Article 1 Definitions

• Association: Addis Edir Mutual Aid Association. We refer to it as “Addis Edir” in this Bylaw. 
• Member: A person registered as a member who abides by these bylaws and has fulfilled the obligations of membership of the Addis Edir.
• Family: Husband, wife, and dependent child/children of the member.
• Child/children: A person registered as a family member under 21 years old and the biological child, stepchild, or adopted child of a member.
• Membership Contribution: A one-time contribution collected from a member registered as an individual or as a member of a family toward building a reserve for immediate financial help to grieving members following the loss of a family member.
• EDIR Financial Aid: financial help for members or their formal designees when death occurs to an EDIR member.
• Replenishment Contribution: A contribution collected from members to replenish the EDIR’s funds upon the disbursement of EDIR Financial help.
• Administrative Contribution: The annual contribution collected from members in January of each calendar year to cover the administrative costs.
• Designated Coordinator: A person designated by a member to receive EDIR help, be it financial or otherwise, if a member passes away and does not represent themself to collect the aid. 
• All references to the male gender include the female gender.

Article 2. Name, Address, and Establishment

• The name of the Association shall be Addis Mutual Aid Association (Addis EDIR) and hereafter will be referred to as “Addis EDIR.”
• We indefinitely establish the Addis Mutual Aid Association (Addis Edir) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Article 3. Purpose 

• . The purpose of this Bylaw is to set rules and regulations in establishing the structure and functions of the Addis Edir.

 Article 4. Scope 

 4.1. This Bylaw applies to all members of the Addis Edir.

 Article 5. LEGAL STATUS

• Addis Edir is a nonprofit organization established according to the laws of Georgia.

Article 6. The Objective

• To provide financial help for funeral services and transporting the body of a member of Addis Edir to a final resting place.
• To disseminate information to the members of Addis Edir about a member’s death.
• Coordinate and assign the tasks associated with the death of a member.
• To encourage members to be present in mourning and console the deceased’s surviving family members.
• To provide information about funeral services or for transporting the body of a deceased member to the family member.

Article 7. Limitation on Activities

• Addis EDIR shall not entertain or interfere in any political and religious activities that have purposes outside of those delineated in these bylaws.
• No part of the net earnings of the EDIR shall incur to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that Addis EDIR shall be allowed and empowered to pay for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth above.
• No substantial part of the activities of Addis EDIR shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the EDIR shall not take part in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
• Notwithstanding any other provision of this certificate, this EDIR shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the purposes of this EDIR.

Article 8 Finance

• The primary revenue of the Addis EDIR is contributions collected from members.
• Addis EDIR’s Board evaluates the organization’s finances and determines the means.
• Donations may be obtained from donors or organizations that sponsor the events organized by Edir.
• Addis EDIR can generate revenue, including the recommended Membership Contributions needed to execute the functions of the EDIR.
• Determine the recommended levels of monetary and non-monetary help be provided to Members.
• Ensures to maintain enough funds for fair and reliable Addis EDIR financial help disbursement.

Article 9. Membership

Article 9.1 Being a member.

Membership in the EDIR is open to anyone who:

•  Accepts the bylaws of the Addis EDIR.
• Pays the Membership Contribution, Replenishment Contribution, and   Administrative Contribution timely.
• Is present at the EDIR meetings.
• Lives in the City of Atlanta or its Surrounding Areas.
• Is 18 years or older.
• Are registered children under 21 as dependents free of Membership Contribution and Replenishment Contributions and qualify for all the services and benefits associated with membership.
• Registration for membership is once and shall not be duplicated or transferred to another person.

Article 9.2. The Rights of the Member.

• A member may vote from the date they are registered.
• A member may be elected if they have been a member for a year.
• A member should wait six months, fulfilling the membership obligation, to be eligible for the Addis Edir financial help, as described under article 9.2.4.
• If a member stays in their membership for six months, fulfilling their membership obligations, and if death occurs on the member or their family (spouse, child), they will get financial help of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00). 
• A member child registered within the family can become a full member immediately after turning 21 years old by paying only the annual fee.
• If more than one person dies in a member’s family, the Board may request more financial contributions from members of Addis Edir.
• If a member passes away outside of Georgia state, Addis Edir will not release the beneficiary benefit until we confirm the circumstances of the death. Addis Edir may request a death certificate or other legal documents.
• There is no beneficiary payment for a missing member.
• All unpaid balances will be deducted in advance from benefit payments.

Article 9.3. The Obligation of the Member

• Fulfilling what the Bylaws of the Addis Edir require.
• Correctly fills out the membership application and other pertinent forms of membership and return them to the Edir.
• Paying membership registration fees, annual dues, and contributions determined by the General Assembly on time.
• Unless unforeseen circumstance occurs, members must attend the general meetings.
• Providing help to reach an agreement and cooperation among the members.
• When a member dies, unless there is an unforeseen circumstance, members of the Edir should be present at the mourning, burial, or farewell service of a member’s body before being transported to the country of origin (to the final resting place). Members are not obliged to attend if the service is out of the organization’s location.
• When a member passes away or has any life change, a member who knows the issue closely should inform Addis Edir.
• If there is any change in the member’s status, such as when a child’s age is over 21, divorce, address, email, phone number, etc., the member should notify Addis Edir within 30 days. 
• If a newborn in the family or a child below 21 joins the family legally from Ethiopia or another location, each new child can be a member by paying a one-time registration fee of $100.00 per child.
• If both husband and wife are registered simultaneously, they will have equal rights.
• If husband and wife were registered as a member at different years, their legal right becomes applicable on the year they became a member.
• If the husband-and-wife divorce legally, Addis Edir will accept any legal document indicating which one should continue as a member of the Edir. A legal document includes an agreement between the husband and wife in a notarized letter. If there is unpaid payment, the person who continues as a member will inherit the balance. 
• If a member and his spouse are divorced, both may continue paying the annual membership fee separately. However, they will lose the beneficiary if they decide not to continue paying the regular annual dues on time.

Article 9.4. Membership Fee.

9.4.1. Membership payment table

• Individual members or members of the family will pay a one-time registration fee and annual recurring fee, as shown in table 9.4.1 above.
• If many deaths occur among members due to a pandemic or unexpected accident and the total beneficiary payment is more than Edir’s cash balance, the executive management may decide to collect an additional contribution from members of the Addis Edir
• If Addis Edir’s account balance is less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), members will be requested to contribute more. 

Article 10

10.1. Disciplinary Actions

• Membership fee will be due on January 1st.
• The Family membership fee ($360.00) or individual membership fee of ($240.00) must be paid in total at the beginning of each New Year (January 1st) or in two installments in January and July.
• Addis Edir will make a one-time warning phone call to a member to remind them to make the payment immediately if not paid within two months of the due date.
• A member will be considered in default, and an additional penalty fee of One Hundred ($100) will be added if the annual fee is not paid after three months of the due date.  
• If members skip the annual payment by six months, they will be removed from the membership, understanding that they canceled their membership deliberately.
• If a member is out of the USA for several years, they can make a prepayment of the annual fees. 
• A member removed from the membership for not paying his dues can be re-registered as a new member.
• If a member provides false evidence to the Edir to get undeserved (unnecessary, excessive) money or is found trying to do so, Addis Edir can remove them from the membership. Addis Edir can also take legal action to get back the obtained benefits.
• If a member is removed from the membership, we will not refund the money they paid to Addis Edir.
• Addis Edir may refrain from re-registering the member who has been removed.

 Article 11. The Leadership Team of Addis Edir

Addis Edir has a General Assembly, the Board of Directors, , Executives, Auditors, and  Board of Trustees.

 Article 11.1. The General Assembly

• The General Assembly is the general council in which all the members are included. It is the highest authoritative body of Addis Edir. 
• A meeting of the General Assembly shall be held twice a year in January and July. The second meeting can be a family picnic.
• Attendance by more than half (50% plus one) of the Members is required for a quorum of the General Assembly. 
• If the quorum is not achieved in the first meeting, as stated in Section 11.1.3., the General Assembly shall be rescheduled.
• The second meeting is considered full quorums even if below half of the total members are in Attendance. However, in this meeting, the assembly can pass any other decisions except the dissolution of Addis Edir, as indicated in Article 11.1.7.
• To amend, replace or add any provision to the Bylaw requires the Board’s recommendation and approval by two-thirds (2/3rd) of the General Assembly present.
• Three-fourths (3/4th) of the total member’s vote is required to dissolve Addis Edir.

Article 11.2. The Duty and the Authority of the General Assembly

• Elects the Board of Directors.
• Approves the Bylaws of the Edir.
• Approves the administrative budget of the Edir.
• Elects Auditors.
• Oversees how the income of the Edir is collected and recommends the expenditures of the Edir’s money.
• Hears the report of the Board, investigates, and gives instructions when needed.

Article 11.3. The Board of Directors

      To administrate the Edir activities, the members will elect Board Members. The Board Members will directly report to the General Assembly. Their duties are as follows:

• The number of Board members appointed is nine (9).
• The duration of the services of the Board members is two (2) years. But, because of unforeseen/unexpected reasons, the General Assembly can extend the board members’ service for another two (2) years.
• The Board member who served in two (2) continuous terms must serve as a Board Consultant for at least one year before re-election. They will not have a voting right on the Board’s decisions.
• When more than half of the Board members are present, it is a quorum.
• In any Board election, the members who served in the previous term will be at most half or fifty percent (50%) of the new Board.
• If a Board member resigns from his duty before completing his term, the Board will assign a replacement member from members of Addis Edir.
• During any Board election, if a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors is re-elected for the membership of the Board, they cannot maintain the same Executive Committee position held in the previous term.

 Article 11.4 The Duties and Authorities of the Board of Directors

11.4.1. The Board elects seven (7) Executive Committee members from the Board members. 

• Oversees and implements the decisions of the Board and the Executive Committee.
• Presents the work performance report to the assembly within a pre-given period.
• Controls the total expenses of the Edir, which should be, at most, the approved budget amount approved by the general assembly.
• The Board must justify the cost when the expenditure exceeds the approved amount by over ten percent (10%).
• None of the members of Addis Edir will be paid or compensated for the services they provide for Addis Edir.
• When necessary, the chairman of the Board may invite some senior citizens of Ethiopian origin or from other countries to be present in the meetings to share their experiences or advice. However, these consultants will only vote in the meetings if they share their experiences and suggestions.
• The Board election will be conducted every two years.

Article 11.5. Executive Committee and Duties

The Executive Committee includes a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Public Relations Personnel, a Chief of Operations and Technology, and an Accountant. The Executive committee has the following duties and responsibilities:

 11.5.1 Prepares a procedure manual for implementing the Board decisions.

 11.5.2. Establishes sub-committees as needed to perform the guidelines of the Board decisions.

11.5.3. Performs its regular tasks and conducts the day-to-day operations.

11.5. 4. Presents a performance report to the Board of Directors.

11.5.5. Collects the income of the Edir.

11.5.6. Prepares forms for use.

11.5.7. Ensures a member has received benefits according to the Bylaws.

11.5.8. Oversees the dissemination of information to members.

11.5.9. Insures the management of the property and monies of the Edir.

11.5.10. Research how Addis Edir can be improved and implements any recommendation approved by the Board. 

Article 12.6. The Chairman

• Chairs the Board executive meetings.
• Plans the tasks of the Edir to be performed according to the Bylaws of the Edir.
• Guides the work of Addis Edir and coordinates and supervises Executive Committee members.
• Presents the performance reports of the meetings for the Board of Directors that are held periodically.
• Calls the Board of Directors for meetings, including an emergency meeting, and gives suggestions/recommendations for when a general meeting will be held.
• Approves and signs expenditures and letters on behalf of the Edir.

Article 12.7. The Deputy Chairman

12.7.1. Performs the tasks of the Edir in the chairman’s absence.

 Article 12.8. The Secretary.

• Keeps a list of the membership of the Edir.
• In consultation with the chairman, prepares the Executive Committee’s plan and the General assembly. Will call the Executive Committee to meetings every month and members of the trustees every three months and then decide to call the entire members of the Edir.
• Takes the meeting minutes, prepares, and delivers them to the Board.
• Conducts the secretariat office tasks of the Edir.

Article 13.9. Treasurer

13.9.1. Collects money and deposits it in the bank account of Addis Edir according to the Bylaws.

 13.9.2. Disburses funds because of the members upon the approval of the Board.

 13.9.3. Verifies that two executive committee members sign the checks.

13.9.4. Prepares the budget of the Edir and implements it when approved.

13.9.5. Ensures that the expenses are not over the approved budget.

Article 14.10. Accountant.

 14.10.1. Handles the bookkeeping of the Edir.

 14.10.2. Handles the receipts and expenditures of the Edir.

 14.10.3. Verifies that the income of the Edir is collected appropriately.

 14.10.4. Maintains and reconciles bank books of the Edir.

 14.10.5. Prepares the accounting report of the Edir and presents it to the Board members.

 14.10.6. Prepares the tax documents that the government requires.

Article 14.11. Public Relations

14.11.1 Publicizes the tasks of the Edir.

14.11.2. Establishes relationships with different institutions that have similar objectives.

14.11.1.  Prepares literature that will be publicized and promoted in Addis Edir.

 14.11.4. Disseminate information about the organization, including Edir’s member situation. Makes sure that the pertinent data is delivered on time.

 14.11.5. Informs the Board of any assistance obtained from entities that may advance the objective of the Edir.

 14.11.6. Establishes relationships with organizations that may advance the objective of the Edir and presents a detailed report about their work to the Board of the Edir. Also, it paves the way for how Addis Edir can serve the members better.

Article 14.12. Chief of the Operations and Technology

• Researches and reports on how the operation of the Edir is facilitated.
• . Provides necessary studies and performance reports to the Board about the institutions and services related to the Edir (such as the funeral homes, transport, and police).
• . Provides a researched report in which Addis Edir can benefit from insurance companies.
• . Leads in forming a committee that is believed to help advance Addis Edir’s activities in new technology.
• . Helps the Edir to get legal status and maintain it.
• . Guides the work of establishing, administering, and developing the website of the Edir.
• . Gets the domain name for the website of Addis Edir, registers, and maintains it regularly.
• . Researches and recommends the optimal use of the website to the members.

 Article 14.13. Auditors.

14.13.1. The Board of directors appoints three members for the auditor’s team in consultation with the general assembly.

14.13.2.  The auditors report to the Board of Directors.

14.13.3. The auditors investigate the report prepared by financial experts and present it to the Board.

14.13.4. The auditors may present monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual report when the Board of Directors request them as needed.

ARTICLE 15: BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Article 15.1 Structure and Responsibilities

15.1.1 A Board of Trustees consists of five (5) members.

15.1.2 The Vice President and the treasurer of the Board of Directors of Addis Edir shall be members of the Board of Trustees by default. Addis Edir Members shall elect three (3) individuals from the general members.

15.1.3 Among the three (3), one will be the Trustee’s chairman.

15.1.4 The Board of Trustees reports directly to the general assembly.

15.1.5 If the member cannot continue his duty for an unknown reason, Addis Edir Board members can nominate someone among the members. The Board members must inform Addis Edir members about the change.

15.1.6 The Board of Trustees shall consult with the Board members about the security and safety of Addis Edir’s belongings and money.

15.1.7 If there is more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) expenditure, the Board of Trustees should be notified and approve the amount.

15.1.8 If the Board of Trustees disagrees with the activity of the Addis Edir Board members, the Trustees can bring the matter to the Addis Edir Board meeting. Then, if the issue is not resolved, the Trustees can call a general assembly meeting.

15.1.9 The Board of Trustees can accept grievances from the members.

15.1.10 The Board of Trustees will review the Bank Statements (if possible, every month, if not every three months).

Article 15.2 Election and term of office of Board of Trustees

15.2.1. The three (3) Board of Trustees candidates elected from among members shall serve for three years.

15.2.2. If a Board of Trustees member resigns, the Addis Edir Board can nominate new members to serve until the next general assembly.

• The General Assembly may extend its term for another three (3) years if it finds this to be in the best interests of Addis Edir.

Chapter 16.  The Bylaw of the Edir

16.1.1. This Bylaw can be called the Bylaw of Addis Edir and was implemented on February 26th, 2023.

16.1.2. The task and accounting of Addis Edir begin on January 1st and close on December 31st of each year. The annual Cycle is from January 1st to December 31st.