PREAMBLE
As we left our home country as a result of political, tribal instability and Civil War which denied us security, peace, social interactions and educational opportunities, we as a Community do ordain and establish these bylaws in order to unite ourselves and to secure the blessings and security of God in our community.
ARTICLE 1
NAME
SECTION I.0
The Community shall be known as the Liberian Community of Syracuse, INC otherwise known as LICOS. ARTICLE 2 MOTTO
SECTION 2.0
In union strong, success is sure.
ARTICLE 3
OBJECTIVE
SECTION3.0
ARTICLE 4
GOALS
SECTION 4.0
The goals of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. shall be:
To create a support structures for members of the Liberian Community of Syracuse in time of joy or need.
SECTION 4.1
To enable its members to learn about their own cultures, culture of other Liberians and of other countries around the world through cultural and educational programs.
SECTION 4.2 To provide a means where its members can find out informations on developments in Liberia, the United States and other parts of the world.
AFFILIATION
SECTION 5.0
The Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. shall work with other organizations striving to accomplish similar objective and mission whenever it determines that such cooperation is appropriate and serves to supports its objective.
ARTICLE 6
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 6.0
Regular membership: Any Liberian, spouse of a Liberian, dependents of a Liberian or individuals of Liberian descent who pledge to uphold the objective, mission, principles, policies of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) may become a regular member in good standing by paying a membership due as determined by the general body of LICOS in Article 6, Section 6.3 and section 6.2 by participating in the activities and business of LICOS as expected of every member and as well as attending meetings. Application of membership shall be in writing and orientation of membership shall be followed upon completion of membership application.
SECTION 6.1 Associate Membership: Any person who is not a Liberian but pledges to uphold the principles and policies of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. may become an Associate Member by submitting an application, participating in the activities and business of the Community as expected of all members except that he/she may not hold an elective office. The applicant shall give reason(s) for desire to become a member of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC.. The Board of Directors in collaboration with the Executive Committee may revoke the membership privileges for the following reasons: Deliberate inactiveness, non-payment of due, not attending meetings and lack of interest in LICOS activities. Any member who deliberately canceled his/her own membership or whose membership was revoked by the Board of Directors in collaboration with the Executive Committee may become member again by submitting another application form and fee. Associate members shall not hold an elected position except members of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 6.2 Duties of members: Members of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. shall strive to attend all regular meetings, vote on issues, participate in discussions, work with others to carry on assignment(s) and abide by the bylaws of LICOS.
SECTION 6.3 DUES: The annual due for membership of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. does not include monies members shall raise or contributions to carry out projects or specific needs that may arise. Members whose due to economic conditions are not able to pay their dues in full at one time may choose to pay in installments by prior approval of the treasurer or the treasurer’s designee.
ARTICLE 7 GOVERNANCE
SECTION 7.0
The governing body of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. shall be no fewer than seven (7) members Board of Directors elected by the general body, an Executive Committee comprising six officers, President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary and the Chaplain elected by the general body and chairpersons of standing as well as ad hoc committees appointed by the President in consultation with the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 8
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Liberian Community of Syracuse shall be governed by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be no fewer than seven (7) members with demonstrated or significant connections to, service to, interest in, or association with Liberia or members of the Liberians Community of Syracuse. The Board of Directors shall also consist of not fewer than three (3) non Liberans and not fewer than four Liberians who are members of the Liberian Community of Syracuse that do not hold any elective or appointive positions with the exception of the President. The President of the Liberian Community of Syracuse shall be a member of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 8.1
Election of the Board of Directors: Members of the Board of Directors shall be nominated during a regular or call meeting and elected by the general body.
SECTION 8.2 Term of Office of the Board of Directors: The members of the Board of Directors of the Liberian Community of Syracuse shall serve atleast two consecutive full terms. A member of the Board of Directors who has served two consecutive full terms may be nominated and elected for another term of office after his/her expiring two consecutive terms. A full term of office is two calendar years. However, the three nominees for members of the Board of Directors with the highest votes shall serve a first term of two years after his/her expired two consecutive terms while the remaining three nominees for members of the Board of Directors with the lowest numbers of votes shall serve a first term of one year after his/her expired two consecutive terms.
SECTION 8.3
Duties of the Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall review policies, lobby/network in the interest of the Liberian Community of Syracuse and guide its operations to ensure accountability and compliance with local, state and federal regulations governing the operations of non-profit organizations. The Board of Directors shall also participate or lead the Community to further its goals.
ARTICLE 9 OFFICERS
SECTION 9.0
Elected Officers: The elected efficers of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. shall consist of the following: President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Chaplain.
SECTION 9.1
Election of Officers: The elected officers of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. shall be elected by the general body of the Liberian Community on the 3rd Saturday of August of the expiring term.
SECTION 9.2 Term of Office: A full term of office is two years (calendar years). The elected officers shall serve atleast two consecutive full terms in the same office or position. An elected official who has served two consecutive full terms in the same office but wishes to contest a different elective office shall have to forgo the term immediately within three (3) months before his/her second term expire to qualify.
ARTICLE 10
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
SECTION 10.0 Duties of the President: The President of the Liberian Community of Syracuse shall perform his/her duties at all times in the best interest of the Community. The President shall call and preside a regular or emergency meetings, in consultation with members of the Executive Committee, develop agendas for meetings, appoint committee chairs and members, and co-sign all checks, withdrawals, documents, or contracts. He or she shall present a balanced budget at the beginning of the fiscal year and an annual report at the last meeting (3rd Saturday) in August of each year; and perform all other functions as are necessary and proper for the effective and efficient conduct of the business of the Liberian Community of Syracuse. (LICOS) INC.
SECTION 10.1 Duties of the Vice President: In the absence of the President or in the event of disability of the president, the Vice President shall perform all the duties and functions of the President, including co-signing with the Treasurer all checks for disbursement or withdrawals of the Community's funds. During such a period, the Vice-President shall have the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president. He or she shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President. The Vice President may be assigned other duties as are necessary for the effective and efficient conduct of the Community’s business.
SECTION 10.2 Duties of the General Secretary: The General Secretary shall record minutes at regular meetings and read minutes of previous meetings at each regular meeting. He/she shall provide copies of all minutes to the President and maintain an official binder containing copies of minutes and other important documents such as copies of correspondence and responses, up-to-date membership lists, mailing addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers for members. The General Secretary shall receive and process all written communications addressed to the Community and direct same to the President for timely response.
SECTION 10.3
Duties of the Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be the Chairperson of the Finance Committee. He/she shall also be the Chief Financial Officer of the Community. He/she shall maintain bookkeeping records, receives and deposit all monies of the Community, and co-sign with the President or his/her designee all checks or withdrawals for the disbursement of the Community's funds. He/she shall provide financial statements as often as required, but at least quarterly to the general body and shall provide a complete financial report at the last regular membership meeting (3rd Saturday in August of every year.
SECTION 10.4
Duties of the Chaplain: The Chaplain or his/her designee shall pray for God’s blessings and guidance at the beginning and closing during all of the Community’s activities at which time members assemble. The Chaplain may be assigned other duties as are necessary for the effective and efficient conduct of the Community’s business.
ARTICLE 11
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION 11.0
Composition of the Executive Committee: The Executive Committee of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. shall consist of the following elected officers: The President, Vice President, General Secretary,Treasurer,Financial Secretary, Chaplain and chairpersons of standing committees.
SECTION 11.1 Term of Executive Committee: Elected members of the Executive Committee shall serve no more than two consecutive full terms in the same office as stipulated in Article 9 Section 9.2. Chairpersons of standing as well as ad hoc committees are appointed by the President in consetation with members of the Executive Committee. Chairperson of standing as well as hoc committees services are guided by the Constitution and and therefore, have no definite term of office. The Executive Committee shall,
SECTION 11.2 Meeting: The Executive Committee shall meet as often as may be required for the purpose of conducting the business of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. at a time and place determined by the President or his/her designee.
SECTION 11.3 Quorum: A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be two-third votes of the total number of elected officers and chairpersons of standing committees in decision(s) making.
ARTICLE 12
STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION 12.0
Membership Committee: The Membership Committee shall consist of not fewer than four members including the chairperson. The President, in consultation with members of the Executive Committee, shall appoint the chairperson and members of the Membership Committee. This committee shall work to encourage all Liberians to become bona fide members of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (IICOS) INC. and shall report on the status of membership at regular and call meetings. The committee shall also have the responsibility of monitoring the participation of all members in the activities and business of the Community. It shall make recommendations to the President on steps to take to encourage full participation of all members of the Community.
SECTION 12.1
Networking and Opportunities Committee: This committee shall consist of at least four members including the chairperson. The President, in consultation with members of the Executive Committee, shall appoint the chairperson and members of the committee. The committee shall gather informations on opportunities including employment, education and etc., for sharing with members informally or during regular or call meetings. The committee shall also gather information(s) from each member that need to be shared and have such information(s) disseminated during regular or call meetings.
SECTION 12.2
Finance Committee: This committee shall consist of not fewer than four members including the Treasurer who shall be the chairperson of this Committee as stipulated in Article 10 Section 10.3 of the Bylaws. The President, in consultation with the members of the Executive Committee, shall appoint the additional members of the Finance Committee. Members of the Finance Committee shall assist the Treasurer in organizing and systematizing all of the Community's financial records, work with the President to prepare budgets, prepare annual and quarterly financial reports, and recommend ways and means to raise funds to meet the financial needs of the Community.
SECTION 12.3
Information and Publicity Committee: This committee shall consist of not fewer than four members including the chairperson. The President, in consultation with the elected members of the Executive Committee, shall appoint the chairperson and members of the Information and Publicity Committee. The committee shall maintain contact with the general public regarding the Community's existence, mission, and goals, inform members regularly through print or electronic media of developments in and out of the Community, develop and maintain a website through which members can obtain important informations about developments within the Liberian Community of Syracuse, Liberia and other parts of the world and issues that affect them.
SECTION 12.4
Grievance and Conflict Resolution Committee: This committee shall consist of not fewer than three members including the chairperson. The President, in consultation with the members of the Executive Committee, shall appoint the chairperson and members of the Grievance and Conflict Resolution Committee. The responsibilities of this committee include reconciling members of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC.. It shall develop a process and mechanism for dispute/conflict resolution which shall be brought to the attention to the Liberian Community of Syracuse.
SECTION 12.5
Planning and Program Committee: This committee shall consist of not fewer than four members including the chairperson. The President, in consultation with the members of the Executive Committee, shall appoint the chairperson and members of the Planning and Program Committee. This committee shall develop a calendar of activities and programs for the year by soliciting plans and programs from the various committees and incorporating same into the master plan for the fiscal year. The yearly plans shall consist of dates, places, individuals responsible for implementation, purpose, estimated budgets, etc. The master plan for a given year shall be completed and submitted to the general body for discussion and voting during a call meeting or the last regular meeting of the previous year.
ARTICLE 13
YOUTH AND SPORTS
SECTION 13.0
Youth and Sports: This committee shall consist of not fewer than four members including the chairperson/director. The President, in consultation with the members of the Executive Committee, shall appoint the Chairperson/director and the additional members of the Youth and Sport Committee. This Committee shall be responsible for all sporting activities of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC..
SECTION 13.1.
All committees shall keep documentations of their transactions and minutes of their meetings for reports during regular or call meetings.
ARTICLE 14 MEETINGS
SECTION 14.0
Regular Meetings: Regular meetings of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. shall be held on Saturdays on a date agreeable by consensus. The President or his/her designee shall reschedule meetings canceled as a result of unforeseen circumstances.
SECTION 14.1
Emergency Meetings: The President, Vice President, or a legitimate designee may call an emergency meeting to address matters that pertain to the welfare of a member or members that need immediate attention. Such emergency meeting shall be held at a place and time that are ideally amenable to the resolution of the emergency situation.
ARTICLE 15
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 15.0
These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed at any regular meeting of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. by a two-third vote of the membership in good standing, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at a previous meeting to enable members to discuss and reflect upon the changes before voting.
SECTION 15.1
Rules or Procedures Governing Meetings: Robert's Rules of Order governing Parliamentary Procedure shall be used for all meetings held by the Liberian Community of Syracuse. The General Secretary shall compile and distribute a concise summary of Robert’s Rules of Order to all members.
ARTICLE 16 ELECTIONS
SECTION 16.0
Officers of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. shall be elected every two years during the regular meeting of the last month (3rd Saturday) of the expiring term of office. Officers shall serve no more than two consecutive full terms or as stipulated in Article 9 Section 9.2.
SECTION 16.1
Eligibility for Elective Office: Members must be in good standing as stipulated in Article 6 Section 6.2 and Section 6.3 prior to the election of officers in order to be considered a bona fide nominee or candidate for an elective office.
Section 16.2
Election Commission: An Election Commission shall develop procedures, guidelines, and processes for the election of officers. The general body shall discuss and vote upon these procedures, guidelines, processes, and any amendments made in them thereafter.
ARTICLE 17
VACANCIES AND SUCCESSION
SECTION 17.0
Line of Succession: The line of succession within the governing body of the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. shall be as follows: the President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Chaplain.
SECTION 17.1
Succession: In the event of incapability, resignation, or impeachment of the President, the Vice President shall automatically assume the Presidency to complete the unexpired term of the President.
SECTION 17.2
Vacancies: In the event of a vacancy created by incapability, resignation, or impeachment of any elected official other than the President, the President, his/her designee or the most senior official in line of succession may authorize the Election Commission to call for a special election during a regular or emergency meeting to fill the vacancy to complete the unfinished term.
ARTICLE 18
RESIGNATION
SECTION 18.0
Resignation: Any official of the Liberian Community of Syracuse who by reason(s) of personal circumstances finds it difficult to serve the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. effectively, may resign at any time by submitting a letter of resignation to the President, Vice President, or General Secretary giving the reason or reasons for the resignation.
ARTICLE 19 IMPEACHMENT OR REMOVAL
SECTION 19.0
Impeachment or Removal: Any official of the Liberian Community of Syracuse or person elected or appointed may be impeached or removed from office by the general body or by the President when his or her conduct gravely contravenes the bylaws, mission, principles, policies, and goals of the Liberian Community of Syracuse as well as the laws of the State of New York and the United States. A simple majority of members in good standing present shall be required to impeach an elected official convicted or guilty as per grounds for impeachment as stipulated in Article 18 Section 18.1 of these bylaws.
SECTION 19.1
Grounds for Impeachment or Removal: Grounds for impeachment or removal from office include but are not limited to: (1) conviction of a felony, a serious crime such as aggravated assault, arson, burglary, murder, rape, etc., usually punishable by at least one year in prison; (2) conviction of a misdemeanor, a criminal offense less serious than a felony punishable by a prison sentence of one year or less as well as by a fine; (3) conviction of embezzlement, the fraudulent appropriation or misappropriation by an official of LICOS with the Community’s funds/monies or property for the personal benefit of that official; (4) conviction of corruption, the misuse of public office by an official of LICOS for his/her personal benefit such as but not limited to the illegal taking, misapplying or misappropriating of LICOS’ funds or monies or other things of value, dishonesty or actions intended to bribe or blackmail or make someone to bribe or blackmail; and (5) highly unethical conduct, actions such as but not limited to not conforming to approved or accepted standards of social or professional behavior. Any elected or appointed official or officials accused of committing a crime or accused of involvement in highly unethical conduct shall step down temporarily until the crime or conduct has been investigated and an outcome determined.
ARTICLE 20
RESPONSIBILITY/LIABILITY
SECTION 20.0
Responsibility/Liability of LICOS: The Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. shall, according to its mission, make every effort to support its members in meeting their needs but shall not willingly and knowingly be a part of misrepresentation(s) on the part of its members nor shall it be liable for the actions of its members which violate local, state, or federal laws.
ARTICLE 21
CONTRACTS AND LOANS
SECTION 21.0
Contracts: The President, in consultation with the Executive Committee, may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Community. Such authority shall be confined to specific situations as stipulated in Article 10 Section 10.0.
SECTION 21.1
Loans: No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Community and the Community shall make no loans to anyone, entities, or its members; no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the general body by a two-thirds vote. Such authority shall be limited to specific instances.
SECTION 21.2
Compensation: There may be compensation for services members render the Liberian Community of Syracuse (LICOS) INC. where a contract or contracts for such services are signed by the person or persons performing the services and a legitimate representative of the Community with the approval of the President.
SECTION 21.3
Reimbursement: The use of personal resources, funds, or monies on behalf of LICOS with the goal of receiving reimbursement shall not be encouraged. However, in case of extraordinary circumstances, prior approval from the Executive Committee shall be obtained before personal expenditures are made in carrying out assignments in the interest of LICOS. This shall be the exception and not the rule. In such instances, bona fide receipts must accompany all claims.
ARTICLE 22
BOOKS AND RECORDS
The Community shall keep correct and complete books and records of accounts. It shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its Executive Committee and general meetings, and copies of correspondence. It shall also keep records of its members including their names, mailing addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers.
ARTICLE 23
FISCAL YEAR
SECTION 23.0
The fiscal year of the Liberian Community of Syracuse shall be twelve months ending August 31st of every year.
