PREAMBLE

For the greater glory of God and abiding with prayers for peace, unity and progress, we, men and women of Umunnachi descent residing in continental North and South America, realizing that we, as a group can contribute substantially to the upliftment of Education, Development and Cultural Enrichment of ourselves and communities in general, through interaction, integration, participation and mutual support;  In common deliberation, unanimously endorse the formation of Umunnachi Improvement Union, USA, (UIU-USA) this 14^th day of August 2010 for the purpose of attaining the above stated objectives and for which purpose provide this general constitution.

ARTICLE I: NAME & ADDRESS

A. The undersigned hereby form, in accordance with the laws of the State of ……….., USA a non-profit and non-political organization known as Umunnachi Improvement Union – USA hereinafter also referred to as “UIU-USA”.

B. The location of the initial registered office is …………………………………. and the registered agent is ……………………………………. 

C. The business address of the organization is ………………………………………...

MOTTO:

“UNITY, PEACE, & PROGRESS”

ARTICLE II: AIMS & OBJECTIVES

UIU-USA is organized exclusively to promote and foster progressive, social, charitable, and educational objectives as well as identifying and resolving our common problems. Such charitable purposes include but are not limited to reaching out and offering, in form of condolence or the like, to members in state of distress resulting from matters beyond their control. It is the intention of the members that the corporation qualifies and becomes tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Service.  In furtherance of the above stated objectives and not for any other purpose, the corporation may carry out the following functions to the extent permitted by law and this constitution:

A. To promote and contribute enriched Umunnachi culture and traditions to the cultural diversity of the United States through education, public discussions, social functions, lectures, and similar forums.

B. To foster brotherhood and friendship between one another, build strong family ties, encourage good moral conduct, encourage scholarships and pursuit of academic excellence as well as recognize the rights and responsibilities of members to one another including non-members.

C. To establish and uphold strong economic securities against emergencies among members such as securing Bereavement Insurance for each member with the UIU-USA as the beneficiary.

D. Making contributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service of the federal tax code.

E. The duration of the corporation is perpetual.

F. Upon dissolution, the assets of the corporation shall be distributed to other non-organizations registered under 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service or shall be distributed by any of the following: federal, state or local governments for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed shall be disposed of by the County courts in the county in which the principal office of the association is located.

ARTICLE III: CODE OF CONDUCT

A. All members shall be law abiding.
B. All members shall maintain self-respect as well as uphold cooperation with one another for the interest of the association.
C. All members shall respect the presidency and all the organization’s officers.
D. Members are encouraged to individually or collectively maintain strong family ties and shall
endeavor to train their children in like manner.
E. Members of this Union must disassociate themselves from any illegal conducts.
F. Members shall uphold and respect the fundamental human rights of all individuals.
G. Members shall make effort to promote and patronize other members’ business within competitive rates and values.
H. No member shall have personal or private interest in this association.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to adult males and females that have met the following requirements:
A. Must be of Umunnachi town origin or married to one
B. Must be able to meet the association’s financial obligations
C. Must be in good standing as stated in articles V and XI

ARTICLE V: FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

A. Annual Dues:
1.There is an annual due of $100.00 payable by all members exactly at the first month of each year.  Dues for a couple – husband and wife shall be $200.00.  Married members are highly encouraged to include their spouse for additional $100 since this will guarantee their complete membership benefits especially for the $10,000.00 term-life insurance policy to be premiumed from this fund. The annual dues are subject to change given our future financial obligations.
2. In addition to annual dues, the union may impose special levy for the year, which shall be uniform for all members.
3. All dues and assessments are payable in cash, cashiers check, money order or personal
checks. 
4. Any returned check for non-sufficient fund carries a $50.00 penalty.
5. All membership fees, dues and levy are non-refundable.
6. Members shall be denied membership privileges if dues, levy and other assessments are not paid.
7. The union from any source may accept contributions though legally.
8. Dues and assessments shall be structured to provide adequate income to finance the activities of the union.
9. All contributions shall be voluntary except in cases of emergency. The nature of the contribution or dues will be determined     by the executive.

 ARTICLE VI: DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS

A.    All disbursements of funds shall either be budgeted expense items or for expenses authorized by the executive committee. Disbursements not meeting these criteria shall be deemed improper and must be repaid.

B.     Temporary Loss of membership resulting from financial default:
No member’s name shall be carried forward to the next business year if the said member has not met all of his/her financial obligations from the previous year. No UIU-USA member has the power to revoke or waive this for any member; however, such a member may immediately be reinstated as soon as all past financial obligations from the time of his membership to the present time is completely met.

C.     All debts must be cleared and paid off by the last month of the year. Payments received after December may carry certain late payment fees that may be imposed by the Union. Past dues or payments of the preceding year not made on or before end of January of the current year will automatically exclude the member or members from membership benefits and entitlements therein.

ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS

A. General meeting will be held once between one to three years whichever is more convenient.
B. The hosting, venue, date and time of the general meeting will be left to final resolution by the executive members.  
C. Unexcused absence is punishable by fine.
D. Disturbance/noise making:
The provost is responsible for orderliness during meetings. He or She has the power to fine and collect a fixed amount of fine for ordinary noise making or disturbance during meetings.
E. The president or 2/3 majority members of the executive can call for an emergency meeting.

ARTICLE VII: ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A. Elections:
All offices are by election. Elections shall be held every two to three years during the general meeting with the date and venue to be approved by the executive.

B. Majority votes:
All officers including the president shall be elected with popular vote of a simple majority. Up to 2 or 3 candidates can be nominated for any single post to be filled during the elections. The officers of the union shall screen all candidates for office and prepare a list of ballot materials for the election of the officers.

C. Eligibility:
All candidates for any executive post shall be in good standing. They must be active participants in the association’s affairs.

Any paid member is eligible to hold office in the Union.

D. Returning Officers:
The returning officer (President) will be elected on the day of election. He has the sole responsibility to conduct, supervise elections oversee hand-over and swear in the elected officers if a chaplain is unavailable.  The immediate past president of the Union may serve the Union as an adviser to the newly elected executives, and be a non-voting member of the newly elected executive committee.

ARTICLE VIII: OFFICERS

A. Officers of the Union:
Officers of the Union shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Financial Secretary, Assistant Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, and Provost.  The administrative responsibilities of this Association shall be vested in the officers of the Union who will constitute an Executive Board.  The Executive Board therefore are only the elected officers of the Union as defined by the bye laws in this constitution.

B. Tenure of Office:
All officers are elected for a period of three years. This tenure officially begins at the end of the general meeting, after election and swearing in. All officers are eligible for re-election. All officers leaving must hand over documents to their counterparts. Efforts should be made to certify that our old business including the accounting is in order.

ARTICLE IX: RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS

The functionaries will perform the duties designated for their respective posts:

A. President:
1. The president shall preside over the union’s meetings, direct the union successfully and represent the union publicly and socially.
2. He can only vote to break a tie.
3. He keeps all the union’s confidential documents except financial papers.
4. He approves disbursement of funds.
5. He will be a signatory on the bank account.
6. He can appoint special committees with the assistance of the elected officers if necessary.
7. The president shall be given maximum co-operation within the limits allowed by the constitution to execute his duties.

B. Vice President:
1. The VP shall assume the duties of the president in his/her absence.
2. In the event of resignation, removal or death of the president, he automatically  becomes the president for the unexpired part of the term.
3. May make presidential decision during emergency in the interest of the Union if the
 president is obviously unavailable.
4. He will co-chair all the committees and will only vote to break a tie.

C. The Secretary:

The secretary is the scribe of the Union and the custodian of its records.  The secretary shall:
1. The secretary shall record the minutes of the meetings and other proceedings of the union.
2. He will direct the union’s secretariat.
3. In compliance with the president’s directives, shall draw the agenda for the meeting.
4. He attends to memos to and from the union according to the president’s instructions.
5. He is the chairman of the Administrative/Constitutional committee.
6. He can delegate some of the functions to the assistant secretary.
7. He is also a signatory to the bank’s account.

D. Assistant secretary:
1. He assumes duties of the secretary in his absence
2. He performs functions delegated by the secretary.

E. Financial Secretary:
1. He is the union’s accountant.
2. He keeps accurate record of all monies paid to the union.
3. He collects fees, fines, dues, donations, pledges etc. for the union.
4. He is the chairman of the Business/Financial committee.
5. He can delegate some of his functions to the assistant.
6. He shall submit to the audit after each financial report or as needed.

F Assistant Financial Secretary:
1. He assumes duties of the financial secretary when he is absent.
2. He performs delegate functions of the Fin. Sec.

G. Treasurer:
1. He directs the Union’s treasury, banks the Union’s monies and is the first line auditor of the union’s accounts.
2. He coordinates with the financial secretary and upon completion of a term of office, submit to the new secretary all the Union records.
3. He is a signatory to the union’s checks.
4. He shall be responsible for filing the union’s income tax with IRS.
5. He shall submit to audit after each financial report or as needed.

6. Shall prepare, publish, and circulate annually to the Executive Board and the membership a financial statement of the Union.

H. Public Relations Officer:

1. He is in charge of publicity and dissemination of information.
2. He performs liaison functions for the union.
3. He may be delegated by the president to represent the union.

H. Provost

1. He shall serve as the speaker of the house.
2. He maintains order during meetings and appoints members to speak.
3. He may levy fines up to certain amount as may be determined by the consensus, for disorderly conduct.

ARTICLE X: CHECKS AND BALANCES

A. The elected officers shall serve as the executive members and shall exercise jurisdiction over the affairs of the union. The executive members shall pledge individually and as a group to strive for the fulfillment of the purpose and objectives of the Union.

B.  Replacement for Vacant Officers:

Replacements to fill vacated offices shall be recommended by the president and
approved by the majority members within his executive branch. In the absence of such recommendation, formal nominations and elections shall be held for the vacated officers at the next general membership meeting.

C. Removal From Office:

The executive shall be empowered to remove any officer, with cause, by a 2/3 majority of the executive members. Cause for the removal of an officer shall include but not limited to:
1. Felony conviction
2. Conflict of Interest
3. Failure to attend two (2) consecutive executive meetings unless duly excused
4. Commission of fraud or gross misconduct
5. Ineffectiveness as determined by failure to perform the responsibilities of an officer
6. Termination of membership

D. Termination of membership:

The membership shall be empowered to remove any officer or member, with cause, with a 2/3 majority vote of the members. Cause for removal of a member shall include but not limited to:
1. Felony conviction
2.Conflict of interest
3. Commission of fraud or gross misconduct

ARTICLE XI:  CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

A.      At least 2/3 of the active members must vote in favor to either change a portion of, or amend any part of the constitution.

B.      Either the president or the vice president and at least one other executive member must be present before any constitutional amendment is done.

ARTICLE XII: MEMBERS BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

A.     At the death of member’s child, the sum of $500.00 will be presented to the family.

B.      At the death of a member’s parent , the sum of $200.00 will be presented to the member’s household.

C.    At the death of a member’s spouse who was not able to join the union because he/she was not residing in continental United States of America, and therefore could not benefit from our bereavement insurance plan, the sum of $500.00 will be presented to the member.

D.    At the death of a member, the proceeds from the bereavement insurance will be
provided to the member’s family.

 
Other Membership Benefits:

E.     To mourn the loss of a member, it is prudent that members raise at least the sum of $1000.00 through charitable donations by members. The $1000.00 shall be presented to the member’s spouse or immediate family in addition to the member’s $10,000.00 life insurance which will be paid to the member’s family.   

ARTICLE XIII: PUBLICATIONS

A. The union may budget for the publication of:

1. Minutes of the general meeting
2. Almanacs
3. Social reports
4. ETC.

B. The format for these publications shall be determined by the public Relations Officer.

C. The Union’s Calendar:
The fiscal and the calendar year of the union shall be the same and starts from 12:01 am January and ends on December 31st of the same year.

Signed by:

President: ……………………………………….

Vice President: …………………………………………

Secretary……………………………………….