MDKO

ARTICLE 1: MISSION

The mission of MDKO as a Non-Profit Organization is to bring together people of Kenyan origin living in Maryland and mobilizing assistance to MDKO members at their time of need.

ARTICLE 2: DEFINITIONS

In this Constitution and the Organization by-laws, unless the context otherwise requires, the following word shall have the following meaning:

Organization: It shall refer to MDKO as duly registered.

Committee: It shall refer to the elected officials of MDKO.

Leadership: It shall refer to the elected officials of MDKO

Community: Refers to the people living within the State of Maryland and anyone who has linkswith Maryland by previously being a resident of State of Maryland and a member of MDKO during the time he/she was a resident of the State of Maryland.

Kenyan origin: By birth, marriage, parents or naturalization.

Member: Any person who has applied for membership and has been accepted as a member of the MDKO.

Gender: Reference to any gender in this Constitution and the by-laws shall be interpreted to refer to either gender.

Siblings: Brothers and sisters sharing the same blood mother. (Any contributing member who will be renewing the membership immediately following this resolution will be allowed to retain current family composition.)

Child: Means either a biological child or a legally adopted child.

Adopted: Applies in the position of a child with final legal adoption as per the laws of the country of adoption.

ARTICLE 3: OBJECTIVES

Bringing people of Kenyan origin together for the purposes of:

i) Supporting each other during certain occurrences like death of a family member in a manner set out in the by-laws.

ii) Organizing people of Kenyan origin in case of a tragedy affecting a large population in general.

iii) Connecting people of Kenyan origin together.

iv) Maintaining contacts of people of Kenyan origin in Maryland.

v) Enlightening members on various topics relevant to their welfare i.e. life insurance.

vi) Fostering peace and unity amongst people of Kenyan origin from different walks of life and faith.

vii) Initiating Charitable projects to assist people of Kenyan origin in the United States and in Kenya.

viii) Mentoring and counseling new arrivals in the United States for easier settlement within the society.

ix) Disseminating any important information affecting people of Kenyan origin in the United States.

x) Any other purpose that is lawful and charitable in nature.

ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP

i) Any individual of Kenyan origin in the State of Maryland is entitled to apply for membership to the organization through a designated application form together in

accordance with procedures set out in the by-laws.

ii) The organization through its leadership has the sole discretion to accept or decline membership with or without reason.

iii) Membership is voluntary and a membership may only cease as per laid down procedures in the by-laws. Cessation of membership does not impugn on any contractual agreement the ceasing member may have with the organization.

iv) Annual membership shall run from July 1st to July 31st of the following year.

v) Membership is renewable every year.

ARTICLE 5: RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

i) Right to avail candidature for election to any position in accordance with this Constitution.

ii) Right to vote during any of the organization’s members' meetings.

iii) Each member has one equal vote.

iv) Right to demand inspection of the books of accounts in a reasonable manner and in accordance with the by-laws.

v) Right to receive communication from the Organization on important issues which the Organization is communicating to members.

vi) The rights of members cannot be limited in any discriminatory manner

ARTICLE 6: VOTING

i) Every member has the right to vote.

ii) The right to vote may be suspended where a member is not in good standing.

iii) Voting will be done by show of hand or other means as agreed by the committee with a simple majority deciding the winner.

ARTICLE 7: MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

i) Every member shall always advocate for the best interests of the organization.

ii) Every member shall comply with all required obligations.

iii) Every member shall be required to attend at least one general meeting during the year.

iv) Every member shall always keep the organization updated on his/her contact information.

v) Every member shall comply and accomplish any assignment or obligation given.

vi) Members shall be expected to do outreach and attract new applicants for membership, at no cost to the organization.

ARTICLE 8: ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

i) The organization is owned by members who elect a management committee for day to day running of the organization.

ii) The Management Committee shall consist of the minimum of five members

a) Chairman

b) Vice-chairman

c) Secretary

d) Vice-Secretary

e) Treasurer

f) Vice-Treasurer

g) Official One

h) Official Two

i) Official Three

j) Official Four (Clergy)

k) Ombudsman.

iii) The term of the committee members shall be three years, (or the time set by voting members) with a two-consecutive term limit subject to the limitations provided in article 8 section (v) of this constitution.

iv) An official can run for office again after being out of office for one three-year term.

v) For purposes of smooth running of the management committee and continuity, the initial term of different management committee members after the adoption of this Constitution shall be varied.

vi) The organization may from time to time appoint an ad-hoc committee with a specific mandate and duration.

ARTICLE 9: ASSISTANCE OFFERED

i) The organization shall from time to time determine the level of assistance offered to its members.

ii) There are no durational or numerical limitations in the assistance provided to a member.

ARTICLE 10: WEBSITE

i) The organization shall maintain a website/member portal that members can access for updated information on organization matters.

ii) It shall be the responsibility of the member to regularly check the website/member portal for updates.

iii) Any information or notice posted in the website/member portal shall be deemed duly communicated within 30 days of the posting of the information.

iv) The website//member portal shall have a member portal with the capacity to log on to create and view member information.

ARTICLE 12. DISSOLUTION

Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction of the County in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.1

Updated: 07/13/2021