THE CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS OF THE LIBERIAN ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA (LAA)

Transcription

1 THE CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS OF THE LIBERIAN ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA (LAA) 1

2 ARTICLE 1 Section 2. ARTICLE 2 ARTICLE 3 Section 2. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. NAME The name of the organization shall be the LIBERIAN ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA, hereinafter referred to as LAA. The INSIGNIA shall consist of the Map of Liberia with the word togetherness. MOTTO: Strength in Unity GOALS To organize, support, and encourage participation of members and their families in academic, cultural, social and community activities. To mediate and resolve disputes among members when invited to do so by parties involved. To assist all members in difficulty where possible. To assist with the resettlement of refugees and others arriving in the State of Arizona. To create public awareness about Liberia and, in the process, contribute toward socio-economic development of Liberia. To promote cooperation between LAA and similar associations across the United States. ARTICLE 4. Section 2. Section 4. MEMBERSHIP & DUES Membership in LAA shall be open to all Liberians, their families and others in Arizona who subscribe to the goals of the Association. All members shall pay annual dues to be recommended by the Executive Committee and approve by a majority of members present at the last General Meeting of the year. Special rates will apply to students (high school and beyond) with proper identifications. Any member can participate in an election and/or stand for office provided that such a member is fully-paid not less than four months prior to the election. 2

3 Section 5. Section 6. Any member who has not paid the annual membership dues cannot participate in any activities planned by the Association including elections, picnics, independent day celebrations, etc., nor directly or indirectly benefit from such activities. Annual membership dues shall be paid between January 1 and February 28 of the current year. New members shall pay membership dues effective the date of becoming a member. ARTICLE 5 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Executive Committee shall consist of four members who shall occupy the following offices: PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER Section 2. Section 4. In addition, the chairpersons of the various standing committees shall also be members of the Executive Committee. The term of each Executive Member is two years. Each Executive Committee member shall be limited to two consecutive terms. ARTICLE 6 FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUVITVE COMMITTEE The Executive Committee shall: (a) develop and implement annual strategic plan in cooperation with members of the Association in order to achieve its goals (b) prepare and submit the annual budget of the Association for approval. (c) act on behalf of the Association in emergencies. (d) appoint ad-hoc committees when necessary. 3

4 Section 2. The President. The President Shall: (a) be the official spokesperson for the Association and represent the Association on all public matters, or in consultation with the Vice- President, delegate such responsibility to any member of the Association. (b) chair all General, Special and Executive Committee meetings. (c) present an annual report at the Annual General Meeting. The Vice President. The Vice-President Shall: (a) act in the absence of the President and shall assume the responsibilities of the President should the President resign, is impeached or become incapacitated until a new President is elected. (b) act as the laison between the Executive Committee and the standing committees in implementing programs and policies of the Association. (c) act as the laison between the Association and the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C., as well as various Liberian Associations in North America with the proviso of promoting maximum cooperation between. Section 4. The Secretary. The Secretary Shall: (a) maintain minutes and records of all meetings. (b) inform members of all matters relating to the functioning of the Association. (b) inform members of ensuing meetings and special events. (c) correspond with other collaborating Associations when necessary. (d) publish a quarterly newsletter reporting the activities of the Association and maintain website. 4

5 Section 5. The Treasurer. The Treasurer Shall: (a) be responsible for collecting the annual membership dues, funds and all contributions to the Association that may be required from time to time. (b) be responsible for the safekeeping of all financial assets of the Association. All funds must be deposited in the Association s account at a Bank no more than two working days after the funds are collected. Section 6. Standing Committees (a) There shall be five standing committees consisting of: 1. Social & /Program 2. Education & Culture 3. Community Outreach & Membership 4. Youth & Sports 5. Women Empowerment (b) The Chair of each standing committee shall be elected by members (b) Members of each committee shall volunteer and/or be appointed by the Executive Committee for a two-year term. Total number of members on each standing committee shall not exceed five. They shall be removed from office for dereliction of duties or malfeasance. Section 7. Mission Statements for Standing Committees (a) Social & Program Committee. To organize, support and encourage the participation of members and their families in social, cultural and community activities. (b) Education & Culture Committee. To identify educational/vocational training opportunities in Arizona for members and their families as well as educate members about the history, culture, politics and economics of Arizona. To educate the Arizona community about Liberia in particular and Africa in general. (c) Community Outreach & Membership Committee. To actively recruit new members, identify the needs of members and bring them to the attention of the Association for possible assistance. Prepare an arrival kit for new members containing 5

6 information about LAA as well as programs and services in Arizona that could benefit them (d) Youth & Sports Committee To encourage youths to engage in various sporting activities in save environments in order to promote team spirit, strong character, competitive and leadership skills. To assist with employment opportunities and preparation for job interviews. (e) Women Empowerment To empower the women and young girls of LAA by designing and implementing appropriate programs that promote education, job and business skills. To mentor young girls to engage in wholesome activities including good health. ARTICLE 7. MEETINGS Section 2. The Association shall have monthly meetings to take place on the last Sunday of each month. The time and venue of such meetings shall be stipulated by the Executive Committee after which the Secretary shall give notice to each member at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the meeting. Special Meetings A special general meeting may be called by a quorum of membership as defined in Section 4 below, with notice given by the Secretary at least 14 days in advance of the meeting. Unless a majority of paid-up members present at the meeting vote otherwise, no business will be conducted at any such meeting other than that which is specified in the notice. Voting Voting shall be conducted by show of hands; all elections shall be by secret ballots. Section 4. Quorum A quorum for the Executive Committee shall consist of four persons. A quorum for all meetings shall consist of 40% of paid members. 6

7 ARTICLE 8. ELECTION, RESIGNATION & REMOVAL OF OFFICERS Section 2. Section 4. Section 5. The election of Executive Officers shall be held every two years at the Annual General Meeting in January. The Executive Committee shall establish, three months prior to elections, an Election Committee made up of three paid-up members of the Association. The Election Committee shall organize and supervise the election of officers and shall circulate notice of elections to all members at least one month prior to the date of election. The Election Committee shall be dissolved fourteen days after elections if no complaints of impropriety are received within the period. Resignation from office shall be by letter to the President. Section 6. Section 7. Section 8. The Executive Committee may appoint an interim replacement when a position becomes vacant. The position so affected shall be filled at the next general meeting subject to ARTICLE 4, SECTION 5. A member of the Executive Committee shall be removed from office if two-thirds majority of paid-up members present and voting at a special general meeting called for such purpose, expresses lack of confidence in that member. Removal from office under this provision shall be effective the date of the vote. A motion of no-confidence under ARTICLE 8, SECTION 7 by A minimum of 40% paid-up members. ARTICLE 9. AMENDMENTS Duly proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be submitted in writing, with names and signatures of 40% of paid-up members to the Secretary who shall then give due notice at least 14 days in advance of the meeting at which the vote is to be taken. 7

8 Section 2. A 75% majority vote of paid-up membership is required for amending the constitution. All by-laws may be amended by 75% majority vote of paid-up members at a general meeting. BY-LAWS OF THE LIBERIAN ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA BY-LAW No. 1 (Banking) (a) All checks drawn on the Association s bank account shall be jointly signed by any two of the following Executive Committee members, the Treasurer being one of them and subject to ARTICLE 6, SECTION 4: the Treasurer the President the Vice-President the Secretary BY-LAW No. 2 (MEMBERSHIP ACTIVITIES) (a) The membership Committee shall, on behalf of the Association send appropriate greetings to members in the event of bereavement, hospitalization, birth of a child or other special events. BY-LAW No. 3 (DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION) (a) In the event of the Association s dissolution, its assets shall be donated to a Liberian charitable organization to be determined by the Executive Committee. 8

9 LIBERIAN ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA - LAA GENERAL ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Positions and Eligibility Requirements VOTERS REQUIREMENTS (Paid member 18 years and over) General Requirements for all applicants -- Finger print card - 2 passport size photos - Good moral standing: background check with no criminal record - Records of achievement - No personal checks. Money Order or cashier s check payable to: Liberian Association of Arizona President - Minimum age 30 years - Minimum Academic Requirement: Bachelor Degree - Vision and ambitions - One year Leadership experience - Registration fee: $ non-refundable Vice President - Minimum age 30years - Minimum Academic Requirement: Bachelor Degree - Vision and ambitions - One year Leadership experience - Registration fee: $ non-refundable Secretary - Minimum age 25years - Minimum Academic Requirement: Associate Degree with Basic Computer Skills - Registration fee, $ non-refundable Treasurer - Minimum age 30years - Basic accounting and Computer Skills and Book keeping experience - Registration fee, $ non-refundable - A Bond of Seventy Five Thousand US Dollars ($75,000.00) 9

10 STANDING COMMITTEES (Registration fee: $50.00 non-refundable) Social / Program - Minimum age - 25 years - Minimum Academic Requirement: Associate Degree Education / Cultural - Minimum age - 25 years - Minimum Academic Requirement: Associate Degree Outreach / Membership - Minimum age - 25 years - Minimum Academic Requirement: Associate Degree Youth & Sports - Minimum age - 25 years - Minimum Academic Requirement: Associate Degree Women Empowerment Outreach - Minimum age - 30 years - Minimum Academic Requirement: GED or High School Diploma 10

11 I AGREE WITH AND WILL ABIDE BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE LIBERIAN ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA (LAA) NAME SIGNATURE DATE 11

12 MEMBERSHIP IDENTIFICATION FORM Last Name First Name Middle Address City State ZIP Home Phone Work Phone Fax Cell Phone Pager Wife s Name Husband s Name Names of Children Name of Emergency Contact in U S Address City ST ZIP Home Phone Work Fax Cell Phone Pager Name of Emergency Contact in Liberia Address Home Phone Work Phone Fax Cell Phone Note: PLEASE PRINT 12