Naafa by Law - NAAFA - Neplease American Alliance for Action

Nepalese American Alliance for Action (NAAFA)

Preamble:

We the people of Nepali roots form Nepalese American Alliance for Action (NAAFA), a political action committee, to promote general welfare and empowerment for our people in the United States.

Mission:

To provide professional development opportunities for learning educational, socio-cultural, and political issues through workshops, seminars, and other accessible resources.
To mentor diaspora youth on legislative and regulatory development by sharing political awareness and integration.
To conduct research on the issues of Nepalese diaspora in education, public affairs and community integration
To collaborate with like-minded organizations to achieve our objectives.

Article I. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Responsibilities:

General membership in the alliance requires a commitment to its mission and organizational goals through frequent participation in the alliance’s activities; advocacy for the work of the organization; oversight of policy, operations, and business plans; and active participation in the development of the organization’s objectives. The national board shall distribute 60{3ef27d018e6bdeadce989df27c5817ae54e99f0a34d0cae195b02e17b2313d92} of the membership dues to the state chapter for its functions.

Section 2. Eligibility:

To be eligible to be a member of the alliance , one with Nepali origin with citizenship or permanent resident (PR) status must reside, work, or study in the United States. Member will pay board designated fees.

Section 3. Types of Membership:

i) Honorary Member (no fee)

The elected officers at the state and federal levels. Honorary members shall have no voting right within the alliance.

ii) Life member

To be eligible to be a life member of the alliance , one with Nepali origin with citizenship or permanent resident (PR) status must reside, work, or study in the United States. Such member shall have voting rights and other benefits.

ii) General member

To be eligible to be a general member of the alliance , one with Nepali origin with citizenship or permanent resident (PR) status must reside, work, or study in the United States. Such member shall have voting rights and other benefits. This membership is valid for a term.

iii) Guest member (no fee)

To be eligible to be a guest member of the alliance , one with Nepali origin must reside, work, or study in the United States except permanent resident (PR) and citizenship. Such member shall not have voting rights and other benefits. This membership is valid for a term.

Section 4. Dues: Members are required to pay annual dues as determined by the Executive Committee. Special exemptions or reduced rates can be made for alliance participants as determined by the board or the membership committee.

Article II. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

National Board

Section 1. Executive Officers/National Board.

The Executive Board of the alliance consist of a president, first vice president, second vice president, five regional governors (as vice presidents), a Secretary, a Treasurer, committee chairs, State Governors acting as board of directors. The President shall appoint at least five board of directors. The Executive Board shall have all the powers and duties of this organization when the full membership is not in session. The Board member shall not hold any political affiliation of any foreign party.

Section 2. Voting Members of the Executive Board.

The Executive Officers listed in Article III, Section 1 are the voting members of the Executive Board. Other members of the Executive Board described in these bylaws shall be non-voting members, serving to advise the Executive Officers.

Section 3. President.

The executive power shall be vested in a president of the alliance . The president shall be president of the Executive Board and president of all meetings of the alliance. The president shall be the official spokesperson for the alliance and shall serve as the official representative of the alliance. The president may delegate responsibilities to other officers or directors. He shall from time to time give to the executive information to the board. He shall take care that the by-laws be faithfully executed and shall commission all the Officers of the alliance. This position shall require a U.S. citizenship status.

Section 4. First vice president.

The First Vice President shall be responsible for assisting the president in the management of the affairs of the alliance. The president will appoint the first vice president. The Vice President, with the First Vice President being of the opposite gender of the President. In the absence of the president, the first vice president shall serve as the president. In the absence of the president and first vice president, the second vice president shall serve as the president. This position shall require a U.S. citizenship status.

Section 5. Second Vice president.

The Second Vice Presidents shall be responsible for assisting the president in the management of the affairs of the alliance. The president will appoint the second vice president. In the absence of the first vice president, the second vice president shall serve as the president. This position shall require a U.S. citizenship status.

Section 6. Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of the alliance. The Treasurer shall be responsible for handling all financial affairs of the alliance, including the planning, implementation and facilitation of alliance fundraising; ensuring that all duly approved debts are paid in a timely fashion; presenting a written statement of all income, expenditures, accounts payable, and income receivable at each alliance meeting; and preparing an annual budget with the assistance of the Executive Board.

Section 7. Secretary.

The Secretary shall maintain the records of the alliance, serve all required notices, take minutes at all meetings of the alliance , and maintain a mailing list of members.

Section 8. Board of Directors

The five Board of Directors shall be appointed by the president.

Section 9. Parliamentarian.

The president shall appoint a Parliamentarian who shall be responsible for interpreting these bylaws and ruling on matters of parliamentary procedure at all alliance meetings. The term of office for the Parliamentarian shall last until the next alliance meeting held during alliance’s Convention. The appointment of the Parliamentarian shall be subject to confirmation by affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members of the Executive Board. The Parliamentarian shall serve as a non-voting member of the Executive Board.

Section 10. Committees and Appointed Directors.

The president may, at his or her discretion, create committees and appoint a director for each committee to assist in carrying out the work of the alliance. The responsibilities of appointed directors, as well as their term of office, shall be clearly delineated at the time of appointment. Appointments made pursuant to this Section shall be subject to confirmation by affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members of the Executive Board. Any directors appointed pursuant to this Section shall serve as non-voting members of the Executive Board. No term of office for an appointed director shall last past the next alliance’s convention.

Section 11. Eligibility for Office: Any member of the alliance in good standing for the six months prior to nomination or election.

Section 12. Term of Office: Each officer will be elected/nominated for a two-year term.

Section 1.

The United States is divided into five geographical regions. Each geographical region will have one regional governor who will coordinate day to day business of the states within the region. Each of them will hold a vice president portfolio in the national committee. H/she will appoint a secretary and shall receive confirmation from the executive board. The regional governor will be an individual holding the highest elected office from the general election in that region. In the absence of the elected officers, the regional governor shall be chosen from the highest vote receiver in the highest position.

Northeast

States included: Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland

Southeast

States included: West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida

Midwest

States included: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota

Southwest

States included: Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona

West

States included: Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, California, Alaska, Hawaii

Regional Secretary:

Section 1. The Secretary will assist the regional governor and shall maintain the records of the alliance, serve all required notices, take minutes at all meetings of the alliance, and maintain a mailing list of members.

Article III. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (State)

Governor

Section 1. Executive Officers.

The Chapter Board of the alliance consist of a Governor, a First and Second vice Chairs of opposite genders, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The Executive Board shall have all the powers and duties of this organization when the full membership is not in session.

Section 2. Voting Members of the Chapter Executive Board.

Section 3. Governor.

The Governor shall be chair of the Executive Board and Governor of all meetings of the alliance. The Governor shall be the official spokesperson for the alliance and shall serve as the official representative of the alliance. The Governor may delegate responsibilities to other officers or directors. This position shall require a U.S. citizenship status.

Section 4. Vice Chair.

The two Vice Chairs shall be of opposite gender, with the First Vice-Chair being of opposite gender of the Chair. The Vice Presidents shall be responsible for assisting the Chair in the management of the affairs of the alliance. In the absence of the Governor, the First Vice-Chair shall serve as the Governor. In the absence of the Governor and First Vice-Chair, the Second Vice Chair shall serve as the Governor.

Section 5. Chapter Treasurer.

The Chapter Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of the alliance. The Chapter Treasurer shall be responsible for handling all financial affairs of the alliance, including the planning, implementation and facilitation of alliance fundraising; ensuring that all duly approved debts are paid in a timely fashion; presenting a written statement of all income, expenditures, accounts payable, and income receivable at each alliance meeting; and preparing an annual budget with the assistance of the Executive Board.

Section 6. Secretary.

The Secretary shall maintain the records of the alliance, serve all required notices, take minutes at all meetings of the alliance , and maintain a mailing list of members.

Section 7. Parliamentarian.

Section 8. National Committees and Appointed Chairs.

The president may, at his or her discretion, create committees and appoint a chair for each committee to assist in carrying out the work of the alliance. The responsibilities of appointed chairs, as well as their term of office, shall be clearly delineated at the time of appointment. Appointments made pursuant to this Section shall be subject to confirmation by affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members of the Executive Board. Any directors appointed pursuant to this Section shall serve as non-voting members of the Executive Board. No term of office for an appointed chair shall last past the next alliance’s convention.

Committees: a) Judiciary Committee, b) Economic Matters, c) Diversity and Inclusions, d) Health and Alliance Operations, e) Government and Community Relation Committee, f) Job Creation and Empowerment, g) Youth Sport and Culture, h) Communications, i) Education, Integration and Policy Committee, j) Transitions and Hospitality Committee

The committee chair shall appoint a vice chair, whip, secretary, and state committee chairs from the subject committee as members. The committee chair will appoint five board of directors. The president shall appoint the chair and approve the committee members. The action plan and strategies of the committee shall be submitted to the president’s office within 30 days.

Section 9. State Committees and Appointed Chairs.

The state governor may, at his or her discretion, create committees and appoint a chair for each committee to assist in carrying out the work of the alliance. The responsibilities of appointed chairs, as well as their term of office, shall be clearly delineated at the time of appointment. Appointments made pursuant to this Section shall be subject to confirmation by affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members of the Executive Board. Any directors appointed pursuant to this Section shall serve as non-voting members of the Executive Board. No term of office for an appointed chair shall last past the next alliance’s convention. The State Committee shall require at least 100 members for its formation.

The committee chair shall appoint vice chair, whip, secretary, and state committee chairs from the subject committee as members. The regional governor shall appoint the chair and approve the committee members in consultation with state governor with a prior approval from the president. The action plan and strategies of the committee shall be submitted to the state governor’s office within 30 days. The copy of the plan shall be delivered to the president’s office via regional governor’s office within 30 days.

Article IV

National and States

Section 1. Executive Director:

The Director oversees the alliance’s strategy and speaks on behalf of the alliance to the general public. The Director Presidents all meetings of the general membership and all meetings of the Executive Committee. This duty includes developing an agenda for each meeting and communicating that agenda in a timely manner prior to each meeting. In the absence of the Executive Director, Associate Director will preside over the meeting.

Section 2. Senior Associate Director:

The Senior Associate Director functions as the alliance’s manager, devising project implementation plans, assigning tasks to board members, and holding board members accountable for their commitments to the alliance. The Senior Associate Director confirms meeting agenda items, times, and locations (in collaboration with the Executive Director) and schedules communication with the membership (in collaboration with the Secretary).

Section 3. Director of Political Affairs:

The Director of Political Affairs is responsible for fostering and maintaining relationships with elected officials and other political organizations. S/he develops and implements the alliance’s strategies for nurturing relationships with political officials and organizations. This includes recruiting and supporting new candidates for public office, identifying opportunities for collaboration with other political groups and elected, and building awareness and support for alliance’s policy platform.

Section 4. Director of Community Engagement and Outreach:

The Director of Community Engagement and Outreach serves as the lead organizer for all major political and election campaign activity as well as regular community engagement activities. S/he develops and implements the alliance’s organizing strategy for all social action (e.g., rallies, protests, and social campaigns), electoral campaigns, and county committee reform.

Section 5. Director of Membership:

The Director of Membership is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and overseeing alliance’s membership efforts and for broadening participation in political education.

Section 6. Assistant Director of Finance:

The Assistant Director of Finance manages all funds received by and paid by the alliance. S/he keeps an accurate account of all funds and provides a report per year and every Executive Committee meeting. S/he monitors members’ dues and membership status.

Section 7. Director of Communications:

The Director of Communications is responsible for directing alliance’s external messaging. This includes (a) managing alliance’s website to ensure its content is current and attracting new members, (b) maintaining a regular presence on social media, (c) managing alliance’s distribution lists, (d) managing alliance’s visual and brand identity and (e) creating and executing a press strategy to maximize alliance’s media exposure in the United States and beyond. S/he records of minutes of Executive Committee meetings; any key decisions made by the members, including endorsements, officer elections and bylaws changes.

V. Nepali American Alliance Society

All former national and state executive officer and national Committee will be the member of the Committee. The society will conduct their internal election. The society will recommend the board of advisors and executive board shall confirm it.

VI. National Council

National Council consists of the following officers:

National Executive Board

National Committee Chairs

State Executive Board

The national Council shall conduct its national convention on the Independence day weekend.

Section 8. Vacancies:

If the office of Executive Director becomes vacant, Executive Committee members, in the order will assume the office. For all other Director vacancies, a majority of the Executive Committee may appoint any member in good standing to serve as an interim officer until the next general membership meeting, at which time a special election will be held to elect someone to fill the position for the remainder of the term.

Section 9. The president, Vice presidents and all civil officers of the alliance shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, Treason, bribery, or other crimes.

Section 10. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases to the judicial branch of this alliance, or the Laws of the United States.

VI. Oath of Office

The presidents and officers before mentioned, and the members of the states, and all the executive and judicial officers shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support the by-laws and, to support the constitution of the United States, but not religious Test shall be required as a qualification to any office. The president, vice-president, regional governor, and governors must shall be the U.S. Citizens.

Before any officer enter on the execution of his/her office, he/she shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: – “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the officers of …. (the office name someone holds) and will to the best my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States.

VII. COMMITTEES

Section 1. Purpose:

Committees are created to complete work on specific objectives of importance to alliance’s mission and goals. The committees are an opportunity to involve the broader alliance’s membership in the alliance’s work.

Section 2. Committee Creation:

Any alliance member may propose the creation of a committee by submitting a written request to the Executive Committee indicating the committee’s mission and objectives. Ratification of the committee requires approval by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Each committee will have a President/Co-President and at least five members. The alliance hosts: Security and Immigration Committee, Health and Education Committee, Economic Matters Committee, Nepalese Families Empowerment Committee, Experts and Scholars Committee, and Scholarship Committee

Section 3. Membership:

Unless otherwise stated by the Executive Committee, any alliance member can join a committee.

Section 4. Eligibility of Presidents:

Any member of the alliance in good standing for the past six months is eligible to be a committee President.

Section 5. Term of Office:

Each position in the alliance is elected/nominated for a two-year term.

Section 6: Standard of Conduct:

Officers are representatives of alliance and should conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the organization’s values as laid out in the mission statement and organizational objectives.

VIII. Elections:

The chair of the judiciary committee will hold an election and determine the portfolio of elected officers.

VI. Due Process, Equal Protection

Section 1. Membership Suspension/Termination:

Membership can be suspended or terminated only under special circumstances, including persistent non-payment of dues (in the event an exemption has not been offered) or persistent conduct detrimental to the goals of alliance.

Section 2. For membership to be suspended or terminated, a complaint must be issued by a fellow member. A subcommittee will be convened to investigate the complaint and to make a recommendation on a course of action for consideration by the general membership. The general membership may suspend or terminate membership by a two-thirds (2⁄3) affirmative vote.

IX. AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Procedure to Amend These Bylaws:

Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed by the Executive Committee or any voting member in good standing at any time. The Executive committee must formally review these bylaws annually to recommend any needed changes to the body.

Section 2. Notice of Vote:

All members must receive a written or electronic notice that details proposed changes and their rationale at least ten days prior to the general membership meeting.

Section 3. Approval of the Amendment:

All proposed amendments are voted on at the following general membership meeting. Amendments must be adopted by two-thirds (⅔) of the vote of the membership present at the meeting. Changes are effective immediately unless otherwise stipulated prior to voting.

Article X– – Miscellaneous Provisions.

Section 1. Parliamentary Authority.

The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern all proceeding of the alliance, except where in conflict with these bylaws, the charter of the alliance.

Section 2. Quorum.

A quorum of the Executive Board shall be at least 50{3ef27d018e6bdeadce989df27c5817ae54e99f0a34d0cae195b02e17b2313d92} of the voting members of the Executive Board.

Section 3. Expenditures.

Expenditures of five hundred dollars ($500.00) or less shall be subject to prior approval by the president and the Treasurer. Expenditures in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) shall be subject to prior approval by a majority of the Executive Board.

Article XI – Amendments.

Section 1. Approval of Amendments.

These bylaws may be amended upon affirmative vote of at least 80{3ef27d018e6bdeadce989df27c5817ae54e99f0a34d0cae195b02e17b2313d92} of the voting membership present at a meeting of the alliance, or at least 2/3 of the voting membership present at a meeting of alliance.

Section 2. Proposal of Amendments.

Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be submitted to the president and Secretary at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of a meeting of the alliance. The Secretary shall send notice of any proposed amendments to the membership of the alliance at least fourteen (14) days in advance of a meeting of the alliance. Amendments shall be considered in the order submitted, and changes may not affect the scope or intent of a proposed amendment.

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

Life Membership	General Membership	Student Membership
Single $350	Single $25	Single $5
Family $500	Family $40	Family $10