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Nu Afrikan Community Bylaws

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bylaws for a sustainability community

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Page 1: Nu Afrikan Community Bylaws

NU AFRIKAN COMMUNITY APPLICATION

BYLAWS OF NU AFRIKAN COMMUNITY IN AMERICA (NAC), INC.

ARTICLE 1: NAME AND MISSION STATEMENT

1.1: Name

The name of the organization shall be the “NU AFRIKAN COMMUNITY (NAC), Inc.,”herein after also referred to as the ‘Nu Afrikan Community’.

1.2: Mission

The Nubian People shall work for the empowerment and advancement of the people ofNu Afrikan Community in the United States. More specifically, it shall provide them with a platform for networking, preserving their identity, culture, tradition and history, accessingopportunities, addressing community issues and building/ promoting relationships with othercommunities.

ARTICLE 2: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The Nu Afrikan Community is organized exclusively for charitable, cultural, social, and advocacy purposes, catering to the needs of the Nubian people in the United States. The aims and objectives of the community are to:

• Impart knowledge about Nubian history and culture to the younger generation• Promote unity and a sense of belonging to the community• Keep the Nu Afrikan Community and general community informed of all developments in the community and advocate for the fundamental rights of every Nubian.• Promote integration in the American mainstream while maintaining their cultural identity• Provide and exchange information, counseling, and guidance for member advancement.

ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP

3.1: There shall be two types of membership in the Nu Afrikan Community i.e. the voting members, hereafter also referred to as the ‘member’; and honorary members.

3.2: Eligibility for membership

Page 2: Nu Afrikan Community Bylaws

Application for voting membership shall be open to any person of the Nu Afrikan Community 18 years or older, and resident in the United States, who subscribes to the mission, aims, and objectives of the community.

3.3: Process for membership

3.3.1: Membership becomes effective after completion and return, to the Council of Elders, a membership application, $15 (non-refundable) application fee and membership dues.

3.3.2: Honorary members are identified and membership granted by majority vote orconsensus of the Council of Elders.

3.4: Annual DuesThe annual amount required for annual dues shall be based on the monthly dues of $25, unless changed by the majority of the members at an annual meeting of the full membership. Continued membership is contingent upon being up-to-date on membership dues.

3.5: Rights and Responsibilities of Members

3.5.1: RightsEach member shall have the right to:• Cast one vote in community elections.• Take active part in the programs and activities of the community• Receive information and provide feedbacks on all aspects of the community’s activities/• Be elected to the governing bodies of the community.

3.5.2: ResponsibilitiesA member of the Nu Afrikan Community shall have the responsibilities to:• Belong and take an active part in the activities of the Community.• Take necessary steps to understand, carry out, and uphold the mission, aims and objectives,principles, policies and programs of the Community.• Explain the mission, aims and objectives, principles, policies and programs of the Community to other people whenever necessary.• Develop an insight into the social, cultural, political and economic problems facing theCommunity membership.

Page 3: Nu Afrikan Community Bylaws

• Advocate against all forms of racism, ethnic cleansing, religious, cultural and politicalsegregation or any other form of discrimination.• Observe discipline, integrity, honesty and loyalty while working for the Community at alltimes.• Refrain from engaging in activities against the Community.• Pay the applicable membership dues as set aside by the Council of Elders on time.

3.6: Voting

3.6.1: All members are entitled to vote on the proceedings and issues tabled for a vote inCommunity meetings.

3.6.2: Voting in any Community meetings shall be done in person, orally or by way of counting hands but any member may ask a secret vote. In that case, voting is done through a written ballot or as deemed by the members present and voting.

3.6.3: A formalization of the majority of votes recorded in the meetings shall be considered abinding decision of the Community.

3.6.4: During extraordinary circumstances, voting may be conducted by means of electronicmedia such as email or by fax. This provision can be invoked only for elections of Councilmembers of the Community.

3.7: Resignation, Termination and Reinstatement

3.7.1: ResignationAny member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Council of Elders.Resignation shall not relieve a member of unpaid dues, or other charges previously accrued. In accordance, if memberships are current, the resigning member will be entitled to thirty percent (30%) of total monthly dues paid within the first year.

3.7.2: Termination

Page 4: Nu Afrikan Community Bylaws

Membership can be terminated due to expulsion by a 2/3 majority of the Council of Elders,expiration of membership, and/or non-payment of membership dues.Upon termination or resignation, a member shall forfeit all membership rights.

3.7.3: ReinstatementMembers who are expelled for disciplinary reasons may be reinstated with a vote of the Board of Directors.

3.8: Non - TransferabilityMembership is non-transferable. Membership shall cease upon the member’s death.

ARTICLE 4: MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

4.1: Regular MeetingsRegular meetings of the members shall be held quarterly, at a time and place designated byChairman of the Council.

4.2: Annual General MeetingThe annual meeting of the members shall take place to be determined at theprevious annual general meeting, the specific date, time, and location being designated by the Chairman of the Council. At the annual meeting the members shall elect directors and officers, receive reports on the activities of the association, and vote on issues tabled for voting.

4.3: Special MeetingsThe Chairman, or a simple majority of the Council of Elders may call specialMeetings

4.4: Notice of MeetingsNotice of each meeting shall be given by an appropriate method to each voting member notless than two weeks in advance.

4.5: VotingApart from issues placed for voting by the Council, issues to be voted on shall be decided by a simple majority of those present at the meeting in which the vote takes place.

ARTICLE 5 – COUNCIL OF ELDERS

Page 5: Nu Afrikan Community Bylaws

5.1: Board Role, Size, and Compensation

5.1.1: RoleThe Council of Elders is responsible for overall policy and direction of the Association, and it shall delegate responsibility for day-to-day operations to the Executive Director and Committees.

5.1.2: Size and CompositionThe Council of Elders shall have up to eight (8) and not fewer than four (4) members. One third of the Council of Elders shall be from among the nominees of the Chairman of the Council and two-thirds of the Council of Elders shall be from among the nominees of the general membership.

5.1.3: CompensationThe board receives no compensation other than actual expenses, such as travel and otherexpenses incurred for the Nu Afrikan Community activities.

5.2: Meetings

5.2.1: Annual MeetingThe date of the regular annual meeting shall be set by the Chairman of the Council of Elders who shall also set the time and place.

5.2.2: Special MeetingsThe Chair, one-third of the Council, may call special meetings.

5.2.3 NoticeNotice of each meeting shall be given to each Council Member not less than two weeks before the meeting.

5.4: TermsAll Council members shall serve two-year terms, but are eligible for re-election.

5.5: NoticeAn official Council meeting requires that each council member receive a written notice from the Secretary of the Board two weeks in advance.

ARTICLE 6: OFFICERS OF THE BOARD AND DUTIESThere shall be four officers of the Board consisting of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary andTreasurer. Their duties are as follows:

Page 6: Nu Afrikan Community Bylaws

6.1: Chair6.1.1: The Chair shall schedule and preside over council meetings and members’ meetings. S/he may delegate this responsibility at reasonable discretion.

6.1.2: No person may serve for more than two consecutive full terms of two years as theChair.

6.1.3: The Chair shall ensure planning and implementation of activities through the staff and Directors of the Council of the Nu Afrikan Community.

6.1.5: The Council, by consensus, shall appoint a Chair from amongst its members in the event of the resignation by the incumbent Chair or if he/she is no more able to serve in that capacity.

6.1.6: The succeeding Chair will only continue in office till the natural expiration of theprevious incumbents’ term. This will not undermine his/her prospects for contesting theChair’s position, irrespective the number of times he/she has held such positions under similar circumstances.

6.1.7: The Chair attends all Council and Annual Membership meetings except for such sessions of the Council or of the Annual Membership Meeting, in which questions about his/her integrity, performance, compensation or any other issues concerning his position is under discussion/consideration.

6.1.8: The Chair may authorize the Executive Director to take all reasonable steps to carry outthe work of the Nu Afrikan Community, to enter into contracts and agreements on behalf of the Community, as it may be necessary to advance the cause and interests of the Nu Afrikan.

6.1.9: The Chair of the Council of Elders shall be accountable to the Council of Elders and the General Membership.

6.2: Vice-ChairThe Vice-Chair will chair committees on special subjects as designated by the board. S/he willalso head the Council in the temporary absences of the Chair.

6.3: The SecretaryThe Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of Board actions and carrying out allcommunication relating to the functions of the Council.

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6.4: The TreasurerThe Treasurer shall submit a financial report at each council meeting. Treasurer shall chair the finance committee, assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising plans, and make financial information available to Council members, general members, and the public. The Treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept proper books of accounts, and other financial records of the Nu Afrikan.

6.5: Resignation and Termination:Resignation from the Council of Elders must be in writing and received by the Secretary. The Chair shall have the ultimate authority to accept the resignation of a Council Member.A council member shall be removed for excess absences from the Council if s/he has threeunexcused absences from Council meetings in a year. A council member, including the Chair, may be removed for other reasons by a three-fourths vote of the remaining Elders.

6.7: Special MeetingsSpecial meetings of the Council of Elders shall be called upon the request of the Chair or one-third of the Council. Notices of special meetings shall be sent out by the Secretary to each Council member at least two weeks in advance.

6.8: VotingAll decision of the Council will have to be supported by a 2/3 majority of the Council, present and voting. When there is a tie on an issue under vote in a council meeting, the Chair of the Council shall cast the final vote.

ARTICLE 7 – LIMITATIONSNo substantial part of the activities of the Nu Afrikan Community shall constitute carrying on ofpropaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, or any initiative or referendumbefore the public, and the Community shall not participate in, or intervene in (including bypublication or distribution of statements), any political campaign on the behalf of, or inopposition to, any candidate for public office.

ARTICLE 8 – AMENDMENTSThese Bylaws may be amended when necessary by a two-thirds majority of the Council of Elders, and approved by a simple majority of the members present and voting at the next

Page 8: Nu Afrikan Community Bylaws

Annual General Meeting. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Secretary to besent out with regular Board announcements.

ARTICLE 9- DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION OF THE COMMUNITYMembers of the Nu Afrikan Community shall be notified of the dissolution or liquidation of theCommunity. The Membership, with a simple majority of the members voting, shall decide atthe annual or general meeting (by the show of hands) to ratify or reject the dissolution orliquidation.In the event of dissolution, any remaining funds of the Nu Afrikan Community shall be applied by the Council of Elders (before vacating office) in furtherance of the Association's aims, and no member shall have any claims on the Community in respect to fees and subscriptions paid, etc.Any of the remaining assets shall be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundation, orcorporation that is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes, and that hasestablished its tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). No privateindividual, member, trustee, director or officer of the Association shall benefit or be entitledto share, in the distribution of any of the Community's assets during the dissolution.

ARTICLE 10: RESIDUALThe Council of Elders by a 2/3 majority shall decide all issues not covered in this document.

CERTIFICATIONThese Bylaws wil be approved at a Council meeting of the Elders, bytwo-thirds majority------------------------- -----------------------