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THE CALL TO ORGANIZE BALANTA PEOPLE WORLDWIDE: BRASSA MADA N’SAN KEHENLLI BAM’FABA – MESSAGE #3

BRASSA MADA N’SAN KEHENLLI BAM’FABA – MESSAGE #3

(He Who Knows How To Do Speaks to The Children of the Same Father – Message #3)

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N’ghala N’dang Tchimna. Abeneh Binham N’yo Wule.

In my first message to Bam’Faba after my visit to Guinea Bissau, I stated:

“Balanta are more United than ever before! We are calling all Balanta descendants in America to join the Balanta B’urassa History & Genealogy Society in America.

We are calling all Balanta in the North, South, East and West of Guinea Bissau to work as Bam’Faba.

There are still more Balanta in South and Central America as well as in the Caribbean. Soon we will be calling them.

This is a historic moment in the history of Balanta people.

We have a great task to accomplish right now. We must produce a development plan for the Balanta people in Guinea Bissau.”

We agreed on the following process to ensure the development of all Balanta people in Guinea Bissau:

1.      Each local Balanta community will determine its priority needs and make a full, detailed report and submit it to section coordinators.

2.      Section Coordinators will collect all local reports and submit them to the Regional Coordinator.

3.      The Regional Coordinator will collect all sectional reports and submit them to the Bam’Faba Coordinating Council.

In this way, for the first time ever, Balanta people in Guinea Bissau will have a national development plan.

In my second message to Bam’Faba, I stated:

During our initial meeting in Guinea Bissau, I requested two things.  1) a map of Balanta villages with some basic demographic information; and 2) a song, in K’rassa, that was easy to learn that we could use as an anthem to unite us.

Now, as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, our development efforts have been focused on sending emergency food aid relief.  

We sent an Open Letter to the United States Congress, The Congressional Black Caucus, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

We donated $500 to the food distribution efforts of Tadja Fomi.

We sent $1,000 for food distribution in Tchokman village

We sent another $1,000 for food distribution for Samodje, Sintcham and Tande in Ingoré, Bígene sector.

Following this we will proceed to Quibat in Tombali region, the east into Bafata region and back to Fanhe and Encheia in Oio region.

In this way we will begin to help all Balanta communities in north, south, east, west and central Guinea Bissau.

After conversations with Camais Blinque Nafanda, José Nafafé and Iemna N’fade, we realized

IT IS NOW TIME TO DEVELOP THE GLOBAL BAM’FABA COUNCIL

One organizational structure of Binham B’rassa to take responsibility for the development of all Balanta People Worldwide

The Global Bam’Faba Council will be structured as follows:

1.       Bam’Faba Coordinating Council – consists of Bam’Faba Central (Guinea Bissau) and Bam’Faba Global

2.       Bam’Faba Central (Guinea Bissau) – consists of 9 Administrative Regional Coordinators, 39 Sector coordinators, and as many Village Coordinators as necessary.

3.       Bam’Faba Global – consists of Coordinators for North, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Under each Continental Coordinator will be a Country Coordinator, and under each Country Coordinator will be City Coordinators.

Our single objective is to develop a Balanta National Development Plan for Guinea Bissau, finance it and complete its projects.  The Global Bam’Faba Council is not a political organization, it is a development organization.

In order for The Bam’Faba Coordinating Council to function effectively, information needs to be shared with every Balanta person in the world. This is the reason for the structure of the communications network.

Messages will be sent to and from Bam’Faba Coordinating Council through the Bam’Faba Central (Guinea Bissau) and Bam’Faba Global Continental Coordinators, who will then send the messages to the Country Coordinators, who will then send the messages to the City Coordinators and Village Coordinators. Likewise, information from Balanta communities throughout the world, including the most rural villages, will be sent through the Village Coordinators to the City Coordinators to the Country Coordinators to the Continental Coordinators to the Bam’Faba Coordinating Council. In this way, every Balanta is part of Bam’Faba.

What needs to be done now?

1.       Balanta people in each city around the world need to organize and centralize themselves by conducting a census and select or recognize someone as their City Coordinator. Do not make this a complicated or contentious process. Anyone who takes initiative, who has good organization and communication skills and regular access to internet, Facebook, Messenger and WhatsApp, who can respond to timely messages, is eligible to serve as a City Coordinator. Anyone who wants to be a City Coordinator must be able to conduct a Balanta City Census to identify how many Balanta there are in the city and communicate with most of them. When this is done, when a City Coordinator, has conducted a reasonable account of the Balanta population in that city and submits it to Bam’Faba Coordinating Council, that city and the Coordinator will be listed on the Bam’Faba Global list.

2.       We need to complete the Bam’Faba Central Map. Anyone who can contribute by listing Balanta villages and their location to the nearest cities should do so.

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The Global Bam’Faba Council will use its connections to identify Village Coordinators in Guinea Bissau who will communicate the priority needs and make a full, detailed report and submit it to the section coordinators. When all communities have done this and all reports have been submitted up the network to the Bam’Faba Central, we will then submit this Balanta National Development Plan to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for US $1 million in development funding.

This is the work that the government of Guinea Bissau is supposed to do. But Balanta people will not wait for them; Balanta people will do it themselves. In so doing, Balanta people will set an example for all people in Guinea Bissau and throughout Africa.

Consider now why this is so important. As stated in my first message to Bam’Faba:

1.       According to Toby Green (Guinea Bissau: ‘Micro-State’ to “Narco-State’) total external investment in Guinea Bissau reached a high of US $46 million in 2014 but fell to just US$12 million by September of 2015. How much of that reached rural Balanta communities?

2.       USAID, the greatest source of foreign investment in the world, has no office in Guinea Bissau, and there is no direct assistance program from the economic superpower to Guinea Bissau.

3.       In 2001 the total from the Economic Support Fund and the Special Self-Help Fund to Guinea Bissau was $250,000. In 2002 it was just $20,000.

4.       The United States lacks a permanent diplomatic presence in Guinea Bissau. They have only a small Bissau Liaison Office with 14 local staff (including seven security guards and two drivers). USAID, CDC, DoD, DOS, USCG and USDA each manage programs in Guinea Bissau from Dakar.

5.       On September 13, 2018, The U.S. Department of State issued its Integrated Country Strategy report for Guinea Bissau to help “integrate Guinea Bissau into the greater regional and global economy and promote institutional governance and the rule of law within its borders” and “develop a mature diplomatic and economic partnership with Guinea Bissau.”

6.       Specifically, Objective 3.2 of the Report details its goal to improve the Health of the Population of Guinea Bissau. Objective 3.3 details its goal to improve Education, Training, and Leadership for Bissau-Guinean Children and Youth.

7.       The report states that the US State Department seeks “Broad USG engagement . . . with public . . . and Private (e.g. NGO’s, the media) stakeholders at the national and sub-national level . . . .”

8.       Since 1970, Africare has been the most experienced and largest African American led non-profit international development organizations and leaders in development assistance to Africa. Since their founding in 1970, Africare has delivered more than $1 billion in assistance to tens of millions of men, women and children across the African continent.

9.       While on an official mission to the U.S. in the spring of 1988, the late President of Guine-Bissau, Joao Bernardo Vieria, visited Africare headquarters in Washington D.C. and asked the organization to support the people of Guinea-Bissau in its development efforts. A grant from USAID allowed Africare to quickly respond to President Viera’s request and implement a pilot PL 480, Title II program to promote the development of the local communities.

10.   In September of 1988, the Guinea-Bissau government approved the juridical position of Africare as a non-government international development organization. Since then Africare expanded its interventions nation-wide, having marked a strong and respectful presence in the country by implementing development and humanitarian programs. Assistance provided included agricultural production and food security, communities’ managerial skills training, literacy, nutritional education, health and HIV & AIDS, development of infrastructure (roads, foot bridges, community health posts, wells, rural marketplaces and village schools), legalization, organizational capacity building, and credit. Special emphasis was placed on women and youth participation and agricultural product diversity as two important activities for providing employment and skills enhancement for income-generation. While many regions in Guinea-Bissau benefitted from Africare assistance, this assistance was impeded by the status of insecurity that prevailed in the country, rendering it difficult for development activities and forcing Africare to phase-out of Guinea-Bissau in 2003.

11.   In February 2010, Africare responded to a Requested for Application (RFA) posted by UNHCR and was subsequently selected to receive funding to assist the Senegalese refugees hosted in Guinea-Bissau since 1992. After providing 45,000 Senegalese refugees with assistance in farming, microenterprise development, health and primary education, Africare phased out of Guinea-Bissau once again in December in 2010.

12.   Thus, is the status of previous development initiatives by USAID and African Americans.

13.   On January 22, I receive the following message from E. Rose Custis, Cultural Affairs Officer at the Embassy of the United States of America for Senegal and Guinea Bissau:

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14.       With the recent recognition of the Balanta B’urassa History & Genealogy Society in America (BBHAGSIA) by the United States Government as a 501c3 non-profit organization eligible to work with USAID, as well as with the recent success of the BBHAGSIA President’s Mission to Guinea Bissau and the Goodwill shown by the Balanta communities, the people of Guinea Bissau, the media in Guinea Bissau, and especially the Ministry of Sport, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Tourism, along with the National Research Institute, Amilcar Cabral University, and Lusofona University, and the Mayor of Cacheu, the BBHAGSIA is now in position to become the premiere development channel between the United States and Guinea Bissau.

15.       Unlike the previous initiatives which were not initiated by the communities themselves, the Bam’Faba Development Plan represents the first ever national development plan conceived by the local communities themselves. This plan will serve as an example to the other ethnic groups.

16.       Should the other ethnic groups follow the example of the Bam’Faba Development Plan, the people themselves will have provided the government of Guinea Bissau with both the national development plans and the foreign development aid from USAID and other such donor institutuions in America. This, then is a new model for development planning in Africa and Guinea Bissau can serve as an example for all of Africa.

17.       It is for this reason, then, the most important objective of Balanta people right now in Guinea Bissau is to conduct and complete the local development assessment reports with all due speed and thoroughness.

18.       With such a plan and with all Balanta united, we will not need to depend on donor funding to complete small projects step-by-step. Donor funding is useful, but we, the Balanta people must achieve our development goals with or without it.

Listen now to the words of His Imperial Majesty, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I on Development Planning:

“Our concern is with the many and not the few.” H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, November 3, 1966

“The ownership of a plot of land must be brought within the capacity of everyone who so desires.”     H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, November 3, 1966

“It is Our task and responsibility, as it is of Our Government, to transform these objectives into coherent, acceptable and realistic legislative and financial programmes and to see to their accomplishment. If this is done, the duty owed to the Ethiopian nation and people will be discharged. To succeed will require the single-minded, tenacious, and unselfish dedication of each one of us.”      H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, November 3, 1966.

“In this noble task each one of Our people, men and women, young and old, rich and poor, able and disabled, has a role to play and We are sure Our Empire will march ahead towards prosperity and progress through united efforts of all Our citizens.”    H.I.M Haile Selassie I, July 7, 1964

“Even assuming, however, that the will and the desire exist, there remains the immensely difficult and complex task of organizing the nation’s energies and resources and directing them in a well-conceived and fully integrated fashion to the achieving of carefully studied and clearly defined ends.”     H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, November 4, 1967

“In Ethiopia, increased emphasis is currently being given to the concept and function of planning.”   H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, November 4, 1967

“Planning ensures a simultaneous accomplishment of developmental projects with a view to achieving accelerated progress, thus avoiding wastage of financial resources, labour and time.”    H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, March 23, 1966.

“As has already been manifested by your endeavours the people themselves must come to realize their own difficulties in the development of their community and try to solve them by collective participation following an order of priority and taking their potentiality into account.”     H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, January 12, 1963

“When people express their felt needs, these have to be formulated into plans.”       H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, July 7, 1964

“ . . . Any plan which does not have the proper personnel to execute it will remain a mere plan on paper.”     H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, July 2, 1963

“We prepare development plans for our country with the understanding that our people will take an active and substantial part in carrying out the plans to successful conclusions.”             H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, January 1, 1967

“Every Ethiopian has a social obligation to contribute as much as possible in financial, material or physical aid for road construction and other projects which add to the progress of the country.”   H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, January 1, 1967

“Self-help thus is the quintessence of community development programmes. It is, therefore, essential that initiative and desire for improvement should emanate from the people and not be superimposed from outside. It is of course the primary task of community development workers to motivate and stimulate the people to cross barriers of apathy and helplessness.”     H.I.M. Haile Selassie, July 7, 1964

“The key to the attainment of any goal lies in one’s ability to learn to direct one’s objectives towards clearly defined ends and to pursue them in an orderly, rational and coordinated fashion. The means which modern economic philosophy have devised for the attainment of such goals is the preparation of long-term projects and plans and their execution to the extent possible.”             H.I.M Haile Selassie I, November 3, 1968

“Our utmost interest now is focused upon economic development. It is quite necessary for those of you who have studied economics to be masters of your art in using both in private life as well as in the service of the government which you are serving.”                              H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, December 20, 1963

“Let us not, however, be misled. The preparation of an economic plan is only half the task, and perhaps not even that. The real test comes in the implementation, and here even the best of plans can be subverted and destroyed. Once an overall economic plan is adopted, the nation’s budget must be tailored to the implementation of the plan. Individual development projects must be fitted into the priorities established in the plan. Haphazard and ill-coordinated economic activity must be avoided at all costs. Investment must be controlled and directed as the plan dictates. And, most important, all of this must be accomplished in a coordinated and efficient fashion. The responsibility of the plan does not rest upon any single ministry or department; it is a collective responsibility, shared by all development ministries concerned with economic and social development, indeed by all departments and officials.”                          H.I.M Haile Selassie I, November 4, 1967.

“If Our aims and objectives are to be realized, each one of us must labour and assume his share of responsibility for the progress and prosperity of the nation. If We do so, We are satisfied that acceptable results will follow.” H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, March 23, 1966

“This is the new attitude which must be encouraged: the communal as opposed to the individual approach, the spirit of working together that all may benefit.”                                                  H.I.M Haile Selassie I, November 4, 1967

“What Our country needs now is an increase in the supply of trained and skilled manpower, men, of professional integrity.”    H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, July 16, 1969

“We need well-qualified people who are proud of being Ethiopians; people who are proud of being Africans; people who are prepared to execute the plans that have already been envisioned.”  H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, July 2, 1963

If this is true for the Ethiopian, who defeated the Italian invaders, this is also true of the Balanta, who defeated the Portuguese colonizers.

Finally, these are the words of Amilcar Cabral:

“THE STRUGGLE UNITES, BUT IT ALSO SORTS OUT PERSONS, the struggle shows who is to be valued and who is worthless. Every comrade must be vigilant about himself, for the struggle is a SELECTIVE PROCESS; the struggle shows us to everyone, and show who we are. . . . .We are making an effort for the unworthy to improve, but we know who is worthy and who is not worthy; we even know who may tell a lie. . . . There are others of whom some are afraid, because they know that their only merit is the power they wield. . . . Whether we like it or not, the struggle operates a selection. Little by little, some pass through the sieve, others remain. . . . Only those will go forward who really want to struggle, those who in fact understand that the struggle constantly makes more demands and gives more responsibilities and who are therefore ready to give everything and demand nothing, except respect, dignity, and the opportunity to serve our people correctly. . . But for a struggle really to go forward, it must be organized and it can only really be organized by a vanguard leadership. . . . Leadership must go to the most aware men and women, whatever their origin, and wherever they come from: that is, to those who have the clearest concept of our reality and of the reality that our Party wants to create. We are not going to look to see where they come from, who they are and who their parents are. We are looking only at the following: do they know who we are, do they know what our land is, do they know what our Party wants to do in our land? Do they really want to do this, under the banner of our Party? So they should come to the fore and lead. Whoever is most aware of this should lead. We might be deceived today, or deceived tomorrow, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating, it is practical experience which shows who is worthy and who is not. . . . Our struggle demands enlightened leadership and we have said that the best sons and daughters of our land must lead. . . .So far as we are able to think of our common problem, the problems of our people, of our own folk, putting in their right place our personal problems, and, if necessary, sacrificing our personal interests, we can achieve miracles. . . . It is not enough to say ‘I am African’ for us to say that person is our ally: these are mere phrases. We must ask him frankly: ‘Do you in fact want the independence of your people? Do you want to work for them? Do you really want our independence? Are you really opposed to Portuguese (American) colonialism? Do you help us? If the answers are yes, then you are our ally. . . . We can only genuinely achieve what we want in our land if we form a group of men and women who are strong, able not to cheat their comrades and not to lie, able to look their comrades straight in the eye . . . .”

The struggle now is for the development of the people of Guinea Bissau and Balanta must take responsibility for the well-being of Balanta people and set an example for the rest of the people of Guinea Bissau.

Balanta B'urassa History & Genealogy Society in America By-Laws

BY-LAWS

OF

BALANTA B’URASSA HISTORY & GENEALOGY SOCIETY IN AMERICA

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ARTICLE I NAME

 

The name of this organization shall be known as: BALANTA B’URASSA HISTORY & GENEALOGY SOCIETY IN AMERICA, a tax exempt 501 (c) 3 corporation under the appropriate laws of the State of Missouri and the Internal Revenue Service.

 

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

The corporation is formed for the following purpose(s): Balanta B’urassa History and Genealogy Society in America is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including the study of Balanta B’urassa-Ancestral family history, genealogy, and cultural history, under section 501c (3) at the Internal Revenue Code or any corresponding section of any future federal tax code and shall include:

 

Section 1. To encourage descendants of the Balanta B’urassa in America involvement in the study and preservation of family history and genealogy.

Section 2. To emphasize the value and importance of family genealogy and history research to future generations.

Section 3. To educate the community through outreach seminars and workshops to acknowledge the rich cultural heritage of Balanta B’urassa people.

Section 4. To develop, recognize, transcribe, create, produce and publish educational materials on Balanta B’urassa history.

Section 5. To establish a Balanta B’urassa Cultural Heritage Corridor as a National Heritage Area

 

ARTICLE III ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

 

Section 1. The Organization shall consist of persons of Balanta B’urassa ancestry regardless of creed, religion, age, gender, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation or disabling condition who have met the membership requirements prescribed herein.

Section 2. The Organization shall consist of individuals who pay the designated dues annually.

 

ARTICLE IV BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 1. General Powers: The affairs of the Organization shall be managed by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Directors: The number of Directors of the Organization shall be no less than seven (7). Organization members shall be eligible for elected office at the end of their first year of financial membership.

a) Elections shall be held every two years beginning in December 2011. Officers (President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary) and Committee Chairs (History, Genealogy and Media) shall serve a term of two (2) years and shall take office in January of the following year.

b) The membership of the Board of Directors shall be diverse in the areas of gender, religion, expertise and other areas to assure its accountability to the community.

The directors of the Organization shall serve without compensation and shall be generally regular in attendance at board and membership meetings.

No board member or family member of a board member shall own or acquire any personal interest in any property, contract, or proposed contract of the agency while serving as a member of the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Vacancies: In case of the death, removal, or resignation of one or more of the directors, a majority of the surviving or remaining directors may fill the vacancy or vacancies until the successor or successors are elected at the next regular annual meeting. If a Director is absent for three (3) consecutive meetings without a reasonable excuse they shall be deemed unable to serve as a Director and shall be removed from office by a majority vote of the Board.

 

ARTICLE V DUTIES OF OFFICERS

 

Section 1. Officers.

1. President. The President shall serve as Chair of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating and election committees and shall appoint Committee Chairs. Shall guide the implementation of programs which have been approved by the membership; shall recommend to the membership changes in programs and procedures; shall present the Organization annual report; countersign checks drawn on the treasury; shall receive reports on activities of the various committees. Shall create any Ad-hoc Committees deemed necessary for an orderly function of the Organization’s business. Shall perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Committee or the Organization.

2. Vice President. The Vice President shall serve as the Chair of the Development Committee and preside in the absence of the President. He/she shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the President’s absence. This officer may perform other duties as may be assigned by the President and/or Board.

3. Secretary. This officer shall maintain a record of the proceedings of the organization and shall provide a draft of the minutes to the President within 2 weeks of the meeting and shall provide a copy of the minutes of the previous meeting at each Executive Committee and Organization meeting. Shall write all correspondence authorized by the President. This officer shall countersign with the President and Treasurer all checks and requisitions for the disbursement of organization funds; and shall perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Committee or the Organization.

4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the organization and serve as the Chair of the Finance Committee. This officer shall countersign with the President and Secretary all checks and requisitions for the disbursement of organization funds; shall provide financial statements as often as required, but at least quarterly, to the Executive Committee and Organization members. The Treasurer’s books may be subjected to audit as required, and shall

be open for public review. Shall perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Committee or the Organization.

 

ARTICLE VI COMMITTEES

 

Committee of Directors: The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of directors in office, may designate one (1) or more committees of the Board, each of which shall consist of one (1) or more directors as specified in the resolution, which committee shall have and exercise the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the Organization to the extent designated by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that in no event shall any committee (1) authorize distributions to members, directors, officers, agents or employees except in exchange for value received; (2) approve or recommend to members dissolution, merger or the sale, pledge or transfer of all or substantially all of the Organization’s assets; (3) unless otherwise stated in the Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation of the Organization, elect, appoint or remove directors or fill vacancies on the board or on any of its committees; (4) adopt, amend or repeal the Articles or Bylaws; or (5) perform any other act that is prohibited by the Missouri Nonprofit Corporation Act (see Ramos §355.001 et seq.).

The designation of such committees and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the Board of Directors, or any individual director, of any responsibility imposed upon it or them by law.

The Chair shall recruit members to serve on the Committee with expertise in the area of responsibility of the Committee. At the discretion of the Chair, Committees may meet at a time and place so designated by the Chair or by teleconference or electronic mail (e-mail).

Each Committee shall be provided a written description which clearly defines the Committee’s responsibilities.

 

ARTICLE VII MEETINGS AND QUORUMS

In order to conduct Organization business, the following will be necessary:

 

Section 1. The Board of Directors meetings shall be held at least quarterly. The time and place of the meetings shall be determined by the Executive Committee.

Section 2. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of at least 5 regular members and should include at least one officer. A quorum must be present before any issue is voted upon.

Section 3. The Annual Meeting shall be held in December of each year.

Section 4. Regular meetings of the general membership shall be held at a time and place determined by the Executive Committee.

Section 5. Annual and Special meetings may by notification of all financial members, at least fourteen (14) days prior to meeting date.

Section 6. A quorum for Annual and Special meetings of the financial members shall consist of any number of duly notified members in attendance. Action may be taken by a majority of those in attendance.

 

ARTICLE VIII NOMINATION, ELECTIONS, TERMS OF OFFICES, AND VACANCIES

 

Section 1. Nominating and Election Committees. The Nominating Committee, consisting of 3 members, and the Election Committee, consisting of 3 members, shall be appointed by the membership at the Annual Meeting.

Section 2. Nominations. Nominations for Officers and Chairs may be submitted to the Nomination Committee prior to the election or may be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting.

A. The nomination committee shall distribute a list of all known candidates for office(s) at least two (2) weeks prior to the election and will accept nominations from the floor.

B. The nomination committee shall present the slate of nominees for all positions to the general membership at the Annual Meeting.

Section 4. Term of Office.

1. All officers shall take office on January 1 of the year following their election.

2. The term of office for all elected officers shall be two (2) years or until their successors are elected.

3. Each elected officer shall maintain the appropriate files, records and documentation pertaining to their respective office and shall deliver all files, records, and documentation to his/her successor upon vacating his/her office.

 

Section 5. Vacancy.

1. When an office is vacated prior to the end of term that office may be declared vacant, for cause, upon recommendation by the President and Executive Committee.

2. Vacancies shall be filled by the President who shall appoint a temporary officer to complete the term.

3. Any office may be declared vacant, for cause, upon recommendation of the Executive Committee and a special meeting shall be called pursuant to Article VII, Section 5 to fill the vacancy.

 

ARTICLE IX DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

Section 1. The fiscal year shall be from 1 January to 31 December inclusive.

Section 2. The Organization dues shall be set by the Board annually and are payable in January. Dues are payable at the time of joining for new members.

Section 3. Finances of this Organization are to be used solely for expenses involved in pursuing the goals and objectives of the organization.

Section 4. The Organization accounts shall have the name of the President, Treasurer and Secretary registered, with the requirements that at least two (2) signatures shall be necessary for all disbursement activities.

Section 5. All financial liabilities incurred by this Organization shall remain the responsibility of this Organization. To ensure this end, the Finance Committee shall have the responsibility of determining when additional assessments are necessary to cover the cost of Organization business that exceeds the treasury.

Section 6. All financial reports shall be in writing and submitted to the Organization membership for acceptance.

Section 7. The Organization shall keep current, accurate, complete books and records of accounts, and minutes of the proceedings of its members. An annual audit will be performed to ascertain the accuracy and integrity of the books and records.

 

ARTICLE X EXPULSIONS, TERMINATIONS, OR REMOVALS

The Executive Committee upon member notification of reason can rescind consent of membership or affiliation.

 

Section 1. Removal:

1. If an officer fails to function adequately, the President, with the concurrence of the Board, may advise her/him, in writing that she/he will have thirty (30) days to explain such failure or declare his/her intentions to do so.

2. Failure to respond within thirty (30) days will result in immediate removal.

3. The Executive Board reserves the right to determine whether the explanation is or is not acceptable in the event that a response is received within the thirty (30) days.

4. If a Director is absent for three (3) consecutive meetings without a reasonable excuse they shall be deemed unable to serve as a Director and shall be removed from office by a majority vote of the Board.

 

Section 2. Conflict of Interest

Any officer or committee member having an interest in a contract, other transaction or program presented or discussed by the Board or Board committee for authorization, approval, or ramification shall make a prompt, full and frank disclosure of his or her interest to the Board or committee prior to its acting on such contract or transaction. Such disclosure shall include all relevant and material facts known to such person about the contract or transaction, which might reasonably be constructed to be averse to the Organization’s interest. The body to which such disclosure is made shall there upon determine, by majority vote, whether the disclosure shows that a conflict of interest exists, or can reasonably be construed to exist. If a conflict is deemed to exist, such person shall not vote on, nor use his or her personal influence on, not be present during the discussion, or deliberations with suspect to respond to, such contract or transaction (other than to present factual information or to respond to questions prior to the discussion). The minutes of the meeting shall reflect the disclosure made, the vote thereon and, where applicable, the abstaining from voting and participation.

 

 

ARTICLE XI RULES OF PROCEDURE

Rules of procedure as stated in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the Organization except as otherwise provided herein.

 

ARTICLE XII LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

Section 1. Fiscal Responsibility. No member of this Organization shall have authority or power to impose or incur financial liability on the part of the Organization without the express authority of the Board.

Section 2. Distribution of Assets and Properties. There shall be no general distribution of monetary property assets to members or officers of the Organization, and all gains realized shall be devoted solely to the implementation of the objectives of the Organization. No member or officer shall be personally liable to the creditors of the Organization for indebtedness of liability and any and all creditors shall look only to the assets of the Organization for payment.

Section 3. Dissolution Clause. The Board of Directors may dissolve the Balanta B’urassa History and Genealogy Society in America only with authorization given at a special meeting called for that purpose and with subsequent approval by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active members. Upon dissolution or other termination of the Balanta B’urassa History and Genealogy Society in America’s remaining assets after payment in full of all its debts, obligations, and necessary final expenses, or after the making of adequate provisions therefore, shall be distributed to a non-profit organization in education, religion, or such tax exempt organization with the purpose similar to those of Balanta B’urassa History and Genealogy Society in America.

 

ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS

These by-laws may be amended or altered by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the regular financial members present at any regular or special meeting of the Organization. The proposed amendments must be presented to the membership or to all members in writing thirty (30) days in advance of any vote. Any amendment acted upon shall become effective immediately provided the quorum requirements of Article VII, section 5 are met.

 

ARTICLE XIV GENERAL PROVISIONS

a. INUREMENT OF INCOME: No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, directors, officers or other private persons except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered.

b. LEGISLATIVE OR POLITICAL ACTIVITIES: No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be involved in the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the corporation shall not participate in or intervene (including the publishing or distribution of statements) in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

c. OPERATION LIMITATIONS: Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law) or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170( c )(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

 

ARTICLE XV RATIFICATION

These bylaws become effective upon ratification of the regular financial members present at the Annual Meeting provided the quorum requirements of Article VII, Section 5 are met.

 

Adopted on this third day of December 2019