ARTICLE I NAME AND AREA

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be The Sudanese American Society in Connecticut.

Section 2. The area addressed by this Society shall be the entire State of Connecticut.

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

Section 1. The purpose of this Society shall be to address issues of concern to the Sudanese community of the state of Connecticut, including but not limited to public safety, education, land use, public facilities and services, commercial revitalization, social services, community image, and cultural activities. Issues shall be addressed through a variety of mechanisms, including:

(a) Providing an open forum for discussion for individuals who are concerned about the quality of life in;
(b) Acting as an advocate for concerned individuals through contact with governmental bodies and other appropriate agencies and individuals;
(c) Organizing and implementing special community and cultural events deemed of interest to North Park residents; and
(d) Gathering and disseminating information to members of the community.

ARTICLE III GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. All Association activities shall be nonpartisan and nonsectarian and shall not discriminate against any person or persons by reason of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin or sexual preference.

Section 2A. The Association shall not take part, officially or unofficially, in the election of any candidate for public office. This section shall not restrict the Association from sponsoring a candidate forum.

 

Section 2B. The Association shall not take part, officially or unofficially, in any political propaganda about issues related to the country of Sudan or any other country.

Section 3. A copy of current Association bylaws shall be available for perusal on the SASC Website and at any public meeting of the Association. A paper copy of the bylaws shall be provided at cost to any individual or organization upon request.

 

 

ARTICLE IV GENERAL MEMBERS

Section 1. General membership shall be open to all Sudanese-Americans and Sudanese Nationals currently residing permanently in the state of Connecticut.

Section 2. General membership shall be granted to an applicant upon receipt of a membership application accompanied by payment of a membership fee as provided in Article IV, Section 4.

Section 3. General members 18 and older may vote at any election of Board members of the Association. Voting privileges shall become effective in the month following the month in which a membership application is received by a member of the Executive Board. General membership and voting privileges shall terminate at such time as the criteria in Section 2 of this article are no longer met.

Section 4.1 An annual membership fee for the following membership categories shall be paid by persons applying to join or continue as general members of this Association:
Individuals.....$ 120.00

 

Section 4.2 A one time $ 20.00 Registration Fee is required and due at time of registration.


Section 5. Donations may be solicited from members and from other persons, businesses or organizations to cover expenses of Association activities.

ARTICLE V EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

Section 1. The Sudanese American Society in Connecticut Executive Board shall establish official positions and opinions for the Association as a whole.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall consist of 8 to 12 members who shall be elected to serve for fixed terms of two (2) years.

 

Section 3. A majority of the Executive Board members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 4. Board members shall be elected by vote of the Association membership (Board and general members) present at the regular meeting. If there are more candidates than seats, a secret ballot shall be used for voting. To be elected, a Board member must receive a number of votes at least equal to a majority of those persons voting. If candidates do not receive majority votes on the first ballot, the candidate receiving the fewest votes shall be dropped from the balloting and a second round of votes shall be cast for those candidates remaining who were not elected on the first ballot. This process shall be followed for further rounds as required until all seats are filled or it has been demonstrated that voters will not cast a majority of votes for any of the remaining candidates.

If there are not more candidates than seats, voting may be by acclamation of a slate.

Section 5. The Association Secretary shall be notified in writing at least 10 days prior to the meeting of any eligible voting members to be candidates for Board membership. Failure to provide the Secretary with the names of prospective candidates shall not preclude such candidates from being nominated from the floor at the general meeting.

Section 6. The list of candidates shall be published on the SASC Website and in a newsletter or a supplemental mailing to the membership prior to the election meeting.

Section 7. The third absence, within a twelve (12) month period, of a Board member from a regular meeting or Board meeting may be grounds for removal. The term of office of any member filling a vacancy so created shall be for the balance of the vacated term.

Section 8. A vacancy of the Board shall be filled through appointment by a majority vote of Board members at the Board meeting after announcing the vacancy. The term of office of any member filling a vacancy shall be for the balance of the vacated term.

Section 9. Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws, a Board member may be removed from the Board by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board members at a Board meeting, provided that the reason for such an action is in response to statements, actions or activities by the member being removed which are deemed to constitute a threat to the continued effectiveness of the Association and its Board, and provided further that the member being removed is present at the meeting or has been notified in advance that such action is being contemplated.

ARTICLE VI OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers of the Board of the Association shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary General, Vice-Secretary General, Treasurer, Vice-Treasurer, Social Secretary, Vice-Social secretary, Culture and Sport Secretary, Vice Culture and Sport Secretary, Officer, Officer.

Section 2. Officers shall serve one (2) years term.

Section 3. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Board members, using a secret ballot, at the regular meeting, immediately following election of Board members. Voting may be acclamation, rather than by ballot, if there is only one candidate for an office. Officers' terms shall begin May 1.

Section 4. Only Board members, including those newly elected at the regular meeting, shall be eligible to run for and to hold office.

Section 5. Nominations for officers may be made from the floor by any eligible Board member of the Association.

Section 6. Nomination and election for each office shall occur sequentially. A candidate nominated for one office but not elected may be nominated for another office.

Section 7. A vacancy in an office of the Board shall be filled by a majority vote of Board members at the meeting following the meeting at which such vacancy is created. The term of office of any Board member filling such a vacancy shall be for the balance of the vacated term.

Section 8. The President shall be the principal officer and shall preside over all meetings of this Association. The duties of the President may be split between a Chair of the general meeting and a Chair of the Board.

Section 9. The Vice President shall:
(a) in the absence of the President, carry out all the duties and responsibilities of the principal officer; and
(b) Maintain general membership files.

Section 10. The Secretary General shall:
(a) prepare correspondence as directed;
(b) record and maintain minutes of the actions of Association meetings; and
(c) maintain an attendance record of Board members and notify the Board of a vacancy.

Section 11. The Treasurer shall:
(a) receive all moneys to be deposited in a bank in the name of this Association;
(b) disburse all funds upon authorization from the Board;
(c) keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements;
(d) report at each Board meeting; and
(e) prepare an annual report for review by the Board and general membership in February.

 

Section 12. The Social Secretary shall:

(a)    Coordinate all social events including picnics, parties and social gatherings

(b)    

(c)     

Section 13. The Culture and Sport Secretary shall:

(a)    Coordinate all cultural and sport events

(b)   Organize a regular annual cultural event

(c)    Organize a regular annual sport event

(d)    

Section 14. The Vice-Secretary shall:

(a)    Perform all the duties of the designated secretary in the event of absence.

(b)   Assist the designated secretary in his/her duties.

 

Section 14. The above-described duties of the Board and its officers may be delegated to others upon approval by a majority vote of the Board. Whenever possible, said duties shall be performed by a Board member; otherwise, said duties shall be supervised by a Board member.


ARTICLE VII COMMITTEES

Section 1. The President shall establish committees as necessary to carry on the work of the Board and the Association. The chair of each committee shall be a member of the Association. All members are eligible to serve on committees. All committee members shall be SASC members.

Section 2. The roles and relationships of the Board and its established Committees shall be guided by the Board Guidelines on Committees, (to be discussed and adopted)

ARTICLE VIII BOARD MEETINGS

Section 1. All Board meetings shall be open to all members.

Section 2. Board meetings shall be held once a month unless otherwise designated by majority vote of the Board. Time, place and agenda of the meetings shall be published on the SASC Website and disseminated as widely as possible.

Section 3. The President of the Association shall establish a proposed agenda for each Board meeting of the Association. Board meeting agendas shall be open to input from all Association members.

ARTICLE IX GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Section 1. All general membership meetings shall be open to all members.

Section 2. In addition to the April meeting, general membership meetings shall be held to obtain input from the community at large. Time, place and agenda of the meetings shall be published on the SASC Website and in the newsletter and disseminated as widely as possible.

Section 3. The Board shall establish the agenda for each general membership meeting. General membership meeting agendas shall be open to input from all Association members.

ARTICLE X PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1. All matters not covered in these bylaws shall be governed by the most current edition of Roberts Rules of Order.

ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These bylaws may be amended at any general membership meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the combined Board and general membership present, provided that:
(a) a summary of proposed amendments were published in the newsletter or a supplemental mailing announcing the time and place of such meeting;
(b) the full text of proposed changes were made available for review at the preceding general membership or Board meeting, or in the newsletter or a supplemental mailing prior to the general membership meeting at which said vote is to take place; and
(c) said text was presented to the Board at the Board meeting prior to the general membership meeting at which said vote is to take place.