[Revised version approved by the membership on July 31, 2019]

BYLAWS
American Association of Teachers of Japanese
Article I: Name
The name of the corporation is the American Association of Teachers of Japanese,
hereinafter referred to as AATJ. The Japanese name of the corporation shall be 全米
日本語教育学会 (Zenbei Nihongo Kyōiku Gakkai).
Article II: Purpose
The purposes of AATJ are:a.

b.
c.

d.

To promote and encourage cooperation and exchange among scholars,teachers, and students of Japanese language, linguistics, and literature,and others engaged in those activities, and to promote academic workand foster research and study in those fields and to broaden and deepen
knowledge of Japan and its culture.
To promote the exchange of ideas, information, and experience relevantto the concerns of its members through meetings, educational seminars,
publications, correspondence, and other such activities.
To encourage the development and dissemination of superior methods ofteaching Japanese language, linguistics, and literature, and to aid in theattainment of increased teaching expertise, broad competence,
intellectual depth, and overall professional excellence.
To be engaged with regional, national, and international developments inthe fields mentioned above and related areas.
Article III: Membership

Section 1. Categories of Membership
There shall be the following categories of membership in AATJ:a.
Regular members are those persons who have an interest in theteaching of Japanese and who have paid dues and fees in full for the current
year. Only regular members have the right to vote in elections for executive
officers and association matters.
b.
Associate members are those persons who are full-time students in acollege or university and who are interested in becoming professional

teachers of Japanese, and who have paid dues and fees in full for the current
year.
c.
Subscription or institutional members are those institutions, libraries,and organizations whose participation is expressly limited to subscription.
d.
Corporate members are for-profit organizations that financially
support the goals and purposes of AATJ.
Section 2. Terms of Membership
Membership in AATJ is on a calendar-year basis.
Section 3. DuesThe Executive Officers shall determine annual membership dues for eachcategory of membership.
Article IV: Executive Officers
Section 1. Executive Officers
Executive Officers consist of the President, President Elect, and one Vice President
elected by the membership. The Vice President shall represent pre-collegiate andhigher education in alternating terms. The Executive Officers are empowered toappoint the Board of Directors and set the terms of their service.
Section 2. Responsibilities of President and President ElectThe President shall represent AATJ on public occasions and in contact with otherorganizations and persons and shall provide vision and direction to AATJ. The termof the President shall be one year and one year serving as immediate past president
if so willing. The President Elect, after serving a one-year term, shall become thePresident. The President Elect shall assist the President and serve as acting
President in the event that the President is unable to fulfill the duties of the office orcontinue in office.
Section 3. Vice President’s Responsibilities
The Vice President shall be elected for a two-year term. The Vice President shall beassigned the responsibilities of Secretary including keeping organizational records,
corresponding with the membership and affiliates, and facilitating membershipdrives. The Vice President may serve as acting President in the event that thePresident Elect is unable to fulfill the duties of the office or continue in office. Shouldthe Vice Presidency be vacated, the President shall appoint a replacement for theduration of the term.
Article V: Board of Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the directors of AATJ’s organizationalactivities (e.g., Conferences, Contest/Examination, Student Services, Publications,
Advocacy/Professional Development). Such activities will be determined by theExecutive Officers. The Board of Directors meets with the Executive Officers at leastonce a year. These two groups constitute the Executive Board.
Section 2. Directors’ Responsibilities
Directors shall select appropriate committee and subcommittee members for theiractivities; ensure the accomplishment of their committee’s activities; and report tothe Executive Officers on a regular basis. All Directors must be regular AATJ
members.
Article VI: Executive Director
The Executive Officers may appoint an Executive Director who shall have generaladministrative responsibility, including the maintenance of financial records;
correspondence with Executive Officers and members in collaboration with the Vice
President; arranging meetings; conducting elections; and other office operations.
The director shall collaborate with the officers in fund raising for AATJ projects andactivities. The Executive Director shall be compensated at a level determined by theExecutive Officers. The Executive Director shall submit a written report
documenting his/her activities when requested. The Executive Officers shallevaluate the responsibilities and performance of the Executive Director on a regularbasis and determine whether or not the Executive Director shall continue in theposition.
Article VII: Affiliates
Section 1. Any legally incorporated local/regional organization with purposes that
correspond to those of AATJ may become an AATJ affiliate, and receive a portion ofAATJ member dues paid by affiliate members, upon submitting documentation oflegal incorporation and the possession of an organizational bank account. The
president, secretary and treasurer of the affiliate must be AATJ members.
Section 2. The AATJ Executive Board shall be in communication with the executive
officers of each affiliate to share information about each other’s activities, plans, anddecisions, so that information is disseminated to members.
Section 3. If an affiliate becomes inactive, ceases to perform its functions, orconducts its affairs in such a manner as to jeopardize the interests of AATJ, theExecutive Officers may suspend or dissolve the affiliate relationship.
Article VIII: Meetings
AATJ shall hold general membership meetings at such time and place as may bedecided by the Executive Officers. Normally the membership meetings will coincidewith the national conferences sponsored by AATJ. Notice of every membership
meeting of AATJ shall be sent to the membership at least three weeks prior to themeeting.

Article IX: Elections and Voting
Section 1. Elections of Officers
Annual elections of Executive Officers shall take place during the last quarter of thecalendar year; terms of office shall begin on January 1 of the following year. Election
materials shall be sent to members at least 21 days before the response deadline.
Elections shall be conducted online; paper ballots will be supplied on request.
Section 2. Nominations
Suggestions for nominees for Executive Officer positions shall be solicited from themembership, and a nominating committee consisting of past Executive Officers shallcompile the slate of candidates. The slate shall have at least two candidates for eachposition, and each nominee must have agreed to serve if elected. Nominees for theExecutive Officer positions must be regular members of AATJ.
Section 3. Other Votes
Votes on other matters may take place at an annual membership meeting, by mail,or by electronic means. Each matter shall be decided by a majority vote of thosecasting votes.
Article X: Legal Contracts
The right to enter into legal contracts for AATJ is vested in the President. ThePresident may delegate this authority to the Executive Director.
Article XI: Fiscal YearThe fiscal year of AATJ shall be the period January 1 to December 31 inclusive.
Article XII: Audit of Accounts
There shall be an audit of accounts or a financial review of the accounts of AATJ by
an independent accountant at least every three (3) years.
Article XIII: Dissolution
In the event that AATJ dissolves, the Executive Officers shall dispose of all assets in amanner consistent with the mission of AATJ.
Article XIV: Amendments
These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed by a majority vote of theregular members voting by mail or electronic ballot, but no proposed amendment
shall be acted upon without a minimum of 21 days’ notice in writing. Amendment tothe Bylaws may be proposed by the Executive Officers or by one tenth of the regularmembers of AATJ.