In the name of God/ the Compassionate / the Merciful
Chapter one - Generalities
Article 1 - In implementation of Article 131 of the Labour Law of the Islamic Republic of Iran and in a bid to maintaining the legal rights and interests/ as well as to improve economic condition of writers/ reporters/ photographers/ graphic designer/ designers/ caricaturists/ translators/ editors and editorial boards of the print media whose job is to protect the interests of society/ enhance the level of the press and up the honour of the pen/ the professional Association of the Iranian Journalists proclaimed existence.
Article 2 - The full name of the Association of Iranian journalists is:
Professional Association of the Iranian Journalists.
Article 3 - Head Office and Range Activity: The Head Office of the Association of Iranian Journalists is located at: No. 87, 7th Ave., Kabkanian St., Keshavarz Ave., Tehran - Iran and its activity covers the entire country.
Article 4 - Membership in the Professional Association of Iranian Journalists shall be in accordance with the note appearing under Article 2 of the regulation concerning the formation, scope of duties and powers; performance of guild associations and the relevant centres, subject to Article 131 of the Labour Law of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the profession intended for its members shall be as follows:
Chapter 2 - Qualifications for membership and Financial Resources
Article 5 - All writers, Journalists, Photographers, graphic designer, designers, and caricaturists who have the following qualifications are free to join the Association of Iranian Journalists; and none of them shall be denied membership or otherwise forced to join the Association.
Article 6 - Membership Qualifications:
1-6 - National of the Islamic Republic of Iran

2-6 - Commitment to one of the official religions of the country.

3-6 - At least three years of previous work experience in the print media.

4-6 - Accepting the present constitution and undertaking to comply with the same.

5-6 - Living in the range of activity of Association of Iranian Journalists (The entire country)

6-6 - Regular payment of the entry and membership fees.

7-6 - Clearance from bad criminal record leading to deprivation of social rights.

8-6 - Working in the relevant profession during membership.

9-6 - Good professional record and commitment to principles bearing on prestige and dignity of the pen.

10-6 - Minimum 18 years of age. Note 1 - Rules and regulations in the Association of Iranian Journalists are provided and determined by the General Assembly; and the Board of Directors is bound to accept membership of the applicants in accordance with the rules and criteria approved by the General Assembly. In case, some of the applicants are not qualified, their membership applications is not accepted by the Board Directors, and the applicant can present his/her complaint to the first session of General Assembly. The decisions of the assembly in this respect shall be conclusive and binding upon. Note 2 - Those who possess the qualification cited in Article 6 but whose professional length of service in less than the three years are accepted as affiliate members of the Association. The affiliated members enjoy all the rights and supports of the Association of Iranian Journalists in accordance with the present constitution, but are not entitled to participate in the General Assembly. Note 3 - The association of Iranian Journalists can accept honorary members from among writers, translators, artists and cultural, social personalities who render outstanding services to the world of the press. Honorary members are exempt from the duties and obligations of the official members, nor are they entitled to vote in the assembly. Note 4 - A member who loses the qualifications for membership in the Association of Iranian Journalists shall not be required to be member of the Association of Iranian Journalists but is obliged to fulfil the previous undertakings or commitments. Article 7 - Conditions for suspension and divestment of membership: 1-7 - Verdict of the judicial court to the effect that the member is deprived of social rights. 2-7 - Change of profession in a way that contradicts Article 4 of this Constitution. 3-7 - Refusing to pay membership fee with a view to Article 10 of the Constitution for a of maximum period of one year. 4-7- Failing to observe the contents of the present constitution. 5-7- Decision of the general assembly. Note: No member can be expelled, unless with the approval of the general assembly. Article 8 - Financial resources of the Association of Iranian Journalists are: 1-8 - Entry fees (entry fee for each member is 5000 rials payable only once) 2-8 - Membership free amounting to 1000 rials. Note: Any form of change in the amount of monthly membership fee shall be made at the suggestion of the Board of Directors and after approved by the General Assembly. 3-8 - Volunteer financial donations by members are accepted with approval of the Board of Directors. 4-8 - Volunteer financial donations by the member's scientific boards and Association are accepted with the approval of the Board of Directors. Note: Collection of any amount of donation and entry and membership fee must be made against numbered receipts signed by the chairman of the Board of Directors or secretary and Treasurer of the association. Article 9 - All members of the Association of Iranian Journalists are bound to pay their membership fee against a receipt for payment of monthly fee. Note: Board of Directors of the Association of Iranian Journalists cannot spend the financial resources outside the province set in this constitution. Article 10 - Should any member refuse to pay membership fee within six months without creditable excuse, the Treasurer will serve a written notice on the member/s. If the member/s refuses to pay the membership fee for elapse of maximum three months after such date the notice is served on him/her, the member shall be expelled from the Association; and his/her reentry into the Association of Iranian Journalists shall be contingent on approval of the General Assembly. Note: The General Assembly is the body to recognize whether the excuse is plausible or not.
Chapter Three - Organs of the Association
Article 11 - Organs of the Press Association of Iranian Journalists of writers, reporters, and photographers consists of: 1 - Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assembly. 2 - Board of Directors 3 - Inspectors Article 12 - General Assembly is the highest organ of the Association of Iranian Journalists comprising real member, and has two assemblies: 1 - Ordinary General Assembly 2 - Extraordinary General Assembly Article 13 - Ordinary General Assembly: Ordinary General Assembly consists of the congregation of the assembly, which opens every year in Mehr (September), and the Board of Directors will be obliged to call for its invitation. Note 1 - Ordinary General Assembly sessions shall be officially called to order with the presence of half plus one of the members. In case this quorum is not achieved, in the second phase within 15 days, it will be officially called to order with the presence of at least one third of the members (conditions for invitation are set forth in Note 3). Note 2 - Decisions of the ordinary general assembly in the first and second phase will be valid with relative majority vote of those present. Note 3 - To convene the general assembly, at least 15 days earlier two notices with three-day intervals should be announced in leading dailies, inviting the members. The invitation should provide the day, hour and address of each congregation. Article 14 - Should the Board of Directors refuse to call for the General Assembly, the inspector/s are entitled to invite members to the General Assembly. Also in case of refusal of the inspectors to call for the General Assembly (maximum two months after termination of the deadline set for the board of directors) one third of the members can take action for convening the general assembly. Note 1 - The party hosting the general assembly is bound to announce the convention of the assembly in writing to the Department of Labor and Social Affairs and send two copies of the process verbal to the said department. Article 15 - Duties of the ordinary general assembly are as follows: 1-15 - Investigation into and commenting on report of the board of directors and inspectors. 2-15 - Survey and approval of the association's financial balance sheet. 3-15 - Selection of the members of the board of directors and inspectors. 4-15 - Selecting a high-circulation gazette. 5-15 - Determining the policy of the association 6-15 - Adopting decision on cooperating and or merging with other organizations. 7-16 - Deliberation and making decision on all issues on the agenda provided that the issues are not in the jurisdiction of the extraordinary general assembly. 8-15 - Adopting decision on expulsion of the member/s. Article 16 - Extraordinary general assembly is held at the invitation of the board of directors, inspectors and or with the written request of at least half of the members and is responsible to fulfill the following: 1-16 - Changing or correcting the present constitution. 2-16 - Ousting the member/s of the board of directors or inspectors. 3-16 - Deciding the amount of membership, entry and monthly fees of the members. 4-16 - Determining the new venue for the head office of the association. 5-16 - Approving incorporation into the "Kanoon" (Center) or terminating cooperation with "Kanoon" (Center) or other professional associations. 6-16 - Dissolution of the Association of the Iranian Journalists and selection of the member/s of The Board of Liquidates. Article 17 - Sessions of the extraordinary general assembly shall be officially in force with presence of at least 2/3 of the members; and its decisions shall be binding if approved by at least ¾ of the votes of the present members. Note 1- In case the extraordinary general assembly does not achieve the quorum in the first session , within 15 days with presence of at least half plus one of the members it shall be officially in force; and its decisions shall be in force and valid with majority vote of ¾ of the members present. Note 2 - Conditions for invitation of the extraordinary general assembly corresponds to Note 3 of Article 13. Article 18 - Board of directors and inspectors can invite the extraordinary general assembly in emergency times. Note: The duration between the date of publication of the notice for invitation and convention of the general assembly will be minimum 10 and maximum 30 days in the form provided in Note 3 of Article 13. Article 19 - Voting in the general assembly is open expect in cases foreseen in the present constitution and or cases regarding which decision is made in the general assembly. Article 20 - Selection of the board of directors and inspectors of The Association of Iranian Journalists shall be made with secret ballot. Note 1 - No member shall have more than one representative in the assembly and no representative can accept to be representative of more than one member (excluding himself/herself) Note 2 - Members representation shall be valid if made in writing. Article 21 - Order of convention and administration of the sessions of the general assembly: 1-21 - General Assemblies are directed by a Steering Board comprising one chairman, one vice-chairman, one secretary and two observers. Chairmanship of the general assembly shall be vested with the chairman of the board of directors, unless in case where selection or ouster of some of the directors or all of them are on the agenda, in which case the chairman of the assembly shall be selected from among the members present in the session or by relative majority of the members present. In case of absence of the chairman of the board of directors the session will be directed by the member of the board of directors who is elder than all the others. 2-21 - In case the deliberation and decision-making on the subjects on the agenda are not fulfilled, the board of directors of the assembly can declare a break with the approval of the members and decide on the date of the next session which shall not exceed a maximum of three weeks. Extension of the session does not require another invitation and publication of notice. The quorum necessary for the session to be officially in force is the previous one. 3-21 - The secretary shall draw up a process verbal of the negotiation and decisions of the assembly and get it signed by the board of directors of the assembly. 4-21 - The process verbal, list of the members present in the assembly, declaration of the results of the elections, copies of the approved constitution and confirmation of the validity of the election should be signed by the board of directors or where necessary by the supervising board. 5-21 - General assemblies are the legal representatives of the entire member and their decision shall be in force with regard to all members, resent or absent. Article 22 - Board of Directors is responsible for administration of the affairs of the Association of Iranian Journalists and protection of the legitimate and legal rights and interests of the members. The number of the main members of the board of directors is seven and the number of the of substitute members of the board of directors is three, elected for a period of three years from among the members and they are eligible for re-election. Note 1 - As long as a new board of directors is not appointed, the present board of directors shall carry on with discharging the existing responsibilities. Note 2 - No one can accept membership of the board of directors or inspector/s in more than one association. Article 23 - Members of the board of directors in the first session which will be held maximum one week after finalization of the elections shall elect one from among themselves as chairman/ one as vice-chairman, one as secretary and one as treasurer. In the course of drawing up or signature of the process verbal, the board shall introduce the elected ones to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs for issuing the relevant ID card. Article 24 - Sessions of the board of directors shall be officially in force with presence of at least 2/3 of the members, and its decisions shall be valid with a majority vote of the members present. Note 1: Absence in three successive sessions or five alternate sessions without producing plausible excuse or any other reasons that hinders the fulfillment of the duty of each main member of the board of directors shall be counted as resignation from membership in the board of directors; and the member or substitute member who has obtained respectively the highest vote in the general assembly shall replace the member/s so resigned. Note 2: The board of directors shall decide whether the excuse is plausible or implausible. Article 25 - Board of directors is duty bound to open a common account in the name of the Association of Iranian Journalists with joint signature of the chairman of the board of directors or secretary or treasurer in one of the banks of the country and deposits the sums belonging to the association of Iranian Journalists to the said bank account maximum two months after obtaining the license for registration of the Association of Iranian Journalists From the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Article 26 - Chairman of the Board of directors or secretary or treasurer are commonly authorized to sign financial documents and are generally responsible for administrative and financial affairs of the Association of Iranian Journalists and protection of all the belongings, assets, documents, securities and financial books. Note: All administrative correspondence and regular papers shall be valid with the signature of the chairman of the board of directors or secretary and seal of the Association of Iranian Journalists and all financial documents and official papers and securities and contracts which bring commitment and have been signed by the board of directors should bear the joint seal and signature of the chairman of the board of directors or secretary and the treasurer. Article 27 - In case of resignation, death or incompetence of any one of the members of the board of directors, should bear the joint seal and signature of the chairman of the board of directors or secretary and the treasurer. Article 27 - In case of resignation, death or incompetence of any one of the members of the board of directors, substitute members shall be replaced with a view to priority of the votes in place of the said member. Article 28 - Board of directors is bound to invite the general assembly for reelection at least three months prior to termination of the term. Note 1: If reelection has not been made maximum six months after termination of the term for whatever reason, the inspectors are bound to call for extraordinary general assembly. Note 2: In case the general assembly is not convened or reelection is not examined, inspectors are bound to notify the process to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and other concerned authorities. Article 29 - Duties and powers of the board of directors: 1 - Implementation of the general assembly's approvals. 2 - Protection of the legitimate and legal rights and interests of the members. 3 - Opening and closing accounts in banks. 4 - Purchase or sale of the moveable and immovable properties provided that it is done with the aim of earning benefit. 5 - Appearing as representatives of the members and defend their rights in venues for settlement of differences. 6 - Conclusion of collective contacts, as representative of the members, with other guilds or organizations by observing the pertinent rules and regulations, by-laws and constitution of guilds and associations. 7 - Employment, ouster and appointment of administrative personal. 8 - Invitation of the general assembly according to the regulations of the present constitution. 9 - Submission of annual report to the general assembly. 10 - Provision and drawing up financial balance sheet and prediction of the forth - coming year's budget in order to present them to the general assembly. 11 - Drawing up rules of procedure. 12 - Deciding on the amount of membership fees of the members based on the table determined by the general assembly. 13 - Announcement in writing to the ministry of Labor and Social Affairs the convention of the sessions of general assemblies 15 days prior to opening of each session. 14 - Establishing and strengthening of cooperative companies and providing welfare facilities for the members. Establishment of committee: 15- Formation of committees: A- Legal committee. B- Committee for settlement of deputies and differences. C- Committee for investigation and formulation of rules of procedures. D- Information and statistics committee. E- Welfare committee. F- Supply and support committee. G- Unemployment fund committee. H- Publication committee. I- Cultural committee. Note: Other committees shall be formed whenever need arises and with the approval of the board of directors. Article 30 - Duties of the chairman of the board of directors: 1- Administration of the sessions of the board of directors. 2- Invitation of the members of the board of directors to form regular and orderly session. 3- Watching for the good performance of the affairs of the association. 4- Circulation of the decisions of the general assembly and the board of directors to the secretary or other official of the Association of Iranian Journalists for implementation. 5- Performing other cases vested with the chairman based on the constitution. Article 31 - Secretary of the Association of Iranian Journalists is responsible to carry out the affairs of the secretaries and executive organization and his duties shall be as follows: 1- Employment or hiring administration staff of the association of Iranian Journalists and in case of employment of advisor and expert after approval of the board of directors. 2- Conducting correspondences and administrative letters of the Association of the Iranian Journalists and supervision over good performance of the internal regulations of the association. 3- Opening current account of the association of Iranian Journalists along with the treasurer and chairman of the board of directors in one of the authorized banks and depositing the sums belonging to the association of Iranian Journalists to the said account and withdraw on such account. 4- Implementation of the decisions and the approvals of the board of directors and the general assembly and carry out current and administrative affairs of the association. 5- Noting down the process verbal of the board of directors and having it registered in in the relevant paper book. 6- Preservation and maintenance of documents and financial and administrative documents and papers on qualifications of the association's member. 7- Provision of membership cards bearing the seal and signature of the secretary and the chairman of the board of directors or treasurer of the association. 8- Sign the checks, documents and securities along with the treasurer, bearing the seal of the association of Iranian journalists, if the same is approved by the board of directors. 9- At the time of intermission the Secretary is bound to make the preparations for invitation and holding of the general assembly in accordance with the regulations set forth for elections; and if reelection is not held in the span of six month from the end of the validity of the term of officials of the association, the secretary along with the inspectors should refer the case to the general assembly for decision. Article 32 - Treasurer, the chairman of the board of directors and the secretary are responsible for financial affairs of the Association of Iranian Journalists and signature of all checks and financial documents and securities. Other duties of the treasurer are as follows: 1- Administration of the financial affairs of the association, formulation of the papers and documents, financial process verbal and investigation into and preservation of the accounts. 2- Collection of entry and membership fees, and financial donations in exchange of receipt. 3- Provision of special financial papers books. 4- Drawing up the balance sheet of the association of Iranian Journalists for presentation to the board of directors and the inspectors. 5- Investigation into the validity of the documents presented in regard to payments, by the members of the association. 6- Supervision over purchase and sale of any form of financial operation. 7- Preservation of the moveable and immovable properties, sums and financial documents of the association. 8- Prediction of the forthcoming budget and its submission to the board of directors for examination and approval. Note 1: Treasurer is duty bound to provide inspector/s with the financial books and documents of the association at the office the association. Note 2: In case of expiry of the tenure of the board of directors, treasurer and the chairman of the board of directors or the secretary, they are duty bound to administer the financial affairs of the Association of Iranian Journalists until reelection is completed and finalized. Article 33 -The general assembly shall select three persons as main inspectors and two as substitute inspectors for a period of one year to fulfill their duties, and their reelection is possible. Article 34 - Duties and powers of inspector/s: 1- Supervision over and investigation into papers and financial documents and watching the good performance of financial affairs of the association. 2- Investigating into and certifying the financial report for presentation to general assembly. 3- Investigation into complaints lodged by the members and if need be presentation of report to the board of directors or to the general assembly. 4- Taking action for invitation and holding of general assembly if need arises in accordance with Note 2 Article 13 of this constitution.\ 5- Provision and submission of report on its own performance to the general assembly. 6- Timely declaration of absence of elections to the general assembly in accordance with article 28 to the ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Article 35 - Qualifications for election of members of board of directors and inspectors. 1- National of Islamic Republic of Iran. 2- Minimum 20 years of age. 3- Not having criminal record causing deprivation of social rights. 4- Reputed for good name and trust. 5- Minimum 5 years of length of service. 6- Membership of the association. 7- Believing in any one of the official religions of the country. 8- Being able to read and write. Article 36 - The Board of Directors can could refreshment classes with the approval of the general assembly in order to push forward the goals of the association of Iranian Journalists and enhance the level of information of the members.
Chapter Four - Dissolution and Relevant Regulations
Article 37 - Officials of the Association of Iranian Journalists are bound to put the documents and papers required by the Ministry of Labor and social affairs at the disposal of the Ministry. Article 38 - In the cases below the Association of Iranian Journalists will be dissolved: 1- Decision adopted in the extraordinary general assembly.\ 2- Verdict of the judicial authority. 3- Where a 6 months time elapses from expiry date of the board of director's tenure validity, but there is no reelection. Article 39- As of the date of dissolution of the Association of Iranian Journalists the powers of the officials will terminate and the selected Liquidation Board (elected from among the officials or members) will launch the liquidation. Inspector/s Liquidation Supervisor. Duration of the mission of the Liquidation Boards is one year as of the date of election. Article 40 - Dissolution of the Association of Iranian Journalists will not be prejudice to the right or the obligations of the two sides of the collective contracts concluded previously. Article 41 - In case of dissolution of the Association of Iranian Journalists all its assets and properties will be delivered to "Kanoon" (Center) Labor Organization under the supervision of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Article 42 - Any form of change in the contents of the present constitution is binding after obtaining the approval of the Labor Ministry. Article 43 - Other cases not predicted in this constitution shall be subject to the regulations of the by-laws of organizations of the Ministry of Labor and Social affairs and the other concerned regulations. This constitution has been approved on Oct. 1/1997 by the general assembly, in 43 articles and 26 notes.