CONSTITUTION

TELUGU ASSOCIATION OF LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY, INC.

 

Preamble

 

Recognizing that service to the public, to the state, and to the country is a fundamental obligation of human beings, the Telugu Association of Louisville Kentucky does hereby dedicate itself to the promotion and protection of culture and language as social and economic influences vital to the welfare of the community and all mankind.

 

ARTICLE I

Name

 

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be “Telugu Association of Louisville Kentucky”, hereinafter called TALK.

Section 2. TALK shall be incorporated as a non-profit organization under the laws of Kentucky.

 

ARTICLE II

Objectives

 

Section 1. The objectives of TALK shall be:

  1. Promotion of cultural, religious and educational knowledge about Andhra Pradesh and the Telugu people and their significance to the community in Kentucky and Floyd, Clark, Washington and Harrison Counties of Southern Indiana hereinafter called surrounding areas.
  2. Patronization of promotional exchange programs between Andhra Pradesh and the United States of America for mutual benefits.
  3. Contribution to the socio-economical development of the commonwealth of Kentucky and surrounding areas.
  4. Maintenance of cooperation and association among the people who are interested in the objectives of TALK.
  5. Advancement of educational, cultural and religious interest of the community.
  6. Cultivation of public appreciation for the work of the Telugu people through improved public relations.
  7. Development of a civic consciousness by members of the Telugu community.

 

ARTICLE III

Membership

 

The membership shall consist of:

  1. Annual members
  2. Single members
  3. Student members
  4. Life members
  5. Honorary members

 

Section 1. All members other than honorary members may hold any elected offices in TALK.

Section 2. An Annual member shall be defined as a family composed of a husband and a wife including their unmarried children and their membership is valid only for the year the membership fee has been paid for. Their membership can be renewed at the first event of TALK every year.

Section 3. A Single member shall be defined as a person who is over 18 years of age and is neither a student nor is living with a family.

Section 4. A Life member shall be defined as a family composed of a husband and a wife including their unmarried children. All Life members over 18 years of age shall have voting privileges to a maximum of two votes per family. They will hold the membership for the life of the organization.

Section 5. An Honorary member shall be a person who has attained eminence in the society and has been elected to such membership by the Board of Trustees, hereafter referred to as the Board.

Section 6. A Student member shall be defined as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student.

 

ARTICLE IV

Dues

 

Section 1. The dues of TALK shall be recommended by the Executive Committee and approved by the Board.

Section 2. The procedure for billing and collecting all dues shall be recommended by the executive committee and approved by the Board.

 

 

ARTICLE V

Administration

 

Section 1. TALK shall be administered by a Board of Trustees (the Board) and an executive committee as defined in Article VI. The Board shall determine all questions of policy and shall administer the affairs of TALK under this constitution and the general provisions of the law under which it is incorporated.

Section 2. The Board shall consist of five Trustees and can be expanded up to a maximum of nine members as decided by at least a two-third majority of the existing Board.

Section 3. The Trustees shall be either citizens or permanent residents of the United States of America residing in Kentucky and surrounding areas.

Criteria for nominating Trustees to the Board shall be:

A. Trustees shall be nominated by a member in good standing and seconded by another member in good standing not from the same family.

B. If TALK receives more nominations than existing vacancies; the vacancy shall be filled by election by members in good standing.

C. No Trustee shall serve for more than two consecutive terms.

D. Any Trustee absent for three consecutive meetings with unexcused absences shall be asked to resign and be replaced by a new nominee to serve the remainder of the term.

Section 4. Each Trustee shall be elected for a two-year term. Election of Trustees shall be staggered as determined by the Board to avoid a complete change in any one year. In any case, no more than a one-third of the Trustees shall come for election.

Section 5. A majority of a two-third of the Board members shall constitute a quorum. An affirmative vote of a majority of the Board members present at any regular or duly called meeting shall be required to pass any motion consistent with the constitution and Bylaws of TALK.

Section 6. The Board shall direct the investment and care of funds of TALK and shall make appropriation for specific purposes.

Section 7. No member of the Board shall receive a salary or compensation, except for expenses incurred on behalf of TALK, as pre-approved by the Board.

Section 8. Any disciplinary decisions against an elected official shall have approval of a two-third majority of the Board.

Section 9. The Board shall elect a Chairman, who will conduct and preside over the Board meetings. The election shall be by secret ballot of the Board and the Chairman shall serve in office for one single year and shall not succeed himself/herself. The chairman votes only to break a tie. The Board shall also elect a Secretary, who will keep all records, proceedings of the meetings, etc.

Section 10. The immediate past Chairman of the Board of TALK shall serve as ex-officio and shall attend all of the Board meetings without voting privileges.

Section 11. The present President and the immediate past President of the Executive Committee shall attend the Board meetings without voting privileges.

Section 12. All members of the Sub-Committee support the Executive Committee. The sub-committee members do not have voting privileges.

 

ARTICLE VI

Executive Committee Officers

 

Section 1. The elected officers of TALK shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer. Only due-paying members in good standing for two years shall be eligible to hold an elective office in TALK.

Section 2. The Board is authorized to appoint an Executive Vice President, when financial and other conditions warrant, to fix his compensation and to define his duties. He shall be bonded at the expense of TALK.

Section 3. Eligibility to nomination, election or retention of a position as an elective officer of TALK shall be contingent upon residence in Kentucky and surrounding areas.

Section 4. The duties of the officers shall be as defined in the Bylaws.

Section 5. The treasurer shall be bonded, at the expense of TALK, for such amount as shall be determined by the Board.

Section 6. The elected officers shall take office on January 1 following their election and shall hold office until December 31 or until their successors have been duly elected and installed.

Section 7. Should a vacancy occur in the office of the President, the order of precedence shall be the Vice President and the Secretary. Other vacancies among the elected officers, including the Trustees, occurring during the year shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the Board.

 

ARTICLE VII

Nomination and Election of Officers

 

Section 1. Nomination for elective officers shall be made by the nominating committee or by petition as defined in Article VII, Section 4.

Section 2. Nominations for TALK officers and Trustees shall be made by a nominating committee selected at least ninety days prior to the Annual meeting.

Section 3.The nominating committee shall consist of the President, immediate past President as chairman and three other Trustees designated by the Board whose term is not expiring at the end of that year.

Section 4.The nominating committee will then, in turn, nominate one candidate for each office, at least sixty days prior to the annual meeting. Nominations shall be delivered to the Secretary, announced in Talk’s publication and submitted to the membership in accordance with the Bylaws.

Section 5. Nominations for any or all offices may also be made by a petition signed by at least five percent of the eligible voting members. Nominations by petition must be in the possession of the Secretary at least forty-five days prior to the annual meeting.

Section 6. The election of the Executive Committee and the Board should be completed by the end of the year.

Section 7. Election of the Executive Committee shall be by letter ballot as defined in the Bylaws.

Section 8. The Sub-Committee members are nominated by the Executive Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees for a term of 1 year.

 

ARTICLE VIII

Meetings

 

Section 1. TALK shall hold an annual general meeting; the date, time and place to be fixed by the Board. An agenda of the meeting shall be circulated to all members at a minimum of two weeks in advance.

Section 2. The Board shall meet at least once in a quarter

Section 3. The Board shall call a special Board meeting when petitioned to do so by twenty five percent or more of the Board members or upon written petition by at least thirty three percent of eligible voting members of TALK.

Section 4. The Sub-Committee members are invited to the Executive Committee meetings by invitation only from the President or the Chairman of the Board.

 

ARTICLE IX

Headquarters

 

Section 1. The location of headquarters of TALK shall be determined by the Board.

 

ARTICLE X

Sub-Committee

 

Section 1. Such Committee, as may be desirable, shall be established in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Bylaws.

Section 2. The duties of all Sub-Committees shall be defined by the Board.

 

ARTICLE XI

Ratification & Amendments

 

Section 1. This Constitution shall become effective upon its adoption by the voting members of TALK.

Section 2. Amendment to this constitution may be made by a majority of the Board and ratified by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of those present, eligible and voting at a regularly scheduled annual meeting.

Section 3. Amendment to this constitution may also be made by a two-third vote of those present, eligible and voting members at a regularly scheduled annual meeting and approved by the majority of the Board.

 

ARTICLE XII

Bylaws

 

Section 1. The Board shall prepare and adopt a series of Bylaws which shall govern all procedures under this constitution including those of the Board and of the Committees.

Section 2. The Bylaws may be amended by an affirmative vote of three-fourths of all members of the Board present in a regular meeting provided that the text of a proposed amendment shall be furnished to each member of the Board at least ten days before the meeting at which a vote on the amendment will be taken.

 

ARTICLE XIII

Fundamental Rights and Privileges of Members of TALK

 

Section 1. All duly paid members shall have the following rights and privileges:

  1. To vote in the election of the Executive Committee and Board.
  2. To approve the Constitution and the Bylaws and any subsequent amendments as they arise.

End of Constitution

Note: Articles of Constitution established in August 2003

 

 

BYLAWS

TELUGU ASSOCIATION OF LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY, INC.

 

Bylaw 1. Membership

  1. Any person becoming a member of TALK shall agree to abide by the constitution and Bylaws of TALK.
  2. Any member may be expelled, suspended for a stated period of time or censured for cause by two-thirds vote of the Board members present and voting at any Board meeting. Violation of TALK Constitution and Bylaws or conviction of a felony shall be considered as just cause for disciplinary action.
  3. Any applicant or member who has been refused membership or suspended, censured or expelled shall have the right of appeal to the Board.
  4. In hearing appeals, the Board may admit oral or written evidence which most fairly presents facts. Prior to all hearings, the Board shall exhaust efforts at conciliation and compromise.

 

Bylaw 2. Fiscal and Administrative Years

  1. The Fiscal and administrative year of TALK shall be from January 1 through December 31.

 

Bylaw 3. Dues

  1. Dues shall be payable on or before January 1 of each year.
  2. The dues for membership in TALK shall be as follows:

Annual members $____25_______

Single Members $____15_______

Student Members $____10_______

Life members $____175_______

Honorary Members None

  1. The Board shall provide for and supervise the publication of TALK and its distribution and shall have the authority to appoint an editor.
  2. The Board shall be empowered to invest and reinvest such funds as may be available for the creation of a reserve fund. A three-fourths vote of the Board shall be required to authorize expenditure from this fund other than for investment or reinvestment.
  3. A Trustee must notify the Chairman of the Board if he is unable to attend a Board meeting. In such case, he may designate a good member of the executive committee, not another Trustee, to have his or her proxy. Such proxy must be given in writing. The total number of proxies should not exceed more than fifty percent of the existing board of trustees.
  4. Any Trustee or Executive Committee member absent unexcused for three consecutive meetings shall lose their elected position and shall be replaced as stated in the Article V, Section 3D.
  5. All the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee shall be a Life Member within 30 days from the date he/ she was elected.
  6. All sub-committee members shall be a Life Member within 30 days from the date he/she was elected.

 

Bylaw 4. Election of Officers

  1. Letter ballots containing the names of all official nominees shall be sent by the Secretary to all qualified voters at least thirty days prior to the annual meeting. The ballots, together with addressed, stamped return envelopes shall be enclosed with the official announcement of the Annual Meeting.
  2. Letter ballots shall be marked by the voting member and returned to the Secretary at least fifteen days prior to the annual meeting. The Secretary shall deliver all ballots, unopened, to the Election Committee, which shall consist of the Chairman of the Board, the President and the Secretary of the Executive Committee. The Election Committee shall check the names of the voting members in good standing and tabulate the votes. The results of the election shall be announced at the annual meeting and published in Talk’s publication.
  3. The text of amendments to the Constitution, if any, shall be enclosed in the announcement of the annual meeting.

 

Bylaw 5. Duties of Officers

  1. The president shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Committee and shall perform all the duties necessary for the smooth running of TALK

A.1. The President shall recommend overall policy for TALK, coordinating with the Board of Trustees, individuals, groups, various standing committees, or organizations as may be required.

A.2. The President shall prepare an annual budget in conjunction with the Executive Committee and the Board.

A.3. The President shall appoint chairs of the standing committees.

A.4. The President shall serve as an ex-officio member of all standing committees.

A.5. The President shall be responsible for all aspects of the public relations to the community and for providing information about the activities of TALK.

A.6. The President shall prepare and submit an annual report to the members of TALK at the annual meeting.

  1. In the absence of the President, the order of succession as presiding officer at meetings of TALK shall be the Vice President and the Secretary.
  2. Vice President: The Vice President shall be responsible for and assist the President with the supervision of membership promotion and retention, scholarships, public relations and publications. In the absence of the President, Vice President conducts the business of TALK and officiates for the President.
  3. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of TALK membership and proceedings of TALK and Board meetings. He/She shall inform the President and the Board from time to time, of duties to be performed at stated times or at stated intervals. He/She shall issue all calls and notices as instructed by the Chairman of the Board. He/She shall conduct the correspondence of TALK and shall have custody of all books, papers, records and documents. He/She shall maintain a complete record of past members of the Board for the purpose of establishing information for appointment or election. The Secretary shall be responsible for the continuing review of the Constitution and Bylaws and for any revision(s) thereto.
  4. Joint Secretary: The Joint Secretary shall assist the Secretary in arranging for and coordinating various TALK activities. He/She shall also help the Secretary with any other special assignments.
  5. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for preparation of the annual budget and shall serve as Chairman of the Budget Committee named by the President. He/She shall report the current financial situation to the Board at regularly scheduled meetings and be responsible for determining ways and means of financing TALK operations. The treasurer shall maintain a set of books showing the receipts and disbursements of TALK and the account of each member. He/She shall submit a complete report of the year’s business of TALK at each annual meeting, which shall be audited as directed by the Board. The treasurer shall not draw more than $ 100 per month for activities other than the scheduled ones without the prior approval of the Board.
  6. All expenditures above $ 100 need to be pre-authorized by the Executive Committee.
  7. All expenditures and checks above $ 1000 have to be signed by both the Treasurer and the Chairman of the Board.
  8. All records and audited accounts for the year shall be handed over to the incoming Executive Committee.

 

Bylaw 6. Meetings

  1. The Executive Committee comprising of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer shall meet at the call of the President at such intervals as necessary to conduct the business of TALK. When practicable, one meeting per month should be conducted.

 

Bylaw 7. Committees

  1. The standing Committees of TALK shall be:
    • Constitution and Bylaws
    • Membership
    • Cultural activities
    • Food
    • Website/ Publication
  1. The Chairman and members of standing committees shall be appointed by the President for a period of one year and shall be designated prior to the beginning of the administrative year in which they have to serve.
  2. Special Committees as may be required shall be appointed by the President.
  3. No Committee shall commit TALK without specific authorization from the Board.
  4. Each Committee shall make an annual report to the Board.

 

Bylaw 8. Order of Business

  1. The order of business at meetings of the Board shall be: roll call, seating of the Trustees, reading of minutes of previous meeting, reading of communications, reports of officers, reports of committees, unfinished business, new business and adjournment.
  2. The order of business at the Annual meeting shall be: state of the association address by the President, financial report from the Treasurer, introduction of officers-elect, new business and adjournment.

 

Bylaw 9. Official Periodical/ Website

  1. TALK shall publish an official periodical to be known either as _TALK__ or any other title selected later.
  2. TALK shall maintain an official website known as “www.kytelugupeople.org”.

 

End of Bylaws

Note: Articles, Constitution and Bylaws established in August 2003.

 

 

Amendments to Constitution

 

 

ARTICLE V, Administration (Amended January 2006)

Section 3. The Trustees shall be either citizens or permanent residents of the United States of America residing in Kentucky and surrounding areas. If the nominated Trustee has served in the past Executive Committee, he/she is eligible to be nominated to the Board of Trustees by the Chairman and does not have to be a U.S. Citizen or a permanent resident of the United States.

Section 3. C. No Trustee shall serve for more than two consecutive terms.

Exception: If no new Trustees have been nominated to replace the retiring Trustees, the Chairman of the Board has the authority to reappoint the retiring Trustees to continue on the Board until new Trustees have been nominated and elected.

 

 

Amendments to By-laws

 

Bylaw 3. Dues (Amended January 2006)

Life Membership dues have been amended as below:

Life members $____125_______ January 2005

Life members $____150_______ Before Ugadi 2006

Life members $____175_______After Ugadi 2006