Article I: Name of the Association
This organization shall be known as the Association of Korean Political Studies.

Article II: Nature & Purpose of the Organization
This association is a non-political and non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and advancement of scholarly exchange and academic inquiries among political scientists. The Association is organized exclusively for educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 © (3) of the Internal revenue Code, or corresponding section of any  future federal tax code. 

No part of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Association shall be, authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof.

No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or -(b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 © 2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Article III: Membership

Any political scientists, studying, teaching or engaged research on Korean Politics, may become a member of this organization by subscribing to these bylaws, regardless of age, sex, physical or mental handicap, race, religion, national origin, or marital status. Membership is voluntary. Members who have paid their dues are classified as due-paying members. Members who have not paid their dues are classified as non-due-paying members. Only due-paying members may vote. 

Article IV: Organization of the Association
The organization of this association shall consist of a governing board, administrative officials, due-paying members and non-due-paying members. 

Article V: Officers, Elections & Functions

1.     The Governing Board shall be composed of seven members, elected for staggered three-year terms by a plurality vote of the due-paying members present at the annual membership meeting. Elections shall be held in each ensuing year to replace those members whose terms have expired. Board members may be elected to two consecutive terms of office.

 

2.     The Governing Board shall, by a majority vote, elect a President, who shall be the chief executive officer of the Association, and a Vice President, who shall serve as president in the absence of the President.  There will be a run-off election between the top two vote-getters in case no one receives a majority in the first vote.  The President and Vice President shall be elected for a two-year term.

 

3.     The Governing Board shall formulate policies for the operation of the Association and shall oversee Association activities. 

 

4.     The President shall appoint Executive Secretary-Treasurer and other officers to carry out the policies determined by the Governing Board. 

 

5.     The Executive Secretary-Treasurer(s) shall perform the following duties and responsibilities: publication and distribution of the membership directory and dissemination of pertinent and newsworthy information to all members. The President shall assign other duties and responsibilities to the Executive-Secretary-Treasurer(s) from time to time.

 

6.     Neither the members of the Governing Board nor the Secretary/Treasurer(s) shall seek or receive instructions from any other public organization external to the Association in the performance of their duties, nor shall they make any political utterance in the name of the Association.

 

Article VI: Membership Meeting
The membership Meeting will be held once a year in conjunction with the annual meeting of either the American Political Science Association or the Association for Asian Studies.

At the regular annual meeting of the Association, the President, or the person designated by him, shall present a report on the activities of the Association and on other matters of interest to the members of the Association. A special meeting of the general membership of the Association may be called at any time by the President with the approval of the Governing Board. The presiding officer of the meeting shall determine, if necessary, the constitution of a necessary quorum.

 

Article VII: Membership Dues & Revenues
The dues of this organization shall be determined by the Governing Board subject to the approval of the general membership.

The source of the Association’s operating expenses shall be derived from membership dues, the Association’s publications activities, and contributions from private foundations and non-political organizations.

Article VIII: Amendments
Whenever a majority of the Board or one-third of the due-paying members deem it necessary to amend the bylaws, proposed amendment(s) shall be communicated in writing to all due-paying members and shall be ratified by a majority vote of all written/electronic ballots submitted by due-paying members.

These Amendments to the Bylaws shall be effective six months after ratification by a majority vote of the due-paying members of the Association.

Article IX: Dissolution
Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed to the American Political Science Association, only if it qualifies under section 501 © (3) of the code at the time of dissolution. If not, then assets shall be distributed to the Association for Asian Studies, if it qualifies under section 501 © (3) of the Code. Otherwise, assets shall be distributed for on or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the country in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

Article X: Ratification of the Bylaws
The bylaws become effective upon approval by the majority of the members present at the first meeting Of the Association.