NWAHRVA:- By Laws and Constitution.

 

We, the Nigerian Women of Hampton Roads, Virginia, in the United States of America,

are fully aware of our responsibilities, to promote our culture and traditions, to enjoy the fellowship of one another, committed to and guided by a deep sense of justice and honesty, dedicated to promote the unity, progress and strength of Nigeria community, do hereby accept and adopt this constitution.  In addition, we make, enact, and give ourselves the following bylaws:

 

                                                ARTICLE 1: NAME

 

The name of this organization shall be called the NIGERIAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA, and a non-profit organization.

 

                                                ARTICLE 11: OBJECTIVES

 

The organization shall exist to:

  1. Promote social interaction among members and their families through programs that foster cohesiveness, and solidarity.
  2. Promote and organize activities for the enhancement of Nigerian cultural heritage
  3. Actively support community enrichment efforts and services in Hampton Roads
  4. Promote peace, unity, harmony and the welfare of Nigerians residing in the Hampton Roads.
  5. Promote and protect the Nigerian culture and traditions for the benefit and enlightenment of our children born and raised in the United States of America.
  6. Promote education through grants/scholarships to deserving students and schools

 

 

                ARTICLE 111: MEMBERSHIP

 

A member is a person who pays dues, attends meetings regularly, and gives financial and physical support to the effective running of the association.

 

Membership shall be open to all Nigerian women by birth or marriage or naturalization, above the age of 18.

 

Membership is also open to non-Nigerians above the age of 18, who subscribe to the objectives and vision of the organization.

 

Honorary membership shall be extended to certain individuals in Hampton Roads who show active support for the objectives of the organization.

 

 

 

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

 

Members of the organization enjoy the following privileges:

 

1.      Culturally supportive environment for members and their families

2.      Opportunities to network with members of similar associations within and outside the United States of America

3.      Opportunities to positively impact the lives of the less-privileged around the world.

 

SECTION: 1.1:VOTING

 

All members in good financial standing are eligible to vote. For a member to vote, a member must be physically present or vote by proxy during any voting exercises.

 

                                                ARTICLE 1V: REGISTRATION AND ANNUAL DUES

 

SECTION 2.1: REGISTRATION

Subject to the provision of this article, membership of the organization shall be garnered by the payment of a one-time registration fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) or such amount as the Executive Committee may elect.

 

SECTION 2.2: Annual dues

 Membership in the organization shall be maintained by the payment of annual dues in the amount of thirty dollars ($30.00) or such amount as the Executive Committee may elect, which is subject to change. This shall be paid on or before June of each year.

 

                                                ARTICLE V: STRUCTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION

 

This association shall have the following structure: the executive committee shall formulate the programs and objectives considered to be in the best interest of the association.

This committee shall be made up of the following:

  1. The president
  2. The vice president
  3. The secretary
  4. The financial secretary
  5. The treasurer
  6. The provost

 

SECTION 3.1: ELECTION OF OFFICERS

  1. All nominated officers must be regular members in good standing. She must be committed to defend, protect, and promote the welfare, the constitution, as well as the bylaws of the organization.

 

  1. the election shall be secret ballot. Such election shall be conducted at general meeting. A simple majority of votes count elects an officer.

 

3. Removal or suspension of an officer(s) from office shall be by simple majority of 

           Members present.

 

  1. Elected officers shall hold office for two years and are eligible for re-election

 

 

ARTICLE V1: DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

 SECTION 4.1: duties of the president

The president shall preside over all meeting of the association, shall call special meetings as deemed necessary. The president shall be the chief spokesperson of the association, and in consultation, with the executive committee, shall decide on matters dealing with government officials or dignitaries.

 

SECTION 4.2: Duties of the vice president

The vice president shall assist the president in the performance of all duties. The vice president shall perform all the duties when the president is unable to do so. If the president resigns or impeached or deceased, the vice president shall act as president for the remainder of the term.

 

SECTION 4.3: Duties of the secretary

The secretary shall:

  1. maintain the custody of the association’s records
  2. take accurate notes and prepare the minutes of all previous meetings prior to the start of any business meetings, and shall be accountable for producing such minutes.
  3. File original copies of all legal documents such as constitution, bylaws, reports, newsletters, approved minutes, membership roster, correspondence sent out, conferences proceedings and other publications and shall be accountable for any missing records in her possession
  4. promptly report and distribute, as appropriate, copies of correspondence, received and shall be held accountable for the steady flow of information to all members.

 

SECTION 4.4: Duties of the financial secretary

The financial secretary shall:

  1. maintain custody of the association’s financial records
  2. keep accurate detailed records on membership fees and payment of monthly dues
  3. collect and record dues at the meetings
  4. send out mails or call non paying members to remind them of past due account
  5. be required to maintain a chart of accounts to which financial statements of the association can be recorded
  6. shall work and coordinate with the treasurer on matters regarding the association financial status
  7. shall prepare and provide the association’s monthly financial reports to our auditor if need arises

 

SECTION 4.5: Duties of the treasurer

The treasurer shall:

  1. maintain custody of the association’s assets
  2. maintain books and files of receipts, disbursement. Bank deposit, bank statements, invoices, vouchers, accounts payables, and account receivables, financial reports of income, expenses, assets and liability, and shall be accountable for any and all the afore-mentioned documents
  3. deposit money received in the association’s bank account within seven (7) working days
  4. coordinate with the financial secretary in all financial matters

 

SECTION 4.6: Duties of the provost

The provost shall see to the orderly conduct of all meetings, shall permit speakers and also call them to order, except that she shall be subject to over-rule by the president. The provost shall prepare and distribute notices of meetings to members.

 

ARTICLE VII: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

 

The elected officers of the organization shall constitute the executive committee of the association. The executive committee shall, between meetings, hold periodic meetings to formulate policies, and perform those functions that are relevant and necessary for the growth of the association.

 

 

                                                ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS

 

SECTION 5.1: Time of election

The election shall be in February, and the installation of, and hand-over to a new executive committee shall take place in March of the election year. Nominations and elections shall take place in a full house meetings simultaneously. The provost shall count votes, unless the house chooses to appoint an ad-hoc returning officer.

 

SECTION 5.2: Frequency of the meeting

Meetings of the association shall be held on the last Sunday of every month, except December.

 

SECTION 5.3: Time and duration

The Nigerian Women’s Association meeting is schedule to begin at 4 pm prompt during the summer, and end not later than 6pm. During the winter, meeting is schedule to begin at 2pm and end not later than 4pm.

 

SECTION 5.4: VENUE OF MEETING

All meetings of the association shall be rotated among all members, according to a pre-determined order. Entertainment is at the absolute discretion of the hosting member. It is the responsibility of any member who is unable to host the meeting, to arrange for a swap.

 

                                                ARTICLE 1X: AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

 

Amendments to this constitution shall be submitted by any member to the president in writing, for submission to the house for discussion and vote. The vote on the amendment shall take place within 30 days of submission. A simple majority of members present shall suffice for the adoption of the amendment.

 

                                               

ARTICLE X: CODE OF CONDUCT

 

SECTION 6.1: Code of ethics

The following code of ethics shall govern the conduct of each member, and the violation of any part thereof shall be grounds for discipline or summons before the house

 

  1. A member shall subscribe, at all times, to protect and uphold this constitution and its bylaws. All members shall pursue and promote peace, unity, and harmony among all member
  2. A member shall not engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, gossip, misrepresentation or illegal conduct involving moral corruption
  3. A member, while acting as an agent of this association, shall as a duty
    1. exercise care in all her communication and dealings
    2. must separate the association’s business from other business
    3. not use her official position to obtain a special advantage for her or for someone else under the circumstances where she knows, or where it is obvious, that such action is not in the best interest of the association.

 

 

SECTION 6.2: Lateness and absenteeism

Unexcused lateness carries a fine of $5.00. Lateness starts, after the adoption of the minutes, any member who misses a general meeting without an official permission from the president or the secretary, a day in advance or in case of emergency, five hours in advance, shall be fined $5.00. Any member who misses three consecutive meetings without an excuse shall be fined six dollars per meeting missed or higher penalty as the house may decide.

 

                                                ARTICLE XII: Death of a member

 

The deceased member shall be a registered member of the organization in good financial standing.

 

SECTION 7.1: Rules governing invitations

A member can invite the association during death, christening, weddings, graduation, house- warming or any joyous occasion. This invitation shall be directed to the president or the secretary, who shall circulate the information to all members.

 

SECTION 7.2 Qualifications and privileges

For a member to be eligible to receive any of the above privileges stated in the foregoing, she must be active, up-to-date in both attendance, and fulfillment of financial obligations to the association.

 

SECTION 7.3: Wedding

Members shall contribute money to purchase a gift that will be presented to the bride and the bridegroom. If the member so desires, she can request for the association to perform a traditional dance. This could be a member’s son/daughter’s wedding.

 

SECTION 7.4: Childbirth

 The association shall organize baby showers for the mother-to-be. Upon delivery, 3 delegates shall be sent to visit with the new mother. The delegates shall present a gift. The president shall organize for individual contributions.

 

SECTION 7.5: Graduation

During the graduation of a member, her son/daughter, the association shall present a gift not more than $30.00 in value. The president shall also organize for individual contributions.

 

SECTION 7.6: Other joyous occasions

If a member invites the association during birthdays, thanksgiving, house warming, etc, the association shall not present any corporate gift, but individuals can present personal gifts as they wish.

 

NOTE:

FOR SUCH INVITATIONS TO RECEIVE ANY ATTENTION FROM THE ASSOCIATION, IT MUST BE FORMALLY AND RESPECTFULLY BE ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT OR THE SECRETARY IN A MANNER THAT CONJURES RESPECT AND FORMALITY.

 

This constitution is hereby adopted by the association on 7th day of July, and it is to be binding on all members of NIGERIAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF HAMPTON ROADS, Virginia, in the United States of America

 

 

______________________                                             ____________________

            President                                                                         Secretary

 

                                                __________________                       

                                                         Treasurer

 

 

                                                           

 

 

                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                  THE CONSTITUTION/BYE LAWS

 

                                                OF

 

NIGERIAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF

 

 

        HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA