Mei-Hwa Chinese School Bylaws

BYLAWS OF

THE MEI-HWA CHINESE SCHOOL

(of Greater Washington Metropolitan Area)

Since April in 1997

ARTICLE I: DEFINITIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The school shall be known as the Mei-Hwa Chinese School and referred to in these bylaws as the School. Individuals enrolled in the academic curricula in the School are referred to as the Students. Parents or legal guardians of the Students are members of the School and are referred to as the Members. In addition, adult individuals who themselves, or through their children, provide significant contributions and assistance in the academic program of the School may also become Members upon the approval of the Board of Directors. Former directors and honorary Members of the School recommended and approved by the board of directors each year to the Board of Trustees are referred to as the Trustees. The Board of Directors elected from, and approved by, the Members to carry out the business and functions of the School are referred to as the Board. Teachers and teaching assistants of the School are referred to as the Staff. Two general member meetings that shall be held in October and April of each school year are referred to as the General Assemblies.

ARTICLE II: THE SCHOOL

(a): To instruct the Chinese language and introduce Chinese culture to the Students and, in particular, to teach Students of Chinese background to better comprehend their heritage.
(b): To provide the Members a forum for social association and friendship.

(a): The School shall be a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-political educational institution.
(b): The School shall be open to all individuals regardless of gender, race or ethnic origin.
(c): The School shall be a cooperative organization by the Members.

(a): The School's financial, administrative, and instructional responsibilities shall rest upon the Members, the Board, and the Staff, respectively.
(b): The resources of the School shall be tuition, unconditional contributions and donations.
(c): The expenditures of the School shall be for the benefits of the Students, the Staff, and the Members in general.

The School is operated on the basis of an academic year that consists of the Fall and the Spring Semesters. Ten percent or more of the Members constitutes a quorum for the General Assemblies. One Member is entitled to one vote. A simple majority constitutes an approval, except where otherwise specified in these Bylaws.

The dissolution of the School shall be approved by two thirds of the Members at a General Assembly. The balance of the fund shall be contributed to a scholarship fund pertaining to the teaching and/or learning of Chinese language and culture. The nature of the scholarship shall be determined by the Board and approved by the Members at the last General Assembly of the School.

ARTICLE III: THE STUDENTS AND MEMBERS

(a): Any youngster between the ages of 3 and 18 is eligible to enroll as a Student. Exceptions may be made on an individual basis by the Board.
(b): A parent or legal guardian can apply to the School at the enrollment time, set by the Board, for his/her child(ren).
(c): An individual can become a non-voting Associated Member with the approval of the Board upon receipt by the School of a yearly registration fee, the amount of which is determined by the Board.
(d): The Board shall review and accept applications based on preference in order of (1) continuing Members; (2) former Members; and (3) new applicants.
(e): Enrollment is completed upon the receipt of the full semester tuition by the School.

(a): Students shall be required to attend classes and extra-curricular activities.
(b): Members shall assist in the School matters upon the request of the Board.
(c): A Member can be nominated and elected to the Board by the Members.
(d): Members can attend and vote on issues presented by the Board and Members in general, to the Members at the General Assemblies.
(e): Members can suggest items for the agenda of the General Assemblies, to the Board or from the floor at the General Assemblies. Members shall vote on the School budget, revision of these Bylaws, dissolution of the School, and matters that will affect the School in general.

(a): A Member who withdraws voluntarily with a written notice to the School within four weeks of each semester shall be refunded 50% of the tuition. No refund will be received by Members who withdraw after four weeks into the semester.
(b): Students and Members can be removed from the School at any time by a two-third majority of the Board and a simple majority of the Trustees on grounds of actions that are proven detrimental to, or incommensurable with, the interest of the School.
(c): Members who face involuntary removal shall receive a prorated refund of tuition.

ARTICLE IV: THE TRUSTEES

The roster of the Trustees

(a): Elect and be elected as the Chair of the Trustees.
(b): Advise the Board on operations of the School and report to the General Assemblies.
(c): Assist the Board in internal and external coordination of School activities.
(d): Resolve School issues upon the request from the Board.
(e): Approve and act on School issues upon the petition of ten or more Members.

(a): A Trustee can resign at any time at his/her discretion after consultation with the Board.
(b): A Trustee shall be removed from the Trustees upon the request of a two-third majority of the Trustees.

ARTICLE V: THE BOARD

(a): The Board shall consist of 9 members: the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Director of Curriculum, the Director of General Affairs, the Director of Membership, the Director of Extra-curricular Activity-Internal and the Director of Extra-curricular Activity-External.
(b): Members of the Board are nominated by the nomination committee prior to the Spring General Assembly and approved by the Members at the Spring General Assembly to a two-year term. The nomination shall be from Members with the exception of the Director of Curriculum.
(c): The members of the Board shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.

(a): Elect and be elected as the Chairman and vice-Chairman of the Board.
(b): Determine and approve School budget and make it known to the Members.
(c): Approve the acceptance and removal of Members, Students, Staff, and Trustees.
(d): Attend the Board meetings as called by the Chairman.
(e): Call an emergency Board meeting with the written consent of a simple majority of the Board.
(f): Review and vote on School issues presented to the Board.
(g): Receive no monetary reward for his/her service in the assigned capacity, with the exception of the Director of Curriculum who shall receive compensation as Staff.

(a): Serve and represent the School as the Principal of the School.
(b): Be responsible for overall administrative functions of the School.
(c): Call and conduct Board meetings during semesters, and the Spring and Fall General Assemblies.
(d): Appoint Officers and the Directors for the Board.
(e): Appoint ad hoc committees as needed.

(a): Serve as the Vice Principal and assist Chairman in all School matters.
(b): Act as the Chairman in the temporary or permanent absence of the Chairman.
(c): Serve as the security officer and oversee general operation of the School.
(d): Form and head the nomination committee and ad hoc committees requested by the Board.

(a): Archive minutes of the Board meetings and the General Assemblies.
(b): Make available copies of the Bylaws at enrollment or upon request.
(c): Serve as the Editor-in-Chief for newsletters, yearbooks and other School document and publications for Members.
(d): Arrange press releases such as enrollment and other information for the School.

(a): Determine and recommend the tuition and fees to the Board for approval.
(b): Conduct and be responsible for the financial affairs of the School.
(c): Submit the School budget to the Members for approval.
(d): Prepare financial statements and report to the Board and the General Assemblies.

(a): Determine the curricular plan with the Staff and present it to the Board for approval.
(b): Direct and coordinate the Staff for each class.
(c): Interview Staff and recommend Staff compensation to the Board for appointment.
(d): Arrange substitute teachers to ensure proper running of the classes.
(e): Interview, accept, and recommend actions for students as pertinent.
(f): Call and conduct Staff meetings during semesters.

(a): Procure supplies for the School.
(b): Maintain an inventory of School properties.
(c): Supply and assign school properties to pertinent School personnel, Directors, and Staff.

(a): Maintain mailing lists of former and current Students, Members and Staff, and make them available to the Board upon request.
(b): Coordinate with Director of Curriculum to review and accept Student and Member applications.
(c): Arrange and assign duties to the Members to assist with the operation of classes.
(d): Establish a communication plan to notify Members for emergency announcements.

(a): Arrange extra-curricular School events for the Students.
(b): Coordinate and schedule all School activities for the Members.
(c): Organize and oversee Students and Members teams for the School.

(a): Manage intermural extra-curricular activities for the School.
(b): Coordinate intermural extra-curricular activities with other schools.
(c): Organize the School teams for intermural events.
(d): Coordinate with the Director of Extra-Curricular Activities - Internal on all School activities.

(a): The member shall tender his/her resignation two weeks prior to the effective date if he/she can not fulfill the required duty. The Chairman, with the assistance of the nomination committee, shall appoint a temporary replacement to serve for the remainder of the current School year.
(b): A member of the Board can be involuntarily removed at any time on grounds of actions that are proven detrimental to, or incommensurable with, the interests of the School, upon approval of a two-third majority of the Board.

ARTICLE VI: THE STAFF

(a): An interested individual can apply and interview for a Staff position to the Director of Curriculum. The appointment is effective upon approval of the Board.
(b): The appointment shall be reviewed and approved for renewal each year by the Board.
(c): An associate Director of Curriculum shall be elected from the Staff each year to assist the Director of Curriculum in the planning, scheduling, execution of the curriculum and other related School affairs.

(a): Must vote for, and can be nominated as, the Associate Director of Curriculum.
(b): Design, prepare, and teach the assigned courses under the direction of Director of Curriculum, and under the auspices of the Board.
(c): Attend Staff meetings as called by the Director of Curriculum.
(d): Seek support from the Director of Curriculum, Associate Director of Curriculum, and the Board to carry out the teaching duty.
(e): Notify the Director of Curriculum or the Associate Director of Curriculum in the event that the execution of his/her teaching duty is prohibited, and help arrange for a substitute.
(f): Communicate with the relevant Members concerning the well-being of the Students.
(g): Seek approval from the Board for the dismissal or suspension of a Student through Director of Curriculum or the Associate Director of Curriculum.
(h): Receive compensation in the form of stipend and reduced tuition for their child(ren) approved by the Board.

(a): The Staff member shall express his/her intent to resign voluntarily to the Director of Curriculum at least 30 days prior to the effective date.
(b): The Director of Curriculum can recommend the removal of a Staff member and arrange for a substitute at any time with the approval of a two-third majority of the Board.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws and amendments are in effect with the approval of the Members. These Bylaws may be recommended for amendments by the Trustees, the Board or the petition of ten or more Members. A written form of the amendments shall be received by the Members at least two weeks prior to a General Assembly, shall be voted on, and shall take effect as recommended. The new Bylaws shall supersede all previous Bylaws.