A.R.G.A.
THE ASSOCIATION OF
GUINEANS
AMERICANS IN
ATLANTA
WORK
· SELF-DEVOTION · SOLIDARITY
BY-LAWS
PREAMBLE
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLE
Due to the fact that number of Guineans living in the state of
(
Due to the different sorts
of difficulties that Guineans could face
with the different States
where they resides
Due to the necessity to
galvanize all our energies, in order to build a
strong and just community,
with a coherent development program
characterized by
comprehension and insertion into the American
society
Due to the objective aimed
at mobilizing all Guineans to form a
dynamic, united society in
which all would respect individual and
collective rights
Due to the fact that evolution
(material or moral) has to be achieved
through work and mutual
help in unity and honesty
We hereby announce the formation of an association named:
Association des
Réssortissants Guinéens a
“The Association of
Guineans in
It is purely social,
non-political and non-profit association.
TITLE-I
THE OBJECTIVES
1) A.R.G.A. harnesses all the energies of all
Guineans, in general and the members in
particular, so as to achieve success for all
and also reach our objectives.
2) As stipulated in the Internal Regulations,
the association systematically rejects all
tendencies, attitudes and utterances that have a
racist or separatist connotation
among its members.
3) It will find endeavor to safeguard respect
of the Laws of the host country (the
4) A.R.G.A. will find the means to support and
help all needy people and all needy members in the best of the ability of the
Association.
5) It will contribute to the development of
towns and villages as needs arise, in
conformity with the law and in collaboration
with the authorities of our country of
origin.
6) The Association will see to the stability of
families, the education of children as well
as the protection of our traditional values.
7) The Association solicits mutual respects
from the members and voluntary
contribution to the national causes of the
Guineans.
8) The motto of the Association is WORK, SELF-DEVOTION, SOLIDARITY
9) The headquarters is in
10) The purpose of the bureau of the association is to mobilize the members and
coordinate their activities in order to achieve
their objective.
11) The bureau must be constantly in touch with the members by providing up to
date
information by use of on hand tools.
12) The bureau should see to it that all property of the Association is
properly managed
with adequate safeguards.
13) The bureau should be capable of making candid and clear-cut financial
reports.
14) With regard to specific matters pertaining to competence and availability,
the Bureau
can call upon any member that can help to find
a solution in a rapid and efficient way.
TITLE-II
CONDITIONS
OF MEMBERSHIP TO THE A.R.G.A
15) Any person of Guinean origin, residing in the
based on condition that:
· They accept the program of the Association
· They are eighteen (18) years of age and must be
working.
· They contribute in making the Association
achieve its objectives
· They buy an annual membership card for $25 starting
in 2008. (January 1st thru December 31). The fee has been increased
from $20 to $25 beginning in January of 2008.
· They pay their contribution dues for the
Community Center and take part in the meetings. The contribution for the
Community Center is $725. This is a one-time fee and can be paid either monthly
or quarterly within the first year of membership.
· Share the objectives and convictions in
absolute respect of the By-Laws of the
Association and the
host country.
16) Membership is also open to anyone from any
part of
join, on condition that:
· They buy the membership card
· Pay their contribution for the Community Center
and take part in the meetings. The contribution for the Community Center is
$725. This is a one-time fee and can be paid either monthly or quarterly within
the first year of membership.
· Share the objectives and convictions in
absolute respect of the By-Laws of the
Association and the host
country.
TITLE
III
RIGHTS
AND DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS
17) Each member will benefit from all
advantages and privileges to which he or she is
Entitled
18) Each member has the right to express his or
her ideas and opinions during the
meetings.
19) Each member has the right to vote; hence he
or she can elect and is also eligible
20) Each member should take it upon himself or
herself that at whatever level one may be;
it is our responsibility to fight against
division and regionalism, as well as any form of
discrimination based on ethnic, origin or
political opinions.
21) The foundation of A.R.G.A. is based upon mutual
respect of one to another and
voluntary work for the community.
22) The benefits of the A.R.G.A. Association
for its members are also extended to their minor children.
23) A.R.G.A. encourages education for children
and adults.
24) A.R.G.A. does not give loan to anybody and
encourages everyone to get insurance (business, life, and health).
TITLE
IV
CONDITIONS FOR EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
25) Any member can be eligible to run for any
Executive position on the criteria of the following rules.
·
Only
members of Guinean origin can run for the position of the President.
·
Purchases
an annual Membership Card in the sum of $25 starting in January of 2008.
·
Has begun
their share of the contribution to the Community Center with a minimum payment
of $61.
·
Must be
resident of
·
Respects
the statutes of A.R.G.A.
·
At the 2nd
and 3rd year of term, each board member must pay for their
Membership Card by January 30th of that year.
26) Meetings
·
Meetings
are held on the last Sunday of each quarter.
·
Each
Executive Member must provide a report of activities within their held
position.
·
In the
event of voting during a meeting, majority rules.
27) Discipline/Sanctions
·
Each
Executive Member should not miss more than 2 meetings consecutively.
·
Punctuality
is important (not more than 10 minutes late)
·
Each
member can only miss three meetings during their term and it has to be
justified and approved by the president and the Oversight Committee Board.
·
The first
time an Executive Member does not attend a meeting. Counseling is provided by
the president and the bureau.
·
The second
time an Executive Member does not attend a meeting. A warning is provided by
the Oversight Board Committee with a $25 fine.
·
The third
time an Executive Member does not attend a meeting. A dismissal or resignation
is enforced to the member by the Oversight Board Committee and the president.
TITLE
V
ELECTIONS
AND COMPOSITION OF THE BUREAU
28) The bureau will be composed of thirteen (13)
members in which twelve (12) are elected and one (1) is appointed by the Bureau
for a term of three (3) years. All Executive Members can only run for public
office twice to be able to serve for a total of 6 years.
29) An Oversight Board Committee has been
formed which will control the finances of the Association upon request,
organize elections, and will examine the positions of Executive Bureau to make
sure that each Bureau Member is performing their function in the best of their
ability and that each Bureau Member follow the laws set forth by the Statutes.
A) The Oversight
Board Committee is composed of 3 members. They are chosen and endorsed for
their devotion and honesty, who will serve as assessors and consultants to the Bureau.
B) The first member
of the Oversight Board Committee is appointed by the president, the second
member is appointed by the Executive Bureau as a whole, and the third member is
appointed by the general population of the Association.
C) The Oversight
Committee meets semi-annually to review the Statutes of the Association,
examine financial documents, and advise the Executive Bureau on the direction
of the Association.
D.) The Oversight
Committee has the power to preside over any disputes or problems that arise
within the Executive Bureau.
E) The committee may
request a revision of the statutes of the association for strategic reasons in
order to maintain cohesion and togetherness among the members
30) The Executive Bureau will consist of
A president, a Vice
President, Two (2) Administrative secretaries, A treasurer, An Accountant, an
Adviser, a person in charge of Education, a Public Relation, a Youth leader, a
person in charge of Woman Affairs, secretary of information, and a Center Manager.
A) President – The president respects the
Statutes of A.R.G.A. and presides over meetings. The president assures the
execution of decisions including finance. The president calls the meetings with
the Executive Bureau and the general community. In the event that there are not
enough candidates for the Executive Bureau, the president has the power to
nominate officials. In the case that the president cannot finish serving his
term due to death, resignation, or other reason. The president is thereby
replaced by the vice president to be the president of the Association.
B) Vice President – The vice president
assists the president with the execution of decisions by the Executive Bureau.
This person replaces the president in absence and holds the bridge of
connection between the president and the general members.
C) Administrative Secretary (1) – This person
is in charge of administrative duties and also administrative relations.
D) Administrative Secretary (2) – This
person is in charge of registering members and also administrative relations.
E) Treasurer – Manages the finances of
A.R.G.A. and also provides periodic updates of all finances to the Bureau
Executive and to the community. All members have the right to demand for a copy
of all financial reports.
F) Accountant – The person occupying this
position will be in charge of auditing the finances of the Association. This
official is non-elected and is appointed by the president.
G) Adviser – This person will be in charge
of the advisors. This committee is composed of 4 members. They are in charge of
social and cultural of the association and educate members about religious and
traditional issues.
H) General Education – This person is in
charge of education for the improvement of the community and its members. This
official help advice the community about society, legal issues and is in charge
of all the education departments within the organization.
I) Public Relation – The official in this
position helps create a hospitable environment for the organization. They are
in charge of interior and exterior relations. They are in charge of recruitment
and fundraisers.
J) Youth – The leader of this position is
in charge of the youth; helps organize all youth and sportive activities.
K) Woman – The individual helps promote
the emancipation of woman and assists with cultural activities.
L) Secretary of Information – Broadcast
relevant information and collaborate with the members.
M) Center Management – This person is in
charge of the operations of the Community Center. He schedules all events and
makes sure that the Community Center is properly used.
TITLE VI
DISCIPLINE
AND PENALITIES
DISCIPLINE
31) It is the duty of all members to strictly
observe the rules of discipline of the
Association.
· The following are considered acts of
indiscipline
· All behavior that that tarnishes the
credibility of the Association
· Refusal to pay ones dues and to attend the
meetings
· Violation of the By-Laws of the Association
· Any statement or behavior opposite to the
ethics of the Association
PENALITIES
32) The following penalties are envisaged:
· Counseling
· Warnings
· Exclusions
Exclusion is resorted to members during
meetings
33) Refusal to subscribe more than once is
considered a withdrawal
TITLE
VII
ADMINISTRATIVE
DOCUMENTS
34) The following will be among the
administrative documents of the association:
· A registry of the minutes of the meetings
· Accounting records
· A general census registry
· A correspondence records book (in-coming and
out-going mail)
TITLE
VIII
MEMBERSHIP
BENEFITS
35) A.R.G.A. will acquire resources from the sale
of Annual Membership Cards, donations, and all other types of fundraising
authorized by the laws of the host country.
36) A.R.G.A. should tackle the social problems
of the members (as in cases in of
sickness, arrests and death)
1) Sickness: In Case of
sickness that requires hospitalization of a member ARGA will
provide help in these two following cases
The beneficiary should show a copy of the hospital bill, receipts or medical
prescriptions.
A). If member has a valid Annual Membership Card
and has paid the entire sum or has begun their contribution of payment to the Community
Center with a minimum of $61.
·
A.R.G.A.
will contribute the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) the first
day of
hospitalization.
·
A.R.G.A.
will contribute there after the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) per
day for a limited
time of thirteen days.
B). If the member only has the Annual Membership Card
·
ARGA will
contribute the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00)
2) Death: In case of death whether the body is buried in
A). If member has a valid Annual Membership Card
and has paid the entire sum or has begun their contribution of payment to the Community
Center with a minimum of $61.
·
ARGA will
donate the sum of three hundred dollars ($300.00) plus the entire community
will be demanded to donate to the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) per
individual.
B). If the member only has the Annual Membership Card
·
ARGA will
contribute the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) plus the entire community
will be demanded to donate to the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) per
individual.
C). A Non-Member
·
The entire
community will be demanded to donate to the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) per
individual.
3) Arrest: Within this document, The Statutes and By-Laws of A.R.G.A. ask
that every member should respect the Laws of the host country.
A). If member has a valid Annual Membership Card
and has paid the entire sum or has begun their contribution of payment to the
Community Center with a minimum of $61.
·
A.R.G.A.
will donate $300 to the member plus the entire community will be demanded to
donate to the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) per individual.
B). If the member only has the Annual Membership
Card
·
A.R.G.A.
will donate $100 to the member
4)
Fire: In the event that a
member lost their house due to fire.
A). If member has a valid Annual Membership Card
and has paid the entire sum or has begun their contribution of payment to the
Community Center with a minimum of $61.
·
A.R.G.A.
will donate $100 to the member
B). If the member only has the Annual Membership
Card
·
The entire
community will be demanded to donate to the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) per
individual.
5) Education:
A.R.G.A. encourages education for both young and adults.
A). If member has a valid Annual Membership Card
and has paid the entire sum or has begun their contribution of payment to the
Community Center with a minimum of $61.
·
Each
member will pay $40 per child per month. If the member has three (3) children
the member only pays $80 for those 3 children.
B). If the member only has the Annual Membership
Card
·
A registration
fee of $61 plus $50 a month per child with $10 going towards the contribution
of the Community Center.
C). A Non-Member
·
A $25 fee
for the membership card plus $61 for the contribution of the Community Center
with a fee of $50 a month per child.
6) To
utilize the Center:
A). If member has a valid annual membership card
and has paid the entire sum or has begun their contribution of payment to the
Community Center with a minimum of $61.
·
The member
pays $100
B). If the member only has the Annual Membership
Card
·
The member
pays $100 plus $61 for the Community Contribution which totals $161
C). A Non-Member
·
A $300 fee
to utilize the Community Center.
TITLE
IX
DIAGRAM
OF EXECUTIVE BUREAU
Oversight
President Vice President Board
Committee
Administrative Finance Education Social and
Cultural
1.) Sec. Admin #1 1.) Treasurer 1.) General Education 1. Relation
2.) Sec. Admin #2 2.)
Accountant 2.) Adviser (interior
&
exterior
– with
recruitment)
fundraiser
2.) Woman
3.) Youth
Information Management
1.) Secretary of Information 1.) Center Manager