BFIAA Constitution

The governing document of the Bangladesh Film Institute Alumni Association, establishing its objectives, structure, membership, and rules of operation.

BFIAA · Dhaka, Bangladesh | Est. 2009

Preamble

We, the alumni of the Bangladesh Film Institute (BFI), established in 2005 by the distinguished documentary filmmaker Tanvir Mokammel, hereby form the Bangladesh Film Institute Alumni Association (BFIAA) to serve as the official body representing the interests, welfare, and creative aspirations of all graduates of the Bangladesh Film Institute.

Recognising that the Bangladesh Film Institute has, over more than two decades, produced a community of over a thousand filmmakers, film lovers, and cinema educators who share a common intellectual and creative heritage, we establish this Association to keep that community alive, connected, and purposeful.

Article 1 — Name & Identity

1.1 The name of this organisation shall be the Bangladesh Film Institute Alumni Association, abbreviated as BFIAA.

1.2 The Association shall be registered as a voluntary, non-political, non-commercial cultural and educational organisation under the laws of Bangladesh.

1.3 The official web presence of the Association shall be at bfiaa.bfibd.org, a subdomain of the Bangladesh Film Institute's official website at bfibd.org.

1.4 The official publication of the Association is Uralchitra (উড়ালচিত্র), a magazine on film culture.

Article 2 — Objectives

The objectives of BFIAA shall be:

  1. To maintain a register of all graduates of the Bangladesh Film Institute and facilitate communication and networking among alumni.
  2. To promote and strengthen film culture, cinema appreciation, and the art of filmmaking across Bangladesh.
  3. To cooperate with and support the Bangladesh Film Institute in its educational mission, courses, workshops, and cultural programmes.
  4. To publish Uralchitra and other materials related to film culture, criticism, and the creative work of alumni.
  5. To organise screenings, festivals, Cine Club Adda gatherings, masterclasses, and other events for the benefit of alumni and the wider film community.
  6. To honour and celebrate the work of distinguished alumni and their contributions to Bangladeshi and world cinema.
  7. To establish connections with film institutes, film clubs, and cultural organisations nationally and internationally.
  8. To provide mutual support, guidance, and a professional network for alumni working in film, media, and related fields.
  9. To preserve and archive the institutional memory of the Bangladesh Film Institute and its graduates.

Article 3 — Membership

3.1 Categories of Membership

Membership of BFIAA shall be open to the following categories:

  1. General Members: All graduates of any course offered by the Bangladesh Film Institute (Film Appreciation Course, Online Filmmaking Course, or any other programme) are eligible to become General Members.
  2. Life Members: General Members who make a one-time contribution as determined by the Executive Committee may be elected as Life Members. Life Members have all rights of General Members in perpetuity.
  3. Associate Members: Individuals who support the cause of film culture but who are not BFI graduates may, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, be admitted as Associate Members. Associate Members may not hold office or vote in General Body elections.
  4. Patron / Advisor: Distinguished individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Bangladeshi cinema may be invited to serve as Patrons or Advisors of the Association. The Founder of BFI, Tanvir Mokammel, shall serve as Patron/Advisor by default.

3.2 Membership Rights

General and Life Members shall have the right to vote at General Body meetings, to stand for election to the Executive Committee, to attend all events and programmes of the Association, and to receive copies of Uralchitra.

3.3 Membership Dues

Annual membership dues and Life Membership contributions shall be determined by the Executive Committee and approved by the General Body. Dues shall be kept at a level accessible to all alumni regardless of their professional circumstances.

Article 4 — Executive Committee

4.1 Composition

The Executive Committee shall consist of the following elected positions:

4.2 Term of Office

The Executive Committee shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of election. No person shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms.

4.3 Election

The Executive Committee shall be elected by the General Body at the Biennial General Meeting by simple majority vote. All General and Life Members in good standing are eligible to vote and stand for election.

4.4 Responsibilities

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the day-to-day management and activities of the Association, implementing the decisions of the General Body, managing the Association's funds, and reporting to the General Body at each biennial meeting.

Article 5 — Meetings

5.1 Biennial General Meeting

The Association shall hold a Biennial General Meeting (BGM) at least once every two years. The BGM shall receive reports from the Executive Committee, approve accounts, elect a new Executive Committee, and discuss policy and direction.

5.2 Executive Committee Meetings

The Executive Committee shall meet at least once every two months. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of Committee members.

5.3 Special General Meetings

A Special General Meeting may be called by the President, or on the written request of at least one-third of the General Members, with 14 days' notice.

Article 6 — Finance

6.1 All income and expenditure of the Association shall be recorded and an annual statement of accounts shall be prepared and presented to the General Body.

6.2 The Association shall maintain a bank account in the name of BFIAA, requiring the joint signature of the President (or General Secretary) and the Treasurer for any withdrawal.

6.3 No expenditure above a threshold set by the Executive Committee may be made without prior approval of the Committee.

Article 7 — Publications

7.1 The official magazine of BFIAA is Uralchitra (উড়ালচিত্র). The magazine shall be published at least once per year.

7.2 The Editor of Uralchitra shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. The magazine may accept content from all members and invited contributors.

7.3 The Association may publish other materials, newsletters, digital content and archival documents as approved by the Executive Committee.

Article 8 — Amendments

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of members present at a Biennial General Meeting or Special General Meeting, provided that the proposed amendment has been circulated to all members at least 21 days before the meeting.

Article 9 — Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of the Association, all assets remaining after settlement of liabilities shall be transferred to the Bangladesh Film Institute or to a charitable organisation with similar objectives, as decided by a two-thirds majority of members at a General Meeting called for this purpose.

Article 10 — Patron & Advisor

Tanvir Mokammel, the Founder of the Bangladesh Film Institute and one of Bangladesh's most distinguished documentary filmmakers, shall serve as the Patron and Advisor of the Bangladesh Film Institute Alumni Association. The Association affirms its deep gratitude to him for establishing BFI and for his ongoing commitment to cinema education in Bangladesh.


ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL BODY
Bangladesh Film Institute Alumni Association
BFIAA · bfiaa.bfibd.org · Dhaka, Bangladesh
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