CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
OF THE COMPUTING SOCIETY OF THE
ARTICLE I
NAME
Section 1.
This organization shall be known as the COMPUTING
SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES and shall
hereinafter be referred to as the Society.
Section 2.
The Society is a national organization governed by a National Board of Directors,
hereinafter referred to as the Board,
with its set of officers described in Article VI.
Section 3.
The principal address of the Society shall be located in the National Capital
Region at such place as may be designated by the Board.
ARTICLE
II
Section 1.
Recognizing the importance of a scientific culture among the Filipino people,
the Society shall encourage and promote the advancement of Computing Science
and Technology.
ARTICLE
III
OBJECTIVES
Section 1: The Society shall have the
following objectives:
a) Promote research and
development in Computing Science;
b) Contribute in the
improvement of Computing Science education, specially at the tertiary and
graduate levels;
c) Promote the exchange
of knowledge in Computing Science;
d) Advocate for progressive policies and
programs that affect the computing sector; and
e) Establish linkages
with other organizations in the pursuit of common goals.
ARTICLE
IV
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
Membership in the Society shall be considered as a privilege that confers
rights and imposes obligations to ensure active participation in the affairs of
the Society and to maintain high standards of professional conduct.
Section 2.
Any person, entity, or organization interested in the mission and objectives
set forth in Articles II and III of these Constitution and By-Laws and
possessing the necessary qualifications shall be eligible for membership.
Section 3.
Membership in the Society shall be of three categories:
a)
Honorary,
b) Sustaining,
c) Institutional,
and
d) Regular.
Section
4. Honorary
membership may be conferred on any individual in recognition of outstanding
contribution in the field of computing or for distinguished service for the
cause of the Society. Honorary members shall be exempt from payment of dues but
entitled to all rights and privileges of a regular member except those of
voting and holding office in the Society.
Section 5. Sustaining
membership is open to persons, corporations, partnerships, or other
associations, directly or indirectly engaged in the practice of Computing;
provided, that such persons, corporations, partnerships, or other associations
are interested in giving support to
the Society and are endorsed by a Society member in good standing and approved
by the Membership Committee; and provided further, that they contribute
annually to the Society an amount to be decided by the Board.
Section 6. Sustaining members shall have the following
rights and responsibilities:
a)
They shall be acknowledged in all publications of the Society;
b) They
can publicize their membership in the Society;
c) They
can designate a representative to the Society who shall be entitled to vote in
all elections;
d) They
shall have the right to receive, upon payment of the corresponding annual dues,
copies of all official publications of the Society;
e) They
shall have the responsibility of carrying out the objectives of the Society,
protecting its good name, maintaining a high degree of professional standards,
and abiding by the principles of ethical practice.
Section 7. Institutional
membership may be granted to educational or research institutions or other
organizations directly or indirectly engaged in the teaching, research or the
practice of Computing; provided, that such educational or research institutions
or other organizations are endorsed by a Society member in good standing and
approved by the Membership Committee; and provided further, that they
contribute annually to the Society an amount to be decided by the Board.
Section 8. Institutional members shall have the
following rights and responsibilities:
a)
They can publicize their membership in the Society;
b) They
can designate two representatives to the Society who shall be entitled to vote
in all elections as well as hold elective or appointive positions in the
Society;
c) They
shall have the right to receive, upon payment of the corresponding annual dues,
copies of all official publications of the Society;
d) They
shall have the right to represent the Society in local or international
meetings, seminars, or conferences upon appointment by the Board; and
e) They
shall have the responsibility of carrying out the objectives of the Society,
protecting its good name, maintaining a high degree of professional standards,
and abiding by the principles of ethical practice.
Section 9. Regular
membership may be granted to:
a)
holders of a bachelor’s or graduate degree in Computer Science
or related field;
b) researchers
in Computing Science; or
c) individuals
with at least two years of work experience in a Computing Science related
field;
Section 10.
Application for regular membership must be endorsed by a Society member of good
standing and approved by the Membership Committee. Regular members shall be
eligible for life membership after
five years of membership in good standing and upon payment of the life
membership fee specified in Article XIII.
Section 11. Regular members, including life members,
shall have the following rights, privileges and responsibilities:
a.) The right to vote and hold elective or appointive positions in the Society;
b.) The right to receive, upon payment of the corresponding annual dues, copies
of all official publications of the Society;
c.) The right to represent the Society in local or international meetings,
seminars, or conferences upon appointment by the Board; and
d.) The responsibility of carrying out the objectives of the Society,
protecting its good name, maintaining a high degree of scientific standards,
and abiding by the principles of ethics.
ARTICLE
V
NATIONAL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section
1. The management of the affairs of the Society
shall be vested in the National Board of Directors consisting of nine (9)
members to be elected by a majority vote of all members entitled to vote at the
annual meeting of the Society. The presidents of all Society chapters and other
organizations of the Society shall be ex-officio members of the Board with
right to participate in the discussion but without the right to vote or be
elevated to any elective positions in the Society.
Section
2. The members of the Board shall hold
office for a period of three (3) years and shall serve until their successors
shall have been duly elected and qualified. The terms of the
Directors shall be such that one-third (1/3) of the membership are elected or
re-elected each year. In the Interim, the first three members of the Board
receiving the highest number of votes shall serve for a term of three years,
the next three for a term of two years, and the last three for a term of one
year or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Section
3. Without prejudice to the general powers
conferred by the preceding sections and powers conferred by law and elsewhere
in these Constitution and By-Laws , it is hereby
expressly declared that the Board shall have the following specific powers:
a)
To promulgate from time to time, rules and regulations for the
management of the affairs and business of the Society, for as long as they are
consistent with these Constitution and By-Laws;
b) To
purchase or otherwise acquire for the Society any property, rights or
privileges which the Society is authorized to acquire at such price, terms and
conditions or for such considerations as they shall see fit and to dispose of
the same when the need of the Society warrants it;
c) To
pay for any property or rights acquired by the Society either wholly or
partially in money or other negotiable instruments at their discretion;
d) To
provide, from time to time, for the management of the office of the Society in
such manner as they see fit, and in particular, to delegate, from time to time
any of the powers of the Board in the course if the current business of the
Society to any standing committee or to any officers, and to appoint any person
to be agents of the Society conferring them with such powers (including the
power to subdelegate) and upon such terms as may be
deemed fit; and
e) To
authorize the sending of delegate or delegates to local or international
meetings, seminars and conferences.
Section
4. The Board shall hold a meeting immediately
after the election, if there is a quorum, or at any
time, but not later than one month after the election and upon proper notice
for the election of the officers of the Society from among themselves.
Thereafter, it shall hold regular meetings at such place and time as the Board
may agree upon. Meetings may be called by the President or upon written request
of at least three (3) directors when they deem it necessary.
Section
5. A quorum, consisting of a majority of the
members of the Board shall be required for the transaction of the business and
every decision of the majority of the quorum duly assembled shall be a valid
act.
Section 6. A director or officer of the Society shall
be automatically removed from office for three consecutive unexcused absences
from the regular or special meetings of the Board.
Section
7. Any vacancy occurring in the Board by the
death, disability, resignation, disqualification, or removal from office will
be filled by any regular member in good standing to be elected by the Board and
to serve only for the unexpired term.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section
1. The officers of the Society shall consist of
a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2. The President
shall have the following powers and duties:
a)
to preside at all meetings of the Board and at the annual
meeting of the Society;
b) to
exercise general supervision over the affairs of the Society;
c) to
execute, in behalf of the Society, all contracts and agreements which the
Society may legally enter into;
d) to
countersign, endorse and deliver all checks, draft, and other negotiable
instruments in the name and/or in behalf of the Society;
e) to
submit an annual report of the operation of the Society to the Board and/or to
the members of the Society at the annual meeting; and
f) to
exercise such powers and perform such other duties as the Board may assign or
delegate.
Section 3.
The Vice-President shall be the
Chair of the National Organizing Committee (NOC) of the Philippine Computing
Science Congress organized by the Society. The Chair can appoint, with the
consent of the Board, co-chairs from among the members of the Society to assist
in this assignment and together they can appoint the chairs, co-chairs, and
members of the various committees for these activities. In addition to these
duties and in the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall assume the
duties and responsibilities of the former. The Vice-President shall likewise
perform such other duties as the Board may
delegate.
Section 4. The Secretary
shall have the following duties:
a)
keep all minutes of the meetings of the Board and of the General
Assembly;
b) give
or cause to be given all notices required by law or by these Constitution and
By-Laws, as well as notices of all meetings of the Board and of the General
Assembly;
c) have
in custody the seal of the Society, and when authorized by the Board, affix
such seal to any instrument requiring the same;
d) organize
and supervise a secretariat composed of personnel to be appointed by the
President with the consent of the Board on the recommendation of the Secretary.
Personnel may receive compensation at the discretion of the Board. It shall be
the duty of the secretariat to attend to all clerical work for the President
and any other officials of the Society; and
e) perform
any other duties which the Board and/or the president may require from time to
time.
Section 5. The Treasurer
shall be the custodian of funds and properties of the Society. In the
performance of duties,
the Treasurer may be assisted by as many Assistant Treasurers as may be
necessary to be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the
Treasurer. The Treasurer shall
a) issue
notices of dues payable and such other fees and assessments approved by the
Board;
b) be
responsible for the collection of all outstanding financial obligations of the
members and other accounts of the Society; c)
deposit the collections in a bank designated by the Board.
d) disburse
the funds of the Society under the direction and authority of the Board;
e) submit
a report on the financial standing of the Society during regular meetings of
the Board; and
f) submit
a detailed written report, duly audited, of the financial condition of the
Society at the annual meeting and at such other times as requested in writing
by at least fifteen (15) regular members or by the Board.
Section 6.
The President, with the approval of the Board, shall appoint an Auditor
from among the members of the society, qualified to perform the work of an
auditor. In the absence of such qualified persons, the president is authorized
to secure the services of a certified public accountant when conditions so
require. The Auditor shall have the following duties: a)
to audit all the accounts of the Society; and b)
to audit the financial report of the Treasurer.
ARTICLE
VII
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
Section 1.
The General Assembly shall be the highest policy-making body of the Society. It
shall be composed of all members of the Society in good standing, as
defined in Article XIII, Section 1.
Section 2.
The General Assembly shall ratify general policies formulated by the Board as
well as exercise general review of the annual reports submitted by the
President, Treasurer, and the Chapters.
Section 3.
Each Chapter shall send at least two (2) representatives (preferably the
Chapter President and the Chapter Secretary) to the General Assembly. These
representatives will present an annual report of the chapter activities for the
previous year and submit a plan of activities for the coming year.
Section 4.
The General Assembly shall have an annual regular meeting and such
meeting shall be announced as the Philippine Computing Science Congress. Its
purpose shall include the following:
a)
reading of scientific
papers;
b) electing
the members of the Board of Directors;
c) receiving
the reports of the President, the Treasurer and the Chapters; and
d) transacting
such other business as may be required.
Section 5. Special meetings of the General Assembly
may be called at any time by the President or upon written request of three (3)
members of the Board or of ten (10) percent of the regular members of the
Society.
Section 6.
The majority of the members present in a regular or special meeting shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and every decision of the
majority shall be considered as a valid act.
Section 7.
The members entitled to vote may vote at all meetings either personally or by
proxy duly given in writing and presented to the Secretary for inspection and
record at or prior to the opening of the meeting. In certain cases where the
presence of the members may not be necessary, the members may vote on the issue
in writing provided the question to be decided is fully explained in the
written notice sent to the members.
Section 8. As much as practicable, the order of
business at any meeting whether regular or special of the members shall be as
follows:
a.
call to order;
b. roll call;
c. reading and approval of the
minutes of the previous meeting;
d. reports of the officers,
chapters, Special Interest Groups and committees;
e. report of the Comelec on the results of the election;
f. unfinished business;
g. new business; and
h. adjournment
ARTICLE
VIII
ELECTIONS
Section 1. The election of the
Board of Directors shall be held at the annual Philippine Computing Science Congress,
unless otherwise agreed upon, and at such place as approved by the Board.
Section 2. Any regular member in good standing who is
not otherwise disqualified by these Constitution and By-Laws shall be eligible
for election as a member of the Board.
Section 3. The Secretary shall, at least sixty (60)
days prior to the annual meeting, send to every member in good standing a call
for nominations. Nominations should reach the Secretary not later than thirty
(30) days before the day of the election. Any regular member in good standing
can be nominated.
Section 4.
The President shall appoint a Committee on Elections (Comelec)
composed of a Chair and two members who are not candidates. Said Comelec shall count and tally the votes, proclaim the
candidates elected, and prepare and submit a certified report of the result of
the election to the President.
Section 5.
Printed ballots with serial numbers, together with the complete list of
official candidates who have accepted their nomination, must be issued to members
in good standing and said ballots may be cast in person or by mail. Only
ballots received by the Comelec not later than the
date and time of the election will be considered in the canvassing. Ballots
received after the election and those cast by members who are not in good
standing will be considered null and void.
Section 6. The right to vote shall be exercised by
regular, institutional and sustaining members in good standing, either in
person or by mail.
Section 7.
For the first election, the candidates who receive the nine highest number of votes shall be declared elected. Thereafter the
candidates receiving the first three highest number of
votes shall be declared.
ARTICLE
IX
CHAPTERS
Section 1.
Chapters may be set up with the approval of the Board, provided that such
chapters shall have an initial membership of at least fifteen (15) regular
members. Any chapter that fails to maintain at least fifteen regular members in
good standing shall temporarily forfeit its chapter status.
Section 2.
Chapters may promulgate their own By-Laws and furnish the Society with copies
of such By-Laws, provided that such By-Laws shall not be inconsistent with
these Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 3.
Each Chapter shall be governed by its own Board of Directors. They shall have a
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as
their By-Laws may provide.
Section 4.
Chapters shall maintain its own fund but shall remit 50% of their membership
dues to the national organization.
ARTICLE
X
AFFILIATED
ORGANIZATIONS
Section 1.
Any Computing organization duly organized and with an initial membership of a
least fifteen (15) regular members may be admitted as affiliate of the Society
upon application in writing and approval by the Board. Any affiliated Society
which fails to maintain at least fifteen (15) regular members in good standing
shall temporarily forfeit its affiliation to the Society.
Section 2.
The affiliated Computing organization may, at their option, participate in the
annual congress or any activities of the Society.
ARTICLE
XI
SPECIAL
INTEREST GROUPS
Section 1.
Any group of Society members in good standing with an initial membership of at
least ten (10) members who share a common research or professional interest may
organize a Special Interest Group (SIG).
Section 2.
The objectives and purposes of the SIG’s shall be consistent with those of the
Society and must be approved by the Board.
Section 3.
The name of the SIG shall incorporate the name of the Society.
Section 4.
The SIG may elect a chair or co-chairs, vice-chairs, secretary and treasurer
who shall have a fixed term of office. A mechanism for continuity of operations
should be established by the SIG.
Section 5.
The Chair or a representative of a SIG shall become an ex-officio member of the
Society Board.
Section 6.
The SIG may maintain its own fund, separate from the main Society fund. The
fund will include enrolment fees paid by its members and income derived from
its activities. Ten (10) percent of the income from the activities will be
remitted to the main Society funds and the remainder will be retained in the
SIG funds.
Section 7.
The SIG shall submit to the Society Board an annual report, which shall include
its financial report.
ARTICLE
XII
COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Society shall
have the following standing committees:
a)
Research and Development Committee;
b) Membership
Committee;
c) Seminars
Committee;
d) Curriculum
and Instruction Committee; and
e) Publication
Committee.
Section 2.
The chair of each committee shall be appointed by the Board.
Section 3.
The President shall, unless specifically provided for in these Constitution and
By-Laws, determine the composition of the standing committees, prescribe their
functions and appoint the members subject to the approval of the Board. The
President shall be ex-officio member of all standing committees.
Section 4.
The Board may create Special Committees as may be deemed necessary for the
proper management of the affairs of the Society.
ARTICLE
XIII
FEES
AND DUES
Section 1. To remain in good standing, a member should
pay annual dues regularly and attend or participate in the meetings and other
activities sponsored by the organization.
Section 2.
The membership fee, life membership fee, annual dues, and subscription to
all official publications of the Society shall be determined by the Board
upon consultation with the members of the Society.
Section 3.
The funds of the Society shall include the fees paid by members and such other
contributions levied for special purposes, donations, grants and other
bequeaths which it may receive from any legal source.
Section 4. The membership fee shall be collected from
regular members but this will not apply to Honorary and Sustaining members.
Life members shall be exempt from subsequent payment of annual dues only.
ARTICLE
XIV
SUSPENSION
AND REMOVAL
Section 1.
As may be decided upon by the Board, non-payment of annual dues for two
consecutive years may be ground for suspension of a member. Members delinquent
in the payment of annual dues for the current year shall cease to enjoy the
right and privileges of members.
Section 2.
Any member suspended for non-payment of dues shall, upon payment of annual dues for
the current year, be automatically reinstated after certification by the
Treasurer.
Section 3.
Any director, officer or member of the Society may be expelled from the roll of
the Society for dishonesty, unprofessional, immoral or dishonorable conduct or
other just cause, after a fair hearing in which the respondent shall be
notified in writing of the charges and given a reasonable opportunity for
defense; provided, however, that such director, officer or member of the
Society may be removed from the roll of the Society by the votes of two-thirds
of all the members entitled to vote and present in a meeting.
ARTICLE
XV
PUBLICATIONS
Section 1.
The Society shall publish the “Journal
of the Computing Society of the Philippines” as the official publication of
the Society. All members of the Society in good standing shall have the
privilege to receive a copy of the publication.
Section 2.
The Board shall appoint the Editor-in-Chief
of the Journal. In the performance of duties such Editor-in-Chief shall be
assisted by an Editorial Board consisting of as many members as may be
necessary, to be appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the
Editor-in-Chief. The Editorial Board shall decide on all editorial matters, including
review process, frequency of publication, format and logo.
Section 3.
In addition to the Journal, the Society may publish other publications
determined by the Board upon recommendation of the Publications Committee. The
President, upon recommendation of the Chair of the Publications Committee, may
also appoint the editors of other publications of the Society.
ARTICLE
XVI
AWARDS
Section 1.
The Society may confer on any individual, corporation, partnership, association
or institution an award in recognition of distinguished achievement or
contribution in the field of Computing Science and its branches or for
meritorious service to the Society. The Board shall promulgate rules and
regulations governing awards.
ARTICLE
XVII
DONATIONS
Section 1.
The Society may receive legal donations in cash, or in kind such as real
property, equipment, books, pamphlets, documents, manuscripts and other items
of value. These donations shall be officially acknowledged and recorded as
property of the Society.
ARTICLE
XVIII
AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
Any provision of this Constitution and By-Laws may be amended or repealed
in either of two ways:
(a) by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Members of
good standing present at a General
Assembly;
(b) by written ballot through two-thirds (2/3) majority of returned ballots.
ARTICLE
XIX
This Constitution and By-Laws shall
take effect immediately upon ratification, the schedule of which shall be
determined by an Interim Board. RATIFIED ON