MISSION
MISSION STATEMENT
We are an assembly of journalists, writers, artists, and entrepreneurs who have
united collectively in the Southern states of America. We The Southern Black
Writers and Artist have decided to use the information super high way as one
resource towards the general empowerment of the African Americans in the south.
The Southern Black Writers and Artist Association is in the process of building
an online network that will branch out to Black communities utilizing the
Internet as our main tool . We aim to be an inspiration to one another for Black
people. The Southern Black Writers and Artist Association will be a place where
we can come each day to feed our minds and souls with uplifting information and
inspiration. A place to meet and chat with each other and to engage in commerce.
Undeniably, it is our objective to make our network an online rural community
where brothers and sisters meet and converse.
Our main purpose will be to try to build a strong network of Writers and Artist
in the Southern states. We will make the network open to everyone so we all can
help each other with business and literary projects. Remember Marcus Garvey
said, "EACH ONE TEACH ONE". The Southern Black Writers & Artist Association will
also be helping to teach our youth and community more about our culture,
heritage, and history by means of plays, seminars, festivals, book fairs, poetry
readings, art shows, and debates.
We are unwaveringly opposed to all forms of discrimination and exploitation
based on race, class, ethnicity, sex, or religion. The Southern Black Writers
and Artist Association is not associated to any political parties.
The
National Black Writers and Artist Association Bylaws
BYLAWS
OF SBWAA, WBWAA, EBWAA, NBWAA
ARTICLE I
- NAME, PURPOSE
Section 1:
The name of the organization shall be The National Black Writers and Artist
Association
Section 2:
The National Black Writers and Artist Association
is
organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, more specifically
to
teach our youth and community
more about our culture, heritage, and history by means of plays, seminars,
festivals, book fairs, poetry readings, art shows, debates This organization will also be helping feeding and those in need and assisting trouble youth, single mothers/fathers, the elderly and inspiring artist.
ARTICLE II
- MEMBERSHIP
Section 1:
Membership must be approved only by the members of the board of directors.
ARTICLE
III - ANNUAL MEETING
Section 1:
Annual Meeting. The date of the regular annual meeting shall be set by the Board
of Directors who shall also set the time and place.
Section 2:
Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Chair or the Executive
Committee.
Section 3:
Notice. Notice of each meeting shall be given to each voting member, by mail,
not less than ten days before the meeting.
ARTICLE IV
- BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1:
Board Role, Size, Compensation. The Board is responsible for overall policy and
direction of the Council, and delegates responsibility for day-to-day operations
to the Council Director and committees. The Board shall have up to twenty four
members and not fewer than twelve members. The board receives no compensation
other than reasonable expenses.
Section 2:
Meetings. The Board shall meet at least three times at an agreed upon time and
place.
Section 3:
Board Elections. Election of new directors or election of current directors to a
second term will occur as the first item of business at the annual meeting.
Directors will be elected by a majority vote of the current directors.
Section 4:
Terms. All Board members shall serve twenty four month terms, but are eligible
for re-election.
Section 5:
Quorum. A quorum must be attended by at least eighty percent of the Board
members before business can be transacted or motions made or passed.
Section 6:
Notice. An official Board meeting requires that each Board member have written
notice two weeks in advance.
Section 7.
Officers and Duties. There shall be four officers of the Board consisting of a
Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Their duties are as follows:
The Chair
shall convene regularly scheduled Board meetings, shall preside or arrange for
other members of the executive committee to preside at each meeting in the
following order: Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
The
Vice-Chair will chair committees on special subjects as designated by the board.
The
Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of Board actions, including
overseeing the taking of minutes at all board meetings, sending out meeting
announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each Board
members, and assuring that corporate records are maintained.
The
Treasurer shall make a report at each Board meeting. Treasurer shall chair the
finance committee, assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop
fundraising plans, and make financial information available to Board members and
the public.
Section 8:
Vacancies. When a vacancy on the Board exists, nominations for new members may
be received from present Board members by the Secretary two weeks in advance of
a Board meeting. These nominations shall be send out to Board members with the
regular Board meeting announcement, to be voted upon at the next Board meeting.
These vacancies will be filled only to the end of the particular Board member's
term.
Section 9:
Resignation, Termination and Absences. Resignation from the Board must be in
writing and received by the Secretary. A Board member shall be dropped for
excess absences from the Board if s/he has three unexcused absences from Board
meetings in a year. A Board member may be removed for other reasons by a
three-fourths vote of the remaining directors.
Section
10: Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board shall be called upon the
request of the Chair or one-third of the Board. Notices of special meetings
shall be send out by the Secretary to each Board member postmarked two weeks in
advance.
ARTICLE V
- COMMITTEES
Section 1:
The Board may create committees as needed, such as fundraising, housing, etc.
The Board Chair appoints all committee chairs.
Section 2:
The State
Representatives
of the National Black Writers and Artist Association
shall serve as the members of the Executive Committee. Except for the power to
amend the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Executive Committee shall
have all of the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the intervals
between meetings of the Board of Directors, subject to the direction and control
of the Board of Directors.
Section 3:
Finance Committee. The Treasurer is chair of the Finance Committee, which
includes three other Board members. The Finance Committee is responsible for
developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, a fundraising plan, and annual
budget with staff and other Board members. The Board must approve the budget,
and all expenditures must be within the budget. Any major change in the budget
must be approved by the Board or the Executive Committee. The fiscal year shall
be the calendar year. Annual reports are required to be submitted to the Board
showing income, expenditures and pending income. The financial records of the
organization are public information and shall be made available to the
membership, Board members and the public.
ARTICLE VI
- AMENDMENTS
Section 1:
These Bylaws may be amended when necessary by a two-thirds majority of the Board
of Directors. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Secretary to be sent
out with regular Board announcements.
These
Bylaws were approved at a meeting of the Board of Directors of The National
Black Writers and Artist Association
on,
October 14, 2006
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