The Chinese Association for Science and Technology in Connecticut (hereafter "CAST-CT") is a non-political, non-profit organization registered in the State of Connecticut. All activities of CAST-CT shall abide by the laws of the United States of America. The majority of the members of CAST-CT are Chinese professionals and students in Connecticut.

As a regional chapter of the Chinese Association for Science and Technology in the United States (hereafter "CAST-USA"), CAST-CT shall follow the by-laws of CAST-USA but shall remain independent.. CAST-CT shall actively participate in activities appropriate for and of interest to Chinese scholars and professionals.

The multi-faceted mission of CAST-CT is to:

Promote the exchange of professional information among members and assist in the development of Chinese professionals in the United States so that these individuals can enhance their expertise in their respective fields, including science, technology, education, business, and economics;

Advocate a positive economic dialogue between China and the US by engaging in technological, commercial and cultural exchanges;

Improve communication between the Chinese professional community and China in the fields of science, technology, education, industry, and business and, by doing so, strengthen ties between CAST-CT professionals and their counterparts in China;

Encourage members to network in order to build and deepen relationships and preserve Chinese traditions.

1. Qualifications for Membership: Chinese (including all Chinese who were born in China, America and elsewhere) who study or have studied and/or work in Connecticut and who uphold the by-laws and the mission of CAST-CT can apply for membership. The Board of Directors of CAST-CT will review and approve membership applications.

2. Categories of Membership:

1) Honorary Members - The Board of Directors invites professionals, whether they reside in or outside Connecticut, who have achieved public recognition in the field of education, science, technology, or business and/or have made significant contributions to CAST-CT to be honorary members.

2) Lifetime Members - Individuals who pay a one-time lifetime membership fee, in addition to the criteria stated above, are eligible to become lifetime members.

3) Regular Members - Regular members pay an annual membership fee.

4) Student Members - Student members are currently enrolled in college or graduate school and pay an annual student membership fee.

5) Corporate Members - Corporate members, such a public or private company, pay an annual corporate membership fee.

3. Membership Fees : Membership fees are due each year at the time of or preceding CAST-CT’s annual meeting. Full payment of this fee entitles the payer to member status for the coming year. Membership fees are determined by the Board of Directors, and any changes to membership fees must be made and approved by the Board of Directors. The current membership fee for each member category is listed below:

1) Honorary Members: No fee

2) Lifetime Members: $200 one-time fee

3) Regular Members: $20 per year

4) Student Membership: $10 per year

4. Membership Privileges : The rights and privileges of all members are equal. CAST-CT members:

1) Have the right to participate in all activities organized by the Association.

2) Are entitled to all benefits provided and programs managed by the Association.

3) Have the right to elect CAST-CT leaders and also to run for leadership positions.

4) Are encouraged to offer suggestions to and support the growth of the Association.

5) Are automatically qualified to be members of CAST-USA.

6) Can attend a meeting of the Association's Board of Directors if invited by the Board.

5. Membership Obligations : Member must:

1) Pay the Association's membership fee on-time.

2) Comply with the Association's By-laws and regulations.

3) Act in accordance with policies passed by the Association.

4) Participate in and support the Association's activities and events.

6. Property Rights : No individual member shall have any right, title, or interest in any of the property, assets or funds of the Association. No property shall be distributed to any member upon the Association’s dissolution.

7. Annual Meeting : An annual members meeting shall be called by the Board of Directors and shall be held in October, unless circumstances cause the meeting to occur in another month.

1. The Board of Directors : This group serves as the Association’s highest authoritative body.

1) The size of the Board will be based on the number of members.

2) Board member elections will be held every year in order to fill vacancies. Individuals who have been members of the organization for at least six months may nominate themselves or other members as candidates. Candidates’ names and background information will be sent to members two weeks before an election. The formal election will take place at the annual member meeting.

3) The Chairman/Chairwoman, must be a BOD member for at least two years, will be selected by and from among the members of the Board of Directors. This individual will lead the board of Directors in implementing the policies and bylaws of the Association.

4) The term of a Director is two (2) years but, if members so vote, may be extended additional terms. Only a Director whose term is expiring will be up for reelection. A director may run for reelection at his/her own discretion but is not obligated to do so.

5) The Association may invite professionals--whether they reside in or outside Connecticut--who have achieved public recognition in the fields of education, science, technology, or business and/or have made significant contributions to the Association and are willing to continue their involvement, to be honorary members of the Board of Directors. The honorary director has all the privileges and obligations of a Board member except the right to participate in elections. The term of an honorary director is one (1) year but may be extended yearly without term limitation. The Board of Directors and Association officers select the honorary members.

6) The Board of Directors must convene a minimum of four board meetings every year. Under certain circumstances and with the approval of two-thirds of the Board, a director may be removed from or added to the Board. However, in all circumstances, the total number of additions and removals will be limited to less than one-fourth of the total number of Board of Directors.

7) The operations of the Board will be fair and transparent to all members.

2. The Association Administration : As a group, the Administration officers are elected by and serve on behalf of all CAST-CT members. As the Association’s executive body, it may consist of, but is not limited to, the President, one or several Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Treasurer and other officers.

1) The President must be a BOD member for at least one year, heading the Association Administration and, as such, being responsible for handling both routine business and special activities. The Administration Vice President(s) is responsible for assisting the President. In the president's absence, the 1st Vice president will assume all responsibilities.

2) The Association Administration will host periodic member meetings and the annual meeting/convention in order to report to all members and also to discuss business and issues of concern. Upon request from at least 50 (fifty) percent of the Association's members or two-thirds of the Board of Directors, a special meeting may be scheduled.

3) The Association's President is elected to serve a one-year term by the Board. He/she may be re-elected but is limited to a maximum of three consecutive terms.

4) The Association's Vice Presidents are named by the President and must be approved by the Board.

5) Under certain circumstances and with the approval of two-thirds of the Board of Directors and during a Board of Directors meeting, the President and Officers can be removed.

3. Committees / Department of the Association: The Association may set up several departments for routine activities and ad hoc committee(s) to carry out certain or special activities. The department heads are appointed by the president. The department members are appointed by the department head and are approved by the Board of Directors. The establishment and composition of such a Committee shall be determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with the objectives of the Association. The Association's President oversees all such Committees' activities. Committees shall be comprised of members from various Departments. A Director may serve as a department head but may not vote for his/her own approval. Department heads serve terms of one year and may serve multiple terms.

The major funding of the Association will come from membership dues /donation and non-member contributions /donations. Members pay annual dues, but the Board of Directors may, as circumstances warrant, change the membership fee. The revenue will cover the expenses in activities and development actions of the Association throughout the year, and benefits to the members of the Associations. Each year the Board of Directors will present a financial report, and this report needs to be audited once the Association officially becomes a 501 c3 entity.