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Bylaws of The Organization for Defense of Lemko Western Ukraine, Inc

I. NAME, TERRITORY, HEADQUARTERS, OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

  1. The Organization shall be called “ORGANIZATION FOR DEFENCE OF LEMKO WESTERN UKRAINE, INC.” and abbreviated “ODLWU, INC.”.
  2. The Organization limits its activities to the territory of the United States of America.
  3. The headquarters of the Organization shall be located in the community where the President or Secretary reside, or at a location decided upon by the National Board.
  4. The language used internally by the ODLWU, Inc. shall be Ukrainian.

II. SEAL, EMBLEM, FLAG

  1. The seal of the Organization is a circle surrounding text in Ukrainian and English:
    “Organization for Defence of Lemko Western Ukraine, Inc.”. For Branches the text shall read “Organization for Defence of Lemko Western Ukraine, Inc.
    Branch No. ______ in __________________ .” The organization’s emblem shall be placed in the center of the circle.
  2. The emblem of the Organization is a Ukrainian Trident encircled by text in Ukrainian “Лемківщина” and by oak and fir branches.
  3. The Organization for Defence of Lemko Western Ukraine, Inc. shall have its own flag.

III. GUIDING PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS

  1. Guiding Philosophy:
    1. regarding family and community life, of ODLWU, Inc. recognizes Christian morals and ethics;
    2. the ODLWU, Inc. honors and seeks to foster Ukrainian language and values and embraces the idea of an independent, unitary Ukrainian State embracing all ethnographic Ukrainian territory.
  2. Goals:
    1. to organize all Lemko Ukrainians in their communities;
    2. to conduct cultural and educational work among them;
    3. to foster Ukrainian culture, language, music, and religious, secular, and national traditions;
    4. to give moral and material support to natives of Lemko Ukraine and their descendents, whenever necessary and possible.

IV. FORMS OF ACTIVITY

  1. Establish Branches in communities where large numbers of Lemko Ukrainians live.
  2. Publish periodicals and books, main¬tain libraries, museums, resort centers, theater ensembles, sport groups, and the like.
  3. Organize conventions, meetings, excursions, and other activities.
  4. Sponsor various activities and programs for members and the public-at-large.
  5. Familiarize the public with issues concerning Lemko, Pidlyashya, and the Syan and Kholm regions of Ukraine.
  6. Work with other Ukrainian organizations in the U.S.
  7. Organize moral and material support for Ukrainians who reside in Lemko, Pidlyashya, and the Syan and Kholm regions, as well as natives of those regions who now live within the borders of present-day Ukraine and in other countries.
  8. Provide scholarships for students, gather funds for publishing purposes.
  9. Secure movable and immovable property.

V. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

  1. The Organization shall, it possible, publish its own official publication. The Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board shall be appointed by the National Board.

VI. MEMBERSHIP, RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS

  1. The ODLWU, Inc. has three forms of membership: Regular Member, Patron, and Honorary Member.
  2. Any Ukrainian may become a Regular Member so long as they agree with the Bylaws of the ODLWU, Inc.
  3. Regular Members are inducted by Branches on the basis of personal application and the recommendation of two members.
  4. In the event a Branch refuses to induct a member, they have the right to challenge the Branch’s decision at the Branch General Meeting.
  5. A Patron is any individual who donates at least $1,000.00 to the Organization.
  6. An Honorary Member is an individual who, following the recommendation of the Na¬tional Board, is inducted by the National Convention in honor of their unique work on behalf of the ODLWU, Inc.
  7. Members have the responsibility to:
    1. adhere to the Bylaws of the ODLWU, Inc. and follow resolutions adopted by the National Convention and the governing bodies of the ODLWU, Inc.;
    2. pay dues, and support causes permitted by the Bylaws;
    3. participate in meetings and functions sponsored by Branches or the ODLWU, Inc.;
    4. subscribe to and circulate the official publication and other publications of the ODLWU, Inc.
  8. Members have the right to:
    1. participate in General Meetings, Conventions, Congresses, meetings of members and other functions of the Branch or National Board of the ODLWU, Inc.;
    2. enjoy active and passive right of election to all governing bodies of the Branch and National Board of the ODLWU, Inc.;
    3. make use of all ODLWU, Inc. acquisitions;
    4. wear a membership pin and use their membership card.

VII. FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP

  1. Membership is forfeited:
    1. when a member submits a written request vacating their membership;
    2. when a member has outstanding membership dues of one year or greater;
    3. when a person’s membership is terminated.
  2. Membership is terminated when a member:
    1. acts in such a way as to the detriment of the Organization or its members and when they commit a particular act defaming our national and community honor;
    2. fails to carry-out their responsibilities as enumerated in the Bylaws in the absence of reasonable explanation.
  3. Termination of membership is decided by the Branch Executive Board, or, if the general interests of ODLWU, Inc. are   concerned, by the National Board.
  4. A person who has had their membership terminated has the right to challenge that decision at a General Meeting of the Branch and at an ODLWU, Inc. National Convention, where the decision is considered final.

VIII. THE MAIN GOVERING BODIES OF THE ODLWU, INC. ARE:

  1. the ODLWU, Inc. National Convention;
  2. the National Board;
  3. the National Auditing Commission;
  4. the National Arbitration Committee.

IX. ODLWU, INC. NATIONAL CONVENTION

  1. The ODLWU, Inc. National Convention is the highest governing and decision- making body of the ODLWU, Inc.
  2. There are two types of National Conventions: Ordinary and Extraordinary.
    1. An Ordinary National Convention convenes every three years;
    2. An Extraordinary National Convention convenes when mandated by special cir¬cumstances.
  3. An Ordinary National Convention is convened by the National Board.
  4. An Extraordinary National Convention may be convened by a majority of the Branches or by the National Auditing Commission.
  5. In the event that the National Board fails to convene a National Convention within three months of such a demand, it is then convened by the National Auditing Commission.
  6. Notice of the convening of a National Convention accompanied by a Convention Program signed by the President and Secretary must be sent in a Special Memorandum to all Branches and must be printed in the ODLWU, Inc. official publication at least one month prior to the announced deadline for the Convention. In the event that ODLWU, Inc. does not have an official publication, notice must be printed in the largest Ukrainian periodical in the United States.
  7. Voting participation in the National Convention is limited to:
    1. members of the National Board, National Auditing Commission, and the National Arbitration Committee;
    2. ODLWU, Inc. Branch presidents and secretaries;
    3. Branch delegates, on the basis of one delegate per ten members.
  8. Branch delegates unable to attend the National Convention have the right to transfer their vote to another delegate, with the written approval of the Branch Board. One delegate is not permitted to possess more than five votes.
  9. The ODLWU, Inc. National Convention:
    1. considers and approves the reports of the National Board, the National Auditing Commission, the National Arbitration Committee, and governing bodies of the Branches;
    2. approves changes to the Bylaws;
    3. dissolves the main governing bodies of the ODLWU, Inc.;
    4. establish the amount of dues and other financial obligations for Branches;
    5. approves a three-person Nominating Committee;
    6. elects new governing bodies for the ODLWU, Inc.;
    7. approves various resolutions deemed necessary, so long as they do not conflict with the Bylaws;
    8. approves the Convention Program and General for the ODLWU, Inc.;
    9. is the final arbitrator concerning de¬cisions of the main governing bodies of the ODLWU, Inc. (National Board, National Auditing Commission, and National Arbitration Committee).
  10. The National Convention is opened by the President, and in the event of his/her absence, by the Vice-President. In the event of both their absences, the National Convention is opened by the most senior member of the National Board.
  11. The National Convention is run by an elected Presidium, consisting of a Convention Chairman, a Vice-chairman, and two secretaries.
  12. A National Convention is considered legal when at least half of all registered Branch delegates participate. If there is a deficit of delegates, a National Convention is considered legal regardless of the number of delegates present after the passage of one hour from the desig¬ated start of the Convention.

X. NATIONAL BOARD

  1. The National Board is the main execu¬tive body of the ODLWU, Inc. and reports to the National Convention.
  2. The National Board consists of a President, First and Second Vice-presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and Chairs: cultural-educational, organizational, social/welfare, museum, press-external affairs Liaison, and three Members-at-Large.
    The responsibilities of the National Board are as follows:

     

    1. to represent the ODLWU, Inc. in all matters;
    2. conduct the affairs of the ODLWU, Inc. in accordance with the Bylaws and decisions of the National Conventions;
    3. audit ODLWU, Inc. Branch activities and the work of their governing bodies;
    4. report to the National Convention.
  3. The National Board reserves the right to:
    1. co-opt members to the National Board in case of necessity;
    2. convene conferences, gatherings, and meetings;
    3. decide on the dissolution of a Branch by a 3/4 vote;
    4. other decisions of the National Board are on the basis of a majority vote;
    5. correspondence of the National Board must be signed by the President and Secretary, and in financial matters, also by the Treasurer.

XI. NATIONAL AUDITING COMMISSION

  1. The National Auditing Commission consists of: a President, and two Members-at Large.
  2. The responsibilities of the National Auditing Commission include:
    1. auditing the activities of the National Board with emphasis on financial matters, not less than once a year;
    2. submitting a written report before the National Convention citing results of all audits, and formally proposing the dissolution of the National Board;
    3. convening an Extraordinary National Convention, if necessary.

XII. NATIONAL ARBITRATION COMMITTEE

  1. The National Arbitration Committee consists of: a President, and two Members-at Large.
  2. The National Arbitration Committee settles:
    1. organizational disputes between the National Board and the Branches, as well as be¬tween individual Branches and their members;
    2. challenges to Branch Arbitration Committee decisions.

XIII. BRANCHES

  1. Work on the local level is conducted by the Branches, in keeping with the Bylaws, resolutions of the National Convention, and di¬rectives issued by the National Board.
  2. A Branch consists of all members re¬siding in a particular area; more than two Branches in one locale are permitted.
  3. The governing bodies of the Branch are:
    1. the General Meeting,
    2. the Branch Executive Board,
    3. the Auditing Commission,
    4. the Arbitration Committee.

XIV. GENERAL MEETING OF THE BRANCH

  1. A General Meeting of the Branch must be convened by the Branch Executive Board annually, at the latest by the end of February of the year following the previous calendar year term.
  2. The General Meeting of the Branch:
    1. considers the reports of the Executive Board, Auditing Commission, and the Arbitration Committee;
    2. Discusses the reports;
    3. authorizes dissolution of the Executive Board;
    4. elects an Executive Board, Auditing Commission, Arbitration;
    5. approves the membership fee.
  3. In extraordinary situations the Branch Executive Board is permitted to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting to solve the problem which initiated the convening of such a Meeting. The Executive Board must convene an Extraordinary General Meeting if a written request by 2/3 of the Branch members is submitted.
  4. Every Branch member must receive notice of every General Meeting at least two weeks in advance. Notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting must cite the reason for convening such a Meeting.

XV. BRANCH EXECUTIVE BOARD

  1. The Branch executive Board consists of: a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Cultural-Educational Secretary, Social/Welfare Secretary, Organizational, and two Members-at-Large.
  2. The Branch Executive Board is elected for a one-year term.
  3. The Branch Executive Board:
    1. represents the Branch in all matters;
    2. administers all Branch activities in accordance with the Bylaws, resolutions of the National Convention, and directives  issued by the ODLWU, Inc. National Board;
    3. inducts members and terminates membership where mandated;
    4. co-opts new members to the gov¬erning bodies of the Branch. A President may not be co-opted into that office.
  4. The President presides over the Branch Executive Board. They convene Meetings and preside over them. All correspondence must be signed by the President and Secretary.
  5. The Branch executive Board has the responsibility to:
    1. accurately and faithfully execute its responsibilities;
    2. recruit new members;
    3. foster friendship and mutual respect;
    4. concern itself with increasing the circulation of organizational publications and soliciting funds for organizational needs;
    5. hold larger Branch meetings, sponsor special programs;
    6. pay its annual dues as determined by the National Convention and after financial obligations to the National Board.
  6. After a General Meeting of the Branch, the Branch Executive Board must inform the National Board of the new members of the Executive Board, Auditing Commission, and Arbitration Committee, and must submit copies of the minutes of the General Meeting.
  7. The Branch Executive Board reports every year to the National Board regarding its activities, and at the end of calendar year must submit a written annual (including financial) report.
  8. All financial expenses/transactions must be in accordance with the Bylaws of the ODLWU, Inc.

XVI. BRANCH AUDITING COMMISSION

  1. The Branch Auditing Commission consists of: a President and two Members-at-Large. The Branch Auditing Commission is elected for a one-year term.
  2. Responsibilities of the Auditing Commission:
    1. to audit the activities of the Branch and its bodies, examining financial matters of the Branch, conduct an audit of the activities and records of the Branch Executive Board at least once a year, and at the General Meeting present its final report and formally propose the dissolution of the Branch Executive Board.
    2. to convene, if necessary, an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Branch, having previously notified the ODLWU, Inc. National Board.

XVII. BRANCH ARBITRATION COMMITTEE

  1. The Branch Arbitration Committee consists of: a President and two Members-at¬Large. The Branch Arbitration Committee is elected for one-year teen.
  2. The Branch Arbitration Board settles disputes between the Branch bodies and members, and between members themselves.

XVIII. TRUSTEES

  1. Where an opportunity exists to establish an ODLWU, Inc. Branch, the National Board may designate a Trustee, who is a mem¬ber of the ODLWU, Inc., who will be authorized to use all means possible to establish an ODLWU, Inc. Branch.
  2. In areas where it is not possible to establish an ODLWU, Inc. Branch, the National Board may designate an ODLWU, Inc. member residing in the area, to conduct work on behalf of the Organization.

XIX. FISCAL YEAR

  1. The ODLWU’s Inc. fiscal year is a calendar year.

XX. ODLWU, INC. FUNDS

  1. For financial needs the ODLWU, Inc. has at its disposal:
    a) membership dues; b) proceeds from publications and activities; c) pro¬ceeds from concerts, special gatherings, and various other events; proceeds from donations and special collections.

XXI. ODLWU, INC. ASSETS

  1. ODLWU, Inc. assets consist of assets procured by the National Branch and Branches.
  2. ODLWU, Inc. Branches may procure and sell assets only with the consent of the ODLWU, INC. National Board.
  3. Liquidation of ODLWU, Inc. assets is approved by the National Convention acting on a proposal by the National Board.
  4. In the event a Branch is disbanded, its assets pass to the National Board of the ODLWU, Inc.

XXII. AMENDING THE BYLAWS

  1. Amendments to the ODLWU, Inc. Bylaws are adopted by the National Convention by 3/4 of delegates in attendance.
  2. Proposed amendments, as well as any proposal .to disband the ODLWU, Inc., must be submitted to Branches and members together with a notice to convene a National Convention.
  3. In order to disband the ODLWU, Inc., a 2/3 decision of delegates to the National Con¬vention is necessary.
  4. In the event that the ODLWU, Inc. is disbanded, its assets shall be transferred to a cause designated by the National Convention, only to a Ukrainian educational or cultural institution.
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