Bylaws
Virtual OS/2 International Consumer Education (VOICE)
ENACTED APRIL 2, 1997
Revised July 21, 1997

ARTICLE I
NAME

Section A
The name of this organization shall be the "Virtual OS/2 International Consumer Education," hereinafter called VOICE. OS/2 is defined as a computer operating system marketed by IBM. ISV is defined as Independent Software Vendor. SOHO is defined as Small Office/Home Office. IOTA is defined as International OS/2 Trade Association. OS/2 and IBM are the registered trademarks of the International Business Machines Corporation.

ARTICLE II
PURPOSE

Section A
Mission Statement:
Representing OS/2 users to IBM and the industry as well as marketing OS/2 to users and professionals worldwide.

Section B
The objectives of VOICE shall be:

1. To serve as a "virtual", on-line user group for OS/2 users without a local user group and any other OS/2 users interested in VOICE.
2. To promote OS/2 to the SOHO consumer, to general computer users, and to any other users most likely to be receptive.
3. To provide an effective communications channel between members, User Groups, ISVs, and IBM.
4. To help OS/2 related User Groups organize and promote their activities.

Section C
Achievement of the objectives of VOICE shall be accomplished by:

1. Planning and conducting regular meetings of VOICE.
2. Developing and maintaining a web site to facilitate the exchange of ideas and foster communication between members. The web site will also serve as a central collection point of OS/2 related information for use by both new and experienced OS/2 users.
   a. Use of such the above web site and any other electronic service is made available to the Internet community on a strictly voluntary basis and at their own risk. VOICE and the Executive Board will not be responsible for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages including, for example, loss of profits resulting from the use of the web site service or software obtained from the service, even if VOICE has been advised of the possibility of damages.
3. Promoting VOICE and OS/2 through various means, such as on-line and off-line advertising and voluntary participation in OS/2 promotional activities (i.e. seminars, demonstrations, etc).
4. Working with existing OS/2 support structures, such as existing web sites and newsletters, to improve communication and form a cohesive relationship between all OS/2 users, ISVs, User Groups, and IBM.
   a. Contacting ISVs directly and via IOTA to keep abreast of OS/2 news and development in addition to providing feedback on ISV products.
   b. Contacting OS/2 user groups to keep them informed about OS/2 related news and events.
5. Developing and maintaining a list of VOICE members.
6. Developing and maintaining a reference library of VOICE related documentation (i.e., minutes of meetings, committee reports, membership lists, etc).

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP

Section A
Classes of Membership:

1. There will be several classes of membership: Corporate membership, Individual membership, and Student/Senior membership.
2. Each Corporate member is entitled to five (5) votes.
3. Each Individual member is entitled to one (1) vote.
4. Each Student/Senior member is entitled to one (1) vote. A Student member is considered to be a member who is currently enrolled in an educational institution working towards a degree. A Senior member is considered to be a member who is over the age of 65.

Section B
Qualification:

1. A membership may be held by any company, organization, or individual with an interest in OS/2.
2. Qualification for membership shall be automatic unless the Executive Board believes this membership would not be in the best interests of VOICE.

Section C
Application:

1. Application for membership must be made by writing to the Secretary of VOICE.
2. The application for Corporate Membership shall designate an individual to serve as that corporation's voting delegate. The member corporation may designate its delegate at any time by written notice to the Secretary.
3. The Executive Board shall promptly act to accept or reject an application for membership and will inform the applicant of its decision as soon as possible.

Section D
Fees:

1. An annual membership fee will be established by the Executive Board to cover the operating expenses of VOICE. The membership fee is payable to the Treasurer at the time of applying for membership. If membership application is rejected, the fee will be returned to the applicant.

Section E
Termination of Membership:

1. Membership terminates when qualification for membership ceases to exist.
2. A membership may be terminated by notification in writing to the Secretary from the corporate delegate of a Corporate membership, or an individual for an Individual or Student/Senior membership.
3. Membership of a Corporate, Individual, or Student/Senior membership may be terminated by the Executive Board at any time if the Board rules that the member is not acting in the best interests of VOICE, as defined by this document and the Code of Ethics.
4. Membership shall expire on January 1 of each year unless the member's annual fee is received by the Secretary prior to that date.
5. The Secretary will notify the member by letter that such termination has occurred. Re-instatement may be requested by letter to the President.

ARTICLE IV
GOVERNMENT

Section A
Executive Board of Directors:

1. Executive Board - The government of VOICE shall be vested in the Executive Board, which shall consist of eight members.
2. Executive Board Officers - The executive officers shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Legal Assistant, Liaison Chairperson, and two Marketing and Public Relations Chairpersons.
3. The tenure of an officer or Executive Board member shall terminate if the incumbent becomes ineligible to hold office.
4. New positions may be added to the Executive Board when deemed necessary by a majority rule of the Board.
5. A majority rule of the Board can result in the removal of an officer from his/her position if the Board rules that the officer is not fullfilling his/her duties or is not abiding to the by-laws of this document as well as the Code of Ethics.

Section B
The President shall:

1. Be the principal executive officer.
2. Participate as an executive officer of the Executive Board of VOICE.
3. Provide for committees as described in Article VII.
4. Preside over all formal meetings and Executive Board meetings of VOICE.
5. Be ex officio a member of all committees.
6. Provide for the discharge, pro tempore, of necessary functions in the event of the absence or incapacity of a member.
7. Call all Executive Board meetings.

Section C
The Vice-President shall:

1. Participate as an executive officer of the Executive Board of VOICE.
2. Be of official service to the President.
3. Perform the duties, pro tempore, of the President in case of Presidential absence.
4. Act as Chairman of the Program Committee.

Section D
The Secretary shall:

1. Participate as an executive officer of the Executive Board of VOICE.
2. Publish and maintain the minutes of Executive Board meetings.
3. Be responsible for all official publications of VOICE, except those published by the Marketing and Public Relations Chairpersons.
4. Maintain the membership roster.
5. In conjunction with the Liaison Chairperson and Marketing & Public Relations Chairpersons, form and maintain a healthy relationship with User Groups, ISVs, IOTA, and IBM.
6. In addition to the Liaison Chairperson, be responsible for all official correspondence with ISVs, User Groups, IBM, and any other organization.

Section E
The Treasurer shall:

1. Participate as an executive officer of the Executive Board of VOICE.
2. Be responsible for all monies of VOICE.
3. Maintain all accounts and handle all financial transactions of VOICE and prepare and issue to each member an annual financial statement.
4. Prepare and maintain an operating budget by fiscal year for VOICE. An approval of the budget by the Executive Board is required.
5. Arrange for an annual audit of the financial accounts of VOICE. An Audit Committee consisting of at least three (3) members of VOICE will be appointed by the President. Said committee will review their findings with the Executive Board for approval.
6. Collect all fees pertaining to membership. The Treasurer may appoint a member to collect fees in the event of his/her absence.

Section F
The Legal Assistant shall:

1. Participate as an executive officer of the Executive Board of VOICE.
2. Be responsible for all legal matters involving VOICE.
3. Be responsible for handling the incorporation of VOICE and maintaining the legal status of VOICE.
4. Be available for consultation by the Executive Board regarding legal issues as needed.

Section G
The Liaison Chairperson shall:

1. Participate as an executive officer of the Executive Board of VOICE.
2. In conjunction with the Secretary and Marketing & Public Relations Chairpersons, form and maintain a healthy relationship with User Groups, ISVs, IOTA, the press, and IBM.
3. Maintain a list of User Group, ISV, IOTA, press, and IBM contacts and be the contact point for Executive Board or members wishing to reach User Groups, ISVs, IOTA, the press, and IBM.
4. In addition to the Secretary, be responsible for all official correspondence with ISVs, User Groups, IBM, and any other organization.

Section H
The Marketing and Public Relations Chairpersons shall:

1. Participate as executive officers of the Executive Board of VOICE.
2. Be responsible for the marketing and public relations of VOICE with, but not limited to, User Groups, ISVs, IOTA, the press, and IBM.
3. Issue press releases, as necessary, for VOICE, ISV, and User Group news and events.
4. Write articles for both on-line and paper magazines promoting VOICE news and events.
5. In conjunction with the Secretary and Marketing & Public Relations Chairpersons, form and maintain a healthy relationship with User Groups, ISVs, IOTA, the press, and IBM.
6. Inform and provide the Secretary with copies of any official publications and press releases written and distributed by the Marketing and Public Relations Chairpersons.

Section I
Scope of Duties:
The duties of the Executive Board and the officers shall include but not be restricted to those named in this article.

ARTICLE V
Nomination and Election

Section A

1. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of candidates for each office at the last scheduled public meeting of VOICE. This committee will be chaired either by the Past President or a delegate member appointed by the President.
2. Additional nominations may be appended to the slate of officers upon receipt by the Nominating Committee, before the close of the meeting, of a petition signed by five (5) delegate members. No delegate may sign more than one petition for the same office.
3. Elections shall occur during the course of that meeting.
4. Election shall be by open ballot cast by delegate members.
5. Absentee ballots are not permitted.
6. A candidate is elected upon receiving a majority of the votes for the office. Should the first ballot fail to produce a majority vote for any office(s), a run-off shall be held between the two candidates receiving the highest and second highest number of votes cast for the office(s).
7. The procedure for electing the remaining members of the Executive Board shall be as follows. Each delegate member may vote for as many candidates as there are vacancies to be filled. Those candidates, equal in number to the actual number of vacancies to be filled, receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected to the Executive Board. In the case of a tie which results in a conflict, a run-off between the tied candidates shall be held to fill the vacancies remaining.
8. Elected officers and Board members shall assume their duties upon adjournment of that meeting.

Section B
Vacancies:

1. In the event the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall succeed to the Presidency.
2. When any other office becomes vacant, the Executive Board shall act to fill the office for the unexpired term. They shall use such procedures for this as they deem advisable under the circumstances, including if they wish, the holding of a special election.

Section C
Eligibility:

1. Only member delegates are eligible to be Executive Board members.
2. No restriction shall be placed on the number of times a person may be re-elected to office.
3. No nomination shall be accepted unless the nominee has given assurance of willingness to fulfill the responsibilities and duties of the office for which he is nominated.
4. Employees and relatives of IBM and its subsidiaries are ineligible to serve as officers or members of the Executive Board. However, IBM can appoint an official non-voting representative(s) to act as vendor liaison at Executive Board meetings and committee meetings.

Section D
Duties of Officers:

The Executive Board shall:
1. Establish official policy for VOICE. This includes a Code of Ethics and standard practices to be observed at all VOICE functions.
2. Monitor and supervise all VOICE related activities.
3. Establish fees for membership.
4. Sanction special projects related to VOICE.
5. Control the distribution of VOICE membership roster to parties internal and external to VOICE.

ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS

Section A Definitions for Meetings of VOICE:

1. A formal meeting is an event composed of one or more scheduled sessions for the general membership of VOICE. The sessions may be concurrent and/or contiguous for each day of the meeting. A formal meeting is completed when adjourned 'sine die.'
2. The Executive Board will conduct separate meetings to conduct the business of VOICE. Board meetings will be open to all members.
3. Committees will conduct separate meetings to discuss pertinent topics of interest. Committee meetings will be open to all members.

Section B
Schedules:

1. Formal meetings will be conducted at least twice a month. Locations for these meetings shall be selected by the Executive Board based on the recommendations of the Program Committee.
2. Executive Board meetings will be conducted at least two times a month. The President shall select the meeting location and time.
3. Committee meetings will be conducted periodically as determined by the committee. The Committee Chairman shall select the meeting location and time.

Section C
Meeting Preliminaries

1. The agenda and other particulars for a formal meeting shall be distributed by the VOICE Secretary to the members at least 2 days prior to the opening day of the formal meeting.
2. The agenda and other particulars for a board meeting shall be distributed by the VOICE President to the members of the Executive Board at least 2 days prior to the opening day of the board meeting.
3. The agenda and other particulars for a committee meeting shall be distributed by the Committee Chairman to interested members at least 2 days prior to the opening of the committee meeting.

Secton D
Attendance:
Attendance at all meetings is limited to members, guests invited by the Executive Board, and other interested parties.

Section E
Proceedings:
A recording secretary shall be assigned for each meeting. For formal meetings and board meetings, this will be the VOICE Secretary. For committee meetings, the Chairman will appoint a member to record the events in a fashion acceptable to the VOICE Secretary.

Section F
Restriction:

1. No member or guest of VOICE shall engage in employment recruiting and/or interviewing at and during any meeting.
2. Meetings of VOICE shall not be used as a vehicle for direct solicitation of business. To clarify, the Executive Board or a Committee Chairman may from time to time invite a vendor or consultant to a meeting to describe their product and/or service. In this event, the vendor/consultant can describe their product/service and pricing structure to the general membership in attendance, but must avoid direct solicitation for business from individual members during the meeting.

Section G
Meetings:
The date and location of any meeting to be sponsored by VOICE or by any of its committees must be coordinated with the Vice President and/or Secretary before being formally scheduled or announced.

ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES

Section A
Establishment of Committees:

1. A committee and its charter are established by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.
2. The Chairman is appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.
3. The Chairman appoints the members of the committee. However, a committee may be as small as one (1) member.
4. The Chairman shall keep the Secretary informed, on a timely basis, of the membership and activities of the committee.
5. A committee may be dissolved, or its charter modified, or its chairman removed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VIII
COMMUNICATIONS

Section A
Distribution:
The official distribution of information to the members shall be through the Secretary.

Section B
Nature of Material:
Material sent to the Secretary for distribution is considered non-proprietary and unclassified. Material is unequivocally subject by the Secretary and VOICE.

Section C
Library:
A library of material will be maintained by the Secretary in a manner to be determined by the Executive Board.

Section D
Communication with the Vendor:
All official communications between VOICE and the OS/2 vendor, IBM, about matters of VOICE business must be conducted through the VOICE President, or through such individual(s) as he/she may designate.

ARTICLE IX
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section A
"Robert's Rules of Order" shall prevail except that where they conflict with these bylaws, the bylaws shall govern.

ARTICLE X
AMENDMENT OF THE BYLAWS

Section A
Proposals:
Amendments to the bylaws may be processed by action of the Executive Board or by a petition to the Secretary of five (5) or more members. Notice of a proposed amendment must be distributed to the membership at least one week prior to the formal meeting at which discussion is expected.

Section B
Voting Procedure:
Amendments to the by-laws shall be voted on at formal meetings. A majority of the votes is required to carry the proposed amendment.

Section C
Restriction:
The VOICE Secretary or other members of the Executive Board may not edit proposals for bylaw amendment.

Code of Ethics

The objective of the Code of Ethics is to declare and set forth the means to enforce the minimum ethical conduct expected of all members as professionals. They are the absolute minimum level of conduct required of every member.

As a member of VOICE I [we] will:

1. Be courteous and respectful to every person I [we] come in contact with when representing VOICE.
2. Perform my professional activities with honesty and in a way that will enhance my [our] reputation and the reputation of VOICE.
3. Not knowingly misrepresent VOICE nor will I [we] engage in dishonest or illegal practices.
4. Build confidence and good will with the public by poise, self-restraint and constructive cooperation.
5. Not misrepresent my [our] membership, nor assert or imply that VOICE membership is evidence of accreditation or endorsement.
6. Not write, speak, or act in such a way as to lead another to believe that I [we] officially represent VOICE, unless duly authorized to do so by the officers, or Bylaws of VOICE.

I [we] have read, understand and accept the Code of Ethics as stated

Name: ______________________________________Date:_____________

Download the Code of Ethics and Application for Membership. Please enclose a signed copy of the Code of Ethics with your check and Application for Membership.

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