ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be
The MENA–USA Association of Business and Economics, Inc
(hereafter “the Association” or “MUSABE”). It is a nonprofit, business-focused, multi-disciplinary professional Association, incorporated in the State of Connecticut, USA under Entity ID US-CT.BER:3213295 (EIN 39-2769430), recognized as a 501(c)(3) public charity by the Internal Revenue Service, and governed by all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The Association is organized exclusively for charitable, nonprofit, educational, and scientific purposes. Its mission is to promote collaboration and interaction among academicians, higher education institutions, business professionals, accrediting bodies, and students from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the United States across all fields of business and economics. The Association also aims to strengthen partnerships and collaboration among USA-accredited schools, institutions, and programs in the MENA region, as well as with their counterparts in the United States. Additionally, it supports initiatives and activities consistent with the goals of a nonprofit professional society dedicated to advancing the fields of business and economics.
ARTICLE III: INITIAL GOVERNANCE AND INCORPORATOR AUTHORITY
At the time of incorporation, the Association shall be governed by the Incorporator, who shall serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors (hereafter “Chairman”) and act with full authority to adopt bylaws, appoint the initial Board of Directors, regional Presidents and officers for a full term, and conduct the affairs of the Association until the end of his/her term. The Incorporator shall serve as the initial Chair of the Board of the Association for a full five-year term. The Incorporator shall also serve as the Treasurer of the Association and shall continue in that role until he is relieved of their duties by a formal vote of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Classes of Membership
The Association shall have one class of members, Active Members, comprised of either individuals or institutions that have paid their annual dues or members holding life memberships.
Section 2: Membership Dues
The Chairman of the Board recommends annual membership dues, which the Board will review and approve.
Section 3: Voting Rights
Each active member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members.
ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: General Powers
The Board of Directors shall manage the Association's affairs. The Board shall manage the Association's affairs between annual meetings and ensure alignment with its mission and strategic objectives.
Section 2: Composition
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Chairman of the Board, the President for the Middle East Region, the President for the North Africa Region, the President for the USA Region, and at least seventeen (17) directors elected at large.
Directors elected at large shall serve a three-year term and will be selected through a mail or email ballot process. The Nominating Committee is responsible for nominating at least seventeen individuals. Elections should be held one year before the end of the term of the current directors.
Section 3: Meetings
The Board of Directors will meet regularly to oversee business, conduct elections, and plan programs. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman or at the request of the three regional Presidents or any nine directors. Meetings may be held in person, electronically, or virtually.
Section 4: Quorum
A majority of the Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors. If a quorum is not present, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting to another time.
Section 6: Action Without a Meeting
Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all Directors consent in writing or by electronic transmission, including through an electronic signature platform such as Adobe Sign, to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the action.
Each written resolution shall clearly describe the proposed action and shall specify a response deadline. Directors must submit their vote within seven (7) calendar days from the date the resolution is delivered through the designated electronic system.
Failure to respond within seven (7) calendar days shall be recorded as a non-response for purposes of participation tracking under Section 7 of this Article.
A written consent approved by all Directors within the specified response period shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote at a duly convened meeting and shall be filed with the minutes of the Board.
Section 7: Director Participation and Removal for Non-Participation
Directors are expected to actively participate in the Association's governance, including attending meetings and responding to written resolutions.
If a Director fails to attend three (3) consecutive duly noticed meetings or fails to respond to three (3) consecutive duly presented written resolutions within the required response period, without reasonable excuse, such failure shall constitute a presumption of voluntary resignation.
ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS
Section 1: Officers
The officers of the Association shall be a Chairman of the Board, a President for the Middle East Region, a President for the North Africa Region, and a President for the U.S. Region.
Section 2: Chairman of the Board
The Chairman shall be the principal executive officer and shall perform all duties customary to the office of Chairman, as well as such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. The Chairman shall have broad authority to direct the Association's strategic priorities, represent the Association in all external affairs, and, with Board approval, may concurrently serve as Treasurer. The Chairman shall also have the authority to appoint committee chairs, designate conference sites, and execute Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), partnership or sponsorship agreements on behalf of the MENA–USA Association of Business and Economics (MUSABE), subject to Board oversight or ratification where appropriate.
The Chairman shall be elected by a majority vote of the Board members present at a duly convened meeting, whether attending in person or virtually. Upon election, the Chairman shall appoint the Regional Presidents for the Middle East, North Africa, and the United States of America, each for a term of five years. The Chairman shall serve a five-year term and may be re-elected by the Board of Directors.
Section 3: Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Association and perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer; shall keep the minutes of the meetings of members and the Board of Directors, see that all notices are duly given, be custodian of the Association records and seal, keep the record of members’ names and addresses, and in general perform all the duties incident to her/his the office. The Treasurer shall be appointed for an indefinite term by the Board of Directors and serve until she/he is relieved of their duties by the Board of Directors.
Section 4: Powers
The Board shall manage the Association's affairs between annual meetings and ensure alignment with its mission and strategic objectives. The Chairman shall have broad authority to direct the Association's strategic priorities, represent the Association in all external affairs, and may serve concurrently as the Treasurer. The Chairman shall also have the authority to appoint committee chairs, designate conference sites, and execute Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), partnership or sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Association, subject to Board oversight or ratification where appropriate.
ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES
Section 1: Nominating Committee
The Board of Directors shall appoint a Nominating Committee for the upcoming year, consisting of the Regional Presidents representing the Middle East, North Africa, and the United States of America, as well as up to two additional members of the Board of Directors. The committee will elect a chair from among its members.
The Nominating Committee shall convene to prepare a list of nominees for officer positions and the Board of Directors. All nominees must be active members of the Association. The Committee Chair shall confirm each nominee’s willingness to run for election and present a final list of nominees to the Chairman.
Section 2: Other Committees
The Chairman shall have the authority to establish and dissolve committees as deemed necessary to support the effective functioning of the Association.
ARTICLE VIII: PUBLICATIONS
Section 1: Journal
The official publication shall be Banking and Finance Review (BFR) - ISSN: 1947-6140 (Online)
Section 2: Proceedings
The official Proceedings publication shall be the MUSABE Research Series in Business and Economics.
ARTICLE IX: CONTRACTS AND FINANCIAL MATTERS
Section 1: Contracts
The Board of Directors authorizes the Chairman to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Association.
Section 2: Checks, Drafts, Etc.
All checks, drafts, payment orders, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the Association shall be signed by the Chairman.
Section 3: Deposits
All funds of the Association shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Association in such banks, trust companies, or other depositaries as the Chairman may select.
Section 4: Gifts/Donations
The Chairman may accept on behalf of the Association any contribution, gift, donation, bequest, or devise for the general purpose of the Association.
ARTICLE X: FISCAL YEAR
The Association's operating year shall begin on July 1 and end on June 30 of the following year. Membership dues paid on or before December 31 of any given year will entitle the member to annual membership through the current operating year, which ends on June 30 of the following year. A member who joins the organization between January 1 and June 30 will receive membership valid for the following operating year. (For example, a member who joins on December 1, 2025, will renew their membership on July 1, 2026. A member who joins on May 10, 2025, will renew their membership on July 1, 2026.)
ARTICLE XI: BOOKS AND RECORDS
The Association shall maintain accurate and complete books and records of accounts and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of its board of directors. Additionally, it shall maintain a record at its registered or principal office, which shall include the names and addresses of the members entitled to vote. The Board shall approve the Association's financial statements.
ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS
Based on the recommendation of the Chairman, the Board may adopt amendments to these bylaws by a majority vote of the Board members present (whether virtually or in person). However, this procedure does not apply to amendments that would materially and adversely affect the voting rights of Association members or change the number of Board members. Such amendments require a majority vote by the Board and subsequent approval by two-thirds of the voting members present and voting at annual meetings. Voting conducted via email must include notice to all voting members, a defined deadline for responses, and clear procedures for tallying votes.
ARTICLE XIII: ACTIVE MEMBERS & PARTNERS
Section 1: Active Members
Active Members are defined as individuals who have paid their full membership dues for the current operating year. Only Active Members shall be entitled to the benefits described below. Any member who has not fulfilled their dues obligation shall not be considered an Active Member and will forfeit access to all member-exclusive resources, forums, and opportunities. Additionally, any such individual holding an appointed or elected office within the Association shall be deemed to have vacated that office automatically upon becoming inactive.
For the purposes of dues, Active Members are classified as:
1. Regular Members: Any individual with an academic or professional interest in the Association's mission.
Benefits:
Access to MUSABE conferences at a reduced member rate
Priority consideration for:
Presenting research at conferences
Participating in workshops and panels with educational content
Serving in academic roles such as Session Chair or Panel Discussant
Invitations to exclusive member academic webinars, workshops, and talks
Waived publication fees for:
- The Banking and Finance Review Journal (BFR)
- MUSABE Conference Proceedings
Section 2: Partners
1. Founding Institutions Partners: An Institutional partner that offered support to MUSABE from the time of incorporation through the inspection and early operational phases of the Association.
1.1 Academic Institutional Partnership is open to USA-accredited colleges, universities, programs, and educational centers that support the Association's mission and values. These institutions demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, international collaboration, and the advancement of higher education in business, economics, and related fields. Partner institutions are particularly interested in networking and forming strategic partnerships with accredited institutions across the MENA region and the United States. Areas of collaboration may include student exchange programs, study abroad opportunities, faculty exchange initiatives, joint academic and research programs, and shared efforts to enhance curriculum development and accreditation standards. Through this membership, institutions gain access to a dynamic platform for dialogue, collaboration, and visibility within a global academic network dedicated to innovation, quality, and cross-border engagement in higher education.
1.2 Academic Institutional Partner Eligibility: Academic Institutional Partners must be a higher education institution that is either:
Accredited or recognized at the institutional level by a USA regional or national accrediting body recognized by the USA Department of Education (e.g., Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)), OR
Offering academic programs in business fields that are specifically accredited or recognized by a U.S. programmatic accrediting body (e.g., AACSB, ACBSP, IACBE, NASPAA, ACCET), OR
Located in a candidate status toward either institutional or program-level U.S. accreditation. Given that candidate status has multiple stages, the Chairman shall evaluate any request to join under this provision and make a nomination to the Board for approval. MUSABE is not obligated to justify the denial of membership requests.
Academic institutions located outside the United States and the MENA region — for this clause, the MENA region includes the Greater MENA area, defined as all countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and culturally or economically connected nations including Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Somalia, Mauritania, and Chad — may be considered for Academic Institutional Membership by majority vote of all current Regular Members. MUSABE is not obligated to justify the denial of any membership requests.
Benefits:
Permanent recognition as a Founding Institutional Partner across all MUSABE platforms, publications, and official materials
Priority status in building academic and strategic partnerships with other MUSABE Founding Institutions, including early engagement in dual, joint, and collaborative academic initiatives
Priority opportunity to co-host academic events, conferences, workshops, and symposia under the MUSABE umbrella
Institutional input into MUSABE’s strategic priorities and academic programming, shaping the consortium’s long-term direction
Priority consideration to propose and lead scholarly themes for roundtables, policy dialogues, conference tracks, special journal issues, and edited volumes
Eligibility to support and receive named recognition for key academic gatherings, including:
Coffee Breaks
Chairman’s Gala Reception
Keynote Luncheon (with institutional name recognition)
Discounted participation in MUSABE’s International Education Pavilion, showcasing institutional programs and initiatives
Founding Institutional Partners retain the right to withdraw their membership at any time by providing written notice via official institutional email to MUSABE.
2. Strategic Partners: Strategic Partnerships are extended to international and national accrediting bodies, organizations, quality assurance agencies, and professional associations in the MENA region and the United States that share a common interest in advancing the Association's mission and U.S. accreditation. These organizations play a critical role in promoting academic standards, institutional improvement, and global recognition of excellence in higher education.
This Partnership category encompasses accrediting agencies, organizations, and professional associations that currently have a presence in the MENA region or have a strategic interest in expanding their reach and engagement in the MENA region. Through collaboration with the Association, Strategic Partner Members support efforts related to institutional accreditation, program-level recognition, faculty development, and cross-border capacity building.
Nominations shall be made by the Chairman and approved by the Board of Directors. Strategic Partner Members may also be invited to lead high-impact webinars, plenary sessions, or roundtables focused on accreditation practices, policies, and innovations aligned with their respective Commissions. They will play a central role in the official accreditation-focused sessions initiated during the MUSABE Annual Meeting, sharing insights, case studies, and guidance to help institutions better navigate accreditation processes and standards across regions.
Benefits:
Permanent recognition as a Strategic Institutional Partner across all MUSABE platforms, publications, and official materials
Eligibility for reduced-rate exhibit space at conferences
3. Supporting Partners: Available to corporations, businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, associations, and other non-academic organizations aligned with MUSABE’s mission. This membership category is intended for entities that actively support the advancement of higher education institutions, business, finance, and economic development, as well as the growth and strengthening of financial institutions in the MENA region and beyond. Membership is granted by nomination of the Chairman and approval of the Board of Directors.
Benefits:
Permanent recognition as a Supporting Partner across all MUSABE platforms, publications, and official materials
Opportunity to contribute to academic sessions or dialogues aligned with MUSABE’s mission
ARTICLE XIV: DISSOLUTION
Upon the dissolution of the Association, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or a state or local government, for public purposes. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the Association is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
ARTICLE XV: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the Association's proceedings in all cases not otherwise provided for in these bylaws.