普林斯頓中文學校是一所非營利的教育機構，其主要宗旨是提供一個有系統的教育環境，研習中國語言及文化。本校竭誠歡迎任何有志學習中文的人士報名參加。
本校創立于一九七零年，成立之初僅有五位老師和二十位學生，附屬於普林斯頓大學的Chinese Club。如今學生近二百人，共有十五位語言班教師，及十七位文化課教師。本校的上課地點為
Princeton Day School。
本校課程包括語言課及文化活動，語言課依學生年齡及中文程度分班。而文化課則以學生興趣選課。另外，也為家庭不說中文的學生設立三班漢語會話班。報名年齡不拘，有興趣者皆可參加。學校課程設計以注音符號及繁體漢字教學。五至九年級再輔以漢語拼音，而整體教學注重在學生能聽，說，讀，寫中文。文化課程方面，項目包括：畫畫，棋藝，說話技巧，中國結，舞蹈，說說唱唱，扯鈴，功夫，香包製作，紙藝，童玩，書法和籃球等。家長們也自組太級拳，籃球，韻律操，中醫，國畫及中國結等活動，增進彼此的友誼。學校分春秋兩學期上課，每學期上課共十六週，每週授三節包括兩節語言課及一節文化課。上課時間為星期日下午兩點三十分至五點。
本校的行政機構是理事會和幹事會，所有理事會和幹事會成員完全是由家長們組成，義務性質的貢獻他們的時間，精神，和勞力。幹事會在理事會監督下，成員包括校長，副校長，財務，募款，文書，總務，訓導，康樂和家長連絡人等。本校的教務活動由教務主任，文化主任及所有老師推動。
本校學生及家長也透過各式的文化交流為社區服務。近幾年來，更積極透過各種社區活動推展中華文化。例如：普大迎新，普林斯頓市的社區日，新州中南部區的女童軍年會，新州中部華人協會新年晚會，普林斯頓大學國際日及平原市的中國新年慶祝活動等。家長們熱心參與學校各項活動為我們的子女樹立一個服務社會的楷模。我們相信社區服務是回饋社會的最好方式之一。
PCLS Overview
The Princeton Chinese Language School, Inc. (PCLS) is a nonprofit institution whose primary mission is to provide a structured and nurturing environment for learning Chinese language and culture. Students from all backgrounds and ages are welcome.
Established in 1970, at its inception, the school was affiliated with Princeton University's Chinese Club, where classes were held on the campus. There were five teachers and twenty students at that time. Today, we have almost 200 students, 15 language teachers, and 17 culture instructors. We hold weekly classes at the Princeton Day School in Princeton.
The curriculum includes both language classes and cultural activities. Students are assigned to language classes based on either their age or Chinese language proficiency, and to cultural activities according to their preferences. There are three conversation classes that are designed for students who do not speak Chinese at home. There is no age limitation for these classes. We follow the traditional Chinese characters and use ZuYin phonic system. However, PinYin is introduced in grades 5 through 9 after students have mastered Chinese enunciation. Our language curriculum emphasizes practical usage of Chinese in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The cultural activities include painting, Go Game, Chinese chess, leadership and speech, knotting, folk dancing, music, yo-yo, volleyball, martial arts, sewing crafts, etc. There are also adult activities such as Tai-Chi Chuan, Chinese medicine, Qi-Gong, basketball, jazzercise, Chinese brush painting, and Chinese knotting. The school calendar is divided into two 16-week terms (Fall and Spring). Classes are held from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm on Sundays.
Our school is operated by parents who volunteer their time and talents. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, the school administration is executed by an Operating Committee that consists of principal, vice principal, treasurer, editor/registrar, general manager, guidance counselor, fund raising director, activity coordinator, and parent liaison. The academic director, cultural director, and teaching staff are responsible for academic and/or cultural activities. Members of the Board of Trustees are elected and serve on a volunteer basis.
Our students and parents are dedicated to community service through various cultural exchange programs. In recent years, PCLS has fostered awareness of Chinese culture and community services by sponsoring local events such as the benefit concert for American Cancer Society, Communiversity Day in Princeton, the Annual Conference of Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey, the CJCNN Annual Conference, the Princeton University International Festival, and the Plainsboro Chinese New Year Celebration. Parents' active involvement in school activities demonstrates to our children the value of community service. We believe that serving our community is one of the best ways to show our appreciation to the society.
October 2004
PRINCETON CHINESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL,
INC. BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Name, Type of Organization and Offices
Princeton Chinese Language School, Inc. (hereinafter "School") is a non-profit
corporation subject to the provisions of Title 15A, Corporations, Nonprofit of
the New Jersey Statutes (hereinafter "Statute"), and other applicable federal
and New Jersey laws, except as lawfully otherwise specified in these
Bylaws. The principal offices of the School are located in the State of New
Jersey.
ARTICLE II
Purpose and Nature of School
The School is a non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian organization with the
sole purpose of teaching Chinese language and culture. The School is not
affiliated with any other organization, but may receive financial or in-kind
contributions from others as permitted by applicable law and regulation
governing non profit corporations. The School's services are available to all
qualified individuals, as determined by the School, regardless of race, creed,
color, sex, nationality, religious or ethnic background.
ARTICLE III
Administration and Educational Responsibilities
Section 1.
The establishment of policy at the School, and supervision of the management,
administrative, business, educational, cultural, professional, and financial
affairs of the School shall be the responsibility of the Board of Trustees of
the School. The Board of Trustees may delegate to the Principal, the Academic
Director, and the Cultural Director discretionary authority in their respective
areas of responsibility, and shall mediate any disputes among the Principal,
the Academic Director, and the Cultural Director. The Board of Trustees have a
fiduciary obligation to the Members.
Section 2.
The administrative management and business operations of the School are the
responsibility of the Principal, subject to the supervision and approval of the
Board of Trustees.
Section 3.
The management and professional staffing of the academic programs at the School
are the responsibility of the Academic Director, subject to the supervision and
approval of the Board of Trustees.
Section 4.
The management and professional staffing of the cultural programs at the School
are the responsibility of the Cultural Director, subject to the supervision and
approval of the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE IV
Membership
Section 1. Qualifications
Any person at least 21 years of age who is able to further the purposes of the
School may become a Member of the School.
Section 2. Membership
There shall be two classes of Members: Regular Members and Associate Members.
Regular Members are the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the
School. Regular Members have voting privileges as defined in Article V, Section
2. Associate Members are those persons who are not parents or guardians of
children enrolled in the School but who participate in the operations or
affairs of the School, for example, Non-parent Trustee, the teaching staff, or
the administrative staff who are elected or appointed pursuant to the
provisions of these Bylaws. Associate Members have no voting privileges at any
meeting of the Members. Associate Members may vote at meetings of groups, to
which they have been elected or appointed. Membership in the School is not
transferable and may not be assigned to any other person. Unless otherwise
specified, in any provision of these Bylaws mentioning voting by Members, the
term Members shall refer only to Regular Members.
ARTICLE V
Voting
Section 1. Types of Voting
A. Regular Voting. The regular business of the School shall be ordinarily
conducted by voice vote, but such vote shall account for the One Vote per
Family Rule described in Section 2.
B. Voting by secret ballot shall be used in the following cases:
1. Election of Trustees.
2. Upon request of one quarter (25%) or more of the voting Members present, in
consideration of any motion on an issue to be voted upon.
C. Proxies. Votes may be cast by proxy, but any such proxy shall be in writing,
signed by the maker of the proxy, shall specify the date of the meeting in
which such proxy will be used, shall specify the name of the person who is
authorized to vote for the maker of the proxy, and be submitted to the Election
Committee in elections of Trustees, or to the Secretary in other types of
voting as the case may be, for verification at least thirty (30) minutes prior
to the scheduled time set for the meeting in which such proxy is to be
used.
Section 2. One Vote per Family Rule
In voting, each family unit with at least one enrolled child at the School
shall have one vote. If only one Regular Member from the family unit is present
at a meeting, that Member shall have one vote; if both Regular Members from the
family unit are present at a meeting, only one of such Members shall be able to
cast the vote for that family unit.
Section 3. Majority
In any reference to the vote of the Membership, unless otherwise stated, it is
to be understood that a majority means a majority of votes present, and not
necessarily a majority of persons present.
ARTICLE VI
Meetings
Section 1. Notice of Meetings
The Secretary shall, at least ten (10) days before any meeting of Members, but
not more than thirty (30) days before such meeting, send to each Member’s
family a notice of such meeting either by mail or by delivery, which may be
done by sending the notice home with the Members’ children in attendance at a
regularly scheduled School session. Notice may be waived by a Member as
provided in the Statute.
Section 2. Location
Meetings of Members shall be held at the place designated in the notice of the
meeting. All meetings of Members shall be held in New Jersey.
Section 3. Annual Meeting
A. An Annual Meeting of Members shall be held during May of each year, at such
time stated in the notice of the meeting, at which the Members shall elect the
Trustees and any other positions as provided in these Bylaws, and may transact
such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. Such Annual
Meeting shall be a general meeting, being open for the transaction of any
School business properly brought to the Members without special notice of such
business, except in cases in which special notice is required by Statute, by
the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws. A written or printed
notice of the Annual Meeting, including an agenda for the Meeting, shall be
sent as specified in the Notice of Meetings section of this Article.
B. A full and true statement of the affairs of the School shall be submitted at
the Annual Meeting and shall be filed within twenty (20) days thereafter at the
principal office of the School and in the Minutes Book. Such statement shall be
prepared by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
Section 4. Regular Meetings
In addition to the Annual Meeting, there shall also be a minimum of one other
Regular Meeting of the Members at a date designated by the Board of Trustees,
provided that such Regular Meetings shall be held approximately at even
intervals during the School’s academic year.
Section 5. Special Meetings
Special meetings for a specific, stated purpose, may be called upon a majority
vote by the Board of Trustees or by a petition signed by one quarter (25%) or
more of the Regular Members, counted according to the One Vote per Family Rule.
Notice of such meetings must be mailed or delivered to all Members, which may
be done by sending the notice home with the Members’ children in attendance at
a regularly scheduled School session, no less than ten (10) nor more than
twenty (20) days before the meeting. Such notice must state the specific
purpose of the meeting, and no other issue may be discussed at that meeting
except by the consent of two thirds (2/3) of the Members present.
ARTICLE VII
Board of Trustees
Section 1. Composition and Qualifications
The Board of Trustees shall consist of nine (9) Trustees. At least eight (8) of
the Trustees shall be Regular Members (hereinafter "Parent Trustees"). The
remaining Trustee may be a person who is not a Regular Member, but such person
should have expertise in one or more areas relevant to the conduct of the
affairs of the School (hereinafter "Non-parent Trustee"). No two Trustees shall
be related to each other by blood, marriage, or adoption nor shall any Trustee
be in the employ of any other Trustee. All Trustees shall be elected by the
Members, and shall receive no compensation from the School.
Section 2. Nominations and Elections
A. All nominations for the positions of Parent Trustees and Non-parent Trustee,
that have been received by the Election Committee of the School at least
fifteen (15) days prior to the Annual Meeting, shall be listed in a slate of
candidates along with their brief backgrounds as submitted by the
nominees.
B. The Election Committee shall advise the Members in writing of the names of
the candidates at least seven (7) days prior to the Annual Meeting and shall
provide reasonable access, prior to and during the Annual Meeting, to the brief
backgrounds submitted by such candidates.
C. Elections shall take place at the Annual Meeting and shall be by secret
ballot. Any ballot may, prior to the election at the Annual Meeting, be cast by
mail sent to or personally delivered to the Election Committee, provided such
ballot is in writing, signed by the Member entitled to vote, and is received by
the Election Committee at least one (1) day prior to the scheduled time for the
Annual Meeting. The candidates with the largest number of votes shall be
elected as Trustees.
Section 3. Term of Office
The terms of all elected Trustees shall be two (2) years, and shall begin on
the July 1st next following their election. No Parent Trustee may serve more
than two (2) consecutive terms; partial terms of one year or more counting as
full terms, and partial terms of less than one year not counting. A Parent
Trustee who, during the middle of his or her term, no longer qualifies as a
Regular Member of the School, may continue as Trustee until the next Annual
Meeting. The Non-parent Trustee may serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.
The terms of the Trustees shall be staggered as follows: At the first
election of Trustees, four (4) Trustees shall have initial terms of one (1)
year each, and five (5) Trustees shall have terms of two (2) years each. At the
expiration of the initial one (1) year terms of the four (4) Trustees, four (4)
newly elected or reelected Trustees shall begin their terms of two (2) years
each. The following year, at the expiration of the initial two (2) year terms
of the five (5) Trustees, five (5) newly elected or reelected Trustees shall
begin their terms of two (2) years each. In subsequent years, four (4) of the
Trustees shall be elected one (1) year and five (5) of the Trustees shall be
elected the next year, alternately, so that every year either four (4) Trustees
or five (5) Trustees shall be up for election.
Section 4. Vacancies
In the event of one or more vacancies on the Board of Trustees, because of
resignation, incapacity, removal by law or under these Bylaws, the remaining
Trustees shall appoint successors to the vacancies to serve until the next
Annual Meeting. At the next Annual Meeting, the Members shall elect Trustees to
fill the vacancies for the unexpired terms of such Trustee position.
Section 5. Removal of Trustees
A. Any Trustee who is absent at three (3) meetings of the Board of Trustees
without just cause for such absence, is subject to automatic removal from the
Board of Trustees.
B. A Trustee may be removed, when sufficient cause exists for such removal, at
a special meeting of the Board of Trustees called for that purpose. A
Trustee subject to removal shall be notified in writing at least fifteen
(15) days before said meeting, shall be given every opportunity to present a
full and complete defense, and may be represented by counsel. After all the
evidence has been placed before the Board, the vote on removal shall be by
secret ballot and shall require at least two-thirds (2/3) of the total number
of Trustees to remove the Trustee. The Trustee subject to removal shall not
vote on the matter, nor shall his or her presence be counted towards a
quorum.
C. A Trustee may be removed, with or without cause, at a Special Meeting of the
Members called for that purpose. Such removal vote shall be by secret ballot
and shall require at least a majority of the total number of Regular Members of
the School.
Section 6. Election of Officers
The annual organizational meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be held each
year immediately after the Annual Meeting of the Members at which the Trustees
are elected, or as soon thereafter as possible. At said meeting the Trustees
shall, by majority vote, elect from among the Trustees the Officers of the
School for the coming fiscal year.
Section 7. Duties
The Board of Trustees shall define the duties, not herein defined, of all
officials, agents, and others who participate in the operation of theSchool;
shall appoint the members of all Committees, consistent with these Bylaws, and
shall have and exercise all the powers and perform all duties, or supervise
such performance, relating to the management of the School, its property and
concerns, the conduct of its business, and any other of its affairs not
specifically provided for by these Bylaws.
Section 8. Meetings
A. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be held monthly during the
School’s academic year at times and places chosen during the organizational
meeting.
B. Special meetings of the full Board of Trustees may be called at any time by
the Chairperson. The Secretary shall also call such meetings on the written
request of a majority of the Trustees specifying the purpose of such proposed
meetings. A written notice of such special meetings, stating their specific
purpose, shall be delivered or mailed to all Trustees no less than seven (7)
days nor more than fourteen (14) days before the meeting. Such special meetings
may not consider any business other than the stated specific purpose except by
the unanimous consent of all Trustees.
Section 9. Quorum and Voting
At all meetings of the Board of Trustees, a majority of the Trustees in office
constitute a quorum. Transaction of all business and decisions on all questions
shall be done by the vote of a majority of the Trustees present. If a quorum is
not present during a meeting, a lesser number of Trustees present may adjourn
to a designated time and place.
Section 10. Academic Director and Cultural Director
The Academic Director and Cultural Director of the School shall be present at
all meetings of the Board of Trustees, except when the Academic Director or
Cultural Director’s appointment or replacement is on the agenda, and shall,
whenever possible, be present at all Membership meetings.
Section 11. Attendance by Members
At all meetings of the Board of Trustees and the Standing Committees of the
Board of Trustees, all Members are welcome.
ARTICLE VIII
Officers
Section 1. Elections
A. The Board of Trustees shall immediately after the adjournment of the
Annual Meeting of Members, or as soon thereafter as possible, hold an
organizational meeting, and elect from among the Trustees, a Chairperson, a
Vice Chairperson, Principal, Secretary and Treasurer, who shall be the Officers
of the School, and consistent with these Bylaws, such other officials,
agents, and others who will participate in the operation of the School as they
may from time to time consider desirable.
B. Until such election or appointment, the duties of said officials, agents and
others shall, unless otherwise directed by the Board, be performed by the
persons holding the same position at or immediately preceding said Annual
Meeting.
C. All officials, agents, and others who participate in the operation of the
School shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees, except that the Principal
shall appoint all such persons for administrative functions, subject to the
approval of the Board, the Academic Director shall appoint such persons for
academic functions, subject to the approval of the Board, and the Cultural
Director shall appoint such persons for cultural functions, subject to the
approval of the Board. Such officials, agents, and others who participate in
the operation of the School may, unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws, be
removed from the positions to which they were appointed, by a majority vote of
the Board of Trustees.
Section 2. Duties of Officers
A. Chairperson: The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Board of
Trustees. The Chairperson shall be the spokesperson for the Board of Trustees
and shall have authority to implement decisions of the Board or to communicate
the decisions to those who will implement them. The Chairperson shall
coordinate fact finding for the Board of Trustees and shall keep the Trustees
advised of all occurrences and matters affecting the business concerns and
activities of the School that are relevant to the Board’s deliberations. The
Chairperson shall be Acting Principal in the event of incapacity of the
Principal or a vacancy of the office of Principal, until the next regular
meeting of the Board of Trustees at which time the Board shall select a new
Principal.
B. Vice-Chairperson: The Vice-Chairperson shall have such powers and shall
perform such duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees may designate the Vice-Chairperson to act in the absence
of the Chairperson, and the Vice-Chairperson so designated shall in the absence
of the Chairperson, perform all duties of the Chairperson, and the performance
of any such duties shall be conclusive evidence of his or her right to
act.
C. Principal: The Principal is the statutory President of the School, and
subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, shall
represent the School and shall act on its behalf in implementing the Board of
Trustees’ policy decisions concerning administration and operation of the
School, including signing contracts, hiring and firing the administrative staff
of the School, and handling the necessary dealings and contacts of the
School with public authorities and systems. The Principal may not
simultaneously serve in any other office or position at the School.
D. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep a Minutes Book of minutes of all
meetings of the Board of Trustees and shall coordinate scheduling of Board
meetings, establishing the agendas, preparing and sending the notices of
meetings to the Trustees and the Membership. The Secretary shall also maintain
the minutes of all Membership Meetings and shall coordinate scheduling of the
Membership meetings, establishing the agendas, preparing and sending the
notices to the Members. The Secretary shall attend to such correspondence of
the School as the Chairperson and the Board of Trustees may direct. The
Secretary shall be the custodian of the non-financial records of the School.
The Secretary shall be the custodian of the seal of the School, and shall affix
it to any instrument requiring the same, except as otherwise provided herein or
by the Board of Trustees.
E. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have custodial responsibility for all monies
received by the School and all monies payable to or to be held by the School on
any account whatever, and from whatever source derived. The Treasurer shall be
the custodian of the financial books and records, and shall maintain the check
book of the School. The Treasurer ordinarily should have some knowledge and
experience in financial affairs to be able to effectively carry out the duties
of the office, however, the Treasurer’s functions, except signing checks, may
be delegated to a professional person with the requisite financial
qualifications, e.g. a Certified Public Accountant hired by the School.
Section 3. Terms of Office
The term of office of each Officer position of the Board of Trustees shall be
one (1) year, and shall begin on the July 1st next following their elections.
Board Officers may serve for two (2) consecutive terms as long they are
Trustees and are elected or reelected as provided in these Bylaws for each term
of service.
ARTICLE IX
Academic Director
Section 1.
The Academic Director, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of
Trustees, shall conduct the academic affairs and implement educational policy
within his or her jurisdiction at the School, including developing the academic
curriculum, selecting educational materials, determining teaching standards and
methods, and hiring and firing the academic staff. The Academic Director may
receive compensation from the School for his or her services, in an amount
determined by the Board of Trustees.
Section 2.
The Academic Director shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees from among
nominees selected by the Principal through an open process as follows:
Notice shall be provided to the Members and/or the general public that the
position is open; The notice shall request that suggested nominations be
submitted to the Principal within a reasonable number of days, e.g. ten (10)
days; The Principal shall select from among the suggestions, one or more
nominations and shall submit the selected nominations to the Board of Trustees
who shall select a person for the position from among the nominations so
submitted by the Principal. The Academic Director shall serve for a term of two
(2) years, and may be renewed for a maximum of two (2) additional terms of one
(1) year each. The Academic Director must meet appropriate educational
and professional qualifications commensurate with the position of head of a
Chinese language teaching staff. The Academic Director may not simultaneously
serve in any office or position at the School, except that the Academic
Director may also be a teacher at the School. The Academic Director may be
removed, with or without cause, at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees
called for that purpose. Such removal vote shall be by secret ballot and shall
require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the total number of Trustees.
ARTICLE X
Cultural Director
Section 1.
The Cultural Director, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of
Trustees, shall conduct the cultural activity affairs and implement educational
policy within his or her jurisdiction at the School, including developing the
cultural activities curriculum, selecting cultural education materials,
determining teaching standards and methods, and hiring and firing the cultural
activities staff. The Cultural Director may receive compensation from the
School for his or her services, in an amount determined by the Board of
Trustees.
Section 2.
The Cultural Director shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees from among
nominees selected by the Principal through an open process as follows: Notice
shall be provided to the Members and/or the general public that the position is
open; The notice shall request that suggested nominations be submitted to the
Principal within a reasonable number of days, e.g. ten (10) days; The Principal
shall select from among the suggestions, one or more nominations and shall
submit the selected nominations to the Board of Trustees who shall select a
person for the position from among the nominations so submitted by the
Principal. The Cultural Director shall serve for a term of two (2) years, and
may be renewed for a maximum of two (2) additional terms of one (1) year each.
The Cultural Director must meet appropriate educational and professional
qualifications commensurate with the position of head of a Chinese cultural
activities staff. The Cultural Director may not simultaneously serve in
any office or position at the School, except that the Cultural Director may
also be a cultural activities teacher at the School. The Cultural Director may
be removed, with or without cause, at a special meeting of the Board of
Trustees called for that purpose. Such removal vote shall be by secret ballot
and shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the total number of
Trustees.
ARTICLE XI
Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees
A. The Board of Trustees may, at their discretion, have the following Standing
Committees to engage in the fact finding, investigation and analysis necessary
for the deliberations of the Board of Trustees:
1. Operating Committee
2. Planning Committee
3. Finance Committee
4. Legal Committee
5. Education Committee
6. Cultural Activities Committee
7. Election Committee
8. Membership Committee.
Each Standing Committee, except the Election Committee, shall have at least one
Trustee as a member, and the other members of the Standing Committees shall be
appointed by the Committee Chairperson subject to Board approval. The Principal
shall be the Chairperson of the Operating Committee, Secretary shall be a
member of the Legal Committee, the Treasurer shall be a member of the Finance
Committee, the Academic Director shall be a member of the Education Committee,
and the Cultural Director shall be a member of the Cultural Activities
Committee.
B. The Election Committee shall have seven (7) members, none of whom shall be
Trustees or School officials, and they shall not run for office during their
tenure on the Election Committee. The Election Committee shall be accountable
to the Board of Trustees and shall regularly report on its activities to the
Board. Election Committee members shall be selected by an open process where
the Regular Members are notified of Election Committee openings and are asked
to submit nominations from which the Board of Trustees shall select the
Election Committee members. If less than seven (7) nominations are received,
then those nominees shall become Election Committee members and the Board shall
appoint the remainder of the Election Committee members.
C. The Chairperson shall, as soon as possible upon taking office, appoint the
Chairpersons of the Standing Committees, consistent with these Bylaws. The
Chairperson shall also appoint such other Committees as the Board may from time
to time deem necessary to establish.
Section 2. Other Committees
The Board of Trustees may establish such other Standing Committees as they may
from time to time deem necessary. The Chairperson may appoint such Special
Committees as he or she deems necessary.
ARTICLE XII
Procedures and Order of Business
Section 1. Quorums
Regular or Special Membership meetings: a quorum shall consist of at least that
number of Regular Members which represent a vote of at least twenty five (25)
families of the School.
Section 2. Mandatory Items of Business
At each Regular Meeting of the Membership or the Board of Trustees, the
following items of business must be considered; approval of the Minutes of the
previous meeting, reports from the Chairperson, the Principal, the Treasurer,
and all unfinished business. The Chairperson may add such items of new business
as he or she considers proper.
Section 3. Order of Business
The order of business shall be at the discretion of the Chairperson.
ARTICLE XIII
Parliamentary Authority
The latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary
authority and guide in the conduct of all of the School’s business functions
not covered in these Bylaws.
ARTICLE XIV
Financial Affairs
Section 1.
As a part of its fiduciary obligation to the Members, the Board of Trustees is
responsible for conducting the School’s financial affairs and reporting on its
status to the Members. All financial decisions concerning the School shall be
made by the Board of Trustees. The Board may delegate to appropriate School
officials some administrative authority in financial matters, provided the
Board has adopted policy guidelines for such officials to follow in using their
administrative authority.
Section 2.
The School shall operate on a fiscal year basis from July 1st to June 30t of
each year.
Section 3.
At the beginning of each fiscal year or prior to the beginning of the fiscal
year’s school schedule, the Treasurer shall prepare a budget for the year, in
conjunction with the Principal, the Academic Director, and the Cultural
Director, and shall present the budget to the Board of Trustees for approval.
The Treasurer shall prepare or supervise preparation of a statement of the
School’s financial position as of the end of the fiscal year, including a
balance sheet and income statement, for presentation to the Board of Trustees
for review, and after approval by the Board, such statement of the School’s
financial position and the budget shall be provided to the Members at the
beginning of the School year. Financial reports shall also be provided to the
Members at the beginning of the second semester of the School year, indicating
the School’s financial position as of that time. The Treasurer shall prepare or
supervise preparation of the School’s tax returns.
Section 4.
All monies received by the School shall be deposited to the credit of the
School in banks or trust companies approved by the Board of Trustees. No
disbursements of School funds shall be made unless it has been approved by or
is consistent with a policy decision made by the Board of Trustees. All
disbursements of School shall require the signatures of at least two (2) of the
Trustees.
ARTICLE XV
Seal
The School may have one corporate seal which shall have inscribed thereon the
name of the School, the year of its organization, and the words, "State of New
Jersey". The Board of Trustees shall decide who is to have custody of the seal.
The seal shall be used to authenticate all corporate resolutions, Board agendas
and minutes, Board actions and notices, and all other documents to be placed in
the official corporate records.
ARTICLE XVI
Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended by the Board of Trustees at any regular Board
meeting by a vote of at least three fourths (3/4) of the total number of
members on the Board, provided a special notice of such amendment has been
mailed or delivered to all Regular Members, which may be done by sending the
notice home with the Members’ children in attendance at a regularly scheduled
School session, at least ten (10) days before such meeting and no more than ten
(10) Regular Members have objected to such amendment. These Bylaws may also be
amended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of Regular
Members.
ARTICLE XVII
Indemnification
The School shall indemnify and hold harmless any present or past Trustee,
Academic Director, Cultural Director, language or cultural activity teacher,
other official, agent, or Member volunteer from any liability whatsoever
resulting from his or her actions or omissions, except intentional misconduct
or gross negligence, done lawfully within the scope of their respective
authorities given by the School. Any such persons covered under this Article
shall be indemnified and held harmless against expenses, including reasonable
attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such proceedings; and the
School may advance him or her related necessary reasonable expenses actually
incurred, such indemnification to be to the fullest extent permitted by
law.
ARTICLE XVIII
Publication
The text of these Bylaws and of any approved amendment, shall be reproduced and
distributed to all the Members, Non-parent Trustees, academic, cultural
and administrative staff of the School.
ARTICLE XIX
Dissolution
The Trustees, upon the dissolution of the School or winding up of it affairs,
shall select and distribute the assets of the School exclusively to charitable
and educational organizations, which, at the time of such distribution, would
then qualify for tax exemption under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code and its regulations or applicable successor provisions
that may hereafter be adopted.
Amended to change "June" to "May" in Article VI, Section 3 A, by affirmative
vote of all of the seven (7) Trustees present at a Special Meeting of the Board
duly called for this purpose and held on May 2, 1997.
Originally adopted by vote of the Regular Members on June 10, 1995.