Goals and Objectives

• Working together to provide quality value-based environment for spiritual growth, character development and social tolerance.

• Becoming more Project-driven to ensure focus and maximum outcomes.

• Fostering greater collaborations between RIAA and corporations, foundations and individuals.

• Continuing to provide RIAA members, supporters and sponsors up-to-date information on activities [progress and challenges].

• Seeking partners to provide assistance with strategic projects. 

• Soliciting assistance from private and public institutions. 

• Identifying and seeking partnerships to help improve our service offerings to our alma mater.

 Mission Statement

• To provide financial and other assistance to Ricks Institute which will enable it:

• To honor and express our appreciation to anyone who has made substantial contribution toward furthering the purpose stated in objective (a); and

• To get together as a group and discuss strategies for carrying out objectives

• To raise funds in order to facilitate the implementation of objectives.

We, the members of RIAA, USA, Inc., function through the alignment of eight chapters: Baltimore, Carolinas, Georgia, Midwest, New England, New York, Southwest, and Washington D.C. We have identified approximately 300 alumni in order to meet our goal. We meet annually as a national organization, over each Labor Day weekend, to consolidate our fundraising initiatives and make plans that will support the educational and restorative activities on Ricks Institute.

 A Local Chapter shall elect officers that will enable it to execute its purpose.  A Local Chapter “President” shall head it.

 Section 5.3 Purpose of the Local Chapters

 Each Local Chapter of the Corporation shall be established for the sole purpose of enabling the Corporation to fully carry out its goals and objectives as set forth in the Constitution of the Corporation. As a result, Local Chapter leaderships are expected to work closely with the National Chairman and the Board for the purpose of carrying out the goals and objectives of the Corporation.

 Section 5.4 Activities of the Local Chapters

 In general, Local Chapters may conduct such programs and activities, as are deemed feasible, to enable the Corporation to accomplish its goals and objectives. However, a Local Chapter leadership must notify the National Chairman of the Corporation on all planned programs and/or activities at least fifteen (15) days before the anticipated date of occurrence of such programs and/or activities. Such information shall include, but not be limited to, the nature of the planned program and/or activity, its time and place, and any other pertinent information relating to the program and/or activity. If the nature of a particular planned program and/or activity is such that the National Chairman does not deem it appropriate for the Local Chapter to execute (either because the reason may be that it does not meet the Corporation goals and objectives or that it is inconsistent with the religious principles that guide its Alma Mater, Ricks Institute), the National Chairman shall immediately inform such Local Chapter leadership not to conduct the program and/or activity.  The Board shall be immediately advised on this issue for any render of an approval.

 The Local Chapter must comply with the combined decision of the National Chairman and the Board.  Any deviation from the rules of conduct established by the Board shall subject the Local Chapter President to reprimand such as fine or removal from office depending on the magnitude of the act.  

 Section 5.5 Profits from Local Chapters Programs and/or Activities

 Any Local Chapter conducting a program and/or activity, that generate funds, shall be required to deposit a “share” of any net earnings derived from such event. This share is fifty percent (50%) of the net earnings derived from said event. The Local Chapter President must deliver the Corporation’s share to the National Chairperson of Finance within 15 days following the occurrence of the event.

  Section 5.6 Quarterly Reports of Local Chapters

 Each Local Chapter must file a quarterly report with the National Chairperson of Records and Correspondence no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each quarter. For purposes of this section, the Local Chapter’s quarters will be deemed to end on December 31st, March 31st, June 30th and September 30th of each calendar year. Such quarterly reports must include a summary of all programs and/or activities planned or previously conducted by the Local Chapter and all operational report for the quarter. 

  Section 5.7 Financial Reports of the Local Chapters

 Each Local Chapter’s President shall file an annual financial report with the National Chairperson for Audits and the National Chairperson of Finance no later than thirty (30) days before the scheduled date for the next Annual Conference of the Corporation. Such annual financial reports must contain an income statement, a balance sheet and the sources and uses of funds. Receipts and other supporting documentation to substantiate the transactions contained therein must support the annual financial reports.

 Section 5.8 Presidents of Local Chapters as Members of the Board of Directors

 The President/Designee of each Local Chapter established in accordance with Section 5.1 shall be a member of the Board as provided for in the Constitution of the Corporation and, as such, shall be entitled to vote and exercise all other rights and privileges of a Director of the Corporation and required to carry out all obligations and duties required of a Director of the Corporation.

  ARTICLE VI:  CONDUCT OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

  Section 6.1 Convening of the Annual Conference

 Members attending the Annual Conference must be seated, and the conference must begin, no later than 10:00 a.m. on the designated day for the conference.

 The Conference is considered a formal meeting.  All items for discussion shall be added no later than two (2) hours prior to its commencement.

 Section 6.2 Reports of Elected and Appointed Officers of the Corporation

All elected National Officers, appointed officers and Local Chapter Presidents of the Corporation must present a report at the Annual Conference.  This report shall state the programs and/or activities carried out as well as the achievements made by his/her office during the past fiscal year of the Corporation. 

 Section 6.3 Fines for Improper and Disruptive Conduct

A fine may be imposed and levied by the National Chairman onto any member that engages in an improper and/or disruptive conduct during the proceedings of the Annual Conference. Such improper conduct shall include, but not be limited to, loud, boisterous talking or talking out of turn, without recognition by the presiding National officer.

 ARTICLE VII:  FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS OF THE CORPORATION

Section 7.1 Principle of all Financial Investments into Foundations

 All financial investments into the Corporation’s foundation plan shall be for the sole benefit of Ricks Institute located in Virginia, Liberia.  The monies shall be disbursed upon maturity for the purpose of education, administration and support of Ricks Institute.

AMENDMENTS

 Section 8.1  Power of the Board of Directors to amend By-Laws

  The By-Laws of the Corporation may be amended, repealed, or added to, or new bylaws may be adopted, upon the vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board.  Such vote may be conducted during a specially called meeting of the Board or by polling of Directors (including phone or electronic poll) conducted by the National Chairman.

ARTICLE IX:  MISCELLANEOUS

 Section 8.2  Fiscal Year

  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the calendar year beginning January 1 and ending December 31.

 AMENDMENTS IX:

 Section 2.3 Annual Dues

 Each member of the Corporation shall pay dues in the amount of $50.00 per annum. (only the first line of this article (as restated above) was amended by automatic amendment of the constitution at the 2006 National Convention in Atlanta, GA.

 CONSTITUTION OF RICKS INSTITUTE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, USA, INC

We, the alumni and friends of the high school named Ricks Institute in Virginia, Republic of Liberia who reside in the United States of America have come together to form ourselves in a non-profit Corporation, under the name of Ricks Institute Alumni Association, USA, Inc. [hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”], and do hereby establish this Constitution as the governing document of the Corporation.

ARTICLE I: OBJECTIVE

1) The objective of the Corporation shall be four-fold as follows:

 

a) Provide financial and other assistance to Ricks Institute which will enable it to continue to provide the quality of education that it has traditionally provided;

b) Honor and express our appreciation to anyone who has made substantial contribution toward furthering the purpose stated in objective 1(a); and

c) Get together as a group and discuss strategies for carrying out objective 1(a).

d) Raise funds in order to facilitate the implementation of objective 1(a).

ARTICLE II: ORGANIZATION

Section A – Membership

Membership in the Corporation shall be opened to all alumni and friends of Ricks Institute.

For purposes of this Constitution, the term “alumnus of Ricks Institute” shall denote any person who was a part of the student body of Ricks Institute for any period of time.

For purposes of this Constitution, the term “friend of Ricks Institute” shall denote any person who shares interest in pursuing the objectives of the Corporation as in Article I.

To become a member “in good standing”, one must meet the requirement of this section by paying an annual membership dues. A member “in good standing” is entitled to full participation in the Corporation, including the right to vote.

Section B – Organizational Structure 

1) There shall be an Annual Conference that shall meet once a year, on Labor Day weekend, at a place to be voted upon during the previous Annual Conference. Each “member in good standing” shall be entitled to one vote during the Conference. Decision at the Conference shall be made by a “majority vote” of members present who are eligible to vote. The definition of “majority vote” vote is as stated in Article IV (2).

2) There shall be a Board of Directors, which shall be the policy making body of the Corporation. The Board of Directors, hereinafter called the “Board”, shall meet at least twice a year before the Annual Conference and may, at such meeting, develop and implement new programs and policies. The Board shall be made up of the following: the National Chairman, the Vice-National Chairman, the two immediate past National Chairmen, the Chairperson of Records & Correspondence, the Chairperson of Finance, the Chairperson of Legal Affairs, the Chairperson of Corporate Website, Chairperson of Scholarships and one representative from each chapter. There may also be an Advisory Board whose duties and responsibilities shall be determined by the Board.

3) There shall be various Local Chapters of the Corporation throughout the United States of America, which shall, except otherwise provided for in this Constitution, be formed and conducted according to the procedures set forth in the Corporation’s By-laws, to be enacted subsequent to this Constitution. The Local Chapters shall plan and implement programs and policies designed to aid the Corporation in achieving its objectives, although the implementation of such programs shall be subject to the approval of the Board. A “President”, who shall be elected by the eligible voting members of that Local Chapter, shall head each Local Chapter.

4) There shall be seven standing committees of the Corporation: Records and Correspondence, Finance, Programs and Development, Audit, Legal Affairs, Election, and Religious Affairs. Additionally, the Board of Directors shall, from time to time, create ad hoc committees as the need arises. Such ad hoc committees shall exist until dissolved by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III: OFFICERS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES

Section A - The Corporation shall have the following officers:

a) National Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors

b) Vice-National Chairman

c) Chairperson of Records and Correspondence

d) Chairperson of Finance

e) Chairperson for Programs and Development

f) Chairperson for Audit

g) Chairperson of Legal Affairs

h) Chairperson for Elections

i) Chairperson of Religious Affairs

These officers shall all be members “in good standing”, who shall be elected by a majority vote of the membership present and eligible to vote during the Annual Conference. The National Chairman must have attended the last two (2) Conferences prior to be elected. All officers shall be elected into office for a term of two (2) years. The maximum term of office of the National Chairman and the Vice-National Chairman is two consecutive terms.

Section B - Responsibilities

1) The National Chairman shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors. The duties of this office shall include, but shall not be limited to: 

a) Presiding over all Board meetings of the Corporation

b) Presiding over the Annual Conference of the Corporation

c) Countersigning all the Corporation’s checks in conjunction with the Chairperson of Finance prior to the disbursement of any Corporate funds.

d) Shall appoint the Chairperson of all ad-hoc committees with the advice and consent of the Board.

e) Shall make the executive decision, along with the Board, to remove and re-appoint a Standing Committee Member who does not perform his/her duties.

f) Shall impose and/or levy fines against any member that fail to comply with any provision of the Constitution and/or By-laws of the Corporation.

2) The duties of the Vice-National Chairman shall include but not be limited to:

a) Assisting and working closely with the National Chairman in carrying out the executive duties of the Corporation.

b) Performing all duties of the National Chairman in his/her absence or in case of any situation of incapacitation.

3) The duties of the Chairperson of Records and Correspondence shall be:

a) To preside over the Records and Correspondence Committee

b) The custodian of all official records of the Corporation

c) To keep all Corporation document in a confidential manner

d) To Keep and distribute all official records of the Corporation proceedings, including agendas and minutes.

e) Responsible for keeping records of attendance at all Board meetings

f) To coordinate all official correspondences of the Corporation

g) To implement mechanisms for obtaining and retaining minutes of all Local Chapter meetings, as well as all meetings of the various Standing Committees either by having Records and Correspondences Committee liaisons on these committees, or by making other arrangements with the respective leaderships of the committees.

Responsible for ensuring a continuous update of all alumni membership contact data.

4) The duties of the Chairperson of Finance shall be the “Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation” and shall:

a) Preside over all Finance Committees. This committee shall be responsible for the receipt, tracking and disbursement of all funds and/or solicitations, including funds raised by the Local Chapters.

b) Ensure that all funds of the Corporation are deposited in a bank account bearing only the Corporation’s name. Under no circumstances should the Chairperson of Finance co-mingle the Corporation’s funds with his/her personal funds.

c) Countersign, along with the National Chairman, all checks issued by the Corporation on the corporate account.

d) Prepare and present to the Annual Conference a report showing all receipts and disbursements of the past year and all potential receipts and disbursements for the coming year.

e) Shall periodically make available reports to members of the Corporation clearly setting forth the financial status of the Corporation.

f) Chair all investment committees and appropriately invest the funds of the Corporation to obtain at least a market profit consistent with the decision of the investment committee.

5) The duties of the Chairperson for Programs and Development shall be to:

a) Preside over the Programs and Development Committee. This committee shall be responsible for developing, organizing and implementing activities, projects and programs to aid the Corporation in achieving its objectives

b) Work closely with the National Chairman by providing continuous information obtained from the above duty (5a)

c) Work closely with the other Standing Committees and Local Chapter Presidents to coordinating activities for their regions that are separate from general Corporation activities.

6) The duties of the Chairperson for Audits shall:

a) Be responsible for conducting financial, timeline, compliance and other audits of the Corporation and

b) To submit reports of such audits to the Annual Conference.

7) The duties of the Chairperson of Legal Affairs shall be:

a) To function as the Chief Legal Officer of the Corporation

b) Responsible for maintaining the Incorporation Status and 501(C) 3 status of

the corporation.

c) Responsible for advice regarding interpreting and enforcing the Constitution and By-laws of the Corporation.

d) Review all Election processes and maintain its compliance

e) Appropriately review all legal issues facing the Corporation and obtain legal assistance and/or advice when necessary

f) Provide routine updates of Incorporation and non-profit changes that may affect the Corporation.

g) Preside over all votes at the Annual Conference for compliance

8) The duties of the Chairperson for Elections shall be to:

a) Organize and preside over all general elections of the Corporation

b) Organize and continuously review Election guidelines

c) Make appropriate and timely announcements regarding upcoming elections to include the offices to be filled and the assigned duties.

d) Review requirements for eligibility of candidates for various electoral positions.

9) The duties of the Chairperson of Religious Affairs shall be to:

a) Lead all assembly of the Corporation in appropriate religious practices

b) Establish Religious guidelines. Such guidelines shall define the religious outreach to all Corporations’ members during times of births, deaths, or ailments.

c) Ensure that the Local Chapters have the requisite mechanisms in place to implement religious practices during their regional assemblies.

d) Facilitate religious growth of individual members of the Corporation; as well as to ensure that the Corporation remains committed to those religious values emphasized at Ricks Institute, our Alma Mater.

ARTICLE IV: VACANCIES AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE 

Section A – Vacancies 

1) A vacancy shall be deemed to occur when the occupant of any office provided for in this Constitution resigns or is removed from office or becomes incapable of carrying out the function(s) of the office

2) In the event of a vacancy, the Board shall appoint someone to fill that vacancy. This appointee shall serve for the remaining duration of the term of that office.

3) The Board may also take any other measures deemed appropriate where there is a vacancy.

Section B – Removal from Office

1) Any person holding office under this Constitution, including those appointed to the various ad-hoc Committees, may be removed from office upon notice, after a hearing, and for cause, by a two-thirds vote of the Board. The Board shall be the sole judge of cause, and its decision shall be final.

ARTICLE V: PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR AMENDING

1) A petition presented by any member of the Corporation during the Annual Conference may propose amendments to this Constitution. Such a petition must be supported by ten percent (10%) of the voting members present at the Annual Conference during which the amendment is proposed.

2) All proposed amendments meeting the requirements of (Article IV section (1) shall be passed upon two-thirds vote of all eligible voting members at the Annual Conference during which the petition was proposed.

ARTICLE VI: ENABLING ACT

This Constitution shall take effect upon approval by two-thirds of the eligible voting members present at the Annual Conference of the Corporation.

AMMENDMENTS 

Article III, Section A

CHANGE IN TERM OF OFFICE OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF FINANCE (by amendment to the constitution at the 2006 Annual Convention held in Atlanta, GA).

(3) These officers shall all be members in good standing that shall be elected by a majority vote of the membership present and eligible to vote during the Annual Conference. The National Chairman must have attended a least two (2) conventions prior to being elected to this office. All officers shall be elected to hold office for a period of two (2) years except, for the sake of continuity; the Chairperson of Finance shall be elected to hold office for a period of three (3) years.