Association Adopted Constitution

 
 

    
 

 
 



 

EWE ASSOCIATION OF GREATER BOSTON

THE CONSTITUTION

 

ADOPTED ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 IN BOSTON, MA

 

THE CONSTITUTION OF EWE ASSOCIATION OF GREATER BOSTON 

PREAMBLE

 

UPON RECOGNITION OF OUR COMMOM EWE HERITAGEANDOUR CONTINUINGTIESANDINTERESTSIN EWELAND IN GHANA, TOGO AND BENIN, WE EWES OF THE GREATER BOSTON AREA OF MASSACHUSETTS HEREBYCOMBINEOUREFFORTS AND DECLARE TOFORMANASSOCIATION.

 

ARTICLE 1: NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION

The name of the Association shall be EWE ASSOCIATION OF GREATER BOSTON

 

ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION

Theaimsandobjectivesofthisassociationshallbe:

 

 

1.    Topromotefriendship, unity and Ewe pride amongallmembers.

 

2.   Toprovideaforumforeducationaswellassocialandculturalawareness oftheEWE heritage.

 

3.    To trainandeducatethe Ewe youthtoenhancetheirculturaldevelopment.

 

4.    To promote and facilitateacontinuousflowofinformationandaninterchangeofnetworkingideas andresourcesamongmembers.

 

5.    Keep members informed of events of interest in Eweland and share ideas on helping with development projects at our origins

 

6.    Affiliate with and be a member of the Council of Ewe Associations of North America and other like-minded organizations working to enhance the lives of Ewes and others from Ghana, Togo and Benin.

 

7.    Raise funds from members and other individuals and organizations for the promotion of the above objectives

 

8.    To establish, fund and support the objectives of the Ewe Association of Greater Boston Charitable Foundation

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION

The following are the categories of membership of the Association:

Category 1:- Full Membership

TheASSOCIATIONshallbecomposedofindividualsofEWEoriginorheritageorareaffiliatedbymarriageoradoption.

 

Category 2:- Provisional Membership

ProvisionalmembershipshallbegrantedtoindividualswhomeetthecriteriainCategory 1 above butarebetweentheagesofeighteen(18)andtwenty-three (23)andarefull-time students pursuing undergraduate degrees.

 

Category 3:- Honorary Membership

Honorary membership may be granted to individuals,eighteen years or older, who do not meet the criteria in Category1 above but subscribe to the goals and ideals of the EWE culture and heritage.

 

NOTE:  Category 3 Members would not be allowed to vote on issues, neither will they be required to pay membership dues but may make voluntary contributions to the Association on their own volition.(Refer to Article 7)

 

ARTICLE 4: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1.    The meeting of the membership shall be known as the General ASSEMBLY, hereinafterreferred to the Assembly.

 

2.    The Assembly shall have the sole power to authorize all activities of the Association. The quorum of the ASSEMBLY meeting shall be 50% or 10, whichever is smaller of he registered membership of the Association.  Of this number, 3 members shall be from the Executive Committee

 

3.    A register of the attendance shall be kept at all ASSEMBLY meetings.

 

4.    The Association shall have no less than 4General ASSEMBLY meetings per calendar year.

 

5.    The ASSEMBLY shall elect the Association's officers by a simple majority of the members present at the meeting or meetings where elections are held.

 

6.    Language at the meetings shall be English or Ewe. 

 

7.    The ASSEMBLY shall pass resolutions and carry its normal business by simple majority, except where specified under any specific by-laws.

 

8.    The ASSEMBLY shall appoint an Auditor if necessary to audit the accounts of the Association annually. TheAuditor shall report directly to the ASSEMBLY

 

 

ARTICLE 5: OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE ASSOCIATION

Section 1:     The Association shall have the following officers who shall also constitute the Executive Committee:

1.    President

2.    Vice President

3.    Secretary

4.    Assistant Secretary

5.    Treasurer

6.    Assistant Treasurer

7.    Public Relations Officer (PRO)

8.    Assistant Public Relations Officer

 

Section 2:DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Collectively, the Executive Committee shall be responsible for the following:

 

1.                  Prepare the Agenda for the General Membershipmeetings.

 

2.                  PresenttheannualprogramandbudgetfortheapprovaloftheGeneralAssembly, anduponapproval,implementtheprogramandbudget

 

3.                  Incaseofanemergency,theexecutiveshallcollectivelyrepresenttheAssociation andshallreporttotheGeneralAssembly.

 

Section 3: DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF OFFICERS

 

Section 3.1: The President shall:

           

1.      Preside over all General Meetings.

 

2.      Countersign all checks and all other documents of the Association.

 

3.      Appoint, when necessary, representatives to represent the Association.

 

4.      Have the power to appoint a member to fulfill the functions and duties of any officer in case of death, resignation or relocation.  Such a temporary appointment shall be subject to the approval of the General Assembly at its next meeting.

 

Section 3.2: The Vice-President shall:

           

1.      Assist the President in the performance of his/her duties in Section 3.1

 

2.      Act in the absence of the President at all times unless determined by the General ASSEMBLY.

 

3.      Perform specific duties assigned by the President from time to time.

 

Section 3.3: The Secretary shall:

 

1.      Maintain all records of the Association.

 

2.      Announceupcomingmeetingsandotherevents.

 

3.      Record the minutes of all meetings of the Association and distribute copies of such meetings' minutes as necessary.

 

4.      Perform other related duties as requested by the President in administering the activities of the Association.

 

Section 3.4: The Assistant Secretary shall:

 

1.      Assist the Secretary in the performance of his/her duties listed in Section 3.3

 

2.      Act in the absence of the Secretary at all times unless determined by the General ASSEMBLY.

 

3.      Perform specific duties assigned by the President and/or the Secretary from time to time.

 

Section 3.5: The Treasurer shall:

 

1.      Collect dues, payments and contributions of members and other bodies and pay the sum into the Banking Accounts of the Association within seven working days.

 

2.      Keep written records of all receipts and payments of the Association.

 

3.      Be a co-signor in payments to be the made by the Association and all other financial transactions of the Association.

 

4.      Submit reports of the Association’s financial standing at least once a year and when called upon by the General Assembly.

 

Section 3.6: The Assistant Treasurer shall:

 

1.      Assist the Treasurer in the performance of his/her duties listed in Section 3.5

 

2.      Act in the absence of the Treasurer at all times unless determined by the General ASSEMBLY.

 

3.      Perform specific duties assigned by the President and/or the Treasurer from time to time.

 

Section 3.7: The Public Relations Officer shall:

 

1.      Provide general information on the Association to all interested parties in consultation with the Executive Board.

 

2.      Be responsible for the dissemination ofthe information on all activities of theAssociation, including meetings, to all members and other interested parties.

 

3.      Organize all social and cultural activities of the Association in conjunction with the other members ofthe Executive Board.

4.      Coordinateallpublicityeventsanditemsincludingnewsletter, brochures,fliers,etc.oftheassociation.

 

5.      Submit a written report on all social and cultural activities in conjunction with theTreasurer to the General Assembly meeting.

 

Section 3.8: The Assistant Public Relations Officer shall:

 

1.    Assist the Public Relations Officer in the performance of his/her duties listed in Section 3.7

 

2.    Act in the Absence of the Public Relations Officer unless determined by the General Assembly

 

3.    Perform specific duties assigned by the President and/or the Public Relations Officer from time to time

 

Section 4:  TERM OF OFFICE FOR OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS

 

 

1.    The Association shall hold its  general elections  every two years.

 

2.    Elected Officers shall hold office for TWO calendar years and shall be eligible for re-election. 

 

3.    There will be no term limits i.e. an Executive member can be elected to the same or different position by the will of the General Assembly.

 

4.    Outgoing officers shall hand over their duties and all Association properties under their care to incoming officers within 30 days of the election.

 

5.    Only paid up members for the current year shall be eligible to contest for elections or vote in elections.

 

6.    Elections for all offices shall be contested for by secret ballots.

 

7.    The General Assembly shall be notified at least 90 days before Election Day.

 

8.    On Election Day the General Assembly shall appoint an election officer to preside and conduct the elections.

 

SECTION 5: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 

1.    The Executive Committee shall determine the number of times to meet during each calendar year.

 

2.    A majority of members present at a meeting shall represent a quorum at such meeting.

 

ARTICLE 6: GENERAL MEETINGS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS

1.    The Association shall have four (4) general meetings during a year on the last Sunday of each quarter or as determined by the Executive Committee.

 

2.    When the last Sunday of the quarter coincides with an observed holiday, the Executive Committee shall decide another date for that quarter’s meeting.

 

3.    The Association shall hold social gatherings during the year on recommendation of the Executive Committee and upon approval by the General Assembly.

 

4.    An end-of-year party may be held upon approval of the majority of membership.

 

5.    The Executive Committee or the President or his/her designee may call an emergency General Assembly meeting anytime during the year if the need arises.

 

6.    Meetings will be conducted at members' residences on rotational and volunteer bases until such time the Association is able to identify a specific General Assembly meeting venue. 

 

ARTICLE 7: FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

SECTION 1: FINANCIAL YEAR

 

1.    The Association’s financial year shall be the same as the calendar year i.e. January 01 to December 31 of each year.

 

SECTION 2: SOURCES OF FUNDS

 

1.    Theassociationshallderiveitsfinancialsupportfromone time registration fee for all members, yearlymembership dues,fund raisingactivitiesanddonations from well-wishers and other organizations.

 

SECTION 3: MEMBERSHIP DUES

 

1.    Exceptformembersbelowageeighteen(18),eachindividualmembershallpayannual duesof$120.00, payable annually.

 

2.    Membership duesaretobe paidonorbeforeApril 30eachyear.

 

3.    Provisionalmembers shallpayyearlyduesof25%of full membership underthesametermsasin Section (2)above.

 

4.    Appropriate sanctions will be imposed by the Executive committee on members who are delinquent in paying their dues in a timely manner.

 

5.    There shall be application/admission/registration fee for membership of $100.00.  This shall be a one-time payment only.

 

6.    Honorary members are not subjected to membership dues but are free to make donations and other financial contributions to the Association.

 

7.    All new members are liable for the payment of the full registration fee on the day of admission.

 

8.    All new members irrespective of the date of admission within the current calendar year are liable for the payment of the Year’s Annual Dues within 60 days of admission.

 

9.    Admission date is the date the new member pays his/her one time Registration Fee to the Association.

 

10. Annual Membership Dues shall not be pro-rated under any circumstances.

 

SECTION 4: DISBURSEMENTS OF ASSOCIATION FUNDS

 

1.    Fundsshallbeallocatedforprojectsand/orotheractivities of the Association upon approvalofthe General Assembly.

 

2.    When special situations arise, the Executive Committee upon approval by majority is authorized to disburse the appropriate funds not exceeding $500.00.  The Committee shall present a detailed report to the General Assembly during the meeting following such disbursement.

 

3.    Allchecksdrawnon the Association’s bank accounts musthavetwo(2)signaturestobevalid.

 

4.    The Signatories shall be the Treasurer and the President or his/her designee

 

5.    The Treasurer shall present semi-annual financialreports to the General Assembly during the 2nd and 4th Quarter meetings of the year.

 

 

ARTICLE 8: MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

SECTION 1: DEATH BENEFITS

FamilymembersshallbedefinedasHusband,Wife,Children,Father,Mother,Brothersand Sisters.

1.    Onthedeathofan active and dues paying member:

TheAssociationthroughtheexecutivememberswill doeverythingnecessarytohelpthebereavedfamilysecurethedeathbenefit, if available,from theinsurancecompany, if available.

TheAssociationshallassistinfund-raisingandthe organization ofawakekeepingforthedeceasedandrunminorerrandswhilefuneral arrangementsarebeingmade.

TheAssociationshallmakeacashdonation of $3,000.00 tothebereavedmember(s)fromthe moneycollectedthroughamandatorylevyof$75.00permember.

2.    Onthedeathofachildofan active and dues paying member:

Thechildatthetimeofdeathmustbeundertheageof21regardlessofwherethedeath occurred.Onsuchdeaththeassociationshallattendacondolencevisitupontherequestbythe bereavedparents.

The EAGB shallmakeacashdonation of$2,000.00tothe bereavedparentsfromthemoneycollectedthroughamandatorylevyof $50.00permember.

The EAGBwillwriteacheckof$2,000.00tothebereavedfamilyandcollectthe$50.00levy fromthemembers.

3.    Onthedeathofaparent(registered with the Association prior to occurrence) of a dues paying member: 

Regardlessofwherethedeathoccurredthe EAGBshallattendacondolence visit upontherequest bythebereaved member.Theassociation shallmakeacashdonation of$2,000.00 tothebereaved memberfromthemoneycollected through amandatorylevyof$50.00permember.

The EAGB willwriteacheck of$2,000.00 tothebereavedfamilyandcollectthe $50.00levy fromthemembers.

4.    Onthedeathofasister or brother(registered with the Association prior to the occurrence) of a dues paying member: (This benefit shall be limited to 2 events only for each member) 

Regardlessofwherethedeathoccurredthe EAGBshallattendacondolence visit upontherequest bythebereaved member.Theassociation shallmakeacashdonation of$2,000.00 tothebereaved memberfromthemoneycollected through amandatorylevyof$50.00per member.

The EAGB willwriteacheck of$2,000.00 tothebereavedfamilyandcollectthe $50.00levy fromthemembers.

5.    Death Benefits will be subject to the provisions in Article 8 Section 2

SECTION 2: BENEFITS QUALIFICATION

1.    Only registered and fully paid-Up members are entitled to full benefits

2.    Fully paid-up members in good standing should have a 100% attendance record.  Official permission or excuse from attending a meeting shall be considered attendance.

3.    Only 90% of benefit(s) shall be paid to a member with less than 100% attendance record as defined in 2 above.

4.    Delinquent members (those not paying their annual dues and levies per the Constitution) making up their late payments shall not receive any benefits accruing to members for 2 months following the date of making up their late payments

5.    Newer members shall not be entitled to any benefits for the first 6 months after joining the Association

6.    Benefit payments shall be made to members for only those relatives registered with the Association prior to the occurrence of the sad event.

 

Text Box: ....,..,..,.,,..

 

SECTION 3: CONDOLENCE VISITATIONS

 

1.    The members of the EAGBshall attend a condolence visit for any bereaved member as stipulated  in section  11 of the constitution.Every member isexpected  to attend acondolencevisitwith theirlevy.

2.    The EAGB willrequireatwoweeks'noticeforacondolencevisitfromamember.  Exceptions will be granted on case by case basis.

3.    Acondolencevisittoamember hastobedonewithinsixmonths fromthetimethedeath occurred

 

 

 

SECTION 4: SOCIAL ACTIVITIES BENEFITS

 

1.    CHILD CHRISTENINGS

Invitation toachristeningbyamembershallbehonored with $200.00providedthemember isingood financialstandingbeforetheinvitation.

2.    WEDDINGS

Invitation toawedding byamember (ifinvited)shallbehonored with$200.00, provided the same is in good financial standing before the invitation.

3.    BIRTHDDAYS, GRADUATIONS, SEND-OFF AND OTHERS

OninvitationtoBirthdayorSend-off orgraduationoranyother partynotmentioned above, theassociationisnotobligatedtoattend withagift.

4.   Invitations fromotherassociations

The EAGB maychoose tohonor invitationbyotherassociationsorpersons with$100.00.However, in extremely warranted circumstances theexecutivemayusetheirdiscretion toexceed this$100.00butnotmorethan$200.00.

However,membersare encouragedtoattendandtobegenerous.

ARTICLE 9: OTHER PROVISIONS AND STATUTES

1.    ATTENDANCE:  Allmembers areexpected toberegular andpunctual atall meetings unless officially excused.

 

2.      CONDUCT AT MEETINGS/FUNCTIONS:  Each member shall conduct him/herself in a manner to reflect the dignity and order at all Association meetings and gatherings.  While good behavior is expected of all EAGB members at all Association activities, the following acts or conduct shall be considered a violation of EAGB conduct of dignity.

A.   Fighting and other forms of rude and disorderly conduct towards a member(s)

B.   Use of foul, disrespectful, abusive or other forms of inappropriate language and contact toward a member(s)

C.   Abuse of alcoholic beverages leading to inappropriate and unacceptable behavior towards a member(s)

The penalties for any of the above acts shall be determined on case by case basis and the gravity of each situation by Executive Committee including expulsion from the Association.

3.    CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS: A Committee of not more than 3 impartial persons shall be formed by the Executive Committee of the Association to resolve personal conflicts between members only if all parties are willing to subject themselves to an amicable resolution of their conflicts.

 

4.    LOANS:  The Association shall offer no loans to any person(s) including members.

 

5.    NON PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES: Shallanyofficer failtoperform his/herfunctions ordutiesasstated intheConstitution,a newofficershallbeelected attheGeneral Assembly meeting toservetherestofthe period.

 

6.    AMENDMENTS:Amendments to this Constitution may be made when necessary, and only when at least two-thirds of the total membership is present.   The entire membership shall be informed bymail.

 

7.    RESIGNATIONS:    Aresignationbyanofficershouldbetenderedinwritingtothe President. InthecaseofresignationofthePresident,writtennoticeshouldbetenderedto theSecretary. Aby-electiontofillanyvacancyshallbeheldatthenextgeneralmeeting followingtheresignation.

 

ARTICLE 10: ASSOCIATION SLOGAN

SECTION 1:  The Association’s slogan shall be “Minamiawoewoanyo” and the general response shall be “Yesiayi”.

ARTICLE 11: DISSOLUTION

Upon the dissolution of the organization, all assets shall be distributed to the Ewe Association of Greater Boston, Charitable Foundation and or any other similar exempt purposes organization within the meaning of section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the organization is located.

 
       
         
 
 

 

“Mi na miawoe woanyo” 
“Yesiayi”

MEMBERSHIP IS OPENED TO EWES
FROM BENIN, GHANA AND TOGO
AND THEIR ASSOCIATES

 


Mr. Patrick Mancha Sossou
President Of EAGB

 

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