BAMLaws02

CONSTITUTION OF BENGALI ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA

PREAMBLE

We, members of Bengali Association of Minnesota (BAM), desire 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 or the Association) and it shall operate as a cultural and charitable NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.

Article II – Mission-statement

"The mission of the Bengali Association of Minnesota is to preserve and cherish the heritage, philosophy, culture and traditional values of Bengal. BAM seeks to be a reputed and respected organization in the United States of America."

Article III – Goals and objectives

The purpose of the Bengali Association of Minnesota is:

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 community in the State of Minnesota and elsewhere.
To conduct and sponsor religious, spiritual, charitable, educational, social and cultural activities for the benefit of the Community.
To promote an understanding of the history and development of Bengali philosophy and culture among the younger members.
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.

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 President’s residence address.

Article V – Duration

The duration of the BAM shall be perpetual.

Article VI – Membership

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

Article VII – Administration

The executive power of the BAM shall be vested in an Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will consist of five members: PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, TREASURER AND TWO OTHER MEMBERS. After the election as per Article VIII, the President will allocate portfolio to the other members. Long range policy and planning shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee.

Article VIII – Election

Any member who fulfills the criteria as a President or as an Executive Committee member can nominate himself or herself. Members can recommend or nominate other members provided a nominee agrees with the Executive Committee member’s responsibility.

The incumbent Executive Committee will appoint an Election Committee for the selection of the new Executive Committee. It will consist of two executive committee members and three other members from the community. The responsibility of the Election Committee will be to solicit nominations for the next executive committee and to select a maximum of two nominees for each position. The Election Committee will submit its recommendation at the general body meeting for final approval by its members and conduct the election. The term of office is 2 years. A member can be re-elected only for an additional 2-year consecutive term.

Article IX - 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 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.

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.

Article III – Voting

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

III.2. Each member shall be entitled to a single vote except as otherwise provided herein elsewhere.

III.3. A member shall be eligible to vote thirty (30) days after acceptance to membership,

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 and the presentation of financial and other Committee reports and officers as provided by the By-laws elsewhere for the transaction of other business of the Society. A written notice of such meeting, specifying the place, dates and time shall be sent to all Members by the President, not less than THIRTY (30) calendar days prior to the date of the meeting.

IV.3. A member may place an item on the agenda for discussion at the general body meeting by sending a written notice addressed to the President no less than TEN (10) Calendar days prior to the date fixed for the said meeting.

IV.4. Special Meetings: The Executive Committee may convene Special meetings of the general body to discuss any specific topic or subject matter. A Special meeting may also be called upon at the written request of at least 30 members 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.

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 uspension 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 issues which are placed before the general body meeting for final decision (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.

IV.9 Amendment: Any proposal for the amendment to the Constitution must be submitted in writing/email to the Executive committee not less than 30 days before the general body meeting. For a proposal to pass two-third (2/3) of the membership shall vote in favor of the proposal.

Article V – Qualification of the Committee Members.

V.1 To be elected President, a member shall live in the twin city’s 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 shall live in the community for a minimum period of one year.

Article VI– Duties and responsibilities of Executive Committee and Members

VI.1 BAM is a Non-Profit organization. All services to BAM are VOLUNTARY.

VI.2 Person should be willing to devote time and energy for the betterment of the community.

VI.3 Each member has the utmost responsibility to keep the community stronger and united.

VI.4 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.5 In the absence of the President, the vice-president will work as the president.

VI. 6 Treasurer will be responsible for the maintenance of the accounts and documents for the audit purpose. Once a year the Treasurer will publish the final BAM account and place them in front of the public. It is individual organizing committee’s responsibility to hand over the detail and summary account to Treasurer. The treasurer will provide financial report to the executive committee at each of its meetings.

VI.7 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.