International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies
(IASBS)

BY-LAWS
 

  1. This Association, named the International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies (IASBS), has as its aim the development of international Shin Buddhist studies and the facilitation of exchange among its members.

  2. The headquarters of the Association shall be located at the Institute of Religion and Culture, Kyoto Women's University.
  3. This Association shall engage in such scholarly activities as holding conferences, research meetings, and seminars; publication of both scholarly and general materials, including books, pamphlets, and newsletters; and other activities deemed appropriate by the steering committee.
  4. This Association shall be composed of the following members:
(1) Regular members, who are entitled to participate in conferences and other Association activities, to read papers (as a rule, in English) and join discussions at these activities, and to contribute articles to Association publications.
(2) Student members, who have the same privileges as regular members.
(3) Supporting members. These are individuals or organizations who, sympathetic to the purposes of this Association, wish to give financial assistance. They have the same privileges as regular members.
(4) Life members, who, through the payment of the life membership fee, have the privileges of lifelong regular membership.
  5. Association members shall receive without charge The Pure Land: Journal of Pure Land Buddhism and regular Association publications, newsletters, and notices. Special Association publications will be available at a charge.
  6. Membership fees shall be for a period of two years, and shall be paid at the beginning of the period as follows:
  in Japan elsewhere
(1) Regular membership 5000 yen $30
(2) Student membership 3000 yen $15
(3) Supporting membership 10000 yen or multiple thereof  $60 or multiple thereof
(4) Life membership 100000 yen  $600
Members residing in Japan shall pay fees in Japanese yen to the Association headquarters; other members shall pay fees to the appropriate district office.
  7. Membership shall be withdrawn under the following conditions:
  (1) When a member submits his or her resignation;
  (2) When so determined by the local steering committee because of nonpayment of Association fees.
  8. The Association shall have the following officers:
  (1) President (one).
  (2) Vice-President (one).
  (3) Executive Secretary (one).
  (4) Treasurer (one).
  (5) Advisors (unspecified number).
  (6) Steering committee members (unspecified number).
  (7) Auditors (two).
  9. The President shall represent the Association and direct its activities. The term of office shall be fou years; serving for two or more terms is permissible.
 10. The Vice-President shall assist the President in the latter's performance of duties. The term of office shall be four years; serving for two or more terms is permissible.
 11. The executive secretary shall administer the operations and activities of the Association. The term of office shall be four years; serving for two or more terms is permissible. The executive secretary shall be selected by a simple majority vote of the steering committee. He or she shall be assisted in the Association headquarters by an unspecified number of secretarial assistants.
 12. The steering committee members shall select the Association officers and directly participate in the operation of the Association. The term of office shall be four years; serving for two or more terms is permissible.
 13. The advisors shall give advice concerning the Association operations.
 14. The Association may establish district offices. The activities and operation of each district shall be carried on with the district chairperson maintaining communication with the Association headquarters.
 15. Operating funds for the Association shall be drawn from membership fees, contributions, and other sources.
 16. The fiscal period for this Association shall run from May 1 to April 30 of the following year.
 17. The by-laws of this Association may be amended by a simple majority vote of the steering committee.
 18. The Association may be dissolved by a simple majority vote of the officers on a motion presented by at least one-fourth of the members of the steering committee.
 19. In the case of dissolution of the Association, the remaining Association assets shall, upon the determination of the steering committee by a simple majority vote, be contributed to a research organization that has aims in agreement with this Association.
Supplementary Provisions
  1. These by-laws shall go into effect on 1 May 1982.
  2. Amended on August 10, 1987.
  3. Amended on January 1, 1989.
  4. Amended on September 10, 1991.
  5. Amended on August 23, 1995
  6. Amended on August 3, 2001.
Notes:
  1. The first steering committee shall include the founding members and others.
  2. At present, there are four official district offices:
  (1) Pacific District
  Rev. Thomas Okano
  Buddhist Study Center
  1436 University Avenue
  Honolulu, HI 96822, U.S.A.
  (2) North American District
  Dr. Eisho Nasu
  Institute of Buddhist Studies
  P.O. Box 390757
  Mountain View, CA 94039-0757, U.S.A.
  eishonasu@earthlink.net
  (3) European District
  Dr. J erome Ducor
  Musee d'ethnographie
  Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65-67
  CH-1205 Geneve, Switzerland
  jerome.ducor@ville-ge.ch
  (4) South American District
  Rev. Angela Andrade
  Rua Lopes Quintas 120/110 Bl.01
  Jardim Botanico - 22460
  Rio de Janeiro - R.J., Brasil
  angelaandrade@openlink.com.br
 
(5)Oceania and East Asian District
  Rev. John Paraskevopoulos
  P.O.Box 230
  Lyncham ACT 2602, Australia
  jp@apex.net.au
Association members residing in Europe should send fees to Dr. Ducor; those residing in Hawaii and in Asia, except Japan, should send fees to Rev. Okano; those residing in South America should send fees to Rev. Andrade; all others should send fees to Dr. Nasu.
For any inquiry, write to:

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SHIN BUDDHIST STUDIES
Kyoto Women's University
Kitahiyoshi-cho, Imagumano, Higashiyamaku
Kyoto 605-8501, Japan

Residents in Japan who wish to join the Association should write to its headquarters at the above address.


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