Governance
Version 1.0, dated January 18, 2026. A complete draft of the document that will define INC-USA for the next decade — issued for Regional review and scheduled for formal ratification at the 2nd National Convention on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
This Constitution is a Proposed Regional Review Draft. It has been issued to all recognized Regions for review, comment, and consolidation. Formal ratification is scheduled for the 2nd National Convention — Saturday, September 5, 2026, Burlingame, CA. Nothing in this draft is binding until adopted by a two-thirds vote of credentialed Regions in plenary.
INC-USA Constitution and Bylaws (Proposed), Version 1.0 — PDF, all three Parts, including Appendices A–N.
Document Structure
Six articles covering name, status, mission, governance structure, membership model, Conventions, and amendments.
Ten articles on Board meetings, officers, committees, elections, finance, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower policy, and document retention.
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
Requires 30-day written notice and a two-thirds vote of credentialed Regions at a Convention to amend the Constitution. Minor bylaw updates may proceed with Board supermajority.
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
Establishes the Directors as the voting body of the corporation, sets quorum (simple majority of Directors in office), and requires written notice for every Board meeting. No secret meetings.
Articles IX–X
Creates the seven-officer Executive Committee and sets two-year terms with a two-consecutive-term cap. 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, one-vote-per-Region credentialing, the January–December fiscal year, and financial controls including the 990 filing and annual review.
Article XV
Defines the five standing committees — Projects and Programs, Finance and Compliance, Membership and Region Development, Convention Planning, and Scholarship and Education.
Article XVI
Imposes a conflict-of-interest policy on all Directors and officers, protects whistleblowers from retaliation, and mandates a document retention and destruction schedule.
Key Provisions
The operating constraints. Every Region, officer, and committee works inside these parameters.
Ratification 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
90 days for Regions to discuss, propose amendments, and submit consolidated comments to the Secretariat.
Sep 5, 2026
Plenary & Ratification Vote
2nd National Convention, Burlingame, CA. Two-thirds of credentialed Regions required to ratify.
Regional Presidents may submit consolidated feedback to the Secretariat. Individual members should route comments through their Region's delegation.