By-Laws of the Delaware Korean Association

 

 

ARTICLE I. NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The name of the Corporation is Delaware Korean Association.

 

 

ARTICLE II. CORPORATE PURPOSE

 

Section 1.  General Purposes

The Organization is a non-profit organization and shall be operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

 

The Organization’s purposes are to represent Koreans in the State of Delaware and to promote Korean culture and heritage in the region.

 

Section 2. Specific Objectives 

 

The specific objectives set up to achieve general purposes include:

 

Quality of Life – to enhance the quality of life of Korean people in the region by sharing resources for education, entertainment, and/or professional specialties

 

Culture – to promote Korean culture and language

 

Unity – to promote socialization among Korean people and with other Delawareans within the region regardless of age, gender, and political or religious belief

 

Advocacy – to identify and to represent the needs of Koreans in Delaware

 

 

 

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

 

The Organization is to be open and inclusive to any people affiliated with Korean culture and heritage in Delaware. The Board of Directors may create other classes of membership, if needed. The power of decisions regarding all the affairs of the Organization shall reside in the Board of Directors. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV.  MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

 

This section is left intentionally blank.

 

 

 

ARTICLE V.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 

 

Section 1. General Powers

 

The affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have control of and be responsible for the management of the affairs and property of the Corporation.

 

 

 

Section 2. Number, Tenure, Requirements, and Qualifications

 

The number of Directors shall be fixed from time-to-time by the Directors but shall consist of no less than five (5) nor more than thirty (30) including the following officers: the President, the first Vice-President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer.

 

 

The members of the Board of Directors shall, upon election, immediately enter upon the performance of their duties and shall continue in office until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. All members of the Board of Directors and Advisory Council must be approved by a majority vote of the members present and voting. No vote on new members of the Board of Directors, or Advisory Council, shall be held unless a quorum of the Board of Directors is present as provided in Section 6 of this Article.

 

 

Blood relation:  Board of Directors related by blood or marriage/domestic partnership within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity serving on the Board of Directors at the same time must be less than quorum.

 

Each member of the Board of Directors shall be a member of the Corporation whose membership dues are paid in full and shall hold office for up to a two-year term as submitted by the nominations committee.

 

Each member of the Board of Directors shall contribute at least three hundred cash dollars ($300) to the Corporation annually (Dues), all or part of which may come from the tax deductible value paid for or solicited by the Board member, and received by the Corporation.  The Board may periodically adjust the Dues. 

 

 

 

Section 3. Regular and Annual Meetings

 

An Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held at a time and day in first quarter of each calendar year and at a location designated by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Notice of the Annual Meeting and  additional meetings shall be sent to all members of the Board of Directors no less than two (2) days, prior to the meeting date.

 

 

 

Section 4. Special Meetings

 

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of any member of the Executive Committee. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any location, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board called by them. 

 

 

 

Section 5. Notice

 

Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given at least two (2) days in advance of the meeting by telephone or electronic methods or by written notice. Any Director may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a Director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by law or by these by-laws.

 

 

Section 6. Quorum

 

The presence, in person of one-third (⅓) of current members of the Board of Directors shall be necessary at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business, but a lesser number shall have power to adjourn to a specified later date without notice. The act of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by law or by these by-laws.

 

 

Section 7. Forfeiture

 

Any member of the Board of Directors who fails to fulfill any of his or her requirements as set forth in Section 2 of this Article within thirty (30) days of the Annual Meeting shall automatically forfeit his or her seat on the Board. The Secretary shall notify the Director in writing that his or her seat has been declared vacant, and the Board of Directors may forthwith immediately proceed to fill the vacancy. Members of the Board of Directors who are removed for failure to meet any or all of the requirements of Section 2 of this Article are not entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and are not entitled to the procedure outlined in Section 14 of this Article in these by-laws.

 

 

Section 8. Vacancies

 

Left intentionally blank

 

 

Section 9. Compensation

 

Members of the Board of Directors shall not receive any compensation for their services as Directors.

 

 

Section 10. Informal Action by Directors

 

Any action required by law to be taken at a meeting of the Directors, or any action which may be taken at a meeting of Directors, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by a majority (1/2) of all of the Directors following notice of the intended action to all members of the Board of Directors.

 

 

Section 11. Confidentiality

 

Left intentionally blank

 

 

Section 12. Advisory Council

 

An Advisory Council may be created whose members shall be elected by the members of the Board of Directors annually but who shall have no duties, voting privileges, nor obligations for attendance at regular meetings of the Board. Advisory Council members may attend said meetings at the invitation of a member of the Board of Directors. Members of the Advisory Council shall possess the desire to serve the community and support the work of the Corporation by providing expertise and professional knowledge. Members of the Advisory Council shall adhere to the confidentiality policy comply with the confidentiality policy set forth herein and shall sign a confidentiality agreement consistent therewith upon being voted onto and accepting appointment to the Advisory Council.

 

 

Section 13. Parliamentary Procedure

 

Any question concerning parliamentary procedure at meetings shall be determined by the President by reference to Robert’s Rules of Order.

 

 

Section 14. Removal

 

Any member of the Board of Directors or members of the Advisory Council may be removed with or without cause, at any time, by vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board of Directors if in their judgment the best interest of the Corporation would be served thereby. Each member of the Board of Directors must receive written notice of the proposed removal at least ten (10) days in advance of the proposed action. An officer who has been removed as a member of the Board of Directors shall automatically be removed from office.

 

Members of the Board of Directors who are removed for failure to meet the minimum requirements in Section 2 of this Article in these by-laws automatically forfeit their positions on the Board pursuant to Section 7 of this Article, and are not entitled to the removal procedure outlined in Section 14 of this Article.

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS

 

 

Section 1. Officers

 

The officers of this Corporation shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

 

 

Section 2. Election of Officers

 

The Officers of the Corporation shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors by plurality.  Officers shall assume their duties at the close of the meeting at which they are elected. Officers shall serve for a term of ____two_____ year(s) or until their successors are elected. No Officer shall serve more than __two____ consecutive term(s) in the same office.

 

 

Section 3. Vacancy in Office

 

A vacancy in any office except President shall be filled by the Board of Directors.

 

 

Section 4. President

 

The President shall:

 

1.  preside at all meetings of the Corporation and the Board of Directors;

 

2.  appoint Chairmen of committees to the extent provided in Article VII;

 

3.  fulfill such other duties as may be assigned by the Corporation or the Board of Directors.

 

 

Section 5.  Vice-President

 

The Vice-President shall:

 

1.  perform the presiding duties of the President in the absence of or at the request of the President;

 

2.  fill the unexpired term if a vacancy occurs in the office of President; and

 

3.  fulfill such other duties as may be assigned by the Corporation, the Board of Directors, or the President.

 

 

Section 6.  Secretary

 

The secretary shall:

 

1.  record all votes and minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose. He/She in concert with the President shall make the arrangements for all meetings of the Board, including the Annual Meeting of the Corporation.

 

2.  fulfill such other duties as may be assigned by the Corporation, the Board of Directors, or the President.

 

 

Section 7.  Treasurer

 

The Treasurer shall:

 

1. present a financial statement at each Corporation meeting and as requested by the Board of Directors;

 

2.  prepare the financial records for audit;

 

3.  fulfill such other duties as may be assigned by the Corporation, the Board of Directors, or the president.

 

 

Section 8. Removal of Officer

 

Any Officer of the Board of Directors may be removed with or without cause, at any time, by vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board of Directors if in their judgment the best interest of the Corporation would be served thereby. Each member of the Board of Directors must receive written notice of the proposed removal at least ten (10) days in advance of the proposed action.

 

 

Section 9. Vacancies

 

The Board of Directors shall also be responsible for nominating persons to fill vacancies which occur between Annual Meetings, including those of Officers. The persons so elected shall hold membership or office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred.

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES

 

 

Section 1. Committee Formation

 

The board may create committees as needed, such as fundraising, outreach, etc. The board chair appoints all committee chairs.

 

 

Section 2. Executive Committee

 

The four officers serve as the members of the Executive Committee. Except for the power to amend the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Executive Committee shall have all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the intervals between meetings of the board of directors, and is subject to the direction and control of the full board.

 

 

Section 3. Finance Committee

 

The Board may create a Finance Committee, which would be chaired by the Treasurer and may include up three other Board members. The Finance Committee is responsible for 1) developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, and 2) reviewing and recommending an annual budget for the full Board. The Board must approve the budget and all expenditures must be within budget. Any major change in the budget must be approved by the Board or the Executive Committee. The financial records of the Corporation are public information and shall be made available to the membership, board members, and the public.

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII. CORPORATE STAFF

 

 

Section 1. Executive Director

 

A)    Appointment

 

The Board of Directors shall hire or appoint by a majority vote an Executive Director, who shall serve at the will of the Board for a two year term.  Each term will commence with the Annual Meeting.  The Executive Director may be removed with or without cause by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

 

In the case of vacancy, the Board of Directors may hire or appoint a new Executive Director to complete the term. 

 

B)    Role of Executive Director

 

The Executive Director shall have immediate and overall supervision of the operations of the Corporation including budget.  No Officer, Executive Committee member or member of the Board of Directors may individually instruct the Executive Director or any other employee. The Executive Director shall make such reports at the Board and Executive Committee meetings as shall be required by the President or the Board. The Executive Director shall be an ad-hoc member of all committees.

 

 

Section 2.  Operating Committee

 

The Executive Director shall have the authority to hire or appoint an Operating Committee. The Director, with the assistance of the Operating Committee, shall direct the day-to-day business of the Corporation and perform such additional duties as may be directed by the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors.  

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX. CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND COMPENSATION

 

 

Section 1. Purpose

 

The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect this tax-exempt corporation’s (Corporation) interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Corporation or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.

 

 

Section 2. Definitions

 

Interested Person. Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.

 

Financial Interest. A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:

 

·       An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Corporation has a transaction or arrangement, or

 

·       A compensation arrangement with the Corporation or with any entity or individual with which the Corporation has a transaction or arrangement, or

 

·       A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the Corporation is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.

 

Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial.

 

A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest;  a person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.

 

 

Section 3. Procedures

 

Duty to Disclose.

 

In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.

 

Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists.   

 

After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.

 

Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest.

An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.

 

The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.

 

After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the Corporation can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.

 

If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Corporation’s best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.

 

Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy

If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.

 

If, after hearing the member’s response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.

 

 

Section 4. Records of Proceedings

 

The minutes of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:

 

The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing board’s or committee’s decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed.

 

The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.

 

 

Section 5. Compensation

 

A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Corporation for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.

 

A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Corporation for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.

 

No voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Corporation, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.

 

 

Section 6. Annual Statements

 

Each director, principal officer and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall:

 

Have access to the conflicts of interest policy,

 

Read and understand the policy,

 

Agree to comply with the policy,

 

Understand the Corporation is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes, and

 

A review of the conflict of interest policy shall occur at each Annual Meeting.

 

 

Section 7. Periodic Reviews

 

To ensure the Corporation operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:

 

Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information, and the result of arm’s length bargaining.

 

Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the Corporation’s written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes and do not result in inurement, impermissible private benefit or in an excess benefit transaction.

 

 

Section 8. Use of Outside Experts

 

When conducting the periodic reviews as provided for in Article VII, the Corporation may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.

 

 

 

ARTICLE X. INDEMNIFICATION

 

 

Section 1. General

 

To the full extent authorized under the laws of the Delaware, the corporation shall indemnify any director, officer, employee, or agent, or former member, director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or any person who may have served at the corporation’s request as a director or officer of another corporation (each of the foregoing members, directors, officers, employees, agents, and persons is referred to in this Article individually as an “indemnitee”), against expenses actually and necessarily incurred by such indemnitee in connection with the defense of any action, suit, or proceeding in which that indemnitee is made a party by reason of being or having been such member, director, officer, employee, or agent, except in relation to matters as to which that indemnitee shall have been adjudged in such action, suit, or proceeding to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of a duty. The foregoing indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an indemnitee may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, resolution of the Board of Directors, or otherwise.

 

 

Section 2. Expenses

 

Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding, if authorized by the Board of Directors, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder.

 

 

Section 3. Insurance

 

The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a member, director, officer, employee, or agent against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power or obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under this Article.

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI. BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

The corporation shall keep complete books and records of account and minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors.  Only records written in English will be considered official records. 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS

 

 

Section 1. Articles of Incorporation

 

The Articles may be amended in any manner at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that specific written notice of the proposed amendment of the Articles setting forth the proposed amendment or a summary of the changes to be effected thereby shall be given to each director at least three days in advance of such a meeting if delivered personally, by facsimile, or by e-mail or at least five days if delivered by mail. As required by the Articles, any amendment to Article III or Article VI of the Articles shall require the affirmative vote of all directors then in office. All other amendments of the Articles shall require the affirmative vote of an absolute majority of directors then in office.

 

 

Section 2. Bylaws

 

The Board of Directors may amend these Bylaws by majority vote at any regular or special meeting. Written notice setting forth the proposed amendment or summary of the changes to be effected thereby shall be given to each director within the time and the manner provided for the giving of notice of meetings of directors.