Voting by Mail and Proxy Assignment

Members who will not be able to attend the General Assembly shall be allowed to vote by mail or electronic media, or assign another ATA member as a proxy. Acceptable forms of voting:

  • Being physically present and casting a vote
  • Voting by regular mail
  • Voting by electronic media
  • Voting by proxy

A proxy, to be valid, should be dated and have the member's first and last name and signature.

Section 4 · Qualification

Nominees for President must:

  • Be an ATA-Houston member in good standing for at least one year.
  • Have served actively as a volunteer or Board/ExCom member.
  • Submit a nomination request no later than 3 months before election.

Required documents include biography, reasons for wanting to be President, previous support provided to ATA-Houston, goals and projects, and a letter from the current president confirming service history.

Section 5 · Election Timeline
  • By December 1 — Members notified and nominations invited.
  • By December 31 — Nominations received.
  • By January 15 — Board reviews nominations and sends documents.
  • Before February 13 — Voting ends.
  • Before February 15 — General Assembly meets.

Meeting package includes tentative agenda, joint report from ExCom and Board, budget report, ballot, resolution voting forms, and proxy authorization section.

Section 6 · General Assembly Procedures
  1. President opens meeting and confirms quorum.
  2. Assembly elects a three-person Assembly Committee.
  3. President transfers meeting control to Assembly Committee.
  4. Agenda approval by proxy holders and attendees.
  5. Activity and budget reports presented.
  6. Vote for absolution of Executive Committee and Board.
  7. Elections conducted by secret ballot.
  8. If Board/ExCom not absolved, Assembly Committee temporarily manages the organization until elections conclude.
  9. Workshop held between outgoing and incoming leadership for transition.
Section 1 · Authority and Responsibilities

The Board of Directors is the second highest legislative organization of ATA-Houston. Responsibilities include:

  • Establish vision and policies.
  • Oversee President and Executive Committee.
  • Approve annual budget and operating plans.
  • Review Executive Committee activities.
  • Enforce conflict of interest guidelines.
Section 2 · Organization
  • Board consists of four directors plus current and previous presidents.
  • Directors serve two-year terms.
  • Board elects Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.
  • Majority vote applies unless otherwise declared.
Section 1 · Authority and Responsibilities

The Executive Committee (ExCom) shall have authority for running day-to-day decision-making and governance.

Section 2 · Organization

Executive Committee includes:

  • President
  • Executive Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Vice President of Development
  • Vice President of Cultural Affairs
  • Vice President of Communications
President responsibilities
  • Presides over meetings.
  • Represents the organization.
  • Supervises programs and policies.
  • May authorize checks and promissory notes.
  • May assign duties.
Executive Secretary responsibilities
  • Keeps correspondence and records.
  • Maintains minutes.
  • Files reports.
  • Assists President.
Treasurer responsibilities
  • Handles finances.
  • Keeps accounting records.
  • Prepares reports.
  • Manages organization bank account.
Vice President of Development
  • Membership growth.
  • Fundraising.
  • Sponsorships.
  • Partnerships.
Vice President of Cultural Affairs
  • Turkish culture programs.
  • Festivals.
  • Seminars.
  • Educational activities.
Vice President of Communications
  • Public awareness.
  • Publications.
  • Website.
  • Newsletters.
  • Email communications.
ExCom members appointed by the President

The President shall be responsible for defining the authority and responsibilities of the Executive Committee members he/she assigns.

The President or Chairperson of the Board may form special purpose committees as needed to support the mission of ATA-Houston.

ATA Annual Operating Budget Account
  • Funds deposited in bank accounts controlled by President and Treasurer.
  • Annual operating budget presented to the Board.
  • Excess funds may be transferred to the Reserve Fund.
ATA Reserve Fund Account
  • Used for financial resources not essential for annual operations.
  • Investment approval required by the Board.
Miscellaneous Funds

Creation of any funds or activities through ATA-Houston can only occur with Board approval.

The ATA Board of Directors, members of the Executive Committee, and all members shall follow the Conflict of Interest Policy. See Exhibit A for the full standards of conduct.

ATA may be dissolved:

  • By Board proposal and 2/3 member approval.
  • By lack of members.
  • By legal judgment.

Assets must be donated to another IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

These By-Laws shall be effective after approval of the General Assembly.

Amendments require:

  • Two-thirds approval of present or represented members.
  • More than 50% approval from all ATA members in good standing.
Purpose
  • Identify potential risks.
  • Maintain ethical conduct.
  • Prevent personal-gain conflicts.
Financial interests

Members must disclose personal or family financial relationships.

Board Member and ExCom compensation

No compensation for Board or ExCom service.

Gifts and gratuities

Members may accept personal gifts under $25.

Political activities

No political use of ATA resources.

Hiring or contracting with relatives

Relatives cannot improperly influence contracts or hiring.

Public comments

Members should support the nonprofit positively in public.

Disclosure

Potential conflicts must be disclosed immediately.

Board action

Violations may lead to resignation requests or removal.

Record of conflict

Official minutes must document disclosures and abstentions.