ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 – Membership
AI is a membership organization and as such it an as such in an inclusive Corporation that encourages diversity in membership and participation in all grades and member units.
Section 2 – Authorized
The following shall be the authorized classes of Memberships and such other Membership classes as shall be approved by the Board of Directors.
Honorary Members
An Honorary Member shall have rendered acknowledged eminent service, as defined in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures, to the TRIZ profession or the allied arts and sciences.
Fellows
A Fellow shall have an established record of contribution to TRIZ or the allied arts and sciences and shall meet the requirements as defined in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures.
Senior Members
A Senior Member shall have demonstrated growth and accomplishment in TRIZ or the allied arts and sciences and shall meet the requirements as defined in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures.
Members
A Member shall be engaged in or interested in TRIZ or the allied arts and sciences and shall meet the requirements as defined in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures.
Corporate
Various Corporate Memberships as defined in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures will specify a number of annual memberships that are transferable from year to year to meet the needs of the Corporate Member. These members shall be engaged in or interested in TRIZ or the allied arts and sciences and shall meet the requirements as defined in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures.
Enrolled Students
An Enrolled Student shall be a full-time or cooperative student in an accredited institution and shall meet the requirements as defined in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures.
Organizational Memberships
Organizational Members shall meet the requirements as defined in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures. Designated Representatives (one per organization) may hold office or serve on any committee, board, or council of the Corporation or its member units.
(a.) Sustaining Members shall be a corporation, company, division, governmental agency, educational institution, or other collective group that shares the objectives of the Corporation.
(b.) Group Members shall be groups other than the sustaining Members that share the objectives of the Corporation, such as TRIZ award organizations, TRIZ councils, community councils, partnerships, and small and medium-sized enterprises. The designated representative of this membership is transferable within the same organization.
Promotional Memberships
Promotional Memberships are trial memberships to provide customer-focused, market-sensitive membership programs. Their privileges, rights, and duties shall be outlined in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures. These memberships shall be established for no more than one year without approval of the Board of Directors. If the promotion does not meet expectations, every effort will be made to integrate these members into established grades.
Section 3 – Privileges, Rights, and Duties
3.1 All members shall receive the Corporation publication of record and those other benefits as
described by the Corporation's Policies and Procedure.
3.2 All members shall conduct themselves in a strictly ethical manner according the letter and
intent of the Code of Ethics as outlined in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures.
3.3 Individual membership rights and privileges shall not be transferable.
3.4 Members cannot make any claims against, have any rights to or interests in Corporation
property.
3.5 Designated representatives of Organizational Memberships have the right of membership
continuity if they become individual members during their terms as a designated
representative or within six months of leaving their position of designated representative.
3.6 Members shall not claim to represent the Corporation by using the membership grade or
abbreviation. Membership designation shall be used only for personal/professional purposes
and shall include the membership grade.
3.7 The official symbol, official membership badges or replicas, membership grades, or other
Corporation nomenclature shall not be used for any unauthorized purposes.
- a.All members shall notify the Board of Directors if any unauthorized use of the official
symbol, official membership badges or replicas, membership grades, or other Corporation nomenclature is observed.
Section 4 – Admission and Advancement
4.1 Admission to the Corporation is open to all grades as provided in the Corporation's Policies
and Procedures subject to the following Section 4.2 through 4.5.
- a.Honorary Members shall be nominated as specified in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures and may be elected to the Corporation only by unanimous vote of the entire Board of Directors. Confidential information supporting the Honorary Member's nomination and the Corporation's Corresponding Policy and Procedure must be sent to all Board Members no later than 30 days before the vote is held.
- b.Fellows shall be nominated as specified in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures and shall be elected by approval of two-thirds of the entire Board of Directors.
- c.Senior Members shall advance as specified in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures.
- d.Applicants for membership shall apply as specified in the Corporation's Policies and Procedures. Enrollment shall occur when the first year's dues are paid.
Section 5 – Member Grievances
5.1 All Members have the right to bring grievances to the Corporation as detailed in the
Corporation's Policies and Procedures.
5.2 All Subsidiary Chapters have the right to bring grievances to the Corporation as detailed in
the Corporation's Policies and Procedures.
5.3 The Board of Directors has the responsibility to ensure that the grievance process is working
effectively and judiciously, and a summary report of grievances will be reviewed by the
Board of Directors annually.