BY-LAW OF

NORTHERN WESTCHESTER CHINESE SCHOOL

July 1, 1981

(Revised May 9, 2009)

ARTICLE I. Name, Purpose and Location

1. The name of this school is Northern Westchester Chinese School (thereafter called the Chinese School). It was incorporated in 1981.
2. Its purposeis to teachand promote Chinese language, culture and history to interested students. It is non-sectarian and non-political organization.
3. The location of the Chinese School, which is selected by the principal and approved by the board of directors, should be in northern Westchester County, State of New York.

ARTICLE II. School Year and Class Hours

1. The school year shall begin in September each year. There shall be two semesters per school year, and at least fourteen (14) sessions per semester.
2. Classes are to be held on Saturdays, Sundays or possibly other off-school hours.

ARTICLE III. Students, Membership and Annual Meeting

1. The Chinese School is open to all school-age children who are interested in studying Chinese language, culture and history. The number of students is subject to the limitation of available space, facilities, and other resources.
2. The membership of Chinese School consists of all parents of students in current enrollment and the teachers.
3. An annual membership meeting shall be held before the end of the second semester.

ARTICLE IV. Board of Directors, Principal and Officers

1. A Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the Chinese School and shall consist of a minimum of five (5) Directors, the principal plus elected members from the school membership. The directors shall elect among themselves Chairperson for the Board.
2. Each elected member of the Board will serve a two years term and may be re-elected to succeed himself(herself) once (a maximum of four consecutive years each time in office).
3. Half of the elected members of Directors will be elected by the membership each year in the annual membership meeting.
4. In the event that a Director is unable to serve a full term, the Board shall appoint a substitute to serve as an interim Director for the remainder of the term. The appointment must be approved by the membership in the next membership meeting.
5. Each family shall have no more than one member elected to the Board of Directors.
6. The school officers consist of Principal, Vice-Principal, Secretary and Treasurer. the Board of Directors shall submit a list of nominees for Principal, Vice-Principal, Secretary and Treasurer to the membership to be voted together with possibly other candidates nominated in the membership meeting.
7. The nominees for Principal must be a former or current school officer, staff (including teachers), or board member.
8. In the event that the principal, the Vice-Principal, the Secretary or the Treasurer is unable to serve a full school year, the Board of Directors shall appoint a substitute for each vacant office to serve out the remainder of the current school year. Such Appointment must be approved by the membership in the next membership meeting.
9. The Principal, the Vice-Principal, the Secretary and the Treasurer may each be re-elected to succeed himself (herself) once (a maximum of two consecutive years each time in office).

ARTICLE V. Officer’s Duty

1. Principal: The Principal is the chief executive of the School. He (She) is responsible for all affairs of the school including, but not limited to, the following: a. Securing the location for school sessions, b. hiring teachers, substitute teachers and teacher aids, c. selecting and providing text books and other teaching materials, d. setting school calendar at the beginning of a semester, e. class assignments of the teachers and pupils, f. calling the annual membership meeting, g. representing Chinese School in its contacts with other organizations and individuals.
2. Vice Principal: The Vice Principal shall assist the Principal in all aspects of school operations, and shall assume full responsibilities in case of absence of the Principal.
3. Secretary: Assist the Principal in the following areas: a. taking minutes of meeting, b. handling correspondences and notes, c. printing of texts, notes, homework assignments upon request from teachers, d. publishing school newsletters, e. compiling and printing annual membership directory, and f. keeping and updating a complete file of teaching materials, treasurers reports, meeting records, legal documents, communications, and other items of significance to be passed along to the next Secretary.
4. Treasurer: Collect all donations to the school, maintain accounts with banks on behalf of the Chinese School, disburse funds when bills are due, recommend a school budget at the beginning of school year, and provide financial reports, statements, and legal documents as situations warrant.

ARTICLE VI. Curriculum Committee

The Principal, the Vice-Principal and the teachers constitute the membership of the Curriculum Committee. The Committee is charged with the responsibility to Advise the Principal in selecting and providing teaching materials.

ARTICLE VII. Augmented Cultural Enrichment Program (ACE) Committee

Three (3) members, including the Vice Principal as the chairperson, shall be appointed by the Board of Directors to serve on the ACE committee. The Committee is charged with responsibility of organizing the ACE program, selecting materials for the program, acquiring teachers for special classes, and assigning members to participate in various capacities of the program.

ARTICLE VIII. Dissolution Clause

In case of dissolution, all assets owned by the school at the time of dissolution shall be donated either to some other Chinese Schools in the Westchester N.Y. area, or to ACS (Association of Chinese Schools) as working funds. This shall be decided by the Board of Directors at that time.

ARTICLE IX. Amendments to By-Laws

Any amendments and/ or changes of these By-Laws must be submitted by the Board of Directors to the membership for approval. Such proposed amendments and/ or changes must be approved by a majority of two-thirds(2/3) or more from the membership.