JTAN Constitution

Effective from the 14th October 2006

1.1	The name of the Association shall be Japanese Teachers' Association of NSW, its acronym is JTAN. JTAN has been established as a non-profit, educational organisation for all teachers of Japanese in New South Wales.
1.2	The general aim of the Association shall be to support the study and teaching of Japanese throughout New South Wales through these or other appropriate means: to provide mutual support and professional development for teachers through regular meetings, preparation and sharing of resources, professional interchange through workshops, conferences and JTAN website. to foster the enthusiasm and initiative of teachers of Japanese. to encourage the study of Japanese through students' functions etc.. to promote the values and the needs of the Japanese language in the school systems of New South Wales. to establish a network of subcommittees each with its own organising representative. to establish contact with Japanese cultural bodies and with the local Japanese community and business world. to collaborate and co-operate with the AIS, the NSW Department of Education and Training with the support of the Japan Foundation. to develop a database of expertise and experience in the teaching and learning of Japanese and related cultural and linguistic activities.
Accordingly the Association sets out the following rules and conditions of its organisation:
2.1	MEMBERSHIP Membership shall be open to any individual who is interested in the teaching of Japanese in the primary, secondary schools, universities and TAFE.
2.2	Upon completion of the application for membership and payment of the membership fee, as determined from time to time, the applicant will be considered to be a full member and have all rights, including the right to vote and to nominate any office in the association.
2.3	Membership shall run from the 1st of February to the 31st of January of the following year.
2.4	Fees will be due by 15th February.
3.1	COMMITTEES The executive committee elected for one year by members at the Annual General Meeting shall conduct the general business of JTAN.
3.2	The Executive committee shall consist of the following office bearers: President: chairs all committee meetings, carries out all decisions of the committee, signs documents and correspondence on behalf of the Association, presides over annual and special general meetings, represents the association before other bodies or delegates such representation. Vice president: assists the President with the above duties and acts as substitute for the President as required and undertakes other duties as needed by the Committee. Secretary: manages correspondence, takes minutes of meetings. Treasurer: ensures funds are used as directed by the Executive, countersigns cheques issued by the Association, presents itemised accounts of income and outcome statements as and when required by the Executive, prepares a finance report and presents it at the AGM and updates register of membership. Assistant Treasurer: assists the treasurer with the above duties. ICT specialist: works closely with President, Vice president, Secretary and Treasurer and facilitates smooth communications between the members by using computer related technology.
3.3	Sub-committees shall be formed to service the various needs of the membership such as: Trial Papers, HSC Study Day, conferences, workshops etc.
3.4	Regional subcommittees: Convenors of regional subcommittees will submit to the Executive at least one report per annum outlining their activities and/or requests for specific support.
4.1	MEETINGS The executive shall meet no less than once per term.
4.2	The quorum for meetings of the Executive committee shall be half the number of members of the committee plus one.
4.3	In the absence of a member of the Executive committee, a proxy may be appointed on the recommendation of the absentee member or other members of the Executive.
4.4	The decision making process shall be democratic by applying a majority vote.
5.1	ELECTIONS – General Meetings An Annual General Meeting shall be convened for the purpose of electing the members of the Executive and other office bearers.
5.2	The Annual General Meeting will take place in the first week of term 4. A minimum of fifteen (15) days notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be sent to each member, giving the time, date and place of the meeting together with the agenda. At the AGM the outgoing executive committee will present the following year's activity plans for approval. A new executive committee will be elected to carry out these plans.
5.3	A quorum shall consist of five per cent of financial members of the Association. If no quorum is present after 30 minutes, the meeting shall be adjourned and its time, date and place will be fixed by those present and shall be notified to membership. If no quorum is present at this second meeting, the meeting shall proceed as if the quorum was present.
5.4	Executive elections will be held during the Annual General Meeting, with the new committee to take office at the conclusion of the Meeting.
5.5	An Extraordinary Meeting shall be held upon the Secretary receiving a written petition signed by at least fifteen (15) members. A clear statement of the object and business of the meeting will be required. Notice shall be sent to all members not less than 21 days before the date of the meeting. The quorum shall be the same as for the AGM.
6.1	FINANCES A bank account shall be opened in the name of the Japanese Teachers' Association of NSW and the Executive Committee shall be empowered to sign cheques. Any two members of the Executive Committee shall be required to sign cheques.
6.2	All monies shall be made payable to Japanese Teachers' Association of NSW.
6.3	Any profits generated from the sale of JTAN Exam Kits or any other activity will be added to the general funds of the Association.
6.4	In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Income Tax Assessment Acts, all funds of the Association shall be devoted solely to the fulfilment of the aims set out in the constitution.
7.1	AMENDMENTS An amendment to the constitution shall be submitted to the Secretary, signed by at least 10 members of the Association.
7.2	The amendment will be read out and discussed at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting (please refer to points: 5.2, 5.5) called for that purpose.
7.3	The amendment will be voted on immediately prior to the election of the office bearers of the Executive Committee.
7.4	The amendment will be implemented only in the case of a two thirds majority of votes from the quorum present.
8.1	DISSOLUTION AND DISPOSAL OF ASSETS The Association may be dissolved by a special resolution passed by a two third majority vote of members present at a meeting called for that purpose.
8.2	Any leftover monies or property upon the dissolution shall be transferred or passed on to some other non-profit, educational organisation.

Updated: 06/11/2006