Constitution

Constitution of the International Development Informatics Association (IDIA)

ARTICLE I - NAME

This international organisation shall be named the INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT INFORMATICS ASSOCIATION, hereinafter referred to as IDIA or as "The Association”.

ARTICLE II - LEGAL STATUS

IDIA is a nonprofit association of professionals focusing on ICT (Information and Communication Technology) as solutions to address the challenges of deploying ICT systems in developing environments at all levels of societies, both formal and informal.

ARTICLE III - OBJECTIVES

IDIA is an international organization that seeks to identify, extend, unify, and communicate knowledge about Information Technology (IT), Information Systems (IS), and Information Management (IM) as applied to the field of informatics within developing economies.

The specific purposes of IDIA are to:

• create and implement a modern, technologically sophisticated professional association with the purpose to assist organisations and professionals in enhancing the overall knowledge and understanding of Development Informatics
• promote communications and interaction among members
  provide a focal point for contact and relations with bodies in government, the private sector, and in education that influence and/or control the nature of information systems that impact on Development Informatics
• improve curricula, pedagogy, and other aspects of education that relate to Development Informatics
• create a vision for the future of the Development Informatics field and profession
• establish standards of practice, ethics, and education where appropriate
• conduct meetings, to publish books, journals, and other materials;
• cooperate with other organisations interested in the advancement and practice of Development Informatics;
• stimulate research in the field of Development Informatics;
• promote high professional standards, and in general, to promote the growth of Development Informatics;
• improve the profession's quality throughout the world
• create and maintain a professional identity for Development Informatics educators, researchers, professionals who are active in field of Development Informatics.

ARTICLE IV - STUCTURE

The organisational structure of IDIA will be:

1. The Members;
2. The Advisory Board
3. The Executive Committee;
4. Regional Networks;
5. Working Committees

ARTICLE V – THE ADVISORY BOARD

1. Initial Board Members are invited by the Executive Committee. Future Board Members will be appointed by the process of nomination and votes by members.
2. Board Members will be elected by the membership by simple majority of all voting members for a two (2) year term. To ensure some continuity, the first 5 (five) confirmed Board Members will serve an initial term of 3 (three) years.
3. The function of the Board is to provide strategic guidance to IDIA and will not be involved in the operational management of IDIA
4. Board Members create the overall strategy and policy framework and submit to the IDIA members for approval;
5. The Board functions as a patron for the ideals and goals of the Association
6. Board Members must be representative of all continents and identified sub-continents. The following need to be represented:
   1. Africa
   2. Australia
   3. China
   4. Central Eurasia
   5. India
   6. South America
   7. North America
   8. Western Europe
   9. Asia, plus, at the discretion of the Executive Committee
   10. other regions.
       There should thus always be a minimum of 9 (nine) members.
7. Board Members will provide guidance to and serve as guardians of Regional Networks

ARTICLE VI – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1 Responsibilities

1. Managing the overall strategy and policy framework of IDIA
2. Endorsing IDIA Programmes and Activities on the basis of the approved overall strategy and policy framework and overseeing their implementation
3. Appoint the IDIA Secretariat and manage the Secretariat's operational functions, including the endorsement of the Annual Report and Financial Statements
4. Determine the fund-raising policy for IDIA activities
5. Elect the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee
6. Establish and dissolve Working Committees; appoint committee members and overseeing the work;
7. Report to IDIA members about IDIA activities and finances.

Section 2 Terms of Reference

The Executive Committee will consist of five (5) members, at least one member from Monash South Africa, and one from Monash Australia.

1. The five (5) members of the Executive Committee will be elected by the membership by simple majority of all voting members for a two (2) year term.
2. An elected member may resign from the Executive Committee at any time.
3. The IDIA Secretariat is an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee and will be represented by the Executive Director or a designated alternate. It shall not participate in any vote regarding its status and activities.

ARTICLE VII - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership

1. Membership is open to all individuals and organisations whose objectives and activities are consistent with the objectives of IDIA, and who fulfill the membership criteria.
2. There is no double-membership for different entities belonging to the same organisation, except if a double membership fee is paid or if they are separate legal entities.
3. Membership ends or is revoked when the membership criteria and/or the members' financial responsibility are no longer met. Membership may be suspended and/or revoked if a member consistently acts against the spirit of the members' commitments, despite having received a written reminder.
4. IDIA membership at large is responsible for:
   1. Liaising with the Executive Committee
   2. Approving the overall strategic and policy framework of IDIA.
   3. Approving the Governance Document
   4. Approving the annual activity report from the Executive Committee.
   5. Contributing to the activities of IDIA by raising policy and membership issues, proposing project proposals, or recommending best practices.

Section 2. Membership Categories

Professional Member

Professional Member is a person employed by an academic, research or educational institution

Affiliate Member

Affiliate Member is a business or organisation focusing on generating profit; or a non-profit organisation involved in the field of Development Informatics.

An Affiliate Member has one vote, and may have two observers at Annual Meetings.

Honorary Member

Honorary Member is a non-paying individual member who is granted membership as token of appreciation for contributing to the field of Development Informatics. Nominations are called for by the Executive Committee, while the Board will perform the vote.

Student Member

Student Member – an individual who is registered for a degree at a recognised institution. Proof is required of registration as a student at a recognised educational institution

Section 3. Eligibility

Any individual or organisation will be admitted to membership upon receipt of a properly executed application and the payment of the appropriate fee as prescribed by the Board.

Section 4. Membership Criteria

An individual or organisation seeking membership in the IDIA needs to demonstrate that it:

1. Endorses the general principles and goals of IDIA as captured by the objectives in Article III;
2. Is active and experienced in the area of ICT for Development as tools for equitable sustainable development;
3. Subscribes to the IDIA partnership principles as defined in the IDIA statement of objectives as well as to the principles of good governance.
4. Is ready to fulfill the members' responsibilities and commitments as described below.

Section 5. Members' Commitments

1. Active Collaboration: By actively initiating and participating in collaborative activities with other members;
2. Active Sharing: By actively sharing and contributing knowledge and information to IDIA Programs and activities;
3. Promotion: By ensuring IDIA visibility, facilitating recruitment of new members and by agreeing to the use of their name and logo for the general promotion of IDIA and for specific activities in which the respective member participates.

Section 6. Decision Process in Membership Questions

1. Decisions regarding membership issues, including the membership status of an organisation, are taken by the Board, based on proposals prepared by the IDIA Secretariat.
2. Appeal against decisions are referred to the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VIII - THE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

1. The day-to-day management activities of IDIA will be conducted by an Executive Committee whose members will be elected from and by the staff of the IT School of Monash South Africa, voted members and coopted members.
2. IDIA will be governed by a Board whose members will be invited by the executive committee.
3. Board Members will be representative of all continents and identified sub-continents.
4. All organisational and administrative functions of IDIA will be handled by way of active participation and volunteer activities of its members.
5. The Secretariat of IDIA as well as the Initial Executive Committee of IDIA will rest with the School of IT at Monash South Africa.
6. A membership meeting will be held once a year in order to deal with managerial and membership issues.