Jacksonville Tamil Mandram

(a) All defined terms contained herein will be in the articles of incorporation of the association. It shall have the same meanings as such defined in the articles.

(b) Jacksonville Tamil Mandram Inc. (Association) will be organized by residents of Northeast Florida and adjoining areas.

The office of the Jacksonville Tamil Mandram Inc. shall be at 14326 Woodfield Circle South, Jacksonville, FL -32258, or at such other place as may be established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Association from time to time.

The purpose of this association is to promote interaction of Tamil community, to uphold its values and culture and to promote the awareness of the breadth, the depth and the richness of the various literatures in Tamil.

(a) Any resident of Northeast Florida, who can speak or read or write or has an ethnic background related to the language of Tamil or any interest in the language of Tamil, or Tamil culture shall be eligible to become a member of this organization.

(b) Any eligible resident paying the appropriate membership dues and complies with the organization's rules and regulations, shall become a member.

(c) All enrolled members will have the right to vote and eligible to become a board member. A Family shall have maximum of two votes one each for a primary member.

(d) The governing board may expel any member violating the code of conduct of this organization.

(e) The membership dues can be changed by a general body resolution but will always have at least two annual rate plans – one for Family members and one for singles.

(a) The governing body shall consist of President, Vice - President, Secretary, Treasurer, Joint Secretary and two members. The Convener(s) of the various sub committees shall be non - voting members of the Governing Body. The Governing Body will be called as the Board of Directors.

(b) Members of the board will either be nominated without opposition in the annual general body meeting to be held in the month of September, or if more than one individual is nominated, then the Board member shall be elected by general election.

(c) Absolute majority by voting in a general body meeting shall elect an office bearer. The members present during the election process shall decide absolute majority.

(d) Elected officials shall serve in their position for duration of one year from January to December of the calendar year and can be reelected for an additional term. The absolute voting majority in a general body meeting may expel any governing official violating the code of conduct of this organization.

(e) The Board shall present a budget to the general body for its approval.

(a) The general body of the Tamil Mandram shall meet at least once a year in Jacksonville. The admission to such a meeting shall be free.

(b) A quorum of 50% of all enrolled members (excluding proxies) needs to be present to conduct an extraordinary general body meeting set to amend the constitution of the Tamil Mandram or to displace the Board of Directors.

(c) All eligible members can authorize other members or general counsel to vote on their behalf on simple resolutions. Notice for such proxy voting should be given to the President or a designated member of the Board, 48 hours before the meeting. However proxy voting will not be allowed in elections, disciplinary actions and extraordinary general body meetings.

(d) All resolutions to be passed in a general body meeting have to be presented to the Board of Directors for consideration and prior approval before presenting to the General Body.

(a) The members shall engage in all types of tamil related cultural and educational activities (both popular and classical).

(b) The members shall in the name of Jacksonville Tamil Mandram, further tamil education among the children of the members and among the general public.

(c) The Jacksonville Tamil Mandram shall not endorse any religion or religious promotional activities.

(d) The Jacksonville Tamil Mandram shall not align with or lend support to any national Tamil association. It will attempt to participate in all events organized by all national Tamil associations in Canada and US without prejudice.

(e) The Jacksonville Tamil Mandram shall not align with or lend support to US political parties or any political campaigns.

(f) The Jacksonville Tamil Mandram shall not align with or lend support to any Indian political / religious group or such campaigns.

(g) The Jacksonville Tamil Mandram shall not engage in caste based activities.

Subcommittees to arrange cultural activities, education and other essential services to the members shall be formed to encourage wider participation and planning. Conveners of such sub committees formed shall participate in the meetings of the Board.

(a) The Board of Directors can expel any member that violates any of the sub clauses of section 7, from the membership of Jacksonville Tamil Mandram, after due process.

(b) Any member causing disruptions of the Mandram's activities including the General Body Meeting shall be barred from attending such activities in the future or for a definite period of time as determined by the Board of Directors.

In the event of dissolution, the Board of Directors will use all of the money remaining for the purchase of Tamil books, Tamil educational material, or Tamil media such as CD / DVD / audio cassettes and donate them to the Jacksonville Public Library System. The Southeast branch is considered as the ideal location.