NIGERIAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

NAME: The name of the organization shall be: NIGERIAN ASSOCIATION OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 ARTICLE II

OBJECTIVES

1. To encourage unity among Nigerians in United States of America and elsewhere
2. To promote the advancement and welfare of Nigerians
3. To promote social interaction in our community
4. To encourage the economic progress and collaboration within our community
5. To unite and educate our children in our rich Nigerian cultural and traditional values
6. To advocate, protect and advance Nigerian culture
7. To serve as a resource center for other associations and community as a whole
8. To promote harmony and peaceful co-existence within ethnic groups
9. To promote and actively impact development projects in Nigeria
10. To actively engage, promote and cultivate political awareness and civic responsibility among Nigerians here in America and in Nigeria
11. To interact with similar groups with shared goals and objectives

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Eligibility:

• Membership is individual and/or family based
• Membership of the association shall be open to indigenes of Nigeria by birth, marriage and other legal means including naturalization.
• All dependent children of registered members that are under the age of eighteen (18) years shall be accorded dependent membership status.
• Membership shall be opened to anyone wishing to abide by the constitution, and all the objectives of the association.

Registration:

1. To join, potential member or new member must provide legal name, telephone number, and contact address to the Association and a copy of constitution shall be provided to each new member (or potential member) for review and compliance.
2. Fees & Dues:
3. There shall be non-refundable monthly dues as approved by the Executive Committee, payable by all new members.
4. All members shall pay individual monthly dues as approved by the Executive Committee

Rights of Membership:

• Each and every member shall have one vote on any issue that is decided by general vote.
• Each and every member has the right to run for an elected office provided the member meets the required qualifications in the constitution.
• Each and every member shall have the right to properly address the general meeting in accordance with the constitution.
• Each and every member shall have the right to vote, provided the member is in good standing as defined by the constitution (attendance, and financial obligations).
• In case of a deadlock, the President shall cast the deciding vote.
• All members shall have equal rights subject to the constitution.

 ARTICLE IV.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The structure of management, administration and operations of the Association will be as follows:

• Executive Committee
• The House (General Membership)
• All members of the Executive Committee shall be members of the association and in good standing as described and held forth by ARTICLE III.

Executive Committee:

The Executive Committee shall be made up of the Officers of the Association as herein indicated:

• President
• Vice President
• General Secretary
• Assistant Secretary
• Whip
• Social Secretary
• Treasurer
• Financial Secretary
• Mother of the Association
• Father of the Association

 ARTICLE V

DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS;

President:

Shall have the responsibilities of presiding over the general meetings of the Association and over the meetings of the Executive Committee. He or she will be a co-signer and issuer of the Association’s checks and vouchers. The President shall govern over the Association in accordance with the Constitution.

Vice President:

Assists the president with all matters of the association and leadership responsibilities during the president’s absence. At the request of the president, the Vice President shall preside over various committees.

General Secretary:

The General Secretary shall have the responsibilities of providing proper, timely, and appropriate information to all members (The House) regarding general meetings, events and other required announcements. S/he shall record and present minutes of meetings, keep all members informed and up to date of all significant developments, keep a register of all members and shall have the custody of the Association’s documents. The General Secretary shall cooperate with the Executive Committee.

Assistant Secretary:

Assists the general secretary with all matters of the association: such as record keeping, membership directory, and minutes of the meeting. In the absence of the General Secretary, perform his/her duties as assigned.

Whip:

The responsibility of the Whip includes administration of the association’s meeting to ensure that civility is promoted during the proceedings. Every member shall seek permission of the chair before addressing the association.

Social Secretary:

Organize and supervise all social activities of the association as approved by the executive committee.

Treasurer:

The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds, securities and financial records of The Association as well as deposit all funds and securities on behalf of and in the name of The Association into the appropriate financial institutions as designated by the Association. S/he will be a co-signer and issuer of the Association’s checks and vouchers. The Executive Committee and/or The House (general membership) may call upon him/her at any time to provide a full and detailed account of the Association’s financial standing and/or account.

Financial Secretary:

The Financial Secretary shall maintain all financial records, collect dues, and submit to Treasurer for onward bank deposits.

Mother of the Association:

The Mother of the Association’s responsibilities includes guiding the leadership/membership of the association in the right direction. Resolve conflicts among the membership. Offer words of wisdom and reconciliation as the need may arise. Champion issues relating to women membership in a motherly manner. Act in the capacity of the Mother to the Association. Works closely with the Father of the association.

Father of the Association:

The Father of the Association’s responsibilities includes guiding the leadership/membership of the association in the right direction. Resolve conflicts among the membership. Offers words of wisdom and reconciliation as the need may arise. Champion issues relating to men membership in a fatherly manner. Act in the capacity of the Father of the Association. Works closely with the Mother of the association.

ARTICLE VI

COMMITTEES:

The following Committees shall be appointed to serve as the need arises, and the duties shall be defined as needed:

• Finance Committee
• Electoral Committee
• Education Committee
• Children and Youth Committee
• Audit Committee
• Social/Welfare and Cultural Committee

ARTICLE VII

ELECTION:

The Electoral Committee shall organize all elections. Outgoing officers of the Association shall submit all Association properties and/or relevant information to the new administration within one (1) month after election. Failure to meet with this will result in censure of the defaulting party by the Executive Committee.

Eligibility:

A member shall be eligible to vote and be voted for ONLY if s//he has been a member of the Association in good standing. Good Standing is defined as:

A registered member with membership dues paid-up-to date, and

A registered member with at least 6 meetings attended per year.

Election Date:

Elections of the executives shall be held on the last Saturday in August yearly as required by the Association. By the June ending meeting, all candidates should be made available for the vacant positions. If by July, no candidates signaled their interest in the positions, the Association will declare all members eligible for election to the vacant positions. There shall be no declination if a member is elected under this condition.

Fiscal Year (FY):

The Association’s FY shall be from August 1st to July 31.

Terms of Office and Re-Election:

• All officers shall be elected for a two-year term
• Every elected officer shall not serve more than two consecutive terms
• An elected officer may seek re-election for the same office after s/he might have been out of the same office for a term and provided that s/he has not been barred from holding an elected office.

Voting:

• A simple majority shall carry the vote at all general and executive meetings. In the case of a tie, the President or the next most senior official shall cast the deciding vote.
• Voting at all elections shall be by secret ballots

ARTICLE VIII

REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

1. Grounds for Removal: An elected official of the Association shall be impeached for misconduct while in office. Such misconduct shall include but not limited to:
2. Embezzlement of the Association’s funds
3. Non-performance, poor performance and/or neglect of duty

• The use of office for personal gains

1. Abuse of office
2. Contravention of any provisions of the Association’s constitution
3. Promotion of disunity among members of the association. The participation in a grassroots organization does not constitute promotion of disunity as long as the organization does not promote or encourage sectionalism.

Process of Removal:

1. To remove an elected officer, a petition signed; by at least five (5) members in good standing shall be submitted to the General Secretary who will read it to the general membership.
2. The House shall discuss and vote on the officer’s removal. A 2/3 vote for removal of the members present shall result in the removal of the officer (s).

• The whole process from the date of submission of the petition and the final stage of the voting or the reading of the Executive Committee report in the general membership shall not be more than three (3) months.

Resignation/Removal:

• An official of the Association may resign from his/her position by submitting in writing a resignation letter to the Executive Committee of the Association thirty days (30) before the effective date of resignation. The Executive Committee, within seven days (7) of receipt of such a resignation letter, shall submit such to the Executive Committee for review.
• In case of the resignation/removal of the President of the Association, the President shall submit his/her resignation letter to the General Secretary of the Association thirty days (30) prior to the effective date of the resignation. The General Secretary shall within seven days (7) of such, submit it to the Executive Committee for appropriate action.
• In the event that an executive member resigns his /her position, the House will decide within 30 days for a replacement to lead the Association.
• Upon the resignation or removal of an official other than the President and/or Secretary, the Executive Committee shall appoint a member in good standing to act in the position vacated pending an election the timing of which shall be determined at the next meeting of the general membership.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION

Any member of the Association who desires to have a constitution amended shall, in writing make this known to the Executive Committee which shall review and make recommendations to proceed and/or deny such request.

The general membership is vested with the power of amending any section of the constitution by a two third (2/3rd) majority vote.

BY-LAWS

Article I.

Vice President

Duties: Assists the president with all matters of the association and leadership responsibilities during the president’s absence.

At the request of the president, the Vice President shall preside over various committees.

Article II.

Assistant Secretary

Duties: Assists the general secretary with all matters of the association: such as record keeping, membership directory, and minutes of the meeting. In the absence of the General Secretary, perform his/her duties as assigned.

Article III.

Financial Secretary

Duties: The Financial Secretary shall maintain all financial records, collect dues, and submit to Treasurer for onward bank deposits.

Article IV.

Executive Committee:

1. The President
2. Vice President
3. General Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Mother of Association
6. Father of Association
7. One member from the floor

Article V.

Social Secretary

Duties: Organize and supervise all social activities of the association as approved by the executive committee.

Article VI.

The Whip

Duties: The responsibility of the Whip includes administration of the association’s meeting to ensure that civility is promoted during the proceedings. Every member shall seek permission of the chair before addressing the association.

Article VII. Entertainment

The host of the meeting must ensure that no alcoholic beverages are served prior or during the meeting.

Article VIII.

Ad hoc Committee:

The President shall appoint members as needed for the occasion in accordance with the constitution.

Additional Bylaws:

• There shall be at least six (6) general meeting of the Association in a calendar year.
• The general house shall be the supreme council of the Association
• At the discretion of the Executive, the President may call emergency meetings.
• One-third of the active members shall form a quorum
• The Executive Committee shall meet as the need arises