The KORCOS Constitution was formulated in 1989 and was amended on April 12, 1997. It is presented here with permission from the KORCOS Board in further amended form for consideration and adoption this day September 9, 2006.


CONSTITUTION

OF

THE KOREA COUNCIL OF OVERSEAS SCHOOLS

1989

As amended April 12th, 1997

And further amended September 9th, 2006



ARTICLE  I

NAME AND DEFINITION

SECTION I : Name

The name of this Association shall be “The Korea Council Of Overseas Schools” (hereinafter referred to as KORCOS).

SECTION II: Definition

As used herein, “overseas schools” shall mean preschool, elementary and secondary schools located in Korea which are authentic “international” organizations and which offer a non-Korean or bilingual education predominantly in the English language for foreign, and Korean national students deemed eligible, living in Korea.

ARTICLE II

OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES

The objectives and purposes of KORCOS shall be exclusively educational. The specific purposes for which the Council is formed are as follows:
to enrich the processes of education for all KORCOS(schools);
to increase the professional growth of the educational staff of member schools;
to facilitate communication and cooperative action between and among all member schools;
d) to promote intercultural understanding and international friendship through the activities of member schools;
e) to cooperate with other organizations and individuals pursuing the same or similar objectives as KORCOS

ARTICLE III

NON-PROFIT, NON-POLITICAL AND NON-SECTARIAN CHARACTER OF KORCOS

SECTION I: Non-Profit

KORCOS shall be exclusively educational in character; it shall not have authority to issue stock; it shall not be conducted or operated for profit, and no part of any member or individual, nor shall any such net earnings or any of the profits or assets of KORCOS be used other than for the objectives and purposes of KORCOS.


SECTION II : Non-Political / Non-Sectarian

KORCOS shall, in its aims and activities, be politically neutral and non-sectarian.

ARTICLE  IV

MEMBERSHIP

SECTION I: Eligibility

Schools located in Korea may become KORCOS members if they are overseas schools as defined in Article I, pay a membership fee, and attend meetings on a regular basis where possible, on the basis of geographic location. Each school shall have a maximum of three votes. Member schools may select in January two teachers and one administrator to represent itself on the KORCOS Board.
Associate Membership is open to schools or individuals interested in supporting the objectives and purpose of KORCOS. Associate Membership for schools allows on payment of membership fees, for KORCOS Conference attendance up to a maximum of five teachers but no voting privileges at KORCOS meetings. Associate membership for individuals allows on payment of membership fees, for KORCOS Conference attendance for the individual concerned.

SECTION II: Term

The term of membership shall be yearly, from August 1 through July 31.


SECTION III : Termination of Membership

A school’s membership shall cease because of voluntary resignation or a school may be removed from membership for :
failing to pay subscriptions, after 3 notices,
ceasing to meet the eligibility criteria, or
intentionally acting against the interests of the KORCOS organization

ARTICLE   V

OFFICERS

SECTION I : Officers

The Officers of KORCOS shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Logistics Coordinator, and Conference Coordinator elected by and from the KORCOS Board membership. The Logistics Coordinator will be selected from one of the administrators on the Executive Board.

SECTION II : Term of Office

The Officers of KORCOS shall be elected to a term of office for one year commencing in January.

SECTION III : Vacancies on the Board

Vacancies on the KORCOS Board shall be filled by the Board following the same procedure as when electing for officers (see Section I). Officers may be removed during the term for neglect of duties, incompetence, or abuse of position.

ARTICLE   VI

COMMITTEES

SECTION I : Standing Committees

There shall be one Standing Committee, the Annual Fall Conference Committee, consisting of three to five KORCOS Board members including the Conference Coordinator who is the chairperson. All committee members shall be appointed by the KORCOS Board President subject to the consent of the KORCOS Board.

SECTION II: Special Committees

The KORCOS Professional Development Scholarship Committee shall consist of three to five KORCOS Board members including the Chairperson.

The Board can establish and appoint to standing and ad-hoc committees as it sees fit.

The President shall be a member ex-officio of all committees.

ARTICLE VII

LIABILITIES OF MEMBERS

KORCOS is an organization of schools, and board members and officers act merely as representatives of their schools. In the event of a legal claim against the organization, any officer or board member acting on behalf of the organization, all action lies against the schools directly, in proportion to their contribution.

ARTICLE VIII

DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATON

No part the net income, revenue, and grants of KORCOS shall inure to the
benefit of any member, officer, or any private individual (except that reasonable
compensation may be paid for services rendered in connection with one or more of the purposes), and no member, officer, or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution or liquidation. In the event of such dissolution or liquidation, the assets shall be transferred to an organization chosen by the KORCOS Board for charitable or educational use.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

For the following decisions, a quorum of representatives from seven schools must be present, and a two-thirds majority decision attained :
Removal of an officer during the term of office
Removal of a school from membership
Dissolution of the KORCOS organization
Amendments to this constitution.

Motions calling for such measures must be submitted and circulated in writing to
KORCOS member schools for posting at least thirty (30) days prior to voting.

ARTICLE X

FUND HOLDING

a) KORCOS funds can only be spent for the purposes of the organization.
b) Funds are to be held by the treasurer, and may only be spent with his/her authorization, or the authorization of the board
c) The board may authorize a committee to hold a budget for the purposes for which that committee exists.


BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I: ADDRESS

The business address of KORCOS shall be the address of the school represented by the President of KORCOS.

ARTICLE II: MEETING

An annual KORCOS general meeting for the purpose of reporting to the member schools, election of new officers and for receiving teacher input shall be held in the Fall following the annual KORCOS conference unless otherwise specified by the KORCOS Board and upon its giving member schools fifteen (15) days notice in writing.

Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the KORCOS Board.

The KORCOS Board shall meet at least three (3) times a year.

ARTICLE III: QUORUM

A quorum of the KORCOS Board will consist of representatives from at least seven schools.

ARTICLE IV: PROCEDURES

Meetings of KORCOS will be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order, most recent edition.