Bylaws

  • ARTICLE I

    On May 17, 1969, in the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States of America, an
    organization was formed by the name of “Associação Beneficente Faialense”, and in accordance with the statutes approved on May 10, 1970, was changed to “Fundação Beneficente Faialense, Inc.”

    ARTICLE II

    In a General Assembly made up of members of the organization held on March 3, 1995, it was decided that the organization known as “Fundação Beneficente Faialense, Inc.” from this day be referred to as “Fundação Faialense, Inc.”

    ARTICLE III

    “Fundação Faialense, Inc.” is an organization whose sole purpose is the attribution of scholarships.

    ARTICLE IV

    The principal objective of this organization is the granting of educational scholarships to students who apply themselves to their studies and demonstrate knowledge in the field they are studying. At the same time, demonstrate a financial need in order to continue or obtain an education. Therefore, allowing this organization to form a “Monetary Fund” to assist such objectives.

    ARTICLE V

    The Fundação Faialense, Inc. (Fundação) shall, in its process of selecting scholarship recipients, give first preference to those students who are from the island of Faial, Azores, their descendants, and then those who are members of the Fundação and/or their children. The Fundação shall always promote the Faialense culture, social, and economic progress of Faial Azores.

  • ARTICLE I

    The scholarships shall be awarded annually to those attending a college or university offering an associate's degree or higher. These scholarships shall be awarded to students demonstrating, through their grades, application to their course of study and high moral standing. The awarding of scholarships shall be done in the following order of priority:

    1. To students born on the island of Faial and/or their descendants.

    2. To students who are members of the Fundação and/or children of members.

    3. To students who show high academic standing.

    4. To students who show a greater financial need.

    5. To students who maintain a grade point average of 3.00 and above.

    6. To those students who have already received a scholarship and maintain

      conformity with the above 1 through 5, a minimum 3.0 grade point average, and they continue to apply through the 5th year at a University.

    ARTICLE II

    The number of scholarships and their amount shall be decided annually by the Supreme Council of the Fundação in accordance with the available funds.

    ARTICLE III

    The total number of scholarships to be awarded annually shall be divided 50/50 from the Fundação funds to those candidates residing on the island of Faial, Azores and those residing in the United States. However, additional scholarships may be awarded if memorial or other donations are specifically made to the Fundação.

    ARTICLE IV

    In order to keep the selection process fair and impartial for the purpose of selecting the scholarship recipients an objective scoring system shall be established by the Fundação and all applications shall be kept confidential, and names will be deleted from applications before turning them over to the selection committee. Among the members of the committee, two shall be high school teachers.

  • ARTICLE I

    The administration of the “Fundação Faialense, Inc.” will be headed by a group, which shall be known as the “Supreme Council.” This administration will be comprised of five (5) directors who shall be nominated for a term of five (5) years and who will administer the following positions in the organization:

    President

    Vice President

    Treasurer

    Secretary

    Director of Public Relations

    ARTICLE II

    All positions within the Supreme Council shall be filled with a term of five (5) years. Each position to be filled shall be done so through a nomination process from the current members of the Supreme Council and the successful nominee shall administer his/her duties in the following order:

    Year 1: Director of Public Relations Year 2: Treasurer

    Year 3: Secretary

    Year 4: Vice President

    Year 5: President

    ARTICLE III

    The newest incoming member shall always fill the “Director of Public Relations” position of the Supreme Council, even if the position to be filled is not that of the Director of Public Relations. After finishing his term, the President of the Supreme Council shall automatically relinquish any and all powers and will not be allowed again to occupy a position within the Supreme Council until after one year of his last day in that position. All other directors shall move up in position annually as stated in Section III, Article II.

    ARTICLE IV

    The members of the organization have charged the Supreme Council with the responsibility of administering and overseeing the Reserve Fund and the investments of the organization. The annual meeting of the members shall be organized by the Supreme Council in conjunction with the Delegations of the organization.

    ARTICLE V

    The Supreme Council shall collectively administer the organization, in every dimension, to the best of its ability. In order to do so and for a better understanding amongst the various officers, it is advisable that a description of duties and responsibilities be given to each officer.

    Sub Article A: President

    The President shall administer and oversee the Fundação in every dimension. The president shall lead and conduct all meetings of the Supreme Council while delegating responsibility and motivating those with specific duties pertaining to the Fundação. It is also the responsibility of the president to organize and head the annual meeting and/or banquet of all members of the Fundação. The president shall also be responsible for the annual budget report for the Fundação to all the members.

    Sub Article B: Vice President

    The Vice President shall assist the president in all that is necessary. The vice president shall resume the responsibilities of the president when the president is unavailable or should he/she be unable to carry out the duties bestowed upon him/her. The vice president shall be given the responsibility of organizing and overseeing the student scholarship selection process.

    Sub Article C: Secretary

    The duties of the Secretary shall include the notification to all members of the Fundação of all meetings, record the minutes of each, and keep the line of communications free and open between all parties dealing with the Fundação. The secretary should be in charge of keeping an accurate record of all members of the Fundação, contributors, and contributions within the Fundação.

    Sub Article D: Treasurer

    The Treasurer is responsible for all the monetary dealings of the Fundação, including the Reserve Fund. The treasurer shall keep accurate and detailed records of all transactions made within the organization and assist in preparing the yearly report on the organization's financial standing to the members. He/she shall oversee the investments and all property with value to the organization. When it is necessary to move all the investments at one time from the Reserve Fund, the Treasure must meet with the Supreme Council and the Fiscal Board of Directors for this movement to be approved.

    Sub Article E: Director of Public Relations

    The Director of Public Relations shall be the contact person with all outside agencies and the community in general, most especially with all forms of media here in the United States and Portugal. He/she will be the goodwill ambassador for the Fundação.

  • ARTICLE I

    The Supreme Council has within its powers, to nominate members to the “Board of Directors.” The number of members within this board shall be unlimited and shall be set aside for those who have contributed in one way or another to the betterment of the Fundação. Those being selected for the board are considered “Honorary Board Members” and will be permanent members of the Fundação.

  • ARTICLE I

    The Supreme Council, while always taking into consideration the betterment of the Fundação, may create “Delegations” to represent the Fundação throughout the Greater New England region and beyond. In order to create a delegation, you must have a minimum of twenty (20) new paid members from each of its representative geographic region. Each delegation shall

    continue as long as there are active members. No minimum number of delegates is required for a delegation to maintain active status.

    ARTICLE II

    The delegations, in each of the zones they represent, shall recruit and maintain a membership in their respective regions. These members shall collectively constitute what will be known as ‘The General Member Assembly of the Fundação.’

    ARTICLE III

    The delegation’s membership shall constitute a “General Assembly,” which shall represent that region’s membership at general assembly meetings. This group shall be granted the power to approve statutes and bylaws to the constitution of the Fundação.

    ARTICLE IV

    Each delegation must communicate to the Supreme Council any and all types of fundraisers, memos, or work requests for approval before they commence any activity under the name of the Fundação.

  • ARTICLE I

    The Supreme Council shall be responsible for nominating one or more delegates on the island of Faial who can assist the Fundação in the recruitment of possible candidates on the island whom they feel would be good candidates to add to the selection process for scholarships by the Supreme Council.

  • ARTICLE I

    The Supreme Council shall annually nominate a “Fiscal Board of Directors” that shall be comprised of one (1) active member from each delegation. It is yet the responsibility of the Supreme Council to nominate one (1) member of the General Assembly who does not hold an executive position in any part of the Fundação to preside over the Fiscal Board of Directors. The Delegations have the right to indicate to the Supreme Council, their member for the Fiscal Board of Directors.

    ARTICLE II

    The Fiscal Board of Directors shall also be charged with the duty of annualizing and overseeing the fiscal activities of the Fundação. They shall review the financial sheet, check all receipts, expenses, and status of the Reserve Fund thirty (30) days prior to the annual members meeting for general reporting purposes. It is therefore necessary that the Supreme Council submit all account books and documents necessary for the approval by the Fiscal Board.

    ARTICLE III

    The financial sheet and/or fiscal status of the Fundação, including all receipts, expenses, and status of the Reserve Fund shall be printed and made available to all members of the organization upon request at the end of each fiscal year or at the last meeting held for that fiscal year by the outgoing Supreme Council President. During such time, members may request to view the financial books of the Fundação and they shall be made available for that purpose.

  • ARTICLE I

    The Fiscal Year for the Fundação shall begin on July 1st of each year and end on the following year on June 30th. All fiscal activities occurring within that time, regardless of when the banquet was held or when the slate of officers went into effect, shall be considered part of that fiscal year.

  • ARTICLE I

    The Reserve Fund for the Fundação was established to ensure financial backing for the disbursement of Scholarships given annually by the Fundação. These scholarships are awarded to students who have received prior approval from the Supreme Council.

    ARTICLE II

    To guarantee the continuance of the Reserve Fund while at the same time guaranteeing the mission of the Fundação, all active assets in the Reserve Fund at the end of each fiscal year of each administration shall not be used to fulfill any obligation of the Fundação.

    ARTICLE III

    Only the interest received from the Reserve Fund and those funds generated throughout the year shall be used to finance the scholarships and other financial obligations of the Fundação.

    ARTICLE IV

    Any administration of the Fundação or any individual responsible for violating section IX shall be subject to an investigation in consequently judicial process according to the laws of the state of Massachusetts.

  • ARTICLE I

    The General Assembly of the Fundação shall be governed by all of the members that form the delegations in conformity with Article III of Section V of the bylaws.

    ARTICLE II
    It shall be the duty of the General Assembly to approve all bylaws by which this Fundação is

    governed. Any amendments to these bylaws must be presented to and approved by the General Assembly.

    ARTICLE III

    In order for any amendment to take effect, a meeting shall be called by the Supreme Council or by two-thirds of the members who form all the active delegations at the time.

    ARTICLE IV

    Any such proposal to amend the bylaws must be submitted to all the members within twenty (20) days notice prior to the meeting in which such amendment shall be discussed and seek approval thereof.

    ARTICLE V

    The approval in addition of said amendment to the bylaws, in whole or in part, requires two- thirds (66%) approval of those present at the meeting called for the purpose of said amendment.

  • ARTICLE I

    The creation of the Internal Rulings or the Guide of Operation may be initiated by the Supreme Council should they consider it necessary for the betterment of the operation of the Fundação while taking into account the spirit, mission of the organization and the bylaws by which this Fundação was founded.

    ARTICLE II

    Any ruling which may jeopardize the spirit or wording of the bylaws may be appealed by any member of the Fundação through his/her Delegation or through the Supreme Council per Article III of Section X.

  • ARTICLE I

    A copy of the original bylaws of the Fundação, which were approved by the organization committee on May 10, 1970, subsequently amended, shall be archived in a secure location and shall be confided to the Supreme Council and considered a historical document of the Fundação.

  • ARTICLE I

    In case of dissolution of the Fundação, all the existing funds shall be distributed to the institutions with ties to the island of Faial or organizations “Faialenses” that best mirror the image of the Fundação and exemplify social and moral character and promote education.

  • ARTICLE I

    For solutions relating to any problems faced by the Fundação where bylaws are not established to handle them, it is the Supreme Council’s duty to establish criteria and solutions to remedy such problems. They must reach a solution with the majority vote and always consider the spirit of the bylaws, which were instituted to guide this Fundação when reaching a decision.

  • ARTICLE I

    The date of May 17th shall be considered the anniversary date of this Fundação and an annual obligatory reunion shall take place on the most approximate date to the anniversary. All contributing members shall be invited to attend the reunion.