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PREAMBLE

 

Kannada speaking people located in and around Jacksonville, Florida, USA hereby come together to form a non-profit association with an aim to promote cultural, literary, and humanitarian activities and enhance Intercultural understanding between the Kannada speaking people and people of other local communities.

The following Bylaws shall be subject to, and governed by, the Florida Non-Profit Corporation Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”) and the Articles of Incorporation of Corporation/Organization. In the event of a direct conflict between the herein contained provisions of these Bylaws and the mandatory provisions of the Act, said Act shall be the prevailing controlling law. In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of these Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation of Corporation/Organization, it shall then be these Bylaws, which shall be controlling.

 

ARTICLE 1 – NAME, LOGO

 

The legal name of the Non-Profit Corporation/Organization shall be known as SAVIKANNADA JAX CORPORATION, and shall herein be referred to as "SAVIKANNADA".

 

 

 

 

 

This graphic will be used as the official logo of SAVIKANNADA. This logo reflects the origin of membership heritage in the Indian State of Karnataka and the establishment of SAVIKANNADA in the State of Florida, USA. 

ARTICLE 2 – PURPOSE

 

The general purposes for which SAVIKANNADA has been established are as follows:

  

SAVIKANNADA is established within the meaning of IRS Publication 557 Section 501(c)(3) Organization of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code (hereinafter referred to as the "Code"). SAVIKANNADA shall be operated exclusively as a non-profit organization for cultural and charitable purposes representing people originating from Indian state of Karnataka or people interested in language, tradition and culture of Karnataka dedicated toward upholding following objectives:
 

  • To encourage and promote the cultural events of the Kannada-loving community.

  • To invite and honor dignitaries of interest to the SAVIKANNADA members.

  • To promote communication among the SAVIKANNADA members.

  • To organize other events (including charitable) as required, which are of interest to SAVIKANNADA members.
     

In addition, this SAVIKANNADA has been formed for the purpose of performing all things incidental to, or appropriate in, the foregoing specific and primary purposes. However, the SAVIKANNADA shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activity or the exercise of any powers which are not in furtherance of its primary non-profit purposes.

 

The SAVIKANNADA shall hold and may exercise all such powers as may be conferred upon any nonprofit organization by the laws of the State of Florida and as may be necessary or expedient for the administration of the affairs and attainment of the purposes of the SAVIKANNADA. At no time and in no event shall the SAVIKANNADA participate in any activities, which have not been permitted to be carried out by SAVIKANNADA exempt under the Code. 

ARTICLE 3 – OFFICES

 

Until such a time as a permanent location is established; the Florida residential address of the PRESIDENT of SAVIKANNADA shall represent the address and the principal office of the SAVIKANNADA. 

ARTICLE 4 – DEDICATION OF ASSETS

 

The properties and assets of the SAVIKANNADA are irrevocably dedicated to and for non-profit purposes only. No part of the net earnings, properties, or assets of this SAVIKANNADA, on dissolution or otherwise, shall inure to the benefit of any person or any member, director, or officer of this SAVIKANNADA. On liquidation or dissolution, all remaining properties and assets of the SAVIKANNADA shall be distributed and paid over to an organization dedicated to non-profit purposes which has established its tax-exempt status pursuant to the Code.

ARTICLE 5 – MEMBERSHIP 

 

Membership is open to any person, who subscribes to the objectives of SAVIKANNADA, and is interested in the activities and functions of SAVIKANNADA. The SAVIKANNADA Members are defined as those who paid the annual dues as specified below membership categories. All such members constitute the General Body of SAVIKANNADA. 

 

The SAVIKANNADA encourages everyone living in and around Jacksonville to become its member. In order to sustain its activities, the SAVIKANNADA has devised the following categories of membership fees. The membership categories are:

 

  • Annual Membership (Family)

    • Includes husband, wife, and one or more children of age between 6 - 17 years

  • Annual Membership (Couple) 

    • Includes husband, wife, and children of age between 0 - 5 years, if any.

  • Annual Membership (Single)

    • Includes any adult (18 years and above) not included in above categories.

 

The Executive Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “EC”) will set the membership dues for the above mentioned membership categories for the fiscal year. The dues shall be set at an amount no more than 25% of the previous fiscal year dues. 

 

SAVIKANNADA shall always maintain no less than these three categories.

 

The EC may consider offering a life membership in SAVIKANNADA. This category notwithstanding shall be in addition to the categories as set forth herein. Life membership dues shall be paid in full within a fiscal year. Life membership dues shall be set at an amount no less than ten (10) times the dues for annual membership of that fiscal year.

ARTICLE 6 – OFFICERS 

 

The Board shall elect officers of the SAVIKANNADA, which shall include a President, Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers as the Board may designate by resolution. 

ARTICLE 7 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The Board for any fiscal year shall have up to six (6), but no fewer than three (3) Board members. The number of Board members may be increased beyond 6 members by the affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of the then serving Board of Directors. A Board member need be a resident of the State of Florida.

The President shall act as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall lay down policies and manage the SAVIKANNADA within the framework of the articles and Bylaws of the SAVIKANNADA. Board of Directors shall act as Executive Council (EC).

Board CompensationThe Board shall receive no compensation other than for reasonable expenses.

Board Elections - Board will follow the election process listed in ARTICLE 8.

Term of a Board member must adhere to following conditions:

  1. All appointments to the Board shall be for a term of one (1) year. 

  2. No person shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms unless, during the course of a Board meeting at which a quorum is present, EC votes to appoint a Board member to one (1) additional year. 

  3. After serving the maximum total number of consecutive years on the Board, a member may be eligible for reconsideration as a Board member after two (2) years have passed since the conclusion of such Board member's service. If no candidates are volunteering/contesting to serve in a specific position, then EC can waive this specific condition alone to allow candidates to serve (or contest to serve) the Board in that position.

  4. Any member shall be eligible to contest for only one office/director for a given term. 

 

Vacancies -  A vacancy on the Board of Directors may exist at the occurrence of the following conditions:

  1. The death, resignation, or removal of any director;

  2. The declaration by resolution of the Board of a vacancy in the office of a director who has been declared of unsound mind by a final order of court, convicted of a felony, found by final order or judgment of any court to have breached a duty pursuant to the Corporation Code and/or Act of the law dealing with the standards of conduct for a director, or has missed 3 consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors, or a total of 4 meetings of the Board during any one calendar year; 

  3. An increase in the authorized number of directors; or

  4. The failure of the directors, at any annual or other meeting of directors at which director(s) are to be elected, to elect the full authorized number of directors.

  

Any vacancy on the Board may be filled by vote of a two-thirds majority of the directors then in office, whether or not the number of directors then in office is less than a quorum, or by vote of a sole remaining director. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director's term of office expires.

 

A Board member elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office.

 

Resignation -  Each Board member shall have the right to resign at any time upon written notice thereof to the Chair of the Board or Secretary of the Board. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof, and the acceptance of such resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof, and the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

Removal - A Board member may be removed, with or without cause, at any duly constituted meeting of the Board, by the affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of then-serving Board members.

 

Meetings -  The Board will hold at least four (4) meetings during the fiscal year. The Board's regular meetings may be held at such time and place as shall be determined by the Board. The Chair of the Board or any 2 regular Board members may call a special meeting of the Board with 14 days' written notice provided to each member of the Board. The notice shall be served upon each Board member via hand delivery, regular mail, email, or fax. The person(s) authorized to call such special meetings of the Board may also establish the place the meeting is to be conducted, so long as it is a reasonable place to hold any special meeting of the Board.

Minutes - The Secretary shall be responsible for the recording of all minutes of each and every meeting of the Board in which business shall be transacted in such order as the Board may determine from time to time. However, in the event that the Secretary is unavailable, the Chair of the Board shall appoint an individual to act as Secretary at the meeting. The Secretary, or the individual appointed to act as Secretary, shall prepare the minutes of the meetings, which shall be delivered to the SAVIKANNADA to be placed in the minute books. A copy of the minutes shall be delivered to each Board member via either regular mail, hand delivered, emailed, or faxed within 14 business days after the close of each Board meeting. 

Quorum

At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the presence of 3 persons shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If at any time the Board consists of an even number of members and a vote results in a tie, then the vote of the Chair of the Board shall be the deciding vote. The act of the majority of the Board members serving on the Board or Board Committees and present at a meeting in which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board or Board Committees, unless otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or a law specifically requiring otherwise. If a quorum is not present at a meeting, the Board members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice until a quorum shall be present. However, a Board member shall be considered present at any meeting of the Board if during the meeting he or she is present via telephone or web conferencing with the other Board members participating in the meeting.

Voting

Each Board member shall only have one vote. 

Proxy

Board members shall not be allowed to vote by written proxy

Board Member Attendance

An elected Board Member who is absent from 3 consecutive regular meetings of the Board during a fiscal year shall be encouraged to reevaluate with the Board of Directors his/her commitment to the SAVIKANNADA. The Board of Directors may deem a Board member who has missed 3 consecutive meetings without such a reevaluation with the Board of Directors to have resigned from the Board.

 

ARTICLE 8 – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

The SAVIKANNADA will follow democratic traditions in the nomination and election of members to its Governing Body. 

  1. The outgoing EC will solicit nominations for forming a new EC (hereafter termed nominations) from the General Body at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiry of their term. 


  2. The incumbent members of the outgoing EC will facilitate a meeting of the General Body at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of their term to elect the new members of the EC. Hereafter this session of the General Body will be termed “SAVIKANNADA EC ELECTION”. 


  3. In an extraordinary situation such as the absence of nominations or inadequate nominations to appoint officers, the outgoing EC will seek the consent, through simple majority, of the General Body for extension of their term up to a maximum of one (1) year. 

    1. The General Body will limit the number of consecutive extensions granted under extraordinary situations to two (2). 


    2. In the event adequate nominations to appoint officers are not available in two successive terms the EC must recommend dissolution of SAVIKANNADA. 


Nomination Procedures 

Current Member of the General Body is eligible to submit their nominations, provided he/she completed minimum membership duration of at least one year. If no such candidate is contesting for a position, then EC can waive this minimum membership duration condition for that specific position.

  1. The interested member must submit nominations in writing. 

    1. Other forms of nominations will not be accepted.

    2. Proxy nominations will not be accepted. 


  2. Members shall have no pending membership dues for current fiscal year and should not be facing disciplinary action for their nominations to be accepted. 

    1. Nominations will start being accepted thirty (30) days in advance of the SAVIKANNADA EC ELECTION. 


    2. Acceptance of nominations will end seven (7) days before the SAVIKANNADA EC ELECTION, once closed further nominations will not be accepted. 


Election Procedures


Election officers of unquestionable integrity will conduct SAVIKANNADA EC ELECTION.

  1. The existing board/EC will nominate at least two (2) Election Officers at least forty-five (45) days in advance of the SAVIKANNADA EC ELECTION. 

    1. The election officers chosen must be independent, neutral, and have no favored candidates in the General Body. 


    2. Election officers, if members of the General Body, will neither cast their vote nor influence the voting by other members. 


    3. Election officers will not receive any remuneration for their services. 


  2. The election officer must inform all nominees of their candidature. 

    1. Nominees must be given an opportunity to withdraw, or reconsider their nomination, 24 hours before the SAVIKANNADA EC ELECTION. 


    2. Invalid nominations must be removed from the list of candidates, presented to the General Body. 


  3. The election officers will announce to the General Body all valid nominations received. 

    1. If the number of valid nominations received, after exhausting the 
opportunities for withdrawal, exceeds the maximum number of members allowed in the EC, then the Election Officers will conduct an ELECTION at the same General Body. 


    2. The General Body will be given adequate opportunity to know the nominees and their plans for SAVIKANNADA. 


  4. The Election Officers will adopt one of the following methods. 

    1. Direct appointment if the number of valid nominees is no more than the maximum permitted. 

    2. Secret ballot with the names of all valid nominees listed. 


    3. Show of hands. 


  5. Only adult members present at the SAVIKANNADA EC ELECTION are permitted to vote irrespective of their membership category. 

    1. Non-members and guests of members will not influence voting. 


    2. Those that might prefer to abstain from expressing their preference will not be forced to exercise their votes. 


  6. The Election Officers will count the votes cast. 

    1. In the event of a dispute, the verdict of the Election Officers will be final and binding on all. 


ARTICLE 9 – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

President

  1. The President shall call and preside at all meetings of the General body and the Board of Directors of the SAVIKANNADA. 

  2. He/she shall present a report of SAVIKANNADA activities during the year at the annual general body meeting. 

  3. He/she shall appoint, with prior approval of the Board, the members of all the Committees of the Board. 

  4. He/she shall execute all documents in the name of and on behalf of the SAVIKANNADA. 

  5. He/she shall ensure that all accounts, reports, statements, minutes and other papers are properly kept and filed in accordance with these Bylaws and any State and Federal laws. 

  6. He/she shall make arrangements to carry out the duties of the Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and/or any other Officers during their absence. 

  7. He/she shall enforce the Bylaws; perform all duties incidental to his/her office and such other duties as may be imposed on him/her by the Board of Directors as deemed necessary under these Bylaws. 

Vice President

The Vice President shall perform all of the duties of the President during his/her absence and any other duties that may be assigned to him/her by the Board of Directors and/or the President. 

Secretary

  1. The Secretary shall carry out his/her duties under the direction of the Board. 

  2. He/she shall be responsible for recording and maintaining of minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and the General Body. 

  3. He/she shall sign and receive all correspondence on behalf of the Board of Directors and report them to the Board at its next meeting unless it requires emergency action. 

  4. He/she shall send notices of all general and special meetings of the General membership and any special events of the SAVIKANNADA. 

  5. He/she shall file any reports or statements or any other documents required by the Local Government, County, State and Federal laws. 

  6. He/she shall have the custody of all records, documents, minutes and papers of the SAVIKANNADA and maintain them properly and securely. He/she shall maintain an up-to-date list of all members of the SAVIKANNADA. 

  7. He/she shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the Board of Directors within the framework of these Bylaws. 

Treasurer

  1. The Treasurer shall make, countersign and endorse in the name of SAVIKANNADA all checks, notes and other orders for the payment of money as authorized by the Board of Directors. 

  2. He/she shall have charge and custody of all funds received on behalf of the SAVIKANNADA and shall deposit such funds in the name of the SAVIKANNADA in such Banks as may be authorized by the Board of Directors. Funds shall be deposited with in five days of its receipt and a receipt issued to the contributor of such funds. 

  3. He/she shall maintain account books, records of receipts, disbursement and other financial transactions made on behalf of the SAVIKANNADA in the manner prescribed by the Board of Directors. 

  4. He/she shall present an up-to-date report on the accounts of the SAVIKANNADA at the meetings of the Board of Directors and present annual accounts to the general body at its Annual meeting or at such other time as may be required by the Board of Directors. 

  5. He/she shall perform all duties incident to his/her office and such other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the Board of Directors within the framework of these Bylaws. 

ARTICLE 10 – FISCAL YEAR 

The SAVIKANNADA Board of Directors, on approval from the General Body, will decide on the terms for fiscal year and operational year for the association. 

  1. As a convention, the operational and fiscal years are suggested to begin with the post celebration of Deepavali.

  2. Start of memberships to SAVIKANNADA will coincide with the operational year. 


ARTICLE 11 – KANNADA SHAALE

To promote Kannada language and culture, The Savikannada's goal is to make Kannada classes available on Kannada literacy (Read, Write and Speak), Kannada culture, tradition and meet the SAVIKANNADA’s objectives and preamble as set forth in these Bylaws, SAVIKANNADA will provide necessary support as requested by voluntary teachers to make this program continuous, consistent and successful.

ARTICLE 12 – OPERATIONS AND COMMITTEES

  1. Events 

SAVIKANNADA in support of it mission and objectives will conduct social, cultural and charitable events. 

A minimum of three (3) events will be organized and conducted in each year of operation. At each event opportunities for social responsibility, charity and philanthropy will be explored without burdening the members. 

  1. A cultural event celebrating Deepavali will be organized in the Fall Season. During this event the Formation of Indian State of Karnataka (on November 1, 1956) will also be highlighted to educate SAVIKANNADA families on their roots and heritage. 


  2. A cultural event celebrating Ugadi, the New Year according to the lunar/solar calendar followed by the people of Karnataka, will be organized in the Spring Season. 


  3. A social gathering of SAVIKANNADA members will be organized during late Summer/Fall season to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. 


  4. A cultural event celebrating Ganesha Chaturthi (birth of Lord Ganesha), also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi will be organized in the month of August or September.

 

Additional events may be organized at the discretion of the EC. 

  1. Cultural and Charitable gatherings disseminating the eternal wisdom of India may be conducted if there is a sufficient interest among the members of SAVIKANNADA and similar associations in the region. 


  2. Indian professional artists, entertainers and well-known sports and literary figures, when on a tour of the United States, may be invited to present their talent and share their experiences to inspire youth on cultural and social diversity if there is a sufficient interest among the members. 


The EC may, at its discretion, collaborate with other similar natured associations to enrich the cultural and social exposure given to the General Body of SAVIKANNADA. 

  1. Event Planning Meetings

  1. The EC shall appoint an Event Planning committee for a specific event and/or for the fiscal year. This committee may include members of General Body who are not part of EC. This committee may not include all of EC. 

  2. The Event Planning committee will meet, as many times as required, to plan social, cultural and charitable events. 

  1. The Secretary will schedule and facilitate the event planning meetings. 

  2. If the Secretary is not available to facilitate an event planning meeting he/she will delegate that responsibility to any General Body member and notify the delegation to EC and Event Planning committee.

  3. Communication for event planning meetings will be sent to Event Planning Committee and to EC in advance of the meeting. 


  4. Notes of the discussion will be captured and minutes of the meeting will be sent to Event Planning Committee and to EC. 


  1. Event Planning Committee and EC will voluntarily distribute responsibilities among themselves ensuring the workload is as uniform as possible. 

  1. They are encouraged to participate in event planning and execution. 

  2. They will report on the status of the tasks and responsibilities picked by them. 


  3. Those who cannot attend the event planning meetings will ensure that the entire Event Planning Committee and EC is made aware of the progress on their tasks. 


  1. There will be no quorum requirement for event planning meetings. There will be no voting in any event planning meeting. 

  1. Finances

The EC will maintain a separate, adequately insured, bank account at a recognized financial institution. 

  1. The Treasurer will normally operate the account. 

    1. In the absence of the Treasurer, the President will operate the account. 


    2. Signatures of President or Treasurer will be required to operate the account. 


  2. The Treasurer will maintain all financial records in an organized manner. 

    1. Distinct folders will be maintained for revenues, expenses, and charitable giving throughout the year. 


    2. The outgoing Treasurer will pass on such distinct folders to the new Treasurer upon relinquishing office. 

  3. In the event of a collaborative venture between SAVIKANNADA and one or more other associations, the Treasurer will ensure that the financial record keeping standards of SAVIKANNADA will not be compromised. 


  4. Collections and expenses will be documented in adequate detail. 

  1. A general summary of the health of SAVIKANNADA’s finances will be presented to the EC at every EC meeting. 


  2. Detailed financial statements will be made available, on request, to the members of the EC. 


  3. High-level summary documentation of SAVIKANNADA financial situation will be provided to members of the General Body on written request. 

  1. All expenses must be pre-approved by at least one officer. 

    1. Expenses greater than $750 should have written pre-approvals by at least two (2) officers. 


    2. All pre-approvals must be documented (Email, SMS/WhatsApp text etc). 


    3. All expenditure will be paid only via checks or electronic payments. i.e. No cash payments will be made to any party. 


  2. When transitioning governance to a new EC all efforts should be made by the outgoing EC to pay all outstanding bills for the current term, before handing over the office to the new EC. 


  3. The Treasurer will ensure that SAVIKANNADA finances are audited. 

    1. EC will appoint one member of the General Body in good standing, outside of the EC, who will conduct an internal audit of the SAVIKANNADA accounting books, prior to the presentation of 
 SAVIKANNADA’s financial statements to the General Body. 


    2. Every two (2) years the accounting records will be audited externally by a competent, certified, authority. 


  1. Registered Agent

  1. SAVIKANNADA will designate and maintain a Registered Agent. The President of the SAVIKANNADA will, normally, be the ex-officio registered agent of the SAVIKANNADA. 

    1. Her/his Florida residence will be the address of the registered agent for SAVIKANNADA, at no cost to SAVIKANNADA, until such time as a permanent location is established for SAVIKANNADA. 


    2. The President, on behalf of the SAVIKANNADA, will maintain a registered active e-mail account for electronic communications. 


    3. All correspondence will be directed to the office address and/or e-mail address of the Registered Agent. 

    4. If, for some reason, the President of SAVIKANNADA is unable to function, as Registered Agent then the EC will, unanimously, elect an officer to take on this role. 

  1. Record Keeping 

  1. The Secretary of the SAVIKANNADA will maintain all records, past and present, in good, reverse chronological order, and document the minutes of the meetings held, and decisions made during the term. 

  2. Internal communications of the EC, including the minutes of the meetings will not be made public, without a unanimous consent of the officers in the EC

 

  1. Annual Filing of Statements 

  1. The Treasurer of the SAVIKANNADA will seek approval of the EC on financial statements. 

  2. An independent auditor must review, annually, all financial statements for accuracy and integrity 


  3. On approval of the independent auditor and the EC, the Treasurer will file every year, annual or other statements needed by the State of Florida or other governmental agencies to maintain its status of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 


  4. It is the responsibility of the EC to ensure that necessary statements are filed on time. 


  1. Committees


  1. The EC may appoint special subcommittees.

  2. The responsibility of the special subcommittee will generally be in the nature of accomplishing specific tasks. If necessary, the special subcommittee can be called upon to investigate specific problems, procedures, or matters of interest to SAVIKANNADA, and to make recommendations to the EC. 

  3. At least two-third (2/3rd) of the EC must approve the formation of a special sub-committee. 

 

ARTICLE 13 – RECORDS AND REPORTS

  1. Maintenance/Inspection of Articles and Bylaws

SAVIKANNADA shall keep the original or a hardcopy of its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as amended to date at its principal office. Original or hardcopy shall be available to inspection by the EC during EC meetings. A soft copy of the same shall be stored in SAVIKANNADA website with public access.

  1. Maintenance/Inspection of Federal Tax Exemption Application and Annual Information Returns

SAVIKANNADA shall keep at its principal office a copy of its federal tax exemption application and its annual information returns for three years from their date of filing, which shall be open to public inspection and copying to the extent required by law. A soft copy of the same may be stored in SAVIKANNADA website with public access.

  1. Maintenance/Inspection of Other Corporate Records

SAVIKANNADA shall keep adequate and correct books and records of accounts and written minutes of the proceedings of the Board and committees of the Board. All such records shall be kept at a place or places as designated by the Board and committees of the Board, or in the absence of such designation, at the principal office of the SAVIKANNADA. The minutes shall be kept in written or typed form, and other books and records shall be kept either in written or typed form or in any form capable of being converted into written, typed, or printed form. 

  1. Preparation of Annual Financial Statements

SAVIKANNADA shall prepare annual financial statements using generally accepted accounting principles. Such statements shall be audited by an independent certified public accountant, in conformity with generally accepted accounting standards. SAVIKANNADA shall make these financial statements available to the Florida Attorney General and members of the public for inspection as mandated by law.

  1. Handover

Upon leaving office, each officer, employee, or agent of SAVIKANNADA shall turn over to his or her successor or the Chairman of the Board or President, in good order, such SAVIKANNADA monies, books, records, minutes, lists, documents, contracts or other property of the SAVIKANNADA as have been in the custody of such officer, employee, or agent during his or her term of office.

  1. Inspection Rights

Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records, and documents of every kind and the physical properties of the SAVIKANNADA and each of its subsidiaries. The inspection may be made in person or by an agent or attorney, and shall include the right to copy and make extracts of documents.

 

ARTICLE 14 – AMENDMENTS AND REVISONS

Requests for amendments revisions to the Bylaws will be initiated by a member of the General Body or the EC.

  1. The EC will document the requested change in Bylaws; evaluate the requests; modify the requests if needed; and make recommendations to the General Body for approval.

    1. The proposed revisions and amendments to the Bylaws will be distributed to all the members of SAVIKANNADA present at the General Body meeting.

    2. All comments and discussions at the General Body meeting will be maintained by the Secretary and disclosed to EC members.

  2. All amendments to the Bylaws will be approved by at least two-thirds (2∕3rd) majority of the General Body members.

    1. If the attendance at the General Body meeting does not meet the two-third (2∕3rd) requirement then the EC will reconvene another General Body meeting as required by the Article on Quorum. 


    2. At this reconvened General Body meeting at least two-thirds (2∕3rd) of the General Body members in attendance will need to approve the amendments. 


  3. The final, revised, copy of Bylaws will be signed and dated by all officers. 


    1. The revisions in Bylaws will need to be ratified by the EC within thirty (30) days of approval by the General Body. 


    2. The ratified copy of the revised Bylaws will be communicated to all members and also a digital copy posted on SAVIKANNADA’s website. 


  4. The EC will register the amended Bylaws with the State of Florida within ninety (90) days of being approved by the General Body.

 

ARTICLE 15 – DISSOLUTION

  1. EC shall dissolve SAVIKANNADA in following situation: 

    1. At least two-thirds (2∕3rd) of the EC members provided written consent to the dissolution AND

    2. A special meeting of the General Body is called to discuss the dissolution with at least four (4) weeks written notice AND 


    3. The two-thirds (2∕3rd) of the General Body members provided written approval at that special General Body meeting. 


  2. Upon dissolution all remaining assets of SAVIKANNADA will be
distributed to such non-profit organizations (within the meaning of the Code), with purposes similar to that of SAVIKANNADA, as shall be decided, in writing, by the then EC of SAVIKANNADA. 

    1. The distributions will be made after payment in full of the liabilities, obligations and necessary final expenses, or after the making of adequate provision therefore. 


    2. EC will oversee the entire process of dissolution. 

 

ARTICLE 16 – INDEMNITY

  1. SAVIKANNADA will not be liable for the conduct of any member.

 
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