ARTICLE I - NAME

This organization shall be known as Mali Yetu which is Swahili for Our Wealth.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

MALI YETU (our wealth) is a parent initiated institution designed to pass on the collective wealth of American Africans to our most precious possession - our children. We most family believe that the purpose of education should be:

... to transmit from one generation to the next accumulated wisdom and knowledge of [a people], and to prepare the young ... for their future membership ... and their active participation in their maintenance or development (Nyerere, 1967).

MALI YETU is committed to providing an alternative educational experience for its members and their children. through its various programs MALI YETU strives to:

to enhance self awareness by enlarging the knowledge base about ourselves here in America and elsewhere,

to heighten our self-esteem by ensuring that the learning occurs in a positive environment which reinforces our African identity.

to reinforce and strengthen the cognitive skills of ourselves and our children,

to foster a group identity by encouraging behaviors which lead to cooperative understanding and growth, and

to improve the quality of life for ourselves and our children be encouraging the practical application of the Nguzo Saba (the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa) in our everyday lives:

1. Umoja - Unity
2. Kujichagulia - Self-Determination
3. Ujima - Collective Work & Responsibility
4. Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics
5. Nia - Purpose
6. Kuumba - Creativity
7. Imani - Faith

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

A member in good standing is a resident of the Greater Cleveland and surrounding areas who is committed to the purpose of the organization, who is current with membership dues, and who has not missed more than three (3) consecutive meetings in the current year.

SECTION I: TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP

1. PARENT. The member has a child currently or formerly enrolled in a Mali Yetu program. This member has full voting rights and may hold an elected office.
   
2. TEACHER. This member teaches or has taught in a Mali Yetu program as a classroom teacher or as a chaperone. This member has full voting rights but may hold an elected office.
   
3. STUDENT. This member is as least 18 years old and has been a student in a Mali Yetu program for at least one year, This member has full voting rights and may hold an elected office.
   
4. FRIEND. This member is a person who is neither a parent or a teacher but who wishes to participate in functions/programs offered by the organization. This member may attend meetings but will not be permitted to vote or hold office.

SECTION II: PAYMENT OF DUES

Payment of the $10.00 membership fee is due upon application for membership. Membership will be valid for one calendar year beginning January 1st and ending December 31st.

SECTION III: TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership ceases automatically upon failure to pay annual dues.

SECTION IV: PERSONNEL

Teachers, chaperones and staff will be appointed by the Organization Chair and Summer School Chair with consent of the majority of the officers.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

There will be at least five designated positions of responsibility. any person qualifying for membership in categories A, B, or C and who is in good standing is eligible to be elected to one of the following positions:

SECTION I: POSITIONS

1. ORGANIZATION CHAIR. This person is the official representative of MALI YETU. This person will chair all meetings.
   
2. SUMMER SCHOOL CHAIR. This person is responsible for overseeing the summer school. This person will chair meetings in the absence of the Organization Chair.
   
3. PROGRAMS CHAIR. This person is responsible for all programs other than the summer school that are undertaken by MALI YETU. This person will chair meetings in the absence of the other two chairs.
   
4. TREASURER. This person is responsible for keeping all financial records. This person will prepare a financial report at least once per month to be presented at the general meeting.
   
5. RECORDING SECRETARY. This person is responsible for taking minutes at all meetings and for giving the minutes to The corresponding secretary in time for mailing prior to the next meeting.
   
6. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. This person is responsible for mailing all information to members concerning meetings and other events.

SECTION II: TERMS OF OFFICE

Term of each position will be for a period of one year beginning with the January meeting. should a person leave a position with more than eight months remaining in their term, an emergency election will be held to fill the position. If there are less than eight months remaining, a replacement may be appointed with the majority approval of the remaining officers. A person may serve for more than one term. No person may hold more than one position at the same time.

SECTION III: ELECTIONS

Elections will be held at the November meeting. the list of candidates must be distributed prior to the November meeting. No new names may be added during the November meeting. Newly elected persons will begin their term at the January meeting.

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS

There will be a regularly scheduled meeting on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Other meetings may be scheduled as needed. A quorum will consist of five (5) voting members.

ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting be two-thirds vote of those voting members present, provided notice was given at the previous meeting, or at a special meeting called for that purpose. All proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing.

 

Mali Yetu California 2008

Mali Yetu's core 5-week
summer program

Mali Yetu's 2007 Kwanzaa.

More Photos >>

For membership applications and registration packets: Downloads

The Cleveland State University
Black Studies Program

The Council of Independent
Black Institutions (CIBI)

My Sister's Keeper