MEMBERSHIP GUIDE / INFORMATION SHEET

Dear Applicant:We appreciate your interest in the Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall(VJLS-JH). This application has information and supplemental documents to support yourunderstanding of who we are as an organization, your rights and obligations as a member, andthe process of application.
GENERAL BACKGROUND:
VJLS-JH is structured using a governance model that is fully compliant with the Societies Actof British Columbia. Under this model, strategic oversight is managed by the Board of Directorswith operations delegated to staff under the direction of the Executive Director. For a visual
representation of how this works, please review the governance chart here.
In implementing this structure, VJLS-JH transitioned its membership model from one wheremembership was required to receive services to one where membership is entirely optional andopt-in. This change was made in recognition that there is a difference between being a
student/participant in a program/class and being a member of the society with an interest in theoverall governance of the organization, its constitution, its mission, and its fiduciary concerns.
CURRENT MEMBERSHIP & FEES:
The membership term begins at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and run
until the conclusion of the following AGM. The AGM is typically held in late November or early
December of each year. Notice will be publicly posted on the VJLS-JH website and socialmedia.
The current membership fee is $20.
For an explanation from our current bylaws about membership and our past practice, pleaseclick here.
VJLS-JH CONSTITUTION (filed June 27, 1994):
1) To promote and foster the study of the Japanese language and culture;2) To provide adequate physical facilities and academic instruction for the study andunderstanding of the Japanese language and culture;3) To advance multi-cultural and multilingual understanding4) To assist interested persons or groups in encouraging all of the above;5) To pursue any other objective that may be incidental to any of the above.

VJLS-JH’s LONG-STANDING HISTORY
It is important for our members to understand our resilient and venerable history. We have
faced and overcome many diverse challenges and had many victories since our founding in1906, which is a testament to our resilience and strength as a community organization.
Please read a brief version of our history, from a governance perspective, here.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
1) Review the VJLS-JH Constitution (as above) and Mission:
MISSION:To support the development of the next generation of diverse, young leaders who will
promote and carry-on Japanese language and Japanese Canadian history and culture
through intercultural programs, events, and activities.
2) To support your participation in the governance of VJLS-JH, we strongly encourage
you to familiarize yourself with key documents, including the bylaws, and the latest
updates on our programs by browsing our website at www.vjls-jh.com. The current
bylaws can be found under: About – Accountability tab.
3) Download or submit an Application form here.
•If you have chosen to fill out a printed or PDF form, please email thecompleted form to the Board Secretary at membership@vjls-jh.com. You
may also hand deliver your application to our office at 475 Alexander
Street, Vancouver, BC, attention: Board Secretary.

4) Your completed application will be reviewed and a member of the Governancecommittee will contact you regarding the status of your application and next steps, ifany.

Thank you for your time and interest. We appreciate your support and interest in thegovernance of VJLS-JH.
Sincerely,
The Governance Committee
1) Organization chart2) Current bylaw membership info & past practice3) Governance Perspective Brief History4) Membership Application