Including the Amendments adopted by The Board of Directors of the Jain Study Circle
on December 26, 1987 and at the Annual Meeting held on July 17, 1988
Article 1. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE INSTITUTION
JAIN STUDY CIRCLE
99-11 60 Avenue, Apt. 3D
Flushing, NY 11368
Phone: (718) 699-4653
Article 2. AIMS OF THE INSTITUTION
The main purpose of the institution will be to propagate the fundamental principles of the Jain religion among the Jains. This will be achieved through the following:
A. Publication of the Jain Study Circular - a quarterly containing articles, stories, poems, etc., on Jainism and related subjects.
B. Publication and distribution/sale of suitable literature.
C. Organization of Study Groups, Seminars and Conferences.
It should be noted that no rituals, worship/service, meditation, chanting, etc., will be organized by the Jain Study Circle.
However, religious celebrations such as prayers and worships which conform to the basic tenets of the Jain religion and are educational in nature can be organized. No donations of any kind shall be part of such celebrations.
Article 3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The institution will be run by a 12-member Board of Directors.
Each director will be elected for a term of six years.
Every two years, a third of the directors will be elected.
The Board of Directors will appoint a nominating committee for the elections which will be conducted by mail ballot. The ballots will be counted at an annual meeting of the Board of Directors during the summer on or about July 1.
The Board of Directors will elect a President and Chairperson, a Vice-President for Administration, a Vice-President for Publications, a Secretary and a Treasurer every four years.
Article 4. MEMBERSHIP
The Jain Study Circle belongs to the readers and writers of the Jain Study Circular and depends on their cooperation.
All readers of the Jain Study Circular are de facto members of the Jain Study Circle.
Article 5. GUIDELINES
The Board of Directors will make every effort to run the institution according to the teachings and ideology of Jainism. Hence following rules will be observed:
(a) The Jain Study Circle will not organize any function or event for fund-raising. No organization or individual will be designated for raising funds.
(b) No written or verbal appeal for donations or contribution will be made.
(c) All literature will be distributed either free or at-cost.
However, if the Board of Directors deems necessary at some time, a subscription will be applied to the Jain Study Circular.
(d) The names of the directors will not be printed in the Circular or on any literature distributed/sold by the Jain Study Circle.
The list of directors will be available at 99-11 60 Avenue, Apt. 3D, Flushing, NY 11368 and will be sent upon request.
(e) The list of contributors will not be announced or published.
The list of contributors will be available at 99-11 60 Avenue, Apt. 3D, Flushing, NY 11368 and will be sent upon request.
(f) No member or director will be reimbursed for any service to the Jain Study Circle or for any personal expenses incurred by him/her in performing the service.
(g) The Treasurer will maintain the accounts and will have them duly audited annually.
Article 6. ACTIVITIES, EARNINGS, ASSETS AND DISSOLUTION
Section A: Activities. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Jain Study Circle has been organized exclusively for religious and educational purposes, as specified in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and, shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
Section B: Earnings and Assets. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of any member, trustee, director, officer or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the organization), and no member, trustee, director, office bearer of the organization or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the assets of the organization on dissolution of the organization.
Section C: Restriction on Activities. No substantial part of activities of the organization shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation [except as otherwise provided by Internal Revenue Code Section 501(h)], or participating in, or intervening in (including the publication or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Section D: Dissolution. In the event of dissolution, all of the remaining assets and property of the organization shall after necessary expenses thereof be distributed to the Jain Center of Greater Boston or any other non-profit institution related to the Jain religion qualified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of Internal Revenue Service Code of 1954, as amended, or, to another organization to be used in such a manner as in the judgement of the Supreme Court of the State of New York will best accomplish the general purposes for which this organization was formed.
Article 7. AMENDMENTS
The constitution, excluding article 5, can be amended.
The amendments shall be passed by the Board of Directors by two-third majority and approved by the membership by a simple majority by mail ballot.