By-Laws

Article I

Name of the Corporation and Headquarters

This organization shall be known as the Bangladesh International Literary Society (BILS). Its headquarters shall be in the city of Monsey and state of New York.
The current mailing address is 1 Ullman Terrace, Monsey, NY 10952. Email address doncsaha@yahoo.com

Article III

Members

Membership shall not be denied based on color, race, sex, sexual preference, religious affiliation, age or nationality.
Each member shall have a voice and a single vote at a council meeting.
Any resolution shall be deemed acceptable with two thirds of majority upon voting of eligible members.
Membership shall be confirmed upon submission and approval of completed application form.
Termination of membership shall be carried out by the Council upon simple majority for any activities of a member deemed against the interest and image of the organization.
Membership may be free, but donations from the membership or anyone is encouraged.

Article V
The President or their representative shall be responsible for calling the regular and yearly meetings.
The Vice President shall act in the absence of the President.
The Treasurer, if required by the Council, shall be charged with faithful discharge of their duties in sum and with sureties as determined by the Council.
The Secretary shall be responsible for recording and keeping all the records of the meetings, corresponding with the membership and the society, and preparing annual reports.
The President shall have the right to call and/or conduct any and all meetings of the Council and the organization.

Article II

Purposes

This organization is exclusively for idea development and charitable purposes, including the creation of a literary association dedicated to creative support for and promotion of Bengali arts and culture.
The goal of BILS is to publish and promote Bengali literature and related works, and to celebrate diversity, progress, and the free exchange of ideas through writing, for the benefit of society.
To offer awards to encourage and promote writing for social equity, truth, and justice for all.

Article IV

Officers of the Council

The Council shall be administered by the officers of the Council, which shall consist of:

a. President
b. Vice-president
c. Treasurer
d. Secretary

Election and Terms of the office: Officers shall be elected at an annual meeting by the simple majority of the members present. Officers will serve for a term of three years.
Removal: Any officer can be removed by simple majority of the voters present.

Article VI
Meetings
Annual meeting shall be held at a place convenient to the membership.
Regular meetings shall be quarterly, either in-person or by phone/zoom or other electronic methods.
Quorum shall be met if 25% of the regular members are present, or 50% of the officers are present

Article VII
Council may authorize any officer to solicit and receive funds – any contribution, gift, bequests, or devices for the general purpose of the organization.
The funds shall be deposited to the organization’s account.
No funds shall be disbursed, nor any obligation be created in the name of the Council by any officers without approval of the Council.
Fiscal year shall be January 1 to December 31 of each year.

Article IX

Contributions

1. The membership is free, however, the Council may determine from time-to-time the type and amount of fee, if any, and annual or regularly scheduled contribution.
2. Contributions may be refused from any persons whose views and activities may conflict with the views, aims and objectives of the organization.

Article XI

Amendments

These by-laws can be amended or repealed, and new-bylaws can be adopted by two-thirds of the Council or 51% of the members present in a meeting or annual Council meeting.

Article VIII

Books and Records

1. The Council shall keep records and bank books, and update minutes regularly.
2. The records shall be kept for seven years.

Article X

Corporate Seal

The Council shall provide a corporate seal, inscribed as Bangladesh International Literary Society, which shall be used in official activities.

Article XII
Dissolution
Dissolution of the Council will be determined by collecting the signatures of two-thirds of its members or the 50% of the Council members.
In the absence of the required membership for the Council for more than two years, the President shall have the right to dissolve the organization.
Distribution of the remaining assets upon dissolution and satisfying of all obligations of the organization and the Council, shall be distributed for the purposes within the scope of 501c (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Service Code and amendments thereto or any future tax code for a public purpose.

Chestnut Ridge, NY. July 26 – 27, 2025

Chestnut Ridge, NY. July 27 – 28, 2024

Chestnut Ridge, NY. July 29 – 30, 2023