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Constitution of Bangladesh Youth Federation (BYF)
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ARTICLE 1. Name
1.1. The name of the Organization will be Bangladesh Youth Federation
(henceforth referred to as BYF).
1.2. Date of Establishment: 4 September 1995 (Sunday).
ARTICLE 2. Mission & Objectives
2.1 Mission Statement:
To foster our heritage while we develop our evolving identity as
young Bangladeshi North Americans.
2.2 General Objectives:
2.2.1. Create a network of support and communication among young
Bangladeshi North Americans.
2.2.2. Foster pride in our heritage.
2.2.3. Provide a medium through which young Bangladeshi North Americans
can have a voice.
2.2.4. Bridge the gap between generations within the Bangladeshi North
American communities.
2.2.5. Be positive role models to the younger Bangladeshi North Americans.
2.2.6. Help the younger Bangladeshi North Americans to realize their
upcoming roles in the community.
ARTICLE 3. Membership qualifications
3.1. BYF will be an organization of all individuals of Bangladeshi
heritage, their relatives and friends, and any other interested
individuals, who are over twelve (12) years of age.
3.2. Special membership will be granted to those who qualify, but are
under thirteen (13) years of age.
3.3. Membership will of the following categories:
3.3.1. Individual Membership: Any person above twelve (12) years of age
will have one vote.
3.3.2. Family Membership: Spouses and children under thirteen (13) years
of age. Each spouse will have a vote.
3.3.3. Special Membership: Any person under thirteen (13) years of age
will have no vote.
3.3.4. Honorary Membership: The Executive Committee will have the
authority to bestow non-voting honorary membership, which may also
be revoked by the decision of the said Committee, on any person(s)
of its choice.
3.4. Fees for the membership will be set by the Executive Committee at
the beginning of the fiscal year, and will be payable at the time
of application for membership.
3.5. Fees for the renewal of membership, without interruption, will be
due by the 31st of January each year.
3.6. Membership rights will be suspended if fees are not received by the
31st of January, and will remain so until membership is made
current by payment of fees.
3.7. Only those who become members or renew membership by the 31st of
January will be considered members for the full year.
3.8. An individual who practices discrimination in any form will not
qualify for BYF membership.
3.9. No organization may be a member of BYF.
3.10. BYF, as an organization, will not be a member of any other
organization.
ARTICLE 4. The Executive Committee
4.1. The Executive Committee (henceforth referred to as the Committee,
while the members of the Committee will be referred to as Committee
Members) will consist of five (5) or more persons, as defined in
the Bylaws, who will bear the following designations:
President
Vice President
General Secretary
Treasurer
Chairpersons of various committees of BYF
4.2. Additional non-voting Committee Members may be appointed by the
President with the approval of the Committee.
4.3. Responsibilities of Committee Members are defined in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE 5. Fiscal Year, Term & Election of the Executive Committee
5.1. The fiscal year of BYF will begin on the 1st of January and end on
the 31st of December of each year.
5.2. Terms and election process of Committee Members are defined in the
Bylaws.
ARTICLE 6. Annual Event & Meeting
6.1. In keeping with its objectives, BYF will organize an annual event
in North America.
6.2. An Annual Meeting of the general members of BYF will be held during
each annual event.
6.3. Other special meetings may be called, in accordance with the
outlines defined in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE 7. Inurement of Income & Financial Liabilities
7.1. No part of the net earnings of BYF will inure to the benefit of or
be distributable to its members, trustees, officers or other
private persons, except that the corporation will be authorized and
empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and
expenses incurred for BYF.
7.2. No member of the Executive Committee will be personally liable to
any extent for debts incurred by BYF.
ARTICLE 8. Amendments to the Constitution & the Bylaws
8.1 Amendment of the whole or part of the Constitution and the Bylaws
of BYF may be made in a general meeting convened for such purposes.
8.2. All voting members will have to be notified of the amendment
meeting, along with the exact text of the proposed amendment in a
letter, and through electronic mail, post-marked at least
forty-five (45) days prior to the meeting.
8.3. No quorum will be required for the amendment meeting.
8.4. Any modification of the text of the proposed amendment will have to
be approved by two-third (2/3) of the voting members present at the
meeting, before it can be voted upon.
8.5. No new clause of amendment, other than those about which the
members were notified in the letter, and through electronic mail,
may be introduced during the meeting.
ARTICLE 9. Operational Limitations
9.1. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the
corporation will not carry on any other activities not permitted to
be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal Income Tax
under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or
the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal
Revenue Law) or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are
deductible under Section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States
Internal Revenue Law).
ARTICLE 10. Subservience to the Law
10.1. Federal laws and the laws of the State(s) or Province(s), where BYF
is registered, will supersede in case of any conflict with these
rules.
10.2. In case of any conflict of other nature, the interpretation by the
Committee will be final.
ARTICLE 11. Suspension, Revocation & Recall
11.1. Membership of any person(s) may be put on probation for thirty (30)
days by the Committee, during which time all membership privileges
of the said person(s) will be temporarily suspended.
11.2. A second term of suspension imposed by the Committee will result in
automatic revocation of membership privileges for any person(s).
11.3. Person(s) whose membership was revoked by the Committee will have
the right to be heard at any general meeting, at which time a
simple majority of the voting members will decide the issue.
11.4. Membership of any person(s) may also be revoked on the majority
decision by two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members present in a
general meeting.
11.5. The person whose membership may be revoked in a general meeting
must be informed of this proceeding at least thirty (30) days prior
to the said meeting.
ARTICLE 12: Rules of Order
12.1. Robert's Rules of Order will govern all meetings of the Federation.
ARTICLE 13: Dissolution
13.1. BYF may be dissolved in a Special Meeting convened for such purpose
in the presence of three-fourths (3/4) of all voting members and a
simple majority of Committee Members, after paying all debts and
liabilities.
13.2. All assets of BYF will be disposed of as per law and Internal
Revenue codes then existing.
13.3. Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Committee Members
will, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the
liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all the assets of the
corporation exclusively for the purpose of the corporation in such
manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and
operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or
scientific purposes or will at the time qualify as an exempt
organization or organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of
any future United States Internal Revenue law), as the Committee
Members will determine. Any such assets not so disposed of will be
disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the
principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively
for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said
court will determine, which are organized and operated exclusively
for such purposes.
This Constitution is ratified on Saturday, the 6th of July, 1996.
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Bylaws of Bangladesh Youth Federation (BYF)
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ARTICLE 1. Immediate Action Items for BYF
1.1. The founding members of BYF unequivocally decided the following:
1.1.1. BYF members will assert their rightful roles in the Bangladeshi
North American community as respectable, responsible, contributing
young adults.
ARTICLE 2. Responsibilities of the Committee Members
2.1. Each Committee Member will have a portfolio of responsibilities,
and will have one vote when a decision is made through voting in
the Committee.
2.2. Additional responsibilities may be assigned to a Committee Member
through mutual agreement with the President and the said Committee
Member.
2.3. The President will:
2.3.1. As the Chief Executive Officer of BYF, have the executive function
of supervising all Committee Members, and preside over all general
meetings and the Committee meetings of BYF.
2.3.2. Appoint ad-hoc committees and additional Committee Members, if
necessary, with the approval of the Committee.
2.3.3. Appoint Election Commissioner(s), with the approval of the
Committee, to conduct all BYF elections.
2.3.4. Be a signatory, with the Vice President and the Treasurer, on all
bank accounts of BYF.
2.3.5. Perform all other duties incidental to the office of the
President.
2.3.6. Furnish a report to the members at the annual meeting.
2.4. The Vice President will:
2.4.1. Preside over BYF meetings in the absence of the President.
2.4.2. Be the custodian of the Seal.
2.4.3. Be an ex-officio member of all committees and will
coordinate between their functions.
2.4.4. Be a signatory, with the President and the Treasurer, on
all bank accounts of BYF.
2.4.5. Furnish a report to the members at the annual meeting.
2.5. The General Secretary will:
2.5.1. Preside over BYF meetings in the absence of the President
and the Vice President.
2.5.2. Convene and organize all meetings at the direction of the
President or the majority of Committee Members.
2.5.3. Maintain minutes of all meetings of the general members and
of the Committee.
2.5.4. Maintain membership lists.
2.5.5. Be the keeper of all records of BYF.
2.6. The Treasurer & Chairperson - Fund Raising Committee will:
2.6.1. Keep all financial records.
2.6.2. Coordinate all fundraising activities.
2.6.3. Keep the Committee abreast of the financial status of BYF.
2.6.4. Manage all funds of BYF.
2.6.5. Be a signatory, with the President and the Vice President,
on all bank accounts of BYF.
2.6.6. Disburse funds authorized by the Committee to meet all
debts and obligations of BYF.
2.6.7. Furnish a financial report to the members at the annual
meeting and to all required government agencies.
2.6.7. Appoint for one year, a Co-Chair of Fund Raising in the
area where the annual event will be held.
2.7. The Chairperson - Cultural Committee will:
2.7.1. Organize all cultural programs.
2.7.2. Invite guest performers to BYF events.
2.7.3. Be the custodian of all audio-visual equipment of BYF.
2.7.4. Appoint for one year, a Co-Chair in the area where the
annual event will be held and necessary committees to help him/her
to fulfill the responsibilities.
2.7.5. Furnish a report to the members at the annual meeting.
2.8. The Chairperson - Facilities Committee will:
2.8.1. Procure necessary premises, facilities and equipment for
BYF events.
2.8.2. Appoint for one year, a Co-Chair in the area where the
annual event will be held and necessary committees to help him/her
to fulfill the responsibilities.
2.8.3. Furnish a report to the members at the annual meeting.
2.9. The Chairperson - Public Relations & Publicity Committee will:
2.9.1. Keep members informed of BYF matters.
2.9.2. Maintain liaison with external organizations and
individuals, including disseminating BYF news to the media.
2.9.3. Edit and publish BYF newsletters and magazines.
2.9.4. Appoint for one year, a Co-Chair of Public Relations in the
area where the annual event will be held and necessary committees
to help him/her to fulfill the responsibilities.
2.9.5. Furnish a report to the members at the annual meeting.
2.10. The Chairperson - Reception & Registration Committee will:
2.10.1. Make arrangements for reception, housing and transportation of
special guests during BYF events.
2.10.2. Coordinate housing and transportation arrangements for attendees
during BYF events.
2.10.3. Coordinate the registration process during BYF events.
2.10.4. Appoint for one year, a Co-Chair in the area where the
annual event will be held and necessary committees to help him/her
to fulfill the responsibilities.
2.10.5. Furnish a report to the members at the annual meeting.
2.11. The Chairperson - Seminar Committee will:
2.11.1. Organize all BYF seminars and discussion sessions.
2.11.2. Invite guest speakers to BYF events.
2.11.3. Appoint for one year, a Co-Chair in the area where the annual event
will be held and necessary committees to help him/her to fulfill
the responsibilities.
2.11.4. Furnish a report to the members at the annual meeting.
2.12. An additional Committee Member may be appointed by the President,
with the approval of the of the Committee, to maintain the
electronic mail (e-mail) listserver.
ARTICLE 3. Terms & Election of the Executive Committee
3.1. The President, the Vice President, the General Secretary and the
Treasurer will be elected to a two-year term by ballots of the
voting members.
3.2. All Committee Chairpersons will be elected to a two-year term by
ballots of the voting members.
3.3. The term of the Committee will start on the 1st of January and end
on the 31st of December of the following year.
3.4. There will be no term limit for Committee membership.
3.5. Election will be held during the annual event, or at a time
designated for the election, at least thirty (30) days prior to the
completion of the term of the current Committee.
3.6. Anyone, who had membership for the current full year, as defined by
Article 3.7 of the Constitution, will be eligible to run for any
office of the Committee.
3.7. All members, who had membership for at least sixty (60) days, will
be eligible to vote in the election.
3.8. The President, with the approval of the Committee, will appoint a
three-member committee of Election Commissioners sixty (60) days
prior to the election date.
3.9. Election Commissioners will inform all voting members of the
designated date for the election and solicit nominations for
election to the Committee in a letter, and through electronic mail,
post-marked at least sixty (60) days prior to the election date.
3.10. Election Commissioners will publish a panel of nominees, after
procuring their expressed consent, in a letter, and through
electronic mail, post-marked at least thirty (30) days prior to
election.
3.11. Election Commissioners may also accept nominations from the floor
prior to the election, up to a previously announced time.
3.12. Along with voting by ballots of the present members, voting by mail
will be allowed.
3.13. No proxy voting will be allowed during the election.
3.14. Election will be decided by plurality of votes.
3.15. The retiring Committee must transfer all offices and materials
pertaining to BYF to the newly elected Committee by the 1st of
January.
ARTICLE 4. Resignation or Incapacity
4.1. If a Committee Member resigns or is unable to continue, the
President will nominate a replacement for the remainder of the
term, with the approval of the Committee.
4.2. In the case of replacement of the President, the Vice President
will assume responsibility for the remainder of the term of the
President.
4.3. In the case of replacement of the Vice President, the General
Secretary will assume responsibility for the remainder of the term
of the Vice President.
ARTICLE 5. Meetings
5.1. The Committee will meet as often as necessary for the smooth
functioning of BYF.
5.2. General Meeting(s) of the members may be called by the General
Secretary, as necessary, at the direction of the President or the
majority of Committee Members.
5.3. Notice of General Meeting(s) must be mailed and electronically
mailed, if possible, to all members, post-marked at least fifteen
(15) days prior to the meeting.
5.4. Special Meeting(s) may be of one or more of the following category,
and will require a quorum as specified against each category:
5.5.1. No-Confidence Meeting(s) will require a quorum of simple
majority of voting members.
5.5.2. Requisition Meeting(s) will require a quorum of one-fourth (1/4)
of all voting members.
5.5.3. Dissolution Meeting(s) will require a quorum of three-fourth
(3/4) of all voting members.
5.5.4. Amendment Meeting(s) will not require a quorum.
5.5. Notice of Special Meeting(s) must be mailed and electronically
mailed, if possible, to all members, post-marked at least thirty
(30) days prior to the meeting.
5.6. Different committees will meet as often as necessary.
These Bylaws are ratified on Saturday, the 6th of July, 1996.
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