Articles of Incorporation
The TIV-AMERICAN FOUNDATION (TAF)
PREAMBLE
For the betterment of the Tiv and their families in North America, to advance and improve their
general welfare, and to dedicate ourselves to the principles of service to all, fairness, equality, fraternity
and common bond; We as an organization composed of the sons, daughters, families, and descendants
of the Tiv, do hereby adopt the following constitution.
ARTICLE I: NAME AND HEADQUARTERS
Section 1: The name of the organization shall be the Tiv American Foundation, with headquarters to be
maintained in the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area(AMSA), in Georgia, unless the Board of Directors,
by a 2/3 vote, shall establish another location.
Section 2: The organization is organized pursuant to the Georgia non-profit corporation code, and shall
have perpetual duration.
Section 3: The address of the initial registered office of the organization is:
Dr. Kensho Iye
768 Miller Run
Atlanta, GA, 30349
Tel: 770-774-1527
ARTICLE II: CONSTITUTION
Section 1: This document shall be known officially as the constitution of the Tiv-American
Foundation(TAF).
ARTICLE III: OBJECTS
Section 1: The Tiv-American Foundation is a non-political, humanitarian, membership-supported service
organization whose primary objectives are to
(a) Provide social, recreational and cultural education to individuals in the fields of employment
opportunities, education, health, welfare and housing, enabling these individuals to get
assimilated into mainstream society;
(b) Create a home-away-from-home for newly arrived immigrants or students from Africa,
especially Tivland(Nigeria);
(c) Raise funds for educational scholarships for the disadvantaged;
(d) Help build a civil society in Tivland by promoting voluntary initiatives through technical
assistance in agriculture, small business development, rehabilitation, water resources, and
self-sufficiency;
(e) Distribute to victims, in times of disaster, donated food, clothing, agricultural products,
textbooks, medical equipment and supplies worldwide without regard to race, creed or
political affiliation;
(f) Strengthen social and cultural ties between the Tiv people of Nigeria and the people of
America, by promoting the exchange of scientific and technological innovations for the well-
being of all; and
(g) Engage in any other lawful business or activities related thereto.
ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1:
All men and women of Tiv origin, their spouses and families who live in the state of Georgia, are eligible
for membership in this organization regardless of race, creed, religion or national origin.
Section 2:
A TAF member who is transferred or away to school from the state of Georgia shall automatically be
eligible for membership in a new TAF chapter upon the payment of dues in the new jurisdiction.
Section 3:
Nothing in this constitution shall prohibit the acceptance into membership as non-voting members,
those individuals who are not otherwise eligible for membership in the organization, provided, however,
that such non-voting members shall enjoy none of the membership privileges as set out in this
constitution.
ARTICLE VI: PER-CAPITA DUES
Section 1:
All members of TAF shall pay per-capita dues as set forth in Part I, Section 1 of the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VII: GOVERNING BODY
Section 1:
The Tiv-American Foundation shall be governed in the following manner:
(a)The highest tribunal shall be the general assembly, composed of all members present and
voting.
(b)The highest authority for the day-to-day operations of the Foundation shall be vested in the
Executive Committee, which shall promulgate and implement the rules and policies of this organization.
(c)The administrative and executive authority shall be vested in the President, who shall be
responsible to the General Assembly for the administration of the organization, in accordance with the
provisions of the constitution and resolutions adopted by the general assembly.
ARTICLE VIII: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1:
The Board of Directors shall be composed of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and a
member elected by a popular vote by members.
Section 2:
The Board shall convene at least twice annually at a time and place designated by the President.
Section 3:
Each member of the Board shall receive a printed agenda of all matters to come before it at least seven
calendar days prior to any meeting. Emergency matters which are no on the agenda may be considered
only with the approval of 2/3 for the Board members present and voting.
Section 4:
At the request of 2/3 of the members of the Board, the President shall call a special meeting of the
Board within ten days after receipt of the request.
Section 5: The Board of Directors shall engage an independent CPA or accountants to audit accounts of
the organization immediately following the close of each fiscal year. A copy of the auditor’s report shall
be furnished to all members of the organization.
Section 6: The Board may, by 2/3 vote, suspend or remove from office the President or any member of
the Board, for malfeasance, misconduct, dereliction of duty, or failure to carry out the legitimate
objectives or policies of this organization. Such actions must be approved by the general assembly, by at
least 2/3 of members present and voting at the general meeting following the decision of the Board.
Section 7: The initial members of the Board of Directors shall consist of 5 members as follows:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
And a member to be voted.
ARTICLE IX:EXECUTIVE OFFICEERS
Section 1: The president shall e elected at a general meeting of members at an annual meeting.
Section 2: The Vice-President shall serve in the office of President if the President resigns, dies, is
removed from office, or is unable to serve for any reason.
ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS
Section 1:
This constitution and any amendments thereto shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
ARTICLE XI: CONSTITUTION EFFECTIVE DATE
Section 1:
This constitution and any amendments thereto shall become effective immediately upon adoption.