Uttoron | Constitution

This document supersedes all the past amendments related to all articles of Constitution
(adopted in General Body Meeting held on Sunday, September 08, 2024).

The Association shall be known as “UTTORON”, hereafter referred to as the Association.

ARTICLE II

PLACE:

The principal place of operation shall be in the Greater Seattle area in the state of Washington.

ARTICLE III

OBJECTIVES:

To form a cultural, social and educational organization for the advancement, appreciation, and performance of Bengali Culture and Language.
To provide a common identity to the Bengali community through promotion of unity, friendship and goodwill based on mutual understanding and cooperation.
To provide community service within the limits of the Association resources.
To establish and serve as a non-profit institution under the General non-profit Corporation Act 501(c)(3).
To encourage and foster those activities those improve mutual understanding and appreciation between the Bengali community and all other communities.

ARTICLE IV

ASSOCIATION BUSINESS:

No part of the net earning of the Association shall be incurred to the benefit of, or distribution to, its members, officers, or for other private persons, except that the Association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distribution in furtherance of the purpose set forth in the Article III hereof. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by:

An Association exempt from Federal income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1954 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law)
An Association contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1954 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law)

ARTICLE V

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE:

The organization shall consist of a (I) General Body and (II) Executive Committee. The Executive Committee, hereafter called the Committee, shall be responsible for making long term policies, maintaining stability of the Association, executing formulated polices, developing and implementing programs and activities consistent with these polices, and performing day-to-day operations of the Association.

The General Body: The General Body shall consist of all members of the Association in good standing. A member in good standing hereby refers to one who has paid dues for the current year and follows rules, required for membership according to the by-laws.
Executive Committee:
- The Executive Committee of the Association shall consist of six Officers (the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary, the Joint Secretary, the Treasurer and the Joint Treasurer), and up to a maximum of twenty-six (26) other committee members. All members of the Executive Committee shall be elected by the General Body.
- In addition, up to five (5) honorary members may be appointed by the Committee to serve its functional needs,
- In case no nomination is received for any of the following Office bearers: the Vice-President, the Secretary, the Joint Secretary, the Treasurer and the Joint Treasurer, the EC may fill that position from the elected committee members provided he/she is not serving the position for more than 2 consecutive years.

ARTICLE VI

MEMBERSHIPS:

Any person who believes in the objectives of the Association and agrees to abide by its constitution and by-laws may become a member by paying appropriate membership dues.

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS:

The General Body shall be empowered to make or amend the Constitution or the By-laws governing the management of the Association.
The Constitution and the By-laws may be amended by resolution adopted by two thirds majority of the members present and voting at a General Body meeting. Such amendments must be proposed in writing at least twenty (20) members in good standing and it must be submitted to the Secretary. Such a motion must be considered within 30 days either in an annual or a special General Body meeting called for this purpose. It shall not be effective until reissuing of the charter.
Authority is hereby granted to the General Body to elect the members of the Committee as provided in the By-Laws and this Constitution.

ARTICLE VIII

COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CHAPTER(S):

The Committee shall have the authority to grant affiliation to chapters of the Association in colleges and Universities in Western Washington. These chapters shall function merely as extensions of the Association and as such shall be governed by this Constitution and the By-Laws.

DISSOLUTION:

Upon the dissolution of the Association the Committee shall after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the Association, dispose of all the assets of the Association to such organizations, organized and operated exclusively for educational and/or charitable purposes and shall at time qualify as an exempt organization(s) under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law), as the Committee shall determine.