AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
Revision Approved: 25 September 2003
13 OCTOBER 2000
As further amended on 12 March 2001, 27 January
2003, and 12
February 2003.
OASIS Open
A PENNSYLVANIA DOMESTIC NON-PROFIT CORPORATION
ARTICLE 1: OFFICES
Section 1. Principal Office
The principal office of the corporation for the transaction of
its business shall be at such location within or without the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania as designated by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Other Offices
The corporation may also have offices at such other places, within
or without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where it is qualified
to do business, as its business may require and as the board of
directors may, from time to time, designate.
ARTICLE 2: PURPOSES
The primary objectives and purposes of this corporation shall be:
(a). OASIS is a non-profit, international consortium of suppliers
and users of products and services that support open structured
information standards (both de jure and de facto). OASIS is
dedicated to accelerating the further adoption, application, and
implementation of structured information standards.
(b). OASIS provides its members with an open forum to discuss market
needs and directions, and to recommend guidelines for product interoperability.
The consortium receives, coordinates, and disseminates information
describing structured information standards and related specifications,
methods, recommendations, and technologies.
(c). The work of OASIS complements that of standards bodies, focusing
on making structured information standards easy to adopt and standards-based
products practical to use, in real-world, open system applications.
(e). Because structured information standards do not constrain
the architecture and functionality of applications, great diversity
can and does exist among applications and product implementations. OASIS
may establish guidelines for an implementation framework within
which diverse products will be able to interoperate, without compromising
the platform and product independence of documents or the potential
for diversity, growth, and extensibility inherent within structured
information standards.
(f). The Corporation may engage in any other activities to encourage
and make practical the adoption and use of structured information
standards and may engage in any other activities and undertake any
other actions permitted under the Pennsylvania Domestic Non-Profit
Corporation Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the corporation
shall not engage in any activities not permitted to be carried on
by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(6)
of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, or the corresponding provision
of any successor statute.
ARTICLE 3: DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number
The corporation shall have not less than one (1) nor more than
eleven (11) directors and collectively they shall be known as the
Board of Directors. The number may be changed by amendment of this
Bylaw, or by repeal of this Bylaw and adoption of a new Bylaw, as
provided in these Bylaws.
The directors shall comprise the currently serving President of
the corporation during his or her duration as such, who shall automatically
be a director by virtue of being the President (the "Appointed Director"),
and the directors who are elected by the Members (the "Elected Directors").
Section 2. Powers
Subject to the provisions of the Pennsylvania Domestic Non-Profit
Corporation law and any limitations in the Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws relating to action required or permitted to be taken
or approved by the voting members of this corporation, the activities
and affairs of this corporation shall be conducted and all corporate
powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board
of Directors.
Section 3. Duties
It shall be the duty of the directors to:
(a). Perform any and all duties imposed on them collectively or
individually by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation,
or by these Bylaws;
(b). Appoint and remove, employ and discharge, and except as otherwise
provided in these Bylaws, prescribe the duties and fix the compensation,
if any, of all officers, agents and employees of the corporation,
including its executive director;
(c). Supervise all officers, agents, and employees of the corporation
to assure that their duties are performed properly;
(d). Fulfill certain specific roles in pursuit of the goals of
the corporation, such as President, Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary,
Treasurer, and Chief Officers of technical, marketing, and recruitment
education activities.
(e). Meet at such times and places as required by these Bylaws;
(f). Register their addresses with the Secretary of the corporation,
so that notices of meetings sent by postal or electronic mail to
them at such addresses shall be valid notices thereof.
Section 4. Compensation
Directors shall serve without compensation. They shall be allowed
reasonable advancement or reimbursement of expenses incurred in
the performance of their regular duties as specified in Section
3 of this Article. Directors may not be compensated for rendering
services to the corporation in any capacity other than director
unless such other compensation is reasonable and is allowable under
the provisions of Article 4, 11.
Section 5. Restriction Regarding Interested Directors
Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, not more than
forty-nine percent (49%) of the persons serving on the board may
be interested persons. For purposes of this Section "interested
persons" means either:
(a). Any person currently being compensated by the corporation
for services rendered it within the previous twelve (12) months,
whether as a full-or-part time officer or other employee, independent
contractor, or otherwise, excluding any reasonable compensation
paid to a director as director; or
(b). Any brother, sister, ancestor, descendent, spouse, brother-in-law,
sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law or father-in-law
of any such person described in Section 5(a) above.
Section 6. Place of Meetings
Meetings shall be held at the principal office of the corporation
unless otherwise provided by the board or at such place within or
without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which has been designated
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Regular Meetings
Regular meetings of Directors shall be held a minimum of
four (4) times per calendar year.
Section 8. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by any
two directors or by the executive director.
Section 9. Notice of Meetings
Meetings of the board shall be held upon four (4) days' notice
by first class postal mail or forty-eight hours' notice delivered
personally, by telephone, or by electronic mail. If sent by postal
mail, the notice shall be deemed to be delivered on its deposit
in the mails. Such notices shall be addressed to each director at
his or her address as shown on the books of the corporation.
Notice of the time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need
not be given to absent directors if the time and place of the adjourned
meeting are fixed at the meeting adjourned and if such adjourned
meeting is held no more than twenty-four (24) hours from the time
of the original meeting. Notice shall be given of any adjourned
regular or special meeting to directors absent from the original
meeting if the adjourned meeting is held more than twenty-four (24)
hours from the time of the original meeting.
Section 10. Contents of Notice
Notice of meetings of the Board of Directors shall specify the
place, day and hour of the meeting. The purpose of any board meeting
need not be specified in the notice.
Section 11. Waiver of Notice and Consent to Holding Meetings
The transactions of any meeting of the board, however called and
noticed or wherever held, are as valid as though the meeting had
been duly held after proper call and notice, provided a quorum,
as hereinafter defined, is present and provided that either before
or after the meeting each director not present signs a waiver of
notice, a consent to holding the meeting, or an approval of the
minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents, or approvals shall
be filed with the corporate records and made a part of the
minutes of the meeting.
Section 12. Quorum for Meetings
A quorum shall consist of a majority of Directors.
Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws or in the Articles
of Incorporation of this corporation, or by law, no business shall
be considered by the board at any meeting at which a quorum, as
hereinafter defined, is not present, and the only motion which the
Chair shall entertain at such meeting is a motion to adjourn. However,
a majority of the directors present at such meeting may adjourn
from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting
of the board.
When a meeting is adjourned for lack of a quorum, it shall not
be necessary to give any notice of the time and place of such adjourned
meeting or of the business to be transacted at such meeting, other
than by announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is
taken, except as provided in Section 10 of this Article.
The directors present at a duly called and held meeting at which
a quorum is initially present may continue to do business notwithstanding
the loss of a quorum at the meeting due to a withdrawal of directors
from the meeting, provided that any action thereafter taken must
be approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for such
meeting or such greater percentage as may be specified by law, or
the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws of the corporation.
Section 13. Majority Action as Board Action
Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors
present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present is the
act of the Board of Directors, unless the Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws of the corporation, or provisions of the Pennsylvania
Domestic Non-Profit Corporation Law, require a greater percentage
or different voting rules for approval of a matter by the board.
Section 14. Conduct of Meetings
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the
Chairperson of the Board, or, if no such person has been so designated
or, in his or her absence, the President of the corporation or,
in his or her absence, by the Vice Chair of the corporation or,
in the absence of each of these persons, by a chairperson chosen
by a majority of the directors present at the meeting. The Secretary
of the corporation shall act as secretary of the meetings of the
board, provided that, in his or her absence, the presiding officer
shall appoint another person to act as Secretary of the Meeting.
Meetings shall be governed by Roberts' Rules of Order, as such
rules may be revised from time to time, insofar as such rules are
not inconsistent with or in conflict with these Bylaws, with the
Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, or with provisions
of law.
Section 15. Action by Unanimous Written Consent Without
Meeting
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors
under any provision of law may be taken without a meeting, if all
members of the board shall individually or collectively consent
in writing to such action. Such written consent or consents shall
be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board. Such
action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as
the unanimous vote of the directors. Any certificate or other document
filed under any provision of law which relates to action so taken
shall state that the action was taken by unanimous written consent
of the Board of Directors without a meeting and that the Bylaws
of this corporation authorize the directors to so act, and such
statement shall be prima facie evidence of such authority.
Section 16. Terms of Office
Each director (other than the Appointed Director, who shall serve
as a Director for the duration specified in Article 3, Section 1
above) shall hold office for a two-year term and until his or her
successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death,
resignation, or removal. To ensure continuity, members of the board
will hold staggered terms of office, with half the board's members
elected in alternate years; however, if at any time the board (exclusive
of the Appointed Director) consists of an odd number of Elected
Directors, then in every even-numbered year the minimum number of
directors needed to constitute a majority of the Board shall stand
for election and in every odd-numbered year the remaining directors
shall stand for election; this process shall continue until there
is an even number of Elected Directors.
Section 17. Election
(a). Frequency and Timing. Board elections, in accordance
with Section 16 above shall be held annually, normally in
June . Timing of the election may be set by the board to coincide
with other activities of the corporation.
(b). Reasonable Nomination and Election Procedures.
This corporation shall make available to members reasonable nomination
and election procedures with respect to the election of directors
by voting members. Such procedures shall be reasonable given the
nature, size and operations of the corporation, and shall include
a reasonable means of nominating persons for election as directors;
a reasonable opportunity for a nominee to communicate to the members
the nominee's qualifications and the reasons for the nominee's candidacy;
a reasonable opportunity for all nominees to solicit votes; and
a reasonable opportunity for all voting members to choose among
the nominees.
Upon the written request by any nominee for election to the Board
and the payment with such request of the reasonable cost of mailing
(including postage), the corporation shall, within ten (10) business
days after such request (provided payment has been made) mail to
all voting members or such portion of them that the nominee may
reasonably specify, any material which the nominee shall furnish
and which is reasonably related to the election, unless the corporation
within five (5) business days after the request allows the nominee,
at the corporation's option, the right to do either of the following:
(i) inspect and copy the record of the members' names, addresses
and voting rights, at reasonable times, upon five (5) business days'
prior written demand upon the corporation, which demand shall state
the purpose for which the inspection rights are requested; or (ii)
obtain from the Secretary, upon written demand and payment of a
reasonable charge, a list of the names, addresses and voting rights
of those members entitled to vote for the election of directors,
as of the most recent record date for which it has been compiled
or as of any date specified by the nominee subsequent to the date
of demand.
The demand shall state the purpose for which the list is requested
and the membership list shall be made available on or before the
later of ten (10) business days after the demand is received or
after the date specified therein as the date as of which the list
is to be compiled.
If the corporation distributes any written election material soliciting
votes for any nominee for director at the corporation's expense,
it shall make available, at the corporation's expense, to each other
nominee, in or with the same material, the same amount of space
that is provided any other nominee, with equal prominence, to be
used by the nominee for a purpose reasonably related to the election.
(c). Election by Written Ballot. Elected Directors
are elected by written ballot. Such ballots for the election of
directors shall list the persons nominated at the time the ballots
are mailed or delivered. By vote of the board, the corporation may
develop an online voting process that preserves a written record
of the balloting.
Each voting member shall cast one ballot indicating up to as many
separate votes as there are Elected Directors to be elected. Cumulative
voting for the election of directors shall not be permitted. The
candidates receiving the highest number of votes up to the number
of Elected Directors to be elected shall be elected.
Section 18. Vacancies/Removal
(a). Vacancies. Vacancies on the Board of Directors
shall exist on the death, resignation or removal of any director,
and whenever the number of authorized directors is increased.
The seat of the Appointed Director shall automatically become vacant
upon his or her termination for any reason as the President of the
corporation. The Board of Directors may declare vacant the office
of a director who has been declared of unsound mind by a final order
of court, or convicted of a felony, or been found by a final order
or judgment of any court to have breached any duty under the provisions
of the Pennsylvania Domestic Non-Profit Corporation Law.
(b). Removal. If the corporation has less than fifty
(50) members, Elected Directors may be removed without cause by
a majority of all members. If the corporation has fifty (50) or
more members, Elected Directors may be removed without cause by
vote of a majority of the votes cast at a membership meeting at
which a quorum is present.
(c). Resignation. Any director may resign effective
upon giving written notice to the Chairperson of the Board, the
President, the Secretary, or the Board of Directors, unless the
notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation.
No director may resign if the corporation would then be left without
duly elected director or directors in charge of its affairs, except
upon notice to the Attorney General.
(d). Filling vacancies. Elected Director vacancies on the
board may be filled by the board with a person skilled in the area
of the position being vacated. The board may choose to reallocate
specific Elected Director board positions to determine which position
is to be filled. If the number of directors then in office
is less than a quorum, then positions are filled by (i) the unanimous
written consent of the directors then in office, (ii) the affirmative
vote of a majority of the directors then in office at a meeting
held pursuant to notice or waivers of notice complying with this
Article of these Bylaws, or (iii) a sole remaining director.
(e). Length of term. A person filling an Elected Director
vacancy as provided by this Section shall hold office for the remainder
of the term of the person who created the vacancy or until his or
her earlier death, resignation or removal from office.
Section 19. Non-Liability of Directors
The directors shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities
or other obligations of the corporation.
Section 20. Indemnification by Corporation of Directors,
Officers, Employees and Other Agents
To the extent that a person who is, or was, a director, officer,
employee or other agent of this corporation has been successful
on the merits in defense of any civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative proceeding brought to procure a judgment against
such person by reason of the fact that he or she is, or was, an
agent of the corporation, or has been successful in defense of any
claim, issue or matter, therein, such person shall be indemnified
against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the person
in connection with such proceeding.
If such person either settles any such claim or sustains a judgment
against him or her, then indemnification against expenses, judgments,
fines, settlements and other amounts reasonably incurred in connection
with such proceedings shall be provided by this corporation but
only to the extent allowed by, and in accordance with the requirements
of, the Pennsylvania Domestic Non-Profit Corporation Law.
Section 21. Insurance for Corporate Agents
The Board of Directors may adopt a resolution authorizing the purchase
and maintenance of insurance on behalf of any agent of the corporation
(including a director, officer, employee or other agent of the corporation)
against any liability other than for violating provisions of any
law relating to self-dealing asserted against or incurred by the
agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent's status as such,
whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify
the agent against such liability.
ARTICLE 4: OFFICERS
Section 1. Number of Officers
The officers of the corporation shall be a President, a Secretary,
and a Treasurer. The corporation may also have other officers, as
determined by the Board of Directors. Any number of offices
may be held by the same person except that neither the Secretary
nor the Treasurer may serve as the President or Chairperson of the
Board.
Section 2. Qualification, Election and Term of Office
Any person may serve as officer of the corporation. Officers
shall be elected by the Board of Directors, at any time, and each
officer shall hold office until he or she resigns or is removed
or is otherwise disqualified to serve, or until his or her successor
shall be elected and qualified, whichever occurs first.
Section 3. Subordinate Officers
The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers or agents
as it may deem desirable, and such officers shall serve such terms,
have such authority and perform such duties as may be prescribed
from time to time by the Board of Directors
Section 4. Removal and Resignation
Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the
Board of Directors, at any time. An officer may resign at any time
by giving written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President
or Secretary of the corporation. Any such resignation shall take
effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any later date
specified therein, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective. The above provisions of the Section shall be superseded
by any conflicting terms of a contract which has been approved or
ratified by the Board of Directors relating to the employment of
any officer of the corporation.
Section 5. Vacancies
Any vacancy caused by the death, resignation, removal, disqualification,
or otherwise, of any officer shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
In the event of a vacancy in any office other than that of President,
such vacancy may be filled temporarily by appointment by the President
until such time as the Board shall fill the vacancy. Vacancies occurring
in offices of officers appointed at the discretion of the board
may or may not be filled, as the board shall determine.
Section 6. Duties of President
The President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation
and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, supervise
and control the affairs of the corporation and the activities of
the officers. He or she shall perform all duties incident to his
or her office and such other duties as may be required by law, by
the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, or by these Bylaws,
or which may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Unless another person is specifically appointed as Chairperson of
the Board of Directors, he or she shall preside at all meetings
of the Board of Directors. If applicable, the President shall preside
at all meetings of the members. Except as otherwise expressly provided
by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, he
or she shall, in the name of the corporation, execute such contracts,
checks, or other instruments which may from time to time be authorized
by the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Duties of the Chairperson
In the absence of the President, or in the event of his or her
inability or refusal to act, the Chairperson shall perform all the
duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers
of, and be subject to all the restrictions on, the President. The
Chairperson shall have other powers and perform such other duties
as may be prescribed by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or
by these Bylaws, or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Section 8. Duties of the Secretary
The Secretary shall:
(a). Certify and keep at the principal office of the corporation
the original, or a copy of these Bylaws as amended or otherwise
altered to date.
(b). Keep at the principal office of the corporation or at such
other place as the board may determine, a book of minutes of all
meetings of the directors, and, if applicable, meetings of committees
of directors and of members, recording therein the time and place
of holding, whether regular or special, how called, how notice thereof
was given, the names of those present or represented at the meeting,
and the proceedings thereof.
(c). See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the
provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law.
(d). Be custodian of the records and of the seal of the corporation
and see that the seal is affixed to all duly executed documents,
the execution of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal
is authorized by law or these Bylaws.
(e). Keep at the principal office of the corporation a membership
book containing the name and address of each and any members, and,
in the case where any membership has been terminated, he or she
shall record such fact in the membership book together with the
date on which such membership ceased.
(f). Exhibit at all reasonable times to any director of the
corporation, or to his or her agent or attorney, on request therefore,
the Bylaws, the Membership book, and the minutes of the proceedings
of the directors of the corporation.
(g). In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary
and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles
of Incorporation of this corporation, or by these Bylaws, or which
may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of
Directors.
Section 9. Duties of the Treasurer
Subject to the provisions of Article 6 of these Bylaws relating
to the "Execution of Instruments, Deposits and Funds," the Treasurer
shall:
(a). Have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, any funds
and securities of the corporation, and deposit any such funds in
the name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other
depositories as shall be selected by the Board of Directors.
(b). Receive, and give receipt for, monies due and payable to the
corporation from any source whatsoever.
(c). Disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the corporation
as may be directed by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers
for any such disbursements.
(d). Keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the corporation's
properties and business transactions, including accounts of its
assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains and losses.
(e). Exhibit at any reasonable times the book of account and financial
records to any director of the corporation, or to his or her agent
or attorney, on request therefore.
(f). Render to the President and directors, whenever requested,
an account of any or all of his or her transactions as Treasurer
and of the financial condition of the corporation.
(g). Prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify, or cause to
be certified, the financial statements to be included in any required
reports.
(h). In general, perform any duties incident to the office of Treasurer
and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles
of Incorporation of the corporation, or by these Bylaws, or which
may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of
Directors.
Section 10. Assignment of Duties and Responsibilities
The President may, with approval by the board, confer various duties
and responsibilities described in Section 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this
Article upon the corporation's executive director, who shall execute
those duties and responsibilities as prescribed herein.
Section 11. Compensation
The salaries of the officers, if any, shall be fixed from time
to time by resolution of the Board of Directors, and no officer
shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact
that he or she is also a director of the corporation, provided,
however, that such compensation paid a director for serving as an
officer of the corporation shall only be allowed if permitted under
the provisions of Article 3, Section 4 of these Bylaws. In all cases,
any salaries received by officers of this corporation shall be reasonable
and given in return for services actually rendered for the corporation
which relate to the performance of the purposes of this corporation.
ARTICLE 5: COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Section 1. Executive Committee
The Board of Directors may, by a majority vote of directors, designate
two (2) or more of its members (who may also be serving as officers
of the corporation) to constitute an Executive Committee and delegate
to such Executive Committee any of the powers and authority of the
Board in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation,
except with respect to:
(a). The approval of any action which, under law or the provisions
of these Bylaws, requires the approval of the voting members or
of a majority of all of the voting members.
(b). The filling of vacancies on the Board or on any committee
which has the authority of the Board.
(c). The fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on
the Board or on any committee.
(d). The amendment or repeal of Bylaws or the adoption of these
Bylaws.
(e). The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board which
by its express terms cannot be so amended or repealed.
(f). The appointment of committees of the Board or the members
thereof.
(g). The expenditure of corporate funds to support a nominee for
director after there are more people nominated for director than
can be elected.
(h). The approval of any transaction to which this corporation
is a party and in which one or more of the directors has a material
financial interest, except as may be expressly provided in the Pennsylvania
Domestic Non-Profit Corporation Law.
By a majority vote of its members then in office, the board may
at any time revoke or modify any or all of the authority so
delegated, increase or decrease by not below two (2) the number
of its members, and fill vacancies therein from the members of the
board. The Executive Committee shall keep regular minutes of its
proceedings, cause them to be filed with the corporate records,
and report the same to the board from time to time as the board
may require.
Section 2. Other Committees
The corporation shall have such other committees as may from time
to time be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors. Such
other committees may consist of persons who are not also members
of the Board. These additional committees shall act in an advisory
capacity only to the board and shall be clearly titled as "advisory"
committees.
Section 3. Meetings and Action of Committees
Meetings and action of committees shall be governed by, noticed,
held and taken in accordance with the provision of these Bylaws
concerning meetings of the Board of Directors, with such changes
in the context of such Bylaw provisions as are necessary to substitute
the committee and its members for the Board of Directors and its
members, except that the time for regular meetings of committees
may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors or by the committee.
The time for special meetings of committees may also be fixed by
the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may also adopt rules
and regulations pertaining to the conduct of meetings of committees
to the extent that such rules and regulations are not inconsistent
with the provision of these Bylaws.
ARTICLE 6: EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, DEPOSITS
AND FUNDS
Section 1. Execution of Instruments
The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws,
may by resolution authorize any officer or agent of the corporation
to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument
in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority
may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized,
no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority
to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge
its credit or to render it liable monetarily for any purpose or
in any amount.
Section 2. Checks and Notes
Except as otherwise specifically determined by resolution of the
Board of Directors, or as otherwise required by law, checks, drafts,
promissory notes, orders for the payment of money, and other evidence
of indebtedness of the corporation shall be signed by the corporation's
Treasurer or by its executive director, if the President has conferred
such responsibility upon him or her under Section 10, Article 4.
In cases where a given expenditure exceeds a monetary amount established
by the Board, such instruments shall also be countersigned by the
President or Treasurer of the corporation.
Section 3. Deposits
All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to time
to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies,
or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.
Section 4. Gifts
The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the corporation
any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for the purposes of
the corporation.
ARTICLE 7: CORPORATE RECORDS, REPORTS AND SEAL
Section 1. Maintenance of Corporate Records
The corporation shall keep at its principal office:
(a). Minutes of all meetings of directors, committees of the board
and meetings of members, indicating the time and place of holding
such meetings, whether regular or special, how called, the notice
given, and the names of those present and the proceedings thereof;
(b). Adequate and correct books and records of account, including
accounts of its properties and business transactions and accounts
of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains and losses;
(c). A record of its members, indicating their names and addresses,
the class of membership held by each member, and the termination
date of any membership;
(d). A copy of the corporation's Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by
the members of the corporation at all reasonable times during
office hours.
Section 2. Corporate Seal
The Board of Directors may adopt, use, and at will alter, a corporate
seal. Such seal shall be kept at the principal office of the corporation.
Failure to affix the seal to corporate instruments, however, shall
not affect the validity of any such instrument.
Section 3. Director's Inspection Rights
Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable
time to inspect and copy all books, records and documents of every
kind and to inspect the physical properties of the corporation.
Section 4. Member's Inspection Rights
Every member shall have the following inspection rights, for a
purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a member:
(a). To inspect and copy the record of all members' names, addresses
and voting rights, at reasonable times, upon five (5) business days'
prior written demand on the corporation, which demand shall state
the purpose for which the inspection rights are requested.
(b). To obtain from the Secretary of the corporation, upon written
demand and payment of a reasonable charge, a list of the names,
addresses and voting rights of those members entitled to vote for
the election of directors as of the most recent record date for
which the list has been compiled or as of the date specified by
the member subsequent to the date of demand. The demand shall state
the purpose for which the list is requested. The membership list
shall be made available on or before the later of ten (10) business
days after the demand is received or after the date specified therein
as of which the list is to be compiled.
(c). To inspect in any reasonable time the books, records, or minutes
of proceedings of the members or of the board or committees of the
board, upon written demand on the corporation by the member, for
a purpose reasonably related to such person's interests a member.
Section 5. Right to Copy and Make Extracts
Any inspection under the provisions of this Article may be made
in person or by agent or attorney and the right to inspection includes
the right to copy and make extracts.
Section 6. Annual Report
The board shall cause an annual report to be furnished not later
than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the close of the corporation's
fiscal year to all directors of the corporation and to any member
who requests it in writing, which report shall contain the following
information in appropriate detail:
(a). The assets and liabilities, including the trust funds, of
the corporation as of the end of the fiscal year;
(b). The principal changes in assets and liabilities, including
trust funds, during the fiscal year;
(c). The revenue or receipts of the corporation, both unrestricted
and restricted to particular purposes, for the fiscal year;
(d). The expenses or disbursements of the corporation, for both
general and restricted purposes, during the fiscal year;
(e). The number of members of the corporation as of the date of
the report, together with a statement of increase or decrease in
such number during the fiscal year, and a statement of the place
where the names and addresses may be found.
(f). Any information required by Section 7 of this Article.
The annual report shall be accompanied by any report therein of
independent accountants, or, if there is no such report, the certificate
of an authorized officer of the corporation that such statements
were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation.
If this corporation receives twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000)
or more in gross revenues or receipts during the fiscal year,
the corporation shall automatically send the above annual report
to all members, in such manner, in such time, and with such contents,
including an accompanying report from the corporation's independent
accountants or certification of a corporate officer, as specified
by the above provisions of this Section relating to the annual report.
Section 7. Annual Statement of Specific Transactions to
Members
This corporation shall mail or deliver to all directors and any
and all members a statement within one hundred and twenty (120)
days after the close of its fiscal year which briefly describes
the amount and circumstances of any indemnification or transaction
in which the corporation was a party, and in which
(a). Any director or officer of the corporation, or its parent
or subsidiary (a mere common directorship shall not be considered
a material financial interest); or
(b). Any holder of more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power
of the corporation, its parent or its subsidiary.
The above statement need only be provided with respect to a transaction
during the previous fiscal year involving more than fifty thousand
dollars ($50.000) or which was one of a number of transactions with
the same person involving, in the aggregate more than fifty thousand
dollars ($50,000).
Similarly, the statement need only be provided with respect to
indemnification or advances aggregating more than ten thousand dollars
($10,000) paid during the previous fiscal year to any director or
officer, except that no such statement need be made if such indemnification
was approved by the members pursuant to any provision of the Pennsylvania
Domestic Non-Profit Corporation Law.
Any statement required by this Section shall briefly describe the
names of the interested persons involved in such transaction, stating
each person's relationship to the corporation, the nature of such
person's interest provided that in the case of a transaction with
a partnership of which such person is a partner, only the interest
of the partnership need be stated.
If this corporation provides all members with an annual report
according to the provision of Section 6 of this Article, then such
annual report shall include the information required in this Section.
ARTICLE 8: FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on January 1st and
end on December 3lst of each year.
ARTICLE 9: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Subject to any provision of law applicable to the amendment of
Bylaws of domestic non-profit corporations, these Bylaws, or any
of them, may be altered, amended, or repealed and new Bylaws adopted
only as follows:
(a). Subject to the power of members to change or repeal these
Bylaws and Section 5504(B) of the Pennsylvania Domestic Non-Profit
Corporation Law, by approval of the Board of Directors unless the
Bylaw amendment would materially and adversely affect the rights
of members in regard to voting or the ability to transfer interest
in the corporation, provided, however, if this corporation has admitted
any members, then a Bylaw specifying or changing the fixed number
of directors of the corporation, the maximum or minimum number of
directors, or changing from a fixed to a variable board or
vice versa, may not be adopted, amended, or repealed except as provided
in subparagraph (b) of this Section; or
(b). By approval of the voting members of this corporation.
ARTICLE 10: AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES
Section 1. Amendment of Articles Before Admission of Members
Before any members have been admitted to the corporation, any amendment
of the Articles of Incorporation may be adopted by approval of the
Board of Directors.
Section 2. Amendment of Articles After Admission of Members
After members have been admitted to the corporation, any amendment
of the Articles of Incorporation may be adopted by the approval
of the Board of Directors and by the approval of the members of
this corporation.
Section 3. Certain Amendments
Notwithstanding the above Sections of this Article, this corporation
shall not amend its Articles of Incorporation to alter any statement
which appears in the original Articles of Incorporation relating
to the names and addresses of the first directors of this corporation,
nor the name and address of its initial agent, except to correct
an error in such statement.
ARTICLE 11: PROHIBITION AGAINST SHARING CORPORATE
POWERS AND ASSETS
No member, director, officer, employee, or other person connected
with this corporation, or any private individual, shall receive
at any time any of the net earnings or pecuniary profit from the
operations of the corporation, provided, however, that this provision
shall not prevent payment to any such person of reasonable compensation
for services performed for the corporation in effecting any of its
public purposes, provided that such compensation is otherwise permitted
by these Bylaws and is fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors;
and no such person or persons shall be entitled to share in the
distribution of, and shall not receive, any of the corporate assets
on dissolution of the corporation. The members of the corporation
shall be deemed to have expressly consented and agreed that on such
dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the corporation, whether
voluntarily or involuntarily, the assets of the corporation,
after all debts have been satisfied, shall be distributed as required
by the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation and not otherwise.
ARTICLE 12: MEMBERS
Section 1. Determination and Rights of Members
The corporation shall have two classes of members: voting and non-voting.
The Board of Directors shall have the authority to create subclasses
within each of the two classes and to establish the particular attributes,
qualifications, fees, benefits, and the like in regard to each class
and any subclasses within each class. No member shall hold more
than one membership in the corporation.
Section 2. Qualifications of Members
Any organization or individual may become a member of this corporation,
provided that the organization or individual is willing and able
to support its objectives as described in Article 2.
Section 3 Member Sections
The Board of Directors on its own initiative may create member
sections which shall operate within the framework of the corporation.
The Board of Directors shall designate the purpose and activities
of any member section it so creates. Such sections may, among
other things, focus on particular structured information standards
or families of standards. Membership in such member sections shall
be open to any member of the corporation.
The members of each Member Section shall
select the steering committee of such Section and establish the
rules of procedure to govern such Section, provided, however, that
such rules of procedure shall further define the makeup and election
process for the steering committee, the selection of the steering
committee chair, and be approved in advance by the Board of Directors.
Under these rules of procedure, the Member Section may engage in
technical and marketing activities and spend funds allocated to
the Member Section, provided, however, that such activities and
expenditures shall be subject to the limitations on corporate actions
contained in these Bylaws and in the Articles of Incorporation and
shall also be subject to the provisions of the Pennsylvania domestic
non-profit corporation law. In addition, a Member Section
shall be governed by those additional rules and regulations promulgated
by the Board of Directors from time to time as may be applicable
to Member Sections generally or to the Member Section in question.
The Member Section shall report on its activities at least quarterly
to the Board of Directors.
Every member may, at the time it joins or renews its membership
in the corporation, or within 60 days of the creation of a new member
section, join or renew its membership in that member section and
allocate a portion of the membership fee it pays to the corporation
to such member section. The maximum amount any member shall
be allowed to so allocate shall be established by the Board of Directors.
If a member joins more than one member section then the allocated
amount will be shared equally among all member sections that the
member joins.
Section 4. Admission of Members
Applicants shall be admitted to membership on making application
therefore in writing and upon payment of first annual dues, or upon
receipt of consideration, as specified in the following Sections
of this Bylaw.
Section 5. Fees and Dues
(a). A fee charged for making application for membership in the
corporation may be specified from time to time by resolution of
the Board of Directors. Such fees, if applicable, shall be payable
with the application for membership.
(b). The annual dues payable to the corporation by members shall
be in such amount as may be determined from time to time by resolution
of the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Number of Members
There is no limit on the number of members the corporation may
admit.
Section 7. Membership Book
The corporation shall keep a membership book containing the name
and address of each member. Termination of the membership of any
member shall be recorded in the book, together with the date of
termination of such membership. Such book shall be kept at the corporation's
principal office and shall be available for inspection by any director
or member of the corporation during regular business hours.
The record of names and addresses of the members of this corporation
shall constitute the membership list of this corporation and shall
not be used, in whole or part, by any person for any purpose not
reasonably related to a member's interest as a member.
Section 8. Non-liability of Members
A member of this corporation is not, as such, personally liable
for the debts, liabilities, or obligations of the corporation.
Section 9. Non-transferability of Membership
No member may transfer a membership or any right arising therefrom
unless otherwise permitted by a resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 10. Termination of Membership
(a). Grounds for termination. The membership of a
member shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following
events:
(i). Upon its notice of such termination delivered to the President
or executive director of the corporation personally or by mail,
such membership to terminate upon the date of delivery of the
notice or date of deposit in the mail.
(ii). Upon a determination by the Board of Directors that the
member has engaged in conduct materially and seriously prejudicial
to the interests or purposes of the corporation.
(iii). Upon failure to renew its membership by paying dues on
or before their due date, such termination to be effective thirty
(30) days after written notification of delinquency is given personally
or mailed to such member by the Secretary of the corporation.
A member may avoid such termination by paying the amount of delinquent
dues within such thirty (30) day period following the mailing
of the written notification of delinquency.
(b). Procedure for Expulsion. Following the determination
that a member should be expelled under subparagraph (a)(ii) of this
Section, the following procedure shall be implemented:
(i). A notice shall be sent first-class or registered mail to
the last address of the member as shown on the corporation's records,
setting forth the fact that the Board of Directors has determined
that a member has engaged in conduct warranting expulsion and
the details of such conduct. Such notice shall be sent at least
fifteen (15) days before the proposed effective date of the expulsion.
(ii). The member being expelled shall be given an opportunity
to be heard, either orally or in writing, at a hearing to be held
not less than five (5) days before the effective date of the proposed
expulsion. The hearing will be held by the Board of Directors
in accordance with the quorum and voting rules set forth in these
Bylaws applicable to the meetings of the Board. The notice
to the member of his or her proposed expulsion shall state the
date, time, and place of the hearing on his or her proposed expulsion.
(iii). Following the hearing, the Board of Directors shall decide
whether or not the member should in fact be expelled, suspended,
or sanctioned in some other way. The decision of the Board shall
be final.
(iv). Any organization expelled from the corporation shall receive
a refund on dues already paid. The refund shall be pro-rated to
return only the unaccrued balance remaining for the period of
the dues payment.
Section 11. Rights on Termination of Membership
All rights of a member in the corporation shall cease on termination
of membership as herein provided.
Section 12. Amendments Resulting in the Termination of Membership
Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, if any amendment
of the Articles of Incorporation or of the Bylaws of this corporation
would result in the termination of all memberships or any class
of memberships, then each amendment or amendments shall be effected
only in accordance with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Domestic
Non-Profit Corporation Law.
ARTICLE 13: MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
Section 1. Place of Meetings
Meetings of members shall be held at the principal office of the
corporation or at such other place or places within or without the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as may be designated from time to time
by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Annual and Other Regular Meetings
The members shall meet annually at a minimum of one (1) time per
calendar year for the purpose of transacting business as may come
before the membership.
Section 3. Special Meetings of Members
Special meetings of the members shall be called by the Board of
Directors, the Chairperson of the Board, or the President of the
corporation. In addition, special meetings of the members
for any lawful purpose may be called by ten percent ( 10%) or more
of the voting members.
Section 4. Notice of Meetings
(a). Time of Notice. Whenever members are required
or permitted to take action in a meeting, a written notice of the
meeting shall be given by the Secretary or executive director of
the corporation not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety (90)
days before the date of the meeting to each member who, on the record
date for the notice of the meeting, is entitled to vote thereat.
(b). Manner of Giving Notice. Notice of a members'
meeting or any report shall be given either personally or by mail
or other means of electronic communication addressed to the member
at the address of such member appearing on the books of the corporation
or given by the member to the corporation for the purpose of notice;
or if no address appears or is given, at the place where the principal
office of the corporation is located. . Notice shall be deemed to
have been given in the time when delivered personally or deposited
in the mail or sent by electronic mail or other means of written
communication.
(c). Contents of Notice. Notice of a membership meeting
shall state the place, date, time of the meeting and (i) In the
case of a special meeting, the general nature of the business to
be transacted, and no other business may be transacted, or (ii)
In the case of a regular meeting, those matters which the Board,
in the time notice is given, intends to present for action by the
members. Subject to any provision to the contrary contained
in these Bylaws, however; any proper matter may be presented at
a regular meeting for each action.
(d). Notice of Meetings Called by Members. If a special
meeting is called by members as authorized by these Bylaws, the
request for the meeting shall be submitted in writing, specifying
the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted and
shall be delivered personally or sent by registered mail to
the Secretary of the corporation. The Secretary shall promptly
fix the date of the meeting and cause notice to be given to the
members entitled to vote of the same. The date for such meeting
shall be not more than sixty (60) days after the receipt of the
request.
(e). Waiver of Notice of Meetings. The transactions
of any meeting of members, however called and noticed, and wherever
held, shall be as valid as though taken in a meeting duly held after
regular call and notice, if a quorum is present and if, either before
or after the meeting, each of the persons entitled to vote but who
were not present signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to
the holding of the meeting or an approval of the actions taken therein.
All such waivers, consents and approvals shall be filed with the
corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Waiver of notices or consents need not specify either the business
to be transacted or the purpose of any regular or special meeting
of members, except that if action is taken or proposed to be taken
for approval of any of the matters specified in subparagraph (f)
of this section, the waiver of notice or consent shall state the
general nature of the proposal.
(f). Special Notice Rules for Approving Certain Proposals.
If action is proposed to be taken or is taken with respect to the
following proposals, such action shall be invalid unless unanimously
approved by those entitled to vote or unless the general nature
of the proposal is stated in the notice of meeting or in any written
waiver of notice: (i) removal of directors without cause; (ii) amending
the Articles of Incorporation; and (iii) an election to voluntarily
wind up and dissolve the corporation.
Section 5. Quorum for Meetings
A quorum shall consist of one third of the voting members of the
corporation. The members present at a duly called and held
meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to do
business notwithstanding the loss of a quorum at the meeting due
to a withdrawal of members from the meeting provided that any action
taken after the loss of a quorum must be approved by at least a
majority of the members required to constitute a quorum.
In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of the members may be adjourned
from time to time by the vote of a majority of the votes represented
in person or by proxy at the meeting, but no other business shall
be transacted at such meeting.
When a meeting is adjourned for lack of a sufficient number of
voting members at the meeting or otherwise, it shall not be necessary
to give any notice of the time and place of the adjourned meeting
or of the business to be transacted at such meeting other than by
announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken of
the time and place of the adjourned meeting. However, if after the
adjournment a new record date is fixed for notice or voting, a notice
of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each member who, on the
record date for notice of the meeting, is entitled to vote at the
meeting. A meeting shall not be adjourned for more than forty-five
(45) days.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, if this corporation
authorizes members to conduct a meeting with a quorum of less than
one-third (1/3) of the voting power, then no action may be taken
on a matter unless the general nature of the matter was stated in
the notice of the regular meeting.
Section 6. Majority Action as Membership Action
Every act or decision done or made by a majority of voting members
present in person or by proxy at a duly held meeting at which a
quorum is present is the act of the members, unless the law, the
Articles of Incorporation of this corporation or these Bylaws provide
otherwise.
Section 7. Voting Rights
Each voting member is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted
to a vote by the members. Voting at duly held meetings shall be
by voice vote. Election of Directors, however, shall be by ballot.
Section 8. Conduct of Meetings
Meetings of members shall be presided over by the Chairperson of
the Board, or, if there is no Chairperson, by the President of the
corporation or, in his or her absence, by the Vice Chair of the
corporation or, in the absence of all of these persons, by a Chairperson
chosen by a majority of the voting members present in person. The
Secretary of the corporation shall act as Secretary of all meetings
of members, provided that, in his or her absence, the presiding
officer shall appoint another person to act as Secretary of the
Meeting.
Meetings shall be governed by Roberts' Rules of Order, as such
rules may be revised from time to time, insofar as such rules are
not inconsistent with or in conflict with these Bylaws, with
the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation or with any provision
of law.
Section 9. Action by Written Ballot Without a Meeting
Any action which may be taken at any regular or special meeting
of members may be taken without a meeting if the corporation distributes
a written ballot to each member entitled to vote on the matter.
The ballot shall set forth the proposed action, provide a opportunity
to specify approval or disapproval of each proposal, provided that
where the person solicited specifies a choice with respect to any
such proposal the vote shall be cast in accordance therewith, and
provide a reasonable time within which to return the ballot to the
corporation. Ballots shall be mailed or delivered in the manner
required for giving notice of meetings specified in Section 4 (b)
of this Article.
All written ballots shall also indicate the number of responses
needed to meet the quorum requirement and, except for ballots soliciting
votes for the election of directors, shall state the percentage
of approvals necessary to pass the measure submitted. The ballots
must specify the time by which they must be received by the corporation
in order to be counted.
Approval of action by written ballot shall be valid only when the
number of votes cast by ballot within the time period specified
equals or exceeds the quorum required to be present at a meeting
authorizing the action, and the number of approvals equals or exceeds
the number of votes that would be required to approve the action
at a meeting at which the total number of votes cast was the same
as the number of votes cast by ballot.
A written ballot may not be revoked after its receipt by the corporation
or its deposit in the mail, whichever occurs first.
Section 10. Action by Unanimous Written Consent Without
Meeting
Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, any action required
or permitted to be taken by the members may be taken without a meeting,
if all members shall individually or collectively consent in writing
to the action. The written consent or consents shall be filed with
the minutes of the proceedings of the members. The action by written
consent shall have the name force and effect as a unanimous
vote of the members.
Section 11. Record Date for Meetings
The record date for purposes of determining the members entitled
to notice, voting rights, written ballot rights, or any other right
with respect to a meeting of members or any other lawful membership
action, shall be fixed pursuant to the provisions of the Pennsylvania
Domestic Non-Profit Corporation Law.
WRITTEN CONSENT OF DIRECTORS ADOPTING BYLAWS
We the undersigned are all of the persons named as the initial
directors in the Articles of Incorporation of SGML Open, a Pennsylvania
Domestic Non-Profit corporation, and pursuant to the authority granted
to the directors by these Bylaws to take action by unanimous written
consent without a meeting, consent to, and hereby do, adopt the
foregoing Bylaws, consisting of 27 pages, as the Bylaws of this
corporation.
Dated: (see original signature sheet, attached.)
AMENDMENTS AND APPROVALS
These bylaws, consisting of 21 pages, were amended and approved
as follows:
CERTIFICATE
This, is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy
of the Bylaws of the corporation named in the title thereto and
that such Bylaws were duly adopted by the Board of Directors of
said corporation on the date set forth below.
20 JULY 1995
signed Bruce Eric Brown, Director
signed Pamela L. Gennusa, Director
signed Paul Grosso, Director
signed Yuri Rubinsky, Director
signed David B. Seaman, Director
signed Kent J. Summers, Director
signed Robin A. Tomlin, Director
22 NOVEMBER 1996
This document reflects changes made by the Membership at the Annual
General Membership Meeting held 22 November 1996.
MAY 2000
This document reflects changes ratified by the Membership via electronic
mail vote in May 2000. Other than minor formatting and spelling
corrections, the changes include the addition of Article 12, Section
3: Member Sections.
21 JULY 2000
This document includes the following change made by the Board of
Directors: Adoption of the language for new Articles 14 and 15 (Technical
Committee Process) of the OASIS Bylaws proposed by the Process Advisory
Committee (PAC) and amended by the Board of Directors.
12 MARCH 2001
This document includes the following change made by the Board of
Directors: Deletion of Articles 14 and 15 in their entirety. NOTE:
The OASIS Technical Committee Policy is now a separate policy document
in order to facilitate the continued refinement of the Technical
Committee Policy and processes, whenever such refinement is considered
necessary and appropriate.
27 JANUARY 2003
This document includes additional language in the first paragraph
of Article 12 Section 3 to specify that the members of the member
section select the steering committee, and that the rules of procedure
define the makeup and election process for the member section.
This document includes additional language in the third paragraph
of Article 12 Section 3 to specify that members may join a member
section within 60 days of the formation of the member section, and
that allocated dues are split evenly between all member sections
that the member has joined.
25 SEPTEMBER 2003
This document includes language in Article 3, Sections 1, 16, 17
and 18 to increase the maximum number of Directors to 11, and to
make the President a non-elected Appointed Director.
|