BYLAWSOFDIASPORA COUNCIL 1

OF TANZANIANS IN AMERICA (DICOTA)PREAMBLEDICOTA is dedicated to the virtuous cycle of improving livelihood, social,

and economicdeve l opmen t o f Tanza n ia and A me r i ca . I t s ma in goa l i s t o excha nge idea s , be s t p r ac t i ce s and debate issues with intergovernmental

agencies and organizations, and strive to be a catalyst for  the establishment of better economic, social and cultural cooperation between the United Statesof America and Tanzania. DICOTA will engage in economic, social and cultural

projects and/ or activities that are of mutual benefit to both countries.DICOTA is firmly grounded in the belief of a democratic, non-theocratic, culturally

andeconom ica l ly   i nc l u s i ve  Tanz an ia .  DICO TA   i s   an   i ndepe nden t ,   non -pa r t i sa n ,   non - se c t a r i an organization dedicated to the promotion of

knowledge about Tanzania and its economic growth.The  o rgan iz a t i on  hopes   t o   be   a   c r ed i b l e ,   cons t ruc t ive   and  indepe nden t   vo i ce   fo r  Tanz an ia . Through its body of work, DICOTA

will serve as a source of constructive dialogue and a catalystfor positive change in Tanzania, and will offer a diverse voice in public discourse in the

UnitedStates of America on current issues concerning Tanzania.DICOTAORGANIZATIONALCHART

SECRETARIATTREASURERSECRETARYDEPUTYSECRETARYMEMBERSB O A R D  O F TRUSTEESADVISORYCOUNCILPRESIDENTASSISTANTTREASURER

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ARTICLE I NAME OF ORGANIZATIONT h e   N a m e   o f   t h i s   o r g a n i z a t i o n   i s   T h e   D i a s p o r a  

C o u n c i l   o f   T a n z a n i a n s   i n   A m e r i c a (DICOTA). Hereinafter it shall be known as DICOTA.ARTICLE IIPURPOSEThe pu rpos e o f D ICO TA i s t o

un i t e and s t r eng t hen the T anzan i an A mer i can D ia s po ra and its supporters, in order to enhance the economic, health, and social well being of

Tanzaniansand Americans.Our Mission

We be l i eve   i n   engag i ng   the  Tanz an ian  Am er i c an  Di a s po ra   and   i t s  suppo r t e r s   i n   p romot i ng , enhancing and sustaining the relationship between the

United States and Tanzania.Objectives

To collaborate in educating, seeking, identifying and implementing

philanthropic, and/or economic development opportunities with public and private organizations in Tanzaniaand United States that will improve people's lives in

Tanzania.

To utilize the intellectual and financial capital of the Diaspora in engaging in significant,long-term and sustainable project initiatives, for the purpose of

improving the livelihoodof all Tanzanians and Americans.

To promote the improvement of the infrastructure in Tanzania

To  bu i ld   comm un i ty   among  Di a s po ra ,   un i t e  Tanz an ians   l i v i ng   in  Am er i c a ,  ma i n t a i n connections to Tanzania and be a liaison to American friends and

supporters of Tanzania.

To educate people about Tanzania, its people and culture.

To help in focusing the efforts of the Diaspora on relief initiatives and similar charitable projects in Tanzania.ARTICLE IIILOCATIONThe principal office of

DICOTA, at which the general business of the organization will be transacted and where the records of the organization will be kept, shall be at such lo

cation inthe metropolitan area of Minneapolis-St. Paul, State of Minnesota, as may be fixed from time totime by the Board of Trustees of DICOTA.

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ARTICLE IVMEMBERSHIPS ec t i on 1 .   ( a ) The mem ber sh i p o f  DICO TA sha l l   cons i s t o f  Any pe r son l i v ing i n t he United States of America and

who (1) has Tanzanian nationality, (2) has roots from Tanzania, or  (3) considers oneself as a friend of Tanzania, and (4) whose age is 18 years or older. Any personfulfilling the conditions above shall be eligible for membership in

DICOTA.(b) To become a member, eligible persons must (1) apply for membership, (2) pay required dues;(3 ) r ece ive t he con f i rm a t i on o f

mem ber s h ip f rom t he Boa rd o f T rus t e e s . Any m em ber w hose status

becomes inactive due to non-payment of membership dues by due date shall only activatehis/her membership by paying all past due amounts as well as any present

dues.Section 2. Categories of Membership – There are going to be the following categories for DICOTA memberships:a)

Full Membership: F u l l membe r sh i p sha l l be l im i t ed t o any ind i v idua l who ha s

me t r equ i r e men t o f S ec t ion 1 o f t he A r t i c l e IV o f t he s e By l aw s above . F u l l m ember s h ip rights and benefits include the right to vote and to be voted as an officer of DICOTA or member of the Board of Trustees, upon satisfying

the requirements stipulated in section4 and 6 of the Articles IV of these Bylaws. b)

Associate Membership: Associate membership shall be open to a person 18 years or  older who does

not qualify for Full Membership. Associate Membership shall excludethe ability to hold elected office and the right to  vote.c)

Student Membership: S tuden t mem ber s h ip s ha l l be l im i t e d t o a na tu r a l pe r son

18 y e a r s   o r   o l d e r   a s   d e s c r i b e d   i n   S e c t i o n   1 ( a )   a b o v e   a n d   i s   a  r e g i s t e r e d   s t u d e n t   a t   a recognized academic institution. Proof of

eligibility will be required. Student membersshall pay a discounted membership fee that shall be determined, from time to time, by the DICOTA Board of

Trustees.Section 3. Transferability: Membership is personal to the individual Member. It shall not be sold, assigned or otherwise transferred in any manner from one

person to another.S e c t i o n   4 .   D u e s :   A l l   M e m b e r s   s h a l l   b e   r e q u i r e d   t o   p a y  

a n n u a l   m e m b e r s h i p   d u e s   a s d e s i g n a t e d   b y   D I C O T A   B o a r d   o f   T r us t e e s .   M e m b e r s h i p   d u e s   s h a l l   b e   s e p a r a t e   f r o m   a n y convention

registration fees and other costs of participating in activities of the Organization. Theamount of membership dues and due date shall be determined

by the DICOTA Board of Trustees.Failure to  pay dues by the due date shall nullify membership.Section 5. Withdrawal: Any Member may withdraw or

resign from the organization inwriting at any time. However, membership dues and assessments shall be non-refundable.Section 6. Members in Good Standing:

Members in Good Standing in the organizationshall be persons who are current members, have no outstanding dues, and are not in suspension  by DICOTA

in accordance to section 7 of the Article IV of these Bylaws.