Bylaws

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE ALABAMA HISPANIC ASSOCIATION OF ALABAMA

PREAMBLE

We, the Alabama Hispanic Association, in order to promote Alabama communities with social educational and economic resources for the advancement of Hispanic people, do hereby establish this Constitution and Bylaws.

ARTICLE 1  ORGANIZATION

SECTION 1. Name. This organization shall be known as the Alabama Hispanic Association herein referred to as: "Association". The official abbreviation shall be AHA.

SECTION 2. Nonprofit Status. Alabama Hispanic Association is organized and operated as a Nonprofit Corporation Act exclusively for charitable, educational and cultural awareness within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 501 © (3), or corresponding provision of any subsequent federal tax law.

SECTION 3. Purpose. Purpose shall be to assist and facilitate the Hispanic community through information and resources available for education, scholarships, medical and legal guidance, families in the process of relocation, mentoring and translation; and to promote cultural heritage awareness through social activities.

SECTION 4. The aforementioned purpose shall not preclude other valid and lawful activities the Association may do as incidental thereto.

SECTION 5. Identity and Secretariat. The Association shall be incorporated under the State of Alabama as nonpolitical, nonracial, nonsectarian, and nonprofit civic organization. Its secretariat and seat shall be located in Huntsville, Alabama.

ARTICLE II  MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. Membership. The Association shall be composed of Active Members (voters) and Honorary Members (non-voters).

a. An active member shall be:

1. Any person over 18 years of age, of good character, and subscribes to the purposes of the Association.

2. Entitled to vote, to hold elective office, to chair committees, and to participate in all activities of the Association.

3. Any person seeking membership shall be nominated by the Membership Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.

b. An Honorary member shall be:

1. Sponsored by a member of the Association in good standing and approved for admission as specified in Section 2 of this article.

2. Entitled to participate in all Association activities and general meetings of the Association, and such other considerations as may be authorized by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3. Termination and Suspension. Membership shall be suspended or terminated by resignation or upon recommendation of the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. These are the following violations: (a) Violation of Constitution and Bylaws, (b) Disloyalty to the Association, (c) Commission of acts detrimental to the principles, ideals, goals and good of the Association, (d) Consistent absence from meeting and official functions of the Association, (e) Consistent misconduct on his/her part that may tarnish the reputation of the Association.

ARTICLE III  MEMBERSHIP DUES

Membership dues will be assessed as follows: $25 per individual per year or $45 per married couple per year. Dues are due January 1 of each year.

ARTICLE IV  OFFICERS/Board of Directors

SECTION 1. The officers of this organization shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Executive Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Public Relations Officer, and Fundraising Officer.

SECTION 2. The officers shall be members of the Association. During the initial year of operations of the Association, all elected members shall serve at least two years. Thereafter, they shall be nominated and elected as hereinafter provided.

ARTICLE V  POWERS AND DUTIES

The powers and duties of the officers shall be such as the Board of Directors prescribes, in addition to the following specified powers and duties:

SECTION 1 – President.

Create committees, appoint chairpersons of committees, and be an ex officio member of all standing committees.

SECTION 2 – Vice-President.

Shall serve in the absence of the President.

SECTION 3 – Executive Secretary.

Coordinate with the President in sending out notices.

SECTION 4 – Corresponding Secretary.

In the absence of the Secretary, undertake the Executive Secretary’s tasks.

SECTION 5 – Treasurer.

Deposit all monies received into the bank in the name of the Association.

SECTION 6 – Public Relations Officer.

Issue all press releases concerning the Association.

SECTION 7 – Fundraising Officer

Report status and track donations from the contributors to the Association.

ARTICLE VI  ELECTION

SECTION 1. Election. The election of officers shall be held at the Association’s general assembly meetings through the nomination and acclamation process.

SECTION 2. Vote. Voting shall be by secret ballot.

SECTION 3. Vote is subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. All official records, equipment, property and items owned by the Association shall be turned over by the outgoing officers to the newly elected officers no later than thirty days after inauguration.

SECTION 5. During any election, spouses shall not be nominated simultaneously for any elected position.

ARTICLE VII  STANDING COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. Membership Committee. The Membership Committee shall be responsible for seeking out prospective members, screening membership applications, and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding prospective members.

SECTION 2. Food Committee. The Committee shall pursue means of raising funds through food sales or food service contributors. The committee shall coordinate with local food businesses for support during social activities and report to the Association during general meetings.

SECTION 3. Public Relations Committee. Public Relations Committee shall be chaired by the Public Relations Officer and shall recommend media means to advertise social activities and means of presenting AHA as a positive influence to the public. 

SECTION 4. Fund Raising Committee. The Fund Raising Committee shall be chaired by the Fundraising Officer and shall recommend fund raising programs to the Association.

SECTION 5. Social Planning/ Program Committee. The Social Planning/Program Committee shall coordinate the social activities of the Association, i.e. the Hispanic Festival, Latin dances, etc.

SECTION 6. Outreach Program Committee. The committee shall determine the recipient of educational and scholarship awards. Awards shall be determined by the committee with the approval of the Board of Directors. The committee shall seek information on available programs that would be beneficial to the Hispanic community.

ARTICLE VIII  MEETINGS

SECTION 2. The President may call special meetings of the Association.

SECTION 3. All notifications of meetings shall be sent out by the Executive Secretary.

SECTION 4. Order of Business. The Order of Business for the Association’s meetings shall be:

a. Call to Order.
b. Determination of quorum.
c. Reading of minutes of previous meeting.
d. Reports of Board and Standing Committees.
e. Reports of Special Committee.
f. Announcements.
g. Old Business.
h. New Business.
i. Adjournment.

ARTICLE IX  INDEMNIFICATION

The Association shall indemnify any member of the Board of Directors, officer, agent who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, or otherwise, against expense, included attorney fees, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him/her in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding. Individual members of this organization shall not be held personally liable for debts of, or claims against, this organization to the extent that debts or liabilities of the organization exceed the organization’s existing assets. The Association will purchase appropriate insurance coverage whenever it engages in activities, in which the public may be exposed to risk.

ARTICLE X  AMENDMENTS

The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the active members in good standing of the Association. A copy of the proposed amendment shall be submitted to each member at least one week in advance of the regular or special meeting, at which time it will be discussed and voted upon.

ARTICLE XI   DISSOLUTION

Upon liquidation or dissolution of the Association, whether voluntary or otherwise, no member shall be entitled to any distribution or division of its remaining property or its proceeds. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the County in which the principal office of the Association is then located, exclusively for such purpose or to such organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operate exclusively for such purpose.

CERTIFICATION

The Original Constitution and Bylaws of the Alabama Hispanic Association of Alabama were adopted and approved on the 18 day of September, Two Thousand and Two in the City of Huntsville of the State of Alabama.

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