PREAMBLE |
| IT is resolved
that a nonprofit organization shall be formed to
create unanimity among the Maheshwaris, settled in
North America, and to set up a venue for cultural/
religious activities and exchange of ideas.
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| ARTICLE
I: NAME |
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| The
organization shall be named "Maheshwari
Mahasabha of North America", from now on referred
to as MMNA
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| ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES |
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| MMNA objectives shall be as follows:
1. Represent M aheshwari Community; sponsor
and promote their welfare and interest; assist in unification
with the mainstream of adopted homeland.
2. Enhance awareness in Maheshwari heritage
by observance of traditional customs during cultural
programs and meetings.
3. Promote social, cultural, educational
and charitable activities beneficial to community;
assist members in education, economy and commerce related
activities.
4. Reach out to communities in North America
that comprise the culture, heritage and traditions
of Marwar/Rajasthan; involve them in cultural and social
activities, and create a forum for exchange of ideas.
5. Promulgate MMNA goals and objectives
by organizing national and international conventions,
and by publication of newsletters.
6. Support philanthropic
activities, directly or in cooperation with other
organizations, by administering charities and soliciting/collecting
monetary donations. 7. Provide assistance to needy Maheshwari
students in the form of financial grants and/or loans.
8. Foster friendship and goodwill between
Maheshwaris and other communities.
9. Facilitate members' participation in
activities, which further advancements in India .
10. Promote rapport between citizens of India and
North America .
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| ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
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| Eligibility : Member shall be at
least 18 years of age and pay the membership dues in
timely manner. Members shall subscribe to MMNA objectives
and be willing to put forth efforts towards promoting
them.
Membership Dues: Membership
dues shall be as decided by the Board of Directors
(Board), and may be revised from time to time. Annual
membership dues for the calendar year - January 1 st
through December 31 st - shall be payable by March
1 st of the year.
There shall be five categories
of membership dues:
Individual, Family, Student, Life and Life-Patron
MMNA members shall also be entitled for membership
in any one Regional Chapter of their preference.
Privileges: Members shall be entitled
to the following:
• Access to MMNA sponsored functions and
activities; guests may accompany the members.
• Hold MMNA elective office.
• Nominate other members for MMNA elective
offices.
• Cast vote to elect MMNA officers.
• Start a MMNA Regional chapter.
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| ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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| Duties : |
The Board of Directors (Board) shall establish the
vision for MMNA and institute its policies. Board shall
ensure members, National Executive Committee (NEC),
and Regional Executive Committee (REC) conformance
to MMNA constitution and bylaws.
Board may propose amendment to MMNA constitution by
a two-third majority vote of the directors. The proposed
amendment shall require ratification by a majority
vote from the Life members.
Board shall have authority to oust any NEC member(s)
or dissolve entire NEC when their actions are noncompliant
with MMNA constitution; the decision shall be unanimous
by written ballot. The Board shall nominate alternate(s)
for remainder term of the ousted member(s). When NEC
is dissolved, Board shall function as NEC by assuming
the MMNAgement, and convene elections for a new NEC
at the earliest but within 90 days.
Board may assist NEC in performance of the following
MMNA activities:
• Development of prospective plans.
• Fund raising campaigns.
• Review Financial Reports.
• Acquisition and MMNAgement of assets.
• Consultation and reviews.
• Representation in special committees. |
| Structure |
| Board shall comprise one nominee from each of the REC, and immediate past president
for the NEC.
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| Eligibility |
| Only Life members
shall be eligible for nomination to the Board. They
shall not hold any other elective MMNA office during
the tenure. The following should be considered in nominating
a director for the Board:
• Prior service/contributions to MMNA and
community.
• Demonstrated dedication for service
• Availability of time that can be devoted
to MMNA.
Good standing and reputation in the community. |
| Chairperson |
| The directors shall elect one of the directors as
Chairperson for the Board. The Chairperson shall provide
leadership in formulating MMNA guidelines and conduct
of business. |
| Tenure |
| Directors shall have six (6) years tenure. Every two years, one third of the
directors shall be replaced by the nominees from the same regions. The Chairperson's
tenure shall be four (4) years, provided the term, as director does not exceed
six (6) years. |
| Meetings |
| The quorum for Board meetings shall be four (4) members. Meetings
may be conducted in person or by any other suitable means, such as, internet,
e-mail, or phone. |
| Vote |
| Members
may vote by paper ballot, electronic mail or voice
mail. Only votes received by due date shall be considered
valid.
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| ARTICLE V: THE NATIONAL
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC) |
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The
National Executive Committee (NEC) shall comprise the
following officers and members:
• President
• 3 Vice Presidents (from North-East, Mid-West
and South-East Chapters)
• General Secretary
• Joint Secretary
• Treasurer |
| Eligibility
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| Only Life
members, when nominated by three other members, shall
be eligible to seek election for an NEC office. An NEC
officer shall not retain any other position in MMNA. |
| Tenure |
| Tenure for any NEC
office shall be four (4) years. No member shall serve
the same office more than two terms and those two terms
shall not be consecutive |
| Authority/Duties
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NEC shall perform
MMNA administrative functions. It shall establish general
procedures for governing MMNA activities. The duties
shall include:
• Active participation in furthering MMNA
objectives.
• Reviewing REC activities to ensure they
do not conflict with basic MMNA objectives.
• Appointing special Councils/Committees
and initiating programs, when necessary, and terminating
them upon fulfillment of their mission.
• Proposing and adopting resolutions that
impact MMNA policies, objectives and programs. |
| President |
• Preside
at the Executive Committee meetings.
• Initiate and present plans for major
programs.
• Formulate fiscal year budget and present
to NEC.
• Facilitate or conduct national and international
conventions. |
| Vice
President |
• Organize
and administer membership enrollment.
• Coordinate with REC members.
• Develop and organize programs assigned
by the President.
• During the absence of President, when
assigned, function as President. |
General
Secretary |
| • Maintain
official MMNA records and meeting minutes.
• Communicate with members and Board on
significant matters. |
Joint
Secretary |
• Assist
General Secretary to conduct MMNA programs.
• MMNA membership development and enrollment.
• Act as General Secretary, as required. |
| Treasurer |
• MMNAge
membership dues and accounts payable.
• Present current financial statement at
each NEC meeting.
• Prepare the Annual Financial Report and
provide to President for presentation to NEC.
• MMNAge financial transactions and IRS
tax returns filing.
• Handover to Treasurer-elect signed MMNA
accounts on or before last day of the term. |
| Meeting |
The NEC shall meet
four times a year to conduct MMNA business; quorum
for the meeting shall be four (4) members. The meetings/business
may be conducted in person, or by phone, internet,
e-mail and any other suitable means. The minutes of
each meeting should be recorded and maintained.
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| ARTICLE VI: OTHER COMMITTEES |
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| Nomination and Election
Committee |
Six months prior to NEC elections,
the Chairperson shall appoint an Election Committee
consisting of two directors from the Board and three
Life members. The Election Committee shall be responsible
for obtaining nominations for the NEC and conducting
the elections. The election process shall be completed
at least four months prior to the expiration of NEC
term. The election committee shall be dissolved after
the newly elected NEC is sworn in. |
| Convention Committee |
| NEC shall, in consultation
with Chairperson, nominate a Convention committee to
organize and MMNAge conventions. Directors and NEC
members should be encouraged for participation in the
committee. Convention committee shall transfer all
related data, records and material to NEC upon completion
of the event, and be dissolved. |
| Other Committees |
NEC may form special committees, such
as, Education committee, Disaster Relief committee,
by defining their role, objectives, responsibilities,
and tenure.
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| ARTICLE VII: MMNA
FOUNDATION |
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Education
Foundation |
| An
Education Foundation shall be formed to safeguard and
MMNAge funds allocated for scholarships and education.
The BOD Chairperson and NEC President shall jointly
appoint a special committee to formulate the Foundation
guidelines and approve them. The Foundation shall operate
within these guidelines. In the event the Board and
NEC are not functioning or dissolved, the Foundation
shall immediately assume MMNA's role and continue to
operate; it shall wholly possess MMNA's name and titles,
as well as the funds and assets.
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| ARTICLE VIII: MMNA
REGIONAL CHAPTERS |
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| Formation |
A group of 50 or more
members, residing within a geographic region of North
America, may form a Regional chapter with approval
of the Board.
Regional chapters may collect from members, who attend
their functions, additional monies to defray the expenses.
Each Regional Chapter shall have a Regional Executive
Committee (REC) elected by the Chapter members for
four (4) years term. REC shall have the following officers:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
Each Regional Chapter's President shall function as
liaison to NEC.
When an REC President resigns, Vice President of that
REC shall assume the President's role and appoint a
new Vice President. In case REC President and Vice
President both resign, the Board director representing
that chapter shall, in consultation with NEC, appoint
an alternate President and Vice President for remainder
of the term.
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| ARTICLE IX: ELECTIONS |
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Election Committee shall consult with the Chairperson
and develop election plans for implementation.
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| ARTICLE X: FISCAL YEAR |
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The fiscal year shall be January 1
st through December 31 st.
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| ARTICLE XI: GUIDELINES
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The
Board, NEC, and REC, each should maintain an official
copy of approved rules, and operating instructions
and guidelines for the administration of MMNA business.
Those documents should be signed by the Chairperson
or President of the applicable committee.
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| ARTICLE XII: MAINTENANCE OF TAX-EXEMPT
STATUS |
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| Any and all MMNA activities shall be in compliance with the requirements as
stipulated in Section 501(c) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code
of 1954 (or any future corresponding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code)
for the type of tax-exempt organization described in Section 509(a) (2) of the
Code.
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| ARTICLE XIII: DISSOLUTION
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In case of dissolution, the remaining MMNA funds shall be dispersed to nonprofit
organizations in accordance with the applicable laws.
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