Burma Media Association

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I – DUTIES OF THE DIRECTORS

a. The Chairman shall:

(1) preside at the Annual Meeting of BMA and at all Regular and Special Meetings of the Board of Directors.

b. The President shall:

(1) in the absence of the chairman of the Board, preside at the Annual Meeting of BMA and at all Regular and Special Meetings of the Board of Directors;

(2) appoint the Chairs of all Standing and other committees and shall collaborate with the committee Chairs in selecting members of the committees;

(3) appoint such Special Committees deemed necessary or, on the majority vote of the members at any Regular or Special Meeting, appoint such committees as they may direct;

(4) fill any vacancy in a committee, such appointment to be only for the unexpired term of the committeeman replaced;

(5) serve ex-officio a member of all Standing and Special Committees with the exception of the Nominating Committee;

(6) appoint the Chair of the Nominating Committee from the five members elected by the Board of Directors.

(7) be authorized to co-sign as one of two required signatories with the Treasurer or Secretary on all checks;

(8) be authorized to engage in professional contracts, subject to approval of the Board of Directors;

(9) call Special Meetings of the Board of Directors at such times and places deemed necessary, or upon written request of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors;

(10) appoint spokesperson of the BMA.

c. The Vice-President shall:

(1) serve as the President in the absence of the President;

(2) perform other duties as directed by the Board of Directors or as may be incident to this office.

d. The Secretary shall:

(1) record the proceedings of the Board of Directors meetings and the Annual Meetings of the BMA.

(2) have custody of all books and papers, except those specifically assigned to other members of the Board of Directors and Chairs;

(3) be authorized to co-sign as one of two required signatories with the President or Treasurer on all checks;

(4) perform other duties as may be directed by the President or the Board of Directors or as may be incident to this office.

e. The Vice-Secretary shall:

(1) serve as the Secretary in the absence of the Secretary;

(2) perform other duties as directed by the Board of Directors or as may be incident to this office.

f. The Branch-Secretaries shall:

(1) serve as both President and Secretary in the branch of the concerned country;

(2) perform other duties as directed by the Board of Directors.

g. The Treasurer shall:

(1) have custody of all BMA funds and conduct all banking business;

(2) be authorized to co-sign as one of two required signatories with the President or Secretary on all checks;

(3) keep an accurate record of all funds received and disbursed and shall, when required, submit a statement to the President or the Board of Directors showing the financial condition of BMA;

(4) perform other duties as directed by the Board of Directors or as may be incident to this office.

ARTICLE II - DECISIONS

Section 1. Approval.

All decisions of the Board of Directors shall be approved by the majority vote of the eligible BMA members at Annual Meeting.

Section2. Voting.

The BMA shall accept voting in person or by telephone, fax, Internet or mail. 'Failure-to-respond' shall be considered as an affirmative vote.

ARTICLE III - MEETINGS

Mode, Time, Place, and Notification.

a. BMA shall hold one regular session each year to be known as the Annual Meeting for the purpose of electing members of the Board of Directors, receiving reports, and conducting such other activities as may properly arise. If necessary, special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called by two directors.

b. The Annual Meeting shall be open to all members of BMA.

c. Participants may appear at meeting by means of telephone conference or similar communication system whereby all persons participating in the meeting can communicate each other. Participants appearing at board meeting via telephone conference shall also be allowed to vote by this medium.

d. The Annual Meeting shall be held in the month of October each year. The place and time for the Meeting shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present and voting.

e. The Official Call to Annual Meeting, giving the time and place of the session, shall be informed to the membership no later than thirty (30) days prior to Meeting.

ARTICLE IV - AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Vote.

The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Full, Honorary and Retired Members. The BMA shall accept voting in person or by telephone, fax, Internet or mail. 'Failure-to-respond' shall be considered as an affirmative vote.

Section 2. Notice.

At least thirty (30) days' written notice shall be given the membership of any intention to amend the Constitution and Bylaws.

ARTICLE V – FISCAL YEAR

Unless the Board of Directors shall select another date through a duly adopt resolution, the fiscal year of the BMA shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

ARTICLE VI - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Description.

The member of BMA is a person who has formally registered him/herself with BMA and dedicates him/herself to work for the betterment of BMA.

Section 2. Qualifications for Membership.

Any person of good character and good professional reputation who qualifies for membership shall be eligible to apply for membership in BMA. An application form, online or written, prescribed by the Board of Directors shall be completed by each applicant and submitted to Board of Directors. A person shall be a member of the BMA upon meeting all requirements and payment of the appropriate dues. A copy of the Constitution, Bylaws and Code of Ethics shall be provided to each member. Membership in the BMA shall endure for one year.

Section 3. Classification.

There shall be the following categories of memberships:

a. Full Membership

b. Honorary Membership

c. Associate Membership

d. Student Membership

e. Retired Membership

Full Membership is available to those who receive a majority of their income from or spend the majority of their work time in Burma-related journalistic work - including freelance work - for newspapers, magazines, wire services, radio & TV stations or networks, cable outlets, news-oriented public affairs departments, online-related divisions of a news-oriented organization, or other bona fide news organizations. Full membership is also available to executives involved in the hiring of journalists and to artists and technicians involved in the news gathering/distribution process. Full members are eligible to vote, hold position in Board of Directors, serve on subcommittees and attend meetings.

Honorary Membership is available to persons of outstanding accomplishment in, association with, or contributing to the media profession as deemed worthy of this honor. The Board of Directors may recommend to the membership at each Annual Meeting the name/s of those meeting the requirements for honorary membership. Such recommendation must be confirmed by a majority vote of those members present and voting. Honorary members have all privileges of full membership except that they cannot hold certain executive position (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Vice-Secretary and Treasurer) in Board of Directors. However, an honorary member may be appointed by Board of Directors as Chairman of the Board. Honorary membership shall extend for life and shall not be required to pay dues.

Associate Membership is available to former journalists, public or community affairs representatives of bona fide news companies, and non-journalists who have an ongoing interest of Burma or have particular expertise or services they can offer BMA. Non-journalist members must be recommended by at least one member of the Board of Directors. Associate members have all privileges of full membership except that they cannot hold position in Board of Directors.

Student Membership (Copy of most current student ID required) is available to enrolled high school, undergraduate, or graduate students who intend to pursue a career in journalism. Recent graduates who have yet to obtain their first job may also become student members. Once they get their first job, they must become full or associate members. Student members have all privileges of full membership except that they cannot hold position in Board of Directors.

Retired Membership is available to persons aged 65 and over who have previously worked full time or part time as a journalist, and any full member in good standing who has paid dues for a period of 10 years. Retired members shall enjoy all privileges of full membership.

Section 4. - Affiliation.

Upon recommendation of the Board of Directors and upon the terms and conditions prescribed by them, BMA may vote to affiliate with or accept for affiliation with any other association. Such recommendation shall become immediately effective upon a confirming vote at the Annual Meeting by a majority of those present and voting. However, notice in writing of any recommendation for affiliation shall be given the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Section 5. - Former Members.

Former members wishing to regain membership with BMA shall be required to pay the appropriate fees and dues.

Section 6. - Good Standing.

A member in good standing shall be one whose current dues have been paid, who has met all other requirements in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws, and who is not under BMA disciplinary action.

Section 7. - Termination of Membership for Cause.

Membership may be terminated or suspended for cause upon two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Sufficient cause for such termination or suspension of membership shall include, but is not limited to, violation of: this Constitution and Bylaws; the Code of Professional Ethics of the Association; any lawful agreement, rule, policy or practice properly adopted by BMA; or participation in any other conduct prejudicial to BMA. No Membership shall be terminated or suspended for cause without the Member having first received notice of such charges and having an opportunity to answer such charges.

ARTICLE VII - DUES

Section 1. - Annual Dues.

Annual dues shall be as follows:

a. Full Membership: $40.00 U.S. funds

b. Honorary Membership: No dues required

c. Associate Membership: $30.00 U.S. funds

d. Student Membership: $20.00 U.S. funds

e. Retired Membership: $20.00 U.S. funds

Section 2. - Date Payable.

Annual dues shall become due and payable to the Treasurer on January 1 of each year. A member whose dues are not paid shall not be entitled to vote, hold office, or serve on committees. A member whose dues are not paid as of February 15 of each year will be deemed to have a lapse of membership, losing all certifications previously attained while a member in good standing.

Section 3. - Half-Year Dues.

Members who join BMA after July 1 of any year shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the applicable membership dues for the period ending December 31 of the same year.

Section 4. - Exception.

Any member who has financial difficulty may abstain from annual dues. Board of Directors shall make decision on those persons case by case.

ARTICLE VIII - MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. - Qualifications for the members of the Board of Directors.

BMA members in each country will choose by ballot one Branch-Secretary for their own branch. All elected Branch-Secretaries will be eligible to hold the position in Board of Directors. However, persons who currently hold a top executive position in a political organization are not entitled to contend for the election of BMA top position (Chairman, President, Vice-President, Secretary, Vice-Secretary and Treasurer).

Section 2. - Election.

President, Vice-President, Secretary, Vice-Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected from the members of the Board of Directors by BMA members at the Annual Meeting. Subsequently, Board of Directors shall elect or appoint Chairman of the Board.

Section 3. - Terms of the Board of Directors.

a. All members of the Board of Directors shall take office immediately following the Annual Meeting at which they are elected. All members of the Board of Directors shall serve for one year or until their successors are elected and take office.

b. Elected members of the Board of Directors shall not serve more than three (3) consecutive terms in the same position unless 70% of the members vote them to stay remain in that position.

c. No member shall hold more than one elected office concurrently. Section 4. - Compensation. Board Members shall not be compensated for serving on Board, but may be reimbursed for actual expenses Section 5. - Vacancies. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of Board of Directors until the next Annual Meeting of BMA.

ARTICLE IX - DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution of BMA for any reason, all of its assets remaining after the payment of all its obligations shall be distributed to any religious, charitable, scientific, or educational entity selected by the members of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that in no event shall any such distribution of assets be made to any entity that does not qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, or other Federal statutes of similar import then in force.

*****************