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Governance

How INC-USA governs itself.

Three branches, five standing committees, and one public Constitution. INC-USA is a 501(c)(3) run by elected officers, credentialed Regional Directors, and a Council of Patrons — built for transparency, checks and balances, and long-run institutional memory.

Proposed — For Ratification

The INC-USA Constitution and Bylaws (v1.0) is a Regional Review Draft. Formal ratification is scheduled for the 2nd National Convention — Saturday, September 5, 2026 in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Review the draft

Article 2.2 — Three Branches

Checks and balances, written down.

No single person or body decides for the whole. The Executive Committee leads day-to-day work; the Directors hold the power to approve, reserve, and remove; the Patrons guard integrity from above the fray.

The Document

Constitution & Bylaws

A single document in three parts — the Constitution (six articles), the Bylaws (ten articles), and the Appendices (A–N). Version 1.0 was issued for Regional review on January 18, 2026.

What's inside

Part I

Constitution

Articles I–VI

Part II

Bylaws

Articles VII–XVI

Part III

Appendices

A through N

Covers mission, membership, Conventions, elections, committees, finance, amendments, conflict-of-interest policy, whistleblower protections, and document retention.

Article XV — Standing Committees

Five committees. Quarterly reports.

Committees do the work between Board meetings. Chairs are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Board. Every committee reports quarterly.

Projects and Programs

Executes healthcare, education, and community development — the operational arm behind Telehealth, Iwere Academy, and Heritage Trips.

Finance and Compliance

Budget oversight, internal controls, 990 filing, and transparency reporting. Reviews every disbursement above threshold.

Membership and Region Development

Recruits new Regions, supports existing ones, and delivers member services. Owns the Regions-first membership model.

Convention Planning

Runs the annual National Convention — program, logistics, delegate credentialing, and Electoral Officer coordination.

Scholarship and Education

Receives applications, reviews candidates, and awards INC-USA scholarships each academic year.

Governing Principles

The rules we hold ourselves to.

These are not aspirations — they are the operating constraints our Constitution imposes on every officer, Region, and Committee. They appear in the bylaws, not the brochure.

501(c)(3)

Nonpartisan tax-exempt status

Jan 1 – Dec 31

Fiscal year

Every 2 years

Elections (biennial)

Open ballot

No secret votes

Regions-first

Membership model

Roberts Rules

Parliamentary authority