Article One

Name & Purpose

Section 1.1 Organization’s Name: The name of the organization shall be ConcernedNigerians (CNG) henceforth referred to as “the Organization”.

            Section 1.1(a) Central Body: The Central Body, simply referred to as the ConcernedNigerians, shall be globally based with membership across the globe via online words of mouth and recruitment at the official website – www.concernednigerians.com. This body shall coordinate all major projects of the organization and must approve any project conducted in the organization’s name by the peripheral bodies defined hereunder. 

Section 1.1(b) Peripheral Bodies: Group or groups of like minded Nigerians and lovers of Nigeria may choose to organize local branch of the ConcernedNigerians whose nomenclature shall bear the local identity of such local branch. For example, a group of qualified individuals, as defined hereunder, who reside in Nigeria may adopt the nomenclature of the ConcernedNigerians in Nigeria and those in Canada may bear the name ConcernedNigerians in Canada.

Section 1.1(c) Grassroots Branches: Inhabitant of any community, especially in Nigeria, be it academic or non-academic, may choose to form grassroots’ branch of the ConcernedNigerians with an appendix to the nomenclature of such branch to reflect the location of such branch. For example, a grassroots’ branch at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU), shall bear the name ConcernedNigerians at OAU.

Section 1.1(d) Legal Responsibilities: Aside from the Central Body as defined in Section 1.1(a), all other groups of the Organization shall be referred to as hereinafter as “the branches”.  The branches and their membership and activities shall be guided by these Bylaws and shall be subject to directives from the Central Body as defined in Section 1.1(a).

Section 1.2 Language of Operation: The official language of the Organization shall be English Language. The organization and or its branches may choose other applicable language(s) required for effective dissemination of information, communication and or reaching out to the grassroots provided such language(s) is or are agreed upon by the simple majority of members present at the time of making decision about choice of language for that specific event in question. 

 Section 1.2. The Purpose: The purpose of the Organization shall be:

            a). to deliberate on varieties of issues regarding our motherland, Nigeria

            b). to formulate strategies for betterment of Nigeria and Nigerians

            c). to defend the interests of Nigerians across the globe in justly manner

d). to liaise with individuals, groups, corporate and or government bodies that may be willing to help in reducing or eradicating corruption, poverty, diseases and or illiteracy in Nigeria

e). to gather data and or information that may facilitate reduction and or elimination of socioeconomic vices in Nigeria and disseminate such in very effective ways targeting at achieving our goals and objectives

f). to create awareness about existence of scams across the globe

f). to help victims of scam in seeking and getting justice

g). to embarking on projects focusing on improving the wellbeing of Nigerians and alleviating poverty in Nigeria

h). to recognize, encourage and reward credible activities of public officers and other Nigerians and lovers of Nigeria while admonishing and or redirecting wrongdoers from their counter productive activities

i). to educate Nigerians about the importance, the prototype and the benefits of ideal democracy and how to ensure that Nigeria is fully democratized without undue influence of money in politicking

j). sponsorship of candidates for elected offices in Nigeria and any other parts of the world where the Organization’s ideology is deemed promotable

l). nomination of candidates for political appointments in and outside Nigeria where the Organization’s ideology is deemed promotable

m). sponsorship of bills, policies, and or activities in and outside Nigeria for promotion of the ideology of the Organization.

Article Two

Board of Directors

Section 2.1. General Powers: As steward of the public trust, the Board of Directors (“the Board”) shall be responsible for governance, the ongoing process of due diligence to assure the mission and effectiveness of the organization. The Board shall have the power to govern the affairs and property of the organization, in keeping with policies it establishes that define the Board’s scope of authority and limitations. 

Section 2.2. Number of Directors:  The Board shall consist of up to four members namely: (Chair, Secretary, Financial Secretary & Public Relation Secretary) and no more than five members namely: (Chair, Secretary, Financial Secretary, Public Relation Officer, Social Secretary and Liaison Officer), as determined from time to time by the General Assembly. All Board Members shall have identical rights and responsibilities; consisting of men, women, physically challenged people with no discrimination.  

            Section 2.2(a) Executives at the Branches: The members of executives at the branches shall be fashioned after the board of directors at the Central Body’s level and shall be subject to the directives of the Board of Directors of the Central Body. 

Section 2.3. Constitution of the Board:  At no time in the life of the Organization shall the Board or the branch executives be disproportionally dominated by a particular ethnic group. 

Section 2.4. Tenure: Each member of the board shall serve a term of four (4) years from the date of the election. A full four-year term shall be considered to have been served upon the passage of four (4) calendar years or four (4) annual meetings. For contested office(s), election of the official(s) shall by simple majority vote(s). Newly elected members of the board shall take office immediately following the close of the general meeting at which they are elected. On no occasion shall there be vacuum because of election. As such there shall be overlap in the conduct of election. In the case of less than two members are available to form a Board of Directors, the Moderator, as defined hereunder, shall perform all the necessary activities required for day to day operation of the organization until such Board of Directors and or branch Executive Body is constituted.  

Section 2.5. Responsibilities of Board Members: Members of the Board and or branch’s Executive Body shall adhere strictly to all policies and procedures established by the Board of the Central Body. 

Section 2.6. Composition of the Board: Membership of the Board shall be sought based on who reflects the qualifications and diversity determined by the Organization in its policies. For this purpose, any Nigerian in good standing and without previous financial criminal conviction in that individual’s life time and without non-financial conviction within the last ten years is qualified to apply, contest and be elected for board membership in his or her chosen capacity.  

            Section 2.7. Nomination and Election: Election to the Board shall be opened to everyone, especially to Nigerians across the globe subject to the provision of Section 2.6.  

Section 2.8. Suspension of Board Member: If the Organization is in possession of implicating information that may reliably imply false declaration and or unlawful act by any member, the Member of Board shall be suspended immediately pending investigation and the vacancy created wherefrom shall be filled immediately by a special appointee of the remaining members of the Board or at the directives of the Board of Trustee as defined hereunder. If the investigation eventually vindicates the suspended member, such member shall be reinstated promptly. If the investigation confirms that the suspended member is guilty of the leveled allegation, the seat shall be declared open to contest.   

Section 2.9. Vacancies:  Any vacancy occurring in the Board, except as defined herefore, and any position to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of the Board may be filled, upon recommendation of a qualified member as defined by section 6.1 of these Bylaws. A Member of the Board elected to fill the vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his/her predecessor in office where applicable.

 Section 2.10. Representation:  No member of the Board or of the organization shall represent the Organization without providing adequate information to the Chair prior to such representation. The Chair shall discuss with the Secretary if it becomes necessary to solely represent the Organization within or outside the jurisdiction of the Organization. Any financial commitment on behalf of the Organization shall be discussed in advance with the Financial Secretary. The Board shall decide how much a member of the Board can spend on behalf of the Organization in case of emergency and shall seek clarification to go above the limit from the Financial Secretary if necessary.

 Section 2.11. Resignation:  Any Member of Board may resign at any time by writing to the Organization through the Chair of the Organization.

 Section 2.12. Removal:  The Organization may remove any member of the Board from office, if there is a credible complaint from the public or member or members of the Organization. The complaint shall be addressed to the Secretary or the Liaison Officer who will discuss the receipt of the complaint with the Chair and the Chair shall call for emergency meeting depending on the content of the complaint. After deliberation within the Board, decision taken shall be presented to members of the organization for ratification by two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the members present. The Chair’s presentation shall be accompanied by a notice of the time the complaint was received, the summary of the complaint, time the Board held their meeting, the number of Board members present and the place where the decision was made. The member of the Board to be removed shall be given an opportunity to be heard and, where necessary, two or three witnesses shall be called by the general house. 

Section 2.13. Board of Trustee: There shall be a board of trustee made up of the Moderator plus any Member of the Board that successfully served the organization without blemish and is willing to serve as a Board of Trustee where feasible. Any member of the current Board of Directors and or Branch Executive Bodies may be appointed as a member of the Board of Trustee at the discretion of the existing member(s) of the Board of Trustee of the Organization. Any Member of the Organization that has contributed immensely to the advancement of the Organization may be recognized and honored with a membership in the Board of Trustee upon nomination for such position by the Board or any Member of the Organization or as may be construed to be proper by the existing member(s) of the Board of Trustee of the Organization. The Board of Trustee shall be responsible for conducting elections, call for removal of any erring member of the Board following procedures laid down in Section 2.8 and Section 2.12 of the Article of the Organization where applicable. The Board of Trustee shall also see to the smooth running of the Organization in the absence of the Board and it shall serve as an advising and or redirecting body to the Board of Directors to ensure that the objectives of the Organization are kept in focus. For the purpose of these Bylaws, the Moderator refers to a founding member of this Organization who has been consistently active in keeping the Organization functional.

Article Three

Functions of the Board Members

Section 3.1. Roles of Board Members: The Chair shall be the general overseer of the Organization. He or she shall be signatory to the account of the organization.  He or she shall call for emergency meeting as at when necessary and shall work closely with other Board members. Other roles may be given by the Board, Board of Trustee or the General Assembly and such role shall be documented by the Secretary. The Chair shall be a signatory to the account of the Organization and may single handedly approve withdrawal or deposit of money from and into the Organization’s account after due consultation in writing with the Financial Secretary and the Secretary explaining the need for the financial transaction and the details of how much is involved and the fate of the involved money. Email correspondence using the @concernednigerians.com official extension as the source email address with a copy sent to himself or herself and the Moderator (a member of Board of Trustee) will suffice as a due written consultation. Limitation to such transaction may be set at the discretion of the Board of Trustee.

 Secretary: In this position the Secretary shall be present at all meetings and take notes of meetings of the organization. The Secretary shall answer to all requests concerning the operation of the organization and issue Press Releases to be circulated through the Public Relation Secretary. The person in charge shall act as the Vice Chair in this position and call for meetings or chair meetings in the absence of the Chair. The person shall be a signatory to the account of the organization. He or she may also function as a co-publisher of the publication(s) of the Organization.

 Financial Secretary: This position shall be held by a permanent residence or a Nigerian who has dual citizenship in the country where the co-serving Chair resides in case of the Central Body, or must be resident within reachable distance from the Chair in case of the local Branch Executives. He or she shall be responsible for financial record of the organization and ensure that taxes are paid where necessary, request for assistance from the authorities that govern the jurisdiction where the Organization operates at the level of his or her executive power. He or she shall work with the Public Relation Officer to organize events from time to time. The person shall be a signatory to the account of the Organization.

 Public Relation Officer: Shall be the image maker of the organization. He or she shall respond to news and events concerning Nigerians and the Organization in the newspapers, on the television, on the Radio, on the Internet after discussion with the Chair.  He or she shall be a co-publisher of the publication(s) of the Organization.

 Vice:  Where there is an appointment for the position of Vice in any of the above positions, the elected Vice shall perform all the functions of the person he or she is deputizing – (i) in- absentia or (ii) as may be assigned by the Board or Board of Trustee, (iii) the General Assembly or (iv) the Board Member he or she is deputizing. The Vice shall have equal right and access without being marginalized in the Board.

 Section 3.2. Tenure: The term for each Officer shall be four-year period commencing from the date of the swearing in and or election. No single individual may be elected for more than 2 consecutive four-year terms in any single office.

 Section 3.3. Immediate Past Chair: In the event that the term limit of the individual who is Immediate Past Chair shall have expired, the Board shall have the authority to retain this individual on the Board, in the position of Immediate Past Chair, until such a time as another individual holds the said office. 

Section 3.4 Chair Succession:  In case or cases of temporary absence, the successor shall be the Secretary, The Financial Secretary and then the Public Relation Officer in that order. In the event that the elected Chair is unable to fulfill his/her term, the Secretary shall become the Chair until there is a new election or call for election to replace the Chair. The Secretary position shall not automatically succeed to the Chair. Any individual Board member shall be a candidate for the Chair. If for any reason, the Chair position remains vacant without feasible occupancy as defined herefore, the Board of Trustee shall appoint an Interim Chair for the Organization pending a feasible election of an elected Chair.

Article FOUR

Meetings

Section 4.1. Discussion Forum and Article Posting: Pending the completion of the Organization’s customized online discussion platform amongst members, the Organization shall utilize the opportunities provided by the yahoo e-group mailing system for our daily discussions. Membership to the e-group discussion is free by invitation, third-party nomination, direct add by others, or by self registering at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ConcernedNigeriansgroup  and or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ConcernedNigerians. These fora shall be merged together as soon as the Organization’s e-group mailing system is completed. The online publication(s) of the Organization shall also be guided by the provisions of this Section and any other relevant Sections in these Bylaws and or any other written Policies of the Organization meant for such Publication(s). It is pertinent to note that we try not monitor and or moderate the contents of the posted articles at these fora. It is the sole responsibility of the author of any of the posted article to ensure that the conveyed message is nothing but factual. The author of such article is totally liable to all consequences that may arise from the posted article(s) and the Organization and or its members and or executives and or founders are not in anyway liable for any of the content(s) such posted article. The discussions at the forums shall be focused on issues that can transform Nigeria and Nigerians for better. Irrelevant discussions are highly discouraged. Please refer to Section 1.2 of these Bylaws for guidelines about issues that we stand to champion. You may target such issues in your topic. The Organization reserves the right to ban, suspend and or remove any member and or contributor to the aforementioned forums who may be deemed irresponsible and or abusive to other members of the Organization and or other audience of the fora. The Organization may also delete and or edit any submitted article before such reaches the final audience.     

Section 4.1(a) Postings to the Fora:

(i)            Entry Level Posting: Membership postings to the Organization’s forum or fora shall start at the Entry Level unless as specified in Section 4.1(a)(ii) hereunder. An Entry Level Membership Posting (ELMP) is defined as posting made by a non-financial member of the Organization whose identity has not been confirmed. ELMP is moderated to ensure that the contents of the article submitted for postage is in conformity with the ideology of the Organization. Moderation of the submitted article may significantly affect the transition time between the submission of the article to the Forums and its subsequent postage at the Fora. Other conditions may be attached to the ELMP at the discretion of the Board of Trustee of the Organization. Nevertheless, such conditions are removable upon elevation of the membership status from the Entry Level to Financial Level.

(ii)           Financial Level Membership Posting (FLMP): This form of posting to the Organization’s fora is un-moderated based on the understanding that the author of such posted article has read and has fully understood the conditions stipulated in Section 4.1 and any other related sections and or subsections of these Bylaws and or any other guidelines or policies that guide the conducts of posting articles to the Organization’s Fora. This form of posting is for financial member of the Organization.

(iii)          Honorary Level Membership Posting (HLMP): There are few postings from authors who may not necessarily meet the criteria to qualify for FLMP as defined in Section 4.1(a)(ii) but have been able to demonstrate level of maturity in their submitted articles based on such articles contents and relevance of such to the course of the Organization. Identification of author(s) of article(s) that may qualify for HLMP is at the discretion of the Board of Trustee of the Organization or upon recommendation by Financial Member of the Organization subject to the Board’s and or Board of Trustee’s approval. The HLMP is un-moderated.

(iv)         Nevertheless the foregoing, the Board of Trustee, the Board, and or the Editor-In-Chief of any of the Organization’s Publication(s) may discretionally edit, remove, delete any posted article, suspend and or ban postage of article(s) from any author in any category if such author is assessed to be in violation of any of the policies of the Organization. Such embargoes, except temporary removal of article from circulation, may only be effective after adequate written warning(s) to the affected author by email. Three consecutive emails spread over reasonable time and specifically referring to the violated section(s) of the Organization policies shall be deemed adequate notification to the affected author, and thus deemed justifiable for other measurers beyond temporary removal of the offending article from the circulation, if such author remains in defiance of the written warnings. Reasonable time is considered as minimum of twenty four hours between each written warning and the previous one sent by email at the email address used by the affected author in submitting any of the offending article(s).        

Section 4.2. Regular and General Meeting: The Board shall meet regularly at the discretion of the Chair to discuss matter arising. The primary mode of regular meeting is by teleconference and or videoconference. The Chair, via the Secretary, shall announce the medium that shall be used for the proposed meeting at least a week prior to such meeting. The mode of announcement shall be primarily by email. There shall be one General Assembly Meeting in the last Saturday of May every year depending on the feasibility. For the General Assembly Meeting, notice shall be sent to each Member by the Secretary at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of such General Assembly Meeting. Any member that is willing to attend the General Assembly Meeting must send a confirmatory email of intent to attend back to the Secretary minimum of four weeks before the General Assembly Meeting. During an election year, the General Assembly Meeting shall be the venue of final campaign and election of new officials at the Central Body level. The local Branch executive elections must be conducted within two weeks after the General Assembly Meeting during which such Central Body Election is held. The notice would be deemed served via email or regular post.  

Section 4.3. Quorum: Two-third of financial members defined by section 6.1 of these Bylaws shall form a quorum at any meeting but cannot modify the Article of the Organization. If for any reason a two-third majority is not feasible, the Board of Trustee may choose to direct the house to waive the requirement of this section for that particular event, meeting and or gathering.

Article Five

Staff

Section 5.1 Chief of Staff: The Board shall have the discretion to appoint a Chief of Staff person, who shall be responsible for carrying out the work of ConcernedNigerians in accordance with the policies established from time to time by the Board. The Chief of Staff may hire and or fire required staff members for daily running of the activities of the Organization after due consultation with the Board. 

Article SIX

Membership

Section 6.1. Membership: Membership shall be opened to every Nigerian citizen resident in or outside Nigeria, Nigerian citizen with dual citizenship anywhere in the world, any other nationals who share the ideology of the Organization and who is willing to support betterment transformation of Nigeria. The membership application is electronically submitted online at www.concernednigerians.com/joinus.html. Once the application is submitted, an electronically generated confirmatory message is sent to the applicant and thereafter, the necessary information for subsequent necessary processing shall be emailed to the applying member. 

Section 6.1(a) Entry Level Membership (ELM): This membership is free for Nigerian under the age of 18, unemployed and is still actively enrolled in school without independent source of income other than what such member receives as stipends from his or her parents and or guardians. ELM is also opened to new member who is in the process of transition to the FLM (see Section 6.1(b). ELM member has no voting right and can not be given sensitive assignment to carryout for the Organization unless specifically exempted from these limitations by the Board of Trustee. An ELM member is equally subjected to other limitations as specified in these Bylaws, including but not limited to Section 4.1(a)(i). The benefits of an ELM member include, but not limited to belonging to the movement for betterment of our motherland, partaking in permitted activities as member of the Organization, including, but not limited to orientation and education of the grassroots for a better Nigeria, access to tools required for mobilization of the grassroots, eligibility for being member of Youth Movement for better Nigeria, amongst other grassroots’ mobilization programs and projects. An ELM member may decide to become a FLM member at any time by paying minimum required membership fee as detailed in Section 6.1(b). The Board of Trustee may decide at their discretion or upon recommendation by another FLM member to promote an ELM member to the status of an FLM member for specific event other than for the purpose of election. Such exemption shall seize to be valid after completion of the specific event for which the exemption is granted.

Section 6.1(b) Financial Level Membership (FLM): This membership is opened to all Nigerians in and outside Nigeria, Nigerians with dual citizenship in any part of the world and non-Nigerians who have demonstrated passion for betterment of Nigeria and who are willing to strive for betterment of Nigeria in keeping with the ideology of the Organization. A non-Nigerian who so wishes to become an FLM member however has to convince the Board of Trustee that he or she shall not allow his or her patriotism for his or her country of nationality becloud his or her activities as an FLM member of the Organization.

Section 6.1(b)(i) FLM Benefits:

(1) An FLM member shall have access to the secured membership data and information of the Organization including, but not limited to, the financial activities of the Organization, the proposed, on-going, completed projects of the Organization,

(2) An FLM member shall opportunities open to every financial member of the Organization, rights to be invited and supported for such invitation for any General Assembly Meeting (GAM), including, but not limited to visa application processing for members that may need such to attend GAM,

(3) An FLM shall have rights to vote and to be voted for subject to Section 2.6 of these Bylaws and any other applicable Electoral Bylaws and or Policies that may be enforceable for electoral purpose in the Organization.

(4) An FLM member may be nominated for appointment and or sponsorship for elected office in Nigeria or any other parts of the world where such nomination and or sponsorship may be construed to be in conformity with the ideology of the Organization. If so nominated and or sponsored, the FLM member avows that he or she shall be a good ambassador of the Organization in any capacity he or she is assigned to and he or she shall be subject to campaign for forfeiture of such privilege if available pieces of evidence convincingly indicate that he or she has erred in his or her delivery of duties as an ambassador of the Organization.

(5) An FLM member shall have the right to move motion on the floor for any action that he or she feels need to be taken and if such motion is supported by the two third of the existing FLM members and such motion is not in violation of any of the provisions of these Bylaws and or any other existing laws of the land or jurisdiction where such motion is being moved, such motion shall pass and the action thus requested shall be tabled upon the floor of the house for deliberation and or implementation.                       

Section 6.1(b)(ii) FLM Fee: The initial membership fee is minimum of two thousand naira (N2,000.00) only. The yearly membership fee is minimum of one thousand naira (N1,000.00) only. The fee is payable in any currency, but preferably in naira, dollars, pounds sterling and or euro. Please go to http://finance.yahoo.com/currency to get the equivalent amount in the currency that you are willing to pay in. The membership fee may be adjusted after due deliberation on the necessity for such at the Board level and or at the GAM. If such adjustment is agreed upon by the majority vote in attendance, such decision shall be communicated to the members in writing by the Secretary and FLM members have up to a month to raise objection and or comment to such fee adjustment. If no objection is received in writing within one month, such adjustment shall be deemed valid and shall take immediate effect. If objection is received in writing within thirty days of announcement, the Board of Trustee shall review the objection(s) and weigh its or their significances against those of the need for the proposed adjustment and the decision of the Board of Trustee shall be the final. Any FLM member may choose to pay more than the minimum membership fee stated herein.

             Section 6.1(b)(ii)(1) Suspension and Termination of Membership for Non-payment: An FLM member shall risk termination of his or her FLM membership status if he or she fails to pay the required fee promptly and after three reminders by email from the Financial Secretary and or any other person dedicated to carryout that assignment from the day such fee is deemed due. If an FLM membership status is suspended due to non-payment, such FLM status may be terminated if the FLM member fails to pay the required membership fee for two consecutive years and after be reminded about such default on three consecutive occasions by email. A terminated and or suspended FLM member may retain the ELM status without any benefits accorded to an FLM member. 

Section 6.1(b)(iii) FLM Listing: By default, a list of the FLM members is kept and made accessible to other FLM members via secured online page that is password protected. An FLM member and or any other member may choose not to have his or her name and or information listed. Such member however needs to put such request in his or her application for membership or he or she may communicate such request for anonymity by email to the Secretary and or the Board of Trustee. 

Section 6.1(b)(iv) FLM Responsibilities: Apart from ensuring prompt payment of the membership fees, an FLM is expected to be:

(1)                  A good ambassador of the Organization that refrains from any activity that may smear the image of the Organization and or that of our motherland, Nigeria

(2)                  A committed person to the course of the Organization who shall attend at least sixty percent of the properly organized and announced teleconferences and GAM where feasible and, if not feasible, shall communicate the constraint that engendered the failure to abide by this provision to the Board and or the Board of Trustee in writing by email with proof copy of such communication copied to such member for record purpose

(3)                  Shall be willing to sacrifice time, efforts and money in the course of discharging duties on behalf of the Organization. If assignment given to such FLM member is deemed to require expenses that such FLM member is not willing to forego as a contribution towards the betterment of the Organization, our motherland and or Nigerians, such FLM member shall communicate such financial requirement in advance to the Board and or the Board of Trustee of the Organization and must seek and secure a written approval from such executive level of the Organization before embarking on such financial expenses, otherwise, the expenses will be written off as a personal contribution of that member towards the activities of the Organization.

(4)                  Any FLM member may be called upon to carryout specific assignment for the Organization. If a member feels that he or she cannot carry out such assignment, such objection must be duly and promptly communicated. If for any reason, the FLM member chooses to carry out an assigned assignment, he or she must keep all necessary records, including financial, for the purpose of auditing and accountability for minimum of six months after the assigned assignment might have been completed. The Board and or the Board of Trustee may invite such FLM member to give account of his or her activities during the assigned assignment anytime up to six months after such assignment might have been completed.

(5)                  No member shall knowingly or inadvertently mismanage the resources of the Organization and or embezzle and or misappropriate the monies and or properties of the Organization and or entrusted public responsibilities or responsibility if such public responsibilities were or are entrusted while the member was or is a member of the Organization.

(6)                  If an FLM member knowingly or inadvertently violates any of the provisions in these Bylaws, such member shall be duly informed about such violation(s) in writing by email on three consecutive times at interval of at least twenty-four hours in between two consecutive emails regarding the warning and or the specific violation(s). If after the three written notifications of the violated section(s) of these Bylaws have been conveyed to the affected member, the Organization may decide to take punitive measure against such member including, but not limited to, litigation in court of law where jurisdiction may be deemed permissible anywhere in the world unless such member responds in writing in convincing manner, and within reasonable time depending on the situation, that the allegation(s) is or are untrue. Such response must be emailed to the Board and or Board of Trustee of the Organization within reasonable time. If such response is received as aforementioned, the response shall be deliberated upon by the Board of Trustee and the Board of the Organization in an emergency meeting where a decision shall be made about proper response to such response from the alleged member. The decision from that meeting shall be final.      

Section 6.1(c) Honorary Level Membership (HLM): Any member of the global society in good standing and without criminal record may be nominated for HLM of the Organization by any FLM. The curriculum vitae and or profiles of such nominated individual shall be reviewed by the Board and or Board of Trustee who shall determine whether or not such individual deserves being conferred with the HLM. Once confirmed as a member, an HLM member shall enjoy similar benefits and or responsibilities as an FLM member except for such member may not have to attend the Organization’s meetings and or pay the aforementioned membership fees as required of an FLM member. An FLM member may apply for HLM if he or she is willing to pay in excess of the required membership fees and is committed to the course of the Organization but believes that he or she may not be able to meet the required criteria for FLM membership. An HLM member may not however vote or be voted for as an executive or Board member of the Organization. 

Section 6.1(d) Patronship Level Membership (PLM): Any member of the global society in good standing and without criminal record may be nominated for PLM of the Organization by any FLM or HLM. The curriculum vitae and or profiles of such nominated individual shall be reviewed by the Board and or Board of Trustee who shall determine whether or not such individual deserves being conferred with the PLM. Once confirmed as a Patronship member, a PLM serve as an adviser and or financial and or moral supporter of the Organization and its members. He or she may be called upon to deliver lectures and or address the members and or the public on behalf of the Organization at any gathering and or forum across the globe. A Patron or Patroness of the Organization shall promote the Course of the Organization and may be rewarded for his or her activities by the Organization in many ways including, but not limited to, supporting such individual’s personal, corporate, business and or political interest(s) provided such promotion and or support is or are not deemed contrary to the principles and ideology of the Organization. A patron or patroness may not vote or be voted for as an executive or Board member of the Organization. 

Section 6.2. Finance and Management: The Organization shall open bank accounts in applicable jurisdiction at the discretion of the Board of Trustee. There shall also be online form(s) of payment for easy payment for members and donors. The bank accounts such opened shall be operated by the members of the Board whose signatories shall be as specified in Section 3.1 of these Bylaws.  No single member or Officer of the Organization shall withdraw from the Organization’s Account except as stipulated in Section 3.1 of these Bylaws. All money collected on behalf or for the Organization shall be used for the purpose and policies of the Organization. Detailed account shall be presented to the Organization at the end of every fiscal year by the Financial Secretary and shall be posted at the secured and password protected financial members only web page of the www.concernednigerians.com. A summary of the Organization’s financial statement shall be made available to selected Patrons and or public either upon request or upon being deemed necessary to do so at the discretion of the Board and or Board of Trustee. 

Section 6.3 Membership Registration: Becoming a member shall be through adequate registration of the Organization’s Membership Form which shall be available all the time either online at www.concernednigerians.com/joinus.html or offline (preferably online). Any information collected by the Organization shall be to ensure proper representative of the member and shall be held in confidential. Information that may be collected: Full Name, Profession, Age, Email Address and any other pertinent information deemed necessary by the Board of Trustee and or the Board of the Organization. Each family shall file separately for their children where necessary. 

Section 6.4. Representation: Each member of the Organization is an ambassador of the Organization in particular and Nigeria and black nation in general. The Organization takes seriously the conduct of the Members in the society. Officially no member can issue press release or represent the Organization without prior permission from the Board or Board of Trustee.

Article SEVEN

Voting

Section 7.1. Nomination and Election: There shall be an electoral committee consisting of maximum of three members that shall organize elections. Such members may only be drawn from the FLM list and may include members of the Board of Trustee but not to include an existing incumbent executive or Board member. Officers canvassing to be elected must be present and in attendance at the General Assembly Meeting where the election is going to be conducted. The nomination for election shall be opened at least three months prior to the set date of the election and or GAM and shall be closed a month prior to the set date of such GAM and or election. The contesting members shall have a month to present their manifestoes to the house via the e-group emailing system and or the Organization’s publication(s) as specified in Section 4.1 of these Bylaws. All FLM members in good standing shall have equal right to be nominated provided they certified section 6.1 of this Article. Election shall be conducted in peaceful and organized manner. The election of Officers shall be held on the first night of the GAM meeting for that election year. The newly elected Officers shall take office immediately following the close of the meeting at which they are elected and the term of office shall be specified in Section 3.2 and any other applicable Sections of these Bylaws.   

Section 7.2. Voting: An FLM member of the Organization as defined by Section 6.1(b) of this Article shall have the right to vote physically at any election except specifically permitted by the Board of Trustee with compliance with the applicable Section(s) of these Bylaws. Voting by proxies shall not be permitted. An absentee Member or member of the Board may not designate an alternate to represent him or her during election.  

            Section 7.3. Voting Right: Any FLM member can vote provided such member has attended minimum of sixty percent (60%) of the teleconference meetings and events, including GAM, of the Organization within the preceding three and a half Calendar years. Note: This condition shall be waived for the first election of the Organization; while this section shall go into force at the conduct of the second election.

Article EIGHT

Committees

Section 8.1. Establishment and Operation of Committees: The Board shall establish such committees and task forces as advisable to assist with governance, without compromising the Board’s authority and in keeping with the policies established by the Board. 

Section 8.2. Standing Committees:  Standing Committees of the Board shall be and not limited to the followings: Committee on Directorship, Finance Committee, Development Committee, Sanminit Committee, Publication Committee and Election Committee. These committees shall operate in accordance with the roles and policies established by the Board. The Chair in consultation with the Chief Staff person, shall appoint committee chairs.

Article Nine

Fiscal Year

Section 9.1. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the organization shall begin on the last Saturday of May and terminate on the last Saturday of the following year.

Article Ten

Rules of Order

Section 10.1: Rules Order: The rules of order shall be governed by the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where the matter arising is within Nigeria or by the law of the Gwinnet County in the State of Georgia, United States of America if the matter arising is outside Nigeria for the Central Body. The Branches shall operate in compliance with the law of the land where such braches are operating except where such law(s) they may be in conflict with the Articles of the Organization, these Bylaws, or other policies adopted by the Board. If any or part of these Bylaws are deemed conflicting with the law of jurisdiction in which it is expected to be enforced, it is the only part or parts of these Bylaws deemed in conflict that may be set aside while the remaining part(s) or Section(s) of these Bylaws that are not in conflict with such superseding law shall be fully enforceable.  

Article Eleven

Partnership/Relationship/Donation/Compensation/Sponsorship

Section 11.1. Partnership: The Organization shall consider any application received for partnership in Social and Economic Advancement of the Members, Organization and or the home country. Such application shall be discussed by the Board and Board of Trustee and accepted after a vote.  

Section 11.2. Relationship: The Organization shall keep an open door relationship with the Nigerian Embassies across the globe, Other Nigerian Organizations around the world and any non-African and African Organizations that may be willing to support the course of the Organization in good spirit. The Organization shall invite members of Nigerian Diplomatic Corps and or public office holders and or government officials who are deemed to be working towards the betterment of Nigeria and Nigerians or any other credible personnel across the globe from time to time to participate/partake/co-sponsor/sponsor/contribute to conferences, social gathering, awards, cultural events, economic debates or as may be deemed right by the Organization or the Board. Such invitation shall be discussed in advance. 

Section 11.3. Donation & Sponsorship: The Organization shall accept donations for the Operations of the Organization or donations to be re-donated to under privilege/charity organization across the globe; from members or the society upon satisfying the criteria laid down by the Organization – Such donation shall meet requirements for accepting and donating to Charity in the jurisdiction where such donation is originating from. The proceedings from such donations, fundraisings, fees and or levies shall be lodged into the Organization’s bank account(s) as specified above and details of such monies shall be recorded and reported by the Financial Secretary as specified in Section 6.2 of these Bylaws. The Board shall make good use of the accrued funds and shall be held accountable for the associated expenses.  

Section 11.4. Honour/Awards: The Organization shall accept honors or awards of excellence that are given by external organization. The Board shall have the final saying whether or not to receive such honor or award. The Board shall also nominate where necessary the person to receive the award or honor on behalf of the Organization and their decision shall be final. 

Section 11.5 Acceptance of Honor/Award:  No member shall accept honor or award on behalf of the organization without adequate discussion with the Board.

 Section 11.6. Individual Honoree:  No member of the Organization or member of the Board shall be singled-out for an honor or award for outstanding performance within the Organization by any external Organization or Individual; such honor or awards shall go to the Organization or be accepted and donated to the Organization or Rejected in its entirety.

 Section 11. 7 Honoring Members/Presentation of Awards: The Organization shall confer the award of the Organization on any outstanding member or any member of the public that may have contributed to the development of the Organization or Nigeria in General at its own discretion. It is the duty of Award Committee to come up with the criteria for such award.

 Section 11.8. Compensation: The Organization may at its discretion compensate members or member of the Organization, committee, members of the Board and or Board of Trustee from time to time. For example The Organization may waive gate fees where necessary for members of organizing committee or reduced gate fees for their families in recognitions of the time and resources committed to the Organization during the organization of event or any assignment given by the Organization.

Article Twelve

Amendments

Section 12.1 Amendments: These Bylaws may be amended at a regular meeting by a two-third vote of all Registered FLM members, provided that notice of the proposed amendment, together with a copy thereof, shall be distributed to each Member at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the amendment is to be considered.

Article Thirteen

Ownership of Article of Organization

Section 13.1. Access to this Article: This Article of the Organization is the sole property of the ConcernedNigerians and shall be made available to all registered members of the Organization. It shall bind and guide the operation and or conduct of the Organization.

Section 13.2. Availability: Each member of the Organization that fulfills Article 6.1 of these Bylaws shall be provided with a copy of the constitution or Bylaws of the Organization or shall have access to the section of the Organization’s website where the Article can be downloaded.

Section 13.3. Signature: The printed hard copy of this Article and succeeding amended version shall be signed by the Chair and the Secretary or member(s) of Board of Trustee with date before distribution to members. Only duly signed copies shall be authentic copy and recognize when cited. The electronic copy is made available at the Organization’s official website at www.concernednigerians.com is certified to be a true copy of these Bylaws provided the authentic electronic signature of the website appears on the printed copy and there is proof that it is a true and unaltered replica of the signed hard copy of these Bylaws.

Article Thirteen

Dissolution