Article 1. Name
The name we have chosen is "Taiwan Good Food Time," and the English name is TCCA Chicago / Taiwanese Culinary & Culture Association of Chicago (hereinafter referred to as "the Association").
Article 2. Nature
This Association is a non-profit, non-partisan, and non-religious cultural organization, established in the State of Illinois, USA, and registered in accordance with the "Guidelines for Registration of Overseas Chinese Organizations" issued by the Overseas Community Affairs Council of the Republic of China.
Article 3. Purpose
This Association aims to promote Taiwanese food culture, preserve culinary memories and family recipes, and foster kinship among Taiwanese communities in the United States, while promoting cultural exchange between Taiwan and the West through food.
Article 4. Tasks
In order to achieve the objectives outlined in the preceding article, this Association shall handle the following matters:
Organize lectures, cooking demonstrations, and tasting events on Taiwanese food culture.
Collect, organize, and publish Taiwanese family recipes and oral dietary records.
Collaborate with local schools, libraries, museums, and community groups to organize cultural exchange activities.
Participate with the Overseas Community Affairs Council, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, and the Chicago Overseas Chinese Cultural and Educational Service Center to promote cultural activities.
Other matters consistent with the purpose of this Association.
Article 5. Meeting Site
Article 6. Membership Qualifications
Any overseas Chinese, youth, or students from various regions who agree with the Association's mission and are interested in promoting Taiwanese cuisine and culture are eligible to join. Anyone, including Taiwanese citizens and those in the US who are friendly to Taiwan, may apply for membership. After completing the application form, having it approved by the Board, and paying the membership fee, the application process is complete and the applicant becomes a member of this Association.
Article 7. Membership Categories
The Association's membership is divided into general members, family members, student members, and honorary members. Honorary members are nominated by the Council, are exempt from membership fees, and have no election or voting rights.
Article 8. Member Rights
Members have the right to attend general meetings, speak, vote, elect and be elected, and participate in the various activities of this Association.
Article 9. Member Obligations
Members shall abide by the Association's charter and resolutions, and pay membership dues on time. The amount of membership dues shall be determined by the members' meeting.
Article 10. Withdrawal and Expulsion
Members may withdraw at any time by submitting a written statement. Members who have failed to pay membership dues for more than one year shall be deemed to have withdrawn; or a member may be expelled by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council for any conduct that damages the reputation of the Association.
Article 11. General Meeting of Members
The General Meeting of Members is the highest authority of this Association and shall hold at least one regular meeting annually; it shall also oversee the Board of Directors. An extraordinary meeting may be convened by resolution of the General Assembly or upon the request of one-fifth or more of the members.
Article 12. Board of Directors
The Association shall have five to nine directors (with a minimum of three), elected by the General Meeting of Members from among the members, to form a Council, implement the resolutions of the general meeting of members, and manage the affairs of the Association.
Article 13. Supervisors
This Association shall have one to three supervisors, elected by the general membership meeting, to oversee Association affairs and finances. They may not serve as directors concurrently.
Article 14. Responsible Personnel and Staff
The Board of Directors shall elect one President (Chairman) from among its members as the responsible person of the Association, who will represent the Association externally. The Association will also have one Vice President, one Secretary-General, and one Treasurer.
Article 15. Terms of Office
The term of office for directors, supervisors, and all staff members is two years, and they may be re-elected. A meeting should be held upon the expiration of the term to hold a re-election, and the results shall be submitted to the Overseas Community Affairs Council for record.
Article 16. Vacancies
When a vacancy arises in the position of a director or supervisor, the Board of Directors shall elect a replacement, whose term of office shall last until the end of the previous director's or supervisor's term. The term of office for those filling such vacancies is limited accordingly.
Article 17. Attendance and Resolutions
A general meeting of members shall be convened only if more than one-third of the members are present, and resolutions shall be adopted by a majority vote of those present. Amendments to the Articles of Association, the disposal of property, and the dissolution of the Association require the consent of a two-thirds majority of those present.
Article 18. Board Meetings
The Board of Directors shall meet at least once per quarter, and such meetings may be held via video conference. A majority of attendees is required for a Board meeting to proceed.
Article 19. Meeting Minutes
Minutes shall be made for all meetings and shall be signed and sealed by the chairperson and the recorder, and kept on file.
Article 20. Sources of Funding
The sources of funding for this Association include membership fees, donations, activity income, subsidies, and other lawful income.
Article 21. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this Association shall run from January 1st to December 31st of each year. The Chief Financial Officer shall submit financial reports to the general meeting of members at the end of each year, and these reports shall be reviewed by the supervisors.
Article 22. Surpluses
Surpluses shall not be distributed. The income and property of this Association shall be used solely for the achievement of the Association's objectives and shall not be used for any other purpose. Funds shall not be allocated to members, directors, supervisors, or staff in any manner outside this purpose.
Article 23. Conflict of Interest Avoidance
Directors, supervisors, or staff members who have a conflict of interest with the Association shall disclose it during the relevant meeting and abstain from voting on that matter.
Article 24. Amendments
These Articles of Association may be amended by the consent of more than two-thirds of the members present at the general meeting. The Overseas Community Affairs Council shall be notified for record-keeping.
Article 25. Dissolution
Upon dissolution of this Association, its remaining assets shall be donated to organizations with the same or similar purposes, in accordance with the laws of the United States. As an organization exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Association may not distribute its profits to any individual.
Article 26. Unresolved Matters
Matters not covered in this Charter shall be governed by the relevant laws and regulations of the State of Illinois, USA, and shall be resolved by general meetings following proper procedures.
Article 27. Effective Date
This Charter shall come into effect on September 2, 1926 (the 115th year of the Republic of China), upon approval.