Article I – Name
The name of this association shall be called The Liberian Association of Michigan, and shall be located in the city of Detroit, County of Wayne, State of Michigan, U.S.A.
Article II- Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to provide charitable services to Liberians and other nationals who are members of the association.
It shall also endeavor to enhance the educational, social and economic well being of its members, as well as promote the cultural heritage of Liberia; to establish brotherhood and goodwill, and enhance understanding among Liberians and other nationals.
Article III – Membership
The organization shall have four categories of membership as defined below.
Section 1.1 - Regular Membership
All Liberians by birth, naturalization, or heritage, and all other nationals who are registered with the association, reside in the state of Michigan, and pay membership dues.
Section 1.2 – Associate Membership
Anyone who accepts the principles and objectives of this organization, and resides in the state of Michigan
Section 1.3. – Honorary Membership
Individuals who have made distinguished contributions to this association and /or mankind and have been voted by a simple majority of the members present and voting as such.
Section 1.4 – Special Membership
This category shall consist of Senior citizens, and Minors
Senior citizens (65 years and above) shall be assessed annual membership dues of half the amount assessed regular members, while minors (age 17 and below) shall be exempt from all dues.
Section 2 – Activities of Membership
2.1 - Active Membership
Regular members whose dues are current within the fiscal year and owe no accrued arrears since the registration of the association with the state of Michigan in 2001; and attend at least fifty percent of the regular meetings. Only Active members can hold elective offices, chair a Standing committee, vote in elections, or on any decisions that require a vote affecting the Association.
2.2 – Inactive Membership
Individuals in default of Section 2 (2.1)
2.3 – Excused Absence
a. - A member may submit a written request for a leave of absence from the association for the fiscal year. Members on leave of absence are those who are unable to function actively during the current year.
b. – Any written request for a leave of absence shall be addressed to the chair of the membership committee, who shall subsequently submit a copy of said request to the Secretary of the association for recording into the archives.
2.4 – Reinstatement
Upon written request of any inactive member who agrees to fulfill his/her membership obligation and pays all accrued/ delinquent dues shall be reinstated.
2.5 – Transfer of Membership
Membership in this organization is not transferable or assignable
ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS OF MEMBERS/ELECTIONS
Section 1
General meetings of the association shall be held every two months within each fiscal year. The last general meeting of each fiscal year shall be held on the first Sunday in June, and shall be designated as the official annual meeting. General elections, if any, shall be held during the annual meeting. The fiscal year of the association runs from June to June.
Section 2
Special meetings of the general membership may be called by the Executive committee or the Board of Directors; or by a signed petition of not less than seventy-five active members of the association to consider matters vital to the organization. The purpose for which the special meeting is called shall be stated in the petition.
Section 3 – QUORUM
A simple majority of Active members in attendance at any general or special meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 4
No proxy shall be given at any given meeting.
ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1
The Board of Directors shall have oversight and advisory functions in regards to the affairs of the organization. No member of the Board shall be appointed to any Standing Committee. The Board shall have no executive or administrative responsibilities, but shall have investigatory powers in regards to malfeasance or incompetence of any officer of the organization. The Board shall have powers to require any member of the Executive Committee to appear before it, or to furnish any documents that might be deemed relevant to an investigation. Any Executive Committee member, who fails to appear, or to furnish documents requested, shall be the subject of removal proceedings. The Board shall receive updates from the president on the association preceding any general or special meeting.
Section 2 – OFFICERS OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors shall compose of nine members elected by the general membership. The elected members of the Board of Directors shall elect the officers of the Board. The officers of the Board will consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary.
The President of the association shall be an unelected member of the Board, shall attend all Board meetings, but shall have no voting rights.
Section 3 – TENURE, ELECTIONS & QUALIFICATIONS
Any Active member of the general membership is eligible for election to the Board of Directors. The term of office will be for three years, except for those members elected to fill vacancies, in which case such member shall serve the remainder of the uncompleted term. No member of the Board shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. All elections will be held six months after elections for members of the Executive Committee at the annual meeting, except for special elections that may be called to fill a vacancy. All candidates for the Board shall meet a minimum one year state residency requirement.
Section 4 – DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS OF THE BOARD
4.1 – Chairman - The Chairman of the Board shall call and preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors.
4.2 – Vice Chairman – In the absence of the Chairman, or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice-Chairman will perform the duties of the Chairman.
4.3 - Secretary – The Secretary shall keep minutes of the proceedings of all Board meetings and shall be responsible for sending out notices of all meetings of the Board of Directors.
Section 5 – REGULAR & SPECIAL MEETINGS
5.1 – Regular Meetings – Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held every three months. The Chairman, thru the Secretary, shall send out notice of the time and place for the holding of meetings. Only members whose dues are current shall be eligible to vote on decisions at meetings.
5.2 – Special Meetings – Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman, or at the request of a two-thirds majority of the members of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meetings of the Board shall be given at least twenty-four hours prior to the meeting by United States Mail, Telegram, Electronic Mail (e-mail), or Telephone. .
Section 6– QUORUM
A two-thirds (2/3) majority of members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board (Regular or Special). The decisions of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting in which a quorum is present shall be the Act of the Board.
Section 7 – VACANCIES
Any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors is to be filled by a By-Election. The Chairman of the Board shall, in writing inform the Chairman of the Elections Commission within fifteen days after said vacancy occurs. The Elections Commission shall cause elections to be held at the subsequent general meeting of the association.
Section 8 – REMOVAL
Any officer or member, elected to the Board of Directors, may be removed upon recommendation of a majority of the Board of Directors, and upon approval by a majority of the general membership at a subsequent regular or special meeting of the association. Any removal must be based on acts of proved misconduct or malfeasance.
Section 9 - RECALL
Any officer of the Board may also be removed through a signed petition of a 2/3 majority of active members of the association. Any such petition must be approved by a simple majority of the active membership at any regular or special meeting.
ARTICLE VI – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1 – GENERAL POWERS
The affairs of the organization shall be managed by the Executive Committee. The officers of the Executive Committee will constitute the officers of the organization. The Executive Committee will provide updates on the affairs of the association at all Regular Board of Directors and general membership meetings.
Section 2 – NUMBER, CLASSIFICATION & DUTIES
The Executive Committee shall compose of six elected officers, who shall be Active members of the association and shall be elected by a simple majority of the active membership. The term of office will be for two years. No officer can serve for more than two consecutive terms. The officers will be, President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, and Chaplain. All candidates for the Executive Committee shall meet a minimum one year state residency requirement.
Section 3 - PRESIDENT
The President shall be the Chief Executive officer of the organization and shall, in general supervise all affairs of the organization. S/He shall preside at all meetings of the general membership and of the Executive Committee. S/He may sign, with the Treasurer of the association, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Executive Committee has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof, shall be expressly delegated by the Executive Committee to some other authorized officer or agent of the organization. The President is an ex-officio to all Standing Committees.
The President shall attend all Board meetings, but shall have no voting rights.
Section 4 – VICE PRESIDENT
In the absence of the President or in the event of his/her inability or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President of the association, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the same restrictions upon the President. The Vice President shall perform such other duties as may be assigned him/her by the President or the Executive Committee, including the chairmanship of a Standing Committee. S/he may not chair more than one Standing Committee at a time.
Section 5 – TREASURER
The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the organization; receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to the organization from any source whatsoever and deposit all such monies in the name of the association in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be selected by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall give an updated financial report at every Executive Committee meeting and every regular general membership meeting. The Treasurer may, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, serve on, or become chairman of the Budget, Finance and Investment Committee, but shall not chair more than one Standing Committee at a time.
