CONSTITUTION. River Gee County Association in the Americas

Transcription

1 CONSTITUTION River Gee County Association in the Americas We the citizens of River Gee County, Republic of Liberia, residing in the Americas, do hereby constitute ourselves into an organization to be known and styled the River Gee County Association in the Americas (RiGCAA). This Constitution is the supreme and fundamental law of RiGCAA and its provisions shall have binding force and effect on all authorities and members of the Association. 8/30/2014

2 CONSTITUTION OF THE RIVER GEE COUNTY ASSOCIATION IN THE AMERICAS PREAMBLE We the citizens of River Gee County, Republic of Liberia known as Geepos, residing in the Americas, and with concern and vested interest in the socio-economic development of our county and its citizens, do hereby constitute ourselves into an organization to be known and styled the River Gee County Association in the Americas, interchangeably called RiGCAA. ARTICLE I: HEADQUARTERS Section 1: The Headquarters of the Association shall be in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America. Section 2: The Association may establish other offices in such other places as may be determined by the National Executive Council with the approval of the Board of Directors, subject to the overriding authority of the National Assembly. Section 3: The activities and affairs of the association may be legally conducted in the Americas, Africa and any other parts of the world. ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES AND POWER Section 1: The Objectives of the Association shall be: a. To promote the interest and wellbeing of the citizens and residents of River Gee and the Republic of Liberia; b. To provide a forum to discuss and contribute to the development of River Gee County and the members of the Association; c. To empower, encourage, and facilitate economic, education and socio-economic development of River Gee County and its citizens. d. To foster cultural awareness and tolerance among Geepos and other nationalities; e. To seek the general welfare and social advancement of members of the Association Section 2: The Association has and shall continue to have the power to achieve all of its objectives, including the power to apply with the appropriate public authority to establish and/or dissolve itself as a legal entity. ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP Section 1: Qualification - 1 -

3 Membership shall be open to all citizens from River Gee County. Liberians and other nationals may also become members of the Association, subject to the conditions and limitations established by this Constitution. Section 2: Categories of Membership Membership in the Association shall consist of the following categories: a. Full membership b. Honorary membership c. Associate membership Section 2.1: Full Membership Full membership shall be open to the following: a. All River Gee Citizens residing in the Americas b. Any persons who is not originally from River Gee but is a spouse of a citizen of River Gee County, irrespective of whether that River Gee Citizen is a member of RiGCAA or not; c. A child whose mother hails from River Gee, but the father is not a River Gee citizen; that person who becomes a member under this Subsection (c) shall be eligible to hold all positions in a Chapter of the Association and in every organ of the Association, except the positions of National President and Vice President of the Association. Section 2.2 Honorary Membership Honorary membership shall be conferred upon individuals, institutions, and establishments that are determined by the Association to have rendered valuable services to Geepos and Liberians. Section 2.3 Associate Membership Associate membership shall be granted to individuals and organizations that are interested to work with and contribute towards the Association and uphold its constitution. Section 2.4: Acquisition of Membership a. Full membership shall be granted following submission of a written application and, upon approval of the application by the Association, the formal acceptance by the applicant to abide by the Constitution and all other applicable requirements of the Association. b. Honorary membership and Associate membership may be granted either (a) upon a written application or (b) by conferral with or without any expression of interest by the person so granted the membership. Section 2.5 Duties and Rights of Members - 2 -

4 a. All members of the Association shall be obliged to comply with the Constitution of the Association and any other decision, rule or requirement duly established by the Association or any of its competent organs. b. All members of the Association shall be entitled to participate in the affairs, activities and programs of the Association, but only Full members attaining the age of 18 or above shall be entitled to hold elected offices, subject further to the condition that only a River Gee Citizen shall be eligible to hold the offices of the President and the Vice President of the Association. c. The Association shall establish a detailed schedule of the duties and rights of members, which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution. Section 2.6: Resignation, Suspension and Expulsion a. Every member of the Association shall have the right to resign his or her membership in the Association or to voluntarily suspend same. A member who resigns or voluntarily suspends his or her membership in the Association may reapply for membership and be granted said membership if the resignation or suspension was made while being in good financial standing and in compliance with all requirements of the Association. A person who resigns while under disciplinary measure(s) or in anticipation of disciplinary proceeding shall not be entitled to automatic resumption of membership upon reapplication, but the review of his or her application shall consider all subsequent intervening factors in support of resumption of membership. b. Any member, be it Associate, Full or Honorary, may be suspended from the Association for willful breach of the Constitution or a refusal to comply with a decision of either the National Executive Council or the Board of Directors or the National Assembly if, upon request, the person fails to demonstrate or show the requested compliance. c. Any member may be expelled for any repeated violation of the Constitution or persistent disregard of a decision, other requirement of the Association or any of its competent organs. d. A suspension or expulsion of membership shall always be after a written demand or request for a member to do or not to do a specific act required or not permitted by the Constitution, decision or requirement of the Association. A suspension may be for any reasonable period of time. e. Every suspension or expulsion may be appealed to the Council of Elders. ARTICLE IV: Organs Section 1: The Association shall be governed by and through the following three (3) key organs: 1. The National Assembly (NA) 2. The Board of Directors (BOD) 3. The National Executive Council (NEC) - 3 -

5 Section 2: The National Assembly Section 2.1: Composition of the National Assembly The membership of the National Assembly shall consist of the following: a. All members of the National Executive Council b. All members of the Board of Directors c. All delegates from each member Chapter d. All delegates from each Organizing Committee, (same being a group of River Gee citizens in a given state who are yet to acquire the status of a Chapter). Section 2.2: Power and Authority of the National Assembly The National Assembly shall a. Be the highest decision-making body of the Association; b. Have the authority and power to elect all Executive Officers and the Board of Directors; c. Have the authority and power to review, reverse or modify any action or decision of the National Executive Council, the Board of Directors and/or any officer of the Association; d. Have the authority and power to suspend and impeach national officers for violation of the constitution and statues of the organization e. Have the authority and power to delegate any portion of its powers to any committee or body of the Association; f. Have the authority to approve, suspend or deactivate a chapter g. Have the authority and power to take or approve disciplinary action against members in cases of misconduct; h. Have the authority and power to approve the Association annual budget if submitted at convention; the approval of budget after convention shall be by the Board of Directors; and i. Have such other authority and power as shall be necessary to achieve the objectives of the Association. Section 3: National Board of Directors Section 3.1: Composition of the Board of Directors a. The Board of Directors shall comprise seven (7) members. b. Membership on the Board of Directors shall be open to all members of the Association but no two (2) members of the Board shall come from the same Administrative district of River Gee County Section 3.2: Election of the Board of Directors - 4 -

6 a. Subject to section 3.2, sub-section (d) below, members of the Board shall be elected at and by the National Assembly. b. Members of the board shall be elected for a three 3-year term. No member shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. c. Candidates for membership to the Board may be nominated and voted for in absentia. d. In the case of a vacancy on the Board of Directors in between Conventions, the President with the advice and consent of the National Executive Council shall nominate eligible members of the Association to the current membership of the Board. The nominee(s) shall, upon approval by the current member of the Board, become member(s) of the Board with all rights, power and duties appertaining. e. The National President shall make the nominations provided for in Subsection (d) of Section 3.2 of this Constitution within 30 days as of the arising of a vacancy. Section 3.3 Duties and Responsibilities of the Board of Directors a. The Board of Directors shall be the highest decision-making body of the Association in the absence of the National Assembly. b. The Board of Directors shall have the power to oversee all functions of the National Executive Council (NEC); including the authority to approve the annual budgets of the Association in the absence of the National Assembly. c. The Board shall approve all financial reports of the National Executive Council; and of all formulated projects of the Association prior to execution of such project(s). d. The Board shall make its own rules and elects its own officers; provided that all rules formulated by the Board for its internal governance shall not contravene this Constitution. e. The Board shall approve all elections rules and guidelines before enforcement, subject to an override by the national Assembly. f. The Board shall appoint all members of the Council of Elders, which shall have the powers set forth in this Constitution, including conducting hearings to determine and resolve violations of the Constitution, improper conduct of elected officers and conflict between or among chapters of the Association. Section 4: The National executive Council - 5 -

7 a. The National Executive Council shall comprise all national elected officers known as Executive Officers, as listed and discussed under Article V and heads of all Standing Committees as discussed in Article IV section 5 of this constitution. b. The National Executive Council shall be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Association, including preparing the annual budget of the Association and ensuring implementation of all decisions of the National Assembly and the Board of Directors. Section 5: National Standing Committees The Association shall have the following standing committees, which shall be appointed by the President with the advice of the NEC: a. Membership Committee b. Research and Development Committee c. Finance and Social Committee d. Health and Welfare Committee e. Education, Cultural & Tourism Committee ARTICLE V: Officers, Qualifications and Duties The National Elected Officers or Executive Officers of the Association shall be a. President b. Vice President c. General Secretary d. Treasurer e. Chaplain f. Parliamentarian Section 1: Qualifications and Duties of the President Section1.1 Qualifications of the president Any full member of RiGCAA who desires to become President of the Association shall have the following qualifications: a. Be an active member of the Association for not less than a year. Active membership in the Association shall be evidenced by one or more of the following: (a) attendance of local or national meetings, teleconferences, a convention and its preparatory activities, (b) current on due payments and (c) representation of the interest of RiGCAA; b. Must have prior leadership experience c. Must have no criminal record (traffic offenses excluded) - 6 -

8 d. Must be a legal resident of the United States of America Section 1.2 Duties of the president The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association and shall: a. Be the chairperson of the National Executive Council b. Preside over all meetings and teleconferences of the Association c. Be the presiding officer of the National Convention d. Appoint all heads and members of standing and ad-hoc committees of the association e. Be the chief spokesman of the Association and signatory to all formal documents of the Association f. Be a signatory to all withdrawals and disbursements of funds from the Association s account (s) g. Submit an annual report of the Association s activities to the National Assembly at the Convention h. Submit an annual budget for the approval of the general body or the Board; and shall make quarterly report to the Board of Directors, as of the end of the first quarter as of his or her election. i. Create ad-hoc committees and appoint all chairpersons to those committees j. With the advice and consent of the Board of Directors, invite guests and guest speakers to the National Convention k. Appoint a moderator for the Association s listserv; and l. Have and exercise such other authority and powers as shall be delegated to him or her by the National Assembly or the Board of Directors. m. The President shall periodically meet with chapter leaders either in person or via teleconference. n. Whenever necessary, the national president shall hold Joint leadership in person meetings or teleconferences with the National Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and officials of member chapters and organizing committees Section 2: Vice President Section 2.1 Qualification of the Vice President Any full member of RiGCAA who desires to become Vice President of the Association shall have the following qualifications: a. Be an active member of the Association for not less than one year. Active membership in the Association shall be evidenced by one or more of the following: (a) attendance of local or national meetings, teleconferences, a convention and its preparatory activities, (b) current on due payments and (c) representation of the interest of RiGCAA; - 7 -

9 b. Must have prior leadership experience c. Must have no criminal records save traffic offenses d. Be a legal resident of the United States America Section 2.2 Duties of the Vice President The duties of the Vice President shall encompass those functions customarily performed by a Vice President, including: a. Carry on the duties of President during his or her absence; b. Ascend to the presidency in the case of an impeachment, illness, death and or the resignation of the president; c. Perform other functions as may be assigned to him/her by the President and/or the National Assembly. Section 3: The General Secretary Section 3.1 Qualification of the Secretary General Any member of RiGCAA who desires to become General Secretary of the Association shall have the following qualifications: a. Be an active member of the association for not less than one (1) year. Active membership in the Association shall consist of any one or more of the following: (a) attendance of local or national meetings, teleconferences, a convention and its preparatory activities, (b) current on due payments and (c) representation of the interest of RiGCAA. b. Must have prior leadership experience c. Must have no criminal record save traffic offense d. Shall be a legal resident of the United States of America Section 3.2: Duties of the General Secretary The duties of the General Secretary shall encompass those functions customarily performed by a General Secretary, including the following: a. Be the custodian of all official records of the Association; b. Record minutes of all meetings of the Association including teleconferences; c. Send out notifications for meetings, teleconferences and the national convention; d. Be one of the signatories for withdrawals and disbursement of funds from the Association s account (s) e. Read previous meeting minutes at the beginning of every meeting, teleconference or convention. Section 4: Treasurer Section 4.1 Qualification of the Treasurer - 8 -

10 Any Member of the Association who desires to become Treasurer shall have the Following qualifications: a. Be an active member of the Association for not less than one year. Active membership in the Association shall be evidenced by one or more of the following: (a) attendance of local or national meetings, teleconferences, a convention and its preparatory activities, (b) current on due payments and (c) representation of the interest of RiGCAA; b. Have basic knowledge of financial records keeping c. Must have prior leadership experience d. Must have no criminal record save traffic offense e. Shall be a legal resident of the United States of America Section 4.2: Duties of the Treasurer The duties of the Treasurer shall encompass those functions customarily performed by a Treasurer, including the following: a. Receive all revenues and assets of RiGCAA and deposit same in the Association s account (s) b. Serve as one of the signatories for withdrawals and disbursements of funds from the Association s account(s) c. Collect all dues, fines and levies d. Make a written quarterly financial report of all income and expenditures to the association and post on the Association s listserv; e. Submit a copy of the financial report to the General Secretary for record keeping purposes. f. Make a report of all funds collected during the convention to the general assembly on the final day of the convention Section 5: The Chaplain Section 5.1 Qualification of the Chaplain Any Member of the Association who desires to become Chaplain shall have the following qualifications: a. Be a person of faith and God fearing b. Be an active member of the association for not less than one year. Active membership in the Association shall be evidenced by one or more of the following: (a) attendance of local or national meetings, teleconferences, a convention and its preparatory activities, (b) current on due payments and (c) representation of the interest of RiGCAA; c. Must have no criminal record save traffic offense d. Shall be a legal resident of the United States of America Section 5.2: Duties of the Chaplain The Chaplain shall provide spiritual guidance to the Association. He or she shall conduct invocations and benedictions at every meeting and function of the Association

11 Section 6: The Parliamentarian Section 6.1 Qualification of the Parliamentarian Any Member of the Association who desires to become Parliamentarian shall have the following qualifications: a. Have a demonstrated knowledge of the Constitution of RiGCAA and of the customary rules and procedures relating to organized group deliberation b. Be an active member of the association for not less than one year. Active membership in the Association shall be evidenced by one or more of the following: (a) attendance of local or national meetings, teleconferences, a convention and its preparatory activities, (b) current on due payments and (c) representation of the interest of RiGCAA; c. Must have no criminal record save traffic offense d. Shall be a legal resident of the United States of America Section 6.2 Duties of the Parliamentarian The duties of the Parliamentarian shall encompass the following: a. Advise the president on proper procedures to ensure that meetings including the National Assembly and teleconferences are conducted in an orderly manner b. Levy fines on disruptive members during meetings and teleconferences and shall impose other appropriate penalties to safeguard the smooth conduct of meetings c. Protect the rights of each individual and preserve a spirit of harmony during the National Assembly, national teleconferences and other called meetings d. Make sure the will of the majority is carried out and the rights of minority preserved in all meetings ARTICLE VI: ELECTIONS Section 1: Election Dates a. The election of Executive Officers shall be held every two (2) years. The Elections shall be held during a National Assembly on a date to be established by the Elections Commission upon approval of the Board; b. Inauguration of elected officers shall take place at and during the national Assembly at which the officers were elected, although official transfer of all documents and signatures shall occur subsequently within twenty five (25) days as of the end of the National Convention where the elections and inauguration took place. c. During the 25 day transitional period provided in Subsection (b) of Article VI, the out-going officials shall not conduct any transaction

12 Section 2: Voting a. All elections of the Association shall be by secret ballots. Only full members of the Association shall have and exercise the right to vote. b. Full members shall be eligible to vote or contest any elected office. c. Only full members who register or pay their sitting fee at the National Convention shall be eligible to vote in matters or cast their vote for the candidate of their choice d. There shall be no in absentia voting for the election of members of the Executive Officers, but members of the Board may be nominated and voted for in absentia. e. No elected member of RiGCAA shall occupy elected position on the national level and at a chapter level simultaneously. Anyone holding an elected office at one level and desiring to contest an elected office at another level shall first resign before being eligible. Section 3: Election Commission a. The Election Commission consisting of five (5) members shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the National Executive Council to conduct all elections to be held at an upcoming National Assembly b. The Elections Commission shall be constituted and its members appointed no less than ninety (90) days before the convention c. The Elections Commission shall make rules and guidelines to govern the electoral process, provided that all such rules shall be consistent with and subordinated to this Constitution d. In order be eligible for appointment and to serve on the Elections Commission, a member shall be current in due payment to either the chapter or the national organization. e. No member of the Election Commission shall contest any electoral seat during the elections conducted or to be conducted by the Elections Commission he or she serves on. f. There shall be no discriminatory rules or guidelines promulgated by the Elections Commission; g. The Election Commission shall be dissolved immediately following the inauguration of elected officers; ARTICLE VII: TENURE OF ELECTED OFFICERS All elected officers, except for members of the Board of Directors, shall be elected only for a twoyear term and shall be eligible to serve for not more than two consecutive terms. ARTICLE VIII: STANDING COMMITTEES Section 1: Listing of Standing Committees The following shall constitute the standing committees of the Association

13 a. Social and Welfare Committee b. Planning and Development Committee c. Membership Committee d. Research and Publication Committee e. Education, Culture & Tourism Committee Each of the Standing Committee shall have a membership of at least five (5) persons, with fair gender balance. Section 2: The social and Welfare Committee a. The Social and Welfare Committee shall have the duties to plan and executes social programs identified or undertaken by the Association. The Committee shall also be responsible to design, organize and execute appropriate programs to raise funds for the Association b. In case of a death of a member of RiGCAA, the local chapter of which the deceased is a member shall take full responsibility. c. A member of a non-chapter otherwise called Organizing Committee who is in good financial standing with the Association at the national level shall receive benefit from the national in case of death. Section 2: The Research and Publication Committee The Research and Publication Committee shall have the following functions: a. Research and promote the aims and objectives of the organization; b. Prepare publications and releases concerning the activities and programs of the Association c. Monitor the media to obtain information relevant to Geepos at home and abroad; Section 3: Membership Committee The Membership Committee shall be responsible to identify, encourage and register new members into the Association; Section 4: Planning and Development Committee The Planning and Development Committee shall be responsible for drafting, reviewing and monitoring the overall strategic direction of the Association, including designing necessary programs to further the objectives and mission of the Association. Section 5: Education, Culture & Tourism Committee The Education, Culture and Tourism Committee shall be responsible to a. Advise the National President on all issues of education, culture and tourism of River Gee County

14 b. Serve as the arm of RiGCAA to implement its education and cultural programs c. Work with institutions and relevant authorities in River Gee County to promote education, culture and tourism in River Gee County. ARTICLE IX: MEETINGS Section 1: Meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) A meeting of the National Executive Council shall be held at a location, date and time as determined by the President. Decision at a meeting of the NEC shall be made by consensus to the maximum extent possible. Where consensus is not possible, a decision may be taken by votes of a majority of the members present; provided that a vote on the subject matter may be deferred by a vote of twothirds of the membership present at the meeting. A simple majority of the membership of the NEC shall constitute a quorum. Section 2: Emergency Meetings In the event of an emergency, the President shall call an emergency meeting of the Board, members of the Executive Council and chapter heads to resolve the issue(s) thereof. Decision at such joint leadership meeting shall require two-thirds of the votes of the participants. ARTICLE X: MEMBER CHAPTERS a. Three (3) or more Geepos in any state shall be eligible to organize a chapter b. All groups of River Gee Citizens holding the status of Chapter in the Association are and shall remain Chapter of the Association, subject to the provisions of this Constitution. c. Upon the coming into effect of this Constitution, all non-chapters or Organizing Committees who desire to become a Chapter shall file a written application to the National Executive Council, indicating their current membership, leadership and their undertaking to abide by this Constitution and any other rules and requirements of the Association. d. The National Executive Council shall promptly review an application for chapter status and makes its recommendations to the Board of Director for approval. Upon approval by the Board of any recommendation by the National Executive Council to grant a chapter status, the group applying shall be notified in writing by the National President of their admission to the Association as a Chapter with full rights and privileges thereto. e. All RiGCAA Chapters shall be responsible to communicate change of leadership to the National Executive Council within 30 days of such change. f. A Chapter wishing to sever ties with the national association shall formally communicate its intent to the National Executive Council, which shall be responsible to pass such action on to the Council of Elders for appropriate intervention to understand the reason therefore and to also ensure such action as would avoid such severing of ties. Any breakaway chapter shall not enjoy the national association s immunity and other benefits of member chapters. g. Where a chapter is not complying with the Constitution or decision of the Association, the National Executive Council shall report such noncompliance to the Council of Elders, which

15 shall promptly investigate same and take or recommend such action as it shall determine appropriate. The decision of the Council of Elders on matters involving a Chapter shall be binding, subject to review only by the National Assembly h. Each member chapter or organizing committee is required to make reports to the national president not later than two weeks before the national president s quarterly report is due ARTICLE XI: FINANCE Section 1: Members Contribution The Association s operations shall be financed through the chapter s contributions and other legal fund-raising activities that shall be approved by the Association. Section 2: Contribution to National Convention a. The Association shall subsidize every convention with 50% of a budget up to five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) to underwrite a convention s expenditure. In return, the National will collect all sitting fees and proceeds from queen contest. b. Every chapter shall pay an annual registration fee of five hundred dollars ($500.00) at every convention during registration of delegates. c. Any chapter failing more than once to pay the annual registration fee shall forfeit all immunities bestowed upon local chapters leaders; Membership of chapter failing more than 3 years will be required to make individual due payments to the national treasury to be considered active members of the association. Chapters failing to make due payments or with no apparent attempt to do so for 3 consecutive years in spite of all attempt by the national the leadership, shall be striped of the chapter status or deactivated with full application of Section 2c. To be reconsidered, the deactivated chapter must settle all areas with the national association d. The National President shall make discretional decisions, to lift the restrictions in some cases, depending on the circumstances. e. The seating fee for each member delegate at the convention will be determined and set at a reasonable amount by the host chapter and subject to approval by the National Executive Council; Section 3: Banking of Association s Funds The Association shall establish account(s) with a recognized banking institution within the United States of America. All contributions, dues and levies collected shall be deposited into the Association s account(s) no later than the next business day after such contributions, dues, and levies are collected or received. Section 4: Signatories to the Association s Account(s)

16 a. The following three officers shall operate the account (s) of the Association: the President, the General Secretary and the Treasurer. b. The signatories to the account(s) for withdrawals shall be the President and the Treasurer. In the absence of the President or Treasurer, the General Secretary shall sign in lieu of the absentee main signatory for withdrawals from the account(s). Section 5: Withdrawals The following restrictions shall apply to withdrawals: a. A withdrawal of $ $ (one hundred to five hundred dollars) requires the approval of the National Executive Council and such withdrawal may not occur more than once in (60) sixty working days b. Withdrawals of more than $ (five hundred dollars) requires the approval of the national Board of Directors Section 6: Credit Cards and Debit Cards The Association shall not obtain banking instrument such as credit cards and debit or bank cards. Bankbooks are the only banking instrument allowed. ARTICLE XII: COUNCIL OF ELDERS Section 1: Establishment There is hereby established a constitutional body to be known as the Council of Elders. Section 2: Composition a. The council of Elders shall have a membership of three (3) or five (5) persons b. Members of the Council of Elders shall be appointed by the Board of Directors c. Each member of the Council of Elders shall serve for a term of four years and is renewable without limit by the Board of Directors d. The Council of Elders shall have a chairperson and Secretary plus such other officers as the council of elders may determine. The chairperson and the secretary of the council of Elders shall be appointed by the Board of Directors Section 3: Qualifications Any RiGCAA member being considered to serve as a member of the Council of Elders shall be a former National President, a former chairperson of the Board of Directors or must be not less than forty-five years old. Other qualifications for the Council of Elders are as follows: a. Must be an active due paying member for not less than one year b. Must be a legal resident of the United States of America

17 c. Must have no prior criminal record d. If not a former president or former Chairperson of the Board, must have served in a leadership role in or outside RiGCAA Section 4: Duties and Functions of the Council of Elders The Council of Elders shall be an independent advisory and adjudicatory body having the following functions: a. To conduct hearings into any conflict arising between the following parties 1. Two or more chapters of the Association; 2. The National President and the Chairman of the Board of Directors; 3. The National Executive Council and the Board of Directors; b. To hear and make binding decision on any matter affecting unity and/or progress in the Association that cannot be resolved by the Executive Council or the Board of Directors c. To conduct hearings for impeachment of any elected officers of the Association d. To review expulsion or suspension decision against any member or chapter of the Association e. Have the authority to recommend to the National Assembly any matters it determines needs the attention and decision of the National Assembly. f. Have the authority to request all evidentiary documents (written complaints) form all parties during an investigation. g. Decision derived from deliberation by the Council of Elders and duly communicated to the parties concerned and/or through the RiGCAA listserv shall be binding. ARTICLE XIII: IMPEACHMENT a. Any elected officer of the Association may be impeached and removed from office for willful or repeated violation of the Constitution or continuing disregard of a decision of any of the constituted bodies of the Association. b. Impeachment proceedings shall comply with due process of law. The Parliamentarian or, in his or her absence or unavailability, any other officer designated by the National Executive Council shall prosecute on behalf of the Association while the accused elected officer shall have a right to full representation by himself or a third party. c. All impeachment proceedings shall be conducted or heard by the Council of Elders, which shall make a final decision in such matter. ARTICLE XIV: NATIONAL CONVENTION a. RiGCAA convention shall be held on the third Saturday in June of every year to coincide with the anniversary marking the creation of River Gee County. b. A member chapter or an Organizing Committee shall seek the holding of a convention in person or in absentia, provided the leadership of the chapter or organizing committee has been attending teleconferences, a convention or meeting(s) called by the National Executive Council

18 ARTICLE XV: AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION The constitution shall be amended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the membership present at a National Assembly. Statements of reasons shall accompany any proposed amendments to the constitution. Said amendments shall be published or distributed by the General Secretary to all members at least thirty (30) days before a vote is taken. Upon passage, the amendment(s) shall take immediate effect. ARTICLE XVI: DISSOLUTION The Association shall continue to exist until voted out of existence by affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of the membership present at a National Assembly. Upon dissolution of this Association, any funds, assets or property of the Association will be disposed of or distributed within the meaning of section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue code of the United States of America. *** Revised on 14 August 2013 by the Constitution Revision Committee Alphonso J. Tarue, Sr. (Minnesota Chapter) Chairman William G. Cholopray (New Jersey Chapter) Co-Chairman Alice Welley Wilson-Mulbah (Georgia Chapter) Secretary Yancy Sieh (Georgia Chapter) Member Gertrude Jablasone (New Jersey Chapter) Member Approved on the 30th Day of August, 2014 at the 12 th Annual Convention, Beltsville, Maryland