BYLAW AND CONSTITUTION INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATOR (IARSA)

(As Amended November 14, 2018)

PREAMBLE

International Association of Research Scholars & Administrators (IARSA) is a global, interdisciplinary, nonpartisan International Association for Researchers from diversified fields of studies do firmly and solemnly…

We the members of International Association of Research Scholars & Administrators (IARSA) a non-profit making and Non-Political Organization do firmly and solemnly resolve to provide for ourselves a constitution and to be governed by the provisions therein contained.

ARTICLE 1: NAME

The name of the ASSOCIATION IN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS (hereinafter called the ASSOCIATION). Any person who supports the purposes of the Association shall be eligible for membership and shall be an active member in this organisation upon payment of annual dues as provided in the bylaws.

ARTICLE 2: ADDRESS

The Addresses of the Association shall be 87, Kasim Ibrahim Way, Maitama, Central Business District, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria and 118, Agege Motor Road, Ikeja-Along Expressway, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

ARTICLE 3: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of the association are:-

To play influential role in global promotion of research activities in diversified areas of studies
To encourage, organize, and promote international research activities
To tender open forums and communities for exchange of information about research thoughts, plans, resources, projects, results, and studies
To facilitate the exchange of information and ideas among the researchers, scientists and learned society in open forums
To promoting research activities in wide areas of studies
To encourage research thoughts and supporting research projects
To encourage collaborative research efforts by facilitating open communication between researchers
To Spread awareness about latest research outcomes from different corners of world
To Offer links to higher education and research opportunities
To recognize the research achievers with apposite honorarium
To promote research in determining the impact of global inflation on annual budget policy
To promote research in determining the lifestyle patterns of the learned society
To promote research in determining the relationship between education and crime rate in a society
Encourage research thoughts in determining the relationship between child labour and lack of formal education globally.
Encourage research for effective teaching methods to enhance global literacy rate
Formation of large scale research communities conquering continental boundaries

ARTICLE 4: TRUSTEES

The Trustees of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLAR & ADMINISTRATORS (IARSA) for the purpose of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No 1 of 1990, shall be elected at a General Meeting charged with responsibility of selecting the Trustees with 2/3 majority votes of members present.
Such Trustees (hereinafter referred to as “The Trustee”) shall be FOUR (4) in number and shall be known as THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS
A Trustee may hold office for life but a trustee shall cease to hold office if he/she
Resigns his/her appointment
Ceases to be a member of the registered trustees of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS
Becomes insane
Is officially declared bankrupt
Convicted of criminal offence involving dishonesty by a count or tribunal of competent jurisdiction.
Is recommended for removal from office by Board of governors and Trustees, by majority votes of members present at any General Meeting of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS
Ceases to reside in Nigeria.
Upon a vacancies occurring in the number of Trustees, a general meeting will be held to appoint another eligible member of the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ACMINISTRATORS. By a resolution passed by 2/3 majority of members present at the meeting.

ARTICLE 5: COMMON SEAL

The TRUSTEES shall have a common seal
Such common seal shall be kept in the custody of the Secretary who shall produce it when required for use by the TRUSTEES.
All documents to be executed by the Trustees shall be signed by such number of them and sealed with the common seal

ARTICLE 6: MEETINGS

6.1. The Board of the Association shall hold at least two meetings per year at sites designated by the President. One meeting shall be held for the purpose of outlining and planning activities for the Association's Annual Meeting including the programme for the Association, approving the annual budget, approving changes in the constitution and bylaws, and discussing such other matters of business that need to be addressed at that time. The second meeting shall be held prior to the Annual Meeting of the Association for the purpose of finalizing program plans, acting upon proposed changes in the constitution and bylaws, and conducting such other business as the President or other members of the Board may deem necessary.

For effective administration of the Association, there shall also be the following meetings:

Annual General Meetings
Extra-Quality General Meetings
Special Meetings
Governing Council Meetings
Executive Committee Meetings

6.2 QUORUM

The quorum for the meetings shall respectively be:

Annual General Meeting:- One third (1/3) of all members of the Association
Extra-Ordinary General Meetings:- One third (1/3) of members of the Association
Special meetings 25% of members of the Association
Governing Council Meeting:- seven members
Executive Meetings:- 60% of Executive Committee Members

ARTICLE 7: NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS

Section 1.a. A slate of nominees for Officers and Council Members to be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Association will be named by a committee appointed by the President, chaired by the Past President who represents the constituent country in which the Past President resides, and composed of equal representation of one or more members from each of the constituent country.

b. Nominations for any position may be made to the committee by any active member of the Association, provided that the member secures (1) the written permission of the nominee and (2) the signatures of four other active members endorsing the nomination. The committee shall establish and announce a deadline for receiving nominations.

Section 2. The nominating committee shall announce the nominations for all positions, direct the preparation of ballots, and conduct the election. The President will announce the results of the election at the business session of the Annual Meeting of the Association. The Immediate Past President shall serve as chair of the nominating committee.

Section 3. The elective Officers and Directors of the Association shall be named by secret ballot of the members attending and voting at the business session of the Annual Meeting of the Association. A majority of the votes cast shall be required to elect Officers and Directors except for the Directors elected at large. A plurality of the votes cast on ballots for Directors elected at large shall be required for election.

Section 4. Each Director representing a constituent state shall be elected by the members of the Association who are from the state represented by the respective Director.

ARTICLE 8: AFFILIATIONS

A state research association whose members are desirous of promoting the purpose of this Association and sharing in its work may become affiliated with this organization as provided in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE 9: MEMBERSHIP

A person or an institution interested in educational research can be accepted as a member of IARSA. The rates of individual life membership and Patron Membership shall be $500 and $1000 respectively. There shall be four categories of institutional life memberships. The rate for Institutional Patron Membership shall be $2000 and there shall be three categories of Institutional Life Memberships - Category A ($3000) shall cover all faculty members 15-35 of an institution, and Category B ($2000) shall cover all faculty members less than 15 of an institution.

1 A. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

International Association of Research Scholars and Administrators (IARSA) shall offer individual memberships in different classes suiting to needs and levels of different researchers.

1 B. CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

Individual researchers shall apply and acquire IARSA's memberships in any one of the following grades:

Section 1: Patron: Patrons of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS AND ADMINISTRATORS (PtrnIARSA) shall be the senior most membership and shall be equivalent to be members of Council of the association and shall have the rights of voting for all discussion points of the organisation. They shall participate in all open symposium of the association and shall give their opinion for the growth of the association and meeting its mission. Patron memberships shall be available only by invitation.

RESEARCHER EMERITUS

Section 2: Research Emeritus: Research Emeritus of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS AND ADMINISTRATORS (REIARSA) shall mark the past accomplishments of retired researchers and to express IARSA appreciation for the willingness of those persons to continue to be active in research-related activities at IARSA.

The IARSA Board of Management shall confer the designation of Researcher Emeritus on the recommendation of the Chairman, Membership Committee and supported by the President, 1st Vice President and the Executive Director of the Association Director.

Section 3: Senior Research Fellow (SFIARSA): Senior Research Fellow Members of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS AND ADMINISTRATORS (SFIARSA) shall be equivalent to advisory members of the association who shall participate and contribute in symposiums related to growth of the association. The membership shall be opened only to Doctoral degree holders of regionally accredited university/institutions having academic/research/industrial experience of more than 13 years and a recognizable research history in terms of research publications, books, and others.

Section 4: Research Fellow (FIARSA): The Fellow of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS AND ADMINISTRATORS (FIARSA) shall be equivalent to certified research guide in the selected area of research and studies. The membership shall be opened only to Doctoral degree holders of regionally accredited university/institutions having academic/research/industrial experience of more than 8 years and having a recognizable research history in terms of research publications, books, and others.

Section 5: Associate Research Fellow (AFIARSA): The Associate Fellow of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS AND ADMINISTRATORS (AFIARSA) shall be equivalent to Certified Assistant Research Guide in the selected area of research and studies. AFIARSA shall be considered as co-guides with other senior guides for a research project in their fields. The membership shall be opened only to Doctoral degree holders of regionally accredited university/institutions having academic/research/industrial experience of more than 5 years or a Master degree holder with 10 years of research experience and having a recognisable research history in terms of research publications, books, and others.

Section 6: Senior Research Member (SMIARSA): The Senior Members of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS AND ADMINISTRATORS (SMIARSA) shall be recognized researchers in their specialised areas of work. The membership shall be opened only to master degree holders of regionally accredited university/institutions having academic/research/industrial experience of more than 5 years in research/academics/industry and having a recognizable research history in terms of research publications and memberships.

Section 7: Research Member (MIARSA): The Members of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS AND ADMINISTRATORS (MIARSA) shall be recognised researchers in their specialised areas of work. The membership shall be opened only to master/bachelor degree holders of regionally accredited university/institutions having academic/research/industrial experience of more than 3 years in research/academics/industry and having a recognizable research history in terms of research publications, books, and others.

Section 8: Associate Research Member (AMIARSA): The Associate Members of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS AND ADMINISTRATORS (AMIARSA) shall be recognised researcher savvy who want to build a career in research and development. The membership shall be opened to Bachelor Degree holders of regionally accredited university/institutions having academic/research/industrial.

Section 9: Student Research Member (StIARSA): The Student Members of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS AND ADMINISTRATORS (StMIARSA) shall be recognized young researchers who are planning to build career in research and development. The membership shall be opened to students of under graduation/post graduation programmes of regionally accredited university/institutions.

2 A. INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Institutional Members of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS shall be groups and organisations that shall work in the form of larger professional teams towards the mission of the association and shall contribute actively in meeting the objectives of the association.

2.B. CATEGORIES OF INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Supporter Institutional Member: Supporter Institutional Members shall support the mission of association by accommodating chapters/branches of association in their premises and actively conducting the operations of associations on local level.

Section 2: Institute Member: Institutional Members shall contribute to the mission of the association by encouraging the activities of the association in its own or associated premises. It shall encourage spreading of message and activities of the association by promoting the association through it.

3 C. CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS

The INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS shall allow companies to gain exposure to world renowned scholars in the fields of human endeavours. Professional certification and accreditation and shall have free advisory services on policy design and guidance with governments legislation, regulations and policy statements on research practices across the world

4. LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: IARSA Life Membership is automatically bestowed upon an active IARSA member who:

Has attained the age of 65 years
Has been a member of IARSA for such a period that the sum of his/her age and his/her years of membership equals or exceeds 100 years

The designation of Life Member is effective on January 1 of the year immediately succeeding the year in which the requirements were met. Members who qualify will be notified by mail in the fourth quarter of the qualifying year.

5. CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: The membership of IARSA shall cease in case of non-payment of membership fee and in case of resignation in writing by a member.

ARTICLE 8: GOVERING BOARD

The Governing Council shall be composed of the President, the First Vice President, Vice Presidents in six continents of the world (Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe North America and South America), Secretary/Trustees. Each member of the Governing Council shall serve for two years and may be reelected to the same position in the subsequent election. The Advisory Board shall consist of seven elected members who will serve for three year. Each member of the Advisory Board may only be re-elected once to serve two consecutive terms.
Elections for all officers will be conducted by electronic mail beginning at least one month before and closing before the biennial conference convenes. The Nominations Committee shall consist of the members of the Advisory Board, except for these running for an Officer position. The Chair of the Nominating Committee will be selected from the members of the Advisory Board by the President. The Nomination Committee shall, if it is possible to find willing candidates for positions on the Advisory Board. The Nominations Committee will seek to recognize the diversity of members of the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEACH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS in respect to scholarly discipline, geographic location, gender, employment and educational status.

The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall solicit nominations from the membership and confirm the willingness of these nominated to serve if elected. A short statement of the nominee’s scholarly qualifications and plans to enhance the work of the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP & ADMINNISTRATORS would be accompanied the nominees’ agreement to serve if elected. These statements will be circulated with the ballots.

The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall oversee the counting of the ballots for positions on the Governing Council and the Advisory Board. Members of the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS.

Advisory Board shall act as monitors to verify the vote count will jointly confirm the results at the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEACH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS business meeting convened at the biennial conference. The Chair of the Nominating Committee will inform the candidates of the election results before the biennial conference and announce the results of the vote at the business meeting of the biennial conference.

The President shall chair the meetings of the Governing Council and oversee all activities of the organization. In consultation with the Governing Council and Advisory Board, the President shall be the spokesperson for the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS.
The Vice Presidents (First, Second, Third, etc) shall among other activities work closely with the President and Governing Council in organising the biennial conference, and shall take on such other duties as requested by the President and shall explore opportunities to expand IARSA footprint in their continents, counties or regions through publicity, events, and other strategies that will build the association's membership and reputation other administrative responsibilities of the INTERNATINAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS. This shall include working with university, college, existing local and regional research body and think tanks, and NGOs involved research and education.
The New Media/Communications Officer shall develop and maintain website and Face book pages and work to develop the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS presence in terms of new media technologies.
The Secretary/Treasurer shall conduct annual membership campaigns, publish a newsletter on activities and publications of INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS members, inform members of proposed resolutions and amendments to the bylaws, oversee the website and listserv, maintain INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS bank accounts and financial records, make quarterly financial reports to the Governing and Advisory Board, and arrange for annual auditing of the books of the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS by a Certified Public Accountant approved by the Executive Board. All cheques shall be co-signed by both the Secretary/Treasurer and another INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS officer appointed by the Governing Council.
The Governing Council may employ an Administrative Assistant to assist it in conducting the annual membership campaign and other communications, maintenance of the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS website and other duties.
The Governing Council shall employ a book-keeper to assist the Secretary/Treasurer with professional maintenance of financial records, bank and credit card accounts, preparation of quarterly financial reports, and submission of financial records for annual audit.
The Advisory Board shall act as the Nominating Committee, lead and serve on INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS committees appointed by the President, offer management advice to the Governing Council, and take on other tasks requested by members of the Governing Council. The President may appoint Special Advisors in order to assist the organization with special duties and to represent the diversity of membership in the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS such Special Advisors shall have no vote in decisions of the Advisory Council that require votes.
In the event of a vacancy on the Governing Council, the Governing shall choose a member of the Advisory Board to fill the position. Vacancies on the Council shall be filled by the Advisory Board from the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS membership.
The INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS membership Committee shall have responsibility for membership recruitment and retention for the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS

The Membership Committee will consist of a Membership Director, Second Vice-President) and two other members chosen by the Governing Council and will report to the Secretary/Treasurer. The Committee will conduct an outreach programme to recruit new members previously unaffiliated with the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS. The Membership Committee will also oversee an annual membership renewal campaign to assure continued membership by current members in the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS

ARTICLE 9 — COMMITTEES

Section 1 — Committee formation: The Governing Council may create committees as needed, such as Budget Advisory Committee, Constitutions and Bylaws Committee, Development Committee, Publications and Research Committee, Technology Committee. The President appoints all committee chairs.

Section 2 — Executive Committee: The four officers serve as the members of the Executive Committee. Except for the power to amend the articles of incorporation and bylaws, the Executive Committee shall have all the powers and authority of the Governing Council in the intervals between meetings of the Governing Council, and is subject to the direction and control of the full Council.

Section 3 — Finance Committee: The treasurer is the chair of the Finance Committee, which includes three other Council members. The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, fundraising plan, and annual budget with staff and other board members. The board must approve the budget and all expenditures must be within budget. Any major change in the budget must be approved by the Governing Council or the Executive Committee. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year. Annual reports are required to be submitted to the Governing Council showing income, expenditures, and pending income. The financial records of the organization are public information and shall be made available to board members and the public.

ARTICLE 10: REMOVAL OF MEMBERS OF THE MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL

Section 1. The absence of a Council Member from two meetings during a term of office shall constitute grounds for declaring the office vacant. In such case, the Council shall determine the reasonableness of the absences. If the Council deems that the absences are without merit, it shall declare the office vacant. In the case of an elective office except for the office of Vice President/President-Elect, the successor to fill the vacancy shall be named by a majority vote of the Council of the Association.

Section 2. The Council of the Association may remove a member of the Council, for good cause, by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council members present and voting at a regular or special meeting of the Council. One, but not the only, good cause is the failure to perform the duties of the office held by the member of the Council.

ARTICLE 11: SOURCES OF INCOME

The Sources of income for the Association shall include:

Members Annual Subscriptions.
Publications
Consultancy Services
Training and Professional Development services
Donations
Grants
Grants from approved Foreign Agencies

ARTICLE 12: DISBURSEMENT AND APPLICATION OF FUNDS

The Funds of the association shall be disbursed and applied as follows:

For execution of the aims and objectives of the association
For payment of approved expenditures.
Disbursement should be in accordance with approved budget estimates of the association

ARTICLE 13: KEEPING OF ACCOUNT

Books of account i.e records of income and expenditure of the association should be kept on yearly basis.

Such records to be kept include:- Cashbooks, Payment Vouchers, Members contribution, ledgers, Annual financial Reports i.e. Income and Expenditure account, statement of Financial Position, Debtors and Creditors statement,

The Association shall ensure the accurate keeping of record of all income and expenditure.

ARTICLE 14: APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR(S)

Independent qualified and licensed Auditors shall be appointed by the general meeting to audit the financial records of the Association annually and submit and audited report to the Annual General Meeting of the Association.
The audited financial statements (Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Comprehensive Income) duly certified by independent auditors shall be annexed to the annual returns and file with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

ARTICLE 15: AMMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION

Section 1. This constitution may be altered, amended, or repealed and a new Constitution or portions thereof may be adopted by a vote of two-thirds of the votes cast at an Annual Meeting of the Association or by a majority of the total voting power of the Association, whichever is less, provided that notice of any proposed revision has been mailed to every member of the Association at least thirty days prior to the Annual Business Session at which the revision is to be considered.

Revisions of this Constitution as provided above shall not be considered by the membership of the Association until such proposed revisions have been submitted to, reviewed by, and approved by the Governing Council of the Association. Upon its election, in the case of conflict of interest or other special circumstances, the Council may choose to submit a proposed revision of the Constitution to the Association members without recommendation provided that the Council communicates the basis for this election to the members along with the proposed amendment. For the purpose of the review and recommendation by the Council, proposed revisions of the Constitution shall be submitted to the Council at any regular or special meeting. After review and appropriate action thereon, the Council shall forward the proposed revisions to the membership of the Association for consideration. During its review and prior to forwarding the proposed revisions with its recommendation, the Council may make such editorial revisions as are necessary and appropriate.

Section 2. The activities of the Association shall be regulated by the Bylaws. The Bylaws of the Association may be altered, amended, or repealed and new Bylaws or portions thereof may be adopted in the same manner as prescribed for the Constitution in the above Section 1 of this Article.

ARTICLE 16: SPECIAL CLAUSE

THE INCOME AND PROPERTY OF INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH SCHOLARS & ADMINISTRATORS shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objective of the body as set forth in this RULES AND REGULATION/CONSTITUTION and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to the members of the Association.
PROVIDED that nothing herein shall prevent the payment in good faith, or reasonable and proper remuneration to any officer or servant of the Association in return for any service actually rendered to the association.
With the exception of ex-offcio members of the Governing Council, no member of the Council of Management or Governing Body shall be appointed to any salaried office of the Association or any office of the Association paid by fees; and
No remuneration or other benefit in money’s worth shall be given by the body to any member of such Council or Governing Body except repayment of out of pocket expenses or reasonable fees for services rendered.

If in the event of a winding up or dissolution of the corporate body, if there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the members, of the Association but shall be given or transferred to some other institutions, having objects similar to the object dissociation each institutions to be determined by the members of the Association at or before the title of dissolution.

If effect cannot be given to the aforesaid provisions, then the remaining property shall be transferred to some charitable object.

ARTICLE 17: CERTIFICATION

These amended bylaws were approved at a meeting of the Governing Council by a two thirds majority vote on November 14, 2018.

IARSA By-Laws