Constitution

Constitution

Revised Fall 1986

Article I. Name

The name of the organization shall be the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA).

Article II. Objectives and Scope

URISA is an international Association to stimulate, encourage and otherwise provide for the advancement of an interdisciplinary and multi-professional approach to planning, designing and operating urban information systems. The Association shall operate as an objective educational organization without political, social, financial or national bias. Its main objectives shall be to foster exchange of ideas and promote studies focusing on urban information systems for planning and operational needs as well as for analyzing the broader issues and the consequences of such systems. The Association shall support these objectives by promoting acquaintance and discussion among its members and with scholars in related fields, by stimulating research, by encouraging the publication of scholarly studies, and by performing services to aid the advancement of its members and the field of urban development.

Being mindful of the undesirable effects of institutionalized discrimination, URISA shall conduct its activities on a fair and equitable basis without bias. Further, URISA shall encourage and promote the participation of women and minorities in all URISA activities.

URISA can participate in educational activities to influence legislation, but shall not expend a substantial part of its budget in these matters nor shall it participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. No part of the various receipts of URISA shall insure to the benefit of any private individual.

URISA encourages its members, officers and duly appointed representatives to seek the support and cooperation of other professional groups, private organizations and governmental institutions to promote its goals and objectives provided such assistance is clearly within legal constraints and professional standards. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of individual URISA members, officers and duly appointed representatives seeking such support and cooperation to be aware of legal and professional limits and to obtain express recognition of such support and cooperation, and to function clearly within the boundaries.

Article III. Membership

Section 1. Members

The principal criterion of eligibility for membership shall be a mature and deep interest in the field of urban and regional information systems. Any person with such an interest and in agreement with the objectives of the Association may be proposed for membership by transmittal to the Secretary of a membership application form.

Section 2. Membership Rights

All Regular and Student members shall have full voting and office-holding rights. The rights, privileges, and services of all membership categories shall be as defined in the Bylaws.

Section 3. Misuse of Affiliation

Any member who makes use of his affiliation with the Association in a manner considered improper by the Board may be suspended by the Board in accordance with procedures established in the Bylaws.

Section 4. Limitation of Liability

No member or officer shall be individually liable for the debts, contracts, and other obligations of the Association, other than his dues paid for membership. This proviso shall appear in all contracts entered into, by and on behalf of URISA.

Article IV. Officers, Board, and Committees

Section 1. Elected Officers and Committees

The elected officers of the Association shall be a President, a President Elect, nine elected Board Members, and the Past President all serving on the Board of Directors.

The nine members-at-large shall be elected for three year terms with three members elected each year. The President Elect shall be elected to serve one year as President Elect, one year as President and one year as Past President. The Board may select from the nine members-at-large a Vice President and must select a Secretary and Treasurer to serve for a one-year term.

Section 2. Method of Nomination and Election of Officers

The president shall appoint a Nominating Committee with the approval of the Board. The Nominating Committee shall make at least one, but preferably two, nominations for each office. The Bylaws will detail the process to be followed in the nomination and election of officers.

Section 3. Board

The board shall have power to transact all business of the Association and to assign specific responsibilities to various officers and committees of the Association. The Board shall assist the President in selecting committees to advance the work of the Association. The Board may delegate to the officers authority to sign contracts. The Board shall meet at least once a year at the call of the President. Notices of Board meetings shall be sent out at least two weeks in advance. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

Section 4. Dues

Within a maximum limit set by the Bylaws, the Board may assess and collect dues.

Section 5. Executive Committee

The President, President Elect, Past President and other members of the Board, as may be selected by the President with the approval of the Board, shall be members of the Executive Committee.

Section 6. Succession of Office

In the event of the incapacity of the President to complete the term of the office, the President Elect shall fill the unexpired term. In the event both the President and President Elect are unavailable for service, the Board will elect a President to fill the unexpired term.

Section 7. Budget Administrator

The Board may elect a Budget Administrator as a full voting member of the Board in accordance with procedures established in the Bylaws. In no event shall the term of office specified in the Bylaws exceed three years.

Article V. Meetings

Section 1. Annual Meetings

The Annual Meetings of the Association shall be held at such time and place as the Board may designate. The Board may arrange other meetings in addition to the Annual Meeting. Announcement of the time and place of meetings must be mailed to members at least 60 days in advance.

Section 2. Business Meetings

A Business Meeting shall be held during the Annual Meeting. During this meeting, as part of the Secretary’s report, a summary of the actions of the Board shall be presented to the membership. Reports shall be presented also by the President, Treasurer and any other member called on by the President to do so.

Article VI. Sections and Special Interest Groups

Section 1. Establishment

The Board shall consider and may approve the establishment of Sections and Special Interest Groups in accordance with procedures established in the Bylaws.

Section 2. Name

The approved Section shall be known as the "_______________Chapter of URISA."

Section 3. Name

The approved Special Interest Group shall be known as the "_______________Special Interest Group of URISA."

Section 4. By-Laws

The Bylaws of all Sections approved by the Board must be in accord with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association. All Sections must promptly file a copy of their Bylaws and all subsequent changes with the Secretary of the Association.

Section 5. Financial Responsibility

URISA disclaims all financial responsibility with regard to the actions or commitments of any or all of the Sections of the Association.

Article VII. Changes in the Constitution

Changes in the Constitution shall be proposed either by action of the Board or by petition of 25 members and shall be adopted upon affirmative vote of two-thirds of members voting, by mail ballot at any time, providing that 60 days notice of the proposed change has been mailed to all members.

Article VIII. By-Laws

The Board shall supplement the Constitution by the adoption of Bylaws governing matters not expressly detailed in the constitution and not conflicting therewith. Changes in the Bylaws may be made with a two-thirds vote of the Board favoring the change, provided the proposed change has been made to the Board 20 days prior to the meeting at which the change is to be voted on.

Constitution as approved by the members, August 5, 1978
Agnes D. Livingood, Secretary

Revised by mail ballot of members, November, 1986
Louis Shallal, Secretary