Constitution of the

Japan Studies Alumni Association

 Article I

Name and Purpose

Section 1.    The name of the organization shall be the Japan Studies Alumni Association.

Section 2.    The purpose of this organization shall be:

A.     To promote fellowship and facilitate communication among the members and between the members and others.

B.      To maintain close ties with Lansing Community College, Biwako Kisen Steamship Co., Keihan Fisherman�s Wharf, and Biwako Hotel, and to keep the  members informed of the progress and activities of these institutions.

C.      To assist the members by providing a communication network to pursue their professional careers.

D.      To promote activities and pursue understanding between the Americans and the Japanese.

Article II

Membership

 The membership shall consist of full, associate, and honorary memberships.

Section 1.  The full membership shall be conferred to Lansing Community College (LCC) students that have successfully completed Lansing Community College�s Japan Adventure or Japan Horizon programs.

Section 2.  A nomination of an associate member may be made by a petition of 25 signatures by full members in good standing, and to be submitted to the Executive Committee for final approval by a majority vote of the committee.

Section3.  The honorary membership shall be awarded to those that have made invaluable contributions to the Japan Adventure/Japan Horizon programs.

 Article  III

Officers and Duties

The officers shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Editor of the official newsletter and members-at-large.

Section 1.  All officers shall be elected from the full members in either the Japan Adventure of Japan Horizon program students.

Section2.  The President shall represent the organization and assume the responsibility to oversee the general operation of the organization.

Section 3.  The Vice President shall assist the President and assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President, and shall become the President in case of the vacancy of the presidency, and shall oversee the operation of the organization�s committees.

Section 4.   The Secretary shall keep the official record of the organization, the official membership and its directory, and is responsible for maintaining the membership records.  The Secretary shall assume the duties of the President in case of the absence of both the President and the Vice President.

Section 5.  The Treasurer shall be responsible for collecting the membership dues, be responsible for disposing of the organization�s funds, and shall assume the duties of the President, Vice-President, and the Secretary are absent.

Section 6.  The Editor shall assume the responsibility of preparing and publishing the official newsletter.

Section 7.  The members-at-large shall be elected, one from the Japan Adventure alumni and one from the Japan Horizon alumni.  They will assist in maintaining communication among the officers and the members of the organization.

Article IV

General Meeting and Committees

 The principal organs of this organization shall be the general Meeting and three permanent committees: The Executive Committee; the Editor�s Committee; and the Social Committee.

Section 1.  The General Meeting shall be the supreme decision-making organ of this organization and may be attended by all members.  The General Meeting shall elect all officers, approve the budget, and set the overall operation objective.  The General Meeting shall be convened at least once a year. 

Section 2.  The Executive Committee shall implement the policies set by the General Meeting and make policies while the General Meeting is not in session.  This Committee shall consist of the officers stipulated in Article III of this Constitution.  The President shall be the chairperson of the committee.

Section 3.  The Editor�s Committee shall assume the responsibility of planning and publishing the organization�s newsletter.  This committee shall consist of three members including the Editor as the Chairperson that shall appoint the remaining two members.  This committee shall meet at least four times a year.

Section 4.  The Social Committee shall assume the responsibility of planning and implementing the activities to promote fellowship and better understanding among the members of the organization and with others.  This committee shall consist of five members including the Vice President as chairperson of the committee.  The remaining four members shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.

Section 5.  Executive Committees may be created by the Executive Committee as needed.

Article V

Nominations, Elections, and Term of Officers

Section 1.  Nominations for officers may be made by any active member.

Section 2.  All officers shall be elected by the General Meeting.  The terms of all officers shall be limited to one year.

Section 3.  If an officer cannot fulfill his/her duties, a new officer may be appointed by the Executive Committee for the remainder of that term.

Article VI

Nomination Procedures and Dues

Section 1.  An honorary membership shall be awarded to those that have made invaluable contributions to the Japan Adventure/Japan Horizon programs, and shall be nominated by any full member of the association.  An application shall be submitted to the executive Committee for Approval  and the honorary membership shall be conferred by a two-thirds vote of the full members participating in an election.  Honorary members cannot hold office.

Section 2.  All full and associate members shall be assessed with the annual membership dues set by the General Meeting.

Article VII

Ratification and Amendment

Section 1.  This Constitution shall be ratified by a vote of three-fourths majority of those attending the meeting held on May 18, 1985, and become effective on the same day.

Section 2.  This Constitution may be amended in part or whole by a vote of two-thirds majority of the members attending the General Meeting.

 Article VIII

Parliamentary Authority

 Rules and procedures not enumerated in this Constitution or in the by-laws of this organization shall be governed by Robert�s Rules of Order.

New JSAA Amendments Approved at the February 8 2003 General Meeting 

Amendment I - Privacy Policy All JSAA members' personal information is to be maintained in a private and guarded manner by all JSAA officers and to be used for organization business only. Members' information may only be displayed or distributed with the consent of the member. 

Amendment II - Officer Terms Article V Section 2 will be changed to read: All officers shall be elected at the General Meeting. The term of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Editor will be extended to a two-year term. The start of the term should be staggered; the President and Editor being elected during one year and the Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary to be elected on the alternate year. All Members-At-Large terms will be one year. Transition of the officers will take place immediately after the General Meeting.