(Adopted: October 4, 2014)

BYLAWS OF THE
OKINAWA KAI OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

ARTICLE I
Name

SECTION 1.  The name of the organization shall be Okinawa Kai of Washington, D.C.

ARTICLE II
Purpose

SECTION 1.  The purpose of this organization shall be to promote educational opportunities, to provide scholarships and engage in other charitable works, and to enhance the understanding of Okinawan culture and heritage among peoples of other cultures.

ARTICLE III
Membership and Dues

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.

SECTION 3. The membership year extends from the beginning (January 1) to the end (December 31) of a calendar year.

SECTION 4.  Voting shall be limited to adult members of each household. “Adult” shall be defined as a person 18 years of age and older.

ARTICLE IV
Executive Board

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 (“Okinawa Kai” or “Okinawa Kai of Washington, D.C.”), funds or the IRS tax-exemption number of the organization shall require prior approval of the Executive Board.

   2(a). The President, or the Vice President in the absence or incapacity of the President, shall have sole authority for granting the “Approval of the Executive Board”.

   2(b). “Approval of the Executive Board” requires receiving a simple majority (5) consent from the Executive Board.

ARTICLE V
Duties of 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 or incapacity of the President, shall serve in his/her stead.

SECTION 3.The Secretaries shall keep records of all proceedings of the organization and shall have the responsibility for the distribution of information to members.

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, and has the option to appoint custodians for these articles.

ARTICLE VI
Election of Officers

SECTION 1.  The term of office for the President, Vice-President, Secretaries, Treasurers, Bunkabuchos (Cultural Directors) shall be one year.

SECTION 2.  There shall be no limits on the number of terms, consecutive or non-consecutive, that an officer may be elected to serve.

SECTION 3.  The Election Committee shall be responsible for the nomination and election of new officers.

SECTION 4.  All members are entitled to nominate candidates according to procedures defined by the Election Committee.

SECTION 5. Nomination and election of new officers shall be completed before the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 6. 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.

ARTICLE VII
Communication

SECTION 1.  Both Japanese and English shall be the official languages for the conduct of business of this organization.

SECTION 2.  Communication of official business with the general membership shall be provided through printed and electronic media in a timely manner appropriate for the urgency of the issue.

Managers of the printed and electronic media shall be appointed by the Executive Board.

SECTION 3.  The Executive Board shall have the option to appoint Area Representatives to help facilitate communication between the Executive Board and members within their district.

    3(a). The Area Representatives may present opinions of members within their districts at the Executive Board meetings and the Special Meetings, but shall not have a vote on issues pending before the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VIII
Meetings

SECTION 1.  An Annual 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.

    1(a). The quorum of the Annual Meeting shall be a minimum of twenty (20) members.

    1(b). The general membership shall be notified a minimum of 30 days before the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 2.  Special Meetings may be called by the President or by the Executive Board with the consent of a simple majority (5) of the Executive Board.

    2(a). The quorum of the Special Meeting shall be a minimum of twenty (20) members.

    2(b). The general membership shall be notified a minimum of 14 days before the Special Meeting.

SECTION 3.   Schedule, agenda and invited participants to the Executive Board Meetings shall be at the discretion
of the Executive Board

    (3a) The Area Representatives shall be notified of pending issues and actions of the Executive Board Meetings.

ARTICLE IX
IRS 501(c)(3) Restrictions

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.

ARTICLE X
Amendments

SECTION 1.  Every member shall have the right to petition the Executive Board to amend the Bylaws.
 
SECTION 2.  The membership shall be notified by postal mail or electronic media a minimum of 30 days before any meeting at which vote will be taken on submitting the proposed Bylaws amendments to the general membership for approval.

    2(a) Quorum for the Bylaws amendment meeting shall be at least twenty (20) members.

    2(b) Approval to submit proposed Bylaws amendments to the general membership shall require a simple majority of the members in attendance.

SECTION 3.  Voting on amendments to the Bylaws by the general membership
shall be by postal mail or electronic media.
    3(a) Approval of amendments to the Bylaws shall require at least two-third (2/3) of the participating voters.

ARTICLE XI
Committees

SECTION 1.  Election Committee. The Election Committee shall be responsible for nominations and election of new officers. The chairperson shall be appointed by the Executive Board.

SECTION 2.  Education Committee. The Education Committee shall have the responsibility and authority to:
(i) coordinate the application, select awardees, and determine the amount of
award for all education awards offered by the Okinawa Kai; and

(ii) select and recommend candidates to the Executive Board for all educational programs offered by organizations external to the Okinawa Kai.

   2(a) The Executive Board shall have the authority to make decisions in programs sponsored by external organizations when the requirements of an offered program hinders the Education Committee from responding in a timely manner.

The Executive Board shall appoint the chairperson and membership of the Education Committee. As a minimum, at least one of the Treasurers shall be a member of the Education 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 chairperson. As a minimum, at least one of the Bunkabuchos shall be a member of the Shin Shun Kai Committee.

SECTION 4.  Picnic Committee. The Picnic Committee shall be responsible for planning and coordinating the Annual Picnic. The Executive Board shall appoint the chairperson.

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 chairperson 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.