International Society for the Performing Arts
Revised Bylaws of the
International Society for the Performing Arts Foundation
(as amended for adoption and approved December 2003)

I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the International Society for the Performing Arts Foundation (the "ISPA Foundation"). The ISPA Foundation was incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Texas on June 11, 1982.
II. MISSION AND PURPOSE
  1. The corporation is formed exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and was granted exemption from taxation under the relevant sections on January 7, 1983.
  2. The mission of the ISPA Foundation is to support innovation, collaboration, and best practices in the creation, management, and presentation of the performing arts in an international context.
  3. In furtherance of such charitable and educational purposes, the ISPA Foundation's activities shall include:
    1. Organizing and conducting international conferences, seminars and workshops on topics of interest to individuals and organizations in the international arts community;
    2. Supporting the development of best practices, and improved communication, understanding and cooperation among individuals and organizations in the international arts community;
    3. Conducting programs and services which will enhance the public's access to international performing arts events; and undertaking other exempt activities and programs designed to promote, advance or foster public awareness and appreciation for the performing arts, and affirm the importance and necessity of the performing arts in today's global society
  4. The ISPA Foundation shall also manage the affairs of its subsidiary not-for-profit organisation, the International Society for the Performing Arts (the "Society") for the benefit of the subsidiary Society's members, consistent with the mission of the Foundation.
III. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  1. The management, supervision and direction of the ISPA Foundation and all its affairs and property shall be entrusted to and vested in a Board of Directors (the "Board"). The Board shall consist of not fewer than three nor more than twenty-five directors, the specific number to serve at any given time to be set by majority vote of the directors then serving.
  2. The Board shall establish policies and rules for the ISPA Foundation; elect the officers of the ISPA Foundation; adopt budgets and exercise financial oversight of the ISPA Foundation's activities; mange the affairs of any duly constituted subsidiary organisations; generally exercise all powers stated in the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws, or otherwise allowable under law; and take such other measures as may be necessary or proper to carry out the purposes and objectives of the ISPA Foundation.
  3. Consistent with the specific provisions of Section V, each Director shall accept committee service and leadership as assigned by the Board Chair; support Foundation activities; participate in the selection and regular evaluation of an Chief Executive Officer to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the ISPA Foundation; and participate in the decision-making of the Board towards the advancement of the ISPA Foundation's goals.
  4. Regular meetings of the Board shall be conducted in conjunction with each ISPA Conference and Congress.
  5. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Board Chair, a majority of the officers or any five members of the Board. Such a call shall state the purpose of the meeting, shall state its time and place, and shall be issued to the Secretary who shall direct written notice of the meeting to the best available address of each Board member at least 14 days prior to the time of the meeting.
  6. Each director shall be entitled to one vote. A quorum of the Board shall consist of one more than half of the total number of directors, provided that a quorum shall in no event consist of less than three directors. If less than a quorum is present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting but take no further action. When a quorum is present, the act of the majority shall be the act of the Board except as may be otherwise provided. Any director may yield their vote by proxy to another director, and such a proxy when verified to the satisfaction of the Board Chair, may be counted for voting purposes but not for purposes of establishing a quorum.
  7. The presiding officer at all meetings of the Board shall be the Board Chair or, in the elected Chair's absence, the Chair-Elect, or in their absence, the Secretary or, in their absence, an Acting Chair elected by the directors present. The Secretary or, in the Secretary's absence or service as Acting Chair, an Acting Secretary designated by the presiding officer of such a meeting, shall be responsible for recording and submitting the accurate minutes of any such meeting.
  8. The order of business for any meeting of the Board shall be determined by the presiding officer unless otherwise provided herein, or determined by a majority of the directors present.
  9. Directors are expected to attend all ISPA Conferences and Congresses, and to participate in all meetings of the Board. Directors-elect may attend all Board meetings held between the time of their election and the commencement of their term as participants with voice but no vote.
  10. Any director who is absent from more than one of the Conferences and Congresses held during their term, or who fails to participate in three consecutive Board meetings shall be subject to review by a committee designated by the Board Chair for that purpose, and upon recommendation of such committee may be removed from the Board by majority vote of the directors present at any duly constituted meeting of which all serving directors have received the required notice.
IV. OFFICERS
  1. The officers of the ISPA Foundation shall consist of a Board Chair, a Board Chair-Elect, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such Vice Chairs as may be deemed necessary by the Board Chair. Officers shall be elected from among the serving members of the Board of Directors by majority vote of the directors serving at the time of such election.
  2. No person shall hold more than one of these offices at the same time, except that at the discretion of the Board one person may serve as both Secretary and Treasurer. Officers may also serve simultaneously as chairs of committees or in such other positions as may be created.
  3. Subject to such changes as the Board may prescribe, the officers of the ISPA Foundation shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their offices.
    1. The Secretary shall notify the directors and members of their respective meetings; shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, all other official Foundation meetings and the Annual General Meeting as provided herein; and shall transmit copies of the minutes to the directors within 60 days following a meeting; and shall perform such duties as are normally expected of a Secretary at the direction of the Board or the Board Chair.
    2. The Treasurer shall review, amend and present the financial reports of the ISPA Foundation, including but not limited to the proposed annual budgets and the quarterly financial statements prepared by the Chief Executive Officer; the annual financial statement prepared by the ISPA Foundation's appointed auditors. The Treasurer shall recommend to the Board action on any significant investment recommendations made by the Chief Executive Officer.
    3. The Chair-Elect shall carry out such duties as may be delegated by the Board or the Board Chair.
  4. The term of the Board Chair shall be two years, and the terms for all other officers shall be one year, except the Chair-Elect, who shall serve during the full term of the Board Chair to be succeeded. The terms of all officers shall begin with the first Board meeting following the Annual General Meeting and shall continue through to the Annual General Meeting for the year in which the officer's term in due to expire.
  5. The Board Chair shall serve as the senior corporate officer of the ISPA Foundation, preside at Board meetings and at the Annual General Meeting; appoint the chairs and members of all committees; serve ex officio on all committees; guide the Board in filling Board vacancies as prescribed; and serve as the principal corporate representative of the ISPA Foundation. In the event of the absence or inability of the Board Chair to perform the duties of that office, the Chair-Elect or Secretary or Treasurer, in succession, respectively, shall perform those duties and have the same authority as the Board Chair. At other times, the Board Chair may delegate or assign such duties to the Chair-Elect or any other officer.
  6. Officers may serve unlimited and successive terms, provided that no person shall serve more than two successive terms as Board Chair and no person shall serve more than two successive terms as Chair-Elect. Subject to action by the membership as provided below, the succession in office will follow from Chair-Elect to Board Chair.
  7. As the final order of business at the Annual General Meeting in any year when the Chair's term expires, the succession of the Chair-elect to succeed the outgoing chair shall be confirmed by vote of the members present. Confirmation shall require the approval of a majority of members present and voting. The Chair shall take office upon confirmation.
  8. In the event the Chair-Elect is not confirmed by the membership as provided above, the outgoing Chair shall remain in office until the next meeting of the Board, to be held within 30 days, at which time the Board shall as the first order of business elect a new Chair from among its members, to take office immediately.
  9. In the event the Board Chair resigns or is otherwise unable to act in an official capacity as Chair, and the Chair's resignation or incapacity is accepted or acknowledged by majority vote of the Executive Committee, the Chair-elect shall succeed to the office of Chair pro-tem. It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to present one or more candidates to the Board for election as Board Chair to serve out the term of the individual being succeeded.
  10. If any other officer resigns from office, the Board shall elect a replacement from among the directors serving at the time of such election to complete the former officer's remaining term of office.
V. COMMITTEES
  1. The standing committees of the Board shall be: Executive, Finance, Nominating, Membership and Program. The Board Chair may establish other committees as deemed appropriate.
    1. Except as otherwise specified herein, the Board Chair shall nominate a member of the Board of Directors to chair each committee.
    2. The Board Chair shall serve as chair of the Executive Committee
    3. The Treasurer shall serve as chair of the Finance Committee.
    4. The Chair-Elect shall serve as chair of the Nominating Committee, which shall be constituted to reflect the international nature of the ISPA Foundation's mission, and the diversity of the international arts community.
    5. The Chair-Elect shall serve as chair of the Program Committee, which shall have the responsibility of recommending to the Board sites, themes, and organizers for Foundation programs.
    6. Nominated committee chairs shall assume their duties upon confirmation by majority vote of the Board, either in session or by written ballot.
  2. The Board Chair shall serve ex-offico on all committees, and shall make appointments of individual members to each committee such that at least one other member of the Board in addition to the committee chair shall serve on each committee.
  3. The Executive Committee shall have a minimum of five members including the Chair. The members of the Executive Committee shall include, but need not be limited to, the elected officers of the ISPA Foundation Board, including the Chair-Elect. One or more past Chairs of the Board may serve at the presiding Chair's discretion.
    1. Consistent with the requirements stated above, the Board Chair may nominate the chair of any duly constituted committee to serve on the Executive Committee.
    2. Committee chairs shall assume their duties on the Executive Com
      upon confirmation by majority vote of the Board, either in session or by written ballot.
    3. Providing a quorum of at least one half of the Executive Committee members then confirmed and serving is present, the Executive Committee shall have full authority to act on behalf of the Board on matters requiring exceptional confidentiality or action between scheduled Board meetings.
    4. Actions of the Executive Committee shall stand as actions of the Board unless reversed or amended at the next duly constituted Board meeting by vote of two-thirds of the directors present and voting at such a meeting.
  4. All committees shall be required to meet at least twice annually and to submit reports to the Board of Directors and at the Annual General Meeting of the ISPA Foundation. There is no quorum requirement for meetings of committees except the Executive Committee. The report for any committee meeting at which a majority of the members then serving is present shall be the report of the entire committee. A report by a minority of a committee may be received by the Board provided that the names of the members subscribing to the report are included.
  5. The Chair shall, on an annual basis, convene a Presidents Council consisting of all living past Presidents and Board Chairs, to advise the Chair and the Chief Executive Officer on issues of concern.
VI. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
  1. The Board of Directors of the ISPA Foundation shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the ISPA Foundation as provided herein. Nomination for ISPA Foundation Board membership shall be open exclusively to members of the Society who are in good standing.
  2. Directors shall serve for staggered three-year terms, beginning January 1 of the year following their election, with the terms of as close to one-third of the directors as may be reasonably possible consistent with other provisions of these by-laws, expiring each year.
  3. No member may serve more than two consecutive three-year terms as a director without which the member is not serving as a director, except that a director elected as Board Chair or Chair-Elect shall in all events continue to serve on the Board during those terms, and that the Immediate Past Chair shall, if willing and able, continue to serve on the Board ex-officio for at least one year after the conclusion of the member's tenure in office as Board Chair.
  4. It shall be the responsibility of the Nominating Committee to solicit and receive nominations from the membership, and upon assessing the qualifications, and verifying the eligibility and willingness of the nominees to serve, to select from such nominations a slate of nominees for all of the expiring directorships, unless a lesser number shall have been specified by majority vote of the Board, which slate is itself balanced to affirm and enhance the internationalism and diversity of the ISPA Foundation Board.
  5. The report of the Nominating Committee to the Annual General Meeting shall include presentation of a slate of nominees for available directorships. Upon motion and second to accept the report, the majority vote of the members present and voting shall serve to elect the slate.
  6. Nominations for the office of Director may also be made by petition signed by not less than twenty (20) members in good standing whose dues are paid through the date of the Annual General Meeting. No member may sign more than one nominating petition for any slate. The petition must state that the member nominated has agreed to the nomination. The petition shall be sent to the chair of the Nominating Committee in care of the ISPA Foundation office and must be received not later than ninety (90) days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Any nomination made by petition shall be made known immediately to the Nominating Committee, the Board, and the Board Chair, and the details of members nominated by petition shall be included in addition to the Nominating Committee's slate in the notice packet for the Annual General Meeting
  7. In the event the slate is not elected, the Chair shall place the individual nominees from the slate into nomination, together with the names of members nominated by petition. Additional nominations of eligible members present at the meeting may be made from the floor until their number equals the number of nominees carried over from the slate. Members nominated from the floor must be seconded, must be present at the meeting, and must affirm their willingness to serve if elected. The Chair shall close nominations at such time as the number of nominees accepted from the floor equals the number of nominees carried over from the slate, or at such time as no further nominations are offered, whichever shall be sooner. After the nominations are closed, the Chair may recognize each nominee to make a brief statement, the length of which shall be determined at the absolute discretion of the Chair. Following the nominees' statements, the nominees shall be voted upon individually in the order of the nomination, beginning with those from the slate. A majority of those present and voting will serve to elect a nominee. Voting shall conclude at such time as candidates have been elected to fill the available number of seats on Board of Directors, as determined by previous action of the Board of Directors consistent with the limit established herein. In the event the first round of balloting does not fill the available number of seats previously specified by the Board, the Chair shall entertain further nominations to a maximum of twice the number of available seats remaining, and the process shall be repeated until all seats are filled or no further nominations are offered.
  8. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors, except those occurring within twelve months of the next Annual General meeting or those occurring through the normal completion of terms, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the directors present at any duly constituted meeting of the remaining directors at which a quorum is present, unless a quorum is impossible because of the number of such vacancies may be filled by the majority vote of the remaining directors present. The term of such election shall commence immediately, and shall normally be the remaining term of the vacated directorship, but may be set at any length less than three years at the discretion of the Board in order to equalize Board classes.
VII. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE ISPA FOUNDATION
  1. A Chief Executive Officer shall be appointed and employed to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation by the Board of Directors upon such terms and compensation as it deems proper and advisable, to manage the ISPA Foundation consistent with the policy goals and operating budgets established and approved by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer of the ISPA Foundation shall report to the Board of Directors, and serve at their discretion.
  2. The Chief Executive Officer shall coordinate all the principal corporate, administrative, and mission-related functions of the ISPA Foundation including, but not limited to, regional and international meetings, meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the Board; the management of ISPA Foundation office or offices and employment of suitable staff; the membership functions of the subsidiary Society; and shall oversee the publishing of all print materials of the ISPA Foundation, including the ISPA Foundation's newsletter and the annual membership directory.
  3. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the custodian of all records, books, documents and papers of the ISPA Foundation.
  4. The Chief Executive Officer shall keep all financial records of the ISPA Foundation, subject to regular review of the Treasurer and annual review by designated CPA auditors, shall oversee compliance with the tax laws of jurisdictions in which the ISPA Foundation is active, and shall publish the audited annual financial report for the inspection by the members.
  5. The Chief Executive Officer shall prepare such interim and annual financial statements as may be required by the Board, and the annual budget, and shall in monies for the ISPA Foundation in accordance with the Treasurer's recommendation and Board approval.
  6. The Chief Executive Officer shall attend meetings of the Board of Directors and the ISPA Foundation's Executive Committee in an ex-officio capacity, unless excused, with voice but no vote; and shall attend or designate a staff member to attend meetings of other Board committees.
VIII. PROVISION FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Effective October 22, 1996, the International Society for the Performing Arts (the "Society") originally incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the State of New York March 7, 1949, became a subsidiary of the ISPA Foundation, both organisations to be governed by the Board of the ISPA Foundation, and managed by the Chief Executive Officer of the ISPA Foundation consistent with their respective charitable purposes as prescribed by law.

IX. SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURES and OBLIGATIONS
  1. Subject to the specific provisions of Sections IX and X of these Bylaws, membership in the subsidiary Society shall be open to all interested parties with a professional involvement in the performing arts, including but not limited to directors and executive staff of concert and performance halls, festivals, performing companies, artist managements and artist competitions; government cultural officials; and any other individual or organization interested in enhancing the international development of the professional performing arts field. An applicant for membership in the subsidiary Society must be of good character and reputation.
  2. The Board of Directors of the ISPA Foundation, in coordination with the Chief Executive Officer or such committee as may be established for purposes of considering membership issues, may establish membership qualifications for the subsidiary Society so as to ensure support for the mission and purposes of the ISPA Foundation, and shall establish a suitable procedure for
    membership applications.
  3. All applications for membership shall be in writing on a form provided by the ISPA Foundation, and shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer or such committee as may be established for purposes of considering membership issues.
  4. Membership in the subsidiary Society is conferred by majority vote of the Board of Directors of the ISPA Foundation, and in normal circumstances shall remain valid upon regular payment of dues unless revoked by action of the Board.
  5. The Chief Executive Officer shall notify applicants of the disposition of their application for membership.
  6. The annual dues for membership in the subsidiary Society shall be established by the Board of Directors of the ISPA Foundation.
  7. Each applicant for membership in the subsidiary Society shall pay one full year's dues to cover the first year of membership, which dues shall be refunded to the applicant if the membership is not approved by the Board. Each member's dues shall subsequently be adjusted so as to become payable on a calendar year basis.
  8. For non-payment of dues under normal conditions, a member may be dropped from the membership rolls of the subsidiary Society without action or notice.
  9. The Board of Directors of the ISPA Foundation may also, by a vote of a majority of directors, move to expel any member from the Society, suspend a member on stated conditions and terms or censure a member, by reason of that member's violation of the Bylaws, absence of qualifications for membership, or misconduct tending to bring discredit upon the Society or the performing arts field. In the case of a motion for expulsion, suspension or censure, the member must be given written notice of the cause for such action, a reasonable time in which to respond, and an opportunity to appear in person before the Board of the ISPA Foundation or a committee designated by the Board Chair for this purpose to make a recommendation to the Board. Final adverse action following such hearing shall require an affirmative vote by two-thirds of the Board members then serving, and the Board's decision shall be final. No publicity shall be given to such disciplinary actions.
  10. Termination of membership shall not affect the rights of the ISPA Foundation to take action to collect any dues or other monies which the member might owe to the ISPA Foundation or the Society.
X. VOTING AND PRIVILEGES OF SOCIETY MEMBERS
  1. Each organization represented by one or more members of the subsidiary Society shall be eligible to cast one vote for the election of directors of the ISPA Foundation, and to cast one vote on behalf of their organization at the Annual General Meeting of the ISPA Foundation. The right of a member's organization to vote shall cease immediately upon failure to maintain at least one fully paid membership in the Society.
  2. Individual members of the Society whose dues are not current at the time of any Foundation activity shall forfeit their individual rights as members, including but not limited the right to attend the Annual General Meeting of the ISPA Foundation, any right of admission to activities or access to services restricted to members, and any applicable member discounts.
XI. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ISPA FOUNDATION
  1. An Annual General Meeting of the ISPA Foundation, at which all full members of the subsidiary Society whose dues have been paid for the period in which said meeting is held may have voice, shall be held each year at a time to be determined by the Board of Directors, for the purpose of electing directors and officers of the ISPA Foundation and for the transaction of such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting by the voting membership. The exact time and place for the Annual General Meeting of the ISPA Foundation shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and written notice shall be transmitted to each member of the subsidiary Society at least 20 days prior to the meeting.
  2. The presence of voting delegates representing twenty organisations eligible to vote under the provisions of these Bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the Annual General Meeting. When a quorum is present, the act of the majority shall be the act of the Meeting.
  3. Any member may yield their vote by proxy to another member, or to the Secretary of the Foundation, and such a proxy when verified to the satisfaction of the presiding officer may be counted for voting purposes consistent with the provisions of Section X and XII, but not for purposes of establishing a quorum at any meeting.
  4. A Special General Meeting may be called by the Board of Directors at any time upon proper notice consistent with that provided for the Annual General Meeting. Such a meeting may also be noticed by the Secretary upon written request from delegates representing twenty organisations eligible to vote under the provisions of these Bylaws, at any time.
  5. The presiding officer at any duly noticed General Meeting shall be the ISPA Foundation Board Chair or, in the elected Chair's absence, the Secretary or, in their absence, an Acting Chair who is not a candidate for any elective Foundation office at that meeting. The Acting Chair shall be elected by a majority of the voting delegates present. The Secretary or, in the case of the Secretary's absence or service as Acting Chair, an Acting Secretary designated by the presiding officer of such a meeting, shall be responsible for recording and submitting the accurate minutes of any such meeting.
  6. Consistent with the specific provisions of this section, the order of business for a General Meeting shall be determined by the presiding officer. A
    for the hearing and consideration of New Business items initiated from the floor by voting delegates or members of the Society in attendance.
XII. AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
  1. These Bylaws may be amended at any Annual General Meeting by a majority vote of the members present and voting, providing such proposed amendment shall first have been approved by a majority of the Board, and that written notice of the proposed changes has been transmitted to the members by the Secretary of the ISPA Foundation at least 30 days prior to the meeting.
  2. Any amendment which will have the effect of increasing or decreasing the number or compensation of directors, or which will substantially alter any provisions of sections II, IX or X of these bylaws, relating to the mission, purpose and membership policies of the ISPA Foundation and the subsidiary Society, shall require the approval of two-thirds of the full membership by written ballot within three months of notice and transmittal of ballots.
  3. Amendments shall become effective upon approval unless otherwise specified in their text.
XIII. ASSETS, FUNDS AND DISSOLUTION
  1. No director, officer or employee of the ISPA Foundation shall have any right, title or interest in any of the assets and funds of the ISPA Foundation. All such assets and funds shall be owned exclusively by the ISPA Foundation.
  2. No part of the net earnings of the ISPA Foundation shall inure to the benefit of any director or officer or to any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered by a director or officer). Directors and officers may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.
  3. In case of dissolution of the ISPA Foundation, the assets remaining after payment of its just debts and obligations shall be transferred to one or more charitable, literary or educational organizations which qualify under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Such organizations shall be chosen by the Board of Directors, unless other determination is required by governing law.
XIV. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING

Unanimous consent: Except as otherwise provided herein, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors or any committee may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or the committee consent in writing to the adoption without amendment of a resolution authorizing the action. Such written consent may be given by prepared ballot, or transmitted by electronic mail or fax to the ISPA Foundation office, which shall document the votes and confirm same to the satisfaction of the Secretary, for recording and reporting. The resolution and the written consents by members of the Board or committee shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee.

XV. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
  1. Any written notice required herein shall be deemed equally valid whether transmitted by mail, fax, or electronic mail to an address or fax number shown in the ISPA Foundation's records, provided transmission is made in a timely manner. Any written notice required of a member shall be deemed equally valid whether transmitted by mail, fax, or electronic mail to the ISPA Foundation's established address or fax number, provided it is received within the required time.
  2. Any member of the Board of Directors or any committee may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
XVI. INDEMNIFICATION

The ISPA Foundation shall maintain an "Officers and Directors" liability insurance policy. Indemnification shall be as provided for in the ISPA Foundation's Articles of Incorporation.

XVII. AUTHORITY

Meetings shall be governed by the procedures established in "21st Century Robert's Rules of Order" except where they are contradicted by any specific provision of these Bylaws.

XVIII. FISCAL YEAR

Beginning after the partial-year period between April 1, 2001 and December 31, 2001 the fiscal year of the ISPA Foundation shall be January 1 through December 31.

 

--------
home / who we are / what we do / how to join / contact us

International Society for the Performing Arts Foundation
17 Purdy Avenue
P.O. Box 909
Rye, New York 10580
USA
tel 914.921.1550
fax 914.921.1593
 info@ispa.org
http://www.ispa.org/