Articles of the Society
Enacted on June 26, 1991
Amended on January 25, 1994
Amended on January 27, 2000
Amended on January 18, 2002
Amended on January 24, 2006
Amended on January 24, 2008
Amended on April 30, 2008
Amended on January 24, 2017
Amended on January 30, 2020
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1 (Name)
The name of this association shall be ‘The Korea America Friendship Society’ (“KAFS”).
Article 2 (Purpose)
KAFS is a nonprofit supra-partisan private organization. KAFS aims to promote understanding and exchange of academic research and culture between Korea and the United States and to strengthen the Korea-the United States alliance for the purpose of reinforcing friendship and relations and promoting understanding between the two countries.
Article 3 (Location of Secretarial Office and Branches)
KAFS shall have its secretarial office in Seoul. The Board of Directors may establish branches within or outside Korea, when it deems it necessary. The provisions concerning the establishment of branches shall be set forth separately.
Article 4 (Activities)
KAFS shall engage in the following activities in order to achieve the purpose set forth in Article 2 hereof:
CHAPTER II
MEMBERSHIP
Article 5 (Membership)
The members of KAFS shall be individuals, corporations and organizations that support the purpose of KAFS.
Article 6 (Admission)
A person desiring to become a member of KAFS shall submit to KAFS an application in the form prescribed by KAFS together with letters of recommendation from two or more members.
Article 7 (Types of Membership)
KAFS shall have two types of memberships: individual membership and corporate membership. There shall be four categories within the individual membership: regular membership, fellow membership, honorary membership and associate membership.
Article 8 (Duties of Members)
A member of KAFS has a duty to promote friendship among members and to support the activities established by the General Meeting of Members and the Board of Directors.
Article 9 (Membership Fee)
A member of KAFS shall pay the membership fee pursuant to the relevant regulations. The amount and payment method of the membership fee and other necessary matters shall be determined by the Board of Directors. An associate member shall not be required to pay the membership fee.
Article 10 (Withdrawal or Dismissal from Membership)
CHAPTER III
OFFICERS
Article 11 (Officers)
KAFS shall have the following types and number of officers:
One (1) Chairperson
One (1) President
A number of Deputy Presidents
A number of Directors
Two (2) Statutory Auditors
Article 12 (Appointment of Officers)
The President, Deputy Presidents, Directors and Statutory Auditors shall be appointed at the General Meeting of Members, and the Chairperson shall be appointed from among the members of the Board of Directors.
Article 13 (Term of Office)
Article 14 (Duties)
Article 15 (Establishment of Committees)
For the purpose of enhancing the efficient performance of KAFS’s activities, the President may establish an Advisory Committee, a Planning Committee, an Operation Committee and anyother committees with the approval of the Board of Directors. Matters regarding the organization, functions and operations of committees shall be set forth separately.
Article 16 (Honorary President and Advisory Board)
KAFS may have an Honorary President and an Advisory Board consisting of a number of advisors.
CHAPTER IV
GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS
Article 17 (General Meeting of Members)
Article 18 (Matters for Resolution)
The following matters require the resolution of the General Meeting of Members:
Article 19 (Method of Resolution)
All resolutions of the General Meeting of Members shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present; provided, however, that in case of a tie, the President shall have the decisive vote. Provided, further, that the Articles of Association cannot be amended without the affirmative vote representing more than two-third (2/3) of the members present.
Article 20 (Minutes)
The substance of the General Meeting of Members shall be recorded in minutes taken of the meeting and shall be preserved after being affixed with the names and signatures of the President and three (3) members present as designated by the President.
CHAPTER V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Article 21 (Board of Directors)
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Directors. The President and the Deputy Presidents shall be automatically deemed as the Directors, and the number of such automatically deemed Directors may not exceed one-half (1/2) of the total number of Directors.
Article 22 (Convening of the Meeting of Board of Directors)
The meeting of the Board of Directors shall be convened by the Chairperson. A written notice of the meeting of the Board of Directors stating the agenda of the Meeting shall be sent to all Directors at least seven (7) days prior to the date set for such Meeting.
Article 23 (Matters for Resolution)
The Board of Directors shall deliberate and resolve on the agenda for the General Meeting of Members, matters set forth in the Articles of Association, and basic matters concerning the operation of KAFS, as proposed by the President.
Article 24 (Method of Resolution)
The quorum for the Board of Directors shall bethe presence of at least one half (1/2) of the Directors in office, and all resolutions of the Board of Directors shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present; provided that in case of a tie, the President shall determine the matter.
CHAPTER VI
ACCOUNTING
Article 25 (Expenses)
The expenses of KAFS shall be paid out of admission fees, membership fees, subsidies, donations and other income. If the association is dispersed, residual property reverts in a local autonomous entity.
Article 26 (Fiscal Year)
The fiscal year of KAFS shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of each year. Annual donations collected and details of spending must be open to the public and published on an website.
CHAPTER VII
SECRETARIAL OFFICE
Article 27 (Secretarial Office)
KAFS shall have a secretarial office in order to handle the duties of KAFS.
Article 28 (Staff and Staff Organization)
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
COLUMN