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Governance
Constitution and Bylaws, adopted Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Convention 2026 in San Francisco. Version 1.0: the document that sets INC-USA's mission, its Regions, its officers, and its rules.
The delegates adopted the Constitution and Bylaws on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Convention 2026 in San Francisco. The adopted text is Version 1.0 as circulated to the Regions, except that Region affiliation dues are $600 a year (Appendix L). The PDF below is that circulated text, so its cover still reads “Proposed”.
INC-USA Constitution and Bylaws, Version 1.0 — PDF, all three Parts, including Appendices A–N. As adopted, Region dues are $600 a year (Appendix L).
Document Structure
Six articles covering name, status, mission, governance structure, membership model, Conventions, and amendments.
Ten articles on definitions, meetings and quorum, Directors, the Executive Committee, the Patrons Council, elections, finance, discipline, committees, and parliamentary authority and records.
Fourteen appendices (A–N) containing standard operating procedures, templates, forms, and supporting schedules.
Article 1.3 — Mission (Verbatim)
“To unite Itsekiris in the United States, support their wellbeing and advancement in the diaspora, and strengthen Iwere Land through measurable programs in healthcare, education, community development, economic empowerment, and cultural preservation.”
Article Summaries
Brief summaries of every Article in Parts I and II. The full text — with Appendices — is in the PDF above.
Article I
Establishes INC-USA as a Washington, DC-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit and sets the mission and measurable objectives across healthcare, education, community development, economic empowerment, and cultural preservation.
Article II
Defines three branches with checks and balances — Executive Committee, Directors (Regional Presidents), and Patrons Council — and enumerates the Directors' reserved powers.
Article III
Institutes the Regions-first model: recognized Regions are the members of INC-USA, and individuals participate through their Regions. Sets minimum Region standards and dues.
Article IV
Designates the annual National Convention as the general meeting of the Congress, sets quorum and credentialing rules, and anchors biennial elections to the Convention schedule.
Article V
Proposed amendments must be circulated to Regions at least 30 days before Convention. The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended at Convention by a two-thirds vote of Regions, one vote per Region.
Article VI
On dissolution, residual assets are distributed to a qualifying 501(c)(3) consistent with INC-USA's mission, as required by federal and DC law.
Articles VII–VIII
Defines key terms and the authority hierarchy, sets quorum (a simple majority of all Directors in office), and requires written notice for every Board meeting. No secret meetings.
Articles IX–X
Sets the Directors' duties and Convention delegates, creates the seven-officer Executive Committee with two-year terms and a two-consecutive-term cap, and prohibits dual voting power: a Director may not simultaneously hold national Exco office.
Article XI
Establishes the Patrons Council as a non-voting advisory body with four-year auto-renewing terms, focused on fundraising leadership, dispute resolution, and serving as Electoral Officers.
Articles XII–XIV
Details biennial open-ballot elections and the election-year transition, the budget and delegated spending authority with quarterly financial reports, and due process, Region fines, and removal of officers.
Article XV
Recommends five standing committees — Projects and Programs, Finance and Compliance, Membership and Region Development, Convention Planning, and Scholarship and Education.
Article XVI
Adopts Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, makes notices through the Secretariat's official channels the only official notice, and names the Secretary and Treasurer as custodians of governance and financial records.
Key Provisions
The operating constraints. Every Region, officer, and committee works inside these parameters.
Adoption Timeline
Jan 18, 2026
Draft Issued
Version 1.0 published to all recognized Regions for review, feedback, and legal consolidation.
Jun 1 – Sep 1, 2026
Regional Review Window
Regions discussed the text, proposed amendments, and submitted consolidated comments to the Secretariat.
Sep 5, 2026
Adopted at Convention 2026
The delegates adopted the Constitution and Bylaws at Convention 2026 in San Francisco.
Regional Presidents may write to the Secretariat. Individual members should route questions and proposed amendments through their Region's delegation.
