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 charter agreement that defines the relationship between the Society and the section.
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
Petition to Charter
- The acting officers submit a petition for charter
- The District Vice President reviews and submits the petition to the Geographic Assembly
- The Geographic Assembly reviews and approves the petition for official chartering
Eligibility for Petitioning
- Automation industry activity in the area
- At least 30 professional members interested in forming a section
- Acting officers willing to lead a new section
- Section operating bylaws in English (any special provisions or modifications to ISA’s recommended regulations requires prior approval)
Naming
- Section names are the city or country in which the group intends to operate
- The Geographic Assembly has the authority to change or approve section names
Startup Funds
- Upon request, a newly chartered section may receive up to USD 500 for section activities
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
If one or more of the requirements are not met as of 1 October, a section will be deemed not in good standing. These sections forfeit benefits, including but not limited to, rebates, consideration for Society awards, and seating a delegate at the next Council of Society Delegates meeting. Status of those not in good standing will be reevaluated quarterly.
Disestablishment
Sections that are not in good standing with ISA policies and procedures may need to be disestablished. Occasionally, a section may choose to disestablish. The Geographic Assembly reviews and approves the disestablishment and revocation of charter. The following outlines the procedures for both instances:
- For those not in good standing:
- After two years of not being in good standing, the section is subject to disestablishment
- By request:
- The officers submit a request to their District Vice President
- The District Vice President reviews and submits the request to the Geographic Assembly
Upon disestablishment, the section will stop using all ISA intellectual property and will cease to indicate any affiliation with ISA. Any remaining funds will be transferred to ISA within 60 days unless otherwise approved by the ISA Executive Board. Once disestablished and the charter is revoked, a section may not establish in the same city or country for a minimum of 12 months.
Governance and Operations
Incorporation and Operating Bylaws
Sections are required to establish as nonprofit corporations or the closest possible equivalent nonprofit, tax-exempt legal entities in the jurisdiction where located. All sections are required to maintain operating bylaws in English and on file with ISA Headquarters. Any special provisions or modifications to ISA’s recommended operating bylaws requires prior approval from ISA.
Membership
Each ISA member chooses 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 at their activities.
Society Delegate
Sections in good standing are permitted to seat a Society Delegate. The delegate acts on behalf of the section at District Council Meetings and the Council of Society Delegates meeting.
- For a delegate to be seated at the annual Council of Society Delegates, the section must be in good standing as of the first day of the month prior to the month the Council of Society Delegates will meet
- If the delegate is unable to attend, the section may appoint an alternate
Finances
Sections are expected to be self-sufficient and manage their finances.
Operating Year
- Sections choose to operate from a calendar year or fiscal year
Bank accounts
- Sections establish their own financial accounts, based on local laws/regulations
- Section officers should not utilize personal accounts for section transactions
- Section must have at least two elected officers on all section financial accounts and transactions
Obligations of ISA
As an integral component of the Society, ISA commits to the following support for sections:
- Collect dues from ISA members
- Share a portion of the dues paid by professional members in the form of rebates with sections in good standing
- 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.
Student Sections
A student section is a group of student members formed in colleges, universities, institutions, and similarly organized training centers. Each student section operates as an official ISA affiliate per the charter agreement that defines the relationship between the Society and the student section.
Purpose
Student sections exist to support the mission and vision of the Society, governed by and subject to all policies and procedures set by ISA. Student sections are organized and operated for educational purposes to promote the following:
- an increased knowledge of the greater automation industry
- a greater understanding of the contributions of those in the automation industry
- mentoring and encouraging students as they prepare for careers in the automation industry
Student Section Establishment and Good Standing
Establishment
Petition for Charter
- The faculty advisor and acting officers submit a petition for charter
- The District Vice President reviews and submits the petition to the Geographic Assembly
- The Geographic Assembly reviews and approves the petition for official chartering
Eligibility for Petitioning
- At least 50% of the 14 student members and student officers who are not graduating within 12 months from the date of charter
- Professional ISA member on faculty willing to advise the new student section
- Student section operating bylaws in English (any special provisions or modifications to ISA’s recommended regulations requires prior approval)
- Confirmed support from an ISA section in good standing
Naming
- Student section names are the full university/institution name,
- Acronyms may not be used
- The Geographic Assembly has the authority to change or approve student section names
In Good Standing
It is expected that student sections adhere the following requirements:
- Comply with ISA policies
- Maintain at least 14 student members
- Have, at a minimum, a faculty advisor, president, and treasurer in good standing and on record with ISA Headquarters
- Hold a minimum of three member meetings each year; student section member participation in local section meetings or events qualifies as a member meeting for the student section
- Submit an annual report by the prescribed dates
Not In Good Standing
If one or more of the requirements are not met as of 1 January, a student section will be deemed not in good standing. These student sections forfeit benefits, including but not limited to, rebates and consideration for Society awards. Status of those not in good standing will be reevaluated quarterly.
Disestablishment
Student sections that are not in good standing with ISA policies and procedures may need to be disestablished. Occasionally, a student section may choose to disestablish. The Geographic Assembly reviews and approves the disestablishment and revocation of charter. The following outlines the procedures for both instances:
- For Not Being In Good Standing:
- After one year of not being in good standing, the student section is subject to disestablishment
- By request:
- The faculty advisor and/or student officers submit a request to their sponsoring section and District Vice President
- The District Vice President reviews with the sponsoring section and submits the request to the Geographic Assembly
Upon disestablishment, the student section will stop using all ISA intellectual property and will cease to indicate any affiliation with ISA. Any remaining funds will be transferred to ISA within 60 days, unless otherwise approved by the ISA Executive Board. Once the charter is revoked, a student section may not establish at the same university or institution location for a minimum of 12 months.
Governance and Operations
Operating Bylaws
Student sections should operate within the guidelines of their university/institution or in accordance with local laws. Student sections are required to maintain operating bylaws in English and on file with ISA Headquarters. Any special provisions or modifications to ISA’s recommended operating bylaws requires prior approval from ISA.
Membership
Each ISA student member chooses to affiliate with a student section. These are the members of the student section. The student section does not have the authority to modify or create membership classes. Student sections are expected to welcome members at their activities.
Faculty Advisor
Each ISA student section is required to have the guidance and support of a faculty member at the university/institution. This faculty member must be a member of ISA. Student sections in good standing may request a complimentary membership for their faculty advisor.
Finances
Student sections are expected to be self-sufficient and are responsible for their own financial accounts. Student Section officers and faculty advisors should not utilize personal accounts for student section transactions.
Operating Year
- Student sections operate on their university/institution’s academic year
Obligations of ISA
As a component of the Society, ISA commits to the following support for student sections:
- Collect dues from ISA members
- Share a portion of the dues paid by student members in the form of rebates with student sections
- Deliver tools and membership reports in compliance with data privacy laws and regulations
- Provide a student section logo to be used in accordance with ISA policy
- Offer best practices and guidance to aid in supporting members