AKSA

1. Purposes and Goals:

 

The Association of Korean Sociologists in America (herein “AKSA”) aims:

• to foster the sociological study of Korea and the Korean diaspora, and

• to provide intellectual and professional resources to its members through networking and mentoring opportunities.

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2. Membership:

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AKSA shall consist of Regular, Student, Sponsor, and Honorary members. AKSA annual membership is organized around the calendar year, effective January 1 to December 31.

• Regular Member: Individuals working in the discipline of sociology or other related fields who have scholarly interest in the study of Korea and/or the Korean diaspora. Regular members are eligible to vote in AKSA elections and run for the position of President-Elect upon recommendation by the Nomination Committee. Regular members are required to pay an annual membership fee.

• Student Member: Undergraduate or graduate students in the discipline of sociology or other related fields who have scholarly interest in the study of Korea and/or the Korean diaspora. Student members are eligible to vote in AKSA elections and run for the student representative position on the Board of Directors upon recommendation by the Nomination Committee. Student members are required to pay an annual student membership fee.

• Sponsor Member: Individuals who financially support AKSA. Sponsor members do not hold the right to vote in AKSA elections and are exempt from paying annual membership dues.

• Honorary Member: Retired individuals who have had a distinguished career in sociology or other related fields, and who have contributed to AKSA. Honorary members do not hold the right to vote in AKSA elections and are exempt from paying annual membership dues.

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3. Officers:

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• President

• Past President

• President-Elect

• General Administrator

• Treasurer

• Student Representative

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4. Terms:

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• Terms for President, Past President, and President-Elect: One year each. The President-Elect shall serve one year before automatically succeeding the President. The President shall serve one year before automatically succeeding the Past President.

• Terms for General Administrator and Treasurer: Two years.

• Term for Student Representative(s): One year.

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5.  Board of Directors and Nomination Committee:

 

• AKSA’s Board of Directors is comprised of the President, Past President, President-Elect, General Administrator, Treasurer, and Student Representative(s). The current-year President is responsible for calling and presiding over the regular meetings of the Board of Directors.

• The President, Past President, and President-Elect serve on the Nomination Committee.

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6. Elections and Appointments:

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• All current AKSA regular and student members may participate in AKSA’s annual election.

• The President-Elect and Student Representatives(s) shall be elected to office by electronic ballot comprised of candidate(s) recommended by the Nomination Committee.

• The President appoints the General Administrator and Treasurer in alternating years. Exceptions to alternating year appointments can be made to fill vacancies for unfulfilled terms.

• Individuals who served as President may not be re-elected within three years after the end of the Past President term.

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7. Finances:

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• Fiscal Year: October 1 to September 30 of the following year.

• Annual Membership Fees: the Board of Directors is responsible for setting and periodically revising membership fees.

• The Board of Directors may accept donations from sponsors and other contributions from individuals and organizations.

• The Board of Directors may approve sources of income derived from AKSA-related business.

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8. Others:​

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• The Board of Directors will host an annual business meeting open to the full membership that will coincide with AKSA’s annual conference.

• AKSA shall publish biannual newsletters that include: members’ news, presidential messages, and other professional resources, such as calls for papers, proposals for funding, and job advertisements.

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9. Amendments:

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• Amendments to AKSA’s by-laws may be initiated in the following ways:

  • The Board of Directors may formulate amendments and submit them to current membership for a referendum vote.

  • Any 5 or more current Regular and/or Student Members may submit in writing a proposal for an amendment or amendments to the Board of Directors. Proposals should state the motivations and justifications for the amendment(s) and must be signed by the sponsors of the proposal. The Board of Directors shall then call a membership-wide referendum vote for the proposed amendment(s) with recommendations for or against.

• Effective Quorum and Date

  • A quorum for approving amendments to AKSA by-laws shall be one-quarter of all eligible voting members.

  • The amendment(s) will be accepted if and when two-thirds of the votes affirm the proposed amendment(s) within 30 days of the opening of the ballot.

  • Amendment(s) to the by-laws are effective immediately upon acceptance, unless otherwise specified in the proposal.