Bylaws

BYLAWS of Muntú, the International Research Group on Hispanophone/Luso Africana and Francophone Studies

1. Officers

I.1.       All officers shall be elected by majority vote of the Muntú members

I.2.       All officers shall hold offices until their successors have been chosen

I.3.       The Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Director/Webmaster and Editor of  Muntú, the journal of the International Research  Group, shall make annual written reports

1.4.      The President shall preside at all official business meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee, and shall appoint committees with the advice of the Executive Committee. S/he shall also be the highest representative of the International Research Group to other organizations and the public

I.5.       The Vice President shall perform all duties of the President in the event that the President is unable to do so. The Vice President shall co-chair with the President the preparation of all the International Research Group’s activities

I.6.       The Secretary shall keep all minutes, correspondences and records of the International Research Group. S/he shall work directly with the President, Treasurer and Public Relations Director concerning membership

I.7.       The Treasurer shall keep and manage all financial accounting of Muntú. S/he shall provide a financial report annually at the International Research Group annual meeting

I.8.       The Public Relations Director/Webmaster shall:

1.8.1.   Assist the Executive Committee in ensuring continuous good relationship with the general public, and the growing membership; and in rising greater awareness of the organization and its brand

I.8.2. Serve as staff contact between general public, membership and Executive Committee

I.8.3.    Create and develop a multilingual digital platform, including a website and social media to foster a global visibility of the Muntu’s activities

1.8.4.   Serve as official liaison with marketing professionals to ensure consistency in promoting the group image

I.8.5.    Assess and seek opportunities for sponsorships and other partnerships and manage established relations

I.8.6.    Arrange for interviews or public speaking events and construct press releases

I.8.7.    Advise the organization on handling sensitive public issues to preserve reputation

1.8.8.   Administer the multilingual website of Muntú

1. EX-Officio Executive Committee Members

II.1.     The Muntú Editor shall lead and coordinate the publication of Muntú Journal.  S/he shall work with a managing editor and editorial board appointed by her/him after approval of the Executive Committee

II.2.     The Immediate Past President shall advise and assist the Executive Committee on her/his capacity of former head of Muntú

II.3.     The Muntú International Coordinators shall coordinate the activities of Muntú in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Quebec/US

II.4. The Muntú Advisors shall advise and assist the President and the Executive Committee in the matters of their competences when/where necessary

III.      Governance

III.1.    The Executive Committee shall meet once a year. Virtual meetings may also be scheduled to expedite the transaction of some business as determined by the Executive Committee

III.2.    The Executive Committee shall have the authority to fulfill temporarily any vacancy occurring among the officers of the Association or among its own body until a successor can be regularly elected

II.3.     The Executive Committee shall approve the applications of the local and international organizations to be considered as Allied Groups/Centers/Institutes/Associations

II.4.     The Executive Committee shall have the authority to be affiliated to local and international Groups/Centers/Institutes/Associations

2.5.      The Executive Committee shall have the authority to modify the membership annual dues

III.      Budget

III. 1. The fiscal year shall extend from January 1 to December 31

III.2. The Budget of Muntú shall be comprised of the membership dues, the registration to its events, the donation campaigns and the subscription to Muntú, the multilingual peer-reviewed journal of Muntú

III.3. The members dues of $20 USD shall be paid annually by the regular members residing in U.S.

III.4. The members dues of $15 USD shall be paid annually by the regular members residing outside of  U.S.

III.5. The members dues of $10 USD shall be paid annually by the students residing in U.S. and abroad

1. Amendments

These Bylaws shall be amended by a majority of the two-third (2/3) of  the voting-members at the annual business meeting of Muntú