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CONSTITUTION OF THE TAIWANESE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
 GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER   (Revised in 1994)

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the TAIWANESE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER and will be called TAAGP in the following pages of this constitution and bylaws.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSES

The purpose of this organization shall be:

1. To contribute talents and resources of Taiwanese people for the betterment of community and social services for all Taiwaneses in greater Philadelphia and for local communities at large.
2. To promote, sponsor and encourage programs which are designed to encourage its member to foster American democracy and to perform their duties to the United States of America .
3. To identify the various needs in education and culture preservation for the future generations to cultivate a wholesome identity as Taiwanese American.
4. To coordinate the cooperative efforts of all Taiwanese organizations for the improvement of mutual understanding and concerns on human rights and human services.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Membership of this organization shall be composed of all Taiwanese ancestry or anyone at least 18 years of age who is committed to the purposes of Association. Every member should agree to abide by the constitution and bylaws of this organization.

ARTICLE IV: COUNCIL

A council will be established. This Council shall be called "The Steering Council".

ARTICLE V: MEETING

Sec. 1. The highest governing body of the organization shall be the membership meeting. Through duly called membership meeting, the membership shall have the power and responsibility to amend the constitution and bylaws, to set guidelines for the organization and to elect as well as dismiss steering council members in accordance with the bylaws.
Sec. 2. There shall be one stated membership meeting annually. This annual meeting shall be called the "General Membership Meeting of Taiwanese Association of America, Greater Philadelphia Chapter".
Sec. 3. The said annual meeting shall be held in the month of November or if necessary October.
Sec. 4. Special membership meeting may be called for by: (a) the President of the organization, (b) a written petition by at lease five (5) Steering Council members, or (c) a written petition by at least 25% of the membership.

ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS

Sec. 1. The constitution of this organization shall be subject to amendment at the annual membership meeting.
Sec. 2. Notification of proposed amendments must be submitted at least three months before the annual membership meeting to the president of the organization with a written petition by at least five (5) Steering Council members or a written petition by at least 20% of the membership.
Sec. 3. The president shall appoint a constitution amendment committee within one month to consider the proposed amendment.
Sec. 4. The constitution amendment committee shall notify the members of any proposed amendment at least 15 days before the annual membership meeting.

[2008 Added Amendment]
We have passed a resolution to amend the TAAGP Constitution By-Law yesterday (December 7, 2008).
The total eligible votes (One vote for one Annual Fee paid family) was 66.
A total of 52 votes approved the proposed amendment.
Attached please find the Constitution in its entirety with the revised version of the By-Law.
Please note that the main body of the Constitution remains intact as its 1994 version.
Only the By-Law was amended.
According to the By-Law, Five (5) replacing Steering Council members were successfully elected on this Annual Meeting on
December 7, 2008;
They are Bert Lee, Powen Wang, Charles Jing Yang, Jii Shieh, and Mei-Yean Tsai Lee.
They will serve a two (2) years term starting January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.

BY LAWS OF THE TAIWANESE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER
(Revised in 2008)

ARTICLE I: FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of TAAGP shall start on January 1st and end on December 31st of each year.

ARTICLE II: COMPOSITION OF THE STEERING COUNCIL

The Steering Council of TAAGP shall be composed of seven (7) to nine (9) members. Two additional non-voting members may be appointed by the President to serve as the Secretary or the Treasurer but subjected to confirmation of the Steering Council.

ARTICLE III: DUTIES OF THE STEERING COUNCIL

Sec. 1. The Steering Council shall administer all policies adopted by the TAAGP and act for TAAGP in between Membership meetings.
Sec. 2. The Steering Council shall be responsible for the agenda and program of the annual membership meeting.
Sec. 3. President
(a) The President shall preside over all membership and Steering Council Meetings.
(b) The President shall be the official representative to all related Taiwanese organizations, and to all other bodies. The President may designate representative(s).
(c) The president may appoint all committee chairpersons as necessary.
(d) The President shall submit an annual report covering the year's activities to the Steering Council. Such report shall be made available prior to the time of annual membership meeting. Distribution of said report shall be determined by the Steering Council.
Sec. 4. President-Elect
(a) The President-Elect shall, in the absence of the President or in case of his/her inability to act, perform all duties of the President.
(b) The President-Elect shall be the official parliamentarian at all meetings.
(c) The President-Elect shall automatically become the President at the expiration of the term as defined in Article V of this BY-LAW or upon the resignation of the preceding President.
Sec. 5. Secretary
(a) The Secretary will keep the official minutes of all meetings.
(b) The secretary will prepare the official agenda for all meetings; such agenda shall be distributed two weeks prior to said meetings.
(c) The Secretary will conduct all correspondence of the Association as directed by the President.
(d) The Secretary will maintain an electronic membership directory.
Sec. 6. Treasurer
(a) The Treasurer will receive and deposit all monies accrued to the Association.
(b) The Treasurer will disburse funds in payment of vouchers previously budgeted and approved by the President, Non-budgeted items exceeding the amount specified by the Steering Council must be approved by the Steering Council prior to payment.
(c) The Treasurer will submit a financial report at the annual membership meeting or any time as directed by the President.
(d) The annual Treasurer's report will be audited by a committee appointed by the President.
Sec. 7. Committee Chairpersons
(a) Committee Chairpersons will assist the President to organize and carry our all activities, such as: Newsletter, Sports, Host Family, Public Relation, Civil Rights, Membership Development and Means and Ways, etc.
(b) Committee Chairpersons will submit a report of activities at all the Steering Council Meetings.
(c) Committee Chairpersons will submit an annual report covering the year's activities to the Steering Council. Such report shall be made available prior to the time of the annual membership meeting.

ARTICLE IV: ELECTIONS

Sec. 1. Qualifications for the candidates for the Steering Council must meet the following requirements: (a) A due paid active members of TAAGP for at least one full year. (b) Participation in the TAAGP activities for at least two times in the preceding year.
Sec. 2. Two months prior to the Annual Membership Meeting, the Steering Council members shall elect among themselves three members as the nominating committee. The nominating committee shall present a slate of candidates to the Steering Council at least one month before the Annual Membership meeting.
Sec. 3. Nomination(s) from the floor at the annual membership meeting are permitted.
Sec. 4. All persons qualified under Article III, MEMBERSHIP, shall have one vote. No proxy votes are permitted.
Sec. 5. The incoming President shall call the Steering Council Meeting to elect among themselves a President-Elect before the beginning of the fiscal year or within one month of the resignation of the preceding President or President-Elect.

ARTICLE V: TERM OF THE STEERING COUNCIL

Sec. 1. Members of the Steering Council shall serve on a two year rotating system. The Council member who is elected as the President-Elect during the second year term may serve a total of up to five years.
Sec. 2. The term of the President and President-Elect shall be one year but can be extended for one more year if approved by the Steering Committee. The term may be extended to cover the unexpired period created by the resignation of the immediate past President or President-Elect.

ARTICLE VI: VACANCIES

Sec. 1. A vacancy through resignation, will only be recognized by a written statement by the individual affected. Three unexcused consecutive absence by a member shall be sufficient reason for that position to be declared vacant by the Council.
Sec. 2. Valid vacancies will be filled by the Steering Council. Such person shall serve the unexpired term.

ARTICLE VII: QUORUMS

Sec. 1. Quorum for a Steering Council meeting shall be a simple majority of its member.
Sec. 2. Quorum for a membership meeting shall be at least three times the number of the Steering Council membership.

ARTICLE VIII:  SUPPORT

Sec. 1. TAAGP shall seek financial support from various institutions for its programs.
Sec. 2. Each member committed to the purpose of the Association shall pay membership fee in the amount determined by the Steering Council.

ARTICLE IX:  PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Parliamentary Authority will take precedence at all meetings in this order:

(a) TAAGP Constitution and Bylaws.
(b) Robert's Rule of Order Revised.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

The amendment of this Bylaws may be proposed by a written petition by at least four (4) Steering Council members or a written petition by at least 15% of the membership and approved by a majority vote at the membership meeting.

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