ARTICLE I: PURPOSE
Section 1: Name of the Organization. The name of the organization shall be called Benin Technical College Old Students Association North America. Abbreviated as “BETECOSA NA”.
Section 2: The aims and objectives of the association shall be:
- The association shall encourage a union between old and current students of the school
- To support and provide reasonable accommodations for members welfare as deemed necessary and needed
- To be of service in ways possible in the advancement of the school’s development
- To assist the association and the school perpetuate a culture of transparence, accountability and integrity in leadership and good governance
- To collaborate with other individuals and cooperation with the same purpose.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section I. Memberships shall comprise of alumni of Benin Technical College residing in the United States of America and Canada
Section II. Article of Association. Members are encouraged to always maintain high level of responsibility and desist from any activity that could result in disrepute of his or her character both within and outside the association.
B. Associate membership may include old and current teachers, principals, financial supporter and friends of BETECOSA NA which will be subject to verification
Section I11. Monthly Fees: A due of $10 payable monthly. Members are encouraged to make monthly payments but may elect to pay either annually or bi-annually – sixty percent of the total dues will be used for welfare benefits, and forty percent for the school.
Section 1V. Operational and minor projects: Both operational and minor projects shall be financed from dues realized from members and from special levies that may be carried out from time to time.
Section V. Major projects: Major projects shall be financed from funds realized from donations from individuals and corporations. Sponsorship shall be solicited to assist the association in the execution of projects approved by two-third majority of association members in good standing.
Section VI. Bi-Annual reunion and fund-raising events shall be carried out to foster fellowship, generate financial assistance and support to enhance our charitable initiatives and educational assistance to the institution.
ARTICLE I11: MEETINGS.
Section 1: Meetings. The association shall hold meetings on the Third Sunday of every other month by Conference Call.
Section 11: Bi- Annual Meetings. In person bi-annual meetings and Fund-raisers shall be organized every other year and venues of such meetings shall be decided by two-third majority of members.
Section 111: Emergency Meetings. Emergency meetings shall be called to order to deliberate on issues requiring immediate attention in the interest of the association. Such emergency meetings shall be the exclusive prerogative of the EXCO.
Section 1V. Unless in a situation of emergency meetings, each member shall be given adequate notification by either e-mail, telephone, letter or any communication deemed fit, in any event where issues relating to the association shall be discussed. A minimum of one week shall be the norm.
ARTICLE 1V: Executive Members
Section I. The Executive members shall execute the principle and policy in the interest of the association. There shall be six officers on the Executive board, consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary, the Treasurer/Financial Secretary, the Public Relations Officer, and the Welfare officer.
Section II: The Association shall have four members of the Board of Trustee to give advice and oversee.
Section III: Should there be a voting need during an emergency meeting, the President shall be exempted from such voting unless there is tie, in which case his vote will unlock the tie.
Section IV: Meeting. It is recommended that Executive members shall meet three times a year or at least twice to discuss pertinent issues concerning the association.
Section V. Election of Executive members: Election of new officers shall be carried out every two years. No executive shall hold a position for more than two consecutive terms unless given a vote of confidence by the house. Any current executive member who wishes to be re-elected shall be eligible as long as he or she maintains good standing with the association. Such individual MUST be up to date with annual dues, and maintain at least seventy percent attendance of the bi-monthly meetings
Section VI. Any member or current board members who choose to vie for any of the elected position shall declare his or her intention at least one month prior to election.
Section V11. Quorum: A quorum shall be met by at least two-third majority of the Executive members prior to deliberation of any business or motion made or passed. Same applies to meetings (8 members shall be present for a Quorum)
Section V111. Officers and their Duties:
President: The President shall preside in all meetings and during Executive meetings. He shall have the authority to convene emergency meetings and/or special meetings in the interest of the association.
Vice President: In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall act in his place and assume full functions of the president
Secretary: He/She shall keep records of the association and its Executives, including taking of minutes during association and executive meetings. He shall endeavor to distribute copies of minutes and agenda to members.
Financial Secretary/Treasurer: Shall collect all monies accruing to the association and deposit same into the association account within 72 hours of receiving any money. He/She shall be responsible for updating members of the financial report on a bi-monthly basis.
Public Relation Officer: The PRO shall be responsible for the promotion of the association’s image to the public. He/She shall recommend to the association from time to time any ideas that can attract new members into the association and should be charged with the responsibility of membership drive.
Welfare Officer: He/She shall oversee entertainments during physical meetings and outings of the association. He/She shall be charged with the responsibility of making sure that member’s welfare needs are brought to the attention and approval of the EXCO
Section 1X. Vacancies: The association shall carry out an election by majority vote of members present at the meeting to replace any vacancy that exists in the Executive. Upon declaring a position vacant, candidates intending to participate in the election shall submit their names to the Secretary at least one month prior to the election. Once elected, such member can only occupy the position or positions for the duration of the member’s term of service.
Section X. Resignation, Termination, and absences. Resignation from the Executive must be in writing and forwarded to the Secretary. An Executive member who engages in excessive unexcused absences from Executive meetings shall be dropped from his role. Three unexcused absences shall be considered excessive.
ARTICLE V: Welfare and Benefits of Members:
i, Birthdays: The welfare officer will recognize all individuals with birthdays on the association’s what’s app page so members can post greetings. If a member is celebrating his/her birthday and invites the house, members would be encouraged to attend.
ii, Wedding: If a member or their family members are getting married, and they invite the house by posting the invitation on the platform, members would be encouraged to attend.
iii, Births: The announcement of the birth of a new child will be celebrated on the platform, by way of sending greetings, phone calls and attending any event.
iv, Death: In an event of the death of a financial member, their spouses, or family members. Association members would be encouraged to make calls, send condolence messages, and visit where possible. In the event of the death of a financial member, the house will be mandated to participate fully as the family would allow.
FINACIAL ALLOCATIONS:
For birthdays and birth of new a child, the house is not mandated to give any gifts, (monetary or otherwise) Members who wish, may do so on their own individually privately.
Weddings: For financial members, the association will give $200 (The EXCO will use their discretion to solicit donations or place a levy on members to raise more money as deemed necessary.)
Death: For the death of a financial member, the association will give $1,000
Death of the spouse of a financial member, the association will give $500
Two death occurrences of family members of financial members, the association will give $200 per occurrence
For each case of death, be it death of a financial member, their spouse, or family members, the EXCO will use their discretion to solicit donations or place a levy on members to raise more money as deemed necessary
ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES
Section I. The President shall be vested with authority to form committees as may be needed, such as Welfare committee, Finance committee, Education committee, Fundraising committee, etc. The President shall appoint all committee chairs and committee members.
Section II. Finance Committee. The Treasurer/Financial Secretary shall be the presiding officer of the Finance Committee. The duty of Finance committee shall include developing activities that can generate funds for the association, He/She will also be responsible to apprise the association with annual reports of income, expenditures, and the financial health of the association.
Section III. Welfare Committee. The Welfare committee shall comprise of three members and the presiding officer shall be the Welfare Officer. The Welfare committee shall be charged with the responsibility to arbitrate in any issues regarding members.