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| Constitution of Wisconsin Mandingo Association of Milwaukee |
Preamble We, members of a community of Mandingo descents residing in the State of Wisconsin have realized that we need to unite, work together, share our available resources, care for the well being of one another, promote and maintain our cultural values. In this regard we have organized ourselves as the Wisconsin Mandingo Association of Milwaukee (WIMAM) and have agreed to establish this Constitution as the organic law by which we pledged abide and be governed. . Article I Name and Purposes Section 1 This organization shall be named The Wisconsin Mandingo Association of Milwaukee (WIMAM), a social and philanthropic Club headquartered in the State of Wisconsin. Section 2 The purposes of the organization are to serve the best interests of its members and friends. To achieve those goals, the Association shall: 1. Promote unity and understanding among its members. 2. Provide conflict resolution services to the community. 3. Bring together, as members, those residents of Milwaukee and surrounding areas who, through birth, descent or marriage, have a common African interest and relationships. 4. Conduct cultural, social, educational and religious activities for its members and friends. 5. Serve as a social and support network for its members. 6. Welcome and assist new members through quality initiation. 7. Render assistance to our displaced and non-displaced compatriots in need here in the United States of America and in Africa. Article II Membership Section 1. The members must agree to abide by the constitution and the general practices of the association. Section 2 The membership of the Association shall be opened to people of Mandingo descent, their family members and friends, who have paid the joining fees requirement and wish to be a member of the Association. Section 3 No person shall be prevented from being a member based on race, religion, age, gender, national origin and sexual orientation. Section 4 The rights of the members to enjoy the benefits of the Association shall be protected by its rules and regulations. Section 5 All members shall have the same right. Section 6 At any time, the association expressly reserves the right to refuse membership acceptance at its sole discretion. Section 7 New members are required to pay a one-time registration fee of $25. Section 8 The association reserves the right to suspend, or discipline any member, or take such other action as the executive deems appropriate, to promote the quality and integrity of the association's "Conditions for Membership". Such actions may be taken with respect to anyone who is suspended, or against whom action is otherwise taken, shall forfeit all fees, dues and other monies paid otherwise to the Association. Any decisions to suspend, and/or discipline any member is expressly and solely to be determined by the general consensus of the association. Article III Election Section 1 There shall be an election commission, consisting of a chief election commissioner and such number of other Election commissioners as may be deemed necessary. Section 2 The election commission shall supervise, direct, conduct and control all elections. Section 3 The election laws and their enforcements shall be in the hands of the election Commissioners. Section 4 The election Commissioners shall conduct registration of all eligible voters, and their main function shall be to inform, plan, administer and co- ordinate the election process. Section 5 A committee shall be nominated by the President with the consent of other executive members to draft rules and regulations of elections. Section 6 A general election shall be held on the second Sunday of April during the second year of elected officials’ terms in offices. Section 7 Members of the election commission shall be independent of the executive branch. Section 8 A member who has not paid all of his/her annual membership dues at least two weeks before the elections shall have no right to vote in the election. Such person cannot be considered for any leadership position. Section 9 All election commissioners shall have the right to vote as members. Article IV Office bearers Section 1 All office holders shall 1. Be able to serve in a leadership capacity 2. Be a literate person. 3. Have paid all dues, fines and all monetary obligations to the association. Article V Executive Branch (elected and non-elected members) Section 1 The organization members shall elect: (For a renewable term of two years) a. President b. Vice President c. Secretary d. Speaker e. Finance Secretary Section 2 The Executive branch shall consist of the elected officials as stated in section one of this article. Section 3 The president, in consultation with the other members of the executive branch, shall appoint five members of the association to serve in none elected posts. Those none elect able positions are the following: Pubic Relation Officer, Social and Planning Secretary, Women’s Coordinator or Chairlady, Religious Affairs Secretary and Research Director. Article VI Term of office Section 1 The executive members shall hold office for a term of two years immediately following the election. Section 2 No person may hold the same executive position for more than four consecutive years. Article VII Vacancy and Removal of an Executive Section 1 If an executive member resigns or ceases to hold office for any other reason, the remaining executives may appoint an eligible member of Wisconsin Mandigo Association of Milwaukee to fill the vacancy until the next election. Section 2 The President, Vice-President, Speaker, General Secretary and all officials of WIMAM, shall be removed from office on Impeachment for, and conviction of betrayal, bribery, inept in his or her abilities to perform set duties, abuses illegal substances, physical and emotional attacks by an official against a member during any official event. Section 3: A 2/3 membership of the association shall recall any official for misconduct that is detrimental to the organization. Article VIII Members of the Executive Branch Section 1: President The president shall serve as the presiding officer of the organization. He or she shall: 1) Have power to fill up all vacancies 2) Call and preside over meetings of the Executive Branch. 3) Delegate responsibilities to officials and members of the organization. 4) From time to time inform the organization about plans and progress. 5) Insure and verify the performances of every office holder. 6) Be a signing officer. 7) Appoint committees where authorize by the membership. 8) Oversee the general activities of the association to ensure that they are within the framework of the constitution. Section 2: Vice President The vice president shall in the event of a vacancy in the office of the president, serve the remainder of the president’s term. He or she shall: 1) Preside over the operations of the non-elected officials as stated in article V sec.3 2) Accept extra duties as required by the association. 3) Direct and coordinate the activities of the organization in the absence of the president. 4) Act as one of the signing officers. Section 3: The Speaker The Speaker shall: 1) Be the official spokesman of the association. 2) Write and respond to all official documents. 3) Perform other duties as assigned by the executive members. Section 4: The General Secretary The General Secretary shall: 1) Maintain and prepare documentation as requested by the membership or executive. 2) Maintain and record all minutes of meetings. 3) In connection with the leadership, prepare and circulate the agenda before every meeting. 4) Keep the registration of the organization up to date with local, state and federal governments. 5) Maintain the list of all members current. 6) Keep a detail record of attendance of all events. Section 5: The Assistant General Secretary The Assistant General Secretary shall 1) Assist the General Secretary in the performance of his or her duties. 2) Assume the duties of the General Secretary in his or her absence or upon request 3) Perform other duties as assigned by the elected officials. Section 6: The Finance Secretary The Finance secretary shall: 1) Be responsible of all fiscal matters. 2) Be a signing officer. 3) Maintain the records of all financial transactions of the association. 4) With the assistance of the executive members, draft an annual budget. 5) Collect and deposit all funds received on behalf of the association 6) Make financial records and books of account available to members upon request. 7) Inform the elected officials of any financial needs 8) Collect dues and notify members of any delinquency 9) Formulate a comprehensive accounting system as to avoid all confusions 10) Perform other duties as assigned by the members of the executive branch Section 7: Assistant Finance Secretary The Assistant Finance Secretary shall: 1) Perform the duties of the Finance Secretary in his/her absence or upon request by the executive 2) Perform other duties as assigned by the elected officials Section 8: Public Relation officer The Public Relation officer shall: 1) Inform members about events and meetings 2) Assist the Speaker in the performance of his or her duties 3) Perform other duties as assigned by the executive members Section 9: Social Planning Officer The Social Planning Officer shall: 1) Provide a comprehensive plan of every event 2) Present detail financial needs of events 3) Direct and coordinate all social events such as marriage, naming ceremonies, inaugurations and so on 4) Provide a calendar for yearly events 5) Keep an accurate account of all funds received and expended during all events. 6) Perform other duties as assigned by the elected officials Section 10: Religious Affairs Secretary The Religious Affairs Secretary shall: 1) Advice the organization on religious matters 2) Search and locate all people of Mandigo descent and friends desiring to join an organization such as ours 3) Perform other duties as required by members. Section 11: Research Director The Director shall: 1) Advice the organization of matters of improvement, fund raising, and education 2) Serve as a liaison officer between WIMAM and other organizations with common goals 3) Perform other duties as assigned by the executive members Section 12: Women’s coordinator or Chairlady The Chairlady shall: 1) Act as the spokesperson, representative, head and correspondent of all Women within the organization 2) Appoint members of the women’s commission with consent of the executive members 3) Inform the association of women matters 4) Perform other duties as assigned by the executive members Article IX Reconciliation Committee Members of the committee shall: 1) Be nominated by the President with consent of other executive members 2) Be composed of two prominent and respectable ladies and two gentlemen 3) Provide peaceful resolution to conflict within the organization 4) Advice the executive on decision making process when the need arises Article X: Meeting Section 1: 1) The association shall hold general meeting twice a month and the locations shall be on a rotational basis. 2) The General Secretary shall provide details about events such as dates, times, chairmen and locations on a regular basis to members. Section 2: An emergency meeting may be called by any executive member to discuss issues affecting the association. Section 3: The President shall nominate members of a committee to write the by-laws of meetings. Section 4: Members of the Executives must meet once before every general meeting. Section 5: A member presiding over the executive, committee or general meeting shall have no right to vote on any issue in the meeting, except in the case of a tie. Section 6: It shall be the responsibility of all absentees to inform themselves about any decision taken in their absence. New comers shall refer to the constitution, by-laws, and rules for guidance. Article XI Finance Section 1: 1) The organization fiscal year shall begin on the 1st of January every year and shall be terminated the 31st of December of that same year. 2) The executive with consent of two thirds of members shall determine membership dues. 3) The organization may raise and spend money to further its purposes. 4) Any member whose dues are two months or more behind after the beginning of the fiscal year shall lose all membership privileges. Furthermore, in order to vote in the elections, the member shall have paid his/her dues before the elections. Privileges cannot be forfeited unless the member has been notified in two working weeks in advance regarding his/her failure to pay the dues and the possible effects thereof. 5) A majority of the officials (executive and non-elected officials) should approve expenditures above $100. 6) The executive shall name at least three signing officers for banking and legal documents. Two signatures will be required on all these documents. 7) The Finance Secretary shall present a detail report of all finances once every month. 8) All payments of fees, dues, materials and financial contributions to WIMAM are non-refundable. Section 2: Due payments Members will pay a minimum monthly due of ten $10 dollars at the last regular bi-monthly meetings. Members and Guests may also make optional additional contributions in any amount. Regular monthly contributions normally collected at meetings are due prior to the scheduled meetings for any planned absence, or by the end of the third day after the meeting from anyone who was unable to attend that monthly meeting due to an emergency or illness. Section 3: Book of Account The Book of Account shall be a complete set of records, consisting of assets, liabilities, individual Member accounts, and appropriate revenue and expense accounts. It shall use the double-entry accounting system. Section 4: Annual Accounting Each calendar year, a full and complete report of the conditions of WIMAM shall be made to the Members. The annual accounting shall take place at the Annual Meeting. Section 3: Bank Account The Members may select a bank for the purpose of opening a bank account. Funds in the bank account shall be withdrawn by checks signed by the Treasurer or a proper substitute in case of the unavailability of the Treasurer. The Club shall follow the regulations as outlined in Article VIII, Section 1 and 2 prior to seeking the signature of the Treasurer or the proper substitute. Article XII Properties of the Association All materials, documents, records, minutes, correspondence, or other papers kept by a member, executive member, representative, committee member in connection with the Association shall be deemed to be property of the Association and shall be turned over to the President when the member, executive, representative, or committee member ceases to perform the task to which the materials relate. Article XIII Amendments Section 1: A proposal for amendment(s) shall be signed by five members of the organization, and submitted to the General Secretary who shall present the proposal to the executive and call a general meeting within a month after the receipt of the proposed amendment(s). Section 2: An affirmative vote by 2/3 of the members present shall be necessary for the adoption of any amendment(s). Section 3: The quorum requirement for voting on amendment shall be 50 %( fifty percent) of the total members Section 4: If 50% of members are not present in a general meeting called for voting on the proposed amendment(s), another general meeting shall be called for the same purpose within two weeks after the meeting, in which the quorum requirement as stated in section 3 of this article shall be waived and the proposed amendment(s) shall be discussed and adopted by a 2/3 majority of the members present. Section 5: An amendment shall be repealed when there is a need. Article XIV Dissolution In the event of dissolution of the Association, and after payment of all debts and costs of dissolution, the assets and remaining funds of the association shall be distributed to associations in the USA having purposes similar to those of WIMAM, as the members of the Association may determine at time of dissolution. Article XV Ratification Section I: The constitution shall be adopted and become effective immediately after it has been signed by two thirds of members. In Witness thereof, the Members of WIMAM have set their hands on this ___4TH___ day of _December____2005. Member (Printed Name) Signature Date Signed on file. |