Bylaws

(Revised: 12/3/2005)

 

    Section 1.  The name of the organization shall be OKINAWA KAI OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

    Section 1.  The purpose of this organization shall be to promote educational opportunity, to provide charitable scholarships, and to enhance the understanding of Okinawan culture and heritage among Okinawan and American people.

Section 1.  The membership of this organization shall be open to any person who supports the objectives of this organization.

    Section 2.  There shall be two categories of dues:  Single Members and Family Members.  Family membership shall be limited to the parents and dependent members of their household.  The annual dues for each category shall be established at the Annual Meeting.  The annual dues shall be payable annually. 
   
    Section 3.  Non-members may be charged a “guest fee” for attendance to Okinawa Kai activities that involve use of organization funds.  The amount charged for “guest fee” shall comply with city, county, state or federal regulations for the activity. 

    Section 4.  The membership year extends from the beginning of the Okinawan New Year until the beginning of the next Okinawan New Year (February to February).

    Section 1.  The Executive Board for the organization shall consist of the following officers:   

    President - 1
    Vice President - 1   
    Secretaries- 2   
    Treasurers - 2
    Bunkabuchos (Cultural Directors) – 2

    Section 2.  All activities that use the name of the organization (“Okinawa Kai”, or “Okinawa Kai of Washington,D.C.”) and/or involve use of organization funds shall require prior approval of the Executive Board.

    Section 1.  There shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretaries, Treasurers, Bunkabuchos (Cultural Directors), and Area Directors.

    Section 2. There shall be Area Directors appointed by the Executive Board to fairly represent all of the members of the organization.  The total number of Area Directors shall be apportioned according to the number of members within their district.

    Section 3.  The term of office for the President, Vice-President, Secretaries, Treasurers, Bunkabuchos (Cultural Directors) and Area Directors shall be one year.   

    Section 1.  There shall be no limits on the number of terms, consecutive or non-consecutive, that an officer may be elected to serve

    Section 2.  All members are entitled to nominate candidates in writing to the Secretaries. 

    Section 3.  Nomination and election of new officers shall be completed before the Annual General Meeting.

    Section 4.  Should an officer resign or is not able to fulfill the entire term, the Executive Board shall be empowered to appoint a member of the Okinawa Kai to serve the remaining term of the vacated office. 

       Section 5. The Election Committee shall be responsible for the nomination and election of new officers.

    Section 1.  The President shall represent the organization and preside over meetings.

    Section 2.  The Vice-President shall assist the President and, in the absence of the President, shall serve in his stead.

    Section 3.  The Secretaries shall keep records of all proceedings of the organization.

    Section 4.   The Treasurers shall be the custodian of funds, including receiving all funds, paying all financial obligations, and keeping records of expenses and expenditures of the organization.  The Treasurers are the only persons empowered to make payments or write checks from the organization’s bank account.

    Section 5.  The Bunkabuchos (Cultural Directors) shall be the directors of cultural programs for the organization.  The Bunkabuchos shall be responsible for all cultural properties of the organization, (e.g., books, films, videotapes...) and has the option to appoint librarian(s) to be custodian(s) of these articles.

    Section 6.  The Area Directors shall represent the members of their district at the Executive Board meetings.
 

    Section 1.  An Annual General Meeting shall be held in October for the purpose of discussing the agenda for the coming year, receiving reports of officers and committees, and for any other business that may arise.

    Section 2.  The quorum of the Annual Meeting shall be two-thirds (2/3) of the membership or a minimum of twenty (20) members.

    Section 3.   Special Meetings may be called by the President or by the Executive Board with the consent of one-third (1/3) of the members of the Executive Board.

    Section 4.  The Area Directors shall be notified of all Executive Board meetings, and shall represent members within their respective districts.

    Section 1 (Earnings).  No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, directors, officers or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payment and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the above.
   
    Section 2 (Functions).  The functions of this organization shall be to carry out only those purposes stated in Article II, Section 1 of the Bylaws.  No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
    Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax, under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

    Section 3 (Dissolution).  Upon dissolution of the organization, the Executive Board shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the liabilities of the organization, dispose of all of the assets of organization in such manner, or to such organization organized and operated exclusively for charitable educational, religious, or scientific purposes as at the time shall qualify as an exempt organization under Section 50l(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as the Executive Board shall determine.  Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the County in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

    Section 1.  Every member shall have the right to petition for amendment to the Bylaws.
 
    Section 2.  The membership shall be notified by mail a minimum of 30 days before the Annual or Special Meeting at which the vote to the amendment to the Bylaws is to be taken.

    Section 3.  Voting on amendments to the Bylaws shall require a quorum of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the membership at the Annual or Special Meeting.  If there is no quorum present at the Annual or Special Meeting voting shall be by mail-in ballots.

    Section 4.  Amendments to the Bylaws shall be approved when such amendments are supported by at least two-third (2/3) of the participating voters.

Section 1.  Election Committee. The Election Committee shall be responsible for nominations and election of new officers. The chairman shall be appointed by the Executive Board. Area Directors shall serve as members of the Election Committee.

    Section 2.  Education Fund Committee. The Education Fund Committee shall administer the scholarship application and instructions, select the best applicant(s), and decide the amount of award. The Executive Board shall appoint the chairman and membership of the Education Fund Committee. As a minimum, at least one of the two Treasurers shall be a member of the committee.

Section 3.  Shin Shun Kai Committee. The Shin Shun Kai Committee shall be responsible for planning and coordinating the annual Shin Shun Kai program and activities. The Executive Board shall appoint the chairman and the Bunkabucho will coordinate the entertainment performances.

Section 4.  Picnic Committee. The Picnic Committee shall be responsible planning and coordinating the Annual Picnic.　The  Executive Board shall appoint the chairman and the Bunkabucho will coordinate the games.

Section 5.  Ad Hoc Committees. Ad Hoc Committees shall be created to plan and coordinate special projects and tasks as approved by the Executive Board. The chairman for the special project or task shall be appointed by the Executive Board. The membership shall be based on the size and complexity of the project or task.