About

SankhuwaSabha Community of USA
सङखुवासभा समाज अमेरिका
ESTD 2016

We are a Non-Profit Organization bringing people together from Sankhuwasabha district living in USA. We are dedicated in mobilizing available resources to help and uplift our fellow Sankhuwasabha residents in Nepal.

Sankhuwa Sabha Community of USA is a non-profit social organization connecting the people from Sankhuwa Sabha district of Nepal who are currently residing in the United States of America. Sankhuwa Sabha district is located in the eastern hilly region of Nepal with its administrative center in Khandbari. Sankhuwa Sabha covers an area of 3,480 km2, embracing in it from the world’s 5th highest Mount Makalu to the world’s deepest Arun Valley. Sabha Pokhari, Makalu Barun National Park, Tumlingtar Manakamana, Tinjure Milke Jaljale( a home of rhododendron) are other places of interest in Sankhuwa Sabha. It is an amazing and beautiful piece of land where diverse ethnic groups reside in harmony with their unique culture and rich traditions. Sankhuwa Sabha is also famous for cardamom farming, rudraksha growing and harvesting . No doubt,Sankhuwa Sabha district is a rising economic zone with tremendous potentialities which is considered to be a tri-country (China,Nepal,India) trade route in the near future.

The journey of SSCUSA started on the 16th January 2016, when Mr. Shyam Shrestha and Mrs. Shanti Shrestha hosted a meeting at their home inviting all Sankhuwa Sabhali who live in Colorado. Around fifty people took part in that first historic meeting which was chaired by Mr. Narayan Shrestha, the President of Helping Hands Health Education, USA. Now, we are trying to reach to all the states where the people from Sahkhuwa Sabha live in. We are united and committed to fulfill our following goals:

  1.  To build and strengthen the relationship between the people from Sankhuwa Sabha living in the USA.
  2.  To promote the identity, culture and tradition of Sankhuwa Sabha and Nepal.
  3.  To provide humanitarian help during natural disaster, calamities and crisis here in the USA and Nepal.
  4.  To contribute to the development of Sankhuwa Sabha and Nepal.
  5.  To promote tourism in Sankhuwa Sabha and Nepal.
  6.  To arrange a collective and organized investment in Sankhuwa Sabha and Nepal.

After all, “Lets feel a home away from home and make a strong connection between them.”

BYLAWS of SSCUSA

Adopted: April 16, 2016

Section I – Name

Article I

  1. The name of this organization shall be Sankhuwa Sabha Community of USA (hereafter called “SSCUSA“).
  2. It shall be a non–profit organization.

Section II – Purpose

Article I

  1. To build and strengthen the relationship between the people from Sankhuwa Sabha living in the USA.
  2. To promote the identity, culture and tradition of Sankhuwa Sabha and Nepal.
  3. To provide humanitarian help during natural disaster, calamities and crisis here in the USA, Sankhuwa Sabha and Nepal.
  4. To contribute the development of Sankhuwa Sabha and Nepal.
  5. To arrange a collective and organized investment in Sankhuwa Sabha and Nepal.
  6. To promote tourism in Sankhuwa Sabha.

Article II

  1. Sankhuwa Sabha Community of USA is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. (added by the 4th general convention 2019).
  2. The basic objective of SSCUSA is to contribute the socio-economic development of Sankhuwa Sabha and Nepal which includes humanitarian assistance, promoting the cultural and natural heritage of the district of Sankhuwa Sabha and Nepal. (added by the 4th general convention 2019).
  3. SSCUSA charity fund will no way be spent to support any type of terrorist organizations, racial or political organizations, or other non-charitable activities. (added by the 4th general convention 2019).

Section III – Government

Article I – Members and Memberships

  1. All individuals living in the USA, who were born in Sankhuwa Sabha, shall be eligible to become the members of “SSCUSA“. The individuals, whose parents/grand–parents/spouse were born in Sankhuwa Sabha, shall also be eligible to become the members.
  2. The individuals who own a permanent property in Sankhuwa Sabha shall be eligible to become the members.                       
  3. SSCUSA shall not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, political affiliation and disability.
  4. There shall be issued two-year term general membership and life term membership (individual/family). The family membership will cover husband, wife and children under age 18. The children under 18 years will be considered as a beneficiary and shall not enjoy the voting privileges. ( amended by the second general convention 2017)
  5. The two- year term general membership shall start on the day of the membership/application renewal and terminate at the end of the same month that the membership was renewed, after two years.
  6. There shall be levied a $ 100 for individual life membership, a $150 for family life membership and a $ 25 for two- year term general membership. (amended by the second general convention 2017)
  7. The Board of Directors of SCCUSA may decide about the provision of a special, extended and honorary membership.

Article II -Executive Committee

1. The executive committee shall comprise of President, Senior Vice President, Vice Presidents(4), General Secretary, treasurer, Secretary, Public Relations officer, Planning Officer, Event Officer and Technical Officer.

2. Duties and Responsibilities of the executives:

  1. The President shall be the chief executive of the committee and lead all activities, plans and programs of SSCUSA. The president shall approve all decisions of SSCUSA in recommendation of the Executive Committee with the approval of the Board of Directors.
  2. The Senior Vice President shall assist the President and assume his/her duties when the President is unable to serve or during his/her leave of absence.
  3. The Vice President shall co–ordinate, organize and monitor SSCUSA activities within his/her regions as decided by the Board of Directors.
  4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all finances of SSCUSA. The Treasurer shall maintain bank accounts and keep records of all income and expenses. The Treasurer shall prepare and present an annual financial statement. The Treasurer shall handle financial matters related to the federal and state government authorities.
  5. The General Secretary is the formal spokesperson of SSCUSA. The General Secretary shall call all formal meetings, take attendance, keep meeting minutes and communicate the proceedings to all SSCUSA members.
  6. The Secretary shall assist the General Secretary and assume his/her duties when the General Secretary is unable to serve or during his/ her leave of absence.
  7. Public Relation Officer shall work to strengthen the relations between SSCUSA and the community here in the USA and Sankuwa Sabha.
  8. Planning Officer shall purpose the plans and polices for SSCUSA in regular meetings.
  9. Event Officer shall be responsible for organizing different events and programs for SSCUSA.         
  10. Technical officer shall be responsible for website management,information and communication management and other technical help to SSCUSA.
  11. The Executive committee with an approval of The Board of Directors shall be able to form sub–committees and assign responsibilities. The Committee shall also be able to award a special honorary title to any members for his/her contributions to SSCUSA. (amended by the second general convention 2017)

Article III – Board of Directors (BOD)

  1. There shall be up to twenty- five (25) members in the BOD including the Executive committee members. (amended by the 4th general convention 2019).

Article IV – The Advisory Committee

  1. There shall be up to twenty one (21) members in The Advisory Committee.
  2. A nominee to The Advisory Committee shall have a valid membership of SSCUSA. (amended by the second general convention 2017)
  3. Roles and Responsibilities of the Advisory Committee.
  4. To provide wise counsel to The Executive Committee.
  5. To encourage and support The Executive Committee.
  6. To provide social platform and networking for SSCUSA.
  7. To monitor and assist the performance of The Executive Committee.

Article V – The Patron

  1. The BOD with the consensus of The Advisory Committee shall appoint a Patron to patronize SSCUSA.
  2. A nominee to the Patron shall be a valid life member who has the greatest contribution to Sankhuwa Sabha, Nepal and her community in the world.
  3. The number of patron shall be one or more than one. (added by the second general convention 2017)
  4. Duties and Responsibilities of the Patron
  5. The Patron shall take over the executive functions of the BOD including the Executive Committee, if the BOD cannot run SSCUSA due to extreme confrontation among the members, due to extreme financial and organizational crisis.
  6. The Patron shall present his/her plan to hold the elections and reinstatement of the new BOD to the general members of SSCUSA within 30 days of the absence or annulment of the board.
  7. Dismissal or Removal of the Patron
  8. The Patron shall be released from his/her position if he/she resigns, if he/she is unable to serve.
  9. The two– thirds majority of BOD and Advisory Committee can remove the Patron from his/her position.

Article VI – Election Committee

  1. The BOD shall elect an election committee to supervise the elections of officers two months prior to the election. (amended by the second general convention 2017)
  2. The election committee shall comprise of three individuals from the members of SSCUSA. These individuals shall not seek any nominations.
  3. The election committee shall seek nominations from within the members of SSCUSA.
  4. The election committee shall formulate the election rules and publish election notification at least one month prior to the election. The election notification shall clearly state the nomination process, make call for nominations, set the dateline for nomination and withdrawal, specify voter eligibility, and set the date and location of election.
  5. In case of a tie for any position, the election committee shall decide based on the flip of a coin.
  6. The election committee shall be dissolved at the inception of the new Executive Committee.

Article VII – General Assembly

  1. The General Assembly shall consist of the entire members of the SSCUSA.
  2. The General Assembly shall assemble at least once a year. It may assemble on the other occasions if requested by the Executive Committee with an approval of BOD. (amended by the second general convention 2017)
  3. The Executive committee must request sitting of the General Assembly if,at least, twenty five percent of the membership make a petition for discussion of specific issues.

Article VIII – Financial Resources

  1. Membership fee
  2. Donation from the members and from outside
  3. Fundraising events
  4. Advertisement and sponsorship

Section IV – Election and Appointments

Article I – Executive Committee

  1. The members of SSCUSA shall elect the officers of the Executive Committee every two years, through voting.
  2. The members will try their best to select the officers unanimously before they go for voting. (added by the second general convention 2017)
  3. The President of SSCUSA cannot remain in the position for more than two consecutive terms.

Article II – Board of Directors (BOD)

  1. The BOD shall have twelve (12) members in addition to the Executive committee members. (amended by the 4th general convention 2019).
  2. Eight (8) members shall be elected by SSCUSA members during General Elections. (amended by the 4th general convention 2019).
  3. Four (4) members shall be appointed by the BOD with the recommendation of the President. (amended by the 4th general convention 2019).
  4. A nominee to the BOD shall have a valid membership of SSCUSA.
  5. If there is a vacancy in the BOD at any time, the President shall nominate a candidate to fill in the position. The nominee must be approved by the majority of the BOD.
  6. An individual shall not represent in more than one position concurrently in the BOD.

Article III – Advisory Committee

  1. The Advisory committee shall have up to twenty one members.
  2. Immediate ex– president of SSCUSA shall be automatically appointed as a member of the Advisory Committee.
  3. The BOD shall appoint other members of Advisory Committee. (amended by the second general convention 2017)
  4. The term of the office shall be of two years for the Advisory Committee.

Article IV – Voter Eligibility

  1. To be eligible to vote in the SSCUSA General Election voter must be a valid member of SSCUSA on the day of the election and the membership period shall have commenced no later than sixty(60) calendar days prior to the original election date announced by the Election Committee.

Section V – Operational Details

Article I – Meetings

  1. The General Secretary shall call meetings of the Executive Committee, BOD and the Advisory Committee as needed. A written or verbal notice of each meeting stating the agenda, place, day and time shall be given at least a week in advance.
  2. Special meetings can be called by the President at his/her discretion in case of special circumstances without prior notice

Article II – Decisions

  1. All major issues related to SSCUSA will be decided at the meetings of the Executive Committee. In conflict, the decision will be taken by the vote of the Executive Committee with BOD.
  2. At least fifty one (51) percent of the total casting votes shall be required to pass decisions of SSCUSA.
  3. The President shall have the right to act upon the issues that need immediate attention. The decision must be communicated to both the Executive Committee, BOD and Advisory Committee within the next seven days and must be approved by the upcoming BOD meeting. (amended by the second general convention 2017)

Article II – Attendance

  1. A member of the Executive Committee cannot miss more than three meetings unless the President excuses their absence prior to the meetings. More than three unexcused absence is subject to dismissal from the committee.

Section V- Resignations, Vacancies and Removals

  1. Any member of the Executive Committee, BOD and the Advisory Committee may resign from their post with a two– week prior notice, in writing to the President. The vacant position will be filled by the Executive Committee with the approval of the BOD.
  2. If any executive member, BOD member or advisory member is not fulfilling his/her duties, the General Assembly can suspend or remove him/her from the position by a two–third– majority vote of SSCUSA members. Such suspension or removal shall only come after prior warning of his/her conduct.

Section VI – Amendments

  1. These by–laws may be adopted, amended and repealed by a majority vote of the members of the SSCUSA. Members of SSCUSA shall include the Executive Committee, the BOD, the Advisory committee and the General Assembly.

Section VII – Dissolution

  1. In the event of dissolution of this organization, the organization shall donate the residual assets to the state or federally recognized charity.
  2. Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code,or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by a court of competent jurisdiction in the county in which the principal office of the organizsation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such pujeposes. (added by the 4th general convention 2019).

Appendix I – The Flag and Logo

  1. The map of Sankhuwa Sabha District on the background of the Nepalese and American national flags shall be the official flag and logo of SSCUSA.

Appendix II – The Ad Hoc committee

  1. An Ad Hoc Committee shall be formulated and assigned the responsibilities within the members until the general election.
  2. The Ad Hoc Committee shall be abided by the SSCUSA by– laws.

Appendix III – The Patron

  1. As proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee and approved by the first convention held on April 16th 2016, Mr. Narayan Shrestha from Superior Colorado shall be the first Patron of SSCUSA.

Appendix IV– The Charter Member

  1. Individual, who becomes the SSCUSA member before the 15th July 2017, shall be honored as the charter member. The names of charter members shall be published in the appendix of the SSCUSA by–laws after the date line.