Besides preserving culture and providing support, Chinese associations often engage in lobbying activities on behalf of their members. Look for your ancestors’ names on the rosters of these groups.
Associations based on hometown identity and kinship play an important role in power structures within traditional overseas Chinese societies. Many of them maintain close relationships with embassies and are more or less involved in China’s domestic political economy.
Articles of Association
The Articles of Association are the cornerstone document governing the internal operations and structure of companies in China, including those classified as Foreign-Invested Joint-Stock Companies (FJSCs), Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Partnerships, and wholly foreign owned enterprises (WFOEs). A well-crafted AoA will align with the company’s goals and objectives while complying with Chinese corporate laws.
When amending the AoA, it’s essential to seek professional legal advice and expertise. This will ensure that any proposed amendments are drafted in accordance with Chinese law and are clear, concise, and accurate. Effective communication of changes to the AoA is also important. This may include internal memos, emails, and meetings, and can be supplemented with training sessions or workshops to promote comprehensive understanding. A feedback mechanism should also be established to address any concerns arising from the amendments. In addition, all internal records and documents should be updated to reflect the new AoA. This will prevent any potential issues with regulatory authorities.
Bylaws
The authority to interpret these bylaws shall be vested in the Board of Directors. Amendments to these bylaws must be approved by a majority vote of the members present at a Board meeting.
A President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer shall be elected by members at the regular meeting in which directors are elected. The president may not succeed himself or herself for a consecutive term. The president will serve as chairman of the Board and of the Council of Conferences, which represents the interests of the several regional conferences concerned with Asian studies.
The Board of Directors will establish the policies and objectives of the Association, and approve important initiatives or plans proposed by the President and EC. It will also be responsible for amending these bylaws as needed. The Board of Directors will appoint the Chair and Co-chairs of Standing Committees, and of Ad Hoc and Current Committees established for specific purposes. They will have the power to make contracts and other necessary arrangements, subject to review and direction by the Board of Directors.
Membership
Many immigrants sought out others from their same regions of China and formed associations based on family names, locations, or professions. These groups performed many of the functions that government agencies or charities would have done: finding jobs, providing social services, caring for the sick and poor, and arranging for bones to be sent back home.
District associations also acted as a quasi-governmental entity, with leaders who fought, usually successfully, to keep their Chinatowns free of serious crime. Some even became political figures.
CAAM provides Chinese American communities with a variety of services including community service projects, cultural heritage programs and scholarships for college. In 1967, a business, professional and ministry component was organized under the same roof making CAAM the first non-profit organization in Minnesota bringing together all of the components of the community to work together for the common good. CAAM also serves as a resource to other organizations seeking help with Chinese American issues and concerns.
Financials
The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) is the oldest community organization in Chinatown, and has long performed a quasi-governmental role for its members. In addition to providing social services and community support, CCBA also helps individuals achieve their goals of business ownership. It also provides assistance to new immigrants to obtain their US citizenship and register as voters.
CCBA supports the PCAOB’s efforts to improve financial reporting in China. In particular, it supports the effort to modify the PCAOB’s determination on non-compliant jurisdictions so that it can allow the completion of inspections and investigations.
The current definition of non-compliant does not provide the PCAOB sufficient flexibility to complete inspections and investigations, especially in countries like China where the economy is highly dependent on foreign investment. CCBA also believes the PCAOB should consider whether there is a subset of China-based issuers that are considered “too sensitive to comply” with the US PCAOB requirements and to delist them preemptively from US markets.