By Laws
1] PURPOSE & NAME:
The mission of AWVCS is to teach and promote the Chinese language, culture, & heritage.
The official name of the school is American West Vancouver Chinese School [AWVCS].
AWVCS is an independent, educational, non-political, and non-religious 501(c)3 non-profit co-operative organization.
AWVCS leadership involves the collective efforts of two teams: Administration Officers and a Parent Organization, with an Executive Board (members from both teams and general membership) which convenes as needed. Please note that all members of the AWVCS leadership are volunteers, and work hard to ensure that all students receive a quality learning experience.
2] STUDENT ENROLLMENT:
Students as appropriate to each AWVCS class are eligible without discrimination of gender, race or heritage.
AWVCS reserves the right to determine the appropriate age, class size, and class material offered for each class level and for the optional third cultural class.
All students are strongly encouraged to attend the optional third class for cultural enrichment.
Enrollment is completed upon the receipt of the full semester tuition by AWVCS. Withdrawals and refunds will be made according to current school policies.
Students can be removed from AWVCS at any time on grounds of actions that are detrimental or incommensurable with the interests of AWVCS, after being served three official warnings from the administration. This action must be ratified by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
3] STRUCTURE & RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENT ORGANIZATION:
The main responsibility of the Parent Organization is to provide liaison between the parent membership and the Administrative team of officers to ensure the smooth operation of AWVCS.
All parents and legal guardians of currently-enrolled students are automatically members of the Parent Organization. Parent Organization members can be removed from AWVCS at any time by a simple majority vote of the Administration Team, and ratified by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board, on grounds of actions that are detrimental or incommensurable with the interests of AWVCS.
The overall Parent Organization has the responsibility to nominate the Principal, and to recommend operational and academic policies for consideration to the AWVCS school officers.
All members shall have the opportunity to nominate or be nominated; and to elect or be elected for all open school official positions or Parent Organization official positions.
The Parent Organization is led by a President and a Vice-President, both positions are elected by the members. The term of office is one year with up to one consecutive term allowed. In an effort to ensure a smooth transition, former principals may be requested to serve as school consultants in an advisory capacity.
The main purpose of the Parent Representatives is to act as liaison with parents and students in their classes, and to maintain contact and to facilitate communication between parents and the Parent Organization leadership.
One Parent Representative from each class will be selected at the first General Meeting of the AWVCS school year to be on the Parent Representatives Committee.
Two Parent Representatives may be selected for any class with more than 15 students.
The Parent Representatives Committee shall be headed by the Parent Organization President and Vice President.
Members of the school may also share the responsibilities of teaching, serving on the administrative team, or assisting at various school functions, fundraising, and social activities.
4] ADMINISTRATION STRUCTURE & ORGANIZATION:
The Administrative Officers' primary responsibilities are to carry out the day-to-day operation including financial management and academic instruction. Other responsibilities include the establishment, interpretation and execution of the AWVCS school policies.
The Administration team currently consists of eight positions: Principal, Vice-Principal, Academic Director, Treasurer, Purchaser, Secretary, Librarian, and Recreational Director. The Principal and/or Administration Team may add, eliminate, or modify the administrative team positions as necessary.
The term of Principal is one year with one consecutive term allowed. After which, the Principal may be requested to serve an additional year in an ex-officio advisory capacity to facilitate the smooth transition of the AWVCS school leadership.
The Principal will appoint the Vice-Principal, Academic Director, Treasurer, Purchaser, Secretary, Librarian, and Recreational Director. These positions must be selected and in place by the first day of the Fall semester.
The Administrative Team should meet regularly during the AWVCS school year. Each meeting needs to be attended by more than half of the officers for it to be official.
The Principal has the responsibilities to lead the school to meet its mission and vision, represent the school in the community, and oversee the smooth running of school operations including, but not limited to, financial, administrative, and instructional responsibilities.
The Vice-Principal's duties are to assist the Principal with the daily school operations, and take the place as the Acting Principal in the Principal's absence.
Voting issues at the staff meetings require a simple majority of attendees to pass. The Chairperson does not vote except to break a tie.
The Administrative Team has the power to terminate any officer who is found to be not qualified for his/her job. The recommended termination needs to be submitted and signed by more than half of all the officers. The termination will be effective when ratified by a majority vote of the executive board.
5] EXECUTIVE BOARD STRUCTURE & ORGANIZATION:
The AWVCS School Executive Board shall consist of the following seven positions:
Current Principal;
Current Parent Organization President;
One (1) Teacher representative (appointed by the teachers);
One (1) Administrative representative (appointed by the Administrative Team); and,
Three (3) Parent Representative Committee members, Parent members or School Consultants (appointed by the Parent Representative Committee).
The term of the Executive Board positions are for one year only (September to September) with one consecutive term allowed. Past executive board members may be asked to participate in an advisory capacity only.
The AWVCS Executive Board members shall elect among themselves the position of President and Vice-President. The President and Vice President may appoint a replacement should a position be vacated during the school year.
The responsibilities of the Executive Board are to promote the school’s mission and vision, to audit the finances of the AWVCS and the Parent Organization, to assist in fundraising for the school, and to oversee the annual election process.
The AWVCS Executive Board actions will be taken in an open meeting, and public comment will be allowed upon the discretion of the AWVCS Executive Board. Executive Board meetings need to be announced to the membership no less than one week in advance.
The AWVCS Executive Board may hold discussions or deliberations in closed executive sessions where no actions may be taken.
Two-thirds of the Executive Board, 5 out of 7 board members, must be in attendance for executive board sessions and open meetings. A simple majority vote must be taken to pass all actions and/or motions on the floor.
All decisions by the AWVCS Executive Board are final.
6] ELECTION PROCESS:
Each year, at the annual Spring membership General Meeting, three positions – (1) the Principal; (2) the Parent Organization President; and, (3) the Parent Organization Vice President – will be elected by the overall Parent Organization membership.
The nomination process will be by a written ballot format where the top 3 willing candidates with the most votes for each position will be put to a second round of election for a final vote. The finalists will be announced and their positions ratified by the general membership with a simple majority vote at the General Meeting in the Spring.
To simplify the process, there shall be one nomination from each family, regardless of the number of students represented. There also will be one vote per position per family in the final round of election.
Open positions at all levels must be filled expediently.
Should there be any question regarding the election process, the Executive Board may be asked to decide on the actual structure and details of the nomination process to allow for the above positions to be filled.
7] BYLAWS REVISIONS & AMENDMENTS:
Any proposed addition or revision of the by-laws must first be presented and accepted by 2/3 of the Executive Board.
The recommended changes need to be submitted for a simple majority vote at the General Membership Meeting before any changes can become effective.
The mission of AWVCS is to teach and promote the Chinese language, culture, & heritage.
The official name of the school is American West Vancouver Chinese School [AWVCS].
AWVCS is an independent, educational, non-political, and non-religious 501(c)3 non-profit co-operative organization.
AWVCS leadership involves the collective efforts of two teams: Administration Officers and a Parent Organization, with an Executive Board (members from both teams and general membership) which convenes as needed. Please note that all members of the AWVCS leadership are volunteers, and work hard to ensure that all students receive a quality learning experience.
2] STUDENT ENROLLMENT:
Students as appropriate to each AWVCS class are eligible without discrimination of gender, race or heritage.
AWVCS reserves the right to determine the appropriate age, class size, and class material offered for each class level and for the optional third cultural class.
All students are strongly encouraged to attend the optional third class for cultural enrichment.
Enrollment is completed upon the receipt of the full semester tuition by AWVCS. Withdrawals and refunds will be made according to current school policies.
Students can be removed from AWVCS at any time on grounds of actions that are detrimental or incommensurable with the interests of AWVCS, after being served three official warnings from the administration. This action must be ratified by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
3] STRUCTURE & RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENT ORGANIZATION:
The main responsibility of the Parent Organization is to provide liaison between the parent membership and the Administrative team of officers to ensure the smooth operation of AWVCS.
All parents and legal guardians of currently-enrolled students are automatically members of the Parent Organization. Parent Organization members can be removed from AWVCS at any time by a simple majority vote of the Administration Team, and ratified by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board, on grounds of actions that are detrimental or incommensurable with the interests of AWVCS.
The overall Parent Organization has the responsibility to nominate the Principal, and to recommend operational and academic policies for consideration to the AWVCS school officers.
All members shall have the opportunity to nominate or be nominated; and to elect or be elected for all open school official positions or Parent Organization official positions.
The Parent Organization is led by a President and a Vice-President, both positions are elected by the members. The term of office is one year with up to one consecutive term allowed. In an effort to ensure a smooth transition, former principals may be requested to serve as school consultants in an advisory capacity.
The main purpose of the Parent Representatives is to act as liaison with parents and students in their classes, and to maintain contact and to facilitate communication between parents and the Parent Organization leadership.
One Parent Representative from each class will be selected at the first General Meeting of the AWVCS school year to be on the Parent Representatives Committee.
Two Parent Representatives may be selected for any class with more than 15 students.
The Parent Representatives Committee shall be headed by the Parent Organization President and Vice President.
Members of the school may also share the responsibilities of teaching, serving on the administrative team, or assisting at various school functions, fundraising, and social activities.
4] ADMINISTRATION STRUCTURE & ORGANIZATION:
The Administrative Officers' primary responsibilities are to carry out the day-to-day operation including financial management and academic instruction. Other responsibilities include the establishment, interpretation and execution of the AWVCS school policies.
The Administration team currently consists of eight positions: Principal, Vice-Principal, Academic Director, Treasurer, Purchaser, Secretary, Librarian, and Recreational Director. The Principal and/or Administration Team may add, eliminate, or modify the administrative team positions as necessary.
The term of Principal is one year with one consecutive term allowed. After which, the Principal may be requested to serve an additional year in an ex-officio advisory capacity to facilitate the smooth transition of the AWVCS school leadership.
The Principal will appoint the Vice-Principal, Academic Director, Treasurer, Purchaser, Secretary, Librarian, and Recreational Director. These positions must be selected and in place by the first day of the Fall semester.
The Administrative Team should meet regularly during the AWVCS school year. Each meeting needs to be attended by more than half of the officers for it to be official.
The Principal has the responsibilities to lead the school to meet its mission and vision, represent the school in the community, and oversee the smooth running of school operations including, but not limited to, financial, administrative, and instructional responsibilities.
The Vice-Principal's duties are to assist the Principal with the daily school operations, and take the place as the Acting Principal in the Principal's absence.
Voting issues at the staff meetings require a simple majority of attendees to pass. The Chairperson does not vote except to break a tie.
The Administrative Team has the power to terminate any officer who is found to be not qualified for his/her job. The recommended termination needs to be submitted and signed by more than half of all the officers. The termination will be effective when ratified by a majority vote of the executive board.
5] EXECUTIVE BOARD STRUCTURE & ORGANIZATION:
The AWVCS School Executive Board shall consist of the following seven positions:
Current Principal;
Current Parent Organization President;
One (1) Teacher representative (appointed by the teachers);
One (1) Administrative representative (appointed by the Administrative Team); and,
Three (3) Parent Representative Committee members, Parent members or School Consultants (appointed by the Parent Representative Committee).
The term of the Executive Board positions are for one year only (September to September) with one consecutive term allowed. Past executive board members may be asked to participate in an advisory capacity only.
The AWVCS Executive Board members shall elect among themselves the position of President and Vice-President. The President and Vice President may appoint a replacement should a position be vacated during the school year.
The responsibilities of the Executive Board are to promote the school’s mission and vision, to audit the finances of the AWVCS and the Parent Organization, to assist in fundraising for the school, and to oversee the annual election process.
The AWVCS Executive Board actions will be taken in an open meeting, and public comment will be allowed upon the discretion of the AWVCS Executive Board. Executive Board meetings need to be announced to the membership no less than one week in advance.
The AWVCS Executive Board may hold discussions or deliberations in closed executive sessions where no actions may be taken.
Two-thirds of the Executive Board, 5 out of 7 board members, must be in attendance for executive board sessions and open meetings. A simple majority vote must be taken to pass all actions and/or motions on the floor.
All decisions by the AWVCS Executive Board are final.
6] ELECTION PROCESS:
Each year, at the annual Spring membership General Meeting, three positions – (1) the Principal; (2) the Parent Organization President; and, (3) the Parent Organization Vice President – will be elected by the overall Parent Organization membership.
The nomination process will be by a written ballot format where the top 3 willing candidates with the most votes for each position will be put to a second round of election for a final vote. The finalists will be announced and their positions ratified by the general membership with a simple majority vote at the General Meeting in the Spring.
To simplify the process, there shall be one nomination from each family, regardless of the number of students represented. There also will be one vote per position per family in the final round of election.
Open positions at all levels must be filled expediently.
Should there be any question regarding the election process, the Executive Board may be asked to decide on the actual structure and details of the nomination process to allow for the above positions to be filled.
7] BYLAWS REVISIONS & AMENDMENTS:
Any proposed addition or revision of the by-laws must first be presented and accepted by 2/3 of the Executive Board.
The recommended changes need to be submitted for a simple majority vote at the General Membership Meeting before any changes can become effective.
校章
1] 宗旨及命名:
本校創設宗旨在傳授及推廣中華語言、文化與傳統。獲得優良教育。
2] 學生註冊:
學生入讀本校各班級不受性別、種族及文化傳統限制。
本校有權決定每一班級及可選之第三節文化課學生年歲、人數及教材。
本校十分鼓勵所有學生修讀可選之第三節文化課，以加強學生對中華文化之認識。
學生繳交其就讀學期之全數學費後即辦妥註冊手續。退學及退款事宜須根據學校現行政策處理。
校方可在三次正式警告後，以危害學校或與學校利益不符為理由隨時開除學生，惟此決定須由董事會以多數票確認。
3] 家長會組織及職責:
家長會主要職責為聯繫家長與校務委員，以確保學校運作暢順。
在校學生父母親及其法定監護人為家長會當然會員。校方可根據危害學校或與學校利益不符的理由隨時開除家長會員，此決定須經校務委員會表決，以簡單多數贊成為通過，並由董事會以簡單多數票確認。
家長會員有提名校長及向校務委員提議行政與教學方案之責。
所有會員有機會提名及被提名、選舉及被選舉所有開放之學校職位及家長會幹事職位。
家長會領導團隊設會長及副會長各一人，由會員選出，任期一年，得連任一年。為確保順利過渡，本會可要求前任校長擔任學校顧問，以利諮詢。
家長代表主要職責在聯繫本班家長及學生、保持聯絡及促進家長與家長會領導團隊之間的溝通。
各班須於學年初第一次家長大會中選出家長代表一名，俾能出任家長代表會。
每班學生若超過十五人以上者，可選出兩名代表。
家長代表會將由家長會會長及副會長領導。
會員有分擔教學、行政及雜務如籌款、活動之義務。
4] 校務委員會組織及架構:
校務委員會主要職責在於學校之日常運作，其中包括財務管理及教學。其他職責為確立、詮釋及執行學校政策。
校務委員會現設職位八個，計為：校長、副校長、教務、財務、總務、文書、圖書館及活動組長。校長及/或校務委員會得按需要增減及更改職位。
校長任期一年，得連任一年。校長落任後可被要求以前幹事身份擔任諮詢角色一年，以利學校領導班子順利過渡。
校長將委任副校長、教務、財務、總務、文書、圖書館及活動組長之職位，此等任命須在秋季開學前完成。
校務委員會應在學年度中定期召開校務會議，以過半數為有效開會人數。
校長之職責為領導學校完成其宗旨及使命、對外代表學校，並督導學校各項工作，包括但不限於財務、行政、教學等。
副校長在平日協助校長，並於校長不克處理校務時有代理之責。
校務各方案表決時以出席委員之過半數為通過。會議主席在校務會議中原則不投票，惟當表決呈膠著時始可投票以達成決議。
校務委員會有權廢除不勝任之委員，由二分之一以上校務委員連署提出，經董事會以多數票確認後正式除名。
5] 董事會組織及架構:
董事會將由以下七人組成：
現任校長;
現任家長會長；
一名教師代表 (由老師選派);
一名校務代表 (由校務委員會選派); 及
三名家長代表會成員、家長或學校顧問 (由家長代表會選派)。
董事會委員任期一年 (本年九月至翌年九月)，可連任一年。前任委員可被要求僅以諮詢角色參加會議。
董事會委員應互選主席及副主席，若在學年中有委員出缺，則主席及副主席可委任新委員。
董事會職責在推展學校發展方針、稽查學校及家長會之財務經費、協助學校籌募經費及監督每年舉行的選舉。
董事會須在公開會議中作出行動之決議，而且可決定是否容許大眾發表意見。董事會須於會議前至少一星期向會員公佈開會時間。
董事會可在閉門會議中討論問題，但不可以在該會議中作出行動決議。
董事會會議及公開會議之有效開會人數為三分之二，亦即七名委員中必須有五人出席。一切行動及/或動議須有簡單多數票贊成始能通過。
董事會所有決定均為最終決定。
6] 選舉程序:
每年在春季會員大會上選舉三個職位: (1)校長，(2)家長會會長， (3)家長會副會長。這些職位均須由全體會員投票選出。
提名方法為每一職位各以書面選票選出獲票最多及願意競逐的候選人三名，然後進入第二輪的最後投票。校方須公佈最後候選人名單，而其職位將於春季會員大會中以簡單多數票贊成來確認。
為簡化選舉程序，無論會員有多少名子女在本校就讀，每家只能提名一次，而在最後投票時每一職位亦只能投一票。
一切職位空缺均需盡快填補。
若在選舉過程中出現任何問題，董事會可應邀就具體安排及過程細則作出決定，以便填補上述職位。
7] 校章之修訂及增減:
有關校章條例增減或修訂須先經董事會三分之二或以上接納。
修改建議須呈交家長大會，以簡單多數票通過始能生效。
本校創設宗旨在傳授及推廣中華語言、文化與傳統。獲得優良教育。
2] 學生註冊:
學生入讀本校各班級不受性別、種族及文化傳統限制。
本校有權決定每一班級及可選之第三節文化課學生年歲、人數及教材。
本校十分鼓勵所有學生修讀可選之第三節文化課，以加強學生對中華文化之認識。
學生繳交其就讀學期之全數學費後即辦妥註冊手續。退學及退款事宜須根據學校現行政策處理。
校方可在三次正式警告後，以危害學校或與學校利益不符為理由隨時開除學生，惟此決定須由董事會以多數票確認。
3] 家長會組織及職責:
家長會主要職責為聯繫家長與校務委員，以確保學校運作暢順。
在校學生父母親及其法定監護人為家長會當然會員。校方可根據危害學校或與學校利益不符的理由隨時開除家長會員，此決定須經校務委員會表決，以簡單多數贊成為通過，並由董事會以簡單多數票確認。
家長會員有提名校長及向校務委員提議行政與教學方案之責。
所有會員有機會提名及被提名、選舉及被選舉所有開放之學校職位及家長會幹事職位。
家長會領導團隊設會長及副會長各一人，由會員選出，任期一年，得連任一年。為確保順利過渡，本會可要求前任校長擔任學校顧問，以利諮詢。
家長代表主要職責在聯繫本班家長及學生、保持聯絡及促進家長與家長會領導團隊之間的溝通。
各班須於學年初第一次家長大會中選出家長代表一名，俾能出任家長代表會。
每班學生若超過十五人以上者，可選出兩名代表。
家長代表會將由家長會會長及副會長領導。
會員有分擔教學、行政及雜務如籌款、活動之義務。
4] 校務委員會組織及架構:
校務委員會主要職責在於學校之日常運作，其中包括財務管理及教學。其他職責為確立、詮釋及執行學校政策。
校務委員會現設職位八個，計為：校長、副校長、教務、財務、總務、文書、圖書館及活動組長。校長及/或校務委員會得按需要增減及更改職位。
校長任期一年，得連任一年。校長落任後可被要求以前幹事身份擔任諮詢角色一年，以利學校領導班子順利過渡。
校長將委任副校長、教務、財務、總務、文書、圖書館及活動組長之職位，此等任命須在秋季開學前完成。
校務委員會應在學年度中定期召開校務會議，以過半數為有效開會人數。
校長之職責為領導學校完成其宗旨及使命、對外代表學校，並督導學校各項工作，包括但不限於財務、行政、教學等。
副校長在平日協助校長，並於校長不克處理校務時有代理之責。
校務各方案表決時以出席委員之過半數為通過。會議主席在校務會議中原則不投票，惟當表決呈膠著時始可投票以達成決議。
校務委員會有權廢除不勝任之委員，由二分之一以上校務委員連署提出，經董事會以多數票確認後正式除名。
5] 董事會組織及架構:
董事會將由以下七人組成：
現任校長;
現任家長會長；
一名教師代表 (由老師選派);
一名校務代表 (由校務委員會選派); 及
三名家長代表會成員、家長或學校顧問 (由家長代表會選派)。
董事會委員任期一年 (本年九月至翌年九月)，可連任一年。前任委員可被要求僅以諮詢角色參加會議。
董事會委員應互選主席及副主席，若在學年中有委員出缺，則主席及副主席可委任新委員。
董事會職責在推展學校發展方針、稽查學校及家長會之財務經費、協助學校籌募經費及監督每年舉行的選舉。
董事會須在公開會議中作出行動之決議，而且可決定是否容許大眾發表意見。董事會須於會議前至少一星期向會員公佈開會時間。
董事會可在閉門會議中討論問題，但不可以在該會議中作出行動決議。
董事會會議及公開會議之有效開會人數為三分之二，亦即七名委員中必須有五人出席。一切行動及/或動議須有簡單多數票贊成始能通過。
董事會所有決定均為最終決定。
6] 選舉程序:
每年在春季會員大會上選舉三個職位: (1)校長，(2)家長會會長， (3)家長會副會長。這些職位均須由全體會員投票選出。
提名方法為每一職位各以書面選票選出獲票最多及願意競逐的候選人三名，然後進入第二輪的最後投票。校方須公佈最後候選人名單，而其職位將於春季會員大會中以簡單多數票贊成來確認。
為簡化選舉程序，無論會員有多少名子女在本校就讀，每家只能提名一次，而在最後投票時每一職位亦只能投一票。
一切職位空缺均需盡快填補。
若在選舉過程中出現任何問題，董事會可應邀就具體安排及過程細則作出決定，以便填補上述職位。
7] 校章之修訂及增減:
有關校章條例增減或修訂須先經董事會三分之二或以上接納。
修改建議須呈交家長大會，以簡單多數票通過始能生效。