info@incamericas.us
Donate Now

INCA By-Laws

Home  >  About  >  INCA By-Laws

BY-LAWS Of Ijaw National Congress of the Americas (acronym INCA)

Preamble:

AND WHEREAS the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality exists in the Americas; they are people of migrant nature and are endowed with enormous human and natural resources; they have decided to come together under a collaborative relationship with the Organization known as Ijaw National Congress of the Americas. 

Ijaw National Congress of the Americas is also in collaborative partnership with Ijaw National Congress World-Wide. 

Therefor: Ijaw National Congress of the Americas, 


 HEREBY GIVE TO OURSELVES THE FOLLOWING BYLAWS: -


ARTICLE ONE – ORGANIZATION & MOTTO: Leadership, Unity, and Service.

1. The name of the organization shall be known and addressed as Ijaw National Congress of the Americas (INCA), otherwise always known as “Congress.” And the Motto of the Organization shall be “ Leadership, Unity and Service.

ARTICLE TWO – OBJECTIVES:

The organization is founded exclusively for: social, cultural, educational, charitable and other scientific purposes, including for such purposes such as the making of distribution to other organization that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
The core objectives are:

i) To protect and promote the cultural heritage of Ijaw people in the Americas and worldwide.

ii) To promote inter-ethnic understanding among the diverse people of Nigeria and diverse racial groups in the Americas.

iii) To conduct fund raising activities from members and other potential sources to finance the activities of the organization. No part of the earnings of the organization shall be to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No part of the activities of the organization shall be carried on propaganda, or  the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate of Ijaw National Congress of  the Americas for public office.

 iv) To help raise the level of awareness on issues relating to education, health care, member’s death insurance matter, environmental issues, housing, social development and economic empowerment as it affects Ijaws in and everywhere.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted by an organization exempt’ from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code or by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Service Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

v) To judiciously manage all financial resources derived from membership dues, donations and sundry sources in the interest of the organization and in furthering the social and cultural aspirations of the organization. Upon dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code or shall be distributed to the federal government or to the state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organization’s and operated exclusively for such purposes.

vi) To cooperate with other philanthropic organizations in fostering mutual understanding, social wellbeing and peaceful co-existence of all ijaws , notwithstanding their ethnic origin, nationality or religious orientation. 

vii) To do all such other things that may be beneficial to all Ijaw people worldwide.


ARTICLE THREE – MEMBERSHIP:

i) Membership of the organization shall be open to all persons who are Ijaw by birth, naturalization or marriage provided be qualified for membership of INCA by virtue of this provision.
ii) Subject to paragraph (i) of this Article, any woman married to a person who is Ijaw either by birth or naturalization, shall be qualified for membership of the Congress .

iii) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (i) of this Article, a person who is Ijaw by birth, marriage or naturalization shall not become a member of INCA unless such person has been registered with and has obtained an identification card from INC or INCA as evidence thereof.
A person who is Ijaw by birth, marriage or naturalization and who fulfils the requirements of paragraph of this article shall be an ordinary member of the congress and shall be qualified to vote or be voted for at any election.

iv) An ordinary member of the congress under the provisions of the preceding paragraphs of this Article, who has paid the membership fee and annual subscription as may be prescribed from time to time, shall qualify as a participating member of the Congress and may take part in all activities of the Congress including holding any elective office unless otherwise disqualified under the provisions of this bylaws.

v) Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraphs of this Article, any eligible member can hold any elective office of his/her choice  INCA. 

ARTICLE FOUR – MEETING:

The congress meetings of this organization shall be held once monthly via teleconference source using virtual audio or video means, email, and any other agreed channel on a specific date and time to be agreed by the members. The executive committee meetings shall also hold once a month unless in an emergency as may be deemed appropriate by the executive members. The Secretary shall send a to be e-mailed to every member in good standing at his or her address as it appears in the membership roaster of this organization a notice informing of the time of such meeting.

The presence of not less than 25 percent of the registered members of INCA shall constitute a quorum and shall be necessary to conduct the business of this organization; but a fewer number may adjourn the meeting for a period of not more than one quarter from the date scheduled by this bylaw and the secretary shall cause a notice of this scheduled meeting to be sent to all those members who were not present at the meeting previously called. A quorum to hold a meeting as set forth in the bylaw shall be required at any resumed meeting.

ARTICLE FIVE – ELECTION/VOTING:

Voting for officers to any elected office shall take place at the Congress meeting, held at a venue and or mode as determined by the executive committee. At the meeting, all votes for the election of officers shall be by ballot in line with the laid down procedure as stipulated in the bylaws, subject to availability of candidates from a zone. The laid down procedure is, for all zones in where Ijaws are domiciled be represented in the executive committee. At any regular or special meeting any issues may be voted upon. Votes including changing or amending any portion of the bylaws shall be by a simple majority.


ARTICLE SIX – ORDER OF BUSINESS:

Agenda and Opening/Prayer 
Roll Call.
ii) Reading and Adoption of the minutes of the preceding meeting.

iii) Report from committees, if any.

iv) Reports from  officers.

v) Matters arising.

vi) Any other Business (A.O.B)
viii) Adjournment.

ARTICLE SEVEN – OFFICERS OF THE ORGANIZATION:

The executive committee shall manage the business of this organization as officers of the organization.

The officers shall be elected for a 3-year term. They shall be elected at the annual convention of the organization.

The executive committee shall be responsible for the management of all affairs of the organization. The executive committee shall only in the event of any extraordinary convene extra ordinary meetings (different from emergency meetings) of the organization, and decisions reached in such meetings shall be ratified by the congress of the organization.
The chairperson of the executive committee shall preside over the meetings of the executive committee and the congress.

ARTICLE EIGHT – OFFICERS:

The officers of the organization shall be as follows:
1) Chairperson
2) Vice Chairman
3) Secretary
4) Assistant Secretary
5) Treasurer 
6)  Financial Secretary
7) Publicity Secretary
 ) Organizing Secretary
9) Legal Adviser
10) Auditor
11) Ex-officio member

Description of Role of Offices:
1) The Chairperson; is the leader of the organization, and shall, preside over the executive committee and congress meetings of the organization. In the absence of the chairman, the vice chairman takes charge, and in the absence of the vice chairman, the secretary shall preside.
• Ensure that all activities of the organization are conducted efficiently as required by law.
• Ensure with the assistance of the Secretary, Financial Secretary and Treasurer the efficient and economic use of the assets and resources of the organization through prudent investments, acquisitions and disposals as may be necessary from time to time, subject however, to the approval of the Executive Committee and Congress. Perform such other duties as may be in the interest of the organization

2) The vice chair shall assist the chair in the performance of his / her duties.
• Act as Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson
• Perform all the Chairperson’s duties, if the Chairperson is unable to perform the duties of the office due to mental or physical incapacity, absence from the country (however, the chairperson or vice chairperson can attend telephonically or by virtual means) or for any other reason whatsoever. Perform the above and other functions as may be approved by the chairperson and the executive committee.
3) The Secretary shall keep the minutes of records(not electronic recording or surveillance) of INCA in the appropriate manner: books, files and certificate required by any statute, federal or state,
• Be the official custodian all records and seal of the organization and serve all notices to members of the organization,
• Present to membership at any meetings any communication addressed to the secretary of the organization.
• Submit to the executive committee any communication which is addressed to the secretary of the organization,
• Attend to all correspondence of the organization and exercise all duties that pertains to the office of the secretary.

4) The Assistant secretary shall assist the secretary in the performance of all the functions of the Secretary as listed .
• Assistant  secretary shall act as secretary in the absence of the secretary.
Perform duties that may be assigned  by the secretary.

5) The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all monies of the organization, and shall render  written account of the finances of the organization at stated periods as determined by the executive committee, 
• Such accounts shall be physically or electronically attached to the minutes of the executive committee meeting; he/she shall exercise all duties that pertains to the office of Treasurer.
6)The Financial Secretary shall compile and keep records of all financial transactions of all organs of the congress.
• The Financial Secretary shall ensure that all participating registered members of the Assembly pay their subscription and annual dues to the organization.
• The Financial Secretary shall render account of such records annually and whenever called upon to do so.
• The Financial Secretary shall prepare and submit to  the congress an annual budget of estimated revenue and expenditures for approval and implementation . 
Collect all monies and pay to the Treasurer not later than five (5) working days and keep record of all monies received or dues paid.
• The Financial Secretary shall advice the congress on the prudent use of available resources and investment opportunities. Perform such other duties as may be required of her / him by the chairperson or the executive committee and or congress.


7) The Publicity Secretary shall conduct the internal and external publicity of INCA using appropriate and approved medium by the executive committee.
• Keep a record of all publications concerning INCA  and bring such publications to the attention of members of INCA.
• Promote a better understanding of the functions of INCA by informing the Ijaws and the general public of the activities of INCA.
• Perform such other duties as may be required of her /him by the chairperson or the executive Committee.

8) Organizing Secretary 
• Organizes all events including Annual General Meeting (AGM) or any special event of INCA.  
 for INCA and represents the organization in all external collaborative events involving INCA. 
• Serves as representative of the organization with respect to any external invitation when mandated by the executive committee.
  
9) The Legal Adviser shall advise the executive committee and the congress on all legal matters including the natural and constitutional rights of the Ijaw people everywhere
• Protect and preserve the rights of the Ijaw ethnic nationality within the Americas.
•Articulate and pursue legal issues that may concern all Ijaws and Ijaw nation in general
• The Legal Adviser  shall defend, uphold and ensure respect for the fundamental human rights of all Ijaw people everywhere
• Perform the above functions and  other duties as may be approved the chairperson and the executive committee.

910) The Auditor shall audit the accounts of all organs of the organization annually and whenever called upon to do so.
• Query any money of the congress not properly accounted for by any officer or member of the Congress
• Prepare and circulate to every member of the executive  committee the audited account of the organization for the preceding year.
• Present the auditor’s report to the Congress at the annual convention for approval. Perform such other duties as may be required of her / him by the chairperson or the executive committee.

11) Ex- Officio. Is a former chairperson of the organization
• Is a non-voting member except in a situation of a tie in any voting 
• Not elected or appointed (immediate past chairman of the organization) 
• Have all the rights as entrenched in this bylaws


ARTICLE NINE – Membership Dues 

A One-time membership fee of $5.00 shall be paid by all intending INCNA new  members

A monthly membership dues of $10.00 to be paid to the organization.

Special levies may be authorized by the Congress to execute specific projects as deemed necessary.
ARRICLE TEN- COMPENSATION AND SIGNING OF CHECKS
No Officer of INCA shall for reason of the office be entitled to receive any salary or compensation 
There shall be three authorized signatories to the account of INCA. The signatories are Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.
All checks and financial transaction can be signed by all three or any two of the authorized signatories, but in all cases the chairperson shall sign the checks.
ARTICLE ELEVEN: DECIPLINE OF OFFICERS
Any officer of the organization whose conduct is deemed as being capable of causing disaffection and disruptive shall be disciplined. The executive committee by a vote of 2/3 members can constitute themselves as a disciplinary committee to try the offending member and subsequently pronounce punishment ranging from suspension to outright expulsion. If an exco is to be expelled, the case shall be bought to the attention of the congress for rectification.

ARTICLE TWELVE: RESIGNATION
Any elected member of the organization is free to resign his position any time, provided the officer is not facing any form of disciplinary action currently being handled by the executive committee or congress. Disciplined member Shall surrender all properties of the organization to the Congress. 
ARTICLE THIRTEEN: COMMITTEES
There shall be standing and adhoc committee of the organization. The standing committees shall be educational and interchapter committees. The ad hoc committees shall be electoral and special event planning. The executive shall appoint members of each committee

ARTICLE FOURTEEN- CORRESPONDENCES:

All Correspondence to Ijaw National Congress of the Americas shall be addressed to:
The Secretary
Ijaw National Congress of the Americas (INCA) 
Email: incamericas@gmail.com


ARTICLE FIFTEEN   – AMENDMENTS:

These bylaws may be amended at the annual convention by an affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the members.

ARTICLE SIXTEEN- DISSOLUTION.
The association can only be dissolved by the congress.