Constitution
of International Society for Chinese Philosophy
(Revision effective since December 13, 2007)
ARTICLE I
NAME AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1 NAME
This Society will be known as the International Society for Chinese Philosophy (hereafter abbreviated as ISCP). By “Chinese Philosophy” is meant the whole philosophical tradition and heritage within the span of Chinese history and the spectrum of Chinese civilization. The term “Chinese Philosophy” will also connote the logical, metaphysical, ethical, aesthetical, and epistemological thinking and reflection in reference to the Chinese philosophical tradition and heritage, Chinese language, Chinese society, and Chinese civilization.
SECTION 2 OBJECTIVES
This Society (ISCP) will be a non-profit, tax-exempt organization formed for the purpose of uniting persons affiliated with the study and research of Chinese Philosophy or interested in promoting the study and research of Chinese Philosophy in both academic and non-academic circles. This society encourages creativity, innovation, and respects people’s difference in belief. It is firmly committed to sexual and racial equality, prohibits any discriminatory practice in all its activities and officer appointment.
The objectives of ISCP are set forth as follows:
a. To support, sponsor or co-sponsor conferences, seminars, workshops and the like on Chinese Philosophy solely or in cooperation with local, national, or international philosophical congresses or academic institutions.
b. To sponsor or co-sponsor philosophical, educational, cultural or scientific activities in cooperation with educational, cultural, philosophical, or scientific institutions or organizations in connection with the study and research of Chinese Philosophy.
c. To support and sponsor the editing and publication of the international research journal known as the Journal of Chinese Philosophy for the philosophical and scholarly community interested in Chinese Philosophy.
d. To support and sponsor the editing and publication of a periodic newsletter for the ISCP which will report on the academic activities of the members of this Society and other pertinent matters in the field of Chinese Philosophy.
e. To support and sponsor research projects in Chinese Philosophy as well as projects on research tools in Chinese Philosophy such as bibliographies, chronicles, directories, indices, and the like.
f. To support and sponsor travel to and from national and international conferences, and the like for the purpose of promoting the study and research of Chinese Philosophy.
g. To support, sponsor or co-sponsor community-oriented activities which are meaningful and fruitful from the point of view of promoting or enriching Chinese Philosophy and which will enhance the cultural values of Chinese Philosophy.
h. To promote and support all other scientific, literary, educational and philosophical activities complementary with the foregoing objectives.
ARTICLE II
LOCATION AND (PERMANENT) OFFICE
SECTION 1
The permanent office of ISCP is located on the premises of the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A. Any official documentation should be sent to this office in Hawaii for permanent filing.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
The membership of ISCP shall be classified as follows: (1) Regular, (2) Life, (3) Institutional, (4) Student, (5) Associate, and (6) Affiliate.
SECTION 2 DEFINITION OF MEMBERSHIP CLASSES
(a) Regular Members: Regular membership will be open to any person who wishes to be affiliated with actual study and research of Chinese Philosophy or the promotion of such.
(b) Life Members: Life membership will be open to any person who wishes to make a financial contribution to the ISCP in the amount specified by its Executive Committee.
(c) Institutional Members: Institutional membership will be open to any bona fide institution which subscribes to the Journal of Chinese Philosophy and which wishes to make an annual financial contribution to the ISCP at a minimum amount as determined by its Executive Committee.
(d) Student Members: Student membership will be open to any student enrolled in an educational institution who has an interest in Chinese Philosophy.
(e) Associate Members: Associate membership is open to any person who does not wish to be a regular member but still wants to enjoy some of its privileges.
(f) Affiliate Members: Affiliate membership is a dues-exempt associate membership granted to advisors, corresponding members and other individuals by the authority of the Executive Committee.
All application for membership is subject to the review and approval of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 3 ANNUAL DUES
The annual dues for each of the five classes of paying membership shall be established by the Executive Committee of the Society and shall be renewable on January 1 each year. Membership status will be acknowledged after submission of a membership application form and payment of appropriate dues.
SECTION 4 THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND TO HOLD OFFICE
Only regular and life members are eligible to vote and to be an elected officer of the ISCP.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1 DESIGNATION AND COMPOSITION
The governing body of the ISCP shall be a Board of Officers, which shall consist of the following:
The last six past presidents of the ISCP who are available and willing to serve;
The Vice-President or Vice-Presidents (if more than one has been nominated and elected) of the ISCP, during the term of office;
The President of the ISCP, during the term of office;
The various regional representatives of the ISCP, during the term of office;
The Secretary and the Treasurer of the ISCP, during the term of office;
The Executive Director of the ISCP, during the term of office;
And the Chair of the Board of Officers of the ISCP, during the term of office.
SECTION 2 ELIGIBILITY
Only regular and life members of the ISCP are eligible to hold office.
SECTION 3 TERM OF OFFICE
The Vice-President(s) shall be elected by the membership for a non-renewable two-year term;
The President shall be elected by the membership for a non-renewable two-year term;
The various regional representatives shall be appointed by the Board for a renewable three-year term;
The Secretary and the Treasurer shall be elected by the membership for a renewable five-year term;
The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Board for a renewable five year term;
The Chair of the Board of Officers shall be elected by the Board from among past presidents (who need not be among the last six) for a three-year term, once renewable. When the terms of office of the Chair and the Executive Director terminate simultaneously, the term of the Chair shall be extended for one year.
SECTION 4 NOMINATION OF OFFICERS
a) Nominations of the President, Vice-President(s), the Secretary and the Treasurer shall be made by the members of an ad hoc Nominating Committee appointed by the Executive Committee. The nominating Committee shall recommend no more than two candidates for each position. All nominations shall be voted upon in a manner established for all members of the ISCP.
b) Nomination of the Executive Director to the Board of Officers shall be made by the Chair of the Board of Officers who shall appoint the selected candidate on behalf of the Board.
c) Nomination of the Chair of the Board of Officers shall be made by the members of an ad hoc Steering Committee composed of the last six presidents.
SECTION 5 DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT
The President shall preside at annual and special meetings of the ISCP and shall act as representative of the ISCP at the meetings or conferences of learned or academic societies with which ISCP is affiliated. The biennial congress of the ISCP is a primary responsibility of his/her presidency. He/She shall organize a program committee, and appoint the program committee chair and coordinator of the biennial congress of the ISCP. He/She shall keep the executive committee informed about progress in the organization of the biennial congress of the ISCP and be receptive to inputs of the executive committee.
SECTION 6 DUTIES OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT
It shall be the duty of the Vice-President(s) to perform all the duties of the President either on his/her behalf or during his/her absence.
SECTION 7 DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY AND THE TREASURER
The Secretary of the Society shall keep the minutes of all officially convened meetings. He/she shall see to it that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. He/she shall keep a membership roll which shall be current at all times. He/she shall, in general, perform all duties incidental to the office of the Secretary and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to that office by the Chair of the Executive Committee.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the custody of all funds belonging to the Society. He/she shall disburse funds only in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and the rules established by the Executive Committee, and he/she shall make a full written annual financial report to the Society.
Deputy Secretary and Secretary Assistants may be appointed by the Executive Committee to assist the Secretary should the need arise.
SECTION 8 DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Executive Director is the overseer of the Society both in its day-to-day administrative functions and in the execution of its long-term plans or projects. He/She shall act as Chair of the Executive Committee and shall appoint on behalf of the Board, in consultation with the current officers, the various regional representatives of the Society as well as such standing and ad hoc committees as authorized by the Constitution of the ISCP or by its Executive Committee. He/She is automatically a member of the program committee of the biennial congress of the ISCP and responsible for communication between the program committee and the executive committee.
Two deputy executive directors, one from the region of North America, another from the region of China, shall be appointed for a renewable five year term by the Chair of the Executive Committee in consultation with the current officers. It shall be the duty of these two deputy executive directors to assist in their respective region the executive director and to perform there all the duties of the executive director either on his/her behalf or during his/her absence.
SECTION 9 DUTIES OF THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF OFFICERS
In addition to serving as Chair at Board meetings, the Chair shall be responsible for the nomination and appointment of the Executive Director on behalf of the Board.
ARTICLE V
THE HONORARY PRESIDENT
SECTION 1
The Society retains the option of electing an Honorary President for the purpose of honoring a senior distinguished scholar in the field of Chinese Philosophy. The Honorary President is a titular position carrying no duties whatsoever.
ARTICLE VI
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1 DESIGNATION AND COMPOSITION
The Society shall have a Board of Directors consisting of founding and incorporating members and more members elected by them. Founding Directors will serve on a permanent basis and the elected Directors will serve for a tenure of four years and in the fourth year the Board will elect their replacement. The Board of Directors is headed by a Chairman elected by the Directors.
SECTION 2 DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS
The Board of Directors is instituted for the purpose of inaugurating officers of the Society, supervising major decisions and major policy changes of the Society, and protecting the general stability and well-being of the Society.
ARTICLE VII
BOARD OF ADVISORS AND BOARD OF SPONSORS
(A) BOARD OF ADVISORS
SECTION 1 DESIGNATION AND COMPOSITION
There shall be a Board of Advisors consisting of all past presidents, selected past officers of the Society, and other experienced individuals invited by the Executive Director on behalf of the Society during his/her term of office.
SECTION 2 DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS
The Board of Advisors shall advise the Society and its Executive Committee in all matters pertaining to the policies of the Society and the attainment of the objectives of the Society.
(B) BOARD OF SPONSORS
SECTION 1 DESIGNATION AND COMPOSITION
There shall be a Board of Sponsors consisting of life?time members and other individuals or institutions who have made substantial contributions to the Society.
SECTION 2 ROLE OF THE SPONSORS
The sponsors shall be highly regarded by the Society. They shall, however, in no way be allowed, in their capacity as sponsors, to influence or interfere with the policies of the ISCP.
ARTICLE VIII
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION 1 DESIGNATION AND COMPOSITION
There shall be an Executive Committee of this Society consisting of the Executive Director, President, Vice President(s), Secretary, Treasurer, Editor and Co-Editor of the Journal of Chinese Philosophy, the last six presidents who are willing to serve, and other members appointed by the Executive Director who shall serve as its Chair.
SECTION 2 DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS
The Executive Committee shall make appropriate decisions regarding annual membership dues, acceptance of applications for membership into the Society, establishment of ad hoc Committees in accordance with the objectives of the ISCP and provide general guidelines for the preservation and maintenance of the ISCP.
SECTION 3 MEETING
The Executive Committee shall be convened at any time and place at the call of the Executive Director of the Society.
ARTICLE IX
STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION 1 DESIGNATION
There shall be the following Standing Committees in this Society: (1) Academic Publication Committee, (2) Budgeting and Resource Committee, (3) Community and Publicity Committee, (4) Information and Communication Committee, (5) Membership Committee, (6) Program Committee, and (7) Research Committee.
SECTION 2 APPOINTMENT
The Chairs, Vice Chairs, and other members of all Standing Committees shall be appointed by the Executive Director on behalf of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 3 ADDITIONAL STANDING COMMITTEES
In addition to the Standing Committees listed in Section 1, other Standing Committees may be appointed by the Executive Committee from time to time as the need arises.
SECTION 4 TERM OF OFFICE
The term of office for each member of each Standing Committee shall be three years, renewable indefinitely.
ARTICLE X
REVISIONS
SECTION 1
Revisions or changes to this Constitution may be made by the Executive Committee and approved by a majority decision of the membership of the Society who have been notified and respond to announcement of such revisions and changes.
ARTICLE XI
LEGAL COUNSEL
SECTION 1
The Board of Directors shall appoint a legal counsel with the approval of the Executive Committee. Such counsel will serve a renewable term of five years from the date of his appointment.
