Constitution

of the

Asian American Optometric Society

(formally known as: the Southern California Japanese American Optometric Society)

ARTICLE I                NAME

SECTION 1    The name of this organization shall be the Southern California Japanese American Optometric Society.

SECTION 2    The address of this organization shall be the mailing address of the President.

ARTICLE II               PURPOSE

The specific and primary purpose of this society is to promote and maintain a social, cultural, scientific and educational interchange of information and experiences between the members.

ARTICLE III             MEMBERSHIP

                 SECTION 1    Membership shall be open to any licensed optometrist.

SECTION 2    New membership application require sponsorship of two active members.

SECTION 3    Honorary membership shall be granted to individuals who show support and interest in this organization.  They will be non-paying dues members and will share all rights of other members but will have no voting privileges and may not hold office.

SECTION 4    All memberships require approval of a majority of the membership committee.  The membership committee shall be composed of the executive board.

ARTICLE IV             EXECUTIVE BOARD

SECTION 1    The officers of this organization shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer.

SECTION 2    The executive board shall consist of the officers and five board of directors, one of whom shall be the immediate past President.

ARTICLE V               DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1    The President shall preside over all the meetings and supervise the Society’s affairs.

SECTION 2    The President-Elect will be President the following term of office.  The President-Elect, in the absence of the President, shall assume the duties of that office.  In event the President is unable to continue his duties voluntarily or involuntarily, the President-Elect will assume the duties for the remainder of the term.  If this term exceeds 18 months, the executive board shall appoint a new President-Elect.

SECTION 3    The Secretary shall maintain records of all the meetings and take care of all correspondence for the Society.  He shall also keep the constitution, by-laws and policies of the Society current.

SECTION 4    The Treasurer shall keep financial records as well as collect and disburse all funds.  He shall submit at the end of each year, a financial statement.

            SECTION 5    The five Board of Directors will be Directors of

1.                  Research/Education

2.                  Public Information

3.                  Internal Affairs

4.                  Social Events and

5.                  The immediate past President

ARTICLE VI             ELECTION OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1    The officers shall be elected in October of each alternate year and assume office at the first general meeting following elections.

SECTION 2    The election of officers shall be by ballot.  The term of two (2) years.

SECTION 3    Nominees shall be selected by the nominating committee plus any additional nominees from the membership.

SECTION 4    Nominees by the nominating committee must be presented to the general membership four (4) weeks prior to elections.  Additional nominations from the general membership will be accepted up to two (2) weeks prior to the election.

            SECTION 5    The nominating committee shall consist of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII            MEETING

SECTION 1    The President shall call an executive board meeting quarterly.  The President may call additional meetings as deemed necessary.

SECTION 2    The executive Board meetings are open to the general membership.  The general membership may be included in any discussion, but may not vote and may be requested to leave the meeting when the presiding officer feels it necessary.

SECTION 3    The Society is to hold at least three dinner meetings and two educational seminars during each calendar year.

SECTION 4    All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Orders.

SECTION 5    All members must be given at least ten days advance notification of meetings.

ARTICLE VIII          QUORUM

SECTION 1    For general business matters 30% of the total membership in good standing shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION 2    For constitutional amendments 40% of the total membership in good standing, shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION 3    For executive board meeting a simple majority of officers and Board of Directors, shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE IX             VOTING

SECTION 1    Providing a quorum is met, a simple majority of those present shall prevail for general business matters.

SECTION 2    Providing a quorum is met, a vote of three-fourths of those present is necessary for approval of constitutional amendments.

SECTION 3    For executive board actions a majority is required for approval.  Executive board members will be entitled to one vote.  The President shall vote, only in case of a tie.

ARTICLE X               DUES

SECTION 1    The membership fee shall be reviewed by the executive board annually.  The general membership shall approve any changes as determined by the board.

SECTION 2    Membership fees are due December 1 of each year and delinquent January 31 of the following year.

ARTICLE XI             CODE OF ETHICS

The Code of Ethics of the California Optometric Association shall be the guiding rule of this Society.