BYLAWS
Fort Wayne Chinese Families and Friends Association Co.
September, 2008

Article I: Organization

Section 2. Purpose

FWCFFA is a non-profit organization with no political affiliations. The purposes of this Association shall consist of the following:
1. To maintain social contacts and promote friendship for its members.
2. To provide cultural and educational experiences to the Chinese community.
3. To promote understanding of the Chinese culture within the local community.

Article II: Members

1. Membership is open to any interested individual or family residing in the greater Fort Wayne area.
2. There are two forms of membership:  individual and family.
3. Membership is on a calendar year basis and is renewed early every year around the first annual event typically. New members can join FWCFFA any time throughout a year.
4. Members are entitled to vote, to be elected as the President, and to be appointed as an officer of the Association. All adult residents (18 years or older) of a member family are entitled to vote; the vote of each adult resident member of a member family counts as an individual vote at any members’ meeting. 
5. Other member benefits include receiving updated membership directories, newsletters of the Association, and discount ticket prices for FWCFFA events. Members agree to use membership directory information appropriately and will not use it for commercial purposes. No members shall speak on behalf of the Association without proper authorization.
6. All members are informed of the financial standing of the Association once a year through the Treasurer’s report, which will be distributed around the first annual event.

Section 2. Dues

1. Annual dues shall be paid by continuing individual and family members early each year.
2. Dues for members joining the association in July or later will be reduced to half of the amount of dues for the whole year. 
3. The amount of dues can be adjusted from time to time if it is deemed necessary by the officers.

Article III: Officers

1. Officers of the Association are non-compensated volunteers, including the President, Secretary, Treasurer and other officers appointed by the President.
2. The President of the Association shall be an adult resident of the greater Fort Wayne area.
3. The President of the Association shall be elected annually by eligible members.
4. Any nominee for the President is preferred to have been a member in good standing of the Association for a minimum of one year prior to the nomination.
5. The President shall be in charge of the operation of the Association, including the appointment of the Secretary, Treasurer and other officers.
6. The Secretary shall keep records of the Association’s activities and assist in communication with its members.
7. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial accounts and expense disbursements of the Association as well as the preparation for an annual Treasurer’s report at the end of year.
8. All property of the Association shall be transferred to the care of each new set of officers with an inventory list when a new President is elected.

Section 2. Elections and Term

1. The nominee receiving a simple majority vote of the members in attendance at a meeting convened for that purpose (with at least a quorum present) shall become the President.
2. Candidates for the President can be self-nominated or nominated by others.
3. Eligible members may be elected to multiple terms of service as the President so long as no one period exceeds two consecutive years.
4. Candidate nominations shall be in writing and submitted to the incumbent President via email, regular mail, hand delivery or in person prior to the election.
5. The incumbent President, prior to the election, will obtain each nominee's acceptance of the nomination to confirm his/her willingness to serve, if elected.
6. No proxy voting shall be permitted.

Article IV: Meetings

1. Annual meetings of members shall be held each year.
2. Annual events typically take place around traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. Other events are optional.
3. Notice of meetings shall be distributed to members at least three weeks in advance except for extenuating circumstances.

Section 2. Quorum

One half of the total number of members of the Association present shall constitute a quorum at general member meetings for election, bylaw amendments or for any other issues that require a vote of the membership.

Article V: Amendment Procedures

Section 2. Publication

Any proposed amendment to the bylaws shall be distributed to each member at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which the amendment is to be voted upon.

Section 3. Approval

Amendment to the bylaws shall require approval by two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members at a member meeting at which a quorum is present.

Article VI: Language

Section 1. Language versions

The by-laws of the Association are published in both Chinese and English.

Section 2. Standard version

In case of any conflict or ambiguity between the Chinese and English versions of these bylaws, the English version shall control.