By Law
The Bylaws of Ethio Edir
Article1. General Rules
Article 1.1. Designation
1.1.1. The name of this self-help organization is called Ethio Edir.
Article 1. 2. The Address and Establishment
1.2.1. The Edir is in the City of Seattle in Washington.
1.2.2. The Edir is a nonprofit organization established according to the laws of the state of Washington.
1.2.3. The Edir is established for an indefinite period.
Article 1.3. The Objective
1.3.1. To provide financial assistance for funeral services and transporting the body of a member of the Edir to a final resting place.
1.3.2. To disseminate information to the members of the Edir about a member's death.
1.3.3 To coordinate and assign the tasks associated with the death of a member.
1.3.4. To encourage members to be present in the mourning process and console the deceased's surviving family members.
1.3.5. To provide the necessary information about funeral services or for transporting the body of a deceased member to the family members.
1.3.6. To add any other objective that is believed to be necessary for the usefulness of the members.
Article 1.4. Definition
1.4.1. The following information applies to all genders equally.
1.4.2. Edir means Ethio Edir.
1.4.3. A member is registered upon the acceptance of the Ethio Edir Bylaws and meets their membership obligations.
1.4.4. A family equates; to a spouse and children under 21 registered as members of the Edir.
1.4.5 Their or they equates or applies to her, his, or them.
Article 1.5. The Income of the Edir
1.5.1. Membership fee – from a single member or a member with their family (husband, wife, and children under 21) payment of three hundred sixty dollars ($360.00) per year
1.5.2. From Donors/supporters.
1.5.3. Donations may be obtained from donors or organizations that sponsor the events organized by Edir.
Article 2. Membership
Article 2.1. Being a Member
2.1.1. A person who lives in Washington State and whose age is 18 or over.
2.1.2. Anyone who accepts the Bylaws and regulations of Ethio Edir can be a member.
2.1.3. A member who leaves the area and lives in another area can continue their membership by fulfilling their obligations.
2.2. The Rights of the Member
2.2.1. A member has the right to vote from the date they are registered.
2.2.2. A member has the right to be elected if they have been a member for a year.
2.2.3. A member will not get a financial benefit for a fraction of a year. But the Edir will serve dinner.
2.2.4. If death occurs among members, the Edir will serve the mourners an Ethiopian vegetarian dinner (Enjera, collard greens, salad, split pea/lentils red and yellow) and water on the second night of the mourning, and consoles and supports them for three (3) days. The food will be served in buffet style if the place allows it.
2.2.5 If the mourning gathering is impossible and the Edir can't serve a meal due to unexpected circumstances, the dinner will be served appropriately after consultation with the deceased family at the right time. For example, if the funeral service was held out of Washington state and the family planned a memorial gathering in Seattle, the Edir might serve dinner. This gathering should not have any influence of religion. Refer to Tables 1 and 2.
2.2.6. If a member stays in their membership for one year, fulfilling the second (2) year membership obligations, and if death occurs, they will get ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00). Refer to Article 2.2.3 and Table 1.
2.2.7. If a member stays in their membership for three (3) years fulfilling their membership obligations, and if death occurs, they will get fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00). Refer to Article 2.2.3 and Table 1.
2.2.8. If a member stays in their membership for four (4) years or more, fulfilling their membership obligations, and if death occurs, they will get twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00). Refer to Article 2.2.3 and Tables 1.
2.2.9. If a child of a member under 21 dies, the member (parent) will get 50% of the beneficiary benefit. Refer to Tables 1 and 2.
2.2.10 A member child registered within the family can become a full member immediately (not even a day late) after turning 21 years old by paying only the annual fee. Refer to Tables 1 and
2. 2.2.11 In the first year, the child as a full member will carry over the benefit he would have received staying with the parents (article 2.2.9). After that, the beneficiary payment becomes the same as all other members. Refer to Table 1
2.2.12 If more than one person dies in a member's family, the Board may request more donations from Ethio Edir members and the community.
2.2.13 If a member passes away outside of Washington state, the beneficiary benefit will not be released until the circumstances of the death are investigated. The Edir may request a death certificate or other legal
Note: - There is no beneficiary payment for a missing per
- All unpaid balances will be deducted in advance from be
- All payments should be in check/money order till electronic payment is available.
- The Edir will not make any payment for medical or other reasons.
Article 2.3. The Obligation of the Member
2.3.1. Fulfilling what the Bylaws of the Ethio Edir require.
2.3.2. Correctly fills out the membership application and other pertinent forms of Edir and return them to Edir.
2.3.3. Paying membership registration fees, annual dues, and contributions determined by the General Assembly on time.
2.3.4. Unless unforeseen circumstance occurs, members must attend the general meetings.
2.3.5. Providing help to reach an agreement and cooperation among the members.
2.3.6. When a member dies, unless there is an unforeseen circumstance, members of the Edir should be present at the mourning, burial, or farewell service of a member's body before being transported to the country of origin (to the final resting place). Members are not obliged to attend if the service is out of the organization's location.
2.3.7. When a member passes away or has any life change, a member who knows the issue closely is responsible for informing the Edir.
2.3.8. If there is any change in the member's status, such as: when a child's age is over 21, divorce, address, email, phone number, etc., the member should notify the Edir within 30 days. 2.3.9. If a newborn in the family or a child whose age is below 21 joins the family legally from Ethiopia or another location, each new child can be a member by paying a one-time registration fee of $100.00 per child.
2.3.10 If both husband and wife are registered simultaneously, they will have equal rights. Therefore, both should be present during registration.
2.3.11 If husband and wife were registered as a member at different years, their legal right becomes applicable on the year they became a member.
2.3.12 If the husband and wife divorce legally, the Edir will accept any legal document indicating which one should continue as a member of the Edir. A legal document includes an agreement between the husband and wife in a notarized letter. If there is unpaid payment, the person who continues as a member will inherit the balance. 2.3.13. If a member and his spouse are divorced, both may continue paying the annual membership fee separately. However, they will lose the beneficiary if they decide not to continue paying the regular annual dues on time.
Article 2.4. Membership Fee.
2.4.1. Membership Registration Annual Fee
-Individual _________________________________________________ $100.00 $360.00
-Member and his spouse __________________________________ $200.00 $360.00
-Single parent, (no limit to the number of children) ________ $200.00 $360.00
-Member and his spouse including children _______________ $300.00 $360.00
-If a new member is added to the family
(spouse and or children) __________________________________ $100.00
2.4.2. Individual members or members with family will pay thirty dollars ($30.00) monthly fee calculated as one hundred and eighty dollars ($180.00) twice a year or a total of three hundred sixty dollars ($360.00) per year.
2.4.3 If a large number of deaths occur among members due to a pandemic or unexpected accident and the total beneficiary payment is more than Edir's cash balance, the Board members or the general assembly will decide how much each beneficiary payment should be.
2.4.4. If Edir's account balance is less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), members will be requested to contribute more. In this instance, husband and wife, each one of them will contribute as a single member.
Article 3
3.1. Disciplinary Actions
3.1.1 The membership fee ($360.00) must be paid at the beginning of each New Year (January 1st). A member will be considered in default, and an additional fee of
One Hundred ($100) will be added if the annual fee is not paid within the year. The Edir will make a one-time warning phone call to a member to remind them to make
the payment immediately.
3.1.2. If a member skips the annual payment by over two (2) years, they will be removed from the membership, understanding that they canceled their membership deliberately
Table 2.1.3 If a member will be out of the USA for several years, prepayment of the annual fees is acceptable.
3.1.4 A member removed from the membership for not paying his dues can be re-registered as a new member.
3.1.5. If a member provides false evidence to the Edir obtains undeserved (unnecessary, excessive) money or is found making an effort to do so,
the Edir can remove them from the membership. The Edir can also take legal action to get back the obtained benefits.
3.1.6. If a member is removed from the membership, the money they paid to the Edir will not be refunded.
3.1.7 The Edir has the right not to re-register the member who has been removed.
Article 4 The Leadership Team of the Edir
The Edir has a General Assembly; the Board of Directors, Executives, and Auditors.
Article 4.1. The General Assembly
4.1.1. The General Assembly is the general council in which all the members are included. It is the highest authoritative body of the Edir.
4.1.2. The General Assembly is called for a meeting twice a year. The second meeting is for a picnic.
4.1.3. The General Assembly, where more than half of the members are found in a meeting, is a full quorum.
4.1.4. If the quorum is not achieved in the first meeting, the second meeting is considered full quorums even if below half of the total members are in attendance. 4.1.5. As stated in 4.1.3 and 4.1.4, the entire/whole assembly can pass any other decisions except the one indicated in Article 4.1.6. 4.1.6. Two-thirds (2/3) of the total member's vote is required to dissolve the Edir.
4.1.7. If the Edir dissolves, the movable and immovable assets of the Edir, including cash, will be donated to the Ethiopian Community in Seattle.
Article 4.2. The Duty and the Authority of the General Assembly
4.2.1. Elects the Board of Directors.
4.2.2. Approves the Bylaws of the Edir.
4.2.3. Approves the administrative budget of the Edir.
4.2.4. Elects Auditors.
4.2.5. Oversees how the income of the Edir is collected and recommends the expenditures of the Edir's money.
4.2.6. Hears the report of the Board, investigates, and gives instructions when needed.
Article 4.3. The Board of Directors
To administrate the Edir activities, the members will elect Board Members. The Board
Members will directly report to the General Assembly. Their duties are as follows.
4.3.1 The number of Board members appointed is nine (9).
4.3.2. The duration of the services of the Board members is two (2) years. But, because of unforeseen/unexpected reasons, the board members' service can be extended for another two (2) continuous terms.
4.3.3. The Board member who served in two (2) continuous terms must serve as a Board Consultant for at least one year before re-election. They will not have a voting right on the Board's decisions.
4.3.4. When more than half of the Board members are present, it is a quorum.
4.3.5. In any Board election, the members who served in the previous term will not be more than half or fifty percent (50%) of the new Board.
4.3.6. If a Board member resigns from his duty before completing his term, the Board will assign a replacement member from within the Edir membership.
4.3.7. During any Board election, if a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors is re-elected for the membership of the Board, they cannot maintain the same Executive Committee position held in the previous term.
Article 4.4 The Duties and Authorities of the Board of Directors
4.4.1. The Board elects three (3) Executive Committee members from the Board members.
4.4.2. Oversees and implements the decisions of the Board and the Executive Committee.
4.4.3 Presents the work performance report to the entire assembly within a pre-given period.
4.4.4. Controls the total expenses of the Edir, which should not exceed the approved budget amount approved by the general assembly. The Board must justify the cost when the expenditure exceeds the approved amount by over ten percent (10%).
4.4.5. None of the members of the Edir will be paid or compensated for the services they provide for the Edir.
4.4.6. When necessary, the chairman of the Board may invite some senior citizens of Ethiopian origin or from other countries to be present in the meetings to share their experiences or advice. However, these consultants will not vote in the meetings apart from sharing their experiences and suggestions.
4.4.7. The Board election will be conducted in the second year.
Article 4.5. Executive Committee and Duties
The Executive Committee includes a Chairman/Chairperson, a Vice-Chairman/Chairperson, a Secretary, a Treasurer,
a Public Relation Personnel, a Chief of Operations and Technology, and an Accountant.
4.5.1 The Board of the Edir will elect a Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer who conduct the daily operations of the Edir.
4.5.2. Prepares a procedure manual for implementing the Board decisions.
4.5.3. Establishes sub-committees as needed to perform the guidelines of the Board decisions.
4.5.4. Performs its regular tasks, including chairing meetings.
4.5.5. Presents a report to the Board of Directors.
4.5.6. Collects the income of the Edir.
4.5.7. Prepares forms for use.
4.5.8. Ensures a member has received benefits according to the Bylaws.
4.5.9. Oversees the dissemination of information to members.
4.5.10. Insures the management of the property and monies of the Edir.
4.5.11. Researches how the Edir can be improved and implements any recommendation approved by the Board.
Article 4.6. The Chairman/Chairperson
4.6.1 Chairs the Board meetings.
4.6.2 Plans the tasks of the Edir to be performed according to the Bylaws of the Edir.
4.6.3 Guides the work of the Edir, coordinates and supervises Executive Committee members.
4.6.4 Presents the performance reports of the meetings for the Board of Directors that are held periodically.
4.6.5 Calls the Board of Directors for meetings, including an emergency meeting, and gives suggestions/recommendations for when a general meeting will be held.
4.6.6 Approves and signs expenditures and letters on behalf of the Edir.
Article 4.7. The Deputy Chairman/Deputy Chairperson
4.7.1. Performs the tasks of the Edir in the absence of the chairman.
Article 4.8. The Secretary
4.8.1. Keeps a list of the membership of the Edir.
4.8.2. In consultation with the chairman, prepares the Executive Committee's plan and the General assembly. Will call the Executive Committee to meetings every month and
members of the trustees every three months and then decide to call the entire members of the Edir.
4.8.3. Takes the meeting minutes, prepares and delivers them to the Board.
4.8.4. Conducts the secretariat office tasks of the Edir. Also, keeps original documents, copies of receipts, letters from government offices, permits, etc. No documents shall be burned, shredded, or trashed without the knowledge of the Board Members or the General Assembly.
Article 4.9. Treasurer
4.9.1. Collects money and deposits it in the bank account of the Edir according to the Bylaws.
4.9.2. Disburses funds due to the members upon the approval of the Board.
4.9.3. Verifies that two executive committee members sign the checks.
4.9.4. Prepares the budget of the Edir and implements it when approved.
4.9.5. Ensures that the expenses are not over the approved budget.
Article 4.10. Accountant
4.10.1. Handles the bookkeeping of the Edir.
4.10.2. Handles the receipts and the expenditures of the Edir.
4.10.3. Verifies that the income of the Edir is collected appropriately.
4.10.4. Maintains and reconciles bank books of the Edir.
4.10.5. Prepares the accounting report of the Edir and presents it to the Board members.
4.10.6. Prepares the tax documents that the government requires.
4.11. Public Relations
4.11.1. Publicizes the tasks of the Edir.
4.11.2. Establishes relationships with different institutions that have similar objectives.
4.11.3. Prepares literature that will be publicized and promote the Edir.
4.11.4. Disseminate information about the organization, including Edir’s member situation. Makes sure that the pertinent data is delivered on time.
4.11.5. Informs the Board of any assistance obtained from entities that may advance the objective of the Edir.
4.11.6. Establishes relationships with organizations that may advance the objective of the Edir and presents a detailed report about their work to the Board of the Edir. Also, it paves the way for how the Edir can serve the members better.
Article 4.12. Chief of the Operations and Technology
4.12.1. Researches and reports how the operation of the Edir is facilitated.
4.12.2. Provides necessary studies and performance reports to the Board about the institutions and services related to the Edir (such as the funeral homes, transport, and police). 4.12.3. Provides a researched report in which the Edir can benefit from insurance companies.
4.12.4. Leads in forming a committee which is believed to be helpful to advance the Edir's activities in a new Technology.
4.12.5. Helps the Edir to get legal status and maintain it.
4.12.6. Guides the work of establishing, administering, and developing the website of the Edir.
4.12.7. Gets the domain name for the website of the Edir, registers, and maintains it regularly.
4.12.8 Researches and recommends the optimal use of the website to the members.
Article 4.13. Auditors
4.13.1. The Board of directors appoints two members for the auditor's team in consultation with the general assembly.
4.13.2. The auditors report to the General Assembly of Directors.
4.13.3. The auditors investigate the report prepared by financial experts and present it to the Board.
4.13.4. The auditors may present monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual report when the Board of Directors request them as needed.
ARTICLE 5: BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Article 5.1 Structure and Responsibilities
5.1.1 A Board of Trustees consists of five (5) members.
5.1.2 The Vice President and the treasurer of the Board of Directors of Ethio Edir shall be members of the Board of Trustees
by default. Ethio Edir Members shall elect three (3) individuals from the general members.
5.1.3 Among the three (3) of them, one will be the Trustees Chairman.
5.1.4 The Board of Trustees reports directly to the general assembly.
5.1.5 If one of the members cannot continue his duty for an unknown reason, the Ethio Edir Board members can nominate someone among the members. The Ethio Edir Board member must ensure that the Ethio Edir members know the change.
5.1.6 The Board of Trustees shall consult with the Ethio Edir Board members about the security and safety of the Ethio Edir's belongings and money.
5.1.7 If there is more than Ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) expenditure, the Board of Trustees should be notified and approve the amount.
5.1.8 If the Board of Trustees disagrees with the activity of the Ethio Edir Board members, the Trustees can bring the matter to the Ethio Edir Board meeting. Then, if the issue is not resolved, the Trustees can call a general assembly meeting.
5.1.9 The Board of Trustees can accept grievances from the members.
5.1.10 The Board of Trustees will review the Bank Statements (if possible, every month, if not every three months).
5.2 Election and term of office of Board of Trustees
5.2.1 The three (3) Board of Trustees candidates elected from among members shall serve for three years.
5.2.2 If a Board of Trustees member resigns, the Ethio Edir Board can nominate new members to serve until the next general assembly.
5.2.3 The General Assembly may extend its term for another three (3) years if it finds this to be in the best interests of the Edir.
Chapter 6 The Bylaw of the Edir
6.1. This Bylaw can be called the Bylaw of Ethio Edir as amended in 2022 and implemented as of January 1st, 2022.
6.1.1. The task and accounting of Ethio Edir commence on January 1st and close on December 31st of each year. The annual Cycle is from January 1st to December 31st.