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BY LAWS OF THE BANGOUA FAMILY ASSOCIATION OF THE USA

Permanent Exclusion

Permanent exclusion (after a total of three (3) suspensions) is pronounced by the General Assembly upon proposal of the Executive Bureau for serious offenses (for example: fights, embezzlement, breach of trust, etc.).

Article 5: Exclusion and Readmission

Exclusion and readmission are pronounced by secret ballot by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members present or represented, upon proposal of an evaluation committee.

TITLE II: ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONING

Article 6: Composition

The Bangoua Family Association of the USA includes:

  1. A General Assembly (G.A)

  2. An Executive Bureau (E.B)

  3. An Audit Committee (C.A.C)

  4. Additional bodies (O.A):

    • Grouping branches

    • Financial and cultural structures (relations/structures between the United States and Cameroon)

CHAPTER I: GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Article 7: General Provisions

The General Assembly is the supreme body. It is sovereign. It meets every second Saturday of the month. It is composed of all members in good standing.

A member is considered in good standing if they have paid the required dues provided for in this text and are up to date with their contributions in the various association funds.

Article 8: Powers of the General Assembly

The G.A is the supreme deliberative and decision-making body. It is sovereign. As such, it:

  • Determines the strategies and general orientations of the association;

  • Determines annual and multi-year activity programs;

  • Sets contribution rates upon proposal of the Executive Bureau;

  • Decides on the creation of specialized committees;

  • Decides, as a last resort, on serious sanctions against members;

  • Elects members of the Executive Bureau and terminates their functions;

  • Elects members of the Audit Committee;

  • Decides on the creation of additional bodies;

  • Adopts meeting reports, agendas for monthly and extraordinary meetings, reports of the Bureau and those of the Audit Committee;

  • Adopts and amends the statutes and internal regulations.

Article 9: Meetings of the G.A

  • The Bangoua Family of the U.S.A meets every second Saturday of the month;

  • Meetings of the G.A are held monthly at members’ residences or virtually depending on circumstances (e.g., pandemic). However, they may be held in a reserved hall;

  • Meetings begin at 6:30 PM and last 3 hours;

  • The G.A is chaired by the President or another person designated by the Executive Bureau.

Article 10: Decisions of the General Assembly

Decisions of the G.A are taken by simple majority of members present or represented. In case of a tie, the President’s vote prevails.

Article 11: Extraordinary General Assembly (E.G.A)

  • In case of necessity, the E.G.A may be convened by the President or at the request of at least 2/3 of members in good standing;

  • The E.G.A deliberates only on items listed on the agenda;

  • Voting is by secret ballot and decisions are taken by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members present or represented. Representation must be made by proxy.

Article 12: Conduct of Members

  • All members have the same rights and duties toward the association;

  • Any inappropriate behavior during meetings will be severely sanctioned;

  • Any member who shows disrespect toward another member (insults, contempt, gossip “kongossa,” aggression, etc.) will be brought before an ad hoc committee and may be excluded from the association.

Article 13: Family Dinner

A family dinner is offered to members during meetings. A fixed amount of $200.00 is given to the host.

CHAPTER II: EXECUTIVE BUREAU

Section I: Composition and Functioning

Article 14: Composition

The Bangoua Family USA is led by an Executive Bureau composed as follows:

  • 01 President

  • 01 Vice President

  • 01 Secretary General

  • 01 Assistant Secretary

  • 01 Censor (Discipline Officer)

  • 01 Reporter

  • 01 Treasurer

  • 02 Delegates in charge of cultural affairs

  • 01 Delegate in charge of savings and insurance

  • 05 Advisors

Section II: Duties

Article 15: Duties of the President

  • Represents the Bangoua Family of the U.S.A in legal matters and civil acts; may delegate authority;

  • Defines general policy and action plan;

  • Responsible for proper functioning;

  • Coordinates Executive Bureau activities;

  • Ensures compliance with internal regulations;

  • Authorizes expenses approved by the G.A;

  • May appoint a session chair;

  • Appoints committee members for specific tasks;

  • Coordinates drafting of reports.

Article 16: Vice President

  • Assists the President;

  • Acts in the President’s absence;

  • Coordinates financial operations.

Article 17-a: Secretary General

  • Ensures proper functioning of the secretariat and documentation;

  • Manages correspondence;

  • Prepares meeting minutes;

  • Maintains accounting records and tontines;

  • Certifies available cash;

  • Holds accounting documents and provides them to auditors when needed;

  • Proposes agendas;

  • Archives documents.

The President holds checkbooks; copies of issued checks are given to the Secretary.

Article 17-b: Assistant Secretary General

  • Assists and replaces the Secretary General;

  • Handles financial management;

  • Works closely with censors, treasurer, and reporter.

Article 18: Treasurer

  • Collects funds and manages accounts;

  • Monitors bank accounts;

  • Deposits funds within one week;

  • Ensures records are submitted to the Secretary;

  • Pays beneficiaries;

  • A closing gala is organized at the end of each cycle; budget approved by G.A.

Article 19: Reporter

  • Collects tontines and contributions;

  • Works with VP and Assistant Secretary;

  • Distributes funds;

  • Transfers balances to Treasurer.

Article 19 (Censor Duties)

  • Responsible for discipline;

  • Track attendance;

  • Enforce sanctions and collect penalties;

  • Maintain sanctions register;

  • Collect funds during events;

  • Submit annual report.

Article 20: Self-Insurance

  • $120/year for 5 years ($600 total);

  • Only members in good standing benefit.

Article 21: Advisors

Assist the President; may be assigned specific roles.

Section III: Elections of the Executive Bureau

Article 22: Election Period

Elections take place during the last month of the cycle of the final year of the current term.

Article 23: Voting Method

The voting method is by list, by simple majority of members present.

The voting method is by list by simple majority of members in good standing present or represented if the quorum of two-thirds (2/3) is reached.

  • The Audit Committee member is not part of the list;

  • Representation is done by roll call of the Bureau and submission of an identity document.

Article 24: Eligibility Conditions

  • The President is elected for a two-year term, renewable twice consecutively; however, access to the presidency intermittently is possible;

  • The candidate for President and the appointed Vice President must each justify two years of seniority, except by special exemption of the General Assembly;

  • Any candidate for President or Vice President must have good moral character and must not have been guilty of serious misconduct (financial mismanagement, repeated indiscipline, failure in contributions);

  • Any candidate for a position in the Executive Bureau must justify one year of seniority and an attendance rate greater than 80%.

Article 25: Electoral Campaign

The electoral campaign takes place within the association; it must be courteous and focused exclusively on the candidates’ action programs.

The closing of candidate lists is scheduled two months before the election date and marks the opening of the campaign.

Article 26: Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission is composed of four (4) members elected by the General Assembly:

  1. 01 President

  2. 01 Reporter

  3. 02 Scrutineers

  • It rules on the validity of candidacies within one month before elections;

  • It validates candidacies at the time of registration;

  • It organizes and ensures the smooth running of voting operations;

  • It drafts the election report and proclaims results immediately;

  • It installs the Executive Bureau.

Article 27: Voters

(Section intentionally left as in original text.)

Article 28: Conduct of Voting

The Executive Bureau is required to provide the Electoral Commission with all necessary materials to ensure proper voting. Voting by proxy is permitted.

Article 29: Installation of the Executive Bureau

The Audit Committee is the control body of the association; it is elected by universal suffrage by absolute majority.

CHAPTER III: AUDIT COMMITTEE

Article 29: Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is the control body of the association. It certifies financial results at the end of each cycle and provides a quarterly report to the General Assembly.

Article 30: Duties of the Auditor

  • Controls the regularity of banking operations and accounting documents;

  • Certifies financial results and annual report of the outgoing Executive Bureau;

  • Makes recommendations to improve resource management.

TITLE III: MANAGEMENT AND ACTIVITIES

Article 31: General Provisions

The management and activities of the Bangoua Family of the USA revolve around the following accounts:

  • Tontine Account

  • Development Account

  • Solidarity Account

  • Savings Account

  • Insurance Account

  • Sanctions Account

  • Entertainment Account

Other accounts may be created by the General Assembly as needed.

CHAPTER I: MANAGEMENT

Article 32: Budget

  • At the beginning of a cycle, the Executive Bureau prepares a projected budget based on ongoing and new activities and submits it for approval;

  • All activities or projects must be budgeted and approved. A fundraising effort may be initiated if resources are insufficient.

Section I: Resources

Article 33: Resources

Association resources come from:

  • Membership fees;

  • Development contributions;

  • Solidarity contributions;

  • Savings contributions;

  • Sanctions;

  • Event revenues;

  • Family dinner contributions;

  • Self-insurance contributions;

  • Loan interest;

  • Donations and others.

Article 34: Contribution Rates

Unless otherwise decided:

  • Membership fee: $50

  • Development fund: $5/month

  • Solidarity fund: $5/month

  • Family dinner: $6/month

  • Savings & insurance defined separately

Article 35: Special Provisions

Members with temporary or permanent disability exceeding six (6) months may have reduced or canceled contributions.

Examples:

  • Relocation outside DMV

  • Long-term illness

  • Financial hardship

Note: Does not apply to pre-existing conditions before joining.

Section II: Expenses

Article 36: Authorization of Expenses

Expenses are authorized by the President after General Assembly approval.

Article 37: Supplies and Materials

Sanctions account funds supplies and may support entertainment.

Article 38: Social Aid

Solidarity account is strictly for assisting members in need.

Article 39: Development

Development account supports:

  • Village Bangoua projects

  • Cultural activities

  • Youth support

Article 40: Entertainment

Used for dinners, refreshments, and events.

Section III: Accounting

Article 41

  • All transactions must be documented;

  • Receipts required;

  • President signs expenditures with details.

CHAPTER II: FINANCIAL, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Section I: Financial Activities

Article 42: Tontine Groups

  • One or more tontine groups created;

  • Participation mandatory;

  • Max duration: 12 months;

  • Contributions made during meetings.

Article 43: Beneficiaries

  • New members must wait half the cycle;

  • Allocation by lottery.

Article 44: Presence Tontine

  • Reduces member burden;

  • Ensures operational funds.

Article 45: Contribution Rates

Minimum: $111 ($100 presence + $6 food + $5 development)

Article 46: Loans

  • Loans in $100 units;

  • 5% monthly interest;

  • Duration: 1 month (renewable once);

  • Interest shared among members.

CHAPTER III: SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Article 47: General Provisions

Members in good standing receive material and moral support.

Section I: Death

Article 48-a: Death of Member

  • $10,000 assistance;

  • Mandatory attendance at vigils.

Article 50-a: Death of Spouse

  • $1,500 assistance;

  • Proof required;

  • Attendance mandatory.

Article 51: Death of Parent/Child

  • $1,500 assistance.

Section II: Illness

Article 51-a

  • $300 assistance annually.

Article 51-b

Additional voluntary donations in severe cases.

Section III: Happy Events

Article 52

  • Marriage: $200 gift

  • Birth: $100 gift

Section IV: Cultural Activities

Article 53

  • Promote culture, language, traditions;

  • Organize ceremonies.

TITLE IV: DISCIPLINE

Article 54: General Rules

  • Members must show dignity;

  • Fines payable immediately;

  • Funds go to sanctions account.

Article 55: Late Attendance

Fine: $3

Article 56: Absences

  • Repeated absence leads to penalties and loss of rights.

Article 57: Misconduct

Examples:

  • Talking: $1

  • Interrupting: $2

  • Phone use: $2–$3

  • Disruption: $5

  • Aggression: severe sanctions including suspension

CHAPTER II: FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE

Article 58: Late Contribution

Fine: $2

Article 59: Tontine Default

  • $50–$100 penalties

  • Possible exclusion

  • Legal action possible

Article 60: Loan Default

  • Interest doubles then triples

  • 1-year exclusion

Article 61: Embezzlement

  • Legal prosecution

  • Loss of voting rights

  • Possible exclusion after review

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