Our Constitution
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Our Constitution

Table of Contents
  • Article I: Name of Association
  • Article II: Mission and Objective
  • Mission Statement
  • Objective
  • Background
  • Article III: Eligibility
  • Article IV: Board Composition
  • Article V: Officers and Committees
  • Article VI: Duties and Responsibilities
  • Article VII: Election and Term
  • Article VIII: Conflict of Interest
  • Article IX: Other Committees
  • Article X-Amendments
  • Article XI-Dissolution Provision
  • Article XII-Ratification and Adoption

 

 

Article I: Name of Association

Section I: The name of the association shall be the Council of Nigerians in Idaho. Hereafter referred to as ‘CONI’ or ‘the Association’.

Section II: CONI shall be a non-profit organization registered under section 501c (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Association shall not debate, sponsor, or undertake political activity on behalf of itself or its members. Membership of the association shall be voluntary and limited as herein specified.

Section III: No person shall represent the association in any capacity without prior approval of a majority of the Board.

Section IV: No part of the association’s income and earnings shall be used for personal gains of members or officers except related welfare initiatives of the board.

Section V: Upon dissolution, any assets of the association remaining after payment of all obligations shall be distributed to charitable organizations.

 

 

Article II: Mission and Objective

Mission Statement

To promote unity, accountability, trust, and a harmonious relationship among Nigerians in Idaho, and between all Nigerians and non-Nigerians resident in the state of Idaho.

Objective

The objective of the association shall be:

  • To promote unity and congeniality among our people as we positively project our diverse cultural heritage.
  • To provide a mechanism for professional interaction and exchange of ideas among members through regular meetings, conferences, educational programs, and other activities that will have a positive impact on us and our diverse communities.

Background

Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa, with a population of over 177 million (World Bank, 2013). In the quest for knowledge, education, and business opportunities, Nigerians find themselves in many countries of the world and in many professions. Nigeria is also blessed with a diverse mix of cultures, languages, and ways of life.  Thus, Nigerians living in Idaho find a unique opportunity in coming together to foster friendships, camaraderie, and general goodwill in an association that seeks to enhance our common goals and unite us.  To this end, CONI’s mission and objectives will be achieved through these foundational principles highlighted below:

  1. COMMUNICATION:
  • We shall speak directly and accept constructive criticism based on the quality of the message, not the messenger.
  • We shall be open and ready to ask and answer questions.
  • We shall always feel comfortable expressing opinions
  1. TEAMWORK:
  • We will work together as a team
  • We will help each other when asked and ask for help when needed.
  •  We will assist, network, and support one another towards self-sustenance.
  1. CONFIDENTIALITY:
  • We shall strive to discuss personal issues privately
  1. RESPECT:
  • We shall be courteous, honest, and direct.
  • We shall accept one another as individuals
  • We shall be sensitive to each other’s feelings
  • We will be willing to learn from our struggles and celebrate our success
  • We shall accept personal responsibility
  1. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
  • We will participate in community activities to enhance our relationships with each other and our communities.

 

 

Article III: Eligibility

Section I: Eligibility

Membership of the association shall be open to all Nigerians (by birth, heritage, or ancestry) and non-Nigerians who demonstrate interest in membership and pledge to abide by the Articles of Association of CONI and all provisions contained therein.

The classifications for membership shall include.

  • Nigerians (birth, heritage, or ancestry)
  • Non-Nigerians
  • Students.

Section II: Responsibilities of Members.

  • Members are required to work collectively with CONI to promote the goals and objectives described in the association’s mission statement.
  • Members shall pay dues to the association as stipulated and ratified by the board as follows:
  • Mandatory one-time registration fee of $25.00 per household or a member
  • Annual dues of $120.00 per household (subject to automatic waivers by student members upon request).
  • Members are encouraged to participate in all activities of the association and fully contribute to the success of such activities as much as possible.
  • Membership is strictly voluntary; any member can terminate his/her membership at any time. All dues are non-refundable. Payment of dues on or before the last business day of January every year. There will be a thirty (30) day grace period after which all dues are expected to be paid in full. Payments of dues are not retroactive; membership dues paid by a member within a year is applied for that year only.
  • Annual dues of the association shall be proposed by the Board of Directors of the Association and ratified by a majority vote. Membership dues shall be $120.00 (one hundred and twenty dollars) per household/member, or whatever amount the Board proposes and ratifies by a majority vote for that year. Exemptions for annual dues shall be allowed for any member for legitimate economic hardship. A household is defined as those that dwell under the same roof as a family unit.

 

 

Article IV: Board Composition

Board of Directors

  • The Board of Directors shall include the following positions: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, P.R.O., and the Youth Liaison Officer (YLO).
  • Administrative support may be provided by two selected officers who will also act as members-at-large and assist with sundry activities defined by the board.
  • The board shall prepare board meeting schedules. A quorum for meetings shall consist of 51% of the members.
  • The Board shall make all regulations and bylaws that will become binding on all members, barring any conflict with the provisions of the laws of the United States and the State of Idaho, subject to ratification by a 51% quorum of membership.

 

Article V: Officers and Committees

Officers and Committees

The officers of CONI shall include the following.

  • President: Develops policies and oversees implementations. The president is also the primary spokesperson for the association and is responsible for media relations.
  • Vice-President: Responsible for day-to-day administration and works closely with other Board members to achieve the association’s goals. Responsible for all operational audits, status monitoring, and other activities suggested by the Board.
  • Secretary: Responsible for all documentation, presentations, record keeping, and status updates on projects/activities.
  • Treasurer: Takes charge of the association’s financial management and is responsible for all other fiduciary roles.
  • P.R.O: Derives and maintains communication strategies between the organization, community, and the general public.
  • Youth Liaison Officer (Y.L.O): Responsible for facilitating close working relationships, communication, or cooperation between the youths, especially the student community in Idaho, and the organization (C.O.N.I).

Committees may be set up for specific roles or activities, when necessary, by the Board. All officers shall be elected for these positions, keeping up with the election and term guidelines stipulated by the association.

 

 

Article VI: Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties of the President shall be.

  • To preside over all meetings of the association, the Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President.
  • To act as the chief spokesman/representative of the association at all public functions on behalf of the association.
  • To act as senior administrative officer.
  • To sign/attest all documents, including checks, financial papers, annual budgets, and all other documents on behalf of the association. The Vice President and/or the Treasurer shall be the second authorized signatories.
  • To approve all financial disbursements and monetary obligations.

The duties of the Vice-President shall be:

  • To perform the duties of the President in the absence of the de facto president.
  • To perform duties delegated by the President.
  • Responsible for all operational audits, status monitoring, and other activities suggested by the Board.
  • Asset monitoring.

The duties of the Secretary shall be:

  • To record and document all minutes of meetings as required by the association.
  • Provide written reports and status updates.
  • Work with the Treasurer to record all financial transactions.

The duties of the Treasurer shall be:

  • Prepare quarterly financial reports for the board at a time predetermined by the board.
  • Sign all financial documents along with the President or Vice President
  • Keep all financial records
  • Keep records of all assets, liabilities, and obligations
  • Perform other duties required by the board.

The duties of the Public Relations Officer shall be:

  • To derive and maintain a communication strategy between the organization, community, and the general public.
  • To promote outreach efforts with members.
  • To serve as a mouthpiece for the organization, including members and the general public.
  • Liaises with media and relevant groups to promote CONI programs, including publishing organization events on websites.
  • Coordinates the activities of the Social Development Committee (if applicable by the President)

The duties of the Youth Liaison Officer shall be:

  • To facilitate and maintain a close working relationship between the organization and the student community.
  • To establish and maintain a line of communication between the student community and the organization.
  • To participate in all other functions that may be assigned by the executive council.

 

Article VII: Election and Term

Section I: Election

Election: The election of Officers and Directors shall be conducted by secret ballot. A ballot, listing candidates prepared by the Election Committee, shall be presented to each eligible voting member.  The votes shall be tallied by the Election Committee and reported to the Board. The nominee receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. In the event of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

Section II: Term

Officers and Board members shall serve for a term of 4 years, and a maximum of two terms.

Section III: Forfeiture of and Removal from Office

Section IIIa:

Officers and Board members shall refrain from conduct that is detrimental to the goal and mission of CONI or conduct that may discredit CONI. Officers and Board members shall automatically forfeit their office if they lose eligibility for or are expelled from membership due to such activities.

Section III b:

Inactive office holders shall be requested by the board to perform the responsibilities of their portfolio. Failure to perform may subject such an officer to being recalled, and the position declared vacant by the election committee. Inactive board members shall be removed by a vote of 51% of voting members in attendance.

Section IV: Vacancies

Should a vacancy occur on the Board, the President, with the approval of the Board of           Directors, shall appoint an eligible member to complete the unexpired term of the position vacated.

Section V: Conduct of Meetings

The Board of Directors shall meet not less than once per quarter. The President may call additional meetings when necessary to advance the interest of the association.

Section VI: Venue

The Board of Directors shall determine the venue of meetings.

 

 

Article VIII: Conflict of Interest

Section I: General

The Officers and Board of Directors of the Association shall administer its affairs with due diligence, good faith, and exercise of due care, skill, and good judgment in the execution of their responsibilities and the administration of the Association’s affairs.

The Board of Directors and Officers shall exercise utmost good faith in all transactions relating to their duties in the association.

Section II: Resolution of Conflict of Interest

Upon disclosure of a conflict of interest or a challenge on that basis, any officer or director shall resolve each conflict in a manner consistent with the board’s guidelines.

 

 

Article IX: Other Committees

The President may appoint, with the approval of members, the following committees, and any other committee as deemed necessary to further the needs and smooth administration of the association. All committees shall consist of no less than three (3) but no more than seven (7) members.

Election Committee (EC): The EC shall be a standing committee (Existing through the terms of any administration, except when the board needs to appoint new members). The Election Committee shall solicit nominations for Officers or Board Members. If deemed necessary, the committee will place names into nomination. All nominees must agree to serve if elected. The committee shall present a list of nominees for each office. Any member of the association may recommend a candidate for consideration by the committee. The committee shall not be required to hold a formal meeting, but may conduct its business by mail/telephone. The EC shall organize a recall of any inactive board members in accordance with constitutional guidelines.

Social Development Committee (SDC): The committee shall be responsible for program development, location, and scheduling for regular meetings and education programs. The SDC shall be coordinated by the PRO unless determined otherwise by the President.

Conflict Resolution Committee (CRC): The President and Board of Directors shall make nominations to the committee. The president shall coordinate the CRC when constituted. The committee shall only exist for its purpose and be dissolved upon resolution of the conflict.

 

Article X-Amendments

An amendment shall be approved by a 51% majority of the voting members in attendance at any AGM. Any member with voting rights can propose amendments to the Articles of Association. The Board of Directors may set up a Special Committee to review the proposed amendment. After the review, the proposed amendment shall be mailed/ e-mailed to members of the Association. At the scheduled general meeting, members will vote on the amendment. If the amendment is accepted by 51% of voting members in attendance, the amendment will be added as a bylaw.

 

Article XI-Dissolution Provision

The Association may be dissolved only with authorization by the Board of Directors given at a special meeting called for that purpose, and with subsequent approval by a 51% majority vote of voting members. Upon dissolution or ordered termination of the Association, all remaining assets of CONI, after payment in full of all its debts, obligations, and necessary final expenses, or after the making of adequate provision therefore, shall be distributed to such tax-exempt organizations (with purposes similar to those of CONI) as shall be chosen by the then existing Board of Directors of CONI.

 

 

Article XIIa: Ratification and Adoption

The initial draft constitution was first presented to the House on May 2, 2015.This article of association is ratified and adopted through unanimous consent at the general meeting on 06-13-2015 by the following:

  • Jerome Imonigie
  • Kola Ogunrinola
  • Leke Abimbola
  • Tayo Olubiyi
  • Dayo Onanubosi

This living document was subjected to the first review by the board of directors during the board meeting of March 22, 2025. The motion for the amended constitution was moved by Judge Dayo Onanubosi, seconded by Dr. Wale Olaniyi, and unanimously approved by the house during the AGM of April 19, 2025.

Last Modified on August 29, 2018.

 

 

Article XIIb: First Amendment Adoption

The First Amendment was first presented to the House on April 19, 2025. This article is ratified, adopted, and put together through unanimous consent at the general meeting on April 19, 2025, by the following board members.

Dr. Leke Abimbola  —————————————-President

Funmilola Olaniyi —————————————–Vice President

Mercy Hodonu  ——————————————–General Secretary

Nathaniel Omidele —————————————-Treasurer

Tunrayo Fasanya——————————————-P.R.O

Dr. Ibrahim Alabi ——————————————Youth Liaison Officer

Paul Adah—————————————————-Executive Director

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