CONSTITUTION OF BENGALI ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA

PREAMBLE

We, members of Bengali Association of Minnesota (BAM), desirous to unite together, and therefore, do adopt this constitution and solemnly pledge ourselves to be governed by its provisions.

Article I - Name

The name of the organization shall be the Bengali Association of Minnesota (hereafter referred to as BAM) and it shall operate as a cultural and charitable NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.

Article II – MISSION

The mission of BAM is to preserve and cherish the golden era of Bengal, its philosophy, culture and traditional values for the benefit of the members. In the next 15 years period BAM want to be one of the most Reputed, Respected, Influential and Powerful ethnic organization in the United States of America.

Article III – Purpose/objectives

The purposes for which the Bengali Association of Minnesota is being organized are:

To provide a common place to celebrate Bengali Festival and Events in the Twin Cities area.
To bring into closer relationship among the members of the Bengali community in the State of Minnesota
To conduct and sponsor religious, spiritual, charitable, educational, social and cultural activities for the benefit of the Bengali Community.
To establish a library within the community that will depict and promote Bengali philosophy and culture.
To preserve and embellish Bengali traditions and cultural heritage
To teach its younger members the history and development of the Bengali philosophy and culture and to inculcate a pride of their heritage and thereby encourage their participation and involvement with our cultural activities.
To represent the culture, traditions and interest of the Bengali community to the broader Indian community in Minnesota and also to the broader community at large.
To provide the intellectual and professional service for the betterment of the common human being.

Article IV – Place of operation and Principal Office

The operations of the BAM shall be conducted principally within the State of Minnesota. At present, its principal office shall be located at the current ChairPerson (Overall Coordinator) residence address.

Article V – Duration

The duration of the BAM shall be perpetual

Article VI – Membership

Any person 18 years of age or above who subscribes to the objectives of the Bengali Association of Minnesota and abides by its by – laws and rules may qualify for membership.

Article VII – Board Members

Board of Executive Committee

All the executive powers of the BAM shall be vested in an Executive Board. The Executive committee will consist of not less than five-member and not more than seven-member team. After the election at general body meeting, President will allocate the respective portfolio to its new board members. Long range policy and planning shall be the responsibility of the entire Executive Board.

Board of Advisors

Three former presidents (Overall coordinators) will be the default members of the board of advisor. The board of Advisors may invite or include any former board members or expert intellectual from the Bengali Community. Whenever the executive committee will face any crisis or need any guidance they can seek the counsel from this Advisory Board. Should there be a decision-making crisis in the current Executive Committee, the Advisory Board can take charge on behalf of the whole community for making the final decisions through the general body meeting. Simple majority in the advisory Board may convene such extraordinary general body meeting.

Article VIII – New portfolio of BAM

As we become bigger and bigger, it is hard to maintain and serve the community with a smaller number of Board members. The following offices are created to provide and facilitate a better service to our members. At the general body meeting the Board members will be elected for a maximum period of three-year terms.

Chairperson of the Executive Board will be designated as President.
A vice-president post will be created.
Treasurer post will be kept as it is.
A secretary post will be created.
A web master post will be created to maintain the community web site and its active mailing list.
Editor post will be kept as it is.
The Chairperson of the Board shall appoint a Nominations Committee for the selection of the new board. It will consist of the existing board member/members plus three/ four member from the community. If necessary, he/she would also appoint an election officer. The responsibility of the Nomination Committee will be to conduct fair and impartial elections.

Article IX – Election

Any member who fulfills the criteria as a President or as a board member can nominate himself or herself. Members can recommend or nominate other members provided he/she has agreed with the board member’s responsibility. The Nomination Committee will "short list" the candidates and submit the final list at the general body meeting for the final approval by its honorable members.

Article X - BY–LAWS

The attached By-laws define the organizational structure of BAM and outline the procedure for carrying out the intent of this constitution.

BY–LAWS OF BENGALI ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA

Article I – Membership

I.1 Any person 18 years of age or above who subscribes to the objectives of the Community and abides by its By-laws and regulations shall be qualified to become a member of the Society.

I.2 Classification of Membership:

I.2.1 Primary members

Any Bengali individual or family who has come to the Twin-cities or the surrounding area with a desire to maintain his/her Bengali culture and abide by the above laws to fulfill a better community involvement and activities is automatically considered as a member.

I.2.2 Associate members

Any individual or family who was a member of BAM and currently live outside of Minnesota jurisdiction and has the desire to remain connected with this local community may be considered for this kind of membership. They will not have any voting rights.

Article II – Fiscal Year

II.1 The fiscal year of BAM shall begin on the first day of April and end on the last day of

March each year.

Article III – Voting

III.1. All members in good standing as defined herein above, shall be eligible to vote.

III.2. Members of a family unit e.g. husband; wife and adult children shall each have a single vote at all

Meetings of general body. Alternative rules may govern meetings of other governing bodies of the

Society or at the specially convened meetings, as provided herein elsewhere.

III.3. Each member shall be entitled to a single vote except as otherwise provided herein elsewhere.

III.4. Any member following thirty (30) days after acceptance to membership, shall be eligible to

Vote.

Article IV – General Body Meetings

IV.1. The general body of the Community shall comprise of the total membership.

IV.2. An annual meeting of the general body shall be held during the SARASWATI PUJA of each year

For the election of officers, for presentation of financial and other Committee reports and officers as provided by the By-laws elsewhere, and for transacting other business of the Society. A written

notice of such meeting, specifying the place, dates, and time of said meeting, shall be sent to all

Members by the Secretary, not less than THIRTY (30) calendar days prior to the date of such meeting.

IV.3. Any member may place an item on the agenda for discussion at any general body meeting by

sending a written notice addressed to the President of the Executive Committee, no less than TEN

(10) Calendar days prior to the date fixed for the said meeting.

IV.4. Special Meetings: the Board of Executives may convene Special meetings of the general body

or the Executive Committee at their discretion to discuss any specific topic or subject matter . A

Special meeting may also be called upon at the written request of at least 30 or 30% of the total

Membership, whichever is more, submitted no less than THIRTY (30) days prior to the

proposed date for the said meeting. No business other than those specified in the notice of the

meeting shall be transacted at any special meeting of the general body. Notice for any special

meeting shall be given in the same manner as for the annual meeting, as provided supra.

IV.5. Every member in good standing shall be eligible to vote except as otherwise provided

herein elsewhere.

IV.6. Quorum: At least 20% of the voting members in the good standing shall constitute a quorum at

any regular or special meetings of the Community. This quorum requirement, however, shall not

govern special meetings convened for the express purpose of suspension or expulsion of any

elected officer, the required quorum for said purpose being at least two-Thirds (2/3) of the

voting members in the good standing.

IV.7. All business which may properly be before the general body meeting (except those matters

regarding suspension of elected officers) shall be decided on the basis of a simple majority vote

of members present and voting, provided conditions specified in IV.6. above, shall have been

complied with.

IV.8. The order of business for annual meetings of the general body shall be determined by the

President. Rules of Order as amended, shall govern all procedures at said meetings, unless

otherwise specified herein elsewhere.

Article V – Qualification of the Board Members.

V.1 In order to be elected as President, a member has to be in the community for a minimum period of three years immediately prior to the year in which he/she seeks that office. He/she would have already taken some responsibility as an organizer in an annual community event.

V.2 In order to be elected as a member of the Executive Committee, the person has to be in the community for a minimum period of two years.

Article VI– Duties and responsibilities of the Board Members

VI.1 Person should be willing to devote some time and energy for the overall betterment of the community.

VI.2 Each member has the uttermost responsibility to keep the community stronger and united.

VI.3 Executive committee will assist to create the individual organizing committee for each festival and event. Overall, it is individual committee’s responsibility to organize the event. The President only can guide or advice for the betterment of the events. Only in crisis the executive can directly get involved in a particular event/festival.

VI.4 In the absence of the president, the vice-president will work as a president and he/she will have the authority to take the final decision on behalf of the Board members.

VI. 5 Treasurer’s responsibility is to keep the accounts clean and maintain all the records and document for the audit purpose. Once a year he and his assistant will publish the final BAM account and place them in front of the public. He/she will coordinate with President time to time for any kind of question or support. It is individual organizing committee’s responsibility to hand over the detail and summary account to Treasurer.

VI.7 Secretary will assist the to maintain the good communication among the Executive committee. He/she may assist the individual organizing committee to conduct good cultural program or activity for the betterment of the overall community.

VI.8 Web Master responsibility is to broadcast the time to time community news and work as an efficient MODERATOR for our mailing list. He/she will also maintain the community web page.

VI.9 Editor will be the overall incharge for our yearly magazine SANNIKAT and if we published any other kind of newsletter or magazine in future.

VI.10 The President will call regular meetings of the executive committee to discuss BAM affairs. At least two meetings are to be held annually. A summary of a meeting will be distributed to the public.

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BAM-AMENDMENT-I

1^st Ammendment at 2001 Saraswati Puja

Article I – Membership and Registration

I.1 Eligibility: Any person 18 years of age or more who subscribes to the objectives of the Bengali Association of Minnesota, and agrees to abide by its Constitution, By-laws and Regulations, qualifies for membership of the Association.

I.2 Classification of Membership : There will be three classes of members of the Bengali Association of Minnesota – Primary Members, Student Members and Associate Members.

I.2.1 Primary Members : An individual who normally resides in the Twin-cities or surrounding areas and qualifies for membership of the Association may apply for Primary Membership of the Association.

I.2.2 Student Members : An individual who is a full time student at an educational institution in the Twin-cities or surrounding areas and qualifies for membership of the Association may apply for Student Membership of the Association.

I.2.3 Associate Members : An individual who was a Primary or Student Member of the Association, and who presently resides outside Minnesota may apply for Associate Membership of the Association. Associate Members shall have no voting rights.

I.3 Registration and Fees : Any person who qualifies for membership of the Association may apply for membership in the registered membership form (Annexure _ to these By-Laws), and by paying the prescribed application fee and the annual membership fee. The membership form and fees may be revised from time to time as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee after obtaining approval from the General Body.

I.4 Schedule of Fees : The current application fee and registration fee are :

Membership Application Fee : $0.00

Membership Registration Fee :

Primary Membership

Individual $12.00

Family with up to 1 child $20.00

Family with more than 1 children $25.00

Student Membership

Individual $6.00

Associate Membership $0.00

I.5 Annual Renewal of Registration : All members of the Association will be required to renew their membership annually by paying the annual membership fee by the date fixed by the Executive Committee. Non-payment of the annual membership fee will result in suspension of the privileges of membership of the Association.