Bylaws

Chapter 1 — General Provisions

Article 1 — Name and Address

1. The name of this association is the World Overseas Chinese Association of Computer Human Interaction (International Chinese Association of Computer Human Interaction, abbreviated "ICACHI"). URL: https://www.icachi.org
2. The registered headquarters of the association is located in Canada. Address: 849 Laurelwood Dr, Waterloo, ON N2V 2X6, Canada.
   • Tel: +852 2766-7279
   • Fax: +852 2774-0842
   • Website: www.icachi.org
   • Secretariat: [email protected]
3. The association may establish offices in other locations worldwide. Offices are currently maintained in Beijing and Toronto.

Chapter 2 — Purpose and Activities

Article 2 — Purpose

The purposes of this association are as follows:

1. To promote academic exchange and collaborative research among global overseas Chinese HCI members, and between the association's members and other international HCI organizations and scholars.
2. To advance the development of HCI in Asia—particularly in Chinese-speaking regions—and to foster culturally situated HCI research and exchange.
3. To raise the academic standing and social status of members through academic exchange and other activities.
4. To serve as a bridge for cultural, academic, and economic exchange among multiple countries and regions.
5. To contribute to the progress of science and technology, and to the social, economic, scientific, and technological development of members' home countries and of humanity at large.

Article 3 — Activities

To achieve the above purposes, the association shall carry out the following activities:

1. Advisory Committee: Composed of past presidents, the current president, and honorary advisors. Its role is to support the advancement of members, advise on the association's strategic direction, provide recommendations on specific board matters, and assist the electoral committee.
2. Strategic Development Committee: Responsible for formulating the association's long-term strategic goals and expanding its international partnership network.
3. Academic Activities Committee: Plans and promotes academic exchange, talent development, and community-building activities.
4. Conference Committee: Coordinates the planning and execution of the annual international conference.
5. Industry Committee: Fosters connections between academic research and industry practice, and promotes the application of HCI technology in real-world contexts.
6. Journals and Textbooks Committee: Advances the publication and dissemination of high-level journals and textbooks in the field.
7. Providing advice on science and technology policy in members' home countries, and assisting in the development of advanced technology.
8. Any other activities necessary to fulfill the association's purposes.

Chapter 3 — Membership

Article 4 — Membership Categories

The association has the following membership categories (benefits are cumulative from lower to higher tiers):

1. Fellow: An individual who endorses the association's mission and has made outstanding contributions to the HCI field or to the association. Nominated by the president and approved by a two-thirds majority of the board.
2. Senior Member: An individual who endorses the association's mission and has worked in education, research, or industry in HCI-related research and technology development for ten or more years. Selected from Professional Members with a continuous membership of at least three years who have made notable contributions, confirmed by both parties. Entitled to all voting and candidacy rights within the association, and to priority access to association information and activities, as well as the right to make recommendations.
3. Professional Member: An individual who endorses the association's mission and works in HCI-related academic research or technology development in an educational institution, research body, or company. Following review of contributions by the board, entitled to vote for and stand as a candidate for board positions and youth committee nominations (subject to the standard age definition of "youth").
4. Student Member: An individual who endorses the association's mission, drawn from students in HCI, computer science, psychology, design, or related disciplines. Following review of contributions by the board, entitled to vote for and stand as a candidate for student board positions and youth committee nominations.

Article 5 — Member Obligations and Rights

1. Endorse the association's purposes, abide by its rules, and actively participate in its activities.
2. Uphold the unity and reputation of the association; conduct oneself with integrity and refrain from any words or actions harmful to the association's standing.
3. Pay dues as required, and enjoy participation rights, voting rights, and candidacy rights in accordance with these bylaws.
4. Entitled to vote for and nominate candidates in board elections.

Article 6 — Joining

1. Applications are processed by the secretariat ([email protected]) via the association's website at https://www.icachi.org.
2. Applicants must apply in person.
3. Applicants must complete and submit the required application form and supporting documents, and be approved by the board and pay the applicable dues.
4. Upon completion of the admission process, the applicant will be issued a membership number and become a Professional Member.
5. Student Members who obtain a degree may transfer to Professional Member status by completing a membership-category change procedure.

Article 7 — Dues

1. Dues are as specified in the table below. Fellows are exempt from dues. Student Members who transfer to Professional Member status are not charged additional dues. Any revision to the dues schedule requires discussion and approval by the board.
2. Dues paid are non-refundable under any circumstances.
3. Member benefits are valid only for the period covered by paid dues.
4. Individuals who register for the association's annual conference are granted one year of Professional or Student Membership from the date of registration.

Category	Fellow	Senior Member	Professional Member	Student Member
Term	Annual	Annual	Annual	Annual
Voting & Candidacy	All rights	All rights	Board & Youth Committee	Student Board & Youth Committee
Dues	$45/yr	$45/yr	$45/yr	$15/yr

Article 8 — Resignation

1. A member wishing to resign must submit the required resignation application to the secretariat and complete the resignation procedure.
2. A member with whom contact has been lost for three or more years shall be deemed to have resigned voluntarily; membership may be reinstated upon the member's own application.
3. A member's death or legally declared disappearance shall be treated as resignation.

Article 9 — Disciplinary Action

1. When a member commits any of the following acts, the board may, with the approval of two-thirds of its members, impose sanctions including temporary suspension of membership:
   • Violating the association's rules or failing to fulfill member obligations.
   • Engaging in conduct contrary to social ethics or public morality.
   • Committing acts in violation of the laws of the member's home country or country of residence.
2. When disciplinary action is taken under the preceding paragraph, the member concerned must be notified of the board's decision. The member shall be given an opportunity to present a defense; upon request, a written defense may be submitted up to one week before the board's decision.
3. When a member is disciplined, the decision shall be made public to all members of the association.

Chapter 4 — Organization and Officers

Article 10 — Structure

1. The association consists of a Board of Directors, a Secretariat, Special Committees, Supervisors, and a Youth Committee.
2. The Board of Directors is the supreme decision-making body of the association.
3. The Secretariat, Special Committees, and Youth Committee operate under the Board of Directors.
4. The Youth Committee is organized and managed by a board member appointed by the Board of Directors.
5. As the association develops, an Executive Board or an Expanded Board may be established upon approval by the Board. The Executive Board comprises the president, executive vice president, vice presidents, secretary general, and the chairperson of the Youth Committee. Members of the Expanded Board are nominated by the president and approved by the Board.

Article 11 — Officers

1. The association shall have a number of honorary presidents and honorary advisors who together form the Advisory Committee.
2. The association shall have no more than 30 board members (including up to 5 student board members), comprising: one president and one executive vice president elected by the board; a number of vice presidents nominated by the president and approved by the board; and 3 supervisors (including one chief supervisor).
3. The association's secretariat shall have one secretary general, a number of deputy secretary generals, and one treasurer and one cashier.
4. The Youth Committee shall have one chairperson and no more than three vice chairpersons. The Youth Committee chairperson and vice chairpersons are responsible for nominating youth committee members or reviewing student member applications, subject to board approval.

Article 12 — Election and Appointment of Officers

1. Board members and supervisors are elected by direct vote from all members who have paid their dues.
2. Eligible members may voluntarily declare candidacy for election as board members or supervisors, but may not stand simultaneously as candidates for both positions.
3. During the election period, candidates shall explain their past contributions to the association, their aspirations if elected, and their governing plans, and shall respond to questions from members.
4. The electoral committee is organized by the current secretariat. It must ensure that all candidates have contributed to the association. Honorary presidents are invited as advisors. The electoral committee consists of 3 to 5 non-candidate members; the current supervisors shall oversee the election.
5. The president and executive vice president shall be selected within 15 days of the conclusion of the board election. Elected board members are eligible to contest these positions. The president and executive vice president must run as a joint ticket (by self-nomination or recommendation). After discussion by the Advisory Committee, the nominees are notified and their consent obtained before proceeding. The candidate pair receiving a majority of board votes is elected. If no majority is reached in the first round, the pair with the fewest votes is eliminated and voting continues until a majority is obtained. If the board has an even number of members and the final two pairs are tied, the winner is determined by the total votes received in the board election, then by the respective votes of the president and executive vice president candidates in the board election, and finally by order of nomination. Board members may not abstain but may delegate their vote to another board member.
6. The president may designate vice presidents, the secretary general, deputy secretary generals, and the treasurer from among the board members; these appointments take effect upon board resolution.
7. The chief supervisor is determined by mutual election among the supervisors and must be ratified by the board.
8. In the event of a vacancy among the president, board members, or supervisors, the board shall, within 30 days, pass a resolution to fill the vacancy either by rank from the next highest vote-getters in the most recent election or by holding a by-election managed by a dedicated electoral committee.
9. The Youth Committee chairperson and vice chairpersons are nominated by the president from among board or student board members and confirmed by the board. The Youth Committee is composed of student board members and youth committee members.

Article 13 — Term of Office and Limits

1. The president serves a two-year term and may be re-elected but may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
2. Board members serve a two-year term and may be re-elected.
3. Supervisors serve a two-year term and may be re-elected.
4. Youth Committee officers and youth committee members serve a two-year term; renewal for one additional term is possible upon application to and approval by the board. Youth committee members are drawn from Professional Members and Student Members who have been approved by application; applications are accepted and new members admitted on a regular annual basis; members must meet the standard age definition of "youth."
5. Officers elected to fill a vacancy serve for the remainder of the predecessor's term.

Article 14 — Resignation and Removal of Officers

1. The president, (executive) vice presidents, board members, and supervisors may resign when unable to perform their duties.
2. The president, (executive) vice presidents, and board members, even while in office, must resign if two-thirds of the board expresses a vote of no confidence, or if more than half of the members attending a general assembly clearly express a vote of no confidence and that number exceeds the votes received by the member when elected to the board. Board members may not abstain; they may, however, delegate their vote to another board member.
3. A supervisor, even while in office, may be removed by board resolution if they fail to perform their duties or if two-thirds of attendees at a general assembly vote against them.
4. Board members must faithfully perform their duties during their term. Absent without cause from (executive) board meetings five or more times in a year shall be treated as voluntary abdication of responsibility, removable by board resolution. A board member may delegate their vote to another board member up to three times per year (each delegation not to exceed one month). Supervisors may issue a warning to the member in question based on attendance records.

Article 15 — Board of Directors

1. The association is operated by the Board of Directors and the Executive Board.
2. The Board of Directors consists of the president, executive vice president, vice presidents, and board members; the president serves as chairperson.
3. Board meetings may be held in person or online; decisions may also be made via email when necessary.
4. Board resolutions are proposed by the chairperson or their delegate and, following thorough discussion, are carried when approved by more than half of the eligible voters.
5. The board must review the annual financial report and supervisory report, and publish the resolutions to all members.
6. When necessary, the president may convene an Executive Board meeting or an Expanded Board meeting.

Article 16 — Duties of Officers

1. Board members: Represent members at board meetings, abide by the association's rules, and fulfill the duties assigned by the association.
2. President: Represents the association and bears overall responsibility for the association's work in accordance with its rules and board resolutions.
3. Executive Vice President: Assists the president. If the president resigns or is unable to perform their duties, the executive vice president shall act as president upon board resolution.
4. Vice Presidents: Hold external representative authority and are primarily responsible for managing major departments of the association.
5. Secretariat: Bears overall responsibility for the association's operational affairs.
6. Treasurer: In accordance with financial management rules determined by the board, is responsible for collecting dues, donation income, managing expenditures, etc. The treasurer must submit a financial report to members at year-end or before the start of the board election, following review by the supervisors.
7. Supervisors: With respect to the association's operations and assets, perform the following duties:
   • Audit the association's financial condition and submit a financial audit report and membership register to members.
   • Audit the management of the association's servers and submit a report.
   • Monitor the execution of board members' duties and submit a board operations audit report to members.
   • Monitor the electoral committee's operations and submit an audit report to members.
   • Publish the number of votes cast during their term.
   • Report to the board when any impropriety in financial condition or business execution is discovered.
   • Convene a board meeting when necessary to make such a report.
8. Supervisors may attend board meetings and express opinions but do not hold voting rights.
9. When the board deems it necessary, special committees shall be established to plan and implement policies as determined by the board. The head of each special committee is decided by the board.
10. Youth Committee: As one of the association's executive bodies, assists the secretariat in operating association affairs and activities; expands the association's influence among young HCI scholars and students; creates better opportunities for communication and growth for youth committee members; cultivates talent for the association's future development; and contributes to the dissemination of HCI scholarship and the advancement of HCI technology.

Article 17 — Appointment of Honorary Advisors

1. The association may appoint honorary advisors as needed. Honorary advisors may offer advice on the association's operations and planning.
2. Honorary advisors should be distinguished and knowledgeable persons or persons of influence in society. After confirmation of the nominee's consent, they are recommended by the board and elected by vote. Election as an honorary advisor requires approval by two-thirds or more of board members.
3. Honorary advisors serve in principle for life. They may attend board meetings but do not hold board voting rights and are not required to pay dues.

Article 18 — Awards

The association confers awards to scholars with influence in the HCI field and to members who have made important contributions to the association.

Award categories:

• A. ICACHI Pioneer Award
• B. ICACHI Young Pioneer Award
• C. ICACHI Rising Star Award
• D. ICACHI Distinguished Service Award
• E. ICACHI Outstanding Contribution Award
• F. ICACHI Special Contribution Award

Award cycle: Awards A, B, C, and D are conferred once every two years, with no more than five recipients per award per cycle; these awards may not be received more than once. Awards E and F are conferred annually and may be received more than once.

Nomination and presentation procedure: The secretariat first solicits nominations and compiles the candidate list. When a consensus cannot be reached among nominators, the board votes to decide. The secretariat will then compile the final candidate list and seek board input. Once the board unanimously approves the list, the secretariat contacts nominees for Awards A, B, and C to confirm acceptance of the nomination and attendance at the ceremony, and contacts nominees for Awards D, E, and F to notify them of their award and confirm attendance. The secretariat must prepare all award certificates before the ceremony.

Chapter 5 — Amendments, Dissolution, and Miscellaneous

Article 19 — Amendment of Bylaws

Amendments to these bylaws require the approval of two-thirds or more of board members. Board members may not abstain; they may, however, delegate their vote to another board member by proxy.

Article 20 — Dissolution

Dissolution of the association requires a proposal by the board followed by a vote at a general assembly, where three-quarters or more of members with voting rights present vote in favour.

Article 21 — Interpretation

The right to interpret these bylaws belongs to the Board of Directors.

Article 22 — Prohibition on Distribution of Reserves

The association shall not distribute its reserves.

Article 23 — Effective Date

These bylaws take effect from the date of their adoption (January 28, 2014). Article 13 shall come into effect from the establishment of the second-term board.

Article 24 — Revision History

Original ver 1.0 adopted May 10, 2012. Revised ver 2.0 adopted January 28, 2014. Revised ver 3.0 adopted August 30, 2015. Revised ver 4.0 adopted October 7, 2023. Revised ver 5.0 adopted February 23, 2026.