CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF CAPE MOUNTAINIANS IN THE AMERICAS (NACA), INCORPORATED

PREAMBLE

We, the citizens, descendants and friends of Grand Cape Mount County, Republic of Liberia, residing in the Americas, recognizing the need to form ourselves into a legal entity to pursue developmental goals and objectives for the economic, political and social advancement of our common Patrimony, Liberia, in general, and for Grand Cape Mount County in particular; as well as to foster closer relations among ourselves and concerns for the wellbeing and happiness of one another in the Americas, sitting in National Convention, do hereby establish this Association.

ARTICLE I - NAME

1.1 The name of the Association is the National Association of Cape Mountainians in the Americas (NACA), Inc.

1.2 The Motto of the Association is "Unity, Brotherhood and Love."

ARTICLE II - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

2.1 To provide technical support, financial aid, logistics, education and other forms of assistance to small Liberian farmers to attain food security and self-sufficiency, as well as identify and encourage individuals, entities and institutions to provide such assistance.

2.2 To provide financial aid, logistical support and other forms of assistance to educational institutions located in the Republic of Liberia, as well as identify and encourage individuals, institutions and other entities to provide such assistance.

2.3 To provide financial aid, logistical support, medical workers and other forms of assistance to medical centers, hospitals and institutions in the Republic of Liberia, as well as identify and encourage individuals, institutions and entities to provide such assistance.

2.4 To cultivate a spirit of cooperation, love and concerns for the wellbeing of one another and solidarity among members of the Association in particular, and among Liberians in the Americas in general.

2.5 To promote friendly relations among other Liberian Associations.

2.6 To provide a permanent venue for the periodic exchange of ideas among members of the Association on developments in Cape Mount County in particular, and Liberia in general.

2.7 To undertake development projects and programs in Grand Cape Mount County and Liberia as a whole.

2.8 To identify with, and provide assistance for, infrastructural, socio-economic and cultural development of Grand Cape Mount County in particular, and Liberia in general.

2.9 To seek the wellbeing and welfare of members of the Association and citizens of Grand Cape Mount County residing in the Americas.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Membership in the Association shall be conferred upon chapters

and individuals in accordance with the following categories:

A) Regular Member

B) Affiliate Member

C) Chapter Member

D) Honorary Member

3.2 Regular Membership in the association shall be opened to all Cape Mountainians, descendants of Cape Mountainians, their spouses, children, parents, grand parents, as well as other Liberians who are not from Grand Cape Mount County but who subscribe to the aims and objectives of the Association. Only individuals residing in the Americas shall become regular members of the Association.

3.3 Affiliate Membership shall be opened to all non-Liberians who subscribe to, and are prepared to work actively and cooperatively for, the attainment of the aims and objectives of the Association.

3.4 Membership in the Association shall be obtained at a chapter level through the completion of a registration process and the payment of registration fees. The Board of Directors of the Association shall set membership fees, from time to time, upon the recommendation of the National Administration through the National President.

3.5 Chapter Membership shall be accorded to any local Cape Mount Association organized and operated in the Americas provided the local association has ten or more members and requested membership through a written communication to the National Administration. The National Administration shall then designate such local association as a Chapter of the NACA, after it has been chartered by the National Board of Directors.

3.6 No Local Cape Mount association shall be denied membership except it has less than ten (10) members or its constitution and or by-laws are not in accord with the Constitution and By Laws of NACA.

3.7 The membership application from a local Cape Mount association shall be signed by the president/Chairman or his/her designee and attested by the Chairman of the Board of Directors from that local association, if any.

3.8 Honorary Membership may be accorded to non-Cape Mountainian citizens and institutions supportive of the aims and objectives of the Association by contributing to the well being of the people of Grand Cape Mount County or the Association.

3.9 Regular, Affiliate and Chapter Members shall pay Annual Membership Dues which shall be determined by the National Board of Directors from time to time upon the recommendation of the National Administration through the National President. A certain portion of all Annual Membership Dues collected in a chapter for the Association shall be retained in that chapter, for use by the chapter. The National Administration shall from time to time propose to the Board the portion of the Membership Due that shall be retained in NACA chapters.

3.10 Delinquency: Any chapter or regular member who is delinquent in meeting its financial obligations to the association, may be denied voting rights or benefits from the Association, until such delinquency is settled. Affiliate members and all other categories of membership who that are delinquent may also be denied membership benefits.

3.11 No institution or chapter of the Association shall have the right to unilaterally suspend or expel a member without the written consent of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the National Association, co-signed by the National President. Membership right shall not be suspended or revoked except as provided for under this constitution.

3.12 Each individual member (regular and affiliate) shall pay for and obtain a NACA Membership Identification Card. The National Administration through the National President shall from time to time propose to the National Board of Directors the NACA Membership Identification Card fees.

ARTICLE IV - STRUCTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION

4.1 The Association shall consist of three separate and distinct branches as follows:

A) The National Convention

B) The National Board of Directors

C) The National Administration

The functions and operations of these three branches shall be consistent with the principle of separation of power and authority, and the principle of checks and balances.

4.2 National Convention:

A) The National Convention, hereinafter referred to as "Convention," shall be the highest decision-making body of the Association.

B) The National Convention shall be held annually once every year in the Month of September, and shall serve as a forum to review the past and plan future activities of the Association, elect officers and take decisions on matters affecting the Association.

C) Representation and voting at National Conventions of NACA shall be by local Chapter delegates. The number of delegates from each chapter shall be in direct proportion to the number of individual members of that chapter. At least fifteen days prior to any NACA Convention, all chapters of the Association shall submit an updated roster of their members to both the National Administration and the Standing Committee on Membership and Welfare. Both the Membership Committee and National Administration shall work together in computing the number of representatives each chapter shall be entitled to delegate to the Convention, based upon the chapter's actual membership roster. The National Administration shall then inform all the chapters on the number of delegates they shall be entitled to attend the Convention, based upon the financial obligation of the chapter to NACA in direct relation to the chapter membership. All members of chapters not authorized by their chapters to attend as delegates may attend the Convention as observers - not participating in debates and discussions, and not voting, but may be eligible to be voted into office.

D) In case a chapter falls short of its financial obligation to NACA to accredit the chapter's entire number of delegates to the Convention, then a proportion of the chapter's delegates shall be calculated in direct relation to the amount paid. Members of such chapters who prove that they have met their financial obligations to the chapter but are not accredited by the chapter shall be given the first right of representing the chapter at the Convention.

E) Decisions and resolutions at the National Convention shall be reached by simple majority votes of accredited Chapter delegates present at the National Convention. However, decisions relating to impeachment and removal from office shall be consistent with impeachment provisions laid down under this Constitution.

F) All decisions of the National Convention shall be consistent with this Constitution. Only active members, in good financial standing, who are accredited by their Chapters and present at the convention shall have the right to vote on all decisions of the National Convention. Active members shall be defined as those members in good financial standing with the Association, and up-to-date with their membership due payment. Good financial standing as defined by this constitution means member(s) who are not delinquent with their annual membership dues and other financial obligations to the Association including local chapters.

G) The National President of the National Association of Cape Mountainians shall convene the National Convention and shall report on the state of the Association, including fiscal activities of the association, its scope and activities covering the period preceding the National Convention. However, whenever it becomes difficult for the President to convene the National Convention, the National President may request the Board to postpone the National Convention and shall provide in writing to the Board reason(s) and circumstances for the postponement.

H) The convening of the National Convention shall only be postponed by a decision of the National Board of Directors of the Association of Cape Mountainians in the Americas in the form of a resolution signed by at least half of the Board members present and voting. However, the maximum time within which a National Convention shall be postponed should not exceed six months.

I) Each year, the National President or his designate shall issue a National Convention Notice to the Board, Chapter leaders and the membership at least three months prior to the National Convention. The notice shall include a draft National Convention agenda and shall specify the date(s) and venue of the National Convention. The President shall ensure that the notice is circulated to the membership as widely as possible. Unless otherwise provided for under this Constitution, the Board shall consider failure by the President to convene the National Convention as nonfeasance.

J) The National President may convene an emergency session of the National Convention with the consent of the National Board of Directors of the Association to discuss specific issue(s) affecting the Association. However, no emergency National Convention shall be convened within three months prior to the National Convention. The National Convention shall not be replaced by an emergency National Convention. This Constitution shall not be amended nor regular election held at any emergency National Convention. However, a by-election may be held at an emergency National Convention to fill vacancy and/or vacancies.

K) Non-members of the Association may attend meetings of the National Convention but shall not have the right to vote on issues, or vote contenders into office. They shall attend only in the capacity as observers. Only registered regular members who are in good financial standing with the Association and who are accredited by their chapters and present at the convention shall have the right to vote in regular or special elections of the Association.

L) Decisions about National Convention venue and date shall be made at the preceding National Convention. In the absence of such decision or when it becomes difficult to host the National Convention in a particular city, the National Administration shall in consultation with the Board designate an alternative city for the National Convention.

4.3 National Board of Directors

A) The National Board of Directors is the highest decision-making body of the National Association of Cape Mountainians in the Americas (NACA) in the absence of the National Convention. Legislative powers of the Association shall be vested in the Board of Directors herein after referred to as Board. The Board shall have oversight responsibilities over the national administration of the Association. In the absence of the National Convention, the Board shall exercise all powers and take all decisions reserved for the National Convention under this Constitution, except the amendment of this Constitution.

B) The Board shall comprise of two elected representatives from each Chapter to serve a two-year term. But for the purpose of continuity, the first Board members elected in each Chapter under this constitution with the highest votes cast shall serve for three years. Board members may be elected to succeed themselves as many times as membership of the chapters may wish to do so through their votes. Board members shall be legal residents of the United States or other countries in the Americas.

C) The Membership of each Chapter shall evolve its own structure, Constitution and by-laws as well as rules by which the Chapter shall be governed, and how its representative shall be determined and seconded to the National Board. However, any such law, rule, procedure, criteria, or by-law that contravenes any portion of the Constitution of the National Association of Cape Mountainians in the Americas (NACA) shall be null and void, ab initio. The Board, directly or through the National President of the national administration, shall have the right to declare any such contraventions or other non-democratic procedures null and void. The National Board reserves the right to determine, whether solicited or not, the constitutionality, intent and/or interpretation of any and all portions of the by-laws of all Chapters, based upon the NACA Constitution. Only the National Convention can override the decisions of the National Board of Directors.

D) In the case of a vacancy involving a Chapter's representative on the Board, the Chairman of the Board shall, through the National President, inform the appropriate Chapter and request the Chapter to fill the vacancy.

E) The Board shall determine the rules of its proceedings, establish its leadership structure, set criteria and determine causes for which, and the extent to which, disciplinary actions may be taken against its members; and, with the concurrence of two-third majority of its full membership voting in person, expel a member.

F) Officers of the Board shall serve a two-year term. They (Board Officers) may be elected to succeed themselves as many times as membership of the Board may wish to do so through their votes.

G) Among others, the Board shall have the following additional powers:

1. Charter (or give cognizance to) all chapters of the National Association of Cape Mountainians in the Americas consistent with this Constitution.

2. Confirm appointments of officers and members of autonomous commissions.

3. Impeach and remove elected officers from office for cause and consistent with this Constitution.

4. Approve elections guidelines for NACA elections for the national administration.

5. Approve the Annual and all Ad Hoc Budgets of the Association.

6. Direct audits of officers and members entrusted with the finances of the Association.

7. Approve membership dues and other fees as shall be proposed by the Executive Committee through the President of NACA.

8. Approve all contracts with a financial obligation of $2,500 (two thousand five dollars) and above, and ratify all agreements between the Association and other entities.

9. Cite officers and members of the Association for cause.

10. Create additional standing committees and autonomous commissions.

11. The Board shall meet in regular sessions at least every four (4) months. A simple majority shall constitute a quorum. Decisions by the Board shall be in the form of a resolution. The Chairman of the Board may convene an emergency session of the Board.

4.4 National Administration

A) The National Administration shall be responsible for the day-today administration of the Association, and shall coordinate the activities of all chapters of the Association, standing committees and autonomous commissions.

B) The National Administration shall comprise of the elected officers of the Association. All elected officers shall be legal residents in the Americas. They shall each be elected for a two-year terms. No elected officer shall serve for more than two consecutive terms of office. They may however run for the same office following the termination of one or more terms of office of another administration. The elected officers that shall constitute the National Administration of NACA shall be as follows:

1. National President, who shall:

i) be the official spokesperson for the Association;

ii) preside over all meetings of the association, including the National Convention;

iii) appoint all officers and members of standing committees;

iv) have the right to constitute ad hoc committees;

v) conduct national and international affairs of the Association;

vi) be at least twenty-five years old and a legal resident of the United States or other countries in the Americas for at least one year prior to his/her election;

vii) submit to the membership in convention annual written report highlighting the activities and operation of the association;

viii) unless otherwise provided for under this Constitution, appoint, with the advice and consent of the Board, individuals to fill, only for the unexpired term or until by-elections are held, vacancies for elective offices within thirty days of the creation of a vacancy by death, resignation, disability, impeachment or otherwise.

2. National Vice President who shall:

i) be the principal deputy to the National President;

ii) assist the President and shall carryout all other duties assigned him/her by the President;

iii) meet the same qualifications as the President for eligibility to be elected;

iv) act as National President in the absence of the President;

v) serve as Chairman Ex-Officio on all standing committees;

vi) accede to the office of National President in the case of removal of the National President from office, or upon death, resignation or inability to discharge the duties and functions of National President of NACA or otherwise, the National President functions shall devolve on the National Vice President.

3. National Secretary-General who shall:

i) be the chief custodian of all documents and records for the National Association of Cape Mountainians in the Americas;

ii) be the head of the secretariat, be responsible for all correspondence, prepare all minutes of proceedings of the National Convention and other meetings of the Association for dissemination among members of the Association;

iii) assist the President in responding to correspondence; and carry out other duties as may be directed by the National President.

4. National Assistant Secretary-General who shall:

i) be the principal deputy to the National Secretary- General, and serve as Acting Secretary-General in the absence of the Secretary-General;

ii) in the case of removal of the National Secretary- General from office, or in case of his death, resignation or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the responsibilities of the National Secretary-General shall devolve upon the National Assistant-Secretary; in such case, the National President, with the knowledge and consent of the Board, shall appoint an Acting National Assistant Secretary-General to complete the unexpired term of the National Assistant Secretary-General;

5. National Treasurer who shall:

i) keep all financial records of the Association;

ii) submit to the NACA Board of Directors, through the National President Board quarterly financial reports of the Association;

iii) receive all monies for the Association and deposit it in the Association's account(s)

iv) collect membership dues, fees and fines, and shall from time to time recommend to the Executive Committee banking institutions to keep the Association's money;

v) submit annual financial report of the Association to the President at least two weeks prior to the National Convention and shall prepare annual and ad hoc budgets for the approval of the National Administration;

vi) make all disbursements on behalf of the Association upon the approval of the National President in accordance with the Association's budget.

9. Vacancies:

Whenever vacancies are created in the offices of the National President and National Vice President, the Board may appoint a member of the Association preferably a Chapter head to act as President. Alternatively, the Board of Directors of NACA may instruct the National Secretary- General to act as National President. When the National Secretary- General, a Chapter head or a member of the Association is instructed to act as President, he/she shall within a two week period, nominate a member of the association to the Board to be confirmed as Acting National Vice President. No person and/or persons appointed to act in such office and/or offices shall serve for more than 12 months. They may however be elected into such office and/or offices at the regular National Convention of the Association. Should the Secretary General be legally incapable or otherwise unable to serve as Interim President, the responsibilities shall devolve on the Treasurer and the Assistant Secretary General.

ARTICLE V - CHAPTERS OF NACA

5.1 Within the confines of this Constitution and by-laws, and for organizational and tax purposes, NACA shall operate as one organization, with one Tax-Identification Number and one Tax Exempt Number, along with chapters (branches) operating around the Americas. However, the National Administration may grant approval for local chapters to obtain additional tax identification numbers for specific taxable projects and accounts.

5.2 The National Board, upon the recommendation of the National President, shall grant charter to a NACA chapter comprising of 10 or more members in good financial standing. However, no more than one chapter may be authorized in the same city or county within the USA. Chapters may be established in a State or region where Cape Mount citizens reside. Each chapter may establish its chapter constitution and by-laws, and elect its own leadership. Each chapter shall conduct its own internal affairs independent of the National Association. However, all provisions of chapter constitutions shall be consistent with the Constitution of the National Association of Cape Mountainians in the Americas, or said provisions of such chapter constitution shall be null and void, ab initio.

5.3 Two or more chapters of the association may not operate and/or exist within 200 miles of each other within the same state. A group of states within close proximity to each other with qualified members may combine to form a single chapter.

5.4 Unless otherwise stated in this Constitution, no chapter shall act, speak or make representation on behalf of the National Association on national and international issues without the expressed written consent of the National leadership. However, chapters shall have the right to express views and opinions internally on local issues affecting their chapters.

5.5 All chapters shall pay annual chapter dues to the National Association. The National Administration, from time to time, shall recommend the amount of such dues to the Board of Directors for approval prior to imposition on the chapters.

5.6 A Leadership Council is hereby established which shall comprise all chapter heads. This council shall serve as advisory council to the National President. The Leadership Council and the National Executive Committee shall meet quarterly (every four months). The National President shall preside at all sittings of such meetings. The National President may give special assignments to this body in the interest of the National Association. The council shall be headed by a Doyen who shall be the longest serving Chapter head from among the various NACA chapters.

ARTICLE VI - ELECTIONS

6.1 Election of national officers of the National Administration shall be conducted by an Election Commission at the National Convention. Only registered regular members who are in good financial standing with the Association shall be eligible to seek elected offices on the National Administration and on the NACA Board of Directors. Chapters shall accredit registered regular members of NACA who are in good financial standing with the Association to vote for officers of the National Administration, consistent with this constitution. Chapter delegates shall vote individually and there shall be no block (chapter voting) at the National Convention.

6.2 The Elections Commission shall comprise of five persons, including a Chairperson, appointed by the National President with the consent and approval by the Board of Directors. Members of the commission shall not be removed except by impeachment.

6.3 During an election year, the President shall issue a Notice of Elections to all chapter heads, at least three months prior to the National Convention, that elections would be held. The notice shall direct the National Elections Commission to conduct and supervise elections for National Officers. The notice shall provide information on the venue, time and, as specified in the National Constitution, criteria for qualifications to vote and be voted into office. Upon failure of the National President to issue the notice within the three months as specified by this constitution, the Chairman of the Board in consultation with the Board shall issue the election notice at least 10 weeks to the National Convention.

6.4 Officers of the Association shall be elected by Chapter delegates present at the National Convention by secret ballot at the National Convention of the Association. All officers shall be elected by simple majority of votes.

6.5 Only regular members in good financial standing with the Association as defined under this Constitution shall be eligible to contest elections in the Association or be delegated by Chapters to vote in an election.

6.6 Except otherwise stated in this Constitution, no elected officer shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms. However, a former officer may seek re-election to the same office after the lapse of at least one term.

6.7 The Elections Commission shall decide all elections disputes, except those made against a member of the commission or the entire commission. The Board shall hear and dispose of all elections complaints against the Elections Commission. Nullification of election results by the Board shall require a resolution signed by at least two-third majority of Board members and shall be due to gross violations of the elections guidelines and/or this Constitution.

6.8 All elected officers of the Association and members of the Board shall maintain an active domicile in the Americas during their tenure and shall be legal residents of the Americas.

6.9 In the instance when election results for all five elected officers are nullified, the Board may convene an extraordinary convention of the Association within a six-month period for the purpose of conducting another election. The Board shall mandate the Elections Commission to conduct such election. The Board may also defer the holding of such election to the next regular convention. Notwithstanding, the term of the incumbent President and all other officers shall not be extended. The Board may appoint a member of the Association preferably a Chapter Leader to act as President following the expiration of the term of the incumbent President. Such Interim President shall continue to act until a new President is elected and inducted into office. The Board may also appoint other members of the Association to act as National Vice President, National Secretary General, National Assistant Secretary General and National Treasurer following the expiration of the terms of office of any or all of the national officers.

6.10 Induction of elected officers shall be held at the close of the Convention at which they were elected, except if a 2/3 majority of Board members present at the convention votes to delay the induction due to protest(s) filed by an opposing party or parties with the Elections Commission. In this case, the induction may be delayed for a two-month period for the protest to be resolved and induction takes place.

6.11 Voting for NACA National Administration shall be limited to only regular members of the association who are accredited by their Chapters to vote at the National Convention.

ARTICVLE VII -- STANDING COMMITTEES AND AUTONOMOUS COMMISSIONS

7.1 The National Association of Cape Mountainians in the Americas shall have five Standing Committees and two Autonomous Commissions, membership of all of which the National President shall appoint to serve at his/her pleasure, except the Elections Commission. They are:

A) Executive Committee

This Committee shall comprise of the five elected officers at the National Convention, and shall be headed by the National President of the Association. It shall review all major proposals submitted by other committees; This Committee is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the National Association of Cape Mountainians in the Americas.

B) Ways and Means Committee

This Committee shall devise plans and projects for the funding of programs for the Association. It shall be responsible for all fund-raising activities for NACA, except for local chapters' activities to raise funding for their local programs. However, this Committee may collaborate and/or coordinate fund-raising activities with one or more chapters for the benefit of the Association.

C) Planning Committee

This Committee shall undertake research and feasibility studies in all developmental sectors to include but not be limited to education, health care, agriculture, and evolve other economic activities and programs to empower Cape Mountainians specifically, and Liberians in general. The Committee shall investigate and make appropriate recommendation on specific activities that would benefit Liberians at home, and members of the Association in the Diaspora. It shall monitor and ensure implementation of all developmental projects and programs under the auspices of NACA in Grand Cape Mount County and within the NACA membership in the Americas.

D) Social Affairs Committee

This Committee shall be responsible for, and undertake, social activities and sports programs for the Association. It shall work along with the Ways and Means Committee to execute programs and other social activities to raise funds for the Association.

E) Membership & Welfare Committee

This Committee shall be responsible for registration of all members of the Association. It shall receive and screen all applications for membership to the Association, as submitted by NACA Chapters. This Committee shall establish membership criteria for NACA and submit such criteria to the Board of the Association, through the National President, for approval and subsequent distribution among chapters of the association for their guidance and implementation. The Committee shall assist chapters to conduct membership drives, and develop an official roster for the Association, as well as undertake social services programs aimed at providing assistance to members in times of bereavements and sickness or otherwise. It shall establish clear criteria and strict guidelines by which assistance can be rendered to the membership, circumstances under which the Association shall be obligated to assist a member, irrespective of status, origin, name recognition and other biases.

F) Audit Commission

This Commission may be directed by the National Convention, the Board or the National President to conduct audits of any standing committee, an individual or group of individuals of the Association who may have handled finances for the Association. The Commission shall also conduct regular annual audit of the National Administration. In the case of audit of the Board of Directors of NACA, ONLY THE National Convention is empowered to authorize such audit. In the case of a special audit of the National Administration, only the National Convention and/or the Board of Directors may authorize the conduct of such audit. The National President is empowered by this Constitution to direct audits of Standing Committees, the Elections Commission, individuals or groups of individuals entrusted with moneys of the Association. The Board and/or the National President may authorize audit of the Audit Commission itself by commissioning an ad hoc auditing team to do so. Copies of all audits shall be made available to the National Convention, the Board of Directors and the National Administration, all of which constitute the archives of the Association. The Commission shall be headed by a chairman, and shall constitute two other members. Members of the commission shall be nominated by the National President to the Board of Directors to be confirmed for a two year term. Membership to this Commission shall be based strictly upon professional capability to conduct the required assignment based upon internationally accepted principles.

G) Elections Commission

This Commission shall be responsible to conduct elections of national officers of the Association. The Commission shall comprise of a chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and two other members. The five Members of the commission shall be nominated by the National President to the Board of Directors to be confirmed for a two year term. The Commission shall establish Election Guidelines for each general election, and such elections guidelines must be approved by the Board.

7.2 Each standing committee shall comprise of five members including a chairman, vice chairman, a secretary and two members who shall serve at the pleasure of the National President. Officers and members of standing committees and autonomous commission shall serve for two years each. Members of standing Committees and autonomous commission are however eligible for re-appointment for as many subsequent terms of office.

7.3 All members of the Executive Committee, Chairpersons of Standing Committees, heads of Autonomous Commissions and Chapters' heads shall meet semi-annually to review activities of the Association, and to ensure that the programs and activities of the Association are in compliance with the mandates of the last held National Convention. The National President, through the secretariat, shall issue citations for such meetings at least thirty calendar days prior to the meeting date. The citations shall clearly state the date, time, venue and draft agenda of the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII - FIDUCIARY MATTERS

8.1 All monies belonging to the Association shall be deposited into the Association's accounts, which shall be maintained at a federally insured banking institution. The National President shall be the principal signatory to all accounts bearing the tax identification number of the Association. The National Secretary General and National Treasurer shall also be signatories to the Association's national accounts. The National President or his/her designate, along with any one of the other signatories shall be required to make withdrawals and other bank transactions. The National President may authorize at any single time the withdrawal or any other bank transactions from the Association's accounts up to one thousand nine hundred ninety and ninety-nine cents (US $1,999.99) without the approval of the Chairman of the Board of the Association. However, any amount from two thousand dollars (US$2,000.00) or more shall require the consent of the Chairman of the Board.

8.2 Notwithstanding the above Section 8.1, no money shall be withdrawn from the Association's account except for appropriations made in the annual or ad hoc budget approved by the Board. However, in case of an emergency, the Executive Committee may authorize spending of not more than two thousand United States dollars. The National President shall within a two-week period of such emergency inform the Board in writing and shall provide reasons for the emergency in writing.

8.3 The National Administration, through the National President, shall submit quarterly financial reports to the Board. Such reports shall include quarterly statement of accounts of receipts and expenditures shall be made available as part of the fiscal reports submitted to the Board.

ARTICLE IX - IMPEACHMENT

9.1 Any impeachable offense as defined in this Constitution shall be considered a gross violation of this Constitution. Misapplication of the Association's funds and/or resources belonging to the Association, misuse of power, misfeasance, malfeasance and nonfeasance are all hereby considered impeachable offenses.

9.2 All cases of impeachment and removal from office shall originate with the signing of a petition by at least one-third of the Association's membership or one-half of the members of the Board. The petition shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Board or the next in command, if the petition is against the Chairman, who shall convene a special session of the Board within a six-week period to hold the impeachment trial. If however the petition is against any member or group of members of the Board, the remaining members of the Board shall constitute an ad hoc Commission to undertake the impeachment proceedings.

9.3 No elected National Officer shall be impeached and removed from office except by a 2/3 majority vote of members of the Board, voting in person after an impeachment hearing.

9.4 The Association may pursue legal actions against Individuals impeached and removed from office for misapplication of the Association's funds/resources.

ARTICLE X-AMENDMENT

9.5 A chapter of the Association or a group of 30 members may submit a proposal to amend this constitution. However, this constitution shall only be amended by a two-third-majority vote of members of the Association at the National Convention.

9.6 Proposed amendments to the constitution shall be submitted to the

President at least two weeks prior to the published date of the

National Convention. The proposed amendment shall be accompa

nied by reason(s) why the amendment is necessary. The proposed

amendment shall be circulated as much as possible to the member

ship prior to the Convention.

ARTICLE XI - TRANSITIONAL CLAUSES

10.1 This revised Constitution shall come into force immediately following its adoption and shall be the supreme laws of the Association and its provisions shall be binding on all members of the Association. The National Convention shall promulgated all amendments to this Constitution.

10.2 The 1986 Constitution of the National Association of Cape Mountainians (NACA) is hereby amended and any of its provisions that are inconsistent with this Constitution is/are null and void. Any law or bodies of laws of the association that are not in conformity with this constitution are also null and void.

ADOPTED THIS 24th DAY OF SEPTEMBER , A.D.2005

in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

For the Constitution Commission

Alphonso Kawah-------------------Chairman (Delaware Valley Chapter)

Dwight Harvey----------------------Vice Chairman (Georgia Chapter)

Chief Bai Dordor Karneh--------Secretary (New England Chapter)

Sulieman V. Kamara--------------New England Chapter (RI, MA, CT, ME, VT)

Boima Pusah -----------------Delaware Valley Chapter (PA, NJ, DE)

Jumah Gray Brumskine----------New York Chapter

Maima Massaley Dahn-----------Indiana Chapter

Hawa Kpakah-----------------------Metro Chapter (MD, VA, Washington DC)

Armah Massaquoi------------------Metro Chapter

Samuel Cooke----------------------Minnesota Chapter

Clarence Feika----------------------Minnesota Chapter

Mohammed Massaley-------------North Carolina Chapter

For the NACA Administration

Abraham G. Massaley-----------------------National President

H. Momo Fahnbulleh-----------------------National Vice President
Abu Zoeduah-----------------------Secretary General