THE CONSTITUTION 
OF 
URHOBO PROGRESSIVE UNION OF MINNESOTA

Articles of Constitution:

I.   Preamble

II. Organization’s name

 III. POLICIES OF THE ORGANIZATION

IV. Goals and Objectives

V.  Membership

VI.. Officers

  VII.The OrganizationAL Structure

                   VIII. The ELECTION OF OFFICERS

1.     

X.MISCELLANEOUS

 

pREAMBLES:

            Members of the Urhobo Progressive Union of Minnesota shall refer to this document as the constitution of the organization.

            The members pledge their loyalty to the Urhobo nation, to the country of Nigeria, to the organization and community of Minnesota.

The Urhobo Progressive Union was established in 1992:

 

MOTTO:

            Eguonor-Love

 

THE CONSTITUTION

 

ARTICLE I:   ORGANIZATION’S NAME

 

            Members of this organization hereby agree that the name of the organization shall be Urhobo Progressive Union of Minnesota. (U.P.U. of Minnesota)

 

ARTICLE II:  Goals and Objectives

            The objectives of this organization are:

1.    To foster love.

2.    To assist members economically, socially, and culturally.

3.    To unite Urhobo people in Minnesota.

4.    To promote social and educational advancement of the Urhobo people in Nigeria.

 

ARTICLE III:            POLICIES OF THE ORGANIZATION

            Section I: Meetings:

·       Meetings shall be held in member’s place of residence.

·       Each member is expected to take turns in hosting the meeting.

·       Proper courtesy shall be adhered to at all times.

·       Monthly financial report must be made available to members.

·       All matters without general consensus must be resolved by voting.

·       The member hosting a meeting must notify other members at least a week in advance.

·       All members must attend a general meeting except by and express permission of the president in advance.  Any member that misses three consecutive meetings shall be suspended and will have to pay a membership fee before re-admission. This is subject to deliberation by members and by majority vote.

 

Section II: Signatories: Contracts made by the organization must have the President, the General Secretary, and the Treasurer‘s signature, unless specified by a majority of the members of the organization.

 

Section III: Expenditure: All the organizational expenditures above $50.00 must have the approval of the majority of the voting members.

 

Section IV: Financial Report: the organization shall give a monthly financial report.

 

Section V: Audit: The organization shall conduct a financial audit of it’s accounts annually be a panel elected by the members.  In the event of financial impropriety, the house will call an emergency audit.

 

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP:

            Section 1: All Urhobo people are eligible for membership.  An Urhobo person is any person whose father or mother has his or her origin in the Urhobo land.

 

            Section 2: ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: This is any person that does not meet 1 of Article IV requirements but is related either by marriage or by some other affiliation.

 

            Section 3: HONORARY MEMBERSHIP: This membership shall be bestowed on any person that has contributed positively in any way to the Urhobo people.

 

Section 4: Associate and honorary membership are privileges which can be denied by majority vote of the full members.

 

ARTICLE IV:

1.    Associate members can vote but can not be elected for office.

2.    Honorary members can neither vote nor be elected as officers.

 

Section 5: Membership Dues: A membership fee of $50.00 per annum and a monthly due of $20.00 shall be paid my every member.

 

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

·       President

·       Secretary

·       Treasurer

·       Social Secretary

 

ARTICLE VI: ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

        

            Section 1: The president is responsible for the day to day running of the organization.  Only the president has the authority to summon emergency meeting but members can suggest a meeting.  The emergency meeting summoned by the president does not have to meet a quorum. The president has the mandate to assign any duties to members of the organization.  The president shall address other issues that might arise from time to time.

 

            Section 2: The secretary is responsible for the internal and external communications. The secretary shall keep and update records of  the organization.  The secretary shall take minutes of meetings of the organization.  The secretary shall also perform other duties as directed by the president.

 

            Section 3: The treasurer is in charge of collecting and disbursing of funds, keeping and updating the financial record of the organization.

The Treasure must deposit all funds in the organization’s bank account within two working days.

 

ARTICLE VII: ELECTION OF OFFICERS

 

            The general election shall be held every two years.  Election of officers shall be by secret ballot.

 

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION

 

            Section1: The constitution can be amended by a simple majority vote of all members.

 

            Section 2:

The following shall be followed in other to amend any section or provision of this constitution:

1.    the proposed amendment shall be introduced in writing to the house at regular meeting.

2.    Every bonafide (active) member shall be served or notified of the proposed amendment.

3.    Members shall have until the next meeting date to consider the proposed amendment.

4.    The proposed amendment shall be debated at the next meeting following the one in which the amendment was introduced.  A vote may be taken at this meeting.

5.    The proposal shall be approved/rejected by a simple majority of all bonafide members.

6.    Members who could not attend the meeting shall cast a proxy vote by a written statement. Proxy vote must reach the secretary before the meeting.

7.     An amendment shall take effect on the date/time specified by the house

8.    All the above procedures have to be met for the amendment to be adopted.

 

ARTICLE IX: MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:

            SECTION A: Refundable Benefit

            Section 1: Direct Loan:

·       All direct loans to members shall be backed by collateral and or a guarantor.

·       The House shall determine the member’s eligibility, amount of the loan, and the sufficiency of collateral.

·       Any request for loan shall be through the President. The President shall call an emergency meeting or make conference calls to simple majority members within a reasonable time of receiving the request for loan.  A decision to approve (or not) shall be ratified by the house at the monthly meeting.

·       Any loan shall be subject to a maximum of 180 days payback period beginning from the date the loan was given.

·       Interest on the Direct Loan is 5%.

·       To be eligible, applicant must be a member in good standing for a year.

 

Section 2: Indirect Loan

·       This refers to payment or contribution made on behalf of member who may be out of  town/country. Such payment shall be considered an indirect loan and the member  shall be obligated to pay within the maximum 180 days payback period. The 180  days begins upon return.

Section 3: Emergency Assistance

·       These form of loan shall be determined by the House on a case by case basis. All  Emergency loan shall be subject to the maximum of 90 days payback period.

 

ARTICLE IX

SECTION B: NON-REFUNDABLE BENEFITS

Section 1: Death in the family: For the purpose of this section, a family is defined to  include biological fathers and mothers of the benefiting member. A member shall be  eligible for the sum of $500 if the members mother/father pass away. This is for members who are not going home (Nigeria) for  the burial. A member who is going home for burial is eligible for $1,500. The member in question must have met the following criteria to be eligible:

 

·       He/she is an active member as defined in this constitution

·       Has paid his/her monthly dues up to date and all other financial obligations.

·       Has met attendance requirement as defined in the constitution

Section  2  Marriage and Child Birth :

 

   A member shall be eligible for a $100 donation from the UPU subject to the criteria  stated above. Individual member may support this donation with whatever amount/gift  they choose to give. Marriage and child birth must be in the United States.

 

 

AMENDMENT TO URHOBO PROGRESSIVE UNION OF MINNESOTA

 

Amendment 1

 

Article---: Grievance: Constitutional Grievance and Personal Grievance

         

            Section  1. Constitutional Grievance: A constitutional grievance shall be define  as any controversy arising over the interpretation of or adherence to the terms and  provisions the constitution.

 

                        Section 1:  Constitutional grievance procedure:

 

1.    A constitutional grievance shall not be valid for consideration

Unless the grievance is submitted in writing setting forth the facts and  specific parts of the constitution allegedly violated to the president or  members in a general meeting.

 

1.    The grievance is then entered for topic to be deliberated on in the next  meeting.

 

1.    After deliberation, if necessary, members vote to decide the validity  of the grievance. A simple majority member’s vote is needed.

 

Section  2.  Personal Grievance: Personal Grievance shall be define as      a personal DISPUTE controversy or Conflict between two or more members that  have potential to threaten the stability of the organization.

 

            Section  2a: Personal Grievance procedure:

 

1.    Personal grievance shall be brought to the house by the involved  member(s) or any member of the organization in a general meeting.

 

1.    The President shall appoint a three-person mediation panel. If the  president is a party to the dispute, decision falls to the members in a  general meeting. The members shall appoint a three-person panel.

 

1.    The three person panel shall investigate the complaints, document the  facts, and render a decision. Panel shall provide reasons to support  their decision.

 

1.    Upon completion of the assignment, panel shall report to the  President. If  the President is a  party to the dispute, the report shall be  made to the full house in session.

 

1.    The house votes on the panel’s recommendation(s). A simple majority  vote binds the recommendation. If the house fails to achieve a simple  majority vote, the house makes amendment to the recommendation

 

1.    The house amendment becomes binding with a simple majority vote.

 

1.    Principle of finality: Once parties agree to bring dispute to UPU  reconciliation panel, the ruling by either the panel or House is final to  the dispute(s). No other adjudication outside the organization is warranted.

 

1.    Any member(s) that violates section 2a(g) will be fined subject to the  house.

 

 

Amendment ii

·       Penalty for lateness and absence

 

Amendment iii

·       Amendment on New loan and procedure

 

Amendment iv

·       Returning members after a long absence

 

Amendment v

THE CONSTITUTION OF  URHOBO PROGRESSIVE UNION OF MINNESOTA

Articles of Constitution:

I.   Preamble

II. Organization’s name

 III. POLICIES OF THE ORGANIZATION

IV. Goals and Objectives

V.  Membership

VI.. Officers

  VII.The OrganizationAL Structure

                   VIII. The ELECTION OF OFFICERS

1.     

X.MISCELLANEOUS

 

PREAMBLES:

            Members of the Urhobo Progressive Union of Minnesota shall refer to this document as the constitution of the organization.

            The members pledge their loyalty to the Urhobo nation, to the country of Nigeria, to the organization and community of Minnesota.

             The Urhobo Progressive Union was established in 1992:

 

MOTTO:

            Eguonor-Love

 

THE CONSTITUTION

 

ARTICLE I:   ORGANIZATION’S NAME

 

            Members of this organization hereby agree that the name of the organization shall be Urhobo Progressive Union of Minnesota. (U.P.U. of Minnesota)

 

ARTICLE II:  Goals and Objectives

            The objectives of this organization are:

1.    To foster love.

2.    To assist members economically, socially, and culturally.

3.    To unite Urhobo people in Minnesota.

4.    To promote social and educational advancement of the Urhobo people in Nigeria.

 

ARTICLE III:            POLICIES OF THE ORGANIZATION

            Section I: Meetings:

·       Meetings shall be held in member’s place of residence.

·       Each member is expected to take turns in hosting the meeting.

·       Proper courtesy shall be adhered to at all times.

·       Monthly financial report must be made available to members.

·       All matters without general consensus must be resolved by voting.

·       The member hosting a meeting must notify other members at least a week in advance.

·       All members must attend a general meeting except by and express permission of the president in advance.  Any member that misses three consecutive meetings shall be suspended and will have to pay a membership fee before re-admission. This is subject to deliberation by members and by majority vote.

 

Section II: Signatories: Contracts made by the organization must have the President, the General Secretary, and the Treasurer‘s signature, unless specified by a majority of the members of the organization.

 

Section III: Expenditure: All the organizational expenditures above $50.00 must have the approval of the majority of the voting members.

 

Section IV: Financial Report: the organization shall give a monthly financial report.

 

Section V: Audit: The organization shall conduct a financial audit of it’s accounts annually be a panel elected by the members.  In the event of financial impropriety, the house will call an emergency audit.

 

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP:

            Section 1: All Urhobo people are eligible for membership.  An Urhobo person is any person whose father or mother has his or her origin in the Urhobo land.

 

            Section 2: ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: This is any person that does not meet 1 of Article IV requirements but is related either by marriage or by some other affiliation.

 

            Section 3: HONORARY MEMBERSHIP: This membership shall be bestowed on any person that has contributed positively in any way to the Urhobo people.

 

Section 4: Associate and honorary membership are privileges which can be denied by majority vote of the full members.

 

ARTICLE IV:

1.    Associate members can vote but can not be elected for office.

2.    Honorary members can neither vote nor be elected as officers.

 

Section 5: Membership Dues: A membership fee of $50.00 per annum and a monthly due of $20.00 shall be paid my every member.

 

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

·       President

·       Secretary

·       Treasurer

·       Social Secretary

 

ARTICLE VI: ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

        

            Section 1: The president is responsible for the day to day running of the organization.  Only the president has the authority to summon emergency meeting but members can suggest a meeting.  The emergency meeting summoned by the president does not have to meet a quorum. The president has the mandate to assign any duties to members of the organization.  The president shall address other issues that might arise from time to time.

 

            Section 2: The secretary is responsible for the internal and external communications. The secretary shall keep and update records of  the organization.  The secretary shall take minutes of meetings of the organization.  The secretary shall also perform other duties as directed by the president.

 

            Section 3: The treasurer is in charge of collecting and disbursing of funds, keeping and updating the financial record of the organization.

The Treasure must deposit all funds in the organization’s bank account within two working days.

 

ARTICLE VII: ELECTION OF OFFICERS

 

            The general election shall be held every two years.  Election of officers shall be by secret ballot.

 

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION

 

            Section1: The constitution can be amended by a simple majority vote of all members.

 

            Section 2:

The following shall be followed in other to amend any section or provision of this constitution:

1.    the proposed amendment shall be introduced in writing to the house at regular meeting.

2.    Every bonafide (active) member shall be served or notified of the proposed amendment.

3.    Members shall have until the next meeting date to consider the proposed amendment.

4.    The proposed amendment shall be debated at the next meeting following the one in which the amendment was introduced.  A vote may be taken at this meeting.

5.    The proposal shall be approved/rejected by a simple majority of all bonafide members.

6.    Members who could not attend the meeting shall cast a proxy vote by a written statement. Proxy vote must reach the secretary before the meeting.

7.     An amendment shall take effect on the date/time specified by the house

8.    All the above procedures have to be met for the amendment to be adopted.

 

ARTICLE IX: MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:

            SECTION A: Refundable Benefit

            Section 1: Direct Loan:

·       All direct loans to members shall be backed by collateral and or a guarantor.

·       The House shall determine the member’s eligibility, amount of the loan, and the sufficiency of collateral.

·       Any request for loan shall be through the President. The President shall call an emergency meeting or make conference calls to simple majority members within a reasonable time of receiving the request for loan.  A decision to approve (or not) shall be ratified by the house at the monthly meeting.

·       Any loan shall be subject to a maximum of 180 days payback period beginning from the date the loan was given.

·       Interest on the Direct Loan is 5%.

·       To be eligible, applicant must be a member in good standing for a year.

 

Section 2: Indirect Loan

·       This refers to payment or contribution made on behalf of member who may be out of  town/country. Such payment shall be considered an indirect loan and the member  shall be obligated to pay within the maximum 180 days payback period. The 180  days begins upon return.

Section 3: Emergency Assistance

·       These form of loan shall be determined by the House on a case by case basis. All  Emergency loan shall be subject to the maximum of 90 days payback period.

 

ARTICLE IX

SECTION B: NON-REFUNDABLE BENEFITS

Section 1: Death in the family: For the purpose of this section, a family is defined to  include biological fathers and mothers of the benefiting member. A member shall be  eligible for the sum of $500 if the members mother/father pass away. This is for members who are not going home (Nigeria) for  the burial. A member who is going home for burial is eligible for $1,500. The member in question must have met the following criteria to be eligible:

 

·       He/she is an active member as defined in this constitution

·       Has paid his/her monthly dues up to date and all other financial obligations.

·       Has met attendance requirement as defined in the constitution

Section  2  Marriage and Child Birth :

 

   A member shall be eligible for a $100 donation from the UPU subject to the criteria  stated above. Individual member may support this donation with whatever amount/gift  they choose to give. Marriage and child birth must be in the United States.

 

 

AMENDMENT TO URHOBO PROGRESSIVE UNION OF MINNESOTA

 

Amendment 1

 

Article---: Grievance: Constitutional Grievance and Personal Grievance

         

            Section  1. Constitutional Grievance: A constitutional grievance shall be define  as any controversy arising over the interpretation of or adherence to the terms and  provisions the constitution.

 

                        Section 1:  Constitutional grievance procedure:

 

1.    A constitutional grievance shall not be valid for consideration

Unless the grievance is submitted in writing setting forth the facts and  specific parts of the constitution allegedly violated to the president or  members in a general meeting.

 

1.    The grievance is then entered for topic to be deliberated on in the next  meeting.

 

1.    After deliberation, if necessary, members vote to decide the validity  of the grievance. A simple majority member’s vote is needed.

 

Section  2.  Personal Grievance: Personal Grievance shall be define as      a personal DISPUTE controversy or Conflict between two or more members that  have potential to threaten the stability of the organization.

 

            Section  2a: Personal Grievance procedure:

 

1.    Personal grievance shall be brought to the house by the involved  member(s) or any member of the organization in a general meeting.

 

1.    The President shall appoint a three-person mediation panel. If the  president is a party to the dispute, decision falls to the members in a  general meeting. The members shall appoint a three-person panel.

 

1.    The three person panel shall investigate the complaints, document the  facts, and render a decision. Panel shall provide reasons to support  their decision.

 

1.    Upon completion of the assignment, panel shall report to the  President. If  the President is a  party to the dispute, the report shall be  made to the full house in session.

 

1.    The house votes on the panel’s recommendation(s). A simple majority  vote binds the recommendation. If the house fails to achieve a simple  majority vote, the house makes amendment to the recommendation

 

1.    The house amendment becomes binding with a simple majority vote.

 

1.    Principle of finality: Once parties agree to bring dispute to UPU  reconciliation panel, the ruling by either the panel or House is final to  the dispute(s). No other adjudication outside the organization is warranted.

 

1.    Any member(s) that violates section 2a(g) will be fined subject to the  house.

 

 

Amendment ii

·       Penalty for lateness and absence

 

Amendment iii

·       Amendment on New loan and procedure

 

Amendment iv

·       Returning members after a long absence

 

Amendment v