Bylaws

Bylaws of the SF Bay Area Chapter of the Internet Society

Note: We have updated the Bylaws on 06/2021 to the 2012 versions. This is to replace the prior version that were incorrect.

Article I. – Name

      Section 1.1.  Name:  These are the Bylaws for the chapter, which shall be called “The San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Internet Society” (the “SFBayISOC”), a chapter of the Internet Society (the “Internet Society” or “ISOC”). 

      Section 1.2.  Trademarks:  The SFBayISOC may use the ISOC names (“Internet Society” and “ISOC”) and associated logos and service marks in its name and in connection with its activities only in accordance with the published guidelines established by ISOC and provided to the SFBayISOC.

      Section 1.3.  Principal Office:  The initial principal office of the SFBayISOC is located at PO Box 50741 Palo Alto, CA 94303-0664.  

      Section 1.4.  Change of Address: The Council of the SFBayISOC may change the principal office from one location to another within the State of California (the “State”) by noting the changed address and effective date below, and such changes of address shall not be deemed, nor require, an amendment of the Bylaws: 

            ADDRESS:                                                                                  Dated _____________ 

            ADDRESS:                                                                                  Dated _____________ 

            ADDRESS:                                                                                  Dated _____________ 

      Section 1.5.  Other Offices:  The SFBayISOC may also have offices at such other places, within or without its state of incorporation, where it is qualified to do business, as its business and activities may require, and as the Council may, from time to time, designate. 

Article II. – Purpose

      Section 2.1.  IRC Section 501(c)(3) Purposes:  The SFBayISOC is organized and operates exclusively for one or more of the charitable, scientific and educational purposes permitted to a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of California, as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code. 

      Section 2.2.  Specific Purposes:  The general purpose of the SFBayISOC shall be to advance and promote the General Purpose and Guiding Principles of the Internet Society by serving the interests of the global Internet community through a local presence.  The SFBayISOC will carry out activities designed to engage the local community in sharing information about how the Internet is developing and to support the work of the Internet Society.  The SFBayISOC’s goals include: (1) protecting the open, innovative development and use of the Internet and (2) engaging and educating the next generation of Internet users and helping them shape the evolution of the Internet.  

      Section 2.3.  Geographic Area.  The SFBayISOC will generally serve individuals who live or work in the geographic area of the San Francisco Bay Area, with the understanding that all ISOC Chapters are not confined to geographic areas.

Article III. – ISOC Policies and Procedures

      Section 3.1.  Chapter Status:The SFBayISOC is a chapter chartered by the Internet Society.These Bylaws neither supersede nor abrogate any of the Bylaws of the Internet Society that regulate chapter affairs.

      Section 3.2.  Conduct of Activities: The SFBayISOC shall conduct its activities in accordance with the policies and guidelines of the Internet Society.  The SFBayISOC recognizes that these policies and guidelines may change, and that if the SFBayISOC is unwilling or unable to follow the Internet Society’s policies and guidelines, the Internet Society may, on written notice, revoke the SFBayISOC’s charter, and the SFBayISOC must immediately cease any claim of association with Internet Society and cease using the name of the “Internet Society” or “ISOC” and its logos and service marks.

Article IV. – Membership

      Section 4.1.  Qualification for Membership:All members of a Chapter shall also be members of the Internet Society.  Membership is not necessary, however, for participation in activities of the society or its Chapters.  All individuals and organizations falling within the defined scope of the SFBayISOC shall be eligible for membership without discrimination.  Membership in the SFBayISOC shall be open to all ISOC members served by the SFBayISOC upon request and payment of any local dues, as determined by the Executive Council.  The qualifications for membership are (i) payment of annual dues, if any, and (ii) attendance at two or more SFBayISOC events or significant participation in a SFBayISOC activity or on a SFBayISOC committee.  No one can be denied membership unless the Executive Council has determined that such exclusion is warranted for reasons of just cause.  

      Section 4.2.  Participation by Non-Members:  Membership is not necessary for participation in public activities or special events of the Internet Society, the SFBayISOC, or the Internet Society’s other chapters.

      Section 4.3.  Two Classes of Members:  The SFBayISOC shall have one class of individual members and one class of organizational or corporate members (collectively “Members”), who shall have the right to elect the Executive Council and to vote at meetings of the Members.  Individual student membership shall be open to all full-time students.

      Section 4.4.  Membership Dues: SFBayISOC membership dues, if any, shall be determined annually by the Council.  Student membership dues shall also be determined by the Council, but shall not exceed 75 percent of regular member dues.

Article V. – Executive Council (Board of Directors)

      Section 5.1.  The Executive Council: There shall be an Executive Council of the SFBayISOC (the “Council”) who shall serve as the corporate Board of Directors.  The Council shall conduct the business and affairs of the SFBayISOC and exercise, or direct the exercise of, all the powers of the SFBayISOC, and perform all lawful acts not prohibited by law. 

      Section 5.2.  Council’s Guiding Principles:  In conducting the business and affairs of the SFBayISOC and exercising its powers, the Council shall at all times act in accordance with the Guiding Principles of the SFBayISOC set forth in Section 2.3 above, subject to the requirements of these Bylaws and the laws of the State of California.

      Section 5.3.  Number and Qualifications: The Council of the SFBayISOC shall consist of not fewer than five (5) members, nor more than nine (9) members, whose exact number shall be fixed from time to time by the Council by resolution of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the entire Council.  Council-members shall be of the age of majority in California, and need not be citizens or residents of the State.

      Section 5.4.  Elections and Term.  Members of the Council shall be elected to serve for a two-year term, or until a successor is duly appointed and takes office.  A Council-member’s term shall commence immediately after his/her election, or in the case of a Council-member appointed to fill a vacancy, upon appointment.  No decrease in the number of members of the Council shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent Council-member.  No Council-member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive two-year terms. Elections will be held every year to renew about half of the council.

      Section 5.5.  Compensation:  Council-members shall serve without compensation, except that they shall be allowed reasonable advancement or reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

      Section 5.6.  Vacancies.  Vacancies on the Council shall exist (i) on the death, resignation, or removal of any Council-member, or (ii) whenever the number of authorized Council-members is increased.  Any Council-member may resign effective immediately upon giving written notice to the President or the Secretary, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation.  A Council-member may be removed from office, for cause, as permitted by and in accordance with the laws of California.

Unless otherwise prohibited by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law, the Council may fill vacancies on the Council.  If the number of Council-members then in office is less than a quorum, a vacancy on the Council may be filled by approval of a majority of the Council-members then in office or by a sole remaining Council-member.  A person elected to fill a vacancy on the Council shall hold office until the next election of the Council or until his or her death, resignation, or removal from office.

      Section 5.7.  Non-liability of Council-members.  Council-members and Officers shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the SFBayISOC.

      Section 5.8.  Indemnification by SFBayISOC.  Council-members, Officers, attorneys and employees of the SFBayISOC shall be indemnified by the SFBayISOC to the fullest extent permissible under the laws of California against all loss, damage, expense or charge incurred or suffered by him or her arising by reason of his or her having been a Council-member, Officer, agent, attorney or employee of the SFBayISOC (whether or not he or she continues to be a Council-member, officer, or employee at the time of incurring or suffering such loss, damage, expense or charge), except for any loss, damage, expense or charge caused by his or her own negligence, willful misconduct, or fraudulent act.  

The right of indemnification incurred by this Section 5.8 shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the SFBayISOC reasonable expenses incurred in connection with any proceeding in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding, as specifically authorized by the Council; provided, that if applicable law so requires, the payment of such expenses in advance shall be made only upon receipt by the SFBayISOC of an undertaking by or on behalf of the person claiming indemnification, to repay all amounts so advanced unless it shall be determined that such person is entitled to be indemnified under this Section 5.8 or otherwise.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall inure to the benefit of the indemnified person’s heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, and shall not be exclusive of other rights or remedies to which such Council-member, Officer, attorney or employee may, as a matter of law, be entitled

      Section 5.9.  Insurance for Corporate Agents.  Except as may be otherwise provided under provisions of law, the Council may adopt a resolution authorizing the purchase and maintenance of insurance on behalf of any agent of the SFBayISOC (including a Council-member, Officer, employee, attorney or other agent of the SFBayISOC) against liabilities asserted against or incurred by such person in such capacity or arising out of the agent’s status as such, whether or not the SFBayISOC would have the power to indemnify the agent against such liability under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law.

      Section 5.10.  Removal.  Council-members may be removed from office for the following causes by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Council: 

            (1) failing to attend three (3) consecutive Council meetings, or 60% of the Council meetings in a year; 

            (2) failing to honor commitments to engage in significant Council/SFBayISOC activities and programs; or 

            (3) undermining the policies and goals of the SFBayISOC.

Article VI. – Annual Election of Council-members

      Section 6.1.  Elections.  The SFBayISOC’s annual election of Council-members shall be held at the Annual Meeting of the SFBayISOC provided for under Article XI of these Bylaws.  Council-members shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting.  The results of the election shall be announced at that Annual Meeting.  Annual elections shall be conducted under the leadership of the Nominating Committee in accordance with Article X of these Bylaws, or by the Council, if no Nominating Committee has been convened.

      Section 6.2.  Voting.  Voting for Council-members may be made by proxy or in person.  If by proxy/ballot, the form of the proxy/ballot (including by electronic delivery) and the method and timetable for delivery and counting of ballots shall be determined by the Nominating Committee in accordance with these Bylaws.  Only those SFBayISOC Members who have been Members in good standing for the previous two (2) months from the date of the election are eligible to vote in the annual election.

Article VII. – Meetings of Council

      Section 7.1.  Regular Meetings.  The Council shall hold a minimum of four (4) meetings per calendar year at such place and time, as the Council shall determine.

      Section 7.2.  Special Meetings.  Either the President or any two (2) Council-members may call a Special Meeting of the Council.  Such meetings shall be held at such reasonable place and time as the person(s) calling the special meeting shall determine.

      Section 7.3.  Notice of Meetings.  Unless otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law, the Secretary shall give notice to each Council-member of each meeting of the Council.  The notice shall state the time and place of the meeting and provide a brief discussion agenda or other indication of the business to be transacted at the meeting.  

      Section 7.4.  Form of Notice.  Notice is given to a Council-member when it is delivered personally to him/her, left at his/her residence or usual place of business, or sent by facsimile or e-mail, at least seventy-two (72) hours before the time of the meeting or, in the alternative, by mail to his/her address as it shall appear on the records of the SFBayISOC, at least five (5) business days before the time of the meeting.  No notice of any meeting of the Council need be given to any Council-member who attends, or to any Council-member who, in writing executed and filed with the records of the meeting either before or after the holding of the meeting, waives such notice. 

      Section 7.5.  Quorum for Meetings.  A quorum shall consist of one-half (1/2) of the voting Members of the Council, except that a quorum shall not consist of fewer than three (3) Council-members.  Except as otherwise provided under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law, no business shall be acted upon by the Council at any meeting at which the required quorum is not present. 

      Section 7.6.  Majority Action as Council Action.  Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the Council-members present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present is the act of the Council, unless the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law require a greater percentage or different voting rules for approval of a matter by the Council.

      Section 7.7.  Conduct of Meetings.  Meetings of the Council shall be convened by the President or, if the President is not present at the meeting, by another Member of the Council chosen by a majority of the Council-members present at the meeting.  The Secretary of the SFBayISOC shall act as secretary of all Council meetings, provided that, in his or her absence, the Council shall appoint another person to act as secretary of the meeting.  All meetings of the Council shall be open to all members of the SFBayISOC, unless a special meeting dealing with an employee or other confidential matter has been called in which the Council deems participation solely by Council-members appropriate and the Council has disclosed to the members that the discussion will be confidential and provided the rationale for the confidentiality.  The conduct of Council meetings should be such as to encourage openness, transparency, attendance and participation by SFBayISOC members involved in significant SFBayISOC activities and issues.

      Section 7.8.  Participation by Conference Telephone.  Members of the Council, or any committee of the Council, may participate in any meeting of the Council, or such committee, by conference telephone, Web-meeting, or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

      Section 7.9.  Action Without Meeting.  Unless otherwise restricted by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws or law, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Council, or of any committee of the Council may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Council or such committee consent to the action in writing, and the writing is filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Council or committee.

Article VIII. – Officers

      Section 8.1.  Officers.   The Officers of this SFBayISOC and corporation shall be: a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.  No President shall serve more than four (4) consecutive terms.  The terms of office for the President, Vice-President and Secretary are one (1) year terms.  The Council shall also appoint a Treasurer from among its Council-members for a two year term.  Any number of offices may be held by the same person, except that neither the Secretary nor the Treasurer may serve concurrently as the President.

      Section 8.2. Appointment of Initial Officers.  The initial corporate Officers of the SFBayISOC are:

            President/Chair:  Jessica Dickinson Goodman

            Vice-President/Chair: Joel Valencia

            Secretary:  Tessa Eng

            Treasurer:  Delia Sabau

      Section 8.3.  Annual Appointment of Officers.  At its first meeting immediately after the Annual Meeting, the newly-elected Council shall appoint from among its Council-members a President and a Secretary.  The Council shall also appoint a Treasurer from among its Council-members, whenever the current Treasurer’s term has expired.

      Section 8.4.  Vacancies.  If for any reason an Officer is unable to fulfill his or her duties, he or she shall notify the President or the Secretary immediately.  An Officer may resign effective immediately upon giving written notice to the President or the Secretary, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation.  The Council by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote may remove an Officer from office, for cause, as permitted by and in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

In the event of resignation, removal, or inability of an Officer to serve, the Council shall designate a Member in good standing to hold such position until the next scheduled Annual Meeting or the expiration of the Officer’s term, whichever occurs sooner.

      Section 8.5.  President.  The President shall be the principal and chief executive officer of the SFBayISOC and is responsible for leading the SFBayISOC and insuring its activities are conducted in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Internet Society, the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, and applicable law.  The President shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the SFBayISOC. The President shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the Executive Council and the SFBayISOC.  With the advice of the SFBayISOC’s Executive Council, the President shall appoint all members of committees of the chapter and all committee chairs.  The President in general shall perform all the duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Council from time to time.

      Section 8.6.  Vice-President.  In the absence of or at the request of the President or in the event of the President’s death, resignation, removal or disability, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.  The Vice-President shall render assistance to the President in carrying out the affairs of the SFBayISOC and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the President or by the Council.

      Section 8.7.  Secretary.  The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all SFBayISOC and Council meetings.  The Secretary shall maintain a list of current Members of the SFBayISOC and corporate officers and serve as the custodian of such records.  The Secretary shall see that all eligible voter lists are prepared and that notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these ByLaws or as required by law.  Other duties of the Secretary include:

• Preparation of the Annual SFBayISOC Report for presentation to the SFBayISOC at the Annual Election/Business Meeting.
• Preparation of the SFBayISOC’s Activity Report and its submission of this report to ISOC Headquarters.
• Notification to ISOC Headquarters of any changes in the elected officers of the SFBayISOC.
• Submission of any proposed amendment to these Bylaws to the ISOC Membership Team for approval.

The Council may appoint one or more Assistant-Secretary(s) to assist the Secretary in carrying out his or her duties.

      Section 8.8.  Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall collect dues, pay all bills, and maintain the SFBayISOC’s financial records.  The Treasurer shall assist the Council in the preparation of an annual budget of the SFBayISOC.  Duties of the Treasurer shall also include: 

• Preparation of the SFBayISOC’s Annual Financial Report for presentation to the SFBayISOC at the Annual Election/Business meeting.
• Completion and submission of the Annual Financial Report to ISOC Headquarters.

The Council may appoint one or more Assistant-Treasurer(s) to assist the Treasurer in carrying out his or her duties.

      Section 8.9.  Compensation:  Officers shall serve without compensation, except that they shall be allowed reasonable advancement or reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

      Section 9.0  Appointment of Initial Board of Directors:  The following individuals are hereby appointed to serve as the Initial Board of Directors pursuant to the terms stated in these Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation: [Personal info removed]

Article IX. – Disbursements and Obligations

      Section 9.1.  The Treasurer shall make all disbursements from the treasury for SFBayISOC expenditures.  Any other Officer may have such authorization only if approved by the Council.  All such authorizations shall be included in the minutes of the Council.  All expenditures shall be included in the Treasurer’s report to the Annual Meeting of the SFBayISOC.  The Council must specifically approve any disbursements above $100 and outside any budget approved by the Council. 

      Section 9.2.  Contracts shall only be deemed entered into by the SFBayISOC as follows: (i) all agreements (in excess of $500) must be in writing and duly recorded in the minutes; (ii) all agreements must be within the SFBayISOC’s budget, or specifically approved by Council; and (iii) a minimum of two (2) Council-members or Officers, including either the President or Treasurer, must act as signatories on behalf of the SFBayISOC for any such agreement or contract to be deemed as binding on the SFBayISOC.

      Section 9.3.  The binding signatory requirement of Section 9.2 above may only be modified by 2/3 majority of the Council.

Article X. – Committees

      Section 10.1.  Committees.  The SFBayISOC shall have such committees as may from time to time be designated, and with such limited powers as provided, by resolution of the Council.  These committees may consist of persons who are not also members of the Council; provided that any committee that shall have or exercise authority of the Council in the management of the SFBayISOC shall consist of at least two (2) Council-members. With the advice of the Council, the President shall appoint members of committees of the Chapter and committee chairs.

      Section 10.2.  Meetings and Actions of Committees.  Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, noticed, held and taken in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws concerning meetings of the Council, with such changes in the context of such Bylaw provisions as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Council and its members, except that the time for regular and special meetings of committees may be fixed by resolution of the Council or by the committee.  The Council 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 provisions of these Bylaws.

      Section 10.3.  Standing Committees.  The regular Standing Committees of the SFBayISOC shall be as follows:

1. Program Committee: Shape the substantive policy discussions and educational programs for the SFBayISOC in accordance with the membership’s interest and the aims of the SFBayISOC as set forth in these Bylaws.
2. Membership Committee: Conduct outreach and grow the SFBayISOC’s membership numbers and its visibility in the relevant community.

      Section 10.4.  Temporary Committees.  With the advice of the Executive Council, the President may appoint such temporary committees as appropriate.

1. A Nominating Committee, consisting of at least three (3) Members of the SFBayISOC, at least (2) two of whom shall not be members of the Executive Council, shall be appointed by the President at least two (2) months prior to the Election meeting.
2. An Audit Committee shall be appointed by the President at the close of the fiscal year to assure the accuracy of the accounting of the SFBayISOC’s funds for the year.  This Committee should also verify the accuracy of the Annual Financial Report prepared by the Treasurer for submission to ISOC.

Article XI. – SFBayISOC Meetings 

      Section 11.1.  Accessibility.The SFBayISOC shall hold meetings only in places that are open and accessible to all members of the Society.

      Section 11.2.  Date and Conduct.  The Annual Meeting of the SFBayISOC shall be held in December of each year at a time and location to be determined by the Council.  At this meeting, the Secretary and the Treasurer each shall present a report, the election of Council-members shall be held, and the Secretary shall announce the results of the election of Council-members to take office immediately for the following year.

      Section 11.3.  Notice.Notices of the place and time of all SFBayISOC meetings shall be distributed to all Members at least one (1) week prior to any meeting, by Internet mail or by oral, telegraphic, or other written notice, duly served on or mailed in a manner deemed appropriate by the Council and consistent with the Internet Society’s rules, except as otherwise specifically provided in these Bylaws.

Article XII. – Quorum, Voting Procedures for SFBayISOC Council Meetings

      Section 12.1.  Status No official business of the SFBayISOC shall be conducted unless a quorum of the SFBayISOC Council is present at the meeting. 

      Section 12.2.  Quorum.  A quorum of the SFBayISOC shall be defined as fifty percent (50%) or more of the Council Members of the SFBayISOC.

      Section 12.3. Majority Vote.  Unless otherwise specifically provided for in these Bylaws, a simple majority of the Council Members who are present and voting shall be required to carry a motion.