Lao American Association in Houston

The Constitution of the Lao-American Association

Of  Houston, Texas

For Lao Constitution Click here

For Additional Modified Internal Rules Click Here

 

ARTICLE I: NAME, OFFICE AND LOGO OF THE ASSOCIATION

 

1.1                      The official name of the association shall be "The Lao-American Association".  "LAA" shall be used as the acronym.

1.2                      The principal office of the organization shall be located in Harris County, in the city of Houston, Texas.  The organization may have other offices, either within or outside the State of Texas, as the organization may require from time to time.

1.3                      The Association shall maintain a post office box or an address for the purpose of conducting mail correspondence.

1.4                      The logo for The Lao-American Association shall be the symbol of the Three Headed Elephant, surrounded by the title "Lao-American Association" in both English and Lao, shown inside the map of the State of Texas.

 

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE OF THE LAO-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

 

2.1                   To preserve our heritage by promoting the practice of Lao art, culture, and tradition. 

2.2                   To promote unity and strengthen the bonds holding us together as a community.

2.3                   To offer fellow members assistance in the event of any hardships that may arise in the families.

2.4                   To promote the active roles of the Lao women both in the Lao and American communities.

2.5                   To motivate Laotians to take interest in education and self-improvement both inside and outside of school environment.

2.6                   To work on obtaining mutual understanding and respect with other groups of people when participating in cultural or competitive activities.

2.7                   To exercise all the rights and powers conferred on non-profit organization to ensure that the above  mentioned goals are maintained.

 

ARTICLE III: THE NON-PROFIT STATUS OF THE ORGANIZATION

 

3.1                   The Lao-American Association exists as a non-profit organization.  It was established to serve the community; therefore, no profit shall be derived, directly or indirectly, from business of any kind, for the benefit of any individual belonging to the organization.

3.2                   The Lao-American shall not engage in political activities such as endorsing a political candidate, a political party, or a legislature, nor shall the organization contribute to any political campaign fund.

3.3                   Should the Lao-American Association dissolve, the Board of Executives shall pay off all debts and expenses from the remaining available Association funds to the limit of said remaining. Any remaining funds or properties shall be distributed to other non-profit organizations approved by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

 

4.1                   Membership shall be opened to all Lao descendents, their spouses, their parents and their children, or their legal dependents of Lao descend who are legal residents of the United States of America and the state of Texas, regardless of sex, ethnic, language or religious background, as long as the member upholds the constitution of The Lao-American Association.  If there is a question regarding an applicant's eligibility, the final decision shall be in the hands of the Board of Executives.

4.2                   Anyone wishing to obtain membership shall provide the following information as requested in the membership application:

1.               First and Last Name

2.               Date and Place of Birth

3.               Parents' Name when appropriate

4.               Social Security Number when appropriate

5.               Address

6.               Marital Status

7.               Telephone Number

If applicant is head of household, all legal dependents should be listed on the same application.

4.3                   Membership status is divided into three categories:

4.3.1       Permanent Member is an individual 18 years of age or older who has completed the membership application and has paid his or her membership fee.

4.3.2       Juvenile Member is a member under 18 years of age, who is a legal dependent of a Permanent Member as listed on the application.

4.3.3       Associate Member is an individual or an organization that supports The Lao-American Association by providing needed assistance or contributions of any kind.

 

ARTICLE V: FUNDING AND MEMBERSHIP FEE

 

5.1                   Funding shall come from membership fees, contributions from other organizations, private contributions and fund-raising activities.

5.2                   A current yearly membership fee of Twenty Five dollars ($25.00) per family and a one-time registration fee of five dollars ($5.00) for each new Permanent Member.  The amount of these fees may change in the future.

 

 

ARTICLE VI:   OFFICERS

 

6.1           The officers of The Lao-American Association shall be divided into two categories: Board of Directors and Board of Executives.

 

6.2  The Board of Directors shall consist of at least five members including the president of the association.  Permanent members at the annual conference shall elect the president, along with other board members, to their offices.  Each Director shall hold office for a term of four (4) years and shall have the right to be nominated for re-election.

 

6.3  The number of the Board of Executives shall not be set.  The President shall appoint members to the Board of Executives as necessary and appropriate, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to help him carry out the goals of the association.  Each members of the Board of Executives shall serve four - (4) years term and may be re-appointed for additional terms.

 

6.3.1       The Board of Executives shall consist of at least the following members:

 

1.               President

2.               Vice-Presidents

3.               Secretary

4.               Treasurer

5.               Director of Budget and Fund Raising Department

6.               Director of Art and Culture Department

7.               Director of Family Assistance  Department

8.               Director of Education Department

9.               Director of Sports Department

10.            Director of Public Relations Department

 

6.3.2       In order to fulfill their obligations, Directors listed above shall have the privilege of appointing as many assistants as necessary to various roles.  The President shall be informed each time a Director appoints an assistant.  The Secretary shall be informed of each meeting held by each department.  Record of each meeting shall be kept and a copy be given to the Secretary for permanent record keeping.

 

6.4.3     The  president of the association shall serve as Head of the Board  of Directors as well as Head of the Board of Executives.  The President shall be elected by permanent members in a general meeting to a term of four - (4) years with the right to run for re-election.

 

 

 ARTICLE VII: POWERS AND DUTIES

 

7.1                   Members of the Board of Executives shall develop their own specific objectives and action plans for execution.  These plans must support the overall objectives of the association and must be approved by both the president and vice-presidents of the association.

7.2                   The President, having the highest office, shall be responsible for all activities engaged in by each department of the association.  Specifically, the president shall have the following responsibilities:

1.         To closely oversee all activities engaged in by each department of association.

2.               To keep the Board of Directors and Executives focused on the objectives of the association.

3.               To chair meetings of the Board of Directors and Executives.

4.               To represent the Lao-American Association outside of the Lao community.

5.               To co-sign important documents along with other officers or directors.

7.3                   The Vice-Presidents shall be responsible for carrying out various tasks assigned by the president or tasks determined from various meetings.  In case the President is unable to perform his or her duties, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the president as listed above.

7.4                   The Secretary shall be responsible for organizing meetings, setting the meeting agendas, keeping records, sealing various documents, and other tasks assigned by the President or tasks determined from meetings.

7.5                   The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping records of the finances of the Association.  He or she should keep records of accounts payable and accounts receivable, open bank accounts of the association, keep inventory of properties belonging to the association, and cut checks for various expenses incurred by the association.  The treasurer shall co-sign checks with the President or other officers as determined by the Board of Directors.

7.6                   Director of Budget and Fund-Raising shall be responsible for setting the association's fiscal budget, keeping expenses within budget, and organizing fund-raising activities.

7.7                   Director of Art and Culture shall be responsible for planning cultural activities, promoting traditional dance and music, promoting the practice of Lao customs and rituals, and familiarizing the younger generation with these activities.

7.8                   Director of Family Assistance shall be responsible for developing, and overseeing the program(s) to assist the fellow members in event of  hardship, such as death  in the family  as being traditionally  practiced from generations to generation .

7.9                   Director of Education shall be responsible for developing and overseeing program(s) to encourage fellow members to inculcate the value of education in themselves and their children.

7.10                Director of Sports shall be responsible for organizing various sport teams and activities to participate in competitions within the Lao community and with other communities and cultures to promote teamwork and friendship.

7.11                Director of Public Relations shall be responsible for informing fellow members of the news and activities of the association via the use of various means of communication (i.e. flyers, newsletters, magazines)

7.12                The Board of Directors shall be responsible for establishing policies, overseeing various programs conducted by the association, and serving as council to the Board of Executives in order to keep the association focused on its goals.

 

ARTICLE VIII: ELECTION

 

8.1                   Permanent Members shall have the right to run for office, nominate other members for an office (with consent of the nominees), attend meetings, and cast a vote.

8.2                   Nominees for Board of Directors shall have the right to run for the presidency as well.

8.3                   Board of Directors shall be composed of ten (10) candidates with the highest votes.  The candidate with the eleventh highest vote shall be the first runner up to fill in a position on the Board of Directors when there is a vacancy.

8.4                   The President shall be elected with a majority vote (more than fifty percent of the votes).  Should there be a tie between two final candidates, the top two candidates with the highest votes shall have a run off election during the same meeting.  If the tie cannot be broken after two (2) subsequent votes, the tie will be settled by a coin toss.

8.5                   Two (2) months prior to term expiration, the President shall name the Election Director who should seek new candidates for the Board of Directors to run for offices.  Any members wishing to become a candidate must contact the Election Director.

8.6                   The Election Director shall be responsible for organizing and overseeing the election in all fairness.  The Election Director must form an Election Committee to conduct the election.

8.7                   The Election Director shall have the right to nominate himself to run for a position.  However, should others nominate the Election Director, he or she shall regain the right to be a candidate.  In such case, he must resign his position as Election Director.  If the Election Director resigns, the president must nominate a new Election Director.

8.8                   In the election meeting, the President must give a summary of his/her service during his/her term.

8.9                   The Election Director shall announce the name of the candidates, state the procedure for the election, and allow the candidates to introduce themselves and their platforms to the members.  Members must have adequate time to question candidates before casting their votes.

8.10                The existing administration must continue to hold their positions until a transfer of duties takes place.  This transition must take place within two months  after the Election Date.

 

ARTICLE IX: OPERATING GUIDELINES AND MEETINGS

 

9.1                   A conference must be held once a year (between the 1^st and 15^th of November) for the administration to give a yearly report and to hold an election every four (4) year.  The Secretary must consult with the President and Vice-Presidents about the location, date and time of the meeting and notify members in advance.

9.2                   Non-scheduled meetings shall be convened as determined by the Board of Directors.  A special meeting must be held if petitioned for by ten (10%) percent of total permanent members.

9.3                   Board of Executives should have a monthly meeting.  Additional meetings may be held as required by the Board of Directors and the Board of Executives.

9.4                   The Secretary must announce the conference in writing to members at least two weeks in advance.  Announcement must contain information regarding location, date, and time of the conference as well as the agendas.  Meetings between the Board of Directors and the Board of Executives may be announced by telephone at least 24 hours in advance.

9.5                   The Secretary will start the conference by giving a report of past meetings and announcing the agendas.  The President will then have the floor.  Additions to the agenda may be added if there is unanimous approval by attending members.

9.6                   Members may be called upon to vote on an issue either openly or secretly.  If there is a secret ballot, the votes must be counted and recorded openly.  The Secretary shall be in charge of counting, recording, and announcing the outcome of the vote.

9.7                   Members are required to give signature, name, address and telephone number as record of attendance.

9.8                   Members shall have the right to make a speech in a given amount of time as appropriately set by the President.

9.9                   In order for referendum to be adopted, it must be explained and debated thoroughly and adopted by the majority of the attending members.

 

 

ARTICLE X: TERMS OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

 

10.1                Membership is lifetime unless it is revoked due to a serious wrong doing by a member.

10.2                Term of office for the Board of Directors and Executives shall be subjected to these following terms:

1.               Term expiration

2.               Resignation

3.               Death

4.               Dismissal due to wrong doing or inability to serve.

10.3                Termination of membership or termination of an officers' term should ONLY BE CARRIED OUT THE BY THE BOARD OF EXECUTIVES IN A CLOSED MEETING.  The accused could be invited to defend himself  and bring with him witnesses and or evidences.  The decision by the majority of the Board of Executives must be upheld as the verdict.

 

ARTICLE XI: RECORD KEEPING

 

11.1                The organization must keep correct and complete books and records for review.  The following are records that must be kept:

1.                Accounts receivable and accounts payable

2.                Records of bank accounts and inventory of all belongings

3.                Meeting notes

4.                Membership status

 

ARTICLE XII: FISCAL YEAR

 

12.1                Fiscal year shall begin on the 1^st of January and end on the 31^st of December.

 

ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENTS

 

13.1                This constitution may be amended as necessary in order to facilitate the achievement of objectives.  Amendments may be introduced at the annual conference or special meetings.  Such amendments will be studied and considered by the Boards and, if approved, brought before the next annual conference or special meeting to be approved or disapproved by the majority of attending and proxy voting members.

 

ARTICLE XIV: COMPENSATION

 

14.1                There is no compensation.  All position functions are performed on a voluntary basis.  However, the Association can reimburse all legitimate expenses incurred during the performance of activities for the Lao-American Association as long as all receipts are verified and retained for accounting purposes.