our constitution

We are the people of OGBOMOSO in diaspora

our constitution

WE THE SONS and DAUGHTERS, of Ogbomosoland, constituting the various member organizations of the Ogbomosos residing in North America, do hereby solemnly and conscientiously agree to form an Organization known as OGBOMOSO SONS AND DAUGHTERS IN NORTH AMERICA. We believe that, collectively, we can, through the various member organizations contribute more to the goal of developing Ogbomoso land at a stronger and faster pace than individuals’ efforts. Therefore, we affirm and comply with all stipulations of this Constitution with no exceptions at all.

PREAMBLE

Name of the Organization

(i) The Organization shall be called Ogbomoso Sons and Daughters in North America. It shall be a nonprofit organization.

(ii) The acronym of Ogbomoso Sons and Daughters in North America shall be OSDNA

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of OSDNA shall be to serve as an umbrella organization to the various chapters to promote the best interest of Ogbomosoland and its people both within and outside Ogbomosoland. Toward this end, the Organization shall:

a. Monitor and influence public policies that affect Ogbomosoland and the quality of life of its people;

b. Explore ways of representing the unified voice of OSDNA (as constituted by the member organizations) more powerfully;

c. Mobilize and coordinate the human and material resources of the member organizations as well as the members for the benefit of Ogbomosoland;

d. Enhance the role of individual member organization’s effort to contribute to the development of Ogbomosoland;

e. Organize annual conventions to provide a forum for each son; daughter of Ogbomosoland to meet in social setting that fosters the formation of personal ties among the membership.

f. Consistent with the purpose of serving as an umbrella organization, OSDNA shall coordinate the activities of the member organizations to prevent duplication of efforts made to improve the quality of life of our people in Ogbomosoland.

Affiliation

Section III(1): Conditions of Affiliation
1. Any bonafide Ogbomoso organization may be affiliated with OSDNA provided that it fulfils the following conditions:

a. It is the only locally constituted member organization in the metropolitan area with sons and daughters from Ogbomosoland as the majority of the membership;

b. It has a constitution that agrees in principle with the purposes and objectives of OSDNA;

c. It holds regular general body meetings;

d. It files a written application with the Treasurer accompanied by the prescribed fee.

e. There shall not be more than one member organization from the same metropolitan area that shall be affiliated with OSDNA. For the sake of unity and progress, all sons and daughters of Ogbomosoland living in the same metropolitan area shall unite to form only one member organization that shall affiliate with OSDNA. No member organization shall bear the name OSDNA.

2. Such affiliated member organizations shall have the rights and responsibilities stated in the Constitution, and those determined by decisions of the Executive Board and approved by the house in a general meeting or at the convention.

Section III (2): Rights and Responsibilities of Member Organizations

a. A Member Organization shall have the right to appoint a Member Organization representative to the Executive Board and such a representative shall have the right to participate in executive meetings and voting on all matters;

b. A Member Organization shall be eligible to receive the benefit from the services of OSDNA. Member Organizations shall have the right to contribute to any of OSDNA deliberations. Also, member organizations shall have the right to ask for information from OSDNA executive, as the member organizations deem necessary;

c. A member organization shall have the responsibility to carry out the decisions of OSDNA in areas within the member Organization’s jurisdiction

d. A Member Organization shall not speak for OSDNA unless the Executive Board authorizes it to do so.

e. Member Organizations shall be adequately represented in all of the OSDNA executive meetings. Decisions made by the executive without a majority of the member organization representatives in attendance shall be subject to the review and approval of the member organizations before implementation.

f. The annual convention venue shall be by rotation as agreed among the member organizations.

Membership

Section IV (1): Types

A. Any individual who is affiliated with any of the member organizations may be affiliated with OSDNA under the provisions of this Constitution. Such individuals must pay the established annual dues and fulfill all of the conditions of membership to enjoy all the rights and privileges of OSDNA.

B. Although members are required to affiliate with a member organization, wherever it is geographically impossible for a member to affiliate with a member organization, individual membership may be allowed. Such an individual may be considered as a member Organization. However, the individual must pay the established annual dues and fulfill all the conditions of membership to enjoy all the rights and privileges of OSDNA , except for the right to be voted for.

C. Individual membership shall be achieved upon review of application by the Executive Board.

D. OSDNA shall extend an associate membership to any non-Ogbomoso indigene who is married to an Ogbomoso son or daughter if the associate member is willing to work toward the common goals of the OSDNA. A regular member must sponsor such an associate member.
The associate members shall have similar rights and privilege accorded to regular members, however, no associate member shall qualify to hold the offices of the President, Secretary or the Treasurer.

Section IV (2): Members in Good Standing

a. To participate in the nominations and/or voting processes of the Organization, a member of OSDNA must be active and in good standing. To maintain membership in good standing, an OSDNA member must pay annual dues and attend at least two OSDNA conventions within a period of four years.

b. Each member shall pay an annual due as prescribed by the executive and approved by the house. The annual dues of members shall be collected by each member organization representative and brought to the international convention for payment to the OSDNA treasurer.

c. Where geographic locations have made it impossible for an individual to be affiliated with a member organization, such individual must pay the prescribed annual due to the national treasurer or the international financial secretary.

General House

Section V (1): Composition
The General House shall consist of individual members in good standing from member organizations.

Section V (2): Functions

a. The General House shall elect officers of the Executive Board of the OSDNA;

b. The General House may adopt resolutions, amend the constitution and, overall, exercise all powers necessary to promote the goals and purposes of OSDNA.

c. The General House shall approve the OSDNA annual report and the financial statement audited by a certified public accountant.

d. A two-thirds vote of the General House shall make any By-Laws become effective.

e. Determine the annual convention date and venue rotation sequence and outline the program for the meeting.

The Oversight Board

a. The Oversight Board shall be an advisory board to the Executive

b. The Oversight Board shall be responsible for problem resolution and for settling any misunderstanding that may be unresolved by the executive. If a member of the executive has any grievance, he/she may seek the intervention of the Oversight Board. This body will primarily serve as “problem clearing house” for OSDNA executive and the members.

c When and if there is any unresolved financial and/or budget issues between the members of the executive; such issues shall be referred to the Oversight Board and all such major financial commitments of OSDNA shall be reviewed and approved by the Oversight Board prior to any commitment of funds by the executive.

The Executive Board

Section VII (1):
The Executive Board shall administer the affairs of the organization. It shall consist of the following officers as voting members:
     Section VII (1) i: The elected officers
                a.   President
                b.   Vice President
                c.   Secretary
                d.   Assistant Secretary
                e.   Treasurer
                f.    Financial Secretary
                g.   Public Relations Officer
          h.     Auditor in-Chief
                 i.    Editor in- Chief
and
     Section VII (1) ii: The appointed officers
                a.    Chapter Representatives
      b    Immediate Past President

Section VII (2): Resignation

In case of resignation or termination of an officer, the Executive Board shall appoint another person within itself for the remainder of the term. However, each Member Organization has the right to substitute Member Organization Representative according to the Member Organization’s procedure.

Section VII (3): Committee Chairpersons

Chairpersons of Organization’s committees who are not members of the Executive Board may attend its meetings, upon invitation, but without having voting rights.

Section VII (4): The Executive Board shall:

    a. Form the policies of the Organization;

    b. Confirm the annual convention date and venue according to rotation format as agreed among the member organizations, and outline the program for the meeting;

    c. Instruct the Treasurer on criteria for acceptance of all applications for membership in the Organization;

    d. Ratify the budget for the Organization. No money shall be spent and no financial commitment shall be made by any officer of OSDNA without the approval of the executive.

    e. Arrange to audit the accounts and disbursements of the Organization;

    f. Fill vacancies on the Board by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

g. Appoint the Editor of the OSDNA newsletter for a three-year renewable term.

Section VII (5): Votes and Quorum

a. A majority vote of the Board shall adopt the actions of the Executive Board.

b. A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of half plus one of the total number of the elected officers of OSDNA and half of the member organization representatives.

c. All the elected officers, the member organization representatives, and the chief internal auditor shall constitute an Executive Committee to act on behalf of the Board.

Officers and Responsibilities

Section VIII (1): The President

a. The President shall be the Chief Executive of the Organization.

b. The President shall represent the Organization at formal gatherings.

c. The President shall preside over the meetings of the Executive Board, shall preside over the Annual Convention.

d. The President shall appoint such committees as deemed necessary.

e. The president shall call for the regular meeting of the executive at least once in three months. If the president fails to call a meeting at the appropriate time, majority members of the executive shall call executive meeting to deliberate on OSDNA issues immediately and the President must oblige.

Section VIII (2): Vice President

a. The Vice President shall preside over the meeting of the Organization in the absence of the President.

b. The Vice President shall be empowered to conduct all necessary business of the Organization when a vacancy exists in the office of the President.

c. The Vice President shall be the chairperson for the Editorial Board.

Section VIII (3): The Secretary

a. The Secretary shall keep the archives, records, video and audio tapes and minutes of the Organization.

b. The Secretary shall, following each meeting of the Organization or the Executive Board, compile accurate minutes and proceedings of those meetings and forward a copy to each member of the Executive Board.

c. The Secretary shall serve as the recording secretary of the Organization and of the Executive Board at its meetings.

Section VIII (4): The Assistant Secretary shall:

a. Act for the Secretary in his/her absence.

b. Discharge other duties that may, from to time be assigned to him/her by the Secretary.

Section VIII (5): The Treasurer

a. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate set of membership rolls, showing whether each member has paid membership dues.

b. The Treasurer shall send a due statement and a reminder to all persons that have not paid their dues that they cannot participate in the nominations/elections process.

c. The Treasurer shall invoice, receive, and keep all monies due the Organization and be prepared at all times to render an account of its income and disbursements, upon request of the Executive Board.

d. The Treasurer shall draw all warrants of the Organization and sign them for payment of the Organization’s expenses.

e. The Treasurer shall deposit all funds belonging to the OSDNA in the designated bank accounts of OSDNA within a period of thirty days.

f. Chair the Finance Committee

Section VIII (6). The Financial Secretary:

a. Keep proper record of all financial transactions of the Organization

b. Act as a signatory with the President and the Treasurer to all the Organization’s financial transactions.

c. Be a member of the Finance Committee.

d. Publish annually a financial report of the OSDNA

Section VIII (7):    The Public Relations Officer

a. The Public Relations Officer shall serve as the spokesperson for OSDNA based on the policy of OSDNA as established by the Executive Board.

b. The Public Relations Officers shall coordinate all the social events as directed by the Executive Board.

c. The Public Relations Officer in conjunction with the local host chapters shall ensure video/audio documentation of all convention events.

Section VIII (8):    Auditor –in- Chief
a. The Auditor in-Chief shall present to the general meeting annually an audited account of the organization.

b. He/She shall examine all records and account books with the Financial Secretary and Treasurer from time to time as     directed by the general meeting.

c. He/She shall be the chairperson of the audit committee

d. Shall function independently without interference from anybody.

e. Shall be a person with strong accounting background

f.   He/She shall participate in executive committee meetings but without voting rights

Qualification of Officers

Section IX (1): Eligibility

Any active member of the Organization in good standing (as stated in Section IV (2) of this Constitution) shall be eligible to hold office after attending at least two annual conventions of OSDNA within a period of four years.

Section IX (2): Removal

A membership referendum may remove any officer of the Organization during his or her term. The referendum must be initiated either by three-quarters (3/4) vote of the Executive Board or by a petition of 10 percent of the members. Fifty-one percent of the membership shall be required to vote affirmatively for removal to occur.

Elections

Section X (1): Oversight Board

This shall be solely the responsibility of the member organization.

Each member organization will choose an individual to be a member of the Oversight Board.

Each member organization shall develop a method and procedure for selecting its own oversight board member.

d To ensure an effective system of check and balance, membership in the Oversight Board shall neither be subject to the approval of the General OSDNA house nor the approval of the executive. However, member organizations shall ensure that mature adults with proven record of performance, high sense of objectivity, ability to be independent and at the same time be able to function effectively well in a group environment, ability to assess situations with objectivity and make unbiased decisions and judgments and untainted leadership qualities are made members of the Oversight Board

Members of the Oversight Board shall be 50+ years old.

After the Oversight Board is constituted, the members will choose their Chairman and Secretary of the Board.

Section X (2) The Executive Board

The president shall ensure that the Electoral Committee is fully in place at least six months prior to the date of scheduled elections

The Secretary of OSDNA shall write to remind the member organizationsto forward the names of their nominees to the Electoral Committee at least six weeks before the date that the Electoral Committee shall be constituted.

Each member organization shall select a representative to be a member of the Electoral Committee.

The Electoral Committee having been established by the President with the approval of the executive shall appoint a chairman and secretary among themselves to lead in the conduct of the electoral business.

The announcement of results of the election of officers shall take place during the Annual Convention of the Organization each year.

Newly elected persons shall take office at the close of the Annual Convention following their election, and the outgoing officers shall transfer all properties of the organization to their successors within a period of 30 days

The officers of OSDNA and those serving on standing committees shall hold office for a period of two calendar years after which they may be re-elected or re-volunteer. The officers of the Organization serving on ad hoc committees shall hold office for a period equal to the life of the committee. The life of an ad hoc committee may as and when deemed fit be extended by the Executive Board. However, no ad hoc committee shall have a cumulative life span of more than six months with the same composition of members.

No officer of OSDNA shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms. Where an officer of a standing committee is not also a member of the Executive Board, such officer can hold the same office in the same committee for up to, but not exceeding, five consecutive years provided he/she re-volunteers accordingly or is re-elected.

Noelected member of the executive shall be appointed chapter representative concurrently. Elected members of the executive shall not have dual responsibilities or dualvoting rights within the executive board.

Voting Procedure

Section X (1): Nominations.

In the interest of progress and development, the best candidates shall be elected to the offices. All efforts shall be made to ensure that the candidates that will serve the best interests of OSDNA are elected. To ensure that this is the case, people that nominate candidates must be familiar with the candidates’ ability to perform, the candidates’ track record and experiences in areas related to the position sought, contributions to the local chapter and the general conduct of the candidates’ immediate environment.

TheElectoral Committee shall set a deadline for Nominations. The deadline shall not be less than two months prior to the date of the elections.

The Electoral Committee shall issue invitation to submit nominations of a slate of officers three months before an established date for closing nominations.

Only members in good standing shall have the right to submit nominations or be nominated.
Nominations shall be done through the member organizations. Each candidate shall be endorsed by at least three members (in good standing) of his/her member organization. Where more than onemember from the same member organization are interested in the same OSDNA position, there shall be a shadow election at the member organization level to nominate only one candidate to OSDNA.
Any member that has been duly nominated by his/her member organization shall be entered on the ballot for thedesignated office.
The list of approved candidates shall be published on the internet and announced via other effective means to the membership not later than two weeks after the close of nominations and at least six weeks before the date of the elections.

Voting shall be by secret ballot on the floor of the convention. A runoff election on the floor of the conventionshall resolve tied elections.

The Organization shall publish a newsletter; entitle THE OGBOMOSOS ABROAD, which shall be distributed to all members.
The Editorial Board shall consist of the Vice President, the Editor and one member appointed by the President. The Vice President shall serve as Chair of the Editorial Board.

c.The Editorial Board shall recommend matters related to publishing arrangements to the Executive Board of the Organization. It shall generally oversee the operation of the Organization’s publishing activities.

The Editorial Board shall solicit applicants for the Editor of the newsletter by January of the incumbent Editor’s final year. Based upon their review of the applicants, the Editorial Board shall report their recommendations, along with a full explanation, to the Executive Board.

Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws

Section XIII (1):

Any section of this Constitution may be amended by two-thirds votes of members who are eligible to vote and such votes shall be by mail or at the annual Convention. Due notice of proposed amendment to the Constitution must be given to all members.
The Organization shall have a set of by laws. The bylaws shall stipulate the specific details of provisions in this charter and constitution. All statutes written for the operations of the Organization shall be part of the bylaws. No article in the bylaws shall render any provision in this charter and constitution null and void. This charter and constitution of OSDNA supersedes all bylaws of the Organization.

Section XIII (2): Procedure for Amending the Constitution

Proposed amendments must be presented to the Executive Board, which shall vote upon the amendment, and then present the amendment to the Secretary when a majority holds. The Secretary shall notify the membership of the pending vote and shall arrange for the ballot.

Finance

The fiscal year of OSDNA shall begin on first day of August and all end on the 31st day of July of each year.

The Executive committee shall prepare a budget by June 1st of every year
This budget must contain all projects, expenditures and expected income of OSDNA for the year.
The budget shall be sent to all Member Organizations by June 15th of every year for deliberation and inputs.
The Member Organizations shall submit their inputs to the Executive committee by August 15th
The Executive Council, comprising the Executive Committee and the representatives of all member organizations shall meet to ratify and approve the budget by convention day.
All expenditures of the Organization shall be budgeted yearly and shall be approved by the general House during the Conventions otherwise the Executive Board shall approve the budget.
The Executive Committee shall send to the member Organization through their representatives the approved annual budget

Dissolution

Upon dissolution of the Organization, all assets of the Organization shall be distributed to one or more charitable, educational, and scientific organizations that are non-profit and non-political and based in Ogbomosoland.