IAN By-Laws

INDIA ASSOCIATION OF NEBRASKA
Bylaws
PREAMBLE

Mission Statement

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the understanding of the culture and languages of the Indian Subcontinent (alternately India). The Association shall offer programs and services that help promote the awareness of Indian heritage and recognition of its contribution to the North American society. The Association will also direct its effort to promote unity and a higher level of affinity between the members of the Indian community in Nebraska.

These efforts will also include activities, which allow assimilation and adoption of the Indian community members in their present environment. The India Association of Nebraska as the representative organization of the Indian community in Nebraska will cooperate and participate with other humanitarian organizations in the state of Nebraska in providing community service.

The India Association of Nebraska will be a non-profit organization and shall not participate in political and/or religious activities.

MEMBERSHIP

Persons, interested in the language and culture of India will have the right to membership in the Association. The Association shall be absolutely non-discriminatory as to member's race, religion, sex, or national origin.

Types of Membership

1) Membership, 2) Family membership, 3) Student membership, 4) Senior membership, 5) Life membership.

Dues

Dues for the membership classification outlined above shall be determined by the Executive Committee and shall be payable yearly with the exception of life membership.

OFFICERS

The Executive Officers of this Association shall be President, President Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers will be elected by a simple majority of the members present at the time of annual elections. A Board of Directors consisting of 5-7 members will be elected with staggered office terms of 2-3 years. President and President Elect shall serve as ex-officio members with voting privileges.

Eligibility

A member to be eligible for the election of office must have been an active member for a minimum of one year.

Method of Election

All officers, except for the chairpersons of the standing committees, shall be elected by ballot at the annual election meeting. A simple majority of those members present will constitute a majority.

OFFICERS

Elections and Term of Officers

All officers will be elected annually as described above. In general, all officers shall hold office for a term of one year. The President and President Elect are not eligible for re-election for a period of 3 years. All other officers are eligible for re-election.

Removal

The Executive Committee may fill any vacancies in an office for the unexpired portion of the term of such office.

President

The President shall be the titular head of the organization. He/She shall be responsible for the organization and be the primary spokesperson. He/She may designate any of the responsibilities on an ad hoc basis to the other members or officers of the society. The President shall appoint the chairperson of the standing committee in consultation with the membership committee.

President Elect

The President Elect will assume the office of the President one year after his/her election to the office. The President Elect shall succeed the President if the President does not serve his/her term for any reason. The President Elect shall also preside at all functions in the absence of the President.

Secretary

The Secretary shall keep minutes of proceedings of all meetings and shall perform all the duties incident to the office of secretary and other duties that may be assigned by the President or the Executive Committee.

Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for keeping an accurate account of all income and expense of the Association and presenting a budget to the Executive Committee.

Members of the Executive Committee at Large

These members will be elected and shall represent the membership in general. There shall be six members at large. The duties of the members at large will be to participate in all meetings of the Executive Committee and carry out the assignments, which may be given to them by the President or the Executive Committee.

Permanent Members

At the annual election meeting, members may select a member to serve the Executive Committee for an indefinite term.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the four officers, chairpersons of the standing committees, and six members at large. In addition, the immediate past President shall be an ex-officio member with voting privileges. Members of the committee are therefore as follows: a) President, b) President Elect, c) Secretary, d) Treasurer, e) chairpersons of the standing committees, f) members at large (six), g) immediate past President (ex-officio). The President, in consultation with the membership and nominating committee, will appoint chairpersons of the standing committees. The executive committee shall be responsible for all the operational, financial, and planning decisions and shall oversee the activities of the standing committees and the executive director.

Executive Director

The Executive Director will be appointed by the Executive Committee and will report to the President (Executive Committee). The Executive Committee shall also determine the term of the employment and financial remuneration. The Executive Director shall refer all matters of policy to the President but shall be the custodian of correspondence, records, financial reports, and other duties as determined by the Executive Committee.

COMMITTEES

Standing Committees

The standing committee will be responsible to and report to the Executive Committee. The appointment of all chairpersons and members of the standing committees will be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will also determine the powers and duties of the following specific committees: Long Range Planning Committee, Cultural Activity Committee, Financial Affairs and Fund Raising Committee, Membership and Nominating Committee, Communications-Public Relations Committee, Community Service Committee, and Banquet Committee.

Chairpersons

The terms of offices for each committee shall be one year. No chairperson may serve more than three consecutive terms on the same committee. The membership of the committee will also be limited to three consecutive years. Each committee shall elect a vice-chairperson. The President and the President-Elect of the Association shall be ex-officio members of each standing committee with voting privileges. Each committee is charged with the responsibilities of developing and periodically evaluating a commission, which it may enlarge upon and amplify, which shall not be inconsistent with the brief charge included in these bylaws. The members of each committee are selected by the Chairperson but are subject to approval by the Executive Committee.

Long Range Planning Committee

The Long Range Planning Committee in general would be chaired by the President Elect and consist of not less than two but no more than four additional persons appointed on the recommendation of the President and approved by the chairman of the committee. The Long-Range Planning Committee shall be responsible for formulating and periodically updating the goals and objectives of the Association. It will also evaluate the programs of the various committees in achieving the goals established and reporting these evaluations to the Executive Committee with recommendations for improvement or deletion of the various activities. The committee shall meet as frequently as needed (a minimum of three times annually) to coordinate the immediate and long-range programs and activities of the association.

Cultural Activity Committee

The Cultural Activity Committee shall consist of a chairperson and not less than five members appointed by the Chairperson, one of whom should be a member of the Financial Affairs and Fund Raising Committee. This committee shall be responsible for reviewing all cultural activities and planning for new activities. All proposals for new cultural programs will be submitted to this committee for evaluation and approval. The committee will also design, formulate, and arrange for new cultural programs, which will be commensurate with the primary objectives of the Association.

Sports Activity Committee

The Sports Activity Committee will have a chairperson and at least three other members. It shall be the responsibility of the Sports Activity Committee to organize sports activities throughout the year. It will have a special responsibility to organize annual tournaments in different sports and arrange an annual sports day. The chairperson of this committee will automatically serve on the Cultural Activity Committee.

Financial Affairs and Fund Raising Committee

The committee will consist of a chairperson and vice-chairperson. The Treasurer of the Association will be an ex-officio member with voting privileges. In addition, the chairperson of the Long-Range Planning Committee, Cultural Activity Committee, and three other members shall serve on the committee. It shall be the responsibility of this committee to supervise the financial affairs of the Association and formulate policies for sound financial growth of the Association. It will also be responsible for planning and supervising all fundraising activities. It shall have the authority to direct the investment and reinvestment of the funds of the Association without further action by the Executive Committee, but it shall, nevertheless, make regular reports to the Executive Committee with respect to the current financial affairs of the Association. This committee shall also be subject to any direction as to the policy which the Executive Committee may determine to give it from time to time. It shall assist the Treasurer in preparing annually, for submission to the Executive Committee and the General Assembly, a budget for the ensuing fiscal year.

Membership and Nominating Committee

The Membership and Nominating Committee shall consist of a chairperson, who shall be the immediate past President, and not less than four persons appointed on the recommendation of the President, one-half of the members selected to serve on the committee will not be currently serving on the Executive Committee. The committee shall select, screen, qualify, and nominate members, officers, and others as directed by the Executive Committee of the Association for presentation at the annual meeting of the Association. Nominations by the committee and from the floor shall be accompanied by written acceptance by the nominee. The appointment of the standing committee chairperson by the President Elect to serve during his/her term in office shall be received by this committee prior to the selection of additional members and officers. Nothing in the function of the Nominating Committee shall preclude nominating from the floor at the time of elections. The committee shall be responsible for the Association's program of information and service to its members.

Communication and Public Relations Committee

The Communications and Public Relations Committee will consist of a chairperson and not less than three additional persons. This committee will be responsible for establishing communication and determining relationships with other associations with goals and objectives similar to those of the India Association of Nebraska. The committee will also be responsible for communication with the news media, such as radio, television, and newspapers. All communications and announcements relating to the activities of the Association will be formulated and presented by this committee in coordination with the President. The committee is also charged with the responsibility of establishing a regular publication (a journal/magazine) which shall be the official voice of the Association.

Banquet Committee

The committee will consist of a chairperson and not less than three members. The Chair of the Banquet Committee will automatically serve on the Cultural Committee. The committee will be responsible for planning and executing all arrangements for food services and other necessities for all cultural functions, working in conjunction with the Cultural Committee.

Community Service Committee

The Committee will consist of a chairperson and not less than three members. The Chair of the Community Service Committee will automatically serve on the Long-Range Planning Committee. The committee will be responsible for planning and executing community service programs. The Chair of the committee will represent the Indian Association of Nebraska when interacting with other humanitarian segments in the state of Nebraska.

Ad Hoc Committee

Ad Hoc Committees may be appointed as necessary. Such committees will conduct business as may be deemed necessary or advisable. The President, in consultation with the Membership and Nominating Committee, will make these appointments.

CHARTERS

India Association of Nebraska recognizes the growth of the Indian community in areas other than the metropolitan cities of Omaha and Lincoln. In recognition of these changes, Chapters will be established in communities where there is sufficient interest in Indian culture and languages. The office of the Chapter will include a Chapter President, President Elect, and an Executive Council. The election of these officers will be by the members of the India Association who reside in the area. The Chapter will be allowed to write their own bylaws, but in case of conflict, the bylaws of the India Association of Nebraska will supersede.

CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS

Contracts

The Executive Committee may authorize any officer, employee, or other agent of the Association to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of the Association, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

Checks, Drafts, Notes

All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money and all notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the Association shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Association and in such manner as the Executive Committee may determine from time to time.

Indebtedness

The highest amount of indebtedness or liability to which the corporation shall at any one time be subject shall not in any case exceed the value of the property owned by it. The members and directors of the corporation shall not be liable personally for corporate debts, and their private property shall be exempt from liability thereafter.

Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, community service, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

AMENDMENTS

The amendments to the bylaws shall first be communicated to all regular members at the time of issuing a call for the General Assembly meeting. After having done so, only a two-thirds vote of the regular members present shall be required for the approval of the desired amendment. All new proposals regarding activities, programs, or financial affairs shall be brought to the attention of the appropriate standing committee, which will review the project and make recommendations to the Executive Committee. However, the final decisions regarding changes in policy or bylaws will only be made by the General Assembly.

India Association of Nebraska
July 1999