OCA-USA NJASAWAKA By-Laws

OCA-USA NJASAWAKA Fund is the brainchild of Oroko Cultural Association USA.

Objectives

• To assist registered members in case of the death of a member.
• Ensure that Oroko USA will support members in times of grief.
• Boost enrollment and membership of OCA-USA.

The OCA-USA NJASAWAKA Fund shall be managed by the national executive, who shall present biannual financial reports to registered members.

Article I — Membership

Membership is open exclusively to registered members of OCA-USA and their eligible dependents, in good standing as at the time a death occurs. The calendar year for OCA-USA begins in September each year, at which time annual registration is due.

Enrollment shall be done preferably through chapters, except in the case of a member at large where a chapter does not exist. Payment of premiums can be through local chapters and/or the OCA-USA Financial Department. Chapter Presidents shall remit premiums received from registered members who have paid their death insurance premium within 48 hours to the National Treasurer and furnish the receipt to the National Financial Secretary.

Article II — Obligations

Oroko USA contracts to pay the sum of $10,000 to the bereaved family through the designated beneficiary at the time of enrollment in the event of the death of a registered member. For a minor, the benefit is $5,000.

Members agree to pay yearly dues of $100. Minors who are 18 years or less and still dependent pay $50. If the NJASAWAKA account runs out of funds to meet payout obligations, the total amount of $10,000, or $5,000 for minors, will be divided equally among registered members in good standing who are current with payment of their NJASAWAKA dues. Annual NJASAWAKA dues are due within the first quarter of OCA-USA’s financial year.

Article III — NJASAWAKA Funds

OCA-USA NJASAWAKA funds shall be maintained in a separate account with the current President, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer as signatories. The NJASAWAKA dues shall be held in an escrow account strictly for the payment of death benefits. The funds shall serve as cushion for any late or unpaid contributions by members so death benefits can be disbursed on time.

Article IV — Claims

Claims shall be submitted by the chapter president or designee where the deceased member belonged to a chapter, or by the family head or beneficiary in the case of a member at large.

Article V — Payment of Benefits

Once a claim has been approved by the executive, OCA-USA shall dispatch an envoy to the bereaved family within two weeks of the occurrence with a check in the amount of $10,000, or $5,000 for a minor, to be handed to the designated beneficiary in the presence of a local chapter member where the deceased belonged, or a family head in the case of a member at large. Benefits will be paid to active members with residence in the USA.

Article VI — Eligibility

Newly registered members have a three-month waiting period from the date of effective enrollment to receive any benefit. Eligibility will remain in force for as long as the member remains in good standing by renewing registration to OCA-USA and remaining up to date with annual dues.

Article VII — Loss of Benefits / Membership

Membership and benefits shall be lost if a member:

• Fails to update annual registration with OCA-USA.
• Fails to make death contributions promptly.
• Voluntarily withdraws from the insurance fund.
• Fails to pay annual dues within the stipulated deadline.

Article VIII — Life Span

The OCA-USA NJASAWAKA Fund shall exist in perpetuity until such time when its members deem fit to either dissolve it or change its composition. In case of dissolution, registered members who have paid into the NJASAWAKA Fund and are current with their dues will divide the funds equally among all eligible members.

Article IX — Return of Dues

The Return of Dues provision is an incentive to encourage OCA-USA members to buy into the NJASAWAKA plan. The Return of Dues percentage is for registered members who have been paying into the NJASAWAKA plan for 15 years and are in good standing at that time. These registered members will determine the percent of dues that OCA-USA will pay back to them based on funds available in the NJASAWAKA account and as a result of no death claim.

Article X — Miscellaneous Provisions

These bylaws are subject to amendment as proposed and adopted by the national executive.

Article XI — Entry into Force

These bylaws shall enter into force on the date of adoption, as specified below.

DATED THIS DAY OF 2026.

Signed for the National Executive: Mosongo Nanje Devine Okole, President; Secretary General.