Public Governance Summary

ISA-Alliance governance is built on representation, independence, and formal accountability

This page summarizes the organization's legal identity, membership structure, leadership model, decision-making rules, and financial accountability as set out in the bylaws and the Vision, Mission, and Values document.

Legal Form: 501(c)(3)
Founding Board: 5 Members
Executive Cabinet: Minimum 3
Representatives Per Member Association: 3

Legal Identity

A charitable and educational nonprofit headquartered in Oklahoma

ISA-Alliance is a nonprofit, non-governmental, and independent entity organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The principal office is in the State of Oklahoma, the organization operates in the United States of America, and the official language of the organization is English.

No part of the organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private individual, and all roles are voluntary and unpaid.

Independence and Compliance

Independent from political control and foreign influence

ISA-Alliance is not affiliated with any political party, foreign government, or foreign political entity.
The organization shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
Lobbying may not constitute a substantial part of the organization's activities.
All financial resources must originate from within the United States, and no funds may be accepted from entities affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The organization has a sister entity, IAS-Advocacy, organized under Section 501(c)(4), with any relationship governed by a separate written Shared Services Agreement.

Membership Structure

Two classes of membership define governance and representation

Founding Board

The Founding Board consists of six founding members with oversight and strategic governance responsibilities.

Board decisions are made by simple majority. In the event of a tie, the vote of the Board Chair is decisive.

Removal of a Founding Board member requires approval by a majority of the remaining Board members and must be based on a clear violation of the bylaws.

Member Associations

Associations may become members by submitting official documentation of university registration, maintaining at least three active student members, and accepting the bylaws in writing.

Membership is approved by a majority vote of the Founding Board and is renewable.

Each member association designates exactly three representatives with voting rights for one academic year.

Leadership

Executive Cabinet

The Executive Cabinet consists of a minimum of three members elected annually by the representatives of member associations.

Candidate teams must submit an executive program for approval by the Founding Board before the election.

The Executive Cabinet serves a one academic year term, may run for re-election, and must submit a performance report each quarter.

The Founding Board may remove the Executive Cabinet by majority vote in the event of a clear violation of the bylaws or failure to advance the organization's objectives.

Decision-Making

Authority is distributed by type of decision

Operational decisions: simple majority of the Executive Cabinet.

Electoral decisions: vote of member associations at the annual meeting.

Strategic decisions: majority vote of the Founding Board.

Bylaw amendments: majority vote of the Founding Board only. The Executive Cabinet has no role in amending the bylaws.

An annual general meeting is held for elections, special meetings may be convened when needed, and all meetings must be documented with official minutes.

Financial Affairs

Traceable, U.S.-based, and transparent

Revenue may come from tax-deductible donations, foundation grants, membership dues, event revenue, and contributions from aligned organizations based in the United States.
The Executive Cabinet Treasurer prepares the annual budget for Founding Board approval, and all transactions must be documented and traceable.
Expenditures above $1,000 require joint approval by the Board Treasurer and Board Chair.
The organization is committed to full financial transparency, annual reporting to members, and annual filing of IRS Form 990.

Conflict of Interest and Dissolution

Guardrails for institutional integrity

Any Founding Board or Executive Cabinet member with a direct or indirect financial or personal interest in a decision must disclose that interest and abstain from voting.
Disclosures and abstentions must be recorded in meeting minutes.
Dissolution requires the affirmative vote of all Founding Board members.
Upon dissolution, all assets must transfer exclusively to one or more organizations qualifying under Section 501(c)(3), and no assets may be distributed to any individual member.

Mission Alignment

Governance exists to support the mission, not replace the member associations

The bylaws and Vision, Mission, and Values documents are aligned around one operating principle: ISA-Alliance builds the infrastructure and enabling environment through which member associations can advocate effectively and efficiently for Iranian students across legal, cultural, academic, civic, professional, and welfare dimensions.

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