Article 1: Name, Principal Office, Language
Section 1. Name
The organization shall be known as THE FEDERATION OF WE ASSOCIATION IN NORTH AMERICA (FAWAN)
1) The Declaration of establishment of the Federation, formulated on August 2nd, 2014 is the ideological and philosophical backbone for the existence and functioning of the Federation within the WE community in Northern America.
2) The Federation is an organization which is nonpolitical, secular, independent, and selfgoverning; the Federation considers the interests of its member local sections.
3) The Federation is an official representative of the entirety of its member local sections defined as "Associations" and represents their common interests.
4) The Federation maintains the status of a charitable organization and it shall remain financially nonprofit regardless of the scope of its financial activities.
5) The Federation admits all its members on a volunteer basis. Every WE and non WE descent immigrant in the North American who supports the goals and objectives of the Federation, may become a member.
6) The Federation shall serve the WE community in North America and elsewhere a charitable action is needed.
Section 2. Principal Office
The principal office of this Corporation shall be located at 6220 Independence Drive, Portage, MI 49024
The principal office and additional offices may be located in such other places as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Official Languages
The official and communication languages of FAWAN shall be WE, French, and English.
Article 2: Goals
This corporation is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The aims of this Federation shall be:
To bring all WE people living in North America (US and Canada) under a single organized framework.
To revive and keep among members a climate of confidence, solidarity, understanding and tolerance;
To strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among members and defend their common interests;
To promote and develop relationship with other organizations pursuing the same goals;
To assist and work with local WE Associations in different States (US and Canada);
To contribute to the development of the WE counties, municipalities and villages in the Ivory Coast;
To provide a forum and repository for exchange of ideas and resources relating to the well-being of our communities, creating small scale agriculture and micro-businesses;
To contribute to the education and training projects in the WE communities;
To contribute to the international solidarity;
To promote the WE cultural heritage all around the world.
Article 3: Objectives
In furthering these aims FAWAN shall have the following objectives:
To Unify and gather the entire WE population in North America.
To lay out a general statement of the current situation of the three (3) counties of the WE population in the Ivory Coast;
To improve the living and social conditions of WE people in North America and those left behind, through a range of economic and social development projects;
To contribute effectively to the guidance and fulfillment of any WE people, by providing helpful information and means of communication;
To mobilize, involve and initiate a massive outreach efforts within WE communities;
To contribute effectively to the reconciliation process underway in the Ivory Coast and the reconstruction of the WE counties destroyed by the 2002-2011 civil war;
To participate effectively in the restoration of peace and a lasting security;
To initiate the process of settlement of land problems by reaching out the parties involved;
To organize farmers WE women and young people into unions and encourage them to get involved in any economic activity;
To finance and aid micro businesses and encourage WE people to a local saving accounts behavior for a self-independency;
To promote farming activities in the WE counties;
To establish a central purchasing office for agriculture crops and food in each WE county;
To work with humanitarian and social organizations;
To promote and support education and literacy among WE population;
To Institutionalize the Federation by the preservation and perpetuate its interests;
Do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the said objects.
Article 4: Means of Actions
To achieve these objectives, the Federation intends to establish a qualified management board and specialized committees or commissions with volunteers:
To inform and to reach out to the WE community through efficient tools of information and communication;
To rally and mobilize any WE in America, while designing and developing a database of WE population residing here in North America;
To organize social and cultural events;
To organize fundraising events through local Associations which are members of the Federation;
To organize State fairs in the US, Canada and in the Ivory Coast;
To develop and maintain partnership with other nonpolitical organization with similar goals;
To carry out strategies which will strengthen the credibility, image, and effectiveness of the organization, likes others.
Article 5: Membership
The Federation is composed of local sections or chapters in each State, as defined as Association of WE. The Association's definition and responsibilities are contained in the Rules and Regulations of these bylaws.
The Membership of "The Federation Association of WE in North America" is opened to all persons who agree with the aims and objects of ' The Federation of WE in North America (herein after referred as the said (FAWAN). They shall have to abide by the Rules and Regulations of the said Federation.
There shall be no barriers to full participation in the organization on the basis of religion, gender, race or nationality, age and physical disability;
Any individual, family, group and institution that believe in the ideals of FAWAN and its vision of intercultural or interreligious harmony, true family values and service for peace is eligible for membership; The Members of the Federation shall be classified into the following categories with or without voting rights in the manner prescribed by these rules and regulations.
The following categories are hereby established for members:
Section 1. Ordinary member/Member de facto:
Admission under this category is opened to any WE descent, residing in North America.
Section 2. Member of rights:
Admission under this category is open to any ordinary member who regularly pays his/her dues.
Section 3. Honorary member:
This category of membership shall be awarded in recognition of services rendered to the WE community here in the US or elsewhere. That person shall be designated via the approval of members in a General Assembly meeting, upon proposal by a member.
Section 4. Affiliate member:
Admission under this category may be requested by any person non-We, who accepts the ideology of the Federation and regularly pays his/her.
Article 6: Organization
Section 1. Organizational Structure
The organizational structure of the FAWAN shall consist of the:
a) General Assembly
b) Executive Board
c) Board of Directors
d) The President
e) Auditors Office
Section 2. The General Assembly
The General Assembly is the highest body of the Federation.
1. The General Assembly shall consist of:
Ordinary Member, Member of Rights and Affiliate Member.
2. The General Assembly meets annually in a regular session. However, a special session may be called by the President, the Auditors or the two-third (2/3) of the Members of Rights.
3. A quorum is required for a proper ruling of a regular session of the General Assembly. That quorum is reached when at least one-quarter (1/14) of the Members of Rights is in attendance.
(2. l): The Powers of the General Assembly
The powers of the General Assembly are contained in the Bylaws.
Section 3. The Executive Board
The Executive Board is the management body of this corporation. The board coordinates all activities of the corporation under the responsibility of its elected President.
(3.l). Composition of the Executive Board
The Executive Board consists of twenty-five (25) members and may be extended to a maximum of thirty (30) members. The appointed members are:
a) The President,
b) Four (4) Vice-Presidents,
c) The Secretary General and two (2) deputies,
d) Three(3) appointed at the Economic and Finance Committee (1 Chairman and 2 Deputies),
e) The Treasurer and his/her deputy,
f) Three(3) appointed at the Communication Committee (1 Chairman and 2 deputies),
g) Three (3) appointed at the Internal Affairs Committee (1Chairman and 2 Deputies),
h) Six (6) appointed at the Family and Social Events Committee (3 Heads of division: one (1) from the West, one (1) from the East and one (1) from Canada) with their deputies.
Section 4. The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors oversees the financial management to ensure the outputs of the Assets and settle disputes. The Board of Directors is elected by the General Assembly by the Members of Rights by secret ballot and by a simple majority. This Board consists of three (3) members elected by the General Assembly for a term of two (2) years. Members of that Board are re eligible.
Section 5. The President
The President is elected by for a term of four (4) years at the General Assembly meeting, by the Members of Rights by a secret ballot and by a simple majority. The President forms his/her cabinet and could be re-elected (1) once.
Section 6. Auditor Office
The Head of the office or Chief of staff and his/her two (2) deputies monitor the financial management. They are elected for a term of two (2) years and could be re-elected (1) once.
Section 7. Election of Officers
It consists of Members of Rights convened for election at the Annual General Assembly meeting. Only members of the Electoral College elect the President of the Executive Board, the members of the Board of Directors, the auditors and the Chairman of the meeting any other occasion when needs will be.
1) Only individuals who are Members of Rights at the time of their election or appointment shall be eligible for election or appointment as Officers of the organization;
2) At each Annual Meeting, the Chair-elect shall be elected to preside the meeting;
3) Officers shall be elected by a majority of the members present at the meeting as defined in the Bylaws and who have voting right;
4) In any election, should no candidate receive a majority of the votes cast, three-quarter (3/4), a run off election shall be held between the two candidates who received the most votes for that office on the first ballot.
5) Officers shall be elected by plurality vote
Section 8. Terms of Office and Succession
All the officers shall be elected for two (2) years terms of office until their successors assume office. Officers shall assume office upon final adjournment of the Annual General Assembly at which they were elected.
Article 7: Meetings
Section 1. Annual Meeting (The General Assembly)
The annual meeting of the organization, which shall be called the Local Delegates and other members, shall be held at such time and place as may be fixed by the Executive board. Written notice of the time and place of the meeting shall be given to all Members by mail or email not fewer than 90 days prior to the date of the meeting.
Section 2. Special Meeting (Extraordinary Meeting)
Special meetings of all Members may be called at any time by the President, on the written request of 10 voting members or by action of the Board of Directors. Written notice of the time and place of such meetings shall be given to all Members by mail or email not fewer than 30 days prior to the date of the meeting.
Such requests shall be resolved within ten days and the Meeting shall be held within the following thirty days. Should such a request not be taken into account or should it be denied without due cause, it may be made in the same terms and through the same procedures to the Executive Board, which shall convene it, or, failing this, the provisions.
Section 3. Formal minutes at all meetings
For Informational meetings the meeting notice will be the only record. Minutes of prior regular or special meetings are to be approved at the next meeting.
The Order of Business at a Business meeting is as follows:
1· Reading of the Minutes of all previous meetings and approving and correcting same unless previously read and approved.
2· Reports of all standing and special committees.
3· Action on each such report as made.
4· Election of officers, if any vacancies exist.
5· Reports of various officers.
6· Action thereon.
7· Unfinished discussions from previous meeting or meetings.
8· New topics of discussion.
Section 4. Quorum
A majority of Members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the organization. A majority of the voting members of the General assembly or any committee or other constituted group shall constitute a quorum of defined by the Bylaws or the Executive Board, committee or group.
Section 5. Rules of Order
Meetings of the General Assembly, Executive Board, Board of Directors and all committees shalt be conducted in accordance with Sturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure, current edition, except when in conflict with the Articles of incorporation or these Bylaws, in which case the Articles of incorporation or these Bylaws shall prevail.
Article 8: Source of Income
Section 1.
The Federation shall raise their funds by way of Subscription, Contribution, Membership fees, revenues from cultural and social activities and donation in cash or in kind or any other way which is legally permitted.
Section 2.: Financial Account
The Treasurer shall establish and maintain bank accounts for the financial assets of the Federation, and shall be operated jointly by, at least two office-bearers. President's and Treasurer's signature shall be necessary for each and every payment transaction, or their authorization in the form of a voucher shall be a necessity in a payment transaction. Only the President and the Treasurer may make withdrawals from these bank accounts.
Section 3.
The membership fee often dollars ($10.00) gives to the beneficiary a two years renewable card.
Section 4.
Monthly contributions are 10% of each local chapter members’ monthly contribution.
Section 5.
The Executive Board headed by the President, sets the amount of outstanding contributions to fund a specific program or project.
Section 6.
An honorary membership due is hundred dollars ($100.00).
Section 7.
The FISCAL YEAR of the Federation shall be from January 01 to December 31.
Section 8.: Assets
FAWAN may buy, own, and/or dispose of assets, financial or otherwise, that are necessary or desirable in the pursuit of FAWAN's goals and objectives.
Section 9.: Liabilities
FAWAN shall not enter into any contract or agreement or undertake any action that could result in any obligation or liability to its members.
Section 10.: Financial Reports
The Treasurer shall provide to the Executive Board an annual written report of the financial status of the Federation, submitted by the Auditor's Office. That report should be inspected by any member of rights upon request.
Section 11.: Fund Disbursements
Checks for all disbursements of funds of the Federation shall be signed by the Treasurer or, in the event the Treasurer is unavailable, by the President. For petty cash disbursements, proper vouchers shall be taken and filed.
Article 9: Assistance
The conditions and nature of the assistance to members are defined by the Bylaws.
Social assistance shall be provided to a member of right who pays regularly his/her dues. The Federation shall support social causes in the following cases:
1) In case of a death of a member, the Federation shall arrange the funeral and repatriation Of the body if necessary. The money should come from a special funds supply by the members;
2) The Federation shall create a brotherhood environment for a WE coming to North America;
3) The Federation shall have a funds allocated to Education and health;
4) The Federation shall assist any voting member who is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding by seeking legal services;
5) The Federation shall provide group life insurance to any voting member interested.
Article 10: Admission
Membership to the organization is decided by the individual or group applicant upon payment of dues specified by the Executive Board. That membership shall be available to anyone who has completed an application form and paid the currently stipulated individual dues.
Article 11: Resignation
Any resignation of elected officer must be by written letter submitted to the Executive Board. The Executive Board will convene a special meeting for that matter.
Article 12: Sanction
Section 1. The Executive Board, on behalf of the General Assembly, may enforce disciplinary measures, including expulsion, suspension, censure, fine and reprimand, and impose terms and conditions of probation or such sanctions as it may deem appropriate, for any of the following reasons:
1) Failure of the member to comply or act in accordance with these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation, or other duly adopted rules or regulations of the corporation;
2) Failure of the member to comply with any contract or agreement between the corporation and such member or with any contract or agreement of the corporation that binds such member;
3) Non-payment of dues or contributions;
4) Non-participation in meetings without justification;
5) Misappropriation of Federation funds;
6) Forgery;
7) Abuse of power.
Section 2. All those who are guilty of misconduct shall be subject to sanctions ranging from warnings to the dismissal.
Section 3. Any sanction taken against any officer shall be reported to the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Action without a Meeting
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board shall individually or collectively consent in writing to such action. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board. Such written consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board.
Article 13: Amendments
a) New bylaws may be adopted, or these bylaws may be amended or repealed, by an affirmative one-third (1/3) vote of the "Members of Rights" or the Executive Board at a duly noticed meeting of the "General Assembly" at which a quorum is present. A copy of the proposed amendment or new bylaws shall be included in the notice of meeting given to each "member";
b) Proposed amendments to the Bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board by any member in good standing. Prior to the next Board of Directors meeting, the Executive Board shall review the proposed amendments and forward them with recommendations to the President, who shall include them in the agenda of said meeting.
c) The Executive Board shall review the proposed amendments and distribute them to the members of rights at least thirty days prior to the next General Assembly's meeting.
Article 14: Dissolution
If the Executive Board by a simple majority decides at any time that, on the grounds of expenses or otherwise, it is necessary or advisable to dissolve FAWAN, it shall call a General Assembly, giving not less than 28 days' notice of the meeting and the terms of the Resolution for dissolution to be proposed. If the decision to dissolve FAWAN is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at such meeting the Executive Board shall have power to dispose of any assets held by or on behalf of FAWAN. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to the Association Members in proportion to their membership or use for charitable activities in the Ivory Coast.
Article 15: Enforcement of these Bylaws
The President of the Executive Board is the first responsible of the enforcement of these Bylaws.
Article 16: Custodian of these Bylaws
The Board of Directors is the custodian of these Bylaws.