BYLAWS OF CHINESE SCHOLARS ASSOCIATION SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA(Revised June 2005)
Article I Name: This organization shall be known as Chinese Scholars Association (CSA) – Southern California
Article II Purposes:
As a non-for-profit and non political organization, the purposes of the organization are:
1. To promote intellectual exchange and friendship among Chinese scholars in the United States as well as in the world;
2. To contribute to the development of science, technology and higher education in the United States and China; and
To enhance the Sino-American friendship and mutual understanding between Eastern and Western cultures.
Article III Membership
Eligibility for membership includes:
Any individual who agrees to the CSA purposes and has a doctoral degree or equivalent or is a faculty member (or emeritus) or researcher at the rank of assistant professor or equivalent or higher in universities, colleges, or other institutions may become a regular member upon the review of the board; and the member can choose to become a lifetime member;
Any individual who supports and contributes to the CSA purposes in a significant way may become an honorary member without voting rights upon the approval of the board;
Any individual who agrees to and supports the CSA purposes but doesn’t meet the eligibility prescribed in Article III.1 may become an associate member without voting rights upon the review of the board; and the board shall prescribe the amount of annual membership dues for each kind of its members respectively.
Article IV CSA Member’s Rights and Duties
1. All members have right to participate in CSA events and activities and serve on committees and designated positions.
2. Regular and lifetime members have right to vote, nominate, self-nominate, and be nominated, and serve on the board.
3. All members shall be kept informed of CSA developments and activities. All members shall pay membership dues as prescribed by the board.
Article V. Presidents Council
Presidents Council consists of CSA’s past presidents and plays an advisory role. The immediate past president shall become the council chair for two years. In case the immediate past president is unable to serve as chair, the council can select a chair.
Article VI Board of Directors
The executive powers of the organization shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the following seven members:
a. President b. Vice President
c. Treasurer d. Secretary
e. Three other board directors.
2. The detailed rules of CSA operations shall be followed by the board.
3. The board members shall be elected by the membership at large for a term of two years. CSA officers, directors, and their job assignments shall be decided by the elected board members.
4. The President of the organization shall be the chief executive officer of the organization and can serve for one term only.
5. The other board members can be reelected to continue to serve no more than three consecutive terms as a board member and no more than two consecutive terms at the same position, effective from the current term, January 2004.
In case any of the board members resigns or is unable to serve, the successor will be replaced by the next highest vote received in the election to serve the remaining term.
Article VII CSA Activities
1. The Board of Directors shall hold an annual general assembly of the organization.
2. Other activities the Board can organize or appoint committees to conduct may include, but not limited to the following:
a. Forum of discussions among members;
b. Social gathering of members and their families;
c. Special seminars by honored speakers;
d. Workshops by invited speakers or members; and
e. Organized visit to China, and so forth.
f. Awards for academic achievement, leadership, and service.
Shall any members plan on other activities, the prior approval of the board is required.
Article VIII. Discipline and Liability
1. Each member of all kinds is responsible and liable for one’s own speech, behavior and action when the person either acts alone or on behalf of CSA or participates in CSA’s activities. The board officers and directors are discharged from any responsibilities and liabilities for any speech, behavior and action conducted by CSA members.
2. If any member’s speech, behavior and action are against the purposes of the organization, the board has the right to nullify the person’s membership without a refund of paid dues.
If any board member acts illegally or seriously violates the CSA bylaws and rules, a recall can be initiated by a petition from at least ten members and approved by a vote of two third of the voting members. The board shall facilitate the voting process.
Article IV. Board Election
The election committee consists of three members who are not candidates for the election. The election is conducted through email and the process includes nomination, candidate introduction and campaign statement, and voting by members.
Article X. Amendments and Ratification
Amendments to this By Laws shall become effective upon ratification by a simple majority of the voting members.
Article XI Dissolution
In the event of the dissolution of the organization, all of its assets or properties shall, subject to the discharge of valid obligations of the organization, be distributed to charitable organizations as the board may recommend and the simple majority of the voting members.
CSA Establishment and Development
Introduction of CSA
The Chinese Scholars Association – Southern California is a non-profit, non-political, and community benefit organization. It was founded in 1998 by a group of professors at universities in Southern California. Its mission is to promote intellectual exchange, collaboration and amity among Chinese scholars in the United States and the world. The Association is dedicated to the development of science, technology and higher education and the enhancement of friendship and mutual understanding between Eastern and Western cultures. The CSA Board consists of seven directors – president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and three directors of the board. The election is conducted every other year. To join CSA, please visit www.csasc.org to download a membership form.
The following chronological events mark the milestones in the historical developments of CSA’s establishment.
The Earlier Meetings
In several gatherings in 1997 and early 1998, the idea to create an organization of Chinese scholars in greater Los Angeles area was brought up. A potluck dinner was held to discuss the idea at the UCLA Faculty Apartment on a weekend of spring of 1998 and hosted by Prof. Zhensu She and his wife. The participants included:
Prof. Liu, Yupin and his wife
Dr. Chen, Genhong, UCLA
Dr. She, Zhensu and his wife, UCLA
Dr. Shen, Weimin, USC
Dr. Sun, Ren, UCLA
Dr. Xiao, Yan, USC
Dr. Wang, Zhengang, Cal Tech, etc.
On a weekend between April and May of 1998, another meeting was held to discuss China’s policies toward Chinese scholars overseas. At the end of the meeting, the idea of forming an association of Chinese scholars was further discussed and gained supports from scholars. About 20 scholars attended the meeting, including:
Dr. Chen, Baizhu, USC
Dr. Cong, Jingsheng, UCLA
Dr. Duan, Zhenhao, UCSD
Dr. Jiang, Zhenying, Barstow College
Dr. She, Zhensu UCLA
Dr. Song, Jingsheng, UCI
Dr. Yin, An UCLA
Dr. Xiao, Yan, USC, etc.
The Preparation Committee and Its Activities
A Preparation Committee was formed and included the following scholars (in alphabetic order):
Dr. Chen, Baizhu, USC
Dr. Chen, Yueyun Bill, University of the West
Dr. Chen, Zengshu CSULA
Dr. Huang, Shenghe, USC
Dr. Hu, Peisheng, USC
Dr. Jiang, Zhenying, Barstow College
Dr. Li, Yonggang, USC
Dr. Lin, Lianlian, Cal Poly University Pomona
Dr. She, Zhensu, UCLA
Dr. Wu, Laosheng, UCR
Dr. Xiao, Yan, USC
Dr. Zheng, Yanping, UCLA
The committee held a number of meetings on weekends at the residents of Prof. Chen, Baizhu, Prof. Hu, Peisheng, Prof. Jiang, Zhenying, and Prof. Xiao, Yan, etc. and discussed all relevant issues, such as the name and structure of the organization, the bylaws, registration with the state, contacting potential members, and future activities.
Prof. Lin, Lianlian was charged with the task to draft the bylaws, and Prof. Chen, Baizhu filed the registration application with the State Secretary’s Office. Prof. Chen paid the registration bill for CSA and did not get reimbursed until CSA had enough fund to pay him back. Prof. She and Prof. Jiang took the lead to contact potential members.
First CSA Social GatheringThe first social gathering of potential CSA members and their families was held at Prof. Chen, Baizhu’s house, around the Spring Festival of 1999. At this gathering, the first election of CSA board members was announced.
First CSA Board ElectionThe electronic voting procedure was setup in the early 1999. Dr. Xiao, Yan volunteered to be a monitor of the election since he did not want to run for the board as a candidate. The final count of the votes was certified by three scholars: Prof. Xiao, Prof. Jiang and Prof. Lin. The CSA first board consisted of the following members:
Dr. She, Zhensu, President, UCLA
Dr. Lin, Lianlian, Vice President, Cal Poly University Pomona
Dr. Chen, Baizhu, Treasurer, USC
Dr. Jiang, Zhenying, Secretary, Barstow College
Dr. Hu, Peisheng, USC
Dr. Sun, Dee Bruce, CSU-LB
Dr. Yin, An (resigned later), UCLA
Dr. Li, Lei, USC
CSA’s establishment and development was a result of a team effort. CSA’s academic image is characterized with scholarship and professionalism. Its activities aim to benefit its constituencies and extended communities.
