Our Charter

The Pacific Rim Institute for Development and Education is a free international association, established to devote itself to cultural and economic exchange between the United States and the nations of the Pacific Rim.

The Institute operates by establishing national branches, coordination bureaus, offices, regional or sub-regional centers, local offices or representative offices in different countries. Local and representative offices may not conduct direct commercial activities with their users or clients, nor sign any agreements; they may carry out only "indirect commercial activities" such as public relations, business liaison, product display, market research and technological exchange. They may not adopt by-laws to collect membership fees, but may recruit members through the Institute. A representative office is established for a term of four years and may be renewed or closed upon review.

The Institute is of indefinite duration, but it may be dissolved at any time if a majority votes in favor at a members’ assembly convened specifically to decide on dissolution.

The Institute is a non-profit independent entity, defined as a non-governmental organization dedicated to development cooperation, whose overall aim is to advance the development of the Pacific Rim — in accordance with principles drawn up by United Nations authorities — through mutual communication and information exchange, and to strengthen cultural and economic exchange among the countries of the region.

(a) The Institute is a non-profit international non-governmental organization and shall be independent, composed mainly of individuals and legal persons devoted to public welfare and charity with a particular interest therein. (b) It shall be independent of any government or intergovernmental body, and of any public or private, national or international commercial organization or enterprise. In exercising their functions, the Institute and its members shall be independent of any political, economic or religious organization or group, and shall be answerable solely to their social conscience and any legal obligations.

The precise aim of the Institute is to undertake any activity related to cultural and economic exchange, and to provide long-term assistance to the Pacific Rim in talent training and human-resource cooperation, so as to strengthen its own capacities and promote self-reliant development. In accordance with the general guidelines drawn up by United Nations authorities, the Institute shall work toward establishment, development and management.

To achieve its aims, the Institute may cooperate or associate with any national or international private or public enterprise, cooperative, institution or other organization; accept donations and grants from any person or organization; within the bounds of the law, accept inheritances and gifts, take part in investment and shareholding, and provide donations and grants to early-stage cooperation that gives priority to technology and the economy; establish and manage its own telecommunications network, publish periodicals, build databases and provide other communication services; and, where lawful, help establish companies in any country and engage in real estate, finance and other operations useful to its aims — provided that any such activity entirely excludes profit.

The Institute is composed of board members, advisory committee members, executive committee members, ordinary members and honorary members.

Enterprises, institutions and individuals worldwide that support this Charter, meet the conditions for admission, recognize the Charter and pass review may apply to become board, advisory or executive committee members, or ordinary or honorary members.

The Institute establishes a coordination bureau whose director it appoints. Board members are legal persons and individuals who meet the conditions, have made the corresponding contribution and are accepted by the board. Ordinary membership runs for one year and may be renewed. The advisory and executive committees are appointed by the board as needed. Honorary members are individuals and legal persons of outstanding achievement in related fields. Admission of new members is decided by the board. Board and ordinary members pay annual dues set by the members’ assembly at the start of each year, while honorary members may contribute voluntarily. Non-governmental legal entities operating in the same field and sharing the Institute’s aims may also be admitted.

Membership shall lapse in any of the following cases: resignation; failure to pay dues (even for a single year); or expulsion for conduct inconsistent with the principles and aims of the organization. Expulsion is decided by the board, which shall state its reasons; a member who contests an expulsion may appeal to the grievance committee.

Membership dues are tiered by membership category, covering vice-chairs, standing directors, directors and ordinary members.

The Assembly meets in ordinary and extraordinary sessions. The ordinary assembly approves the annual progress report and accounts, elects members of the board, the grievance committee and the audit committee, and sets the annual dues; the extraordinary session decides on amendments to the existing articles or on the liquidation of the organization.

The Assembly is composed of ordinary members, each entitled to vote in person or by proxy held by another member who is not on the board or audit committee, provided no member holds proxies for more than five members. The Assembly is convened at least 15 days in advance by registered letter or e-mail, stating the agenda, date, time and place. The ordinary assembly meets at least once a year, within four months after the end of the financial year.

The first ordinary session requires a quorum of no fewer than half the members; the second session has no quorum requirement, and resolutions pass by a majority of those present. Extraordinary sessions require half the members at first, and no fewer than one-third at the second. The Assembly is chaired by the board chair, or by an elected chair in their absence; resolutions are decided by a show of hands unless the chair calls for an ordinary or secret ballot, while elections to office are by secret ballot and — given the organization’s international character — ballots may also be cast by mail.