PRINCIPAL MEMBERSHIP AND CONDITIONS
Natural persons who have full legal capacity, possess the qualifications and competencies to contribute to the objectives specified in the Charter, and whose social standing is deemed appropriate may be admitted as Principal Members of the Association.
However, the following persons shall not be eligible for Principal Membership:
a) Persons convicted by a final court decision of crimes contrary to public morality or involving moral turpitude,
b) Persons who are legally prohibited from becoming members of associations,
c) Persons who have been expelled from the Association and whose membership records have been deleted,
d) Foreign nationals who do not hold the right of residence in Türkiye,
e) Persons who have been finally convicted of offenses that legally preclude principal membership in associations, including but not limited to crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding two years committed intentionally; crimes against state security; crimes against the constitutional order and its functioning; offenses under the Law on the Prevention of Financing of Terrorism; embezzlement, extortion, bribery, theft, fraud, forgery, abuse of trust, fraudulent bankruptcy, bid rigging, interference with the performance of obligations, money laundering, narcotics production and trafficking, laundering of proceeds of crime, smuggling, or offenses relating to establishing or managing prohibited associations.
Persons who are convicted by a final court decision of crimes contrary to public morality or involving moral turpitude after becoming Principal Members shall have their Principal Membership automatically terminated.
METHOD OF ADMISSION TO PRINCIPAL MEMBERSHIP
Candidates who meet the membership conditions set forth in Article 5 of the Charter shall complete and sign, in their own handwriting, a membership application form sponsored by two (2) Principal Members who have been members of the Association for at least three years, and submit the application to the General Directorate of the Association.
The sponsoring Principal Members are obliged to be thoroughly acquainted with the candidate’s professional status, social life, personal qualifications and family structure, and to provide complete and accurate responses to all inquiries of the Ballotage Committee regarding the candidate.
The minimum documents to be submitted together with the application form are three passport-size photographs, criminal record certificates of the applicant and the spouse, a certified family population registry record, and a certificate of residence.
Written applications are subject to a preliminary review by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Secretary General and the General Manager. If the continuation of the membership process is approved, the applicant shall be requested to submit proof of full payment of the Association entrance fee or legally secured installment arrangement, as well as a receipt confirming payment of the annual membership fee.
Installment arrangements may be granted only by decision of the Board of Directors, shall be applied uniformly to all applicants, and shall not exceed a term of twelve (12) months. Applications submitted during the last four months of the calendar year shall be subject to pro-rata calculation of the annual membership fee.
The application form shall be recorded in sequence and announced within the Association premises for seven (7) days. In the absence of any justified objection during this period, the application and all supporting documents shall be submitted to the Ballotage Committee. The Ballotage Committee shall examine the application within ten (10) days and submit its recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall render its decision within ten (10) days from receipt of the recommendation. The entire process shall be completed within thirty (30) days, and applicants shall be notified in writing of acceptance or rejection within the subsequent ten (10) days.
Applicants whose membership is not approved shall be refunded all entrance and annual fees paid, without consideration of interest loss.
Applicants whose membership applications are rejected may not reapply within three (3) years from the date of rejection.
ACQUISITION OF PRINCIPAL MEMBERSHIP STATUS
Upon fulfillment of all substantive and formal requirements stipulated in the Charter, the Board of Directors shall decide on Principal Membership within a maximum period of thirty (30) days. Accepted members shall be registered in the Membership Register and the Associations Information System (DERBİS) and shall acquire Principal Membership status as of the date of registration.
The Principal Member shall be entitled to exercise membership rights and shall fulfill corresponding obligations.
In the event of the death of a Principal Member, the surviving spouse may, within two (2) years, apply for Principal Membership by assuming the deceased member’s outstanding obligations and subject to a favorable opinion of the Ballotage Committee and approval of the Board of Directors. Such members shall only be liable for annual membership fees.
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF PRINCIPAL MEMBERS
All Principal Members enjoy equal rights. Each Principal Member is entitled to vote and to be elected in accordance with the Charter. Each Principal Member has one (1) vote in the General Assembly and must exercise such vote in person.
Additionally, each Principal Member is obliged to:
a) Fulfill all membership obligations in full,
b) Contribute to the realization of the Association’s objectives,
c) Act in good faith in exercising rights and fulfilling obligations,
d) Comply with the Charter, association legislation and all resolutions of the mandatory bodies of the Association,
e) Observe the Association’s traditions and demonstrate loyalty to the Association,
f) Notify the Association of any changes in marital status, residence or criminal record.
TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall terminate automatically, upon resignation, expulsion or death.
a) Automatic Termination:
Membership shall automatically terminate if the member subsequently loses any of the qualifications required by law or by the Charter.
b) Resignation:
Any member may resign by submitting written notice to the Presidency of the Association.
c) Expulsion:
Membership shall terminate for members against whom a final expulsion decision has been rendered pursuant to Article 42/c of the Charter.
Members whose membership terminates automatically, who resign or who are expelled shall be obliged to settle all outstanding financial obligations to the Association.
d) Death:
Membership terminates upon death.
