Bylaws

BYLAWS OF AWLAELO SCHOOLS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Name:
The name of the Association shall be Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association. It shall be non-political and non-for-profit Organization solely for educational, civic and social purpose pursuant to the Colorado not for profit organization Act.

Nonprofit Provisions and Purposes:
AWLAELO Schools Alumni Association is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and scientific purposes, including for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations under section 501©(3) of the internal Revenue Code (or the corresponding section of any future Federal tax code)

The purpose of the Association is to help our Schools in all the cities of Kilte-Awlaelo to provide a better education and to create a comfortable learning environment to all students of Kilte-Awlaelo.

IRC Section 501© (3) purposes

  1. Advance the cause and quality of education at Awlaelo Schools by providing material and financial support or other means.
  2. Support programs and services that will have a direct impact on the decision of individuals to complete their high school studies. Promote the educational reputation of Awlaelo Schools.
  3. Promote academic and higher education entrance of Awlaelo Schools students as an institution.
  4. Support high school fund-raising activities.
  5. Contribute to the cultural, social, educational and intellectual life of AWLAELO schools in general and Wukro Secondary School in particular
  6. Establish a mutual beneficial relationship with AWLAELO Schools.
  7. Develop and sponsor programs, which interact between alumni and Awlaelo schools
  8. Present best student and teacher awards at Commencement Reception (Ye welajoch Ken) to promote and enhance morale of both the students and teachers of Awlaelo Schools particularly in Wukro High School
  9. Provide support to the surrounding school communities of Wukro High School zonal area with similar incentives as ASAA-NA grows in its capacity.
  10. Provide avenue for social interaction of all alumni members.
  11. To set an example for and be a mentor to the students in Wukro High School and other AWLAELO Schools.
  12. To be ambassadors for AWLAELO schools in General and Wukro High School in particular.
  13. To make a positive difference in all of the communities in which the Association becomes involved.

Objective:

    The main objective of the association is to encourage students of Kilte-Awlaelo to achieve their goals, to share academic and developmental information, and discuss issues of common interest among members. Information exchange and issues discuses on Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association shall include Social, Economical and cultural topics relevant to members, Schools, and Students of Kilte-Awlaelo. The following shall be additional objectives of the Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association.

  • Become a source of information for members at home and in the Diaspora for academic and professional development.
  • Take parts on projects of the Awlaelo Schools and promotes positive images of Awlaelo Schools and its students
  • Establish links with different non-for-Profit organizations And Alumni Associations both at home and abroad to exchange information on topics relevant to Awlaelo Schools and its students.
  • Singularly or jointly with other non-for-profit organizations, initiate, develop and implement developmental, educational and cultural activities to help the Schools and Students of Awlaelo Schools.

Section 2: Notwithstanding clause

Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an association exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or Corresponding Section of any future Federal Tax code) or (b) by a association, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the IRS Code (or corresponding section of any future Federal Code)

Section 3. Limitations on Activities

No substantial part of the activities of this organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence any legislation and this Association shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office here in the United States or in Ethiopia.

Section 4: – Prohibitions Against Private Inurement

No part of the earnings of the association shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members, trustees, directors, officers or other private persons, except that the association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in the furtherance of section 501©(3) purposes. No substantial part of the activities of the association shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

Section 5: GRANT TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
The Board of Directors shall review all requests for funds from other organizations. The Board shall require that such requests specify the use to which the funds will be put, and if the Board approves the request, it shall authorize payment of such funds to the approved grantee. The Board of Directors shall require that the grantees furnish a periodic accounting to show that the funds were expended for the purposes, which were approved by the Board. The Board may, in its absolute direction, refuse to make any grants or contributions or otherwise render financial assistance to or for any or all the purposes for which funds are requested. After the Board of Directors has approved a grant to another organization for a specific project or purpose, the association may solicit funds for the grant to the specifically approved project of purpose of the other organization. However, the Board of Directors shall, at all times have the right to withdraw approval of the grant and use the funds for other charitable, scientific or educational purposes.

Section 6: – Distributions of Assets
Up on dissolution of this association assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future Federal Tax code, or shall be distributed to the Federal Government or to a state or local government for public purposes.

REGISTRATION:
Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association shall be register with I.R.S. as non-for-profit organization in Denver, CO USA and back home in Ethiopia.

Membership:
Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association membership shall be open to every body who accepted and committed to abide by these bylaws, with out regard to country of origin, age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political persuasion.

Membership Fees:

  • Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association members shall pay a monthly fee of $5.00 or an annual membership fee of $60.00 currency of the country they reside for their membership. In other words, $5. 00 a month or $60.00 annual membership fee of US dollars for members who reside in the US, $5.00 birr a month or $60.00 birr a year for members who reside in Ethiopia, $5.00 per month or $60.00 per year European currency for members who reside in Europe, and so on.
  • Membership fees are paid by personal checks, money orders, electronic transfer, or Cash to the Treasurer of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association.

Rights and Responsibilities of Members:
A members has the right to:

  • Run for office and vote for a candidate of his/ her choice
  • Vote on issues that require a majority decisions.
  • To know every information of the Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association
  • To address or to vote for a certain issue with out being present in the meeting by sending a statement that includes name, signature, address, and phone number to the general assembly.

A member has the obligation to:

  • Accept and abides by the rules and regulations as stated in the articles this bylaw.
  • Pay his / her Monthly or annually membership dues on time.
  • Not to use the Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association for political agendas.
  • To discuses issues in a civilized manner and not to insult or attack a member for having different opinion.

BOARD MEMBERS:

  • Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association shall be govern by eleven board members. The board should consist of a President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, and Seven Public Relations.
  • The board members shall be elected by the general membership for a period of two years. A board member can be elected for indefinite terms with the exception of a chairperson. A chairperson can not be elected more than two consecutive terms. However, he can be re-elected after stepping down one term.
  • The Board shall, among other things:
    • Monitor and guide discussions and ensure rules and guidelines are properly followed
    • Take disciplinary actions in accordance to rules of these bylaws.
    • Assign projects to groups and individuals and ensure they are executed correctly.
    • Perform tasks as assigned by the general membership.
    • All decisions of the board shall be based on majority vote and must be supported by at least five of the nine members.

    Members of the board shall, in addition to the collective responsibility stipulated above, have the following individual responsibilities.

Chairperson:

  • Plays a leading role in the committee and in Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association.
  • Monitors the day-to-day activities of the board and Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association.
  • Acts as the official representative of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association when such representation is required and approved by either the board or the general membership.

Secretary:

  • Acts as custodian of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association documents, including the Website and Forum of the Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association.
  • Keeps record of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association decisions and resolutions
  • Acts as a Chairperson and perform the duties and the responsibilities of the chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson.

Treasurer:

  • Handles and acts as a custodian of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association Funds.
  • Keeps records of the income and expenditure of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association
  • The treasures shall submit quarterly financial reports to the board.
  • The treasurer can make any expenditures and withdrawals up to $500.00 dollars.

Auditor:

  • Perform quarterly audit of materials and financial of the Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association.
  • Report to the board quarterly and to the general members annually.
  • In any event, if the general assembly find it necessary to have independent auditors, the assembly can elect three independent auditors. The service of those auditors will be limited for that event only.

Public Relations:

  • They maintain the relationship of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association with other similar organizations.
  • They promote the mission of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association and advocate to maintain the Associations positive outlook.
  • Take additional responsibilities assigned by the committee.

BANK ACCOUNT:
A bank account should be open in the name of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association. The treasurer shall be the custodian of the bank account.

The Chairperson and the Treasurer must sign all expenditures, made by the treasurer, in excess of $500.00 dollars. It must also have a prior approval of the board members of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association and shall be paid in check or Money Order. Such expenditure paid in cash must be supported by formal receipt.

Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association shall have branches and branch administrative committees reporting to the board of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association.

Awlaalo forum and web site:

  • Every member, who post on Awlaelo forum or web site, must sign his/her name.
  • Members who post are responsible and liable for the entire content of the posting.
  • Personal opinions must be indicated as such and must be signed.
  • Members posting information other than their own are required indicating the source of their information.
  • While respecting the right of members to post information, news, current affairs, ideas, proposals, suggestions and recommendations, Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association requires that all postings in the network must be based on common courtesy to all members, free of direct personal attacks, racist, sexist remarks, abusive, and obscene languages or ethnically or faith insensitive statements.

Disciplinary Measures:
A Disciplinary Action shall be taken by the board against members found in violation of the bylaws of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association. The disciplinary action includes Advice, Warning, Suspension, and Termination of membership.

Amendment of Bylaws:
These bylaws may be amended by a vote of at least a two third majority of all active members

The general assembly of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association passed an amendment on its 7th annual meeting to change the name of the Association from Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association to Kilte-Awlaelo Schools Development Association. This change was done to attract more members and strengthen more the Association by making the new name applying to everybody (inclusive of all people). This amendment took place on June 19, 2010 in Seattle, WA.

Section 1: – Liability
Neither the Executive Committee members, its successors or assigns, or General Members shall be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or other obligations (absent of fraud) of the Association.

Section 2: – Indemnification
The Executive Committee, General Members, or agents of the Association shall be indemnified by the Association to the fullest extent permissible under laws of this sate. Any justifiable expenses incurred in defense of any civil, administrative, or investigative proceedings brought to procure a judgment against leaders or members who act as an agent of the Association shall be paid in full by the Association. However, when such a person has been deemed by a hearing officer or court to have been guilty of willful malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in the performance of his/her duties or obligations to the Association, such person will not be indemnified.

Adoption:
This bylaw was created and adopted by the majority members of the general assembly of Awlaelo Schools Alumni Association on July 5, 2003 in Denver, CO and amended on August 14, 2004 in Boston, MA.