GUARDIAN KARATE ASSOCIATION

Synopsis

 

ARTICLE I

NAME

This Association shall be known as Guardian Karate Association.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Association is to bring unity to all pure traditional systems of karate and to disseminate knowledge about these systems.

ARTICLE III

STRUCTURE

This Association shall be comprised of persons who are currently training in the pure traditional style of each system or have demonstrated a willingness to participate and train under such systems.

ARTICLE IV

GOVERNANCE AND POLICY

This Association shall be governed by these Association By-Laws, and by Board of Trustees, which shall consist of eight voting members in good standing.

ARTICLE V

MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 1

(a) This Association shall be comprised of persons who are currently training in any pure traditional system or have demonstrated a willingness to participate and train under such systems;

(b) Voting on membership into the Association shall occur only after each Board Member has received proper advance notice of said vote.  Voting on new members must be unanimous.  Board Members unable to attend any such meeting shall submit their vote by proxy only, which must be received prior to the scheduled vote;

(c) Suspension or removal of a Member requires adequate advance notice to all Board/Active Members and must be by unanimous vote of all Board Members in attendance at the Board Meeting when the open vote is taken.

 

Section 2

Board Members of this Association in good standing shall vote on all official business of the Association.

 

Section 3

All Members of this Association are required to support the Associations mission and purpose.

 

Section 4

All Members of this Association shall show respect and tolerance for all pure traditional systems of the martial arts.

 

Section 5

All Members shall endeavor to provide active financial support to the Association and provide for the economic well-being and stability of the Association.

 

Section 6

All Members shall be permitted to wear or display their style patch at all times.

 

Section 7

Members shall actively participate in the Associations karate training, seminars and tournaments.

 

Section 8

A Member may be immediately suspended or dismissed by the Association should that Member's conduct be determined to be detrimental to the well-being of the Association.  Suspension or removal of a Member may only occur by providing due notice to all Active Members and by majority vote.

 

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS/DUTIES

 

The Chairman or ShiHan shall act as the figurehead of the Association.  The general duties of the Chairman or ShiHan are to provide direction and guidance for the Association.  The Chairman or ShiHan as a voting Member, may also preside over meetings and set the agenda for the meeting and set policy for the Association.

 

The general duties of the President are to preside over all Association meetings; to develop the agenda for the meetings and to make decisions on behalf of the Association when necessary.  The President shall also have the authority to counter-endorse all checks authorizing the payment of Association expenses.

 

In the absence of the President the Vice-President shall perform all duties assigned to the President and any other duties delegated by the Board.

 

The general duties of the Secretary are to draft and present the minutes of all Association meetings; to distribute copies of all proposed meeting minutes to the President; to maintain all correspondence received by the Association.

 

The general duties of the Treasurer are to manage the Association's revenue which is maintained in an interest bearing checking account; to initiate/draft checks to pay Association expenses; to develop and present written Treasury Reports monthly to the President.

 

The Board of Trustees shall at all times act reasonably and prudently in performing all duties as required by these By-Laws and all such other duties deemed necessary and appropriate in representing the interests of all Member schools.

 

The general duties of the Style Heads are to examine each membership application made to the Association by practitioners of his system and put forth to the Board of Directors his recommendation of the applicant for vote.

 

ARTICLE VII

ELECTIONS

 

The Chairman, President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer shall hold their respective office indefinitely or until such time they voluntarily resign or should any active Association Board Member determine that an Officer(s) needs to be removed from Office for good cause at which time that Member must expressly present that proposal at an Association Board meeting where an open vote will be administered to determine whether that Officer should be removed from office.  To remove an Officer(s) requires adequate advance notice and a unanimous vote by all Active Board Members in attendance at the Board Meeting when the open vote is held.

 

ARTICLE VIII

EARLY TERMINATION/ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

 

In the event the President voluntarily resigns the current Vice-President shall temporarily assume office as President until an election is held to determine a new President.  The announcement of the President's resignation must be made at an Association Board Meeting.  In the event the Vice-President voluntarily resigns an election shall be held as referenced in the aforementioned paragraph.

 

In the event the Secretary/Treasurer voluntarily resigns an election shall be held as referenced in the aforementioned paragraph.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Association Board Members who are unable to attend a meeting may submit a proxy or absentee vote.

 

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS TO THESE BY-LAWS

 

Amendments to these By-Laws must be submitted in writing, and in the form of proposed amendments to the current Association By-Laws.  These proposed amendments must be presented at the Association's scheduled Board Meeting but will not be voted upon until the next Association Board Meeting that follows the presentation of such proposed amendments.  The Secretary shall distribute copies of these proposed amendments to all Active Board Members.  Changes to these By-Laws requires a unanimous vote by those active Association Board Members in attendance at the meeting when the vote occurs.

 

ARTICLE XI

FINAL AUTHORITY

 

Any issues or situations to be decided upon must be submitted in writing to the full Board by the end of each calendar year, or December 31.  A vote shall be taken at the January Board Meeting or as soon thereafter as practical.

 

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