Constitution & Bylaws of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea

 

Amendments:
November 28, 1996
March 19, 1999
March 20, 2004
March 18, 2005
March 16, 2007
March 21, 2008
March 20, 2009
September 18, 2009
March 21, 2014
March 27, 2015
April 24, 2017

 

Chapter 1. General Provisions

Article 1. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea, Incorporated Association (hereinafter referred to as “the Society”).

Article 2. Office

The office of the Society shall be located in 635-4, Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Article 3. Objectives

The purpose of the Society is to contribute to national security and the enhancement of public welfare by promoting academic research in earthquake engineering, advancing disaster prevention measures against earthquake hazards, and foresting the development and dissemination of technologies for earthquake disaster prevention.

Article 4. Business

To achieve the objectives set forth in Article 3, the Society will carry out the following business:

• 1. Research on the fundamental theories and applications of earthquake engineering
• 2. Research and dissemination on disaster-prevention technologies and disaster prevention measures against earthquake hazards
• 3. Research studies and dissemination of achievements in earthquake
• 4. Information exchange and data collection on earthquake engineering
• 5. Technical exchange and guidance on earthquake engineering
• 6. Publication of journals, proceedings, research reports, and other literatures related to earthquake engineering
• 7. Organization of research presentations, lectures, and training workshops
• 8. Organization of field trips and site visits related to earthquakes
• 9. Other business deemed necessary to achieve the objectives of the Society

 

Chapter 2. Membership

Article 5. Categories of Membership>

The members of the Society shall be classified as follows:

• 1. Senior Members: Persons who have made outstanding achievements in the field of earthquake engineering or related technologies, or who have rendered distinguished service to the advancement of the Society
• 2. Regular Members: Persons who possess professional knowledge or relevant experience in the academic fields of earthquake engineering
• 3. Student Members: Persons enrolled in or having completed a program in earthquake engineering or a related field at a junior college or higher institution, or those engaged in equivalent educational or research institutions
• 4. Special Members: Individuals or organizations who support the objectives of the Society

Article 6. Admission

• 1. Persons wishing to become Regular, Student, or Special Members shall complete the prescribed application form and obtain approval of the Board of Directors
• 2. Senior Members shall be nominated by the Board of Directors and confirmed by resolution of the General Assembly of Delegates

Article 7. Duties

Members shall pay the prescribed admission fees and annual membership dues. Matters concerning membership fees shall be determined in accordance with the operating regulations of the Society

Article 8. Rights

Members of the Society shall be entitled to the following rights:

• 1. To publish research results, surveys, and related findings in the Society’s journals, proceedings, or other publications
• 2. To participate in research presentations, lectures, training workshops, field trips, and site visits organized by the Society
• 3. To receive the Society’s journal and other designated publications free of charge

Article 9. Withdrawal

A member wishing to withdraw from the Society shall submit a withdrawal form

Article 10. Expulsion of Members

A member who fails to fulfill membership obligations or damages the reputation of the Society may be expelled by resolution of the Board of Directors

Article 11. Suspension and Reinstatement

A member who fails to pay membership dues for more than two years shall have their membership automatically suspended. Suspended members may be reinstated upon their request, subject to approval by the Board of Directors

 

Chapter 3. Officers

Article 12. Composition of Officers

The Society shall have the following officers:

• ① One president
• ② Four vice presidents
• ③ Up to thirty-nine directors (including the president and vice presidents)
• ④ Two auditors
• ⑤ One honored presidents

Article 13. Election of Officers

The officers of the society shall be elected as follows:

• 1. The President, three Vice Presidents, and the Auditors shall be elected by the General Assembly of Delegates. One additional Vice President shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Board of Directors and the approval of the General Assembly.
• 2. Directors shall be appointed upon recommendation of the Executive Board (President, Vice Presidents, and Auditors) with the approval of the General Assembly.
• 3. The Society may appoint a former President who has made significant contributions to the advancement of the Society as Honorary President, upon resolution of the Board of Directors and approval of the General Assembly.

Article 14. Duties of Officers

• 1. The President shall represent the Society externally and oversee all affairs internally. The President shall preside over meetings of the Executive Board and the General Assembly.
• 2. The Vice Presidents shall assist the President and, in the event of the President’s incapacity, the senior Vice President shall act on behalf of the President. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Vice President or Auditor, a successor shall be appointed in accordance with Article 13.
• 3. The Directors (excluding the President and Vice Presidents) shall assist the President and Vice Presidents and carry out their assigned duties within the Society.
• 4. The Auditors may attend meetings of the Board of Directors and shall perform the duties prescribed in Article 67 of the Civil Code. They shall also audit the Society’s activities, accounts, and other operations at least once a year, and report the results to the General Assembly.
• 5. The Honorary President may attend meetings of the Board of Directors and express opinions, but shall not participate in voting.

Article 15. Term of Office

Term of the officer of the society shall be as follows:

• ① The term of office for officers shall be two years, and they may be reappointed.
• ② The President may serve only one consecutive term.
• ③ The Honorary President shall serve a term of five years.
• ④ Officers appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the predecessor’s term.

 

Chapter 4. Delegates

Article 16. Delegates

• 1. Delegates of the Society shall consist of elected Delegates and ex officio Delegates.
• 2. The number of elected Delegates shall be thirty.
• 3. Ex officio Delegates shall include the President, Vice Presidents, Auditors, Directors, and ex officio Advisors.

Article 17. Election of Delegates

• 1. Elected Delegates shall be elected by each Standing Committee in accordance with procedures set forth in the rules of operation.
• 2. To be eligible, elected Delegates must be Senior Members or Regular Members of at least five years’ standing.

Article 18. Term of Delegates

The term of Delegates shall be two years, and they may be reappointed.

Article 19. Duties of Delegates

Delegates shall deliberate and decide on matters stipulated in Article 30.

 

Chapter 5. Advisors

Article 20. Advisors

The Society may appoint Advisors to promote its development.

Article 21. Appointment of Advisors

The President may appoint several Advisors upon recommendation of the Board of Directors. Former Presidents shall, unless disqualified for special reasons, be appointed as ex officio Advisors.

Article 22. Duties of Advisors

Advisors may provide counsel for the development of the Society.

 

Chapter 6. General Assembly

Article 23. Types of Meetings

The meetings of the Society shall consist of the General Assembly, Executive Committee, Delegate Assembly, Board of Directors, and Standing Committees.

Article 24. General Assembly

• 1. The General Assembly shall be composed of all members of the Society and shall consist of regular and extraordinary sessions.
• 2. The regular session of the General Assembly shall be convened by the President in March of each year.
• 3. An extraordinary session of the General Assembly shall be convened by the President in the following cases:
  • ① When deemed necessary by the President.
  • ② Upon request of the Board of Directors.
  • ③ Upon request by one-third or more of the members.
• 4. The President shall serve as the Chair of the General Assembly.

Article 25. Functions of the General Assembly

The General Assembly shall have the following functions:

• 1. Approval of amendments to the Constitution as resolved by the Board of Directors.
• 2. Approval of business plans.
• 3. Approval of budget and settlement of accounts.
• 4. Resolution on the disposition of assets.
• 5. Approval of officers elected by the Assembly of Delegates.
• 6. Resolution on other important matters concerning the operation of the Society.
• 7. Receipt of audit reports from the Auditors.

Article 26. Method of Resolution at the General Assembly

Resolutions of the General Assembly shall require the attendance of at least one-third of all members and the affirmative vote of a majority of those present. In case of a tie, the Chair shall have the casting vote.

 

Chapter 7. Board of Directors

Article 27. Board of Directors

• 1. The Board of Directors shall be composed of Directors including the President and Vice Presidents, and shall be chaired by the President.
• 2. The Board of Directors shall be convened by the President in the following cases:
  • ① When deemed necessary by the President.
  • ② Upon request by one-third or more of the Directors.

Article 28. Functions of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall have the following functions:

• 1. Deliberation and resolution on matters prescribed by the Constitution & Bylaws.
• 2. Deliberation and resolution on important matters concerning the execution of the Society’s business.
• 3. Deliberation and resolution on matters delegated by the General Assembly.
• 4. Deliberation and resolution on other matters related to the Society.
• 5. Deliberation and resolution on membership admission and expulsion.

Article 29. Quorum of the Board of Directors

Resolutions of the Board of Directors shall require the attendance of a majority of all Directors and the affirmative vote of a majority of those present. In case of a tie, the Chair shall have the casting vote.

 

Chapter 8. Delegate Assembly

Article 30. Delegate Assembly

The Delegate Assembly shall consist of Delegates and shall be divided into regular and extraordinary sessions. The convener shall preside over the Assembly.

Article 31. Regular Delegate Assembly

The regular session of the Delegate Assembly shall be convened by the President prior to the regular General Assembly each year.

Article 32. Extraordinary Delegate Assembly

An extraordinary session of the Delegate Assembly shall be convened by the President in the following cases:

• 1. When deemed necessary by the President.
• 2. Upon written request specifying the purpose of the meeting signed by a majority of all Delegates;
  provided, however, that if the convener refuses to convene the meeting, the Auditors may convene it upon approval by a majority of all Delegates.

Article 33. Quorum of the Delegate Assembly

Resolutions of the Delegate Assembly shall require the attendance of a majority of all Delegates and the affirmative vote of a majority of those present. In case of a tie, the Chair shall have the casting vote.

Article 34. Duties of the Delegate Assembly

The Delegate Assembly shall resolve on the following matters and report them to the General Assembly:

• 1. Election of the President, Vice Presidents, and Auditors.
• 2. Enactment and amendment of the operating regulations of the Society.
• 3. Other matters delegated by the General Assembly.

 

Chapter 9. Standing Committees

Article 35. Standing Committees

• 1. The Society shall establish such Standing Committees as deemed necessary in accordance with the rules of operation.
• 2. Members of the Society may belong to one or more Standing Committees in accordance with the rules of operation.

Article 36. Activities

The activities of the Standing Committees shall be carried out in accordance with the rules of operation.

 

Chapter 10. Finance and Accounting

Article 37. Finance

The finances of the Society shall be covered by the following sources of income:

• 1. Membership dues.
• 2. Business income.
• 3. Donations and subsidies.
• 4. Other income.

Article 38. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Society shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of each year.

Article 39. Special Accounts

When necessary, special accounts may be established by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Chapter 11. Amendment of the Constitution and Dissolution of the Society

Article 40. Amendment of the Constitution

Amendments to the Constitution of the Society shall require the approval of a majority of members present at the General Assembly, and such amendments shall take effect upon authorization by the competent government authority.

Article 41. Dissolution of the Society

Dissolution of the Society shall require the approval of at least two-thirds of the members present at the General Assembly and authorization by the competent government authority. Any remaining assets of the Society shall be disposed of by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Chapter 12. Rules of Operation

Article 42. Rules of Operation

• 1. The Rules of Operation of the Society shall be established by resolution of the Board of Directors and shall take effect upon approval of the Assembly of Delegates.
• 2. The Rules of Operation of the Society shall include the following:
  • ① Membership dues.
  • ② Organization and structure of the Society.
  • ③ Duties of responsible Directors.
  • ④ Establishment of the Secretariat.
  • ⑤ Other matters delegated by the General Assembly.

 

Chapter 13. Submissions

Article 43. Submission of Budget and Accounts

Within two months after the end of each fiscal year, the following documents shall be submitted to the Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs after approval by the Board of Directors and the General Assembly:

• 1. Business plan and budget statement for the following year.
• 2. Business performance report and statement of accounts for the current year.
• 3. Inventory of assets at the end of the current fiscal year.

 

Supplementary Provisions (April 24, 2017)

Article 1. Effective Date

This Constitution shall take effect upon approval by the competent government authority.

Article 2. Transitional Provision for Delegates

During the initial five years following the enactment of this Constitution, Delegates shall be elected upon recommendation of the Board of Directors and approval of the General Assembly.

Article 3. Validity of Resolutions by the Founding Preparatory Committee

Resolutions adopted by the Founding Preparatory Committee prior to the enactment of this Constitution shall have the same effect as resolutions of the Assembly of Delegates under this Constitution.

Article 4. Validity of Resolutions by the Founding General Assembly

Resolutions adopted at the Founding General Assembly prior to the enactment of this Constitution shall have the same effect as resolutions of the General Assembly under this Constitution.