--------------------------------------------------- Constitution of the Sustainable Economic and Educational Development Society Article I NAME The name of the organization shall be the "Sustainable Economic and Educational development Society, Inc.,", hereafter referred to as SEEDS. Article II CHARACTER & OBJECTIVES a. SEEDS is a non-political, non-sectarian and non-profit organization dedicated to promote educational and economic progress and development of the very needy in the State of Orissa, India and other parts of the world in general. b. The group aspires to financially and technically support development that is SUSTAINABLE (long-term, self-supporting, and environmentally non-predatory), NON-VIOLENT (without brute force), DEMOCRATIC, EQUITABLE (fair and just, more for the needy) and DE-CENTRALIZED (not imposed from above, grass-roots, and local/native solutions). c. The group, in spirit, supports development and education that fosters awareness about rights and responsibilities among the people it seeks to help as well as among its own members. Thus, we emphasize "a participatory consciousness for sustainable and equitable development." Article III ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION Section I SEEDS is incorporated under the laws of the United States (state?) and is a non-profit organization. The articles of organization of the SEEDS comprise of the Article of Incorporation and the By-Laws as amended from time to time. Article IV MEMBERSHIP Section I Membership in the SEEDS shall be open to anyone believing in the philosophy of the SEEDS, as set out in Article II. The Executive Board maintains a list of all members available on request to the members. Section II The yearly membership fee, if any, will be decided once a year by the Executive Board, which then would duely inform the membership. Article V OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD Section I The office bearers of the SEEDS shall be an Executive Board of five Directors to be elected by a simple majority for a term of 2 years. The Executive Board will elect from its own membership a Secretary, a Treasurer and an Editor of SEEDS magazine/newsletter "ANKUR". Section II Powers and Functions of the Board of Directors: a. The Executive Board shall collectively govern the operations of SEEDS. b. The Executive Board shall present a plan of activities along with a budget in the month of July every year. c. All matters pertaining to SEEDS must be discussed and voted on by the Executive Board by email, phone, USMail or face-to-face meeting. A quorum of three is required. The membership of SEEDS must be informed of important deliberations of the Executive Board by email, phone, USMail or face-to-face meeting . Any decision by the Executive Board must be reconsidered by the Executive Board upon request by three or more members. Article VI MEETINGS The primary mode of discussion and voting amongst SEEDS members shall be by face-to-face meeting, email, phone or post. Article VII AMENDMENTS AND RULES OF BUSINESS Section I Any amendments to the SEEDS constitution or by-Laws can be proposed by any five members by a petition either by US mail and/or email to the Board of Directors. Board Directors will present the petition before all the members either by US mail and/or email. Section II If 2/3rd of the members support the petition, the SEEDS constitution will be amended. BY-LAWS OF THE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMET SOCIETY By-Law I NEW MEMBERSHIP Any person who provides volunteer work for or financial help to SEEDS activities and projects automatically becomes a SEEDS "Supporter". A person who continues to be a supporter for at least two months may be granted membership in SEEDS by the Executive Board. The privilege of membership is accorded to any supporter who believes in SEEDS philosophy, participates actively in deliberations and provides longterm financial or volunteer support to projects sponsored by SEEDS. By-Law II ELECTION PROCEDURE Only members on the list approved and maintained by the Executive Board may vote. The Executive Board sends ballots to the membership by appropriate means before election. For voting involving the entire membership, a 21 day period will be allowed for electronic/mail voting. By-Law III No part of the earnings of SEEDS shall go to the personal benefit of any member, office bearer, or private individual except as reimbursement for expenses incurred while conducting official SEEDS business. By-Law IV Should SEEDS disband, after paying or making provisions for payments of all the liabilities of the SEEDS, the remaining funds and assets of the SEEDS shall go to such non-profit organization as have objectives similar to this society. A decision to disband SEEDS must be passed by two thirds of the members after due deliberation. By-Law V DISCIPLINARY ACTION Disciplinary action shall be taken by a 2/3rd majority of the Executive Board against any member for gross misconduct. An Executive Board member can be removed by a 2/3rd majority vote of the members.