ACAMIS Constitution

Article I - Name and Definition

Section A: Name of Association
The name of this association shall be Association of China And Mongolia International Schools hereinafter referred to as ACAMIS.

Section B: Definition
International Schools are defined as preschools, elementary schools and secondary schools of international character located in China and Mongolia which offer an educational program in English as the primary language of instruction and which are governed by their own school boards or other competent authorities.

Article II - Purpose

The objectives and purposes of ACAMIS shall be exclusively educational. To this end, the exclusive purposes for which ACAMIS is formed are:

• to broaden the dimensions of education of all schools involved in ACAMIS in the interest of a total program of education
• to advance the professional growth and welfare of individuals belonging to the staff of member schools
• to facilitate communication and cooperative action between and among all member schools
• to promote understanding and international friendship through the activities of member schools
• to cooperate with other organizations and individuals pursuing the same objectives as ACAMIS
• to provide events that are open to all students whenever possible and feasible.

Article III - Statement of Non-Profit, Non-Political, and Non-Sectarian Character

Section A:
ACAMIS shall  be exclusively educational in character.  It shall not have authority to issue stock. It shall not be conducted or operated for profit. No part of the net earnings of ACAMIS shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual, nor shall any of such earnings or assets of ACAMIS be used other than for the objectives and purposes of ACAMIS.

Article IV - Membership

Section A:
International schools located in China and Mongolia may become members through written application and by majority vote of voting representatives at a regular ACAMIS Board meeting. By a simple majority of voting representatives at a regular ACAMIS Board meeting, special membership without voting privileges may be granted to organizations or individuals interested in supporting the aims of ACAMIS.

Section B:  Term of Membership
The term of membership shall be annual from October 1 through September 30. Members admitted prior to January 1 will be required to pay full membership dues. Members admitted after January 1 will be required to pay 1/2 membership dues.

Section C:  Termination of Membership
Membership shall cease because of voluntary resignation, failure to pay membership fees by March 1 (unless otherwise authorized by the Board of Directors,) or failure to comply with the Constitution and By-Laws, as determined by a simple majority vote of regular members.

Article V - Officers and Directors

Section A:  Board of Directors
Seven Directors will be elected to the Board by member schools. Two additional Directors may be appointed by the board. The Board will determine which Board member will serve in the capacity of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and other roles.

Section B:  Representatives
The Board of Directors of ACAMIS shall be designated representatives of Member schools.

Section C:  Term
The Directors elected by the membership will serve a three year term. An appointed Director may serve on the Board as an appointee for up to two years.

The term of office shall commence on the day of the election at the annual meeting of ACAMIS. In the event of major economic, political, social or other events which prevent the annual meeting of ACAMIS the terms of all officers shall be extended until ACAMIS is again able to meet. In the event of a mid-year Board vacancy, the Board may appoint a new Director from the membership to serve until the next Annual General Meeting. Directors may be reelected. An appointed Director at the conclusion of their term may stand for election.

In the event of the Board President's resignation, the Vice President will assume responsibility of the President until the board meeting held conjunction with the Annual General Meeting. All Directors must be heads of ACAMIS schools.

Article VI - Nominations and Elections

The Nominating Committee shall invite the heads of all member schools to seek nomination. A complete list of candidates will be sent to each representative of the Member schools at least one week prior to the annual meeting of ACAMIS. Candidates receiving the largest number of votes cast shall be declared elected.

Article VII - Committees

Section A:  Standing Committee  
There shall be one Standing Committee of ACAMIS, the Nominating Committee, consisting of at least one but not more than three members of ACAMIS, all of which shall be appointed by the President with consent of the Board of Directors. The Nomination Committee is charged to develop a slate of candidates for spring election to the Board positions as declared open by the President.

Section B:  Special Committees   
As needed, other committees shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Article VIII - Liabilities of Member
No member of ACAMIS shall have any obligations in respect to any liabilities incurred by ACAMIS.

Article IX - Dissolution or Liquidation

No part of net income, revenue, and grants of ACAMIS shall inure to the benefit of any member officer, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered in connection with one or more of its purposes), and no member officer or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any part of the assets of ACAMIS on its dissolution or liquidation. In the event of such dissolution or liquidation, the assets of ACAMIS, after payment of debts and obligations, shall be transferred to an organization for charitable and educational uses and purposes similar to those of ACAMIS and as chosen by the Board of Directors.

Article X - Amendments of Articles

These articles may be amended or altered by a simple majority vote of the members present and voting at the annual meeting, provided however that Article III may not be amended in such a manner as to impair or alter the non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian character of ACAMIS.

Article XI - Amendments of By-Laws

ACAMIS may establish and/or amend By-Laws by simple majority vote of those present at the annual meeting. However, no such By-Laws may contravene any provisions of the Constitution.