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BY LAWS

INTRODUCTION:

This Constitution is being drafted on behalf of all members both old and new of the Bogoso Area Townships Association. The focus is on all members of the above association, their spouses, relatives and children. It has no ethnic preference and welcomes any person to be a member. The sole aim is to foster unity, development and encourage others to integrate into the new environment. Time has come that we must ask ourselves what we can do to help the less fortunate ones back in our childhood areas rather than expecting a change without action- for change to happen we must tell our stories in a positive way.

​​ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Section:

  1. All elected officers shall be members’ registered with the Association for not less than one calendar year, and in good standing.

  2. The candidate for presidential election shall be a legal resident or American citizen with close ties to Bogoso area.

  3. A Patron shall preside over the elections of the President and elected officers of the Association.

  4. In the event of a tie, the presiding officer shall cast the deciding vote.

  5. Newly elected officers of the Association shall be sworn-in by the Patron(s), at the first general meeting of the following year.

  6. In the event of vacancy occurring in the membership of the executive body, the President shall within thirty (30) days following the occurrence of such vacancy appoint a new officer to fill this vacancy, subject to approval of the Board of Directors. However, a by-election shall take place within thirty (30) days to fill the vacancy of another officer.

MEETINGS AND MEETING PROCEDURES:​

 

Section:

  1. General Meetings of the association shall be hosted by members on rotating basis. However, in the event of emergency, which must be brought to the attention of the secretary, an alternative arrangement shall be made to host the meeting at another member’s residence.

  2. All meetings shall be conducted in the local dialect Twi/Fante with interpretation in English if need be.

ABSENTEEISM AND DELINQUENT PAYMENT OF DUES:​

 

Section:

 

  1. A member, who is incapacitated, restrained by employment circumstances, or upon request by a member who lives outside the Washington Metropolitan Area, shall be granted and indefinite leave of absence from participation in meetings and functions of the Association. All other members are expected to attend meetings regularly and promptly for the good order and benefit of the Association.

  2. A member who defaults in payment of monthly contributions for three consecutive months shall cease to be an active member of the Association.

    If a member ceases to be an active member of the Association he/she shall have his/her:

  3.                    i. Voting rights suspended

  4. ii. Entitlement to the welfare benefits of the Association withdrawn

  5. A member shall have his/her voting rights and entitlement to welfare benefits restored, upon full payment of arrears of monthly contributions to bring the member in good standing with the Association.

 

VIOLATION OF RULES OF CONDUCT:​

 

1.The following shall constitute violation of Rules of Conduct by a member of the Association:

 

A.Improper and or inefficient performance of duties and responsibilities by an officer.

 

B.Misappropriation or embezzlement of funds and or other belongings of Association by a member.

 

C.Infraction of the Association’s Constitution and By-laws by a member.

 

D.Disclosure of privileged information

 

E.Publication or dissemination of any printed materials which misrepresents the Association.

 

F.Other acts and behaviors as shall be considered to disrepute the Association

 

2.The President shall direct the Rules Committee to investigate charges against a member and present its finding to the Executive Committee for action. The Executive Committee shall deliberate and make its recommendations to the general of the Association.

3.Any President found guilty of violation of the rules of conduct in section iv. 1 (a) above, may be relieved of his/her duties, by a vote of “no confidence. Such a vote shall require the presence of two-thirds of the total membership present at a general meeting. A “no confidence motion shall be made and seconded at the meeting before voting procedures.

 

4.Any other officer of the Executive Body found guilty of the same rules of conduct as above, shall be relieved of his/her duties by the President, upon consultation with the Patron(s).

 

5.A member found guilty for cause(s) described in Violation of Rules of Conduction section may be suspended or expelled from the Association.

 REPRESENTATION IN OTHER GHANAIAN GROUPS​

 

Section:

1. ASSOCIATIONS:

 

The President, and a past President, duly nominated by the Executive Committee, shall be official representatives of the Association in meetings and social functions of:

 

a. The Council of Ghanaian Associations

 

b. Other Ghanaian Ethnic Associations

​​​EMERGENCY AND OTHER WELFARE ASSISTANCE
Section:

1. NEWLY ARRIVED CITIZENS:

The Executive Committee shall determine and provide counsel/advise on any assistance required by any member or a newly arrived son or daughter for integration into the United States.

 

2. WELFARE BENEFITS:

The Association’s funds shall be used for charitable purposes only and shall not be used to provide welfare benefits to members. However,  the Association encourages members to privately support each other on the following life-changing occasions: 

 

a. BIRTH OF A MEMBER’S BABY:

On the birth of a member’s child, the public relation officer shall send a congratulatory message and flowers to the mother and to inform all members of the event. At the outdooring/christening ceremony or other appropriate event for the newborn, members are encouraged to attend and privately provide moral and other support as necessary. 

 

Section:

3. SICKNESS OF A MEMBER:

The public relations officer through the regional representative shall organize a prompt visitation and/or send a get well message to the sick member on behalf of the Association. Members are encouraged to visit and privately provide moral and other support as necessary.

 

4. DEATH OF A MEMBER: In the event of the death of a member, the following action shall be taken:

 

a.There shall be an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee to consult with the bereaved family with regards to funeral and burial arrangements.

 

b.In consultation with the immediate family or next of kin of the deceased member, the Association shall assist in other funeral arrangement.

 

c.Members will be encouraged to attend funeral and burial service, and privately provide the customary moral and other support as necessary.

 

5. DEATH OF A MEMBER’S IMMEDIATE FAMILY: In the event of the death of a member’s immediate family, the Association shall:

 

a.Encourage members to attend funeral and burial service, and privately provide the customary moral and other support as necessary.

 

NOTE: for the purposes of interpretation, an immediate family of a member shall be defined as the parent (ie. Father, mother or guardian), spouse and dependent children under the age of 18 years age.

​
​​​INTERIM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF B.A.T.A

PRESIDENT – MR ISAAC CUDJOE

 

VICE PRESIDENT – KWAME ACKAH

 

SECRETARY – AKWASI OWUO

 

TREASURER – REBECCA OBENG

 

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER – MAXWELL NTRAKWA

 

ACTIVITY OFFICER – BEN AMOO

 

AUDITOR – PETER OFORI-NUAMAH

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS –    ISAAC CUDJOE, GRANT NTRAKWA, FRANCIS MORKE, WINIFRED OWUSU, CHARLES MENSAH, KINGSLEY KOFI APPIAH 

 

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