THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MANYU ADVANCEMENT
PREAMBLE
We, the people and friends of Manyu Division (in the Republic of Cameroon) residing in the United States of America, mindful of the need to promote the development of Manyu division, are convinced that such development is possible when there is solidarity among Manyu constituencies the world over. In addition, certain of the need for Manyu people to be productive members of the local communities in which we are residents, do hereby establish THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MANYU ADVANCEMENT. In keeping with traditions of civil society we hereby adopt these rules and regulations as a guide for the conduct of this organization in order to achieve the purposes for which THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MANYU ADVANCEMENT is formed.
PURPOSE OF THE CONSTITUTION
The purpose of this constitution
is to assist members of the NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MANYU
ADVANCEMENT to run this organization for the benefit of its members, our
communities and Manyu Division.
ARTICLE I: GENERAL
PROVISIONS
SECTION I: NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION
This organization shall be known as THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION/COUNCIL FOR MANYU ADVANCEMENT.
SECTION II: MOTTO
The motto of this organization shall be self-determination, fairplay, and grassroots-empowerment.
SECTION III: OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANIZATION
The objectives of NOMA are to:
I. Encourage and promote the
development of Manyu Division.
II. Support and assist members of
the organization.
III. Negotiate affordable life
insurance for members of the organization.
IV. Collaborate with other
organizations that promote the development of Manyu
Division.
V. Encourage and promote harmony and social responsibility among Manyu people.
VI. Promote and encourage democratic institutions.
ARTICLE 2: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION I: QUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS
I. Membership to NOMA is open to
all Manyu people (by birth or by marriage) residing
in the
II. Membership is also open to all people committed to the development of Manyu, and will abide by all the rules and regulations that govern NOMA.
III. To be considered a member of NOMA an individual must register with the organization.
IV. To be considered an active member of NOMA, a registered member must be active in his/her chapter. Each NOMA chapter shall clearly stipulate in their rules and regulations requirements for active membership.
SECTON 2: RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF
MEMBERS
Except otherwise mentioned, all registered members of NOMA shall have the right to attend and to participate in all NOMA activities.
SECTION 3: LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP
A member shall forfeit his/her membership under the following circumstances:
1. Any registered member who remains inactive for one year shall automatically lose his/her membership.
II. Any registered member who is expelled from the organization shall lose his/her membership.
SECTION 4: MEMBER DISCIPLINE
1. Any NOMA member whose conduct becomes incompatible with or detrimental to the spirit, goals, objectives, policies, and/or rules and regulations of the organization shall be subject to disciplinary action deemed necessary or appropriate by the organization.
II. Depending on the nature of the misconduct, appropriate sanctions shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
III. Criminal conduct against the
organization shall be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
SECTION 5:
RESTORATION OF MEMBERSHIP
I. Any member who lost his/her membership for being inactive for 1 year must reapply.
II. Any member who loses his/her membership either through suspension or expulsion by the Board of Directors shall be reinstated after petitioning the board for reinstatement. The board shall determine the conditions for reinstatement of membership.
SECTION 6: FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
Any individual seeking to become a member of NOMA shall pay a registration fee, an annual membership fee, and an annual development fee to be set by the Board of Directors.
I. Membership fee and development levy shall be paid to the Treasurer of the organization.
II. All contributions shall be paid in full on or before September 30 of each year.
III. Other financial contributions that may be required to conduct unplanned business of the organization shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
IV. Members under 18 years shall be exempt from all financial obligations.
V. NOMA financial year runs from July 1 to June 30.
ARTICLE 3: ORGANIZATION AND
STRUCTURE
The National Organization for Manyu Advancement shall be composed of the following organs: A Board of Directors, National Administrative Council, and the General Assembly.
SECTION 1: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A. ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTION
I. The Board of Directors shall be the main policy making arm of NOMA.
II. The Board of Directors shall comprise of two members elected by each chapter.
III. .Members of the Board shall have a term of two years. No member shall serve more than two conservative terms.
IV. The election of board members shall not take place the same year as the election of the AC.
VI. The Board of Directors shall meet at least once a year to review the progress of the organization and to
formulate strategies and plans for executing NOMA mission, approve annual budgets and discuss important policy matters.
B. CHOOSING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I. Board members shall elect a Chairperson to co-ordinate the affairs of the Board.
II. The Board Chair shall serve for two years.
C. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS
I.The presence of two-thirds of Board members shall constitute a quorum for valid deliberations of the Board of Directors. Except otherwise stated, all decisions of the Board of Directors meetings shall be carried by a simple majority of members present.
II. All Board of Directors meetings shall be scheduled (with an agenda sent out to its members) at least four to six weeks prior to the meeting to allow participating members sufficient time to arrange for travel plans.
III. All Board members shall be reimbursed 50% of the cost of reasonable airline fares and other reasonable expenses incurred during Board meetings.
IV In the case of an emergency, the Board shall conduct the business of the association through teleconferencing, before scheduling a meeting if one is necessary.
V. Board meetings shall be open to all registered members of NOMA. However, only Board members shall have the right to vote.
VI.The Administrative Officer of the Administrative Council shall attend Board meetings and shall be granted the right to address the Board of Directors as needed to make policy recommendations or present updates on administrative matters.
VII. Except otherwise mentioned, Board decisions shall be communicated to the Administrative Council and members of the organization within thirty (30) days.
VIII. Any Board member who cannot participate in at least 50% of scheduled meetings and teleconferences per year shall be considered unavailable to conduct business for the association and be substituted by the local chapters.
SECTION II: NOMA
ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL
The Administrative Council shall serve as the administrative body for NOMA.
The AC shall execute all policies and also coordinate the day-to-day administrative activities of NOMA. The Administrative Council through its Administrative office or its representative shall represent NOMA in all interactions with outside entities.
A. Composition of the Administrative Council
The AC shall comprise of seven elected members. Members of the AC shall be elected by a secret ballot during the National Convention. The elected members shall comprise Administrative Officer, Deputy Administrative Officer, General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Secretary, and Financial secretary.
B. Functions of the Administrative Council
I. The AC
shall implement the policies of the National Organization for Manyu Advancement in the
II. The Administrative Officer shall request the services of active, non-AC members to assist them in accomplishing their duties.
III. The AC shall have powers to form adhoc committees comprising of active members to perform special duties and provide recommendations to the Board of Directors.
IV. The AC shall submit a proposed annual Budget to the Board of Directors no later than three months of a new fiscal year. The Board must review, revise as necessary, and approve the annual Budget no later than one month before the beginning of a new fiscal year.
V. The AC shall coordinate all fund raising activities for NOMA.
C. Term of Office of the Administrative Council:
Each Administrative Council office shall have a term of two years, and any incumbent shall be eligible for a second term.
D. VACANCY IN THE AC
In the event of a vacancy in AC caused by death, resignation, suspension, expulsion, or inability of a cabinet member to serve, the Board of Directors shall have powers to appoint a replacement within thirty (30) days.
The Board of Directors shall notify the chapters and the AC promptly of its actions.
SECTION III:
THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS
A. The Administrative Officer
The Administrative Officer of the AC shall be the Chief Administrative Officer of NOMA. He or she shall.
I. Preside over all meetings of the Council.
II. Protect and enforce the constitution of this organization.
III. Act as liaison officer between NOMA and other organizations.
IV. Prepare and present annual reports to the Board of Directors and General Assembly of accomplishments, setbacks and plans for the coming year.
V. Convene emergency executive meetings as situations and circumstances dictate.
VI. Represent NOMA at all public events and invitations.
B. The Deputy Administrative Officer
The Deputy Administrative Office of NOMA shall assist the Administrative Officer in executing the policies/programs of NOMA-USA. In the absence of the AO, or in the event of the AO’s death or inability to act, the DAO shall perform the duties of the AO and when so acting, shall have all powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the AO.
In addition, the DAO may perform such other duties as shall from time to time be assigned him/her by the AO.
C. The General Secretary
The General Secretary shall
I. Record and take charge of all minutes of NOMA and AC meetings.
II. Maintain a record of attendance for all members attending NOMA, and AC activities.
III. Take care of all correspondence and/or exchange of information (in collaboration with the AO) between the AC, Board of Directors, and the chapters as well as correspondence between NOMA and other associations.
D. Assistant
General Secretary
I. The assistant general secretary shall assist the general secretary in accomplishing his/her duties.
II. He/she shall assist the general secretary of NOMA during annual conventions.
III. He/she shall work with the general secretary to produce the minutes and resolutions of annual conventions and General Assembly within a period of two months following each convention.
VI. In the absence of the general secretary he/she shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the office.
E. The Treasurer
The treasurer shall
I. Be the official custodian of all NOMA funds.
II. Assist the AC in coordinating fund raising activities for NOMA.
III. Maintain a permanent account in the name of NOMA.
IV. Provide quarterly financial updates to NOMA.
V. Meet with the Financial Secretary periodically to review and reconcile financial accounts.
F. The Financial Secretary
The Financial Secretary shall
I. Maintain proper financial records for NOMA.
II. Assist the Board of Directors, Treasurer and the AC in generating funds for NOMA.
III.Collect NOMA funds and/or debts as authorized by the AC.
IV. Provide quarterly financial reports to the Board of Directors and an annual financial report to the General Assembly.
G. Public Information Officer (PIO)
I. The Public Information Officer shall publicize NOMA, the Board, and AC activities. Promote the interest of the National Organization for Manyu Advancement.
II. Assists the Board of Directors and the AC respond to inquiries about NOMA
III. Assist in the organizations
publications.
IV. Assists the Secretary General in publishing meetings and convention agendas.
ARTICLE
4: THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
SECTION
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
I. The National Convention shall be held annually on the 2nd week of AUGUST.
II. The general assembly of NOMA shall meet during the annual convention.
III. Conventions shall be open to all Manyu elements and their guests. However, only registered members shall participate in convention deliberations, or shall be eligible to run for public office.
IV. At least 1/3 of the registered attendees shall be required for convention deliberations.
V. NOMA annual conventions shall rotate among the chapters.
VI. A convention fee to be determined by the Board of Directors shall be paid by all participants on or before the convention day. This money shall be used by the host chapter and the AC to cover some of the convention expenses. Participants, who register at the gate during the convention, shall pay a late fee to be determined by a simple majority of the Board of Directors.
VII. Members of the AC shall be elected during the National Convention. Registered members shall vote in person or by absentee ballots.
VIII. Unless otherwise mentioned, decisions of the General Assembly shall be carried by a simple majority.
IX. The General Assembly shall also resolve issues/disputes brought to its attention by the Board of Directors, AC, or any registered member of the association.
SECTION II.
CONVENTION PROGRAMS
I. The convention agenda shall be formulated by the Board of Directors in consultation with the Administrative Council.
II. The final agenda shall be produced by the AC and distributed to all the chapters at least one month prior to the convention.
SECTION III. CONVENTION OFFICIALS
I. Convention officials shall include a convention chairperson to be selected by a simple majority of the Board of Directors. The Convention chairperson will also be chair of the General Assembly.
II.The NOMA General Secretary shall serve as the convention secretary. The Assistant General Secretary shall assist the General Secretary to produce and publish the minutes and resolutions of the convention within 60 days.
ARTICLE 5: ELECTIONS AND REMOVALS
SECTION I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Officers of NOMA shall be elected by secret written ballots
cast by eligible NOMA members at the annual convention in person.
I.NOMA elections shall be held every two years during the convention.
II. Only active members of the association shall be eligible to run for office.
III. Candidates aspiring for elective office must request an official application from the election commission at least four weeks prior to the annual convention.
IV. All completed applications shall be sent to the Chairman of the Election Commission at least thirty (30) days before the convention.
V. The Election Commission will be set up no later than two months and no earlier than three months prior to the elections.
VI. The Board of Directors will appoint members of the Election Commission. Candidates for elective office will not be allowed to serve on the Election Commission.
VII. The Chairperson of the Election Commission shall officially announce the eligible candidates running for office as well as the rules governing the elections.
VIII. The rules governing the elections shall be set in conformity with the constitution of NOMA and in consultation with the candidates.
IX. The functions of the Electoral Commission shall cease as soon as election results are announced.
SECTION II. VOTING
All members of the organization are eligible and encouraged to vote during elections.
I. Only members who have registered with a chapter will be eligible to vote.
II. Officers will be selected by “close ballot voting”.
III. Voting shall be in person.
IV. If there is a tie between two contenders in terms of the number of votes cast the General Assembly will vote a second time to select the Administrative Officer of AC.
SECTION III: TRANSITION OF POWER
I. The outgoing administration shall submit all NOMA official documents to the elected officers within one week of the election of the new Administrative Council.
II. An annual internal audit supervised by the Board of Directors shall be conducted, and financial records sent to the new administration within 30 days after the election, and copies sent to respective chapter leaders.
SECTION IV: REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
Officials of NOMA will be removed from office for failure to perform all designated duties and responsibilities entrusted to them by the members.
Any executive member who violates the following provisions will be subject to removal from office.
I. Extortion of NOMA funds for personal use.
II. Deliberate disregard for the organization, failure to attend meetings or to deliberate in good faith
III Engaging in a fight or other disruptive behavior deemed inappropriate by the members of the meeting.
IV. Conspiracy against the organization.
V. Disrespect and failure to uphold the constitution or the good name of NOMA.
SECTION V: PROCEDURE FOR
REMOVAL
Before an executive member is removed from office, the following steps shall be taken:
I. Any active member, chapter, or Board of Directors of NOMA can file a petition for removal of any elected official of NOMA.
II. Such petition must state reason(s) for removal including supporting documents.
III. A petition is approved by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.
IV. The official concerned must be given at least 30days to address the charge (s) against him or her.
V. A two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors shall be required to remove an official.
ARTICLE
6: NOMA PROJECTS
I. The Board of Directors shall review and approve or reject all projects and make recommendations to the chapters.
II. Potential projects shall be received by the AC and prepared for Board review. The AC shall solicit or provide relevant information relating to proposed projects, including, but not limited to cost of project, anticipated completion period and how project will be funded.
III. Projects recommended by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of two -thirds of registered chapters
ARTICLE 7. AMMENDMENTS
SECTION 1: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
I. This constitution shall be amended as necessary to satisfy the needs of the NOMA.
II. All petitions for amendment shall
be forwarded to the Board of Directors or the General Assembly by the chapter
seeking amendments.
III. The
Board may appoint an adhoc constitution committee to
study the petition before making recommendations to the General Assembly.
IV. Any decision to amend the constitution shall require a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly.
Done in
SECTION 1I: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION DONE IN
During the 2004 NOMA Convention in
I. The NOMA conventions will be held between July 1st and August 31st of each year.
II. A NOMA chapter will constitute of
at least 5 members within a region where there isn’t an existing NOMA Chapter.
III. The
Administrative Officer will present a cabinet for General Election, and they
are elected as a team.
IV. The NOMA Board of Directors can conduct NOMA business via Teleconferences.
Done in
Dr. Steve Bate, NOMA
Administrative Officer
SECTION
III: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION DONE IN
During the 2008 NOMA Convention in
Article 2 ,
Section I sub-section III
III. To be considered a member of
NOMA, an individual must pay annual membership dues with the organization.
IV. To be considered active member of
NOMA, a member must be in good standing (fully paid up) with NOMA and the local
NOMA chapter.
Article 2 ,
Section 6
Any individual seeking to become a
member of NOMA shall pay an annual membership due to be set by the Board of
Directors.
Article 2, Section 6, sub-section I
I. Annual membership dues shall be
paid to the Financial Secretary of the organization.
Article 2 ,
Section 6, sub-section II
II. Annual membership dues shall be
paid in full on or before December 31 of the financial year.
Article 2, Section 6, Sub-section VI
VI. Only fully paid up NOMA member and their dependents (under 17 years old) are eligible to NOMA life insurance benefit.
Done in
Dr. Eta Egbe, NOMA Administrative
Officer