MJA Mission Statement

1. To create a supportive and friendly community among Japanese residents and those who are interested in Japan.
2. To serve as a place of information exchange among the members and non-members.
3. To reach out to a wider Madison community by providing information and knowledge about Japan.

Article 1: Name and Location

This association is named "Madison Japan Association," or MJA for short, and is based in Madison, WI at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Article 2: Membership

We invite anyone who meets the following criteria to be a member of the MJA: Those who live in or around Madison, agree to abide by these guidelines, and are either Japanese or have an interest in Japan.

Article 3: Purpose

In the democratic spirit, through our activities we aim to develop ties with the region at large, to foster friendship and well-being among our members, and to help improve their daily lives.

Article 4: Principles of Operation

We draw financial support only from the yearly dues paid by our general and corporate members. Activities motivated by a member's financial gain or religious or political endorsement are stricly prohibited. Furthermore, appropriate action will be taken against any activities deemed socially inappropriate or immoral. (Notice: Small-scale buying and selling such as moving sales and the like are not considered to be profit-motivated. Additionally, we grant an exception of up to four news mailings per year for corporate members, as mediated by the Secretary.)

Article 5: Membership Term

One fiscal year and membership term begin on May 1st and end on April 30 of the next year.

Article 6: Selection of Officers

1. In addition to President and Vice President, we have the following officers.
1. Secretary
2. Treasurer
3. Information and Publication Manager
4. Event Coordinator
5. Officers At Large
2. All officers including President and Vice President are officially selected at the General Meeting and Officer Meeting.

Article 7: Officers' Duties

1. The President is the leader and representative of the MJA and presides over all its activities. He or she has the following powers.
1. Calling Officers' meetings
2. Holding the General Meeting
3. Execution and revision of the MJA Guidelines
2. The Vice President assists the President, and can act in place of the President when necessary.
3. The Secretary assists the President, performs general office duties, and creates written documents.
4. The Treasurer keeps track of the MJA's financial activity.
5. The Information and Publication Manager oversees the creation and editing of the MJA Handbook.
6. Event Coordinators help in planning and holding events.
7. Officers At Large assist the President.

Article 8: Officers' Terms of Office

All officers' terms of office begin on May 1 and continue until April 30 of the next year. However, there is no limit to the number of terms held.

Article 9: Dismissal of Officers

1. Early dismissal of any officer including the President requires a majority vote of the Officers, where the individual in question and those not in attendance will not be counted.
2. Dismissal of all Officers requires a majority vote at a General Meeting of all members, where the Officers and those not in attendance will not be counted.

Article 10: Officers' Compensation

All officers, including the President and Vice President, receive no compensation for their service.

Article 11: Yearly Membership Fee and its Collection

1. General members pay $7. Families pay $10.
2. Corporate members pay $15.
3. The membership fee will be collected by April 30th of the previous
4. By paying this fee, membership is extended by one additional year. If the fee is not paid by the end of the grace period, that member will be considered to have withdrawn from the MJA.
5. In the event that a member joins in the middle of the year, the fee collected then will be applied only to that year. No reductions in membership fees will be allowed.
6. In case where the MJA pays any expense regarding the collection of membership fee, the MJA may charge additional fee on the member. The additional fee is determined by the Treasurer.

Article 12: The MJA Handbook

MJA members have the right to read the digital version of the "MJA Handbook," a collection of information about Madison and the surrounding area. We forbid the release of this document to non-members. The Officers will take appropriate action, including removal from the MJA, against any members found distributing the Handbook to non-members.

Article 13: Mailing List

1. Members may register up to 3 email addresses per household on the MJA Mailing List, and may use it for the exchange of information and social interaction.
2. Corporate members may, through the Secretary, send up to 4 advertisements per year to the list.
3. The Officers will take appropriate action, including warnings and dismissal from the MJA, against any members found sending emails contrary to the MJA's purpose as detailed in articles 3 and 4.

Article 14: Events

Officers may participate in MJA events for a special price as MJA members.

Article 15: Member Directory

At the beginning of every year, the Officers will produce a Member Directory (containing only the information allowed by each member). The release of the Directory to non-members is forbidden. The Officers will take appropriate action, including dismissal from the MJA, against any members found distributing the Directory to non-members.

Article 16: Other rights

In addition to those detailed in articles 13, 14, and 15, members may gain additional privileges as offered by the Officers.

Article 17: Prohibited Activities

1. As detailed in article 4, the pursuit of profit-motivated, religious, and political activities through the MJA is prohibited.
2. The sale or other distribution of the MJA Handbook to non-members is prohibited.
3. Activities deemed inappropriate by the Officers are prohibited.

Article 18: Penalties

Actions taken against members who have violated these Guidelines, including dismissal from the MJA, will be enacted following discussion by the Officers.

Article 19: Opening

The President will, at least once per year, call a General Meeting of all members and officers.

Article 20: Appointment of the President and other Officers

At the General Meeting, the current President will appoint the next President and other Officers.

Article 21: Financial Report

At the General Meeting, a report of the MJA's finances for the preceeding year will be given.

Article 22: Additional Regulations

Additional minor rules necessary for enacting these Guidelines will be decided following discussion by the Officers.

Article 23: Modification of the Guidelines

The addition to or removal of these Guidelines will, when indicated to be necessary by a member or officer, will be decided following discussion by the Officers.

Supplemental clause for the transition

Article 1. These guidelines will be effective on August 31st, 2007.

Article 2. The fiscal year of 2007 ends on April 30th, 2008. The membership term of FY2007 collected under the Article 11 in the old guideline ends on the same day.

Article 3. The proviso in the old Clause 5, Article 11 (the extended membership term in case of joining after April) is invalid after August 31st, 2007. That is, the membership term of FY 2007 ends on April 30th, 2008, in case of joining after August 31st, 2007; it ends on April 30th, 2009, in case of joining between April 1st, 2007 and August 30th, 2007.

• The current MJA Officers are listed at Offiers page
• The events organized by MJA are listed at Events page