Untitled Document

National Council of Arab Americans (NCA)
Mission and Bylaws
Ratified and Approved, May 14, 2005

Definition and Mission:
The National Council of Arab Americans (NCA) aims to be a unifying framework for the Arab-American community across gender, racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds through multi-level political empowerment, chapter-based grassroots democratic mobilization and accountability, and need-based service programs.

The mission of the NCA is rooted in the fundamental understanding that the Arab-American membership in society under the protection of just laws and democratic representation is only possible through our inextricable belonging to the entirety of our Pan-Arab national heritage, culture, and historical continuum. Hence, the NCA seeks to strengthen the complementary duality of the Arab-American identity, rather than the often-imposed contradictory dichotomy that falsely requires the negation of self.

The NCA recognizes that the legitimate entitlement of a people to a just society under the protection of human, political, and civil rights, is often deliberately confused with a falsely imposed requirement to support unjust designs and suppressive political programs.

As a people who are today at one of the primary receiving ends of the ravages of war and racism in their multiple forms, affecting peoples and communities across the globe, we must take difficult extra steps to assert our constitutional right to free speech and assembly despite all attempts to abrogate these rights and silence us.

The NCA regards the Arab-American role inseparable from the long, continuous, and difficult march to freedom and equality braved by countless indigenous and immigrant peoples and communities of color together with various movements for social justice, committed to work together to secure equal rights for all without any differentiation.

We envision a world anchored in justice and based on equality among individuals, peoples and nations. We seek a popular-based grassroots empowerment movement that struggle for a United States that is at peace with itself and the world based on the principle of collective and individual comprehensive justice. To that end, and in the face of many imposed hardships, the NCA was formed to provide a unifying vision and framework for our communities across all sectors in order to assume our just role in the shaping of a better future.

What we stand for:

The NCA aspires to be a unifying vehicle for the Arab-American community across all gender, racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds, and aims to:

Build, preserve and empower the Arab-American community as a political and cultural unit.
Defend and expand the political and civil rights of the Arab-American community and all people.
Join in leading the Arab-American community in participating in local and national political processes on grassroots and electoral levels.
Confront all racist and hateful efforts, actions, and laws targeting Arab Americans in any form; and organize on all levels to end racism and discrimination against all, while working to form alliances with other communities, peoples and movements with mutual interests and aspirations for justice.
Provide grassroots local community programs to serve the most affected in areas such as legal counseling, health care, and employment. The NCA regards the constitutional rights of Arab Americans in the US, and of all people, as inviolable, and rejects any abrogation or minimization in part or in total of such rights.

The NCA seeks to safeguard our position both as individuals and as a collective to struggle within constitutional means along with all others for a just nation that is at peace with itself and the world, free from notions of domination and inequality. To that end, the NCA also:

The NCA supports full sovereignty of all Arab countries, and holds that colonial rule is the anti-thesis of a participatory people’s government, and hereby fully rejects the notion that military conquest can in any way produce democracy.
Advocates for the immediate end to the occupation of Iraq, and the rights of the Iraqi people to full self-determination without any foreign intervention.
Advocates for the immediate end to the colonial occupation of Palestine, the remaining portions of southern Lebanon and the Golan Heights; and reaffirms that Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination, and emphasizes our active refusal to normalize either with Zionists or with their institutions.
Regards Palestine to be indivisible from the rest of the Arab Nation’s history, culture, identity, political struggle, and Pan-Arab future despite the passage of time; supports in full the inalienable full collective and individual Right of Return of the Palestinian people to their homes, property and homeland, and stands against any compromise on this right.
Supports independent indigenous grassroots Arab democratic movements calling for transformation in Arab states that also fully preserve and secure the national and political integrity, selfdetermination, and collective rights of the Arab people.
Supports popular pan-Arab initiatives that further the aspirations of the Arab people and their unity.
Supports political, economic and social justice for all without any differentiation.

Bylaws
ARTICLE 1 – NAME & PURPOSE
Section 1: The name of the organization shall be the National Council of Arab Americans, also
known as the “NCA”.
Section 2: The NCA aims to be a unifying framework for the Arab-American community across
gender, racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds through multi-level political
empowerment, chapter-based grassroots democratic mobilization and accountability, and
need-based service programs. The mission of the NCA is rooted in the fundamental
understanding that the Arab-American membership in society under the protection of just
laws and democratic representation is only possible through our natural inextricable
belonging to the entirety of our Pan-Arab national heritage, culture, and historical
continuum. Hence, the NCA seeks to strengthen the complementary duality of the Arab-
American identity, rather than the often-imposed contradictory dichotomy that falsely
requires the negation of self. The NCA recognizes that the legitimate entitlement of a
people to a just society under the protection of human, political, and civil rights, is often
deliberately confused with a falsely imposed requirement to support unjust designs and
suppressive political programs. As a people who are today at one of the primary
receiving ends of the ravages of war and racism in their multiple forms, affecting peoples
and communities across the globe, we must take difficult extra steps to assert our
constitutional right to free speech and assembly despite all attempts to abrogate these
rights and silence us. The NCA regards the Arab-American role inseparable from the
long and difficult march to freedom and equality braved by countless indigenous and
immigrant peoples and communities of color together with various movements for social
justice to secure equal rights for all without any differentiation. We envision a world
anchored in justice and based on equality between peoples and nations. We seek a
popular-based grassroots empowerment movement that marginalizes none. We struggle
for a United States that is at peace with itself and the world based on the principle of
collective and individual comprehensive justice.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Founding Members shall be identified as all the participants in the special meeting held in
Washington, DC on November 29, 2003. This membership includes all attendees and
invitees of the said meeting.
Section 2: Membership shall fall in two categories: individual and organizational.
Section 3: Application for voting membership shall be open to all individuals and to organizations
that support the statement outlined in Article 1, Section 2. Continuing membership is
contingent upon being up-to-date on membership dues and in full conformity with the
principles of the NCA and binding Standing Rules.
Section 4: Organizational membership shall be granted upon a three-fourth-majority vote of the
National Board, and following a determination, by the same vote of three fourth majority,
that the applicant organization agrees with the principles of the NCA and that it is willing
to carry its financial burden as set by the Standing Rules, provided that the executive
committee shall submit to the board an evaluation of the potential advantages and
disadvantages of that organization’s membership, prior to the voting.
Section 5: Individual membership is granted to all Arab Americans and immediate family members
who are in agreement with the principles of the NCA, Standing Rules, and upon payment
of dues.
Section 6: Each organization shall have one voting representative to the NCA, selected
independently by the organization, and identified to the NCA National Board in writing.
Members of the same organization may also join separately as individuals.
Section 7: The National Board shall have the authority to establish and define nonvoting categories
of membership by two third majority vote of a special session called for this purpose, to
accommodate needs based on expertise and other criteria that may arise.
Section 8: Individual or organizational membership will be terminated due to nonpayment of the
dues or nonconformity with the principles of the NCA and binding Standing Rules.

ARTICLE III – ANNUAL CONVENTIONS
Section 1: The Founding Convention shall elect the First National Board in accordance with
Standing Rules and bylaws as amended and ratified by the Founding Convention.
Section 2: Annual Conventions: The date of the regular annual convention shall be set by the
National Board of Directors who shall also set the time and place.
Section 3: Special Meetings: The Chairperson, the Executive Committee, or a simple majority of the
National Board of Directors may call special meetings. A petition signed by twenty
percent of the voting members may call a special meeting. Amendment to bylaws shall
only occur during a regular convention. Amendment to standing rules shall occur during
a regular meeting of the National Board. Special meetings may be called only for
emergency purposes.
Section 4: Notice: Notice of each meeting shall be given to each voting member, by postal mail, not
less than 45 days before the meeting.
Section 5: The outgoing membership committee shall confirm membership of all Convention
participants prior to opening the Convention.

ARTICLE IV – NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS & MEMBERSHIP COUNCIL
Section 1: National Board Role, Size, and Composition: The National Board of Directors (hereto
referred to as The Board) is responsible for legislating the overall policy and direction of
the NCA, in the spirit of the direction set forth by the preceding conventions. The Board
will delegate the responsibility for the day-to-day operations to the NCA’s Executive
Director (when appointed) and committees. The Board shall have up to 15 members,
and no fewer than eleven members. The Board receives no compensation other than
reasonable expenses. The Board shall create the Standing Rules.
Section 2: National Membership Council: The Membership Council (hereto referred to as The
Council) shall be composed of representatives independently selected by each chapter
and each standing committee of the NCA (one representative each). The number of the
Council will reflect existing chapters and program committees and is fully independent
from the National Board of Directors. The purpose of the Council is to directly reflect the
interests of the grassroots and to provide direct input to the National Board.
Section 3: National Board Meetings: The Board shall meet at least once quarterly, at an agreed
upon time and place.
Section 4: National Membership Council Meetings: The Council shall meet twice a year together
with the National Board.
Section 5: National Board Elections: The voting representatives of member organizations shall elect
by the highest vote a total of three Board members, designated as organizational
representatives. The voting membership at large, excluding organizational
representatives, shall elect by highest vote ten Board members. The Board in
accordance with the interest and representation of the Arab-American community shall
appoint by a vote of two-third majority the remaining two additional members (members
at-large) – making a total of 15 Board members. The appointment of the additional
members must be ratified by a vote of two-third majority by the National Membership
Council.
Section 6: Board Development Committee: A Board Development Committee shall be appointed by
the Board to represent diverse aspects of the Arab American community in consultation
with the National Membership Council. The Board Development Committee shall have
three Board members, with the Executive Director (when appointed) as an ex-officio
committee member. Committee members shall serve one-year terms. The Board
Development Committee shall be responsible for seeking and encouraging but not
limiting nominees for Board elections, Board committees, and planning for Board training
and leadership development. Open nominations outside suggestions from the Board
Development Committee for all individuals and organizations of good standing for all
positions shall be accepted.
Section 7: Election Procedures: All nominees must be member representatives of member
organizations of the NCA or individuals with good standing for at least one year, with the
exception of the first founding board. The election will be held by postal mail in
accordance with the election procedures established by the Board of Directors. Each
organization and individual eligible to vote shall receive one ballot, and shall have a
number of votes equal to the number of openings to be filled in their respective category.
These votes may be cast cumulatively within a category, where there is more than one
vacancy. The nominees receiving the largest number of votes in each class of the ballot
in the annual election shall be elected to the full term vacancies that exist.
Section 8: At-Large Board Members: The elected thirteen Board members shall recruit and elect
two additional people from the community to serve as at-large members of the Board. Atlarge
members shall represent diverse interests of the community. At the first Board
meeting after the election, the Board will identify areas of needed representation, with the
goal of maintaining a Board broadly representative of the community. The Board
Development Committee, in consultation with the National Membership Council, will be
responsible to recommend nominees for at-large positions for an election by the Board at
the Board meeting one month after the member representative election. No later than
three months after the election of new member representative Board members, at-large
members will join the Board, after a two-third-majority vote ratification by the National
Membership Council. Therefore, the National Board is made up of 15 voting members.
Section 9: Terms: With the exception of the first Founding Board, all Board members shall serve
three-year terms, and are eligible for re-election. No Board member shall serve more
than two consecutive three-year terms.
Section 10: The first Founding Board will include members with one, two, and three-year terms to
begin staggered terms, to be determined by the Founding Board by two-third majority.
Of the first Founding Board, five members will have a term of three years, five will have a
term of two years, and five will have a term of one year. Subsequent elections will
commence with the first vacated seats, and will continue in accordance.
Section 11: Quorum: A quorum must be attended by simple majority of the Board members before
business can be transacted or motions made or passed. For example, a Board of fifteen
members requires the presence of 7 members, and a Board of eleven members would
require the presence of five members.
Section 12: Notice: An official Board meeting requires that each Board member has written notice
two weeks in advance.
Section 13: Officers and Duties: There shall be five officers of the Board consisting of a Chair, a first
Vice-Chair, a second Vice-Chair, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, all comprising the
Executive Committee of the National Board. The Executive Committee members shall
serve as the chairs of the standing committees. The officers shall be elected by the
Board at the first Board meeting after the at-large members are seated. The National
Membership Council shall ratify all Officers by a two-third-majority vote before assuming
office. Their duties are as follows:
The Chair shall convene regularly scheduled Board meetings, shall preside or arrange for
other members of the executive committee to preside at each meeting in the following
order: first Vice-Chair, second Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Vice-Chair will chair committees on special subjects as designated by the Board.
The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of Board actions, including
overseeing the taking of minutes at all Board meetings, sending out meeting
announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each Board member,
and assuring that corporate records are maintained.
The Treasurer shall make a report at each Board meeting. The Treasurer shall chair the
finance committee, assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising
plans, and make financial information available to Board members and the public.
Section 14: Vacancies: When a vacancy on the Board ensues, nominations for new members may
be received from present Board members by the Secretary two weeks in advance of a
Board meeting. These nominations shall be sent out to Board members with the regular
Board meeting announcement, to be voted upon at the next Board meeting. All
vacancies will be filled only to the end of the particular Board member's term. The
National Membership Council will ratify new members by a two-third-majority vote before
assuming duties. Board vacancies of organizational representatives are filled directly by
a two-third-majority of organizational replacement vote.
Section 15: Resignation, Termination and Absences: Resignation from the Board must be in writing
and must be received by the Secretary. If a member organization notifies the Board that
their representative who serves on the Board no longer represents the member
organization, the person is no longer eligible to be one of the Board members. A Board
member shall be dropped for excess absences from the Board if he or she has three
unexcused absences from Board meetings in a year. A signed petition of 20% of the
voting members can require a membership referendum within 60 calendar days to
remove a board member. A Board member may be removed for other reasons by a
three-fourths vote of the remaining directors.
Section 16: Special Meetings: Special meetings of the Board shall be called upon the request of the
Chair or one-third of the Board. Notices of special meetings shall be sent out by the
Secretary to each Board member postmarked two weeks in advance.
Section 17. The Board may set dues schedules for memberships.

ARTICLE V - COMMITTEES
Section 1: The Board shall create at least four standing committees: Membership, Finance,
Political/Program, and Media/Outreach Committees.
Section 2: Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall review the performance of the
Executive Director. Except for the power to amend the Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws, the Executive Committee shall have all of the powers and authority of the Board
of Directors in the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, subject to the
overall direction of the Board of Directors, National Membership Council, and
organizational platforms as determined in successive conventions.
Section 3: Finance Committee: The Treasurer is chair of the Finance Committee, which includes
three other Board members. The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and
reviewing fiscal procedures, a fundraising plan, and annual budget with staff and other
Board members. The Board must approve the budget, and all expenditures must be
within the budget. Any major change in the budget must be approved by the Board or the
Executive Committee. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year. Quarterly reports are
required to be submitted to the Board showing income, expenditures and pending
income. The financial records of the NCA are public information and shall be made
available to the membership, the National Board and National Membership Council
members and the public. NCA shall not accept donations from any individuals,
organizations, or governmental agencies whose purpose or agenda contradict the
principles of NCA or the acceptance of which might compromise the NCA’s
independence or mission as determined by a three fourth vote of the Board.
Section 4: Membership Committee: This committee, to be chaired by the Board Secretary, shall be
responsible for securing and confirming membership, and for overseeing the expansion
of the NCA.
Section 5: Political/Program: This committee, to be chaired by the 1st Vice Chair, will have the task
of defining the political program of the NCA in accordance with the mandates of the
annual conventions.
Section 6: Media/Outreach: This committee, to be chaired by the 2nd Vice Chair, will have the
responsibility of creating and establishing all required instruments, vehicles, personnel,
and tools to reach out to the community and the society at large, including electronic and
print publications, speakers and representatives.
Section 7: The National Membership Council shall create program committees, which self-elect their
committee chairs. These chairs shall then become members of the National Membership
Council.

ARTICLE VI - DIRECTOR AND STAFF
Section 1: Executive Director: When deemed necessary and organizationally and fiscally possible,
the Board, will have the power to hire and terminate the employment of an executive
Director. The National Membership Council will ratify the selection or termination of the
National Board by a two-third-majority. The Executive Director has day-to-day
responsibility for the NCA, including carrying out the NCA’s goals and Board policy. The
Executive Director will attend all Board meetings, National Membership Council
meetings, report on the progress of the NCA, answer questions of Board and National
Council members and carry out the duties outlined in the job description. The Board can
designate other duties as necessary.

ARTICLE VII - CHAPTERS
Section 1: Chapters of the NCA require the presence of at least 11 members in a given locality.
Section 2: Each chapter shall elect a local board and a representative to the National Membership
Council. The local chapter board should in the minimum have a president, a treasurer,
and a secretary. Other offices and committee designations are to be determined by the
various localities in harmony with the overall national structure.
Section 3: Responsibilities of the local officers shall be for a duration of one year, after which a new
board shall be elected by highest vote for the desired number of offices. All
responsibilities shall mirror the national scope as reflected on a local level.
Section 4: Each local chapter shall elect by two-third-majority a representative for the National
Membership Council for a duration of one year. The chapter has the independent right to
change this representation at will with a two-third-majority vote of the full local board
membership.
Section 5: All dues collected by the chapter shall remain locally with the exception of a 25%
contribution to the national office. Where there are no chapters, dues go directly to the
national office.
Section 6: Chapter elections require a 60-day notification to all members by postal mail. All
members of good standing at the time of the elections may vote. With the exception of
the founding local board, members with at least 3 months membership have the right to
be nominated.
Section 7: All voting shall be made through a secret ballot.
Section 8: The existing Standing Rules shall determine the operational relationship between
chapters and national leadership entities.

ARTICLE VIII – SERVICE PROGRAMS
Section 1: The NCA shall establish local community-based service programs to address the needs
of the local communities.
Section 2: Management, plan, regulations and standing rules of all service programs shall be set by
the local chapter and ratified by the National Board and the National Membership Council
by a simple majority.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Amendments of the Bylaws can only occur at the annual convention.
Section 2: Amendments require a two-thirds majority of the membership attending the convention.