Organizational Structure

General Assembly

The General Assembly is the Association's supreme body comprised of all Full Members. The Assembly supervises the activities and affairs of the Association, including matters of program and objective definition. The Assembly meets at least once a year. It has the following functions and authorities:

(a) make membership application and expulsion decisions;

(b) establish and amend the Constitution;

(c) review and direct actions of the Chairman or Presidium and establish guidelines to instruct their decisions and actions;

(d) establish the date and place of the Annual Conference of the Association;

(e) adopt Guidelines and Procedures that are consistent with the Constitution for the conduct of the Association's affairs;

(f) establish Standing and other Committees;

(g) oversee the finances of the Association - adoption of an Annual Budget, establishment of Annual Membership Dues levels, and acceptance of the Annual Report of the Presidium;

(h) merge the Association with another non-profit organization or decide upon dissolution of the Association; and

(i) make decisions in all matters which fall into the exclusive authority of the General Assembly as provided by this Constitution.

Presidium

The Presidium acts upon the General Assembly's behalf respecting Association operations and planning during the period between Assembly Meetings. The Presidium is the representative and executive body of the Association.
It is subordinated directly to the Assembly.


The Presidium has the exclusive authority to:

(a) act as the Association's administrative body and representative towards third parties;

(b) employ Association Staff;

(c) transfer its representative rights to Association Staff with regard to limited and specifically defined matters;

(d) propose actions or decisions to the Assembly for its adoption on matters which fall within the Assembly's exclusive authority;

(e) pass decisions in all questions which do not fall into the exclusive authority of the General Assembly as provided by the
Constitution;

(f) review the financial and cash management functions and activities of the Association;

(g) report on the Association's financial status at an Assembly Meeting at least once per year;

(h) initiate requests before the Assembly to establish an Annual Budget; and

(i) propose Annual Membership Dues for Members.

The Presidium consists of seven Assembly Representatives (each from separate Full Members) elected by secret ballot, majority vote of the General Assembly. The Presidium Members serve for a two-year period. Presidium meetings are held four or five times a year.