Constitution
Amendment approved during the 6th NaFFAA Empowerment Conference - September 11, 2004,
PREAMBLE
We, members of the Filipino American community in the United States, aware of our civic and social responsibilities as residents and citizens; determined to preserve our Filipino American heritage; concerned with the well-being of our country of origin, the Philippines; inspired to become more active participants in the civic life of our nation; firm in our resolve to muster the vast resources of our community in order to protect and promote our societal and ethnic interests and contribute to the national well-being of the United States, do hereby organize ourselves into a national federation and promulgate this Constitution.
ARTICLE I - NAME, ORGANIZATION, AND OFFICE
Section 1. The name of this corporation is the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, which shall be referred to as "NaFFAA".
Section 2. The NaFFAA shall be a non-sectarian, non-partisan, non-profit, civic, cultural and charitable organization.
Section 3. The National Headquarters of the NaFFAA shall be located in
ARTICLE II - STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
Section 1. The NaFFAA, shall uplift the Filipino American community into the American mainstream of life by encouraging and developing the membership's sense of responsibility in performing their civic duties and by enhancing the responsible exercise and vigilant protection of their rights.
Section 2. The NaFFAA shall promote collaboration among member organizations along issues, geographic, religious and/or professional boundaries in order to optimize the resources of its diverse membership.
Section 3. The NaFFAA shall ensure that the concerns of those members of the Filipino American community who do not belong to any Filipino American organization shall be heard and solutions to the problems affecting them shall be addressed.
Section 4. The NaFFAA shall honor the autonomy of its members and their activities, provided that its members and component units at the state, county, city, district and regional levels shall respect and abide by the declared principles herein and the policies established at the National Empowerment Conference.
Section 5. The NaFFAA recognizes the tremendous talents of the Youth Sector of the Filipino American community. The NaFFAA shall endeavor to develop future leaders among Filipino American youth by sharing with them responsibilities and challenges of community involvement.
Section 6. The NaFFAA shall promote "Volunteerism".
Section 7. The NaFFAA corporation is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including, such purposes that qualify it as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Section 8. The conduct of the internal affairs of the corporation shall be set forth in the Bylaws.
Section 9-A. No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purposes clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 (e) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Section 9-B. Upon the dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the Federal Government, or to a State or Local Government, for a public purpose. Any such Assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county to which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
ARTICLE III - PURPOSES
Section 1. The fundamental purpose of NaFFAA is to unite Filipino American organizations in order to ensure the empowerment of all Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the
Section 2. The primary functions of NaFFAA are:
a. To foster and strengthen mutual cooperation and collaboration among Filipino American organizations;
b. To promote and protect the interest of all Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the
c. To encourage active participation by Filipino Americans in any and all appropriate civic, cultural, educational and charitable projects in order to develop responsible membership in American society;
d. To undertake projects which will improve the economic, civic, social and spiritual well-being of Filipino Americans;
e. To serve as the communication center of the Filipino American community on events and developments of interest to or affecting it; and,
f. To preserve and strengthen the friendship between the Peoples of the
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP, DELEGATES AND VOTING MEMBERS
The corporation shall have Three (3) Classes of members, namely, the Charter Members, the Regular Members and the Associate Members. The qualifications, rights and obligations of these members shall be set forth in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE V - INCORPORATION AND SEAL
Section 1. The NaFFAA is incorporated under the Non-Profit Corporation Act (D.C. Code 1981 Edition, Title 29, Chapter 5) of the
Section 2. The period of NaFFAA's duration is perpetual.
Section 3. The NaFFAA shall use an Official Seal which will be affixed to all documents issued by or under its authority.
ARTICLE VI - REGULATION OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
The provisions for the regulation of internal affairs of NaFFAA shall be set forth in the NaFFAA Bylaws.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
The procedure for amending this Constitution shall be provided for in the Bylaws.
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This amended NaFFAA Constitution was unanimously approved on September 11, 2004 in
A CERTIFICATION page duly signed by the NaFFAA Commission on Constitution and Bylaws is on file.