Udoka By-Laws

PREAMBLE

WE, the daughters/women of Orlu Senatorial Zone of Imo State of Nigeria, resident in Southern California, U.S.A being fully committed to pursuit of Igbo traditional culture and the life of love, peace, unity, cooperation, understanding and progress among ourselves and our people at home in all matters of mutual interest, do hereby unanimously resolve to constitute ourselves into an Organization for the purpose of pursuing and actualizing these ideals for ourselves and our region in Imo State, do hereby make, enact and adopt this by-law as our own.

ARTICLE I – NAME AND LEGAL STATUS.

The name of this organization shall be Udoka Women’s Association of Southern California, Inc., otherwise called UDOKA or the Association perpetually. The Organization shall be a U.S.-based, 501 © 4 non-profit, civic, educational, and charitable entity under the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE I.2 – SUPREMACY CLAUSE.

Subject to the United states Constitution, California Non-profit Corporation Act and the Uniform Non-profit Corporation Act, this by-law shall be the Supreme Law of Udoka, and where any rule, regulation, any other enactment of Udoka or any of its organs is inconsistent with the provisions of this By-law; this by-law shall prevail.

ARTICLE 2 -- MOTTO

The motto of Udoka shall be UDO NA IHUNANYA.

ARTICLE 3 -- OBJECTIVES

The objectives of UDOKA shall be:

• 3.1 To promote and foster love, peace, unity, cooperation, understanding, justice and fair play between and among all women from old Orlu province/Orlu Senatorial zone of Imo State resident in southern California, U.S.A
• 3.2 To promote, assist and maintain the social, educational, cultural, civic, and the general well-being of its members.
• 3.3 To provide a forum for cultural exchange, organize cultural activities and/or events that will enable us to reach out and help other communities in Southern California.
• 3.4 To educate our youths about their cultural heritage.
• 3.5 To raise funds that will benefit the educational advancement of children in California and Nigeria.
• 3.6 To Provide scholarships, gifts and prizes in accordance with the objectives of the Association.
• 3.7 To provide a forum for our youth for exchanging ideas and information such as academic reward, graduations, profession, sports excellence, fine arts and civic recognition and their families etc.
• 3.8 To enhance the image of people from Orlu Senatorial Zone through networking, public relations and information sharing, solidarity, cooperation and collaboration in all fields of life.

ARTICLE 4 – ATTAINING OBJECTIVE

• 4.1 Udoka shall be empowered to do all things legally necessary which are incidental to and necessary for the attainment of the objectives of the Association.

ARTICLE 5 – PROPERTY OF THE ASSOCIATION

• 5.1 Udoka must apply all property and income of the association towards the promotion of the objectives of the association and no part of that property and income to be paid or otherwise distributed, directly or indirectly, to members of the Association, except in good faith in the promotion of those objectives or purposes.

ARTICLE 6 – POWERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

• 6.1 To acquire, hold, deal with, and dispose of any real or personal property.
• 6.2 To build, construct, erect, maintain, alter and repair any premises building or other structure of any kind and to furnish, equip and improve the same for use by the Association.
• 6.3 To open and operate bank accounts.
• 6.4 To invest its money –
  i. in any security in which trust monies may be invested; or
  ii. in any other manner authorized by the rules of the Association.
• 6.5 To borrow money upon such terms and conditions as the Association thinks fit.
• 6.6 To give such security for the discharge of liabilities incurred by the Association as the Association thinks fit.
• 6.7 To appoint agents and employees to transact any business of the Association on its behalf for reward or otherwise.
• 6.8 Accept donations and gifts in accordance with the objectives of the Association.
• 6.9 Print and publish any information by any media including newsletters, newspapers, articles or leaflets for promotion of the Association.
• 6.10 Collaborate with other organizations in the U.S.A, or Nigeria or elsewhere in providing outreaches and community building projects.
• 6.13 Organize cultural and social events for members and the promotion of the Association; and
• 6.14 To enter into any other contract the Association considers necessary or desirable.

ARTICLE 7 -- MEMBERSHIP

• 7.1 Membership shall be open to all law - abiding adults (eighteen years (18) years or older) female indigenes of Orlu Senatorial Zone of Imo State Nigeria or a female married to a male from the Orlu Senatorial Zone of Imo State.
• 7.2 An indigene is one who by birth, marriage, naturalization or adoption is a native of the area delineated as Orlu Senatorial zone/Old Orlu province of Imo State Nigeria
• 7.3 Membership shall be automatic upon payment in full of the registration fee and annual dues as stipulated in the By-law.
• 7.4 Each person admitted to membership shall be;
  i. Bound by the By-laws of the Association
  ii. Be liable for such fees and levies as may be fixed by the Association
  iii. Entitled to all advantages and privileges of membership.
  iv. Members must reside in Southern California and attend meetings regularly to maintain their membership. Membership terminates when a member relocates outside of Southern California. An exemption was granted to five (5) existing grand-fathered members. The five, grand-fathered members must meet all their financial and other obligations to Udoka (including, but not limited to, dues/levies and tickets sales.) They are also required to attend meetings (in person/on-line) and Udoka events when in town.

ARTICLE 8 -- TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP

• 8.1 ACTIVE MEMBERS
  A member in good standing who has paid her dues, and regularly attends meetings for, or any Udoka event for at least, 70% of the time, in addition to meeting all the requirements associated with the membership registration and annual dues and other levies, fees, etc. shall receive any benefit that Udoka, Inc. may confer and offer its members.
• 8.2 Statute of Limitation for benefits is 3 months- (any member who has a qualifying event for benefits must notify Udoka and collect benefit within 3 months otherwise the benefit is forfeited.
• 8.3 Honorary Membership:
  The Executive Committee may confer honorary membership to any person who has given outstanding service, or contributed immensely towards the achievement of the objectives of Udoka, Inc. Honorary members shall have no voting rights nor be entitled to hold any office.
• 8.4 Honorary members of Udoka, Inc. are exempt from any financial obligation but may make voluntary contributions.

ARTICLE 9 -- MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING

• 9.1 A member in good standing is a member who is up to date with her financial obligation to Udoka, Inc. and who has attended at least eight general meetings per year.