CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE NEVISIAN ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON, DC (NEV-DC)

CONSTITUTION

Preamble
We the members of the Nevisian Association of Washington, DC (NEV-DC) pledge to support endeavors that will foster and promote the advancement of Nevisians and their descendants at home and abroad. We also pledge to initiate and participate in activities and programs that will always enhance Nevisians and their descendants through social, economic, educational, technological, and cultural avenues. These programs and activities will be initiated both within and outside of Nevis. Members of NEV-DC are encouraged to join and participate in activities and programs. We pledge to work for inclusion, achievement, and advancement of all Nevisians and people interested in promoting the advancement of Nevis and Nevisians.

ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of the organization shall be Nevisian Association of Washington DC (NEV-DC)

ARTICLE II. MISSION
The Nevisian Association of Washington DC (NEV-DC) will strive to promote economic, educational, technological, social and cultural advancement of Nevisians and their descendants, at home and abroad.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
The membership consists of Nevisians, their descendants and other persons and organizations (clubs) having an interest in the advancement of Nevisians. Subject to the will of the membership, the Executive committee may enter into arrangements of joint membership or sponsorship of activities with other local, regional or national associations interested in promoting the advancement of Nevisians and their descendants. The Executive Committee or any steering body appointed by the Executive Committee may determine conditions for regular, student, or other membership categories deemed necessary to advance the mission of the of the organization

ARTICLE IV. ORGANIZATION
The Executive Committee of this Association shall consist of the following officersPresident, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, and Immediate Past-President. In case of incapacity of the President to serve, the Vice President will become President. The President shall chair the meetings, shall be responsible for the agenda of the meetings, and shall be assisted by the executives and their appointed designees. The Executive Committee Shall develop proposed bylaws for the operation of the Association and recommend proposed changes to the membership at annual meetings. The Treasurer along with one other duly elected member of the association shall be elected to serve as trustee of the assets of the Association. The Treasurers duties and financial authority are outlined in the bylaws. The immediate past president shall preside over the election of officers and the preparation of a slate of new officers. The Immediate Past-President shall prepare the slate of nominees for elected positions at least 3 months before elections of new officers at the Annual General Meeting. The slate of nominees shall not be complete unless at least 2 nominees are selected for each position. Written ballots shall be prepared and write-in candidates are permitted. The president shall appoint two persons who will count the ballots and report the results. The President shall verify the results and the elected parties will be installed at the end of the Annual General Meeting.

The Association shall be governed by the Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules and by policies set forth by its Executive Committee in concord within.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
The NEV-DC shall hold an annual general meeting (AGM) with a time and place to be determined. The AGM shall be advertised at least 3 months before the schedule date. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the Executive Committee subject to the will of the Associations Membership and consistent with the Associations Objectives. Executive Committee and other Steering Committee meetings shall be convened at the discretion of the President and Chair of these Committees.

ARTICLE VI. FINANCIAL LIMITATIONS
The Association is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, social, and cultural purposes, including such purposes that qualify the organization as exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or any corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
The Association shall collect dues from its members as determined by the Membership to be necessary to further the objectives of the Association. No part of the net earnings of the Association shall ever be used to the benefit of any private individual in an inconsistent manner with purpose and objective set out by the Association. No member of the Association shall ever receive compensation or pecuniary profit form the operations of the Association except as reasonable compensation for expenses incurred in connection with rendering services to the Association.

No substantial part of this Association shall be attempting to influence legislation, and the Association shall not participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. The Association shall not carry on any activity that is not permitted by an organization exempt from federal income tax under 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Corresponding sections of any future federal tax code, or by an organization contributions of which are deductible under section 172 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding sections of future federal tax codes.

ARTICLE VII. RULES
Roberts Rules of Order will be the authority for reference in parliamentary matters.

ARTICLE VIII. AMMENDMENTS
The Constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of the active members present at any regular meeting. Amendments to be voted upon must first be approved by the Executive Committee and members shall be notified of the proposed amendment at least 1-week prior to the meeting.


BYLAWS

Article I. Organization

Section 1. Name. The name of this association is THE NEVISIAN ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON, DC (NEV-DC)

Section 2. Incorporation. This Association is a non-stock, non-profit organization incorporated in Washington, DC? Maryland? Virginia?.

Section 3. Location. The principal office of this Association shall be the same as that of the duly appointed President? Secretary? Treasurer?.

Section 4. Purposes. This Association is organized for the purposes stated in its Constitution.

Section 5. Powers. This Association shall have, and may exercise, all powers provided for under its Constitution.

Article II. Membership and Dues

Section 1. Qualifications. Nevisians, their descendants, and other persons and organizations having an interest in the advancement of Nevis and Nevisians

Section 2. Classes of Membership. The Executive Committee may establish and prescribe conditions for regular, student, and other classes of membership, as it shall consider reasonable for furthering the objectives of the Association and for broadening the base of interest and participation in its affairs.

Section 3. Dues. The Membership shall determine the annual dues required to be paid for membership in the Association by regular, student, and affiliated groups to further the purposes and objectives of the Association.

Section 4. Inactivity and Termination of Membership. Membership in the Association will be inactive after 2 year of failure to make payment of the dues prescribed and terminated after 3 years of failure to make payment of the dues prescribed herein by March 31 of each year.

Article III. Meetings

Section 1. Membership Meetings. The Association shall hold an annual general meeting (AGM) at the time and place designated by the Executive Committee. The AGM shall be advertised at least 3 months before the schedule date. The President, assisted by the Executive Committee and their appointed designees, shall be responsible for the program of the annual meeting. The Executive Committee shall schedule additional meetings. Notice of all additional meetings together with statement of purpose thereof, shall be sent electronically to each member of the Association at least 1-week (7) days prior to the meeting.

Section 2. Quorum. At any duly called meeting of the membership, the quorum shall constitute two-thirds of the active members.

Section 3. Number of Votes. Each member shall be entitled to but one (1) vote on any matter brought to vote.

Section 4. Voting. At any duly called meeting of the membership, the affirmative of the majority of members present or voting thereon shall be required to sustain any matter before the Association except amendments to the Constitution which shall require an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the active members voting.

Section 5. Absentee Voting. Members may vote on specific questions or resolutions by ballot transmitted to the Secretary by e-mail or first class mail and such ballot shall only be counted at the specific time and place of the meeting as set forth in the notice to members. The President shall appoint two (2) representatives of the members to count the votes and certify the results to the President.

Article IV. Officers

Section 1. Elected Officers. The elected officers of the Association shall consist of the President, the Immediate-Past-President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, and Public Relations Officer, all of whom, except the immediate-Past-President, shall be elected by a vote of the members of the Association having voting rights.

Section 2. Nomination of Officer. The immediate past president shall preside over the election of officers and the preparation of a slate of new officers. The immediate past President shall prepare the slate of nominees for elected positions at least 3 months before elections of new officers at the Annual General Meeting. The slate of nominees shall not be complete unless at least 2 nominees are selected for each position. Written ballots shall be prepared and write-in candidates are permitted. The president shall appoint two persons who will count the ballots and report the results. The President shall verify the results and the elected officials will be installed at the end of the Annual General Meeting.

Section 3. Selection and Term of Office. All elected officers of the Association shall be elected by a majority vote of those members voting at the annual meetings. Each officer elected shall be installed at the following annual meeting and shall serve for a period of one (1) year, except for President and Treasurer whose terms shall be for a period of two (2) years, and the Secretary and Public Relations Officer whose terms shall be three (3) years, or until death, resignation, or removal from office (see Article IV of the Constitution). (This allows for continuity of the Executive Body) Failure to fill any elected positions shall not dissolve the Association.

Section 4. Appointed Agents. The Executive Committee shall appoint a Steering Committees to review oversee any special projects undertaken by the Association.

Section 5. Removal and Resignations. All elected officers of the Association may be removed from office by vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership voting. The Executive Committee may remove all appointed agents from office. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice to the President or to the Secretary of the Association. Such resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by such officer, and acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to render it effective.

Section 6. Vacancies. In case of incapacity of the President to serve, the Vice President will become president. Vacancies due to resignations or removals shall be filled at a special meeting of the Association or at the Annual General Meeting, whichever comes first, and shall conform to the plurality of at least two-thirds of the voting membership.

Section 7. Elected Officers - Authority and Duties. The elected officers of the Association shall perform the duties usually performed by such officers, together with such duties as shall be prescribed by action of the general membership and the Executive Committee. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association and, subject to the Executive Committee, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Association and control over its officers, and agents. The President shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and see that all orders and resolutions of the Association are called into effect. The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and of the Executive Committee, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by these Bylaws or by the Executive Committee.

Section 8. The Vice President-Authority and Duties. The Vice President shall assist the president in the fulfillment of the duties of chief executive officer and shall assume the functions of the chief executive officer in the absence of the President. The Vice President shall serve as the Associations Historian and keep accurate record of the initiation and development of the Association, and review and revise the Associations Constitution as new amendments are passed; and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Vice President by these Bylaws and by the Executive Committee or the President

Section 8. The Secretary Authority and Duties. The Secretary shall record all proceedings of meetings of the Association and Executive Committee in a book to be kept for that purpose; shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before the annual meeting of the members, a list of members entitled to vote at such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, such list to be produced and kept at the time and place of meeting, subject to the inspection of any member; shall cause all notices to be duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and as required by law; shall act as custodian of the records and shall see that the books, statements, certificates, and all other documents and records of the Association are properly kept and filed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary, and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Secretary by these Bylaws and by the Executive Committee or the President.

Section 9. The Treasurer Authority and Duties. The Treasurer shall be the financial officer of the Association, and shall, subject to the direction of the Executive Committee, have charge of, and supervision over, and be responsible for the funds, securities, receipts, and disbursements of the Association; shall Chair a Finance Committee that will identify and develop funding sources and develop fund raising initiatives. The Treasurer shall keep the financial records of the Association, shall deposit all moneys and valuables in the name of and to the credit of the Association in such banks or depositories as the Executive Committee shall designate; shall render to the Executive Committee, whenever requested, a statement of the financial condition of the Association, and shall render a full financial report at the annual meeting of the members as called upon to do so; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer, and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Treasurer by these Bylaws and by the Executive Committee or the President.

Section 10. The Assistant Secretary-Treasurer-Authority and Duties The Assistant Secretary Treasurer shall assist the Secretary and the Treasurer is the comporting their duties and in the absence of the Secretary or Treasurer shall assume their duties; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Assistant Secretary Treasurer by these Bylaws and by the Executive Committee or the President.

Section 10. The Public Relations Officer Authority and Duties. The Public Relations Officer shall serve as the face of the Association to the public; shall be the spokesperson for the Association and shall promote the interests of the Association, as prescribed by the Executive Committee. The Public Relations Officer shall be responsible for preparing all press releases as directed by the Executive Committee; and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Public Relations Officer by these Bylaws or by the Executive Committee or the President.

Article V. Executive Committee

Section 1. Composition. The affairs of this Association shall be managed and controlled by an Executive Committee consisting of the duly elected officers of the Association and the immediate Past-President. The President of the Association shall serve as Chair of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Meetings. An annual meeting of the Executive Committee for the transaction of the Association's business may be held each year prior to the annual meeting of the membership. Other meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held at such places and at such times as the Committee may determine by formal resolution. Special meetings may be held at such places and at such times and may be called by the President or any majority of the Executive Committee. Except as otherwise provided herein, notice of meetings of the Executive Committee shall be given either personally, by telephone or electronically.

Section 3. Quorum. A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings thereof, and the act of a majority of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Executive Committee.

Section 4. General Powers. The Executive Committee shall have and exercise full control of the affairs of this Association, except such as are conferred by law or these Bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation upon the members or upon an officer of this Association.

Section 5. Depository. The Executive Committee shall have the power to select one (1) or more banks or investment companies to act as depositories for the funds and/or securities of the Association and to determine the manner of receiving, depositing and disbursing the funds of the Association, and the form of checks and the person or persons by whom the same shall be signed, the power to change banks or investment companies and the person or persons signing such checks and the forms thereof at will. The Executive Committee will exercise this depository-banking-investing authority by approving the selection of financial institutions made by the Treasurer

Section 6. Audits. At least once each year the Executive Committee shall secure the services of a competent and disinterested person(s), who shall make a careful audit of the books and accounts of the corporation and render a report in writing thereon, which report shall be submitted to the Executive Committee at the next meeting of the Committee following completion thereof.

Article VII. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year for the Association shall be the year beginning January 1.

Article VIII. Amendments
The Bylaws of this Association may be altered or repealed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members voting at a duly authorized meeting.