Constitution

A Constitution for

Network for Enriching Students and Schools in China

(NESSIC)

To set forth the intent of operating as a not-for-profit organisation within the required registration as a company in the People's Republic of China, this Constitution establishes the framework for such operations.

ARTICLE I – THE ORGANISATION

1.0 Name of the Organisation

The name of this Organisation shall be:
Network for Enriching Students and Schools in China (NESSIC), henceforth to be referred to as NESSIC. NESSIC is registered in Beijing as a company under the name of Beijing Aixuezhi Education Consulting Co., Ltd. Although registered as a company which abides by financial regulations in China, the Founding Schools have created a structure that requires NESSIC to function as a not-for-profit organisation.

2.0 Offices of NESSIC

The principal location of NESSIC shall be Beijing, China.

3.0 Aims of NESSIC

The primary aims of NESSIC are to provide the following education-related services to the community of schools:

Support participating schools to provide high-quality education in a safe environment
Provide professional development opportunities for leaders, teachers and staff
Bring together colleagues among schools to share information and experiences
Provide activities that deliver enrichment for students
Provide social activities to enhance participant interaction

The activities of NESSIC shall be held and maintained in the collegial spirit of these aims

4.0 Powers

NESSIC shall have the powers necessary to conduct its aims including, but not limited to, the power to collect, hold and disseminate information consistent with its purpose: to conduct conferences and workshops, and the power to collect fees and disperse funds on behalf of the schools, relevant to the aims.

5.0 Participation Criteria

The Advisory Board is responsible for all decisions related to participation.

Eligibility to join NESSIC is granted contingent upon the school meeting the following standards:

Be located in mainland China
Operate in compliance with government regulations
Be registered, or in the process of registration, as a Private School, Schools for Children of Foreign Nationals are not eligible
Operate as a school with students enrolled full-time
Be free from affiliations with a Chinese public school or university
Receive recommendations from two NESSIC schools
Agree to operate consistent with the Constitution and By-Laws
Demonstrate alignment of school mission and vision with that of NESSIC
Offer an international curriculum component
Employ foreign experts as part of the teaching staff
Demonstrate application of child protection and school safety policies.

When participation is granted, the school must remain in “good standing.”. Good standing is when the annual fee is paid by October 1 of each year, the annual school information database is updated, and the school fulfils ethical or behaviour standards that are set by the Advisory Board. Should a school not comply with these expectations after three written notices, the issue will be brought to the Advisory Board for review.

Each participant school of NESSIC shall be entitled to one vote on each matter presented by the Advisory Board at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

6.0 Annual Fee

NESSIC’s activities shall be funded through the use of the annual fee and fees charged to the individuals who take part in NESSIC’s various activities. All the funds collected by NESSIC shall be used to provide for the various activities permitted by these Articles and ensure the ongoing operation of NESSIC.

The amount of annual fees shall be established by the Advisory Board. If a change is recommended, it will be submitted to the participatory schools for approval at the AGM.

7.0 Fiscal Year

NESSIC shall operate within a fiscal year that reflects school life, from August 1 to July 31.

8.0 Funds Management and Authorities

No individual or school has the authority to obligate NESSIC in any way.

Should this occur, that individual or school becomes personally responsible for that obligation and not NESSIC. Conflicts of interest must be avoided.

The Advisory Board approves the annual NESSIC operating budget.

As part of their voluntary service, Advisory Board Members’ travel, meals and accommodation will be reimbursed for attending in-person advisory board meetings.

Advisory Board meetings are to be guided by “Robert’s Rules of Order.”

ARTICLE II – THE ADVISORY BOARD

1.0 OFFICERS’ DUTIES

The Advisory Board is comprised of seven elected members.

Advisory Board members are responsible for the policies and finances of NESSIC. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reports to the Advisory Board and works closely with the President. The CEO leads and oversees the work of NESSIC and those who perform the work.

The order listed below indicates the order of succession to the presidency and the duties of each of the officers:

PRESIDENT – The President is responsible for overseeing the Advisory Board and presides at Advisory Board meetings and the AGM. The President works closely with the CEO. While in the Chair, the President cannot introduce motions but does have voting privileges.

VICE PRESIDENT – There shall be one Vice President who assumes the President’s duties in the absence of the President.

TREASURER –The Treasurer is responsible for the oversight of the finances of NESSIC. The Treasurer shall make a presentation on the finances of NESSIC at each Advisory Board meeting and at the AGM.

BOARD OFFICER – The Board Officer is responsible for recording accurate meeting minutes based on the agenda. Minutes shall follow the defined NESSIC template and should clearly state motions, votes and actions to be taken with a defined date.

2.0 ELECTION OF ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Chinese or International Heads of School or Co-Heads of participating NESSIC schools are eligible to be elected an Advisory Board member.

Advisory Board members are elected for a term of three years and may only serve for two consecutive terms.

Each elected Advisory Board member has one vote at official Advisory Board meetings. When vacancies occur on the Advisory Board, nominations will be solicited from the participating schools, reviewed and selected by the Advisory Board and presented for approval at the AGM.

The Advisory Board will take into account experience, national, ethnic, regional and gender diversity. The election will be held at the AGM with the results announced at the end of the meeting. The election of new Advisory Board members shall be by one over half of the votes of those present.

The Advisory Board will elect Officers annually at the first meeting after the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

ARTICLE III – ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENTS

The Advisory Board can appoint up to two ex-officio non-voting Advisory Board members to provide expertise that is useful to the Advisory Board. Such appointed members can only serve up to three years.

1.0 Annual General Meetings (AGM)

All NESSIC schools meet annually at the Leadership Conference, usually held in the autumn. AGM meetings are conducted by the President or Vice-President and supported by the CEO. Attendance at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is required by the Head or an appointed representative of each school.

2.0 Advisory Board Meetings

The Advisory Board shall hold in-person or online meetings up to three times per year, but the President may call additional meetings if needed. Dates of Advisory Board Meetings and locations shall be announced in advance to NESSIC schools. A minimum of five of the seven voting members must be present to form a quorum to conduct NESSIC business.

ARTICLE IV- Amendment of Constitution

Two methods exist to propose an amendment or repeal of any provision of this Constitution.

1.0 By Advisory Board

The Advisory Board may propose any such change in this Constitution by presenting said changes at the AGM.

2.0 By Members

Any NESSIC school may propose a change to these Articles by submitting the proposed change to any member of the Advisory Board. It will then be reviewed by the Advisory Board for feasibility, voted on and if approved, presented to NESSIC schools for ratification at the next AGM.

Any proposed change to the Constitution must be shared by the Advisory Board in writing with the Heads of each NESSIC school 10 days before the next AGM. Approval of any amendment or repeal of any provision of this Constitution requires one over half of the votes of those NESSIC schools present.