president’s cornerpage 1 2012 september-october vol. 51, no. 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 president’s corner...

2012September-

OctoberVol. 51, No. 5

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President’s CornerThis summer has been an incredible opportunity to commemorate, celebrate and connect. In this issue of the Nichibei News, you’ll read about our Sakura Celebrations, two trips by delegations from Kurashiki (and two trips by delegations to our sister city!), and Kansas City’s Ethnic Enrichment Festival. It is hard to imagine a month more jam-packed with activity and celebrations than July 2012. (Actually, I can imagine it; it was five years ago when almost 500 Kurashiki citizens came to KC!)These past two months have been a chance to see longtime friends and to make new ones. We are proud that the Heart of America Japan-America Society and Kansas City hosted Japanese Ambassador to the United States Ichiro Fujisaki and dignitaries from both near and far, including Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Circo, Consul General of Japan at Chicago Yoshifumi Okamura, Deputy Major of Kurashiki Hidekuni Miyake, State

Senator Chris Steineger, Honorary Consul General of Japan at Kansas City Fran Lemery, and former Kansas City Mayors Charles Wheeler and Richard Berkley. Our special guests are too numerous to list here, so watch for their names in other articles in this issue. We express our gratitude to all of them for making time to be a part of our Sakura Celebrations. Our commitment to connecting U.S. and Japanese communities across the globe was recognized at the Sakura Celebrations. The Heart of America Japan-America Society was honored and excited to receive a special commendation from Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Koichiro Gemba for our work in furthering friendly relationships between our two countries. And we celebrated community in a big way with 61 other countries in August at the Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment

Student Ambassadors Visit Kurashiki!JAS Member Meeting, Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Wornall, KCMOCome join us for our general meeting Tuesday, September 25, 7:00 p.m. at the Loose Park Garden Center, 52nd & Wornall in KCMO to hear from this year’s student ambassadors as they share their adventures in Kurashiki, Kansas City, Missouri’s sister city of 40 years! Friends and family are welcome. Our general meetings are free and open to the public.

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PLEASE NOTE: Because a delegation from the Heart of America Japan-America Society will be traveling to Japan October 12-23, there will be no October general meeting. We will likely host a third dine around in late September or October at a Japanese restaurant somewhere in the greater Kansas City area. And be sure to join us Tuesday, November 13 at our annual pot luck dinner at 7:00 p.m..

The Student Ambassadors sing at their luncheon with Kurashiki’s Deputy Mayor Hidekuni Miyake!

Our Student Ambassadors with the Friendship Delegation that came to Kansas City on July 26. It was so great that both student groups could meet each other!

Heart of America Japan-America SocietyP.O. Box 22487 KCMO, 64113

Board of Directors

PresidentPatty Woods

1st Vice President(Membership)Ryan Grass

2nd Vice President (Programs)Natsuko Nishimune

SecretaryJun Shrout

TreasurerMickey Coalwell

DirectorsJane DruryJim KankiMari ObaJohn Schollenberger

The mission of the Heart of America Japan-America Society is to further understanding between the peoples of Japan and the Greater Kansas City area by promoting social, cultural and educational exchanges.

The Heart of America Japan-America Society is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Festival in Swope Park. Thank you to Sachie Stroder and Masami Willis, our Commissioners, for their leadership and hard work.From October 12-23, a delegation from Kansas City will be visiting several cities in Japan, including a three-day visit to Kurashiki. For several of us, it’s our first chance to visit our sister city. I can’t wait! In the meantime, we look forward to your joining us as we welcome back our Student Ambassadors and hear their presentation in the September 25 general meeting. And don’t miss the 15th annual Greater Kansas City Japan Festival, October 6 at Johnson County Community College (It’s not too late to volunteer—see page 4). These are two of the highlights of the year. See you there!One final note: I want to express my appreciation to all the volunteers who have worked so hard to make the many events and festivals possible this year, especially this summer. It’s truly amazing how much we do as an all-volunteer organization. Thank you to each and every one of you!!! –Patty Woods, President

Nichibei NotesIntroducing our two newest JAS members: Happy news indeed as we welcomed two babies in August! Mindy and Eric Looney are the proud parents of Takahiro, adopted in Japan (photo right).

And parents Kaori Takeuchi and Dustin Dye welcomed baby Lisa Takeuchi Dye on August 21 at 3:01 p.m. She weighed 6 lbs, 6 oz. and was 18” long. Dustin and Kaori chose the name Lisa because it’s an English name that Japanese will pronounce Risa, which is an actual Japanese name. Her middle name, Takeuchi, is Kaori’s maiden name. (Dustin “gave birth” to a new book—watch for Yakuza Dynasty, Part 1: The

Untouchable, an e-book from Amazon beginning September 25. www.dustindye.net)Wednesday, September 19 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. - Temari Japanese thread ball class by JAS member Lolly Buxton at Fabric Recycles near 91st and Metcalf. Learn more at www.fabricrecycles.com Click on “classes” or call 913-385-0614 to register. Cost: $30.Japanese Government Internet TV is the official source for TV footage for both the Cabinet Secretariat and the Cabinet Office of the Japanese Government. Here you will find up-to-date content covering a wide range of governmental topics in an easy to access format. Check out this month’s fun video on the Japanese souvenir contest! Keyword search: Charming Japanese Souvenir Contest (English) http://nettv.gov-online.go.jp/eng/ (Source: August 2012 e-Japan Journal from the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago)Traveling exhibition, The Awakened Spirit: Japanese Calligraphy and Dolls. Carnegie Cultural Center, 5th and Main St. in Ottawa, Kansas from October 3-November 2, 2012. The opening reception will be on Friday, October 19 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.. There will be a talk on Japanese dolls and doll-making, and a short talk on Japanese Shosho (short-phrased, contemporary calligraphy). Questions? Contact Susan Nakao, (785) 242-4262 or email: [email protected] Annual Mid-Autumn Moon Viewing Party, Sunday, September 30, 7:00 p.m.. Lied Center Courtyard, West Campus (KU, Lawrence)The China-Japan-Taiwan Island Dispute: A Rocky Problem with Real Ramifications Thursday, September 30, 3:00-5:00 p.m., English Room, Kansas Union, KU, Lawrence Dr. Geoff Babb, Department of Military History, US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth; Dr. Gary Bjorge, Department of Military History, US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth; Dr. David Hunter, Department of Joint, Interagency and Multinational Operations, US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.Taiko Drumming Festival, Sunday, October 7, time TBA, Lawrence Arts Center Come to the Arts Center and learn about traditional Japanese taiko drumming. Then join Erika Norikima, the Center’s Japan Outreach Coordinator, to make authentic Japanese hachimaki headbands.

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www.dustindye.netwww.fabricrecycles.comhttp://nettv.gov-online.go.jp/eng/mailto:[email protected]

Ethnic Enrichment Festival: August 17-19After one of the hottest summers ever recorded, the people of Kansas City were treated to a gorgeous weekend with temperatures in the 80s. This fabulous weather was hot enough to help us sell endless amounts of green tea popsicles and kakigoori (Japanese shaved ice), yet cool enough to inspire people to come to the festival in huge numbers (final count not in, but somewhere between 35,000 to 40,000!). This year Ki Daiko and Three Trails Taiko joined the KC Kendo group in performing on the big stage. And origami samurai helmets made from newspaper were a big hit with kids (as well as getting their “passports” stamped).Preliminary figures indicate that the Japan-America Society saw sales of over $6,000, and—along with donations—record profits to support our student exchanges, scholarships, outreach efforts, and monthly programs.

Thanks to Wesley Julian from the Chicago Consulate (who, once again, helped to sponsor us) and to all the volunteers who made this festival possible. Our apologies if we haven’t listed everyone.

Kaoru HarveySusan IkazakiDarlene JonesMarisa JonesWesley JulianLeyna JurcoLinda Jurkiewitz Kestrel Jurkiewitz-MilesLydia & Jim KankiHiroko KeightleyMaya KipperTerry KipperYoshi KipperPatricia Knott

Bud LattnerFran & Charlene LemeryAnna McNicholsAndrea MichielsMurle MordyWarren McAllenMizuki McGregorKotoko NakataHiroshi & Natsuko NishimuneSue NathanKazushi OkadaKate PendletonKyle RoglerLeslie Sciolaro

Jose SerranoJun ShroutAdney & Akemi Stean with granddaughter, ChiyokoAnnabelle StroderEmi StroderSachie StroderYumi TaylorMayumi & Erika WagnerTracie WhitmanMasami WillisPatty WoodsTami & Steve Woodsmall

Emily Abouhalkah Yael AbouhalkahBeci BosleyRobert & Hiroko BrayLauren CaldwellPhyllis CarlsonMickey CoalwellDianne DaughertyJohn DrakeyAnn EstradaMiyako FraleyGary GordenRyan GrassMichiko Gross

Natsuko Nishimune, Miyako Fraley, Terry Kipper Kestrel Jurkiewitz-MilesMaya Kipper

Fran Lemery, Masami Willis, Robert Bray, Mickey Coalwell, Pat Knott

EEF Commissioners Sachie Stroder, Masami Willis

Charlene Lemery

Report from Tohoku April 2012 Recently, Jim Kanki and Fran Lemery were able to attend the 2012 conference of the National Association of Japan America Societies (NAJAS). The New York City Japan Society shared a video they had made to help donors know how the relief funds were used. It’s a very moving presentation. You can find it by going to YouTube and searching on “Report from Tohoku April 2012” or visit the web at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR69WCnZ0wM

15th Annual Japan Festival Promises to Be Big!See professional sumo wrestlers live again this year! Plus enjoy traditional Japanese music including taiko, koto and Japanese pop singer Aya Uchida. Cultural exhibits will include a display of traditional Japanese dolls, kids’ activities, Japanese bazaar, workshops, demonstrations, cultural presentations, unique snacks and treats, traditional Japanese food, Miyuki the Candy Artist, anime and manga, and a Cosplay fashion show.October 6, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m Johnson County Community College Carlsen Center 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, Kansas, 66210$10 Adults, $5 Students and Children. Kids under 5 are freeFind more information about tickets, scheduling and events at http://www.kcjapanfestival.com/Presented by the Heart of America Japan-America Society, Johnson County Community College, and the Greater Kansas City Japan Festival Committee.

It’s not too late to volunteer! Volunteers needed for Japan Festival Saturday, October 6. Dustin Dye, the festival’s volunteer coordinator, reminds us that volunteers get in FREE. Volunteering is a great way to meet other JAS members, too. Register now at http://www.kcjapanfestival.com/volunteer/ It’s fast and easy to register as a volunteer! Just complete the short Web form, hit SUBMIT, and you’re done!

Recipe: Salmon Yuan YakiYou’ll enjoy these fish fillets marinated with soy sauce, lemon and sake, then grilled. Ingredients4 filets of salmon

Soy sauce ½ cup

Lemon juice ½ lemon

Sake 1 TbspPreparation1. Stir soy sauce, sake and lemon juice together.

2. Put salmon in combined mixture. Marinate a minimum of 3 hours or overnight.

3. Take out the salmon from the marinade and place them on the grill to cook.

Sakura Celebrations–an Event to RememberOur Sakura Celebrations, held at Loose Park and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on July 18, was a chance to celebrate a number of auspicious occasions, starting with the dedication of the gift of twenty-four cherry blossom trees from the Japanese government. Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki made his first trip to Kansas City to offer this generous gift, noting what a “warm welcome” we in Kansas City gave him (the weather was 106 degrees that day!). HAJAS members, along with a 33-person delegation from Kurashiki, local dignitaries and guests celebrated the 40th anniversary of our sister-city relationship, the 50th anniversary of our organization, and Fran Lemery’s assignment as Honorary Consul General of Japan at Kansas City in 2011.The program included welcoming remarks from Master of Ceremonies and Immediate Past President of HAJAS Jim Kanki and speeches from Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Circo, Kurashiki Deputy Mayor Hidekuni Miyake, and HAJAS President Patty Woods. Honorary Consul General and Executive Director of the Greater Kansas City Japan Festival Fran Lemery facilitated a touching trio of speeches by three community leaders: Advisor to the Kurashiki International Association Kodo Uenishi, lifetime HAJAS member Marshall Miller, and community leader Mike Burke, whose father James Burke—along with Uenishi-san and Mr. Miller—founded the sister city relationship 40 years ago. Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki’s remarks wrapped up the program and both inspired and entertained the audience. -continued on page 5

Ambassador Fujisaki, Charlene & Fran Lemery

Kodo Uenishi, Marshall Miller, Mike Burke

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR69WCnZ0wMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR69WCnZ0wMhttp://www.kcjapanfestival.com/http://www.kcjapanfestival.com/volunteer/http://www.kcjapanfestival.com/volunteer/

This was one of the biggest events ever held by HAJAS, with 320 people in attendance. Friends from Kansas City Ikebana, including Sachiko Endo Colom and Sue Looney, created a beautiful arrangement—perfect for a first-class reception in Kirkwood Hall after the program. Guests were treated to musical entertainment by jazz legend Bobby Watson and associates, and new talent Aya Uchida with Jo Yamanaka. Consul General Okamura led a ceremony to honor Fran Lemery, Kansas City’s Honorary Consul General of Japan at Kansas City. Guests were delighted to take time out to celebrate Fran’s commitment to the Kansas City-Japan relationship. Many HAJAS members and friends volunteered to pull off this memorable event. Special thanks go to Fran Lemery and Jim Kanki, co-chairs, Joyce Williams, and the staffs of the Ambassador and Consul General, including Toshiaki Abe, Natsuko Ito and Austin Gilkeson. And thank you to the many other unnamed volunteers who gave of their time and talents. Japanese Ambassador to the United States - Ichiro Fujisaki; Mayor

Pro-Tem, Kansas City, MO - Cindy Circo; Consul General of Japan at Chicago - Yoshifumi Okamura; Honorary Consul General of Japan at Kansas City - Francis Lemery; President, Japan Club - Tamiko Woodsmall; President, Heart of America Japan-America Society - Patty Woods; Superintendent of Parks, KCMO - Forest Decker

Sachie Stroder, Hiroko Bush, Natsuko Nishimune

Sakura Celebration Guests

HAJAS Awarded Commendation by Minister of Foreign Affairs of JapanDuring the Sakura Celebrations program, the Heart of America Japan-America Society was awarded a Certificate of Commendations from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Koichiro Gemba, in recognition of our organization’s contributions to Japan-U.S. relations. The Commendation is a beautiful document in the form of a 16½ x 11½ certificate written in Japanese (provisional translation next column). Please watch for it at upcoming meetings. Patty Woods, President of the HAJAS, accepted the award on behalf of our society, from Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki during the program (photo center). What an honor to receive such an award!

Certificate of Commendation, July 18, 2012 The Heart of America Japan-America SocietySince its establishment in 1962, your organization has made

tremendous contributions to the promotion of Japan-U.S. cultural exchange and to the strengthening of the pro-Japan network in the Midwest. In recent years, your organization has been playing a pivotal role among pro-Japan organizations in the Kansas City region.Commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Heart of America Japan-America Society this year, I extend my deepest respect and commend your outstanding achievements.

-Koichiro Gemba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan

Bobby Watson Aya Uchida

Charles Wheeler

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Kurashiki Delegation Comes to Kansas CityJuly 17 through 19, Kansas City and the Heart of America Japan-America Society played host to a 33-person delegation from Kurashiki, Kansas City, Missouri’s sister city of 40 years. Led by Deputy Mayor of Kurashiki City Hidekuni Miyake and Deputy Chairman of the City Council Isao Hara, the delegation also included Hitoshi Fujiwara, Chairman of the Kurashiki International Association; Kodo Uenishi, Advisor of the Kurashiki International Association; Masahiko Sato, Manager of the International Section; and Koji Shirakawa, Deputy Manager of the International Section.

Besides participating in the Sakura Celebrations program, the delegation also visited City Hall and toured Kansas City (Kurashiki Mural, Union Station, Hallmark Visitors Center, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts), made time for shopping on the Plaza, and enjoyed barbeque at the home of Fran and Charlene Lemery (whose stunning Japanese garden was both impressive and relaxing after a long day of travel). HAJAS members miss our friends in Kurashiki already, but won’t have to miss our visitors for long, as some of us will be travelling to our sister city in October. We’re happy we’ll be able to rejoin our friends so soon—and will also get to see members of the Kurashiki Youth Friendship Delegation at that time! Many volunteers helped to make the Kurashiki group’s time with us pleasant. Special thanks go to Mickey Coalwell, Ryan Grass, Jim, Lydia & Jamie Kanki, Fran & Charlene Lemery, Natsuko Nishimune, Mari Oba, Hideko Schackmann, and Tami & Steve Woodsmall.

Kurashiki Delegation members and friends

Consul General of Japan at Chicago Returns to JapanThis month, we say good-bye and thank you to Consul General Yoshifumi Okamura. The Consul General has been assigned to a position in Tokyo beginning this month. In our short time together, we have been struck by Okamura-san’s intelligence, vision and warmth. We will greatly miss the C.G. and wish him and his wife Kaoriko all the best.

Kurashiki Youth Friendship Delegation Visits Kansas CityWe had barely said good-bye to the adult delegation from Kurashiki when we got to say hello to this year’s Youth Friendship Delegation. The seven students and their leader came to Kansas City July 26-August 9. While here, they enjoyed a number of favorite activities (Royals baseball game, visit to City Hall, picnic at Larry & Cindy Meeker’s home) and some new ones (Italian dinner at Buca di Beppo, ice cream at Zona Rosa, and a visit to the Shrout Farm). Kurashiki students Satsuki Oe, Mana Yamada, Julia Kyoguro, Ai Miyake, Ryo Takenaka, Rina Masato and Jyunya Ota and their leader Mari Kondo entertained families at our homestay exchange dinner with a performance to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way and a participatory “true/false” game that tested our knowledge of Japan.Special thanks to Jun Shrout and Jim & Lydia Kanki for their leadership in hosting our students and to the Meekers for their continued tradition. We are—of course—grateful to the homestay families who offered a home away from home for our delegation members!

Kurashiki Delegation representatives pose with Ambassador Fujisaki & Consul General Okamura

Kurashiki Youth Friendship Delegation on International Bridge

Board of Directors Recommends Bylaws ChangesThe Heart of America Japan-America Society Board of Directors helps run our organization’s current activities, but we also must look to the future. Board President Patty Woods knew this anniversary year—her first year as President—would be an opportune time to review the organization’s bylaws to make sure they truly reflect how the Board can best represent HAJAS members. Because bylaws are essentially the rules for how to govern the society, the Board of Directors wanted to address changes needed to reflect how the society has evolved. With support from the full Board, including Immediate Past President Jim Kanki, the Honorary Consul General Fran Lemery, and Bylaws Committee member Steve Woodsmall, the Board of Directors streamlined and modernized the HAJAS bylaws. This issue of the Nichibei News includes the updated bylaws on which the membership will be voting at the September 25 general meeting. Key changes include the following:• The writing is simpler and more clearly stated.• The membership types are streamlined.• The Board of Directors can increase membership fees.• A quorum for voting by the Board is now 5. • The committee names are accurately reflected.• The Board (not just the President) appoints a nominating

committee to recommend the slate of officers and Directors for the next year.

• The President, life members and students can vote. (Life membership voting rights were poorly worded in the previous version of the bylaws.)

• The 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents do not have to lead Membership and Programs, respectively.

• There is only one type of advisory committee (previously there were two advisory board options—these aren’t necessary).

Please take the time to review them and let Patty Woods know if you have any questions ([email protected] or 816-803-1621).

Japan-America Society Bylaws Proposed Revisions – (September 2, 2012)

ARTICLE I The name of this organization shall be HEART OF AMERICA JAPAN-AMERICA SOCIETY with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri.

ARTICLE II Purpose SECTION 1. The Heart of America Japan-America Society was founded and is operated for the exchange and understanding of social, cultural and educational concepts between Japan and the United States and their peoples. It is a non-profit, non-political,

membership organization which strives to promote friendly relations between individuals of the two nations.

SECTION 2. It shall be a purpose of the Society to establish a Scholarship Fund to promote social, cultural and educational interchange between Japan and the United States.

SECTION 3. It shall be a purpose of the Society to maintain and promote a Student Ambassador Program with the city of Kurashiki, Japan. The program, its guidelines, and administration will be handled by the Society.

SECTION 4. The Society is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE III Membership SECTION 1. Membership in this Society is open to all who have a sincere interest in the purposes of the Society. The Society is not a closed organization; however, if any member, through his or her actions, shall discredit the Society or use the name of the Society without the express permission of the Board of Directors for his or her own personal gain, that individual shall be suspended from the membership of said Society upon a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. There shall be the following classes of membership in the Society:

(a) Individual membership: Defined as a membership of one person. This membership type shall have one vote.

(b) Family membership: Defined as two or more individuals who consider themselves a family. This membership type shall have two votes, regardless of the number of family members. At least two family members must be present at a meeting to cast both votes.

(c) Corporate membership: Defined as membership by a corporation, association, partnership, or limited liability company. This type of membership shall have one vote. Such vote shall be cast by an individual designated by the corporation, association, partnership, or limited liability company. Each such entity shall make a designation of such designee in writing, which shall be effective upon delivery to the Secretary of the Society and shall remain effective until revoked in a writing delivered to the Secretary of the Society.

(d) Student membership: Defined as an individual who is in high school or college. This membership type shall have one vote.

(e) Sister-city membership: Defined as an individual or family who is resident of Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan (or the nearby area). Because sister-city members are not easily able

mailto:[email protected]

to participate in our programs, this membership type’s dues may vary and may be paid on a different cycle than other memberships.

(f) Honorary membership: Conferred upon persons who, in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors, have made notable contributions to the purposes of the Society. Such honorary membership shall have no voting rights.

(g) Life membership: Conferred by the Board of Directors upon nomination by a Board Member, of a person worthy of the honor and who meets at least two of the following categories of service: Be a member of the society for at least 15 years, made outstanding contributions to the aims and welfare of the Society, served as a member of the Board of Directors or has been an officer of the association at least two years and/or contributed substantially to the financial welfare of the Society. A life member shall have one vote, or —in the case of a couple or family who has received life membership—two votes.

(h) The Board of Directors shall have the authority to determine the classes of memberships and dues applicable to each class of membership, in such amounts as the Board shall, from time to time deem necessary and appropriate. Notice of any change in the dues applicable to any class of membership shall be included in any notice of any meeting of the membership.

SECTION 3. Membership in this Society is not transferable or assignable.

ARTICLE IV Dues SECTION 1. Dues reflect membership for the calendar year.

SECTION 2. Dues shall be delinquent as of March 1st, and members whose dues remain unpaid shall not be entitled to vote.

ARTICLE V Meetings SECTION 1. Regular Society meetings and events will be held monthly unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. Written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of any meeting of members shall be delivered either personally, by mail or via electronic means (such as email), to each member entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than five or more than forty days before the date of such meeting. If mailed, the notice of a meeting shall be deemed delivered when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the member at his address as it appears on the records of the Society, with first class postage thereon paid.

SECTION 2. The Board of Directors shall regularly meet not less than eight (8) times a year, at such times and places as it may determine. The first regular meeting of the new Board of Directors shall be held prior to January 15th.

ARTICLE VI Officers SECTION 1. The Officers of this Society shall be the President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers shall serve for a one-year term commencing the 1st of January.

SECTION 2. Election shall be held at the regular meeting in November. If there is but one candidate for office, the vote shall be by voice; if there is more than one candidate for office, the vote shall be by secret ballot. A majority vote prevails. All officers must be members in good standing of the Society with dues paid in full for the year of their election and their year in office.

SECTION 3. The 1st Vice President shall act as President in the event of the absence or inability to serve of the President. The 2nd Vice President shall act as President in the event of the absence or inability to serve of the President and the 1st Vice President.

SECTION 4. The Treasurer shall deposit all funds in the bank designated by the Board of Directors, in the name of the Society. All checks and withdrawals shall be signed by the Treasurer or in the absence or incapacity of the Treasurer, such other officer as the Board shall designate. All contracts on behalf of the Society shall be entered into by the President.

ARTICLE VII Board of Directors SECTION 1. The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the Society. It shall be composed of nine (9) Directors, consisting of the President, 1st Vice-president, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Society, as elected by the members of the Society, three (3) additional directors elected by the members of the Society, and the immediate past President of the Society; provided, the immediate past President shall serve on the Board of Directors, as immediate past President, only during the one (1) year immediately following that person’s term as President of the Society; further provided, if the position of immediate past President on the Board of Directors cannot be filled because there is no eligible candidate, refusal of an eligible candidate to serve, or any other similar reason, then the newly elected Board shall designate a person to serve as the 9th Director. No person shall simultaneously hold more than one (1) position on the Board of Directors. No person shall serve on the Board of Directors for longer than six consecutive years; provided, this limitation shall not apply to a person serving on the Board of Directors as immediate past President of the Society. Any interim vacancy on the Board shall be filled by the Board itself.

SECTION 2. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. Any decision of the Board must be by majority vote.

SECTION 3. Any member of the Board of Directors absent from three consecutive meetings of the Board, without permission from the President, may, by a vote of the Board of Directors, be held to have resigned from the Board.

ARTICLE VIIIQuorums A quorum of this Society shall consist of 20 voting members. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of 5 members of said Board.

ARTICLE IX Nominations The Board shall appoint a Nominating Committee of no fewer than 5 members—at least 2 of these from the Board of Directors and at least 3 from the membership at large—no later than the regular September meeting.

The Nominating Committee shall submit one name for each office and directorship with additional nominations to be accepted from the floor prior to voting. The Nominating Committee’s report will be sent to all members.

ARTICLE XAmendments Subject to the provisions of Article III, Section 2 (h), the Articles of Incorporation (Articles) and Bylaws may be amended, or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a meeting of the members, if a quorum, provided that at least 5 days written notice has been given of intention to amend, or repeal or to adopt the new Article or Bylaw at such meeting.

ARTICLE XIOutside Activities No outside project shall be sanctioned by the Japan-America Society unless it has a direct connection with the stated purposes of the Society and has been approved by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIIAudit An annual audit of the Treasurer’s accounts of the Japan-America Society shall be completed by February 15th by an Audit Committee appointed by the newly elected Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIIICommittees SECTION 1. The standing committees of the Society shall be determined by the Board each January and may include the following: Audit, Budget, Bylaws, Communications, Corporate Membership, Hospitality, Membership, Nominating, Program,

Scholarship, Sister City, and Student Ambassador. Committee chairs may be Board members or other members of the Society.

SECTION 2. The President shall appoint each of the named committees, except as described in Article X for the Nominating Committee and in Article XIII for the Audit Committee. The President shall appoint Ad Hoc committees as he/she feels become necessary for the benefit of the Society and shall instruct them as to their duties and responsibilities.

SECTION 3. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating and Audit committees. The President shall not appoint him or herself as either a member of the Nominating Committee or as a member of the Audit Committee.

SECTION 4. If desired, the Board may organize an Advisory Committee, the members of which shall not be members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIV Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the Society shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December in each year.

ARTICLE XV Scholarship Fund SECTION 1. The Scholarship Fund established by the Society will be accounted for separately from the General Fund and will be used only for the purpose defined in Article II of these Bylaws.

SECTION 2. The Scholarship Fund shall consist of monies appropriated from the General Fund of the Society plus gifts specified for this purpose by individuals and/or other organizations. The Scholarship Fund shall be disbursed at the discretion of and in an amount to be determined annually by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XVIDissolution Upon the dissolution of the Society, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the Society, dispose of all the assets of the Society exclusively for the purposes of the Society in such manner, or in such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the Society is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purpose.

Events: September–December 2012

In This IssueStudent Ambassador PresentationsTuesday, September 25, 7:00 p.m. Loose Park Garden Center

Greater Kansas City Japan FestivalSaturday, October 6, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., JCCC

Remember—No General Meeting in October

General Meeting: Elections and Pot LuckTuesday, November 13, 7:00 p.m. Loose Park Garden Center

Holiday Open HouseSunday, December 16, 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Location to be announced

Heart of America JApAn-AmericA SocietyP.O. Box 22487Kansas City, MO 64113

LabeL Here

• President’s Corner• Ethnic Enrichment Festival• Japan Festival• Sakura Celebrations• Kurashiki Delegations• Bylaw Changes

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president’s cornerpage 1 2012 september-october vol. 51, no. 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 president’s corner...

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