PREAMBLE

The Association of Sibalenhon, International is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes, more specifically to serve the needs of the people of Sibale Island (Maestre de Campo Island) located in the province of Romblon, Philippines, by contributing to the development and enhancement of their quality of life. The promulgation of these noble purposes has caused the Association of Sibalenhons, International to be founded, and we do hereby adopt this constitution and by-laws:

Article I: NAME, PLACE OF ASSOCIATION, AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1. Name

The name of the organization shall be known and referred to as Association of Sibalenhons, International.

Section 2. Place of Association

The office of the association shall be located in the City of La Puente, California or at such other places the Officers may from time to time determine and fix.

Section 2. Objectives

This is a non-profit organization with the primary purpose of serving the common interests of the people of Sibale and its members. It shall strive to promote interpersonal consciousness and fellowship through collective activities. It shall strive to present a realistic perspective to the individual members, among his fellowmen and it shall be done with utmost care and established ethics.

ARTICLE II. SEAL AND EMBLEM OF THE ASSOCIATION

Section 1. Seal and Emblem

The Association Seal and Emblem shall be circular in form, shall have inscribed thereon the name of the association, the year and location of the foundation with the map of the island at the center.

Section 2. Color

The color of the association shall be red, green and white.

Section 1. Classification

Membership shall be classified under the categories of General Members and Honorary Members.

Section 2. General Members

General Members shall consist of individuals born in Sibale Island and if not born in the island have lived in that place for more than a year. This also includes individuals whose ancestry originates from Sibale Island such as sons, daughters, grand children and great grand children born in foreign lands.

Section 3. Honorary Members

Any individual who have shown special interest in Association?s affairs may, upon recommendation of the Chairperson of the Membership Committee, may be accepted as honorary member by majority vote of the Officers of the Association of Sibalenhons, International.  Honorary members cannot vote and cannot be officers of the association.

Section 1. Membership Fee

Every member shall pay a yearly membership fee of TEN DOLLARS ($10).

Section 2. Funds Classification

The funds of the Association shall consist of fees, dues and donations. Such funds shall be subject to audit at the end of the year by the Auditor.

Section 3. Exemption

Honorary members are exempted from paying the membership fee.

Section 4. Luncheon Fee

Luncheon fees do not constitute administrative expenses and should not be paid by members at such meeting.

Section 1. Executive Board

The governing body of the Association of Sibalenhon, International shall be the Executive Board consisting of seven (7) members. The members of the Executive Board shall be elected by the general memberships and shall serve for a term of three (3) years. The members shall make nominations of candidates. Any member of the Association in good standing is eligible to run for the aforementioned offices.

Section 2. Election Rules

The election of the Executive Board Offices shall be held ONCE EVERY THREE (3) YEARS according to the rules governing the election of Officers of the Association of Sibalenhon, International.  All elections shall be by secret ballot and shall be conducted in accordance with the rules provided for under Article V, Section 1 of these by-laws.

Section 3. Election of Executive Board Officers

Executive Board Offices to be elected during the general membership meeting are:  President,  Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Business Manager and Public Relation Officer. Said  Officers shall serve for three (3) years or until their successors are duly elected and qualify.

Section 4. Vacancies

If any member of the Executive Board becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, or otherwise, the remaining Officers, if constituting a quorum, by majority vote, may choose a successor or successors who shall hold office for the unexpired term.

Section 5. Meeting of the Executive Board

The members of the Executive Board shall hold regular meetings quarterly and shall convene at such special meetings as may be called in writing by the Chairperson or by any three (3) Officers at such time and place as my be fixed by the President.

Section 6. Quorum

A majority of the members of the Executive Board shall be necessary at all meetings to constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.

Section 7. General Powers

The Executive Board shall be the governing body of the Association and shall have authority to promulgate such rules and regulations as are not contrary to the provisions of the By-Laws.

Section 1. President

The President  preside in all Executive Board meetings except on Special meetings called by the different Committees. He/She shall see to it that all orders and resolutions of the Officers are carried into effect. He/She shall keep in safe custody the Seal of the Association and when authorized by the Officers, the signature of the Secretary shall attest affix and seal any instrument requiring the same and the Seal when so affixed. He/She shall attest to the minutes of the meetings of the Association of Sibalenhon, Inc. Together with the Treasurer or Secretary, he/she shall sign and endorse checks, letters of credit, drafts, bills of exchange and any negotiable instruments of the Association. He/She shall represent the Association in any function that would be of interest to the Association or designate the Vice President or any member of the Executive Board to represent the Association in his/her absence. He/She shall operate and conduct the business and affairs of the Association according to the orders and resolutions of the Executive Board.

Section 2. Vice President

In the absence of the President, in the event of his inability, incapacity, or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties that may be prescribed by the Executive Board. The Vice President shall act as the Chairperson of the Membership Committee.

Section 3. Secretary

The Secretary shall keep the records of all the meetings of the Executive Board, the Officers and the members. He/She shall take charge of all communications and shall prepare the ballots for all the elections and discharge all duties pertaining to his/her office and prescribed by the Executive Board. He/She shall attest to the Seal of the Association when affixed by the President.

Section 4. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements, and shall deposit all money and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Association of Sibalenhon, Inc. in such depositories as may be designated from time to time by the members of the Executive Board. Together with the President, the Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Association, taking the proper vouchers for such disbursements. He/She shall render to the President and Officers at regular meetings of the Executive Board and at some other time as may be required, an account of all his/her transactions as Treasurer. The Treasurer shall report the financial conditions of the Association at the General Meeting of the Members on the first Sunday of July of each year. He/She shall discharge all other duties prescribed by the Executive Board. He/She shall be the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance.

Section 5. Auditor

The Auditor shall examine the Treasurer?s book of accounts upon order of the Executive Board. He/She shall serve as investigative body and as such should examine and verify the properties of the Association in the hands of the Treasurer upon advice from the Executive Board.

Section 5. Business Manager

The Business Manager shall be in-charge of planning and carrying out of all the fund-raising or moneymaking projects of the association. He/She shall  conduct and coordinate the external business transactions of the Association as directed by the members of the Executive Board or the President.

Section 6. Public Relation Officer

The Public Relations Officer shall communicate with the members regularly through the newsletter, web site and or mass media. He/She shall see to it that the members are properly informed about the events within the organization. He/She shall be responsible for the social, public or private activities that the Association will promote or establish.

Section 1.  Meetings

All meetings of the members of the Association shall be held at the office of the association or at such other places designated by the officers. Written notice of the meeting shall be mailed to each date of said meeting.

Section 2.  Quorum

The quorum shall be the majority of the members present.

Section 3.  Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the members shall be the first Sunday of July of each calendar year. The members of the Executive Board as provided for in the By-Laws, shall be elected ONCE EVERY THREE (3) of such annual meeting of the members entitled to vote.

Section 4. Special Meetings

Special meetings of the members may be called through the Secretary by the request of the President or by majority of the members of the Executive Board. The purpose of such meeting shall be stated in the call.

Article VIII: RULES OF ORDER

Section 1. Newsletter

A newsletter can be provided for all members for the purpose of keeping them informed on the history and on-going affairs of the association.

Section 2. Website

Section 3. Directory

A directory of members shall be published when ordered by the general membership.

ARTICLE X. ADVISORY BODY

Advisers for the Association shall be recommended by the President subject to confirmation by vote of a majority of the general membership. Removal of advisers will be at the discretion of the membership after due deliberation of their case.

ARTICLE XI. STANDING COMMITTEES

After the general membership have elected the members of the Executive Board of the Association, the President shall appoint a Chairperson for each of the following standing committees with the concurrence of the members of the Executive Board. These committees are; Committee on Placement, Committee on Scholarship and Awards, Committee on Programs, Cultural Affairs and Athletics and such other committees as may be created by the Executive Board.