THE CONSTITUTION OF
UBULU-UKU, USA
IN THE UNITED STATES

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MOTTO:

“OUR DEVELOPMENTS LIE IN OUR HANDS.”

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GREETINGS: NNYE LUE UBULU!
RESPONSE: OKE UKE!

PREAMBLE:

We, the members of Ubulu-Uku, residing in the
United States of America, seeking to unify and
promote the culture, educational, and social
development of our people and town, hereby agree
to abide by the principles, provisions, and terms of
this constitution as enunciated here-in.

ARTICLE I

SECTION 1.1

NAME:
This association shall be called UBULU-UKU,
U.S.A, (UUU) INC.

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SECTION 1.2
GREETINGS

The greetings and response of Ubulu-Uku USA
shall be:
NNYE LUE UBULU! …….. OKE UKE!!!

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ARTICLE 2

(NATURE OF ASSOCIATION)
Ubulu-Uku, USA, Inc. is a non-profit organization.

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ARTICLE 3
PURPOSE/VISION

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1. For members of the association to acquaint
themselves with one another.
2. To foster social and cultural development in
Delta State, and Nigeria as a whole amongst
the members of Ubulu-Uku community
3. To help promote Ubulu-Uku culture,
tradition, social well-being, and educational
enlightenment.
4. To encourage members to participate in
educational, cultural, and civic activities.
5. To collectively seek group solutions to
common problems, such as the development
of Ubulu-Uku, “Our Motherland.”
6. There shall be an annual national conference
every year on a rotational basis.

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ARTICLE 4
MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be:

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SECTION 4.1.

Open to all sons and daughters of Ubulu-Uku either
by birth or marriage.

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SECTION 4.2

Open to any person who has demonstrated interest
in Ubulu-Uku.

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SECTION 4.3

Requirements for contesting and voting in an
election and deliberations in a meeting are Sections
4.1, 4.2 and have satisfied their financial obligations
to the association.

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SECTION 4.4

Membership shall be suspended when a member
negates the purpose and vision of the Association.

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ARTICLE 5
SECTION 5.1

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
A fully registered member shall be accorded all
rights and privileges of the association. A fully
registered member is a person who has met all the
financial and other registration requirements of the
association. The rights include:
1. to vote

2. to hold elective offices
3. to express one’s views during meetings
4. to be delegated and represent the association
in a conference or as need may arise.

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ARTICLE 6
Registration

SECTION 6.1

A new member shall pay one-time registration fee
of $50.00

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SECTION 6.2
Annual Dues

The dues for members of this Association shall be
payment of $120/ year for husband and wife,
$75/year per individual member

SECTION 6.3
REINSTATEMENT

Any member who withdraws his/her membership
from the association without good cause, but later
decides to reinstate his/her membership, shall pay
all the outstanding dues.

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SECTION 6.4

All members shall abide by all the laws of the
United States of America, the Federal Republic of
Nigeria and Ubulu-Uku customs and tradition.

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ARTICLE 7
SECTION 7.1
(OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION)

 There shall exist the post of:

• President

• Vice President

• Secretary/ Asst. Secretary

• Financial Secretary

• Treasurer

• Provost

• Pub. Secretary

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SECTION 7.2

The officials of the association shall be dully
elected as provided in this document

ARTICLE 8
(DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS)

SECTION 8.1
Duties of the President:

• The president shall be the spokesperson for the

association.

• Shall call, hold, and preside over all the

meetings, and all other activities considered
essential for the progress of the association.

• Shall execute all policy decisions formulated by

the executive committee and approved by the
board of directors.

• Shall hold the tie-breaker vote in the executive

and general assembly meetings.

•  Shall be charged with the timely and fair

conduct of all meetings.

• Shall be responsible for the general

administration and control of the association.

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SECTION 8.2
Duties of the Vice President

• The vice president shall in the absence of the

president, assume all the duties and
responsibilities of the president.

• Shall oversee all social activities.

• Shall be in charge of disbursements of all

approved benefits.

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SECTION 8.3
Duties of the Secretary

• Shall record and read the minutes of all the

meetings held.

• Handle all correspondence of the association

and shall hand over subsequent correspondence
to the President.

• Shall keep an up-to-date record of every

member of the association during meetings.

•  Shall notify members of any emergency.

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SECTION 8.4
Duties of the Assistant secretary
 Shall perform the duties of the secretary in
his/her absence

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SECTION 8.5
Duties of the Financial Secretary
Shall keep books of accounts, which must show
all financial transactions, and all assets and
liabilities of the association.​

• Shall keep financial records that reflect the bank

transactions, assets and liabilities, and
expenditures made by the association.

• Shall be one of three signatures on the

association’s checks.

• Shall collect registration fees, annual dues,

levies, and donations and hand all collections
over to the treasury and obtain receipts.

• Shall be a member of the budget /finance

committees

• Shall prepare quarterly and annual financial

statement of account of the association and
make it public to members of the association.

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SECTION 8.6
Duties of the Treasury

• The treasury shall oversee the association funds.

• Shall deposit in the association’s bank account

all funds of the association within two working
days after receipt.

• Shall on a two-week advance notice, give

account of the association’s funds if the general
membership and/or the

• Executive committee demands it. Shall furnish

all necessary information to the auditing
committee in reviewing the association’s
account

• Shall report financial discrepancies dollars to

the general membership during meeting.

•  Shall prepare bank reconciliations.

• Shall keep financial records that reflect the

association’s bank transactions, assets,
liabilities, and expenditures.

• Shall be one of three signatures on the

association checks.

• Shall be a member of the budget /finance

committee.

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SECTION 8.7

Duties of the Provost

• Shall be responsible for enforcing all procedural

rules of the association during meetings.

• Shall be charged with the maintenance of peace

and order during meetings.

• Shall assist the president in appointing speakers

during meetings.

• Shall inform members of the association of any

meeting through emails, text messages, circulars
or phone calls

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SECTION 8.8
Duties of the Publicity Secretary.

• Shall handle all the publicity needs of the

association.

• Shall promote and publicize Ubulu-Uku,

USA.

• Shall organize all the social functions of the

association and draw programs for such
functions to be submitted to the executive
committee for approval.

• Shall arrange the venue for all social,

cultural, and civic functions.

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ARTICLE 9
SECTION 9.1
(ELECTION OF OFFICERS)
A member shall nominate a candidate for office.
Any nominee shall have the right to decline a
nomination with reason.
There shall be different nominations and different
balloting for each office.
Every officer of the association shall be elected by
secret ballot.
The majority shall carry the vote.
In case of a tie, the president shall break the tie.

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SECTION 9.2

Term of Office
The term of office shall be for a period of three
years for each office.
New officers shall assume office at the meeting
following a general election.
Any member who holds one office for two terms of
three years each shall not contest or be elected to
the same office but is not barred from contesting for
another office.

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SECTION 9.3
Eligibility Requirements for Officers
a. Only members who have satisfied their financial
obligations to the association shall be eligible to run
for offices.
b. A member who is in current violation of 9.3a
shall not be eligible to run or vote for office.
c. To hold an elective office, a member must have
attained the age of 18 years by the date of the said
election.
d. Must be a member for at least 2years.

ARTICLE 10
SECTION 10.1

(VACANCIES AND RESIGNATIONS)
Any officer may resign his/her office by writing to
the president, and for the president, his/her
resignation shall be forwarded to the secretary, who
shall subsequently inform the vice president. The
vice president shall assume the position of the
President until the next election period.

SECTION 10.2
An elected or appointed official who is not
performing his/her duties is subject to a vote of “no
confidence.”

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SECTION 10.3
There shall be a majority vote to approve a
disciplinary action over such an official.

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ARTICLE 11

(GENERAL AND EMERGENCY MEETINGS)

SECTION 11.1

The president shall call an executive meeting when
occasions demand for such.

SECTION 11.2

There shall be at least one general meeting in a
quarter.
There shall be one convention annually unless
majority of the general membership votes to skip
any year due to circumstances beyond the
Association’s control

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ARTICLE 12
(QUORUM)
SECTION 12.1

Any meeting with either the president or the vice
president present and any other two elected officers
with at least five members in good standing shall
constitute a quorum.

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ARTICLE 13

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AND SUSPENSIONS

SECTION 13.1

Every member is subject to the Association’s
disciplines.

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SECTION 13.2

A member who has a misunderstanding with
another member is encouraged to bring it to the

attention of the Association before taking it to the
police or court.

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SECTION 13.3

If a member fails to appear for a hearing without an
official excuse, that member shall be probated.
Failure for a member to appear for a hearing while
on probation shall result to a fined of $50.00 and
denied majority vote.

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SECTION 13.

A majority of those present will determine whether
an activity of action constitutes disorderly conduct.
A member who exhibits disorderly conduct during
meetings shall be fined fifty dollars, if found guilty,
after a hearing by a special committee.

SECTION 13.5
Any activity which the members consider
detrimental to the progress and operation of the
Association, shall be deemed anti-association
activity.

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SECTION 13.6
That an activity is anti-association shall be
determined by a two-thirds majority vote of the
members present at a general meeting.

SECTION 13.7

A member found guilty of anti-association activities
shall be probated for a period ranging from one
month and above and a possible fine.

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SECTION 13.8

A member who continues anti-association activities
after a probationary period shall be dismissed
immediately by a two-thirds majority vote in the
general assembly.

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SECTION 13.9
Ubulu-Uku, USA, Inc. shall not assist any
member(s) in any litigation due to criminal act
which violates any of the laws, ordinances, or
statutes of any form of the United State
government, the federal republic of Nigeria and
Ubulu-Uku

SECTION 13.10

No individual, associations, or corporations are
authorized to use the Ubulu-Uku USA Inc.’s logo or
letterheads for personal use.

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Ubulu-Uku USA Inc., (UUU)
BYLAWS

Incorporation bv Reference

The By-laws hereby re-state and incorporates herein
by reference all the contents of "Articles 1 though
13.10 of the Ubulu-Uku USA (UUU) approved and
adopted constitution as if fully rewritten.

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Core Values

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•  UUU is an association where every member is a

valued member, treated with respect,
encouraged to contribute and recognized for
his/her efforts and feel appreciated and
welcomed.

• We value our heritage and culture as guiding

principles.

• We are committed to the highest level of

integrity in every aspect of our meeting.

• We are fiscally responsible and committed to

consistently expending our funds judiciously.

• We communicate openly, honestly and

accurately with our members: and the public.

• We are focused on and committed to the

improvement needs of our community.

• We are a caring organization involved in

community activities in meaningful ways and
committed to the improvement of our
community.

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Membership

Active membership is defined as one who is
financially up to date up to the last convention (paid
all dues and levies in full or owes all or part of the
current year). This was also used to define a
member who is financially up to date.

Membership dues

Each family (husband, wife and all children that are
still in school) will pay an annual due of $120.00
and individuals (a single parent and children as
stated above) will pay $75.00.

Meeting Rules

There shall be an additional quarterly teleconference.
(Addition to article 10, section 11.2)
During a meeting proceeding and discussions, each
member shall:
a. Remain open-minded and non-judgmental to
issues being discussed
b. Participate and/or share opinion(s) in the issues
being discussed
c. Not interrupt when another member has the
floor

d. Not criticize the ideas of another member but,
instead, shall build on the ideas
shared by adding or subtracting as he/she deems
necessary.
e. there shall be a start and end time for all meetings
and members shall be on time
f. Make compromises when necessary.
g. Stick to the agenda and time frame at all times
h. Respect the Provost and obey his/her orders
i. Not try to dominate the meeting or cause
confusion and unnecessary argument.

Rules of Debate

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It is not in order to begin discussion on a topic when
no question is pending; however, a brief preface to a
motion is in order if a request is made by the maker
and approved by the chair.
Lengthy or complex motions offered by an individual member should be in writing, signed by
the maker and the seconder, and forwarded to the secretary
Before members introduce a motion or speak in
debate, they must be recognized by the chair. To do
so, they should rise at their place when no one else
has the floor, face the chair, and say, "Mister
President." or “Madam President”

Members 'yield the floor' after making a motion or
speaking in debate by taking their seats.
Any member who has made a motion, but has not
yet spoken on that motion, is entitled to be
recognized in preference to other members.
A member, having claimed the floor, may speak to a
question two times or no more than two minutes
During debate all members may speak twice
or up to three minutes, on the same question
on the same day unless there is unanimous
consent or two-thirds of the assembly votes
to 'extend the limits of debate.'
No one is entitled to the floor a second time in
debate if someone else who has not spoken on the
question desires the floor. Asking questions,
making brief suggestions, and offering secondary
motions are not counted as 'speaking in debate.'
Speakers should always address officers by their
titles. They should address all remarks to the chair
and those remarks should be confined to the merits
of the pending question.
Speakers should refrain from attacking or
questioning the motives of any other member.
Members should refrain from disturbing the meeting
by using cell phones, whispering, walking across the
room, or in any other way.

Rules contained in the current edition of Robert's
Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern this
meeting in all cases where they are applicable and in
which they are not in conflict with the bylaws of the
Association and these standing rules.

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Amendments to the Constitution and by-laws

The constitution and by-laws can be amended. Such
amendment shall follow the following procedures:
a. an ad hoc committee will be formed by the
president to study the article(s)
and recommend to the executives.
b. a two-thirds (2/3) vote by the Executive members
present will recommend the
proposed amendment(s) to the floor at any
general or special meeting,
provided written notice of the proposed action
has been mailed to each
member at his/her last known address at least
seven (7) days prior thereto.
c. A two-thirds (2/3) approval vote by the
members is required for each
amendment.

Removal from Office

Any Officer may be removed from office because of
failure to fulfill the duties of said office, for conduct
detrimental to the best interests of the Association,
financially not up to date (12 months) behind or for 2
unexcused absences from general meetings. Said
removal must follow the following procedure:
a. A petition stating the charge shall be filed with
the Secretary and signed by

2/3 of the Executives or by 2/3 of the active
members.
b. The Secretary shall notify each member at least
two weeks before the
question will be placed on the agenda of a
General Membership meeting.
c. Said Officer shall be permitted written notice of
the charge five (5) days
before the question is to be placed on a meeting
agenda.
d. The petitioners shall present their case first;
said Officer shall be heard
second and the vote shall be taken third.
e. Two-thirds (2/3) of those present and voting
shall be necessary to remove
said Officer from office.
f. Should the said Officer be the Secretary,
the Treasurer shall receive and
distribute the petition. Should said
Officer be the President, the Vice
President shall preside during the
removal proceedings. No removal
proceedings shall be based more than
once on the same evidence.

Dissolution
In the event of the dissolution of this Organization, all
assets remaining after dissolution will be contributed to
a non-profit organization (to be decided at a later date)

Compassion Contributions Guidelines

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Eligibility
• Individuals who are active and financial members
(with no more than one year in arrears on the date
of qualifying event).
 There will be a waiting period of 12 months
from the date of new membership
registration before eligibility for qualifying
event benefits can kick in.
 All members are responsible for keeping up
with their due(s) payments (Annual
membership dues, Levies, Advertisements
etc.) to the Association to ensure accurate
accounting for your payments.

Qualifying Events
• Death of member, immediate family members
limited to father, mother,
spouse, and legal children of financially current
member.
• Birth/Adoption of children by member.
• Marriage
Benefits
• Death benefit in the amount of $5,000.00 will be
given to the family of the member that passed away
in conjunction with the death benefit of the life
insurance policy.
• Death benefit in the amount of $1,000.00 will be
paid for all other qualifying death. (death of a child,
mother, father or spouse)
• Marriage Benefit in the amount of $200.00

• Each member's contribution will be
determined by dividing the benefit
amount designated above by the number of
financially current members on
the date that the contribution is authorized.

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In the event that a contribution is made for a
member, before he or she is given the said
amount, we will first deduct what the member
owes the association and the balance given to the
member.

Schedule
• Members will be obligated to contribute an
amount within 30 days of
authorizing vote by general membership at a
regularly scheduled meeting.
• Contribution will be collected by the Welfare
Secretary of the organization and
given on behalf of UUU within 30 days after
approval by general membership.

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Reinstatement
Anyone who loses his membership to this union for
any reason(s) must re-register with a registration fee
of $50 and will be on probation for six months’
period; after which they will be eligible for benefits.
(This replaces article 6, section 6.3)

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This is a recap of 8/1/2020 constitution
committee meeting
Membership

We unanimously agreed that the membership
qualification is acceptable the way it is currently
written

Benefit

We reviewed all aspects of benefit and
concentrated on the followings
1. Birth / Adoption of a child $100.00
2. Graduation:
(i) Member’s child graduation from
High school $100.00
(ii) Member’s child graduation from
college (AA or Bachelor’s) onetime
benefit of $150.00
(iii) Member’s graduation of any kind
that we are aware of, we will send
him / her congratulatory card and
support on any organize event as
much as possible.

3. Retirement
(i) We present the member with an
honorable Plaque
(ii) Henceforth Annual dues and levy
will be reduced to 50%

4. Loss of Parent
(i) Loss of parent benefit will be
followed as currently written in the
by law.
(ii) Loss of parent before joining the
UUU – No Benefit