PREAMBLE

 

Whereas Mboho Ndito Ibibio USA, Inc. (MNI) was officially formed and registered in April 2016, with existing chapters in United States, therefore for the proper functioning and conduct of our chapter, we set forth the following Bylaws. We all know and recognize that there is a National Constitution of MNI and, as a chapter of MNI, we all agree to abide by the provisions of the National Constitution.

Whereas the Chapter Bylaws are meant to be supplementary to the National constitution and specific to the Chapter, thereforeif there are any conflictsbetween the National Constitution and the Chapter Bylaws, the National Constitution shall govern.

 

LAW 1 — NAME AND PURPOSE

 Section1 — Name: The name of the Organization shall be Mboho Ndito  Ibibio USA, Inc., Atlanta Chapter (MNI Atlanta). It is a subsidiary of Mboho Ndito Ibibio USA, Inc. incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia as a non-profit organization with 501c3 status of the Internal Revenue Code.

Section2 — Purpose: The purpose of this organization is as specified in the National Constitution, as follows:

To function as a qualified non-profit, public benefit organization in accordance with the Statutes, Laws, Rules and Regulations relating to non-profit organizations as defined in Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

• • To function as a qualified non-profit, public benefit organization in accordance with the Statutes, Laws, Rules and Regulations relating to non-profit organizations as defined in Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • To promote the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the Ibibio people.
  • To encourage qualitative education among Ibibio youths by establishing scholarships whenever possible.
  • To promote social awareness and interaction amongst Ibibio people, and     our host community.
  • To mobilize members of MNI and the entire Ibibio people towards economic self-reliance and sustainable development of Ibibio people.
  • To collaborate with other organizations on mutually beneficial activities and projects, which are ancillary and conducive to the growth of Mboho Ndito Ibibio.

 

LAW 2 — MEMBERSHIP

Section 1—Eligibility for Membership: Membership shall be open to all Ibibio indigenes of Akwa Ibom State and their families, who are residents of Greater Atlanta Area and its surroundings.

1. All new members will only be admitted at the National Convention and granted full membership rights after admission and become Registered Members as stipulated in Article 4 of the Mboho Ndito Ibibio Constitution.
2. Incoming members shall first attain Provisional Member status as defined by the National Constitution, as follows:
3. a) Completing his/her probationary period which entails attending 2 out of 3 consecutively scheduled general meetings of his/her local chapter as stipulated in the National Constitution;
4. b) Filing an application for membership with the Secretary of the local chapter who would then forward same to the National Secretary for vetting by the National Membership Committee;
5. c) Be advised of acceptance for membership by the National Secretary after approval by National Membership Committee and National Executive Council (NECO);
6. d) Should the provisional member not be approved by the National Membership Committee and National Executive Council (NECO) for admission at the National convention, the Provisional member will have to resign from the Chapter.

 

LAW 3—FINANCES

Section 1 – Registration Fee: A Provisional Member is required to pay a two-hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) registration fee. Each Provisional Member is required to pay their monthly dues, welfare and levies as every other registered member in the Chapter. All monies paid by the Provisional member up to the time when he/she resigns are non-refundable.

Section 2 – Member Dues: Each Registered Member is required to pay the monthly dues of fifteen dollars ($15.00) payable at/or before the monthly General

Meetings. Five dollars of the dues paid goes to the welfare account as agreed upon by members.

Section 3 – National Dues, Fees and Levies:

1. a) Fifty percent of the monthly dues paid by each Registered Member is forwarded to the National Treasurer.
2. b) All Registered Members are required to pay their annual project fee and convention fee as stipulated in the Mboho Ndito Ibibio constitution.
3. c) All dues and levies are required to be paid as stated in Article 21: Section A and B of the MNI Constitution.

Section 4 — Fines: Any member, who is absent from any meeting without permission or excuse from the President shall not be penalized but encouraged to attend general meetings.

LAW 4—MEMBER WELFARE

Section 1 – Member Benefits: Each Registered, Financial and Participating member is entitled to two (2) Welfare Benefits. The benefits can be either the death of a family member (Mother, Father, child or any other relative designated by the member), event or function organized by the member. All members are required to submit their requests for benefits to the Chapter Secretary, at least sixty (60) days before receiving the benefit. These welfare benefits will apply only to Registered, Financial and Participating members in good standing.

Section 2 – Member’s Contribution: Each member is required to contribute $5.00in dues payment to a total of $15.00 monthly, as welfare fund starting January 2021.

Section 3 – Death of a Member’s Designee:

a. The affected member will receive the total amount contributed by all Registered Members upon the death of the member’s designee.

b. Newly admitted (Registered) members will only receive a $100 disbursement from the Chapter for the first 6-months after their admission. Thereafter, their benefits shall become fully effective.

c. In the case of the death of a Provisional Member’s family member, benefits will not be paid by the Chapter to the member.

d. Members are encouraged to support affected members (Old and New Registered, and Provisional members) with their additional kind donations for the death of a member’s designee.

e. Attendance at functions for the Provisional Member will be on individual basis.

Section 4 – Death of a Member: In the case of a Registered Member’s death, the same benefit will be paid to the member’s family. This benefit is limited to one per family in the case where the spouse is also a member and is a designee beneficiary by the surviving spouse.

In the case of the death of a Provisional Member, the chapter shall pay the sum of $100 to the Provisional Member’s family. Benefits will be paid only if the Provisional Member remains in good financial standing with the organization.

Section 5 — Visitations: The organization will recognize and attend member’s request for the following visitations:

1) Member’s Funeral Service: This is also recognized as an official organization event. The official organization uniform shall be worn. Home visitations to console the member’s family will be done on individual basis. Same visitation applies to the death of immediate family members.

2). Member celebrating the birth of a child: Each member is required to contribute ten ($10.00) dollars to the member’s family that is celebrating the birth of a child. Visitation is on individual basis.

3). Member dealing with sickness: Donations for sickness visitation is open and encouraged. Members are encouraged to make kind donations. This is not mandatory but highly encouraged.

4). Member celebrating their wedding: This is recognized as an official organization event and requires members to dress in the official uniform of the organization for this function. Members are encouraged to make kind donations. This is not mandatory but highly encouraged.

5). The above-named visitations only apply to Registered, Financial and Participating Members.

6). Visitations for Provisional members will be encouraged and on individual basis.

LAW 5 – CHAPTER MEETINGS

Section 1 — Regular Meetings: Regular general meetings of the chapter shall be held on first Sunday of every other month or any other time as approved by the Chapter Executive Committee, via teleconference using the conference call-in information provided by the Executives.

Section 2 — Special Meetings: Special meetings may be called by the Chapter President or the Chapter Executives as deemed necessary at a time and place designated by the Executive or the President.

Section 3 — Notice of Meetings: Notice of each meeting shall be given to each member by email and/or text messages, at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

Section 4 — Quorum: The number of members present 30 minutes after the announced time of a duly called meeting shall constitute a quorum and all matters and issues adopted at such meetings shall become binding on all chapter members.

Section 5 — Voting: All issues to be voted on shall be decided by a simple majority of those Financial and Participating members present at the meeting in which the vote takes place. In the event of a tie, the issued will be deemed to have been

rejected, and may be reconsidered for voting at the same meeting or at another meeting.

LAW 6 — CHAPTER OFFICERS

Section 1 — Composition: The Chapter Executives shall have the Officers listed in the National Constitution, with their duties and responsibilities described thereto.

Section 2 — Roles and Compensation: The Chapter Executive Officers are responsible for the direction of the organization, day-to-day operations, adherence to the goals and objectives of the organization and shall generally ensure that members abide by the rules and regulations as set forth in the Constitution of MbohoNditoIbibio USA, INC.

The Chapter Executives shall be comprised of all elected and appointed officers of the Atlanta Chapter. Executive members shall receive no compensation for their services other than re-imbursements for approved and reasonable expenses.

Section 3 — Terms: All Executive members shall serve 4-year terms as specified in Article 9: Section 4 of the Constitution.

Section 4 — Quorum: A Quorum shall be attained by at least forty percent (40%) of the Executive Officers present for business transactions to take place and to pass motions.

Section 5 — Special Meetings: Special meetings of the Executive Officers shall be called by the Secretary upon request by the chapter President or one third of the Officers.

Special meetings of the chapter General Assembly shall be called by the Secretary upon request by the chapter President. Notices of every special meeting shall be sent out to Officers or General Assembly members at least two weeks in advance.

LAW 7 — COMMITTEES

Section 1 — Committee formation: The Chapter Executive Officers may create committees as needed, such as membership, fundraising, promotions, public relations, welfare, project, uniform, disciplinary and conflict resolutions etc.

The chapter President shall appoint all committee chairpersons.

Section 2 — Finance Committee: The Treasurer shall be the chair of the Finance Committee, which shall include the Financial Secretary and two other members. The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, fundraising plans, and the annual budget for the chapter and presenting it to the chapter executive officers.

The chapter executive officers must approve the budget before it can be presented to the Chapter General Assembly for discussion and adoption. After December 31st of each year, annual reports, showing income, expenses and pending income are required to be prepared and made available to all members.

Section 3—Conflict Resolution Procedure: (C-1) Any aggrieved member/members in Atlanta chapter of the organization who wishes to be heard, shall first submit his or her grievances in writing to the president through the organization’s secretary or orally present the case to the house members in a meeting session.

(C-2) Where the compliant is sent in writing, the secretariat upon receipt, shall make it an item in the next general meeting or special meeting agenda, called to resolve the grievance. The complaint shall be published to all members present at the meeting.

(C-3) the president shall call for a vote from members to determine, if the hearing shall be heard by the entire house or mandated to an Ad-Hoc committee for hearing with a formal report to the house within a specific time period.

(C-4) Any or all aggrieved parties involved, shall have the legal rights to accept the house or committee’s findings and resolutions or reject all or part thereof.

(C-5) Aggrieved party or parties concerned may reject the house or committee resolutions and appeal his or her case to the National Executive Committee through the Chapter President. The President shall within a period not more than 30 days make such an appeal on behalf of the aggrieved parties. Failure on the

part of president shall allow the affected party or parties to appeal his or her case directly to the National Executive committee.

 (C-6)Any and all aggrieved or injured parties may have their case or cases resolved by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 (C-7) Where a party or parties decide to approach the court for justice, he or she must first exhaust all internal avenues to resolve the case.

 (C-8) All parties or party who sue the organization shall stand suspended from the organization till the final resolution of the case. A return to the organization will depend on the outcome of the case, reimbursement of court expenses and fulfillment of other conditions set forth by the organization.

 (C-9) failure to follow this process may result in the non-cooperation of the chapter in any effort to resolve the case or outright dismissal from the organization.

 LAW 8 – ELECTIONS

Section 1 — Rights of Members: In every election, only fully admitted, financial and participating members of MbohoNditoIbibio shall vote and/or be voted into any office. The rules for eligibility shall be as spelled out in Article 10: Section 1 of the MbohoNditoIbibio Constitution.

Section 2 — Eligibility of Members: Only Financial Members as defined in the MNI Constitution are eligible to run for elected office. Any Financial and Participating Member is eligible to nominate a candidate or be nominated as a candidate.

Provisional Members as defined in the National Constitution can be appointed by the Chapter President to serve on a temporary basis on committees and/or executive positions as the President deems necessary to run the chapter affairs. All appointments by the Chapter President shall be approved by the General Assembly of the Chapter.

Section 3 — Officer Elections: All Executive Officers of the Atlanta Chapter shall be elected or re-elected by all financial or participating members of the Atlanta Chapter in good standing at a General Assembly meeting of the chapter as spelled out in Article 10: Section 1 of the MbohoNditoIbibio Constitution. Chapter Executive Officers will be elected by a simple majority of financial and participating members present at a general meeting of the chapter by secret ballot.

Section 4 — Election Procedures: Whenever the need for election arises, the chapter President shall notify the National Executive Committee at least 3 months in advance, at which point the National Executive Committee shall proceed with elections preparation and conduction process as specified by Article 10: Section 1(D) of the constitution. Any Financial and Participating Member is eligible to nominate a candidate or be nominated as a candidate.

LAW 9 — UNIFORMS

Section 1 – Chapter Uniforms: The Chapter shall adopt two sets of uniforms, formal and informal, that will be worn on all chapter outings. Provisional Members may obtain and wear the Chapter Uniforms.

1. a) Formal Uniform shall consist of the traditional “usobo” wrapper, with the main color being any shade of blue, a white top (shirt or blouse) and a blue color head-tie for woman and black traditional oblong cap for men.
2. b) Informal Uniform shall consist of white top shirt or white top short sleeve lace, with blue wrapper or as traditionally called (usobo).

Section 2 — National Uniforms: National uniforms shall only be used by fully registered, financial and participating members of MbohoNditoIbibio and worn during MbohoNditoIbibio outings as spelled out in Article 23 of the MbohoNditoIbibio Constitution.

LAW 10 — AMENDMENTS

Section 1 — Amendments: These bylaws may be amended when necessary by two-thirds majority of the members present at the Chapter General Assembly. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Chapter Secretary, who shall forward the amendments to members of the chapter. Thereafter, the executive

shall set the date of the meeting when members will discuss and vote on the amendments. Thereafter, the adopted amendments shall be sent to the National Executive Committee for approval.

CERTIFICATION

These bylaws were approved by the National Executive Committee on____________________

These bylaws were adopted by the Chapter General Assembly on ____________________________________________                                        _____________________

Chapter Secretary                                                                               Date

_________________________                                     ____________________Chapter President               Date