Sections
A section is a group of professional members who have chosen to affiliate around a specific geographic area. Each section operates as an official ISA affiliate per the Society bylaws and policies. Each section must annually reaffirm their agreement to operate per Society policy. This serves as the charter agreement.
Purpose
Sections exist to support the mission and vision of the Society, governed by and subject to all policies and procedures set by ISA. Sections develop activities in response to local needs.
Section Establishment and Good Standing
Establishment
Eligibility for Petitioning- Automation industry activity in the area
- At least 30 professional members interested in forming a section
- Acting officers willing to lead
- Adopted bylaws for the section as per Society recommendation (bylaws must be in English and any special provisions or modifications requires prior approval ISA)
- Defined jurisdiction that is not an entire region or large geographic area
- The acting officers submit a petition for charter
- The District Chair reviews and submits the petition to the Geographic Assembly
- The Geographic Assembly reviews and approves the petition
- Upon approval, ISA will issue official charter and section logo
- Sections must be named for the city in which the group intends to operate
- Other cities in close proximity may be included in the jurisdiction if not currently served by another section
- Petitions requesting jurisdiction for an entire country will only be considered if it is the first section in the country and must include a stipulation that the section name and jurisdiction will be modified without dispute should another section want to form
- Upon request, a newly chartered section may receive up to 1000 USD for expenses used for section activities within the first year of establishment.
In Good Standing
It is expected that sections adhere to the following requirements:- Comply with ISA policies
- Maintain at least 30 professional members
- Have, at a minimum, a president and treasurer in good standing and on record with ISA Headquarters
- Hold a minimum of three member meetings each year
- Submit an annual report by the prescribed dates
- Include “About us” text in HTML area on section page in ISA Connect
- Have current section bylaws posted in section file library in ISA Connect
Sections must be in good standing in order to be considered active.
Not In Good Standing
Section status will be reviewed quarterly. If one or more of the requirements are not met, a section will be deemed not in good standing. These sections forfeit benefits, including but not limited to, royalties, rebates, consideration for Society recognition and awards for sections, and representation and voting at the Council of Society Delegates.
Disestablishment
ISA may disestablish a section at any time. Reasons may include violation of policy and potential harm to the Society.Sections not in good standing for two years will be disestablished automatically.
The officers of a section may request to disestablish if they are no longer able to maintain the section. The section must provide ISA documentation following necessary procedures as required in section bylaws. The Society may offer support to recruit and elect new officers who are willing to lead the section.
If disestablishment is initiated, the section will stop using all ISA intellectual property and will cease to indicate any affiliation with ISA. Any funds earned while using the ISA brand remaining in the section’s account as well as a record of the previous six months of transactions must be given to ISA within 60 days.
ISA members will be notified accordingly and given the opportunity to join another group, as appropriate.
A section may not be established in the same jurisdiction for a minimum of 12 months.
Governance and Operations
Incorporation and Operating Bylaws
Sections may, but are not required to, establish as nonprofit corporations or the closest possible equivalent nonprofit, tax-exempt legal entity in the jurisdiction where located. Sections located in the United States must provide documentation annually if separately incorporated. Those sections in the United States not separately incorporated must provide ISA any financial information requested at any time.
All sections are required to have approved bylaws in English on file with headquarters. Any special provisions or modifications to ISA’s required bylaws must be approved by ISA.
Membership
Each ISA member may choose to affiliate with a section. These are the members of the section. The section does not have the authority to modify or create membership classes. Sections are expected to welcome members from other sections to their activities.
Society Delegate
For Section responsibilities at the Council of Society Delegates, please refer to the Operating Policy for the Council of Society Delegates.
Finances
Sections are expected to be self-sufficient and manage their finances.
Obligations of ISA
As an integral component of the Society, ISA commits to the following support:- Share a portion of the dues collected from members in the form of rebates as defined in Society bylaws and policy
- Deliver tools and membership reports in compliance with data privacy laws and regulations
- Provide a section logo to be used in accordance with ISA policy
- Offer best practices and guidance to aid in supporting members
Hardship Support
In extreme circumstances, sections may request hardship support from ISA.