2026 CHURAMURA Membership

Okinawa Coastal Protection Alliance

Membership Guide & Articles of Association

What is OCPA?

Membership

OCPA is registered as 一般社団法人 (Ippan Shadan Hōjin) which translates to General Incorporated Association, a type of non-profit legal entity in Japan created under the Act on General Incorporated Associations and General Incorporated Foundations (2006), functioning as a membership-based organization (association) with legal status but without profit distribution, similar to non-profit groups in other countries.

We are required by law to implement a membership system which permits tax-deductible payments in the form of donations. To share ownership of our work with as many people as possible, OCPA offers a membership system.
Membership fees directly support conservation projects, equipment, and educational programs and member voices help guide our policies and operations.

2026 Membership Categories, Fees and Member Benefits

OCPA has four classes of membership:
Supporter (SNV), Affiliate (ANV), Individual (IMV) and Company (CMV).

Each member (voting or non-voting) will receive a membership card and lanyard (to be worn / displayed at OCPA events and meetings), a joining certificate, sticker, original t-shirt and regular newsletters, event invitations and other special offers.

⚫︎Supporter

Supporter Members Non-Voting (SNV)

Initiation Fee: Y5,000 Annual Dues: Y10,000

Membership as Supporter Members is available to individuals who have an interest in supporting OCPA and its purpose and activities. Besides member dues, Supporter Members shall pay for their event participation and for their share of any special functions of OCPA they may attend.

You are listed (optional) by name in the annual Membership Directory.

⚫︎Affiliate

Affiliate Members Non-Voting (ANV)

Initiation Fee: Y5,000 Annual Dues: Y10,000

Affiliate Membership is available to groups, teams, NPOs who have an interest in supporting OCPA and its purpose and activities. Besides member dues, Affiliate Members shall pay for their event participation and for their share of any special functions of OCPA they may attend.

You are listed (optional) by name in the annual Membership Directory.

⚫︎Individual Class

Individual Members Voting (IV)

Initiation Fee: Y5,000 Annual Dues: Y20,000

Individual Membership offers a free or substantial discount in OCPA services and events.

A brief description will appear in the annual Membership Directory Individual Members (IV) can vote on constitutional matters and in OCPA elections.

⚫︎Company Class

Company Member Voting (CMV)

Membership as Company Members is available to corporations, partnerships, associations and sole proprietorships.

Initiation Fee: Y10,000 Annual Dues: Y100,000

Each Commercial Membership is entitled to designate one of its members to represent each membership as set forth in the Bylaws.

This member shall be known as the Representative Member for that membership and holds the voting rights of the company.

The Membership fees can act as a corporate “donation” and off-set your company tax bill.

Company Membership offers a substantial discount in OCPA services and includes one Primary member.

Gives you opportunities for maximum involvement and visibility.

Your company logo and name will appear on the OCPA website with a link to your website. Your logo, company name will appear in the annual Membership Directory.

Company Members (CMV) can vote on constitutional matters and in OCPA elections.

VOTING RIGHTS

Voting Rights are granted only to Company & Individual Memberships.

Memberships that satisfy this requirement shall be deemed a Voting Membership – CMV or IMV.

All other classes of membership may not vote except as members of committees in committee matters.

All voting members are eligible to be elected to the Board of Directors. No more than 4 (four) seats on the Board of Directors are available to Company Voting members.

Resignation from membership must be in writing and addressed to the Board of Directors or email to info@okinawaprotect.org

Any Members that do not renew their membership with annual fee payment will be considered to have effectively resigned from OCPA.

Should a member violate the terms of this Constitution, the By-Laws or regulations of OCPA, or in the opinion of the Board of Directors, a member’s conduct may be injurious to the best interest of OCPA, the Board of Directors may request the member to resign, or it may suspend the member for a period not to exceed six months. The Board of Directors may in extreme cases expel the member by vote.

The Board of Directors shall determine the amount of dues to be paid by each classification of membership.

COMMITTEES-
accepting interest in team members for the following:

(please contact your membership point of contact or mail to info@okinawaprotect.org)

Education

Beach
Clean

Fundraising

Marketing

Intern management

Event planning

Party planning

Upcycling

OCPA Membership Bylaws

Article 1: Name

This association shall be called the OCPA Membership.

Article 2: Office Location

The office of this association shall be located at 640-1 Senaha, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture.

Article 3:
Purpose

The purpose of this membership is to support the activities of OCPA and allow members to participate in OCPA management decisions (policy, financial, operational) including future development projects and provide more governance and oversight. Allowing
Members to voice their opinions and ideas for advancing OCPA goals and missions, bringing this community of likeminded conservation enthusiasts together for the betterment of this island we hope to protect for generations to come.

Article 4:
Management

All individuals and companies who share the same mission and are approved for membership by the Organization may join. Members’ passion and mutual trust shall form the foundation of all activities and operations.

Article 5:
Membership Eligibility and Fees

Membership is open to individuals, companies, and organizations who agree with the purpose of the association.

Admission fees and annual membership fees for the following fiscal year shall be determined by Board of Directors at the annual meeting.

Renewal fees shall be paid by the end of January each year.

For those joining in August or later, the annual membership fee for the joining year shall be half the standard amount.

Article 6:
Admission

Applications will be reviewed by the Board and approved upon confirmation of payment. Board reserves the right to decline membership applications.

Article 7:

Withdrawal

Members wishing to withdraw must notify the office in writing and will take effect when approved by the Board.
Membership fees are non-refundable.

Article 8:
Executive Board

The Board of Directors shall determine activity policies and major operational matters.

Article 9:
Composition of Directors (Board of Directors “BOD”)

President: Representative Director of OCPA … 1 person

Vice President / Treasurer: Director(s) of OCPA … 1–2 persons

Board Directors: …total limit 10 persons

Auditor: OCPA Member or external contractor … 1 or more persons

Current BOD can be viewed here LINK

Article 10:
Election of Directors

Directors are elected at the Annual General Membership meeting. Any voting member is eligible for electing after having served more than 6 months as Voting Member and display a superior commitment to the organization and can commit to the following 12 months of service…. limit of 10 persons

The President is elected by voting at the Annual Directors Meeting.

Article 11:
Duties and Terms of Directors

The President shall represent the association and oversee its operations for a 2-year term.

The Vice President shall assist the President and serve in their place in the event of accident or incapacity and also act as Treasurer overseeing the finances of OCPA for a 1-year term.

Other Directors support the management of OCPA and serve 1-year terms.

Article 12:
Organization of Meetings and Voting

OCPA meetings shall consist of the General Membership Meeting, Board Meetings, and any irregular Meetings.
The General Membership Meeting shall be held once a year to report on activities, finances, activity plans and vote on the election of Directors and general direction of OCPA operations.

Each voting Member and Director shall have one vote, and decisions shall be made by a majority vote show of hand style.

Article 13:
Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the association currently begins on May 1st to April 30th, however from 2027, this will change to March 1st to February 28th.

The Membership year begins on January 1st and ends on December 31st.

Article 14:
Amendments to the Bylaws

Amendments to the bylaws shall be decided by the Executive Board.

Article 15: Other Matters

Any matters necessary but not specified herein shall be determined by the Executive Board.

(Supplementary Provision)
These bylaws shall take effect as of January 1st, 2026.

(Date of Establishment)
[September 17th, 2021]

Membership Rules

If misuse of membership privileges results in infringement of another member’s rights, the member may lose their membership and forfeit all associated benefits.

When sharing information about OCPA, its members / membership, operations, goals and missions etc. please act as ambassadors and communicate that we are an grassroots apolitical nonprofit organization for coastal conservation.