Chapter 1: General Provisions
(Name)
Article 1 The name of this organization shall be Qajaq JPN (Kayak Japan).
Note: “Qajaq” is pronounced as “kayak,” not “kajak.”
(Secretariat)
Article 2 The Secretariat of this organization shall be located at: Sasage Fishing Gear Warehouse, 61 Funahata, Sasage, Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
Note: This provision reflects the period when Greenlanders were responsible for managing the Secretariat.
(Bylaws)
Article 3 Bylaws shall be established, amended, or repealed by a resolution of the Executive Committee.
(Principles of Notifications, etc.)
Article 4 Notifications, reminders, or document deliveries to members (hereinafter collectively referred to as “notifications, etc.”) shall be carried out as follows:
- Notifications to members shall be sent via the mailing list.
- Notifications from members to the organization shall be sent via the mailing list.
- Notifications, etc., shall be deemed effective at the time they are issued.
- For topics raised in notifications, approval shall be considered granted if one week has passed or a majority of committee members agree. If neither condition is met, the Executive Committee shall make the decision.
(Added March 2010)
(Review of Articles)
The Articles shall be reviewed at least once a year. However, provisions deemed significant may be reviewed as necessary.
Any member may propose amendments, but such amendments shall be finalized with the approval of the Executive Committee.
(Supplementary Provisions)
These Articles shall take effect as of April 1, 2007.
Chapter 2: Purpose and Activities
(Purpose)
Article 5 The purposes of this organization are as follows:
- To practice and enjoy “Traditional Style Kayaking.”
- To promote the spread of “Traditional Style Kayaking.”
- To publish information regarding “Traditional Style Kayaking.”
- To participate as a recognized club of Qaannat Kattuffiat (achieved official status in August 2010).
- To send athletes to Greenland championships.
- To facilitate technical and personal exchanges among members and with external parties.
Note on Traditional Style Kayaking:
Traditional Style Kayaking refers to the use of traditional paddles and skin kayaks from Greenland and the Aleutian Islands. It encompasses the creation and use of such equipment, including hunting tools, to study and enjoy the culture and environment from which northern kayaking and paddling originated.
(Activities)
Article 6 To achieve the purposes in the preceding article, the organization shall engage in:
- Research, information collection, and dissemination related to Traditional Style Kayaking.
- Study groups, training sessions, and website activities related to Traditional Style Kayaking.
- Other necessary activities to achieve the organization’s purposes.
Chapter 3: Members
(Membership Qualifications)
Article 7 Members of the organization shall meet one of the following criteria:
- Individuals engaged in research or activities related to Traditional Style Kayaking.
- Individuals who can contribute to the promotion and dissemination of Traditional Style Kayaking.
(Types of Membership)
Article 8 Membership types are as follows:
- Regular Member: Individual
- Associate Member: Individual, Corporation, or Organization (assuming a future subscription system will be established)
(Admission)
Article 9 Those eligible for membership shall be admitted upon the following procedure: recommendation by a member, approval by the block representative, and subsequent approval by the general representative.
Note: Minors require the consent of a guardian.
The organization may refuse membership or revoke approval in the following cases:
- Previously expelled under Article 13.
- False statements, errors, or omissions in the application process.
- Any other reason deemed inappropriate by the organization.
(Membership Fees)
Article 10 No admission fee shall be charged. Annual membership fee is 2,000 yen, while minors are exempt.
Revisions shall be proposed by the Executive Committee and approved by a majority of members. Financial reports shall be presented annually.
(Withdrawal)
Article 11 Members wishing to withdraw shall notify their block representative, who shall report to the general representative.
(Loss of Membership)
Article 12 Membership shall be lost in the following cases:
- Withdrawal under Article 11.
- Declaration of legal incapacity or partial legal incapacity.
- Death or declaration of disappearance.
- Expulsion under Article 13.
(Expulsion)
Article 13 Members may be expelled for the following reasons. The member must be notified of the expulsion:
- Violation of these Articles.
- Acts that harm the organization’s honor or cause damage.
- Violation of Article 15.
- Acts that obstruct organizational operations.
(Compliance)
Article 14 Members shall:
- Cooperate in the maintenance and development of the organization.
- Refrain from obstructing normal operations.
- Abide by operational rules of other networks managed by the organization.
(Prohibited Acts)
Article 15 Members shall not engage in:
- Acts contrary to the law.
- Acts contrary to public order and morals.
- Acts causing damage or disadvantage to third parties.
- Acts causing damage or disadvantage to the organization.
(Disclaimer)
Article 16 The organization shall not be liable for any damages incurred from the use of information provided by the organization.
Chapter 4: Officers
(Officers and Executive Committee)
- General Representative: 1
- Vice Representative: appointed as needed by the General Representative
- Block Representatives: 1 per block
- Block Vice Representatives: appointed as needed by each Block Representative
- Other officers: appointed by General and Block Representatives as necessary
- Secretaries, treasurers, and other operational officers (other than the General Representative) shall be selected by the General Representative.
- Officers shall cooperate and coordinate to fulfill the organization’s purposes.
- The Executive Committee shall convene as necessary.
- Officers are elected via nomination or recommendation and require approval by a majority of members.
(For General Representative: election by all members; for Block Representatives: election within the block)
(Term)
- Officer term is 2 years, renewable for a maximum of two terms.
- The fiscal year starts in January, with elections held at least one month prior to the new term for handover purposes.
- Officers shall continue their duties until successors assume office.
Any vacancies shall be filled by the Executive Committee, with the remaining term of the predecessor.